facebook Share on Facebook {mosimage}It's that time of year again...fill your Holiday calendar with JoCo events from young to old.

Tuesday December 1 2009 - Thursday December 31 2009 Meadow Lights The largest fantasy of Christmas Lights in this area! Enjoy an authentic manger scene, a carousel ride and more. Visit the old-fashioned candy store, ride the train and visit Santa! Times: Mon-Thur 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sun 5pm-11pm. Location: Seven miles south of Benson off Hwy 96 on Godwin Lake Road. 4546 Godwin Lake Rd. Benson, NC 27504 Admission: Free. Phone: Ronina Huff, 919 894-4370 Tuesday December 1 2009 Selma's Christmas Parade Parade begins at 7 pm Location: Uptown Selma 100 N. Raiford St. Selma, NC 27576 Admission: Free. Phone: Joe Carter, 919-975-1411

Thursday December 3 2009 - Tuesday December 22 2009 AMJ Christmas Show Take a nostalgic trip back to an innocent age when anticipation of Santa's visit made the holidays magical. Enjoy gospel favorites and the contemporary beat of hits like "Christmas in Dixie". Matinees 1:40pm or 2:10pm, Evening Shows 7:40pm. Toll free 1-877-843-7839 or (919) 202-9927. December Show dates: 3-8, 10-15, 17-22 Location: Rudy Theatre, Selma. 300 N. Raiford St. PO Box 429 Selma, NC 27576 Admission: Call for ticket prices & availability. Phone: Spook Joyner, 919 202-9927

Thursday December 3 2009 Christmas in Cleveland Bring your family to light the Christmas tree. There will be games, music and of course, Santa Claus! Free! Event time 6-8pm. Location: First Citizens Bank Parking Lot, Cleveland Area. Admission: Free. Phone: Marlene Hill, 919 773-8448

Thursday December 3 2009 Christmas Village & Tree Lighting Main Street Clayton is transformed into a Christmas Village with treats at the business open house, storefront decoration contest, doggie costume contest, live musical and dance performances, Clayton High School band & Chorus, celebrity master of ceremonies, and the Annual Tree Lighting! Event time: 6-8:30pm. Location: Main Street to Town Square, Clayton. Admission: Free. Phone: Bruce Naegelen, 919 553-1545

Thursday December 3 2009 - Sunday December 6 2009 Country Music Showcase: I'll Be Home for Christmas Join the CMS cast and celebrate a music-filled Carolina-style Christmas with your country favorites from the past and present. Call early, this show sells out fast. Happy Holidays! Show times: Thurs-Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm & 7pm, Sun 2pm. Location: Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, Johnston Community College, Smithfield. 245 College Rd. Smithfield, NC 27577 Admission: Call for ticket prices. Phone: Debbie Elam, 919 209-2099

Thursday December 3 2009 - Wednesday December 9 2009 Festival of Trees A display of live Christmas trees decorated in unique and whimsical themes that relate to the Christmas season. A variety of entertainment will be provided for the event. Event times: Thurs 6-8pm, Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm, Mon-Wed 9am-8pm. Location: Johnston Medical Mall, Smithfield. Admission: Free. Phone: Sarah Ann Sasser, 919 934-7433

Thursday December 3 2009 Kenly Christmas Parade Parade begins at 6pm. Location: Downtown Kenly. 206 W. Second St. PO Box 519 Kenly, NC 27542 Phone: Jennifer Holloman, 919 284-5510 Thursday December 3 2009 Smithfield Tree Lighting Come and join us as we light the Town's Christmas Tree! Event time 7pm. Location: Third Street in front of Sheriff's Office, Smithfield. Admission: Free. Phone: Laura Crumpler, 919 934-2148 x21

Friday December 4 2009 Benson's Christmas On Main There will be a Christmas parade, entertainment, hot cider and cookies. Event time 6-9pm. Location: Main Street in Downtown Benson. Admission: Free. Phone: Loretta Byrd, 919 894-3825

Friday December 4 2009 - Friday December 18 2009 Country Tonight! Come hear the best country music from today and yesterday and comedy that will keep you laughing in your seat! Each week, Country Tonight offers a featured band that performs some of your favorite country songs. With a little family comedy added to the show, you have the ingredients for a night of fun! Show time: Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7:45pm. Additional December dates: 11, 18. Location: Corner of Webb & Waddell Streets. The Ice House Theatre 112 N. Webb St. Selma, NC 27576 Admission: Call for ticket prices or visit www.countrytonightmusicshow.com Phone: Bowie Martin, 252 237-6199

Friday December 4 2009 Four Oaks Tree Lighting and Santa House Event begins at 6pm Location: Downtown Four Oaks. Admission: Free. Phone: Jennifer Wiggins, 919 963-4004

Saturday December 5 2009 Bentonville's Christmas Open House Costumed interpreters decorate the kitchen in festive themes, such as holly and magnolia branches, cotton stalks and various fruits, cranberry and popcorn strands. While discussing how the common soldier spent his time on furlough, historians will serve cookies and hot cider. Event time: 10am-4pm. Location: Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, Four Oaks. 5466 Harper House Rd. Four Oaks, NC 27524 Admission: Free. Phone: Derrick Brown, 910 594-0789

Saturday December 5 2009 - Sunday December 6 2009 Christmas Open House Celebrate a country-style Christmas with Depression-era holiday decorations, refreshments of yesteryear, crafts for the kids, and of course, Santa Claus! Event time: Sat. 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm. Location: Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Hwy 301 N., Kenly. 709 Church St.- US Hwy 301 N. PO Box 88 Kenly, NC 27542 Admission: Free. Phone: Elaine Richardson, 919 284-3431

Saturday December 5 2009 Four Oaks Christmas Parade Parade begins at 12 noon. Location: Main Street, Four Oaks Admission: Free. Phone: Marie Thompson, 919 963-2177 Monday December 7 2009 - Wednesday December 23 2009 Lazy O Farm Christmas Dayz Bring your Christmas party to the farm! Our Christmas barn offers a visit with Santa, crafts for children, nativity animals and a hayride. Campfire and marshmallow roasting available for night appointments. Picnic area available. Location: 3583 Packing Plant Rd., Smithfield. 3583 Packing Plant Rd. Smithfield, NC 27577 Admission: Call for prices and appointments. Phone: Tami Thompson, 919 934-1132

Thursday December 10 2009 Smithfield's Christmas Parade Santa is coming to town. Please join us as we celebrate the holiday season. Parade begins at 7pm. Location: Second Street through Sixth Street, Smithfield. Admission: Free. Phone: Laura Crumpler, 919 934-2148 x21

Saturday December 12 2009 Clayton Christmas Parade Parade begins at 3pm. Marching bands, clowns, civic groups and of course, Santa! Location: Main Street, Clayton Admission: Free. Phone: Kimberly Moffett, 919 553-6352

Saturday December 12 2009 Johnston County Chorale's Christmas Show Join the fifty-voice chorale backed by a twenty-five piece orchestra as they present beloved Christmas favorites, both popular and religious. Santa will also make an appearance. Show time: 7pm Location: Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, Smithfield. Admission: Call for ticket prices. Phone: Pat Schlecht, 919 209-2099

Saturday December 12 2009 Lazy O Farm Family Dayz Enjoy Christmas at the farm! Our Christmas barn offers a visit with Santa, crafts for children, nativity animals and a hayride. Campfire and marshmallow roasting available for night appointments. Picnic area available. Location: 3583 Packing Plant Rd., Smithfield. 3583 Packing Plant Rd. Smithfield, NC 27577 Admission: Call for prices. Phone: Tami Thompson, 919 934-1132

Saturday December 12 2009 Micro Parade Parade begins at 1pm. Location: Downtown Micro. Admission: Free. Phone: Betsy Nicholson, 919 284-2572 Sunday December 13 2009 Pine Level Christmas Parade Parade begins at 3pm. Location: Peedin Ave., Pine Level. Admission: Free. Phone: Connie Capps, 919 965-2284

Saturday December 19 2009 Lazy O Farm Family Dayz Enjoy Christmas at the farm! Our Christmas barn offers a visit with Santa, crafts for children, nativity animals and a hayride. Campfire and marshmallow roasting available for night appointments. Picnic area available. Location: 3583 Packing Plant Rd., Smithfield. 3583 Packing Plant Rd. Smithfield, NC 27577 Admission: Call for prices. Phone: Tami Thompson, 919 934-1132

Saturday December 19 2009 Money Tree Giveaway Drawing held for donated gifts and money. WTSB will be broadcasting live. Event time: 1pm. Location: Barbours Grove Park, Four Oaks. Admission: Free. Phone: Jennifer Wiggins, 919 963-4004 Thursday December 31 2009 New Year's Eve Show New Year's Eve Show at the Rudy Theater featuring Eddie Miles, world known Elvis tribute artist, and special guest, Diane Bailey. Eddie will be performing his tribute to country legends and the most loved entertainer, Elvis. Diane will perform tribute to lady country legends. They will also perform duets from their new CD, "Just You and I". Event time: 9pm. Location: Rudy Theater, Selma. 300 N. Raiford St. PO Box 429 Selma, NC 27576 Admission: Call for tickets. Phone: Spook Joyner, 919 202-9927