Hickory Buzz

Pancakes with Santa
2025-12-13 08:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | See Description, United States
We are so excited to invite you to a magical morning of holiday fun at our special Breakfast with Santa event, hosted in partnership with North Hickory Market!
Get ready to kick off the holiday season with delicious food, festive cheer, and the chance to meet Santa Claus himself.

No Tickets needed! Just show up!
Date: Saturday, December 13th
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: North Hickory Market

The best part? Hickory Learning Group will be providing pictures with Santa, creating a treasured keepsake for your family. Be sure to bring your best smiles!

This event is about more than just pancakes and seeing Santa—it’s about giving back to our community. We will be collecting donations for the Mental Health Transformation Alliance 501c3.

Every dollar raised will go directly toward their incredible mission to open a much-needed special needs school right here in our community. By attending, you are helping to transform the educational landscape and provide vital resources for local children.
Please join us for a morning of festive fun while supporting a truly transformative community project. We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you!

Alexander County Farmers Market
2025-12-13 08:00 - 12:00 | Alexander County Services Center, 151 West Main Ave, Taylorsville, NC, 28681, United States
Event:
Support your local vendors at the Alexander County Services Center in downtown Taylorsville! New vendors are also welcome!

Christmas Sack Inking Class
2025-12-13 10:00 - 12:00 | The Graceful Geese Mercantile, 2220 US Hwy 70 SE # 179, Hickory, NC, 28602, United States
🎅 Santa Sack Inking Class Saturday, December 13th 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Price: $30 (Includes Santa sack, personalization, and all inking supplies)
Create your own personalized Santa Sack just in time for the holidays! This fun and festive class includes a full-size Santa sack, all inking materials, and a variety of stencil and color options. Perfect for gifting or adding magic to Christmas morning.
Location: The Graceful Geese Mercantile Hosted By: Untamed Artistry – Inked, Chalked & Dazzled
🎅 Create a magical keepsake! Sign up today.

Mindbender Mansion Exhibit
2025-12-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Catawba Science Center, 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Enter the wonderfully puzzling world of Mindbender Mansion, an eclectic place full of brainteasers and interactive challenges guaranteed to test the brain power and problem-solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers! Math, science, and technology educational content are woven into the puzzles, videos, and group challenges found inside the exhibit! Sponsored by USConec, Corning, Shurtape, and Piedmont Natural Gas.

CVCC Student Art Show
2025-12-13 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-14 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-15 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-16 10:00 - 17:00 | Trade Alley Art, 25 2nd St NW, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
This show will open on December 2nd running until December 29th at Trade Alley Art Gallery. Reception will be held on December 18th from 6-8PM to celebrate and reward the students and their artwork. Come support the young arts in our community.

A STEM Career Showcase!
2025-12-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Catawba Science Center, 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Event:
Don’t miss this month’s SPARK event in the Foothills Collaboratory featuring Corning Optical Communications. SPARK is a STEM career showcase featuring local industries in the Carolina Foothills. Participate in guided activities based on their careers. The LAB can be found at the end of the South entrance hallway, across from Velo-City.

About:
The Catawba Science Center opened its doors in 1975 as the Creative Museum for Youth, founded by the Service League of Hickory (a local volunteer organization) in the historic John Cilley house, a 4,000 sq. ft. Victorian-era structure. Today, Catawba Science Center is a 35,000 sq. ft. science and technology museum whose purpose is to change lives and inspire learning through science and wonder.

Hickory Choral Society Christmas Concert
2025-12-13 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-12-13 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-12-14 15:00 - 16:30 | See Description, United States
Event:
Join us this December for an evening of Christmas music with the 100+ voice Hickory Choral Society, featuring music by early American composer William Billings alongside 20th-century voices Daniel Pinkham, Dominick Argento, Rosephanye Powell, and Moses Hogan. Beloved favorites such as the Alfred Burt Carols and The Many Moods of Christmas will be joined by an orchestrated setting of White Christmas, the best-selling single of all time. Enhanced by the fantastic orchestra and stunning venue of Corinth Reformed Church, this concert is one that you don’t want to miss!
Our Christmas concerts begin an exciting 2025-2026 Season 48. All of our concerts are FREE to the public.
Those who choose to donate to become Contributing Members will receive benefits, such as preferred and reserved seating, reserved parking, and more.

The Classic Drifters & The Coasters - Holiday & Hits
2025-12-13 15:00 - 18:00, 2025-12-13 19:00 - 22:00 | Newton Performing Arts Center, 60 West 6th Street, Newton, NC, 28658, United States
Performance:
With legendary hits like Up on the Roof, Under the Boardwalk, and This Magic Moment, The Drifters helped shape Rock & Roll. Featuring icons like Clyde McPhatter and Ben E. King, they were the first to add strings to R&B and the first African American group inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their music has sold millions and continues to inspire. The Coasters bring high-energy fun with classics like Yakety Yak, Charlie Brown, and Poison Ivy. Founded by Carl Gardner and now led by Veta Gardner, this entertaining group mixes music and comedy for unforgettable performances at concerts, cruises, and events worldwide.

About:
The Newton Performing Arts Center is a historic Art Deco theater in Newton, NC. It offers live performances, concerts, and community events in an intimate, state-of-the-art setting. With a seating capacity of 504, the venue is equipped with modern amenities, including a full bar, live music options, and facilities for meetings and events. It prides itself on delivering “small town theater with big city entertainment.”

Santa Claus Visits 2025
2025-12-13 16:00 - 19:00 | Courthouse Square, Morganton, 102 E Union St, Morganton, NC, 28655, United States
Event:
Visit Santa on the Historic Burke County Courthouse Square in Downtown Morganton! Santa will be working away in his workshop on the square, ready for visits!

About:

Downtown Morganton is the heart of the City. The City of Morganton sits on the Catawba River in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Morganton is blessed with scenic rural landscapes, abundant outdoor adventure venues, wonderful shopping and dining opportunities, a thriving downtown music and art scene, and a state-of-the-art performing arts center.

Christmas Kaboom!! Fireworks and Christmas Show
2025-12-13 16:30 - 22:00 | Hickory Motor Speedway, 3130 US Hwy 70 SE, Newton, NC, 28658, United States
Event:
Hickory Motor Speedway is a short track located in Hickory, North Carolina. It is one of stock car racing’s most storied venues, and is often referred to as the “World’s Most Famous Short Track” and the “Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars”. The track first opened in 1951 as a 0.500 mi dirt track. 125 Laps

Downtown Morganton Carriage Rides 2025
2025-12-13 17:30 - 21:00 | Courthouse Square, Morganton, 102 E Union St, Morganton, NC, 28655, United States
Event:
Downtown Morganton will host carriage rides for the 2025 holiday season on select evenings in November and December.

About:

Downtown Morganton is the heart of the City. The City of Morganton sits on the Catawba River in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Morganton is blessed with scenic rural landscapes, abundant outdoor adventure venues, wonderful shopping and dining opportunities, a thriving downtown music and art scene, and a state-of-the-art performing arts center.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
2025-12-13 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-12-14 14:30 - 16:00 | Hickory Community Theatre, 30 3rd St NW, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Event:
The holiday classic soars off the screen in this stage adaptation of the beloved television special. Filled with holiday hits like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” this classic features all of your favorite characters including Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special.

B Chord Live Presents McKinney Gap
2025-12-13 19:30 - 22:00 | B Chord Live, 47 Duke St., Granite Falls, NC, 28630, United States
Event:

B Chord Live is happy to welcome back McKinney Gap! These two bluegrass buds have been performing together for 30+ years, they both have a deep love for traditional bluegrass music as well as progressive bluegrass. They guarantee a toe-tapping good time! Come join us this December evening!

Beers & Balance - Yoga with Stephanie
2025-12-14 11:00 - 12:00 | City Walk Brewing & Distilling, 205 Main Ave NE, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Event:
Beers & Balance — Yoga with Stephanie Easter
Class and a Glass for $15 (N/A and non-beer options available!)
Rain or Shine – if it’s a beautiful day we’re generally on the turf. If it’s so-so we’re under the covered patio or inside the taproom. Reset from the weekend every 2nd Sunday of the month.

WPS Youth Orchestras Fall Concert
2025-12-14 15:00 - 17:00 | Drendel Auditorium, 243 3rd Avenue Northeast, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Event:
Hear our young artists in performance! Both Debut Strings and the Youth Symphony will perform works from the classical repertoire.
The Western Piedmont Symphony Youth Orchestras (Debut Strings and the Youth Symphony) are an integral member of the Western Piedmont Symphony family and are a rigorous part of the cultural fabric of the community. The WPSYO program cultivates artistic growth of its members through enriching orchestral experiences.
Seating is reserved/assigned. Highly recommend purchasing tickets before the concert. This show is always sold out.

The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes
2025-12-14 17:30 - 21:00 | Newton Performing Arts Center, 60 West 6th Street, Newton, NC, 28658, United States
Event:
Join Cary Elwes (Westley) for a behind-the-scenes look at life on and off the set of the classic film, The Princess Bride. After a screening of the iconic movie, Elwes will engage in a moderated discussion revealing never before shared secrets and tales of inconceivable antics! VIP Tickets ($150) include Meet & Greet with Cary Elwes and signed copy of his book. VIP Meet & Greet will start at 3:30 pm, doors open at 3:00 pm for VIP.

About:
The Newton Performing Arts Center is a historic Art Deco theater in Newton, NC. It offers live performances, concerts, and community events in an intimate, state-of-the-art setting. With a seating capacity of 504, the venue is equipped with modern amenities, including a full bar, live music options, and facilities for meetings and events. It prides itself on delivering “small town theater with big city entertainment.”

Line Dancing with Angie!
2025-12-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Dive Bar Hickory, 117 Government Ave SW, Hickory, NC, 28602, United States
Event:

Every Sunday from 6pm-7:30pm in Hickory! All skill levels welcomed… Even those with two left feet!

Fonta Flora Run Club
2025-12-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Fonta Flora Brewery, 317 N Green St, Morganton, NC, 28655, United States
Event:

Every Monday at the Morganton Pub Location. All ages and skill levels welcome. Run starts promptly at 6:15pm.

LA Shaggers Test & Tune
2025-12-15 18:30 - 20:30 | 1841 Cafe, 117 N Main St, Lenoir, NC, 28645, United States
Beginner/Intermediate/Advance Shag Lessons
***FREE***
Monday nights 6:30pm-8:30pm
@ 1841 Cafe
117 N Main St, Lenoir, NC 28645
Ignore the closed sign go in and ask directions to the 4th floor. Bring take-out or eat before you come the kitchen is close on Mondays
Call Vickie
828.850.3857 to confirm meeting each week.

Sidetracked Weekly Pinball Tournament
2025-12-15 18:30 - 21:30 | SideTracked Brewery, 609 S Green St Suite 100, Morganton, NC, 28655, United States
Event:

Come out to our Weekly Pinball Tournaments held every Monday at 630pm!
Events are IFPA sanctioned and are Target Matchplay Format. A $10 buy-in covers all your tournament pinball play and practice. There will be a cash prize to the top 2 spots! New and inexperienced players are encouraged to attend! It’s just a bunch of nerds pressing buttons after all

Trivia Night!
2025-12-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Romeo & Brewliet Tap Room & Pour House, 2016 N Center St, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Trivia Night Is On!

Grab your smartest friends (or your best guessers) and come take on Trivia Night at Romeo & Brewliet! The fun kicks off tonight at 7 — cold beer, good laughs, and plenty of brain busters await.

Bonus: Rotating FOOD TRUCKS will be serving from 5–9 PM, so fuel up before you fire off those answers.

Pre-K Craft & Storytime - Grape Kids Class
2025-12-16 10:30 - 11:00 | Painted Grape, 1366 US-321, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Event:

Now Free but Registration Required. Each week we will have a craft & story time. We will read a classic, yet age-appropriate story followed by a craft.
We will remain open until 5pm with Open Studio hours for you to do other paid crafts and activities.
