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The Downtown Christmas Open House will be 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday throughout downtown Albemarle.

Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation Director Joy Almond provided information on several activities, things to see and items to taste downtown.

Stroll And Shop

Many downtown businesses will be open late for shoppers.

Welcome Center

The ADDC Welcome Center at the corner of Courthouse Square will have a free shopping tote, event brochures and for general information about downtown Albemarle available to visitors.

Tickets to the ADDC’s Holiday Tour of Homes will also be available for purchase. Each purchaser receives a free vintage downtown ornament.

Pop-Up Shop

Visit the ADDC Pop Up Shop at 113 S. Main St. (across from Off the Square) for more gift options. This also contains the Customer Service Center for free gift wrap on any items purchased at Downtown Albemarle stores.

Mocktails

The Bridge to Recovery table, located outside the Pop Up Shop entrance, will have mocktail recipes to sample.

Live Ice Sculpture Demo

Throughout the evening at the intersection of Main and Second streets. An artist from Artisan Ice Sculptures will present a live creation of a Thanksgiving and Christmas-themed masterpiece.

Kids Workshop at the Library

Little ones can create their own holiday-themed crafts throughout the evening courtesy of Albemarle Parks and Recreation and Gray Stone Day School Art Department. Stanly County Public Library is at 133 E. Main St.

History Center Happenings

The Stanly County History Center, at 157 N. Second St., will be open to visitors and will host a special activity for kids.

The History Center also invites everyone to visit the historic Snuggs House at 112 N. Third St. The Snuggs House will be festively decorated for the holiday season and ready to receive guests, complete with cider and cookies.

Christmas Movies
Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation celebrates 30 years with a showing of the 1989 classic “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Enjoy this outdoor movie next to the tree lighting at Albemarle City Hall.
The Gathering, at 175 N. First St., will also feature a Christmas movie.

Photography Show

Second Street Gallery, at 130 S. 2nd St., will feature the work of local photographer Dwight Dennis.

Dennis will be in-store to showcase his series of photography featuring the Uwharrie region and Morrow Mountain.

Tree Lighting

The holiday season will kick off with the ceremonial tree lighting in front of Albemarle City Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Santa at the Square

Santa guest of honor will be at Courthouse Square Park under the colonnade. Kids will receive a free candy cane with their visit and photos are welcomed.

Hayrides

Enjoy the ambiance of downtown Albemarle on a festive hayride, hosted by Albemarle Parks and Recreation. Dropoff and pickup points are in front of Stanly County Courthouse at 201 S. Second St. and Melissa Kathleen’s School of Dance at 151 N. First St.

Face Painting

Face painting artists will be stationed in front of the Alameda Theater on North Second Street and the Uwharrie Conference Center at 152 W. Main St.

Food/Dining Options

Visit downtown restaurants or dine in the Food Truck Corner at the parking lot of First and Main streets.

At the Food Truck Corner, food from Chick-fil-A and others, plus beverages from Cabarrus Brewing Co., will be available. There will be music by Curness Russell with special guests John Hawley and Antonio Bernard.

The Goody Shop Celebrates 100 Years

Visit The Goody Shop Cafe at 241 W. Main St. to wish them a happy 100th anniversary. Open after-hours for An Albemarle Downtown Christmas, The Goody Shop Cafe will also feature a classic car display in front of the restaurant.

Miss Stanly
Next door to The Goody Shop Cafe, say hello to Miss Stanly County 2019 Karie Grace Shields as she promotes the programs available through the American Red Cross.

APD/AFD Bake Sale
Support the City of Albemarle Police and Fire Departments by purchasing a treat at their annual bake sale, located in the tent beside of Courthouse Square.

All proceeds from the bake sale will be used to take children shopping at Christmas.

Boy Scouts Fundraiser

Boy Scout Troop 82 will be set up in front of Brown, Brown & Brown at the corner of Second and Main streets, selling refreshments, as well as spring rolls, courtesy of family-owned Thai restaurant Ly Cuisine.