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- December 2, 2024
December 2, 2024
🕯 What is a Lovefeast?
Christy Bellis & Jacob Gauthier
December 02, 2024
What is a Lovefeast?
This beloved Moravian tradition has been celebrated in Winston-Salem for more than 250 years! Keep reading to learn more about Lovefeasts and how they were started.
Photo courtesy of Wake Forest University
What: A Moravian Lovefeast is a special service where hymns are sung and Moravian coffee & sweet buns are served to the congregation. Christmastime Lovefeasts also include the lighting of beeswax candles.
History: The first Moravian Lovefeast was held in Germany on August 13, 1727. After celebrating a memorable holy communion together, several groups of Moravians didn’t want to part ways. Their benefactor, Count Zinzendorf, sent them food from his manor house so they could stay together, thus starting the tradition.
Celebrate: Winston-Salem has no shortage of Lovefeast services! You can experience a Lovefeast for yourself at Wake Forest University or one of the many Moravian churches in Winston-Salem. All are welcome to participate!
Discover the perfect sparkling gifts for everyone on your list at Windsor Jewelers' Annual Holiday Open House on December 8!
🎁 Enjoy interest-free financing on your purchase
💎 Meet designer Frederic Sage in person
⭐️ Enter for your chance to win a $500 gift certificate towards Windsor Jewelers in-store merchandise*
🗓 Events
Tuesday, December 3
Tree Lighting - Ring in the season at Clemmons Village Hall with a festive tree lighting! 5:30 PM
Guitar Recital - Listen to UNCSA guitar students perform solo and ensemble works at Watson Hall. 7:30 PM
Holiday Bells - The Piedmont Wind Symphony plays beloved holiday music at Centenary United Methodist Church. 7:30 PM
Wednesday, December 4
Sushi Class - Learn how to make sushi at Joymongers Barrel Hall with GringoNinja and enjoy all-you-can-eat sushi! 6:30 PM
Thursday, December 5
Jazzy Soul Christmas - Vocalist Rhonda Thomas performs soulful holiday jazz at Union Station. 7 PM*
Christmas Candlelight Service - Salem College hosts a free candlelight service at the Elberson Fine Arts Center, featuring the Salem Chorale. 4:15 PM*
Opening Night - Watch Camel City Playhouse’s performance of “Talking With.” Runs through December 15.
Wine Dinner - Enjoy a 6-course dinner paired with wine at Sage & Salt Bistro. 7 PM
Bots on Tap - Build a robot or program one you’ve already built at Radar Brewing! 5:30-8:30 PM
Face to Face - American novelist Jesmyn Ward speaks at Wait Chapel as part of Wake Forest’s Face to Face Speaker Forum. The event is free and open to the public. 6 PM
Hope for the Hills - Enjoy acts from local performers and an art auction at Hanesbrands Theatre! All ticket proceeds and donations benefit the NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund. 6 PM
Repeal Day - Celebrate the end of Prohibition at Dram & Draught! Come dressed in your favorite decade. 7-10 PM
Fireside - Join NCMA Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA) for its artist talk series! This month features a discussion with Chef Stephanie Tyson of Sweet Potatoes and Chef Justin Webster of Heff's Burger Club. 6 PM
Stage Show - Theatre Alliance presents “Straight White Men.” Rated R. Runs through Saturday.
Friday, December 6
Christmas Wrapped in Brass - The North Carolina Brass Band performs its annual Christmas concert at Salem College. 7:30 PM*
Festive Family Friday - Bring the whole family to Kaleideum to visit Santa, create festive holiday crafts, and make reindeer food. 6 PM*
The Nutcracker - Watch UNCSA students bring this classic ballet to life at the Steven Tanger Center. Runs through Sunday.
Lights of Hope - Forsyth Humane Society hosts a lighting ceremony and holiday festival! You can purchase a light in honor of your pets and help FHS continue supporting shelter pets in the community. 5-8 PM
Hobby Mega Show - Shop from 350 vendors showcasing items like comic books, vintage trading cards, collectibles, and more at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. Runs through Saturday.
Tree Lighting - Meet Santa, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and watch Lewisville light up its tree in Shallowford Square! 7 PM
Twin City Santa - Attend this annual toy drive and semi-formal event at The Millenium Center, featuring live music, food & drinks, and a 360 photo booth. 8 PM - 12 AM
Tuba Christmas - Listen to your favorite Christmas carols performed by tuba players at First Presbyterian Church! 6:30 PM
Only 5 days until the most wonderful run of the year! The Mistletoe Run is the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina’s largest fundraiser event and features:
🎉 Family-friendly fun like bounce houses and mascots
🏃♀️ Multiple race lengths: Half Marathon, 5K, and 1 mile Fun Run
🍩 Donuts at the finish line
It's not too late to join—register today!*
🗞 Other News
📚 Challenge: Giving Tuesday is December 3, and you can help Bookmarks reach its $10,000 donation challenge! Last year alone, Bookmarks gave away the equivalent of 35 books a day, organized 66 author visits in schools, and hosted 110 free events. Support Bookmarks today!*
⭐ Lighting: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist will hold a lighting ceremony on Tuesday, December 3, for its 31-foot Moravian star! The star weighs 3,400 pounds and has been a holiday tradition since 1992.
️⚽️ Athletics: Wake Forest’s men’s and women’s soccer teams are in the NCAA Tournament! The men’s team won the ACC Tournament and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals after Sunday night’s win against Clemson. The women’s team advanced to the NCAA semifinals after its win against USC on Friday. Go Deacs!
🎄 Local Legend: Izial Williams and his family will light Clemmons’ Christmas tree on Tuesday, December 3! Izial is a joyful 2-year-old fighting his second battle with cancer.
💙 Support: Tuesday, December 3, is Giving Tuesday. Consider donating to these non-profit organizations based in Winston-Salem—they run on support from people like you! List is not comprehensive.
A MESSAGE FROM WILKERSON MORAVIAN BAKERY
The Most Famous Cookie of All®
You know Dasher and Dancer, but do you recall the sweetest holiday tradition of all? This season, treat your loved ones to the legendary flavors from Wilkerson Moravian Bakery, serving up holiday cheer for nearly 100 years!
Photos courtesy of Wilkerson Moravian Bakery
🍪 What to Order:
Moravian Cookies (mix & match from 6 legendary flavors)
Cheese Straws (Original and Rosemary with FOUR aged cheeses.
Gift Packs (a little bit of everything!)
Pastries (cakes, cupcakes, muffins, and more)
Coffee and Hot Chocolate (try them with their custom Wilkerson Spice syrup!)
🎅 Save the Date: December 14th - Santa’s making a special stop at their Stratford location! He’ll be there from 1-4 PM, so bring the kiddos (or just stop by for a little holiday cheer)!
📍 Visit them at 593 S Stratford Road near Total Wine and Carrabba's OR shop gifts online at WilkersonBakery.com - they ship nationwide!
SPONSORED
Upcoming Events
Visit From Santa - Enjoy a fun, festive time with Santa at Union Station on December 7.
Holiday Open House - Shop at Windsor Jewelers on December 8 for interest-free financing, the chance to win a $500 gift certificate, and an in-person visit from designer Frederic Sage.
Business Class - Join Wake Forest Executive Education for its workshop on Authentic and Effective Leadership at Wake Downtown on December 13. Register by December 3.
Financial Class - Learn how to protect your identity through Piedmont Federal Bank’s free monthly financial literacy class at Robinhood Road Family YMCA on December 16.
An Enchanted Christmas - Take a self-guided tour through the decorated Reynolda House after hours on December 17. Make holiday cards, listen to organ music, and enjoy a hot chocolate bar!
Vienna Light Orchestra - Listen to world-class musicians and vocalists perform beautiful holiday music while lit by the glow of candlelight. Performances held on December 23 at R.J. Reynolds Auditorium.
🌀 The Wrap
🎭 Team member Jacob is excited to see UNCSA’s “The Nutcracker” this weekend!
🔥 Warm up at one of these bars, restaurants, or vineyards with outdoor fire pits!
