Entertainment

Holiday Lights return to brighten Segra Stadium

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Get ready to make your season merry and bright. Fayetteville Holiday Lights is back at Segra Stadium for another dazzling year. From Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, the home of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers will be transformed into a winter wonderland filled with over 2 million sparkling lights, festive displays, and joyful holiday experiences for the whole family.
Visitors can stroll through a breathtaking maze of lights, explore themed areas, enjoy choreographed light shows, and even roast s’mores under the stars. Santa Claus will also be making special appearances through Dec. 23, ready to hear holiday wishes and pose for photos. A variety of food options, along with holiday-themed drinks and concessions, will be available throughout the concourse — making it the perfect spot to sip, snack, and soak in the magic.
New this year will be a corn hole tournament, held Dec. 4. Thirty two teams will battle it out in a double elimination tournament. The entrance fee is $65 per team and includes admission into Holiday Lights as well as two drink tickets per team. First place wins $500, and second place will win $250. All proceeds go to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To register, visit https://bit.ly/4pcQBnW
Here is the nightly line-up of promotions and deals:
Daily Deals
• Military Mondays: 12/1, 12/15, 12/22, 12/29-Every Monday, active duty service members and Veterans can receive a free ticket. Family and friends will receive $8 tickets, up to 6 tickets per order, with proof of military ID. This deal can only be done at the box office.
• Kids-Eat-Free:12/2, 12/16, 12/30-Kids eat free on select Tuesdays. Every kid 12 and under can get a free hot dog and drink with the purchase of a ticket. The “kids eat free” deal can only be done at the box office.
• Silver Bells (60+): 12/2, 12/16, 12/30-Anyone 60 years or older can be a part of the Silver Bells program and on select Tuesdays get an $8 ticket with proof of ID. This deal can only be done at the box office.
• Lights and Leashes: 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28-Bring your four-legged friends out to enjoy the beautiful light displays on any of these selected dates. NOTE: Dogs do not require a ticket. Those with dogs will need proof of updated vaccinations (Bordetella, DHPP, Rabies), and dog owners will have to sign a waiver before entering the park.
• Friday Night Flicks Deal: 12/5, 12/12, 12/26- Take advantage of the Friday Night Flicks Deal every movie night during Holiday Lights. For only $64, get four tickets to Holiday Lights, four popcorns, and four hot chocolates (or soda/water). Use the coupon code MOVIE when purchasing your tickets. This deal can only be done online. Have tickets scanned at participating concession stands. and you'll receive popcorn and a drink! The movies this season are: 12/5 - Home Alone; 12/12 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation; 12/26 - Moana (Hawaiian Night)
• Family 4 Packs: 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28-Take advantage of their Family 4 Packs every Sunday during Holiday Lights. For only $56, get four tickets to Holiday Lights, four hot dogs, and four sodas/waters. Use coupon code CHEERS when purchasing tickets. Like the Friday Night Flicks Deal, have tickets scanned at concession stands to receive hot dogs and drinks!
Promotions
• Friday, Nov. 28: Opening night with fireworks
• Saturday, Nov. 29: First 500 fans through the gates will get a replica Christmas jersey
• Thursday, Dec. 4: Healthcare Appreciation Night Medical professionals get a free ticket and family and friends receive a discounted $8 ticket. Take advantage of this deal at the box office with proof of ID.
• Thursday, Dec. 11: First Responder's Appreciation Night All first responders will get a free ticket, and friends and family can get a discounted $8 ticket. This deal can be done online or at the box office with proof of ID.
• Saturday, Dec. 13: The first 500 fans through the gates will get a Bunker Santa Bobblehead.
• Thursday, Dec. 18: Teacher Appreciation Night. All teachers and school faculty can receive a free ticket and friends and family will receive an $8 discounted ticket. Take advantage of this deal at the box office with proof of ID.
• Friday, Dec. 19: fireworks at the end of the night.
• Saturday, Dec. 20: The first 500 fans through the gates will get to take home a Bunker Beanie.
Adding to the festivities is the return of Pints and Lights on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For $40, guests can enjoy an exclusive evening featuring unlimited samples of 12 beers and seltzers, all-you-can-eat appetizers, and full access to Fayetteville Holiday Lights. The event will take place near the Right Field Bar and includes delicious bites such as Buffalo Chicken Sliders, Sausage and Brat Kabobs, Potato Wedges, and Cheese Curds.
Beer lovers can sample popular brews like Shiner Bock, Blue Moon Belgian White, Dirtbag Ales Blood Orange Kolsch, Hatchet Brewing Bragg N Rights, and Downeast Cider Guava Passionfruit, among others.
All tickets are general admission, giving guests full access to all attractions and activities. Children 2 and under are admitted free, and ticket prices vary by night. Once inside, guests are welcome to stay as long as they’d like to take in the sights. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.fayettevilleholidaylights.com/ or at the Segra Stadium box office at 460 Hay Street.
Hours for Fayetteville Holiday Lights are Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (last entry at 8:00 p.m.) and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (last entry at 9:00 p.m.). On New Year’s Eve, the celebration continues until midnight, offering a magical way to ring in 2026 with lights, laughter, and fireworks.

(Photo courtesy of Segra Stadium's Facebook page)

26 years of A Dickens Holiday in historic downtown

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Written by Dr. Shanessa Fenner

Christmas will always be my favorite time of the year. There is something so captivating about watching the Christmas tree lights, my Black Santa figurines and the gas fireplace roaring while Babyface’s Christmas album plays in the background. A lot of us will never outgrow loving Christmas, and this is why A Dickens Holiday, which will take place Friday, Nov. 28, from noon to 9 p.m. in the heart of historic downtown Fayetteville, is so successful.
“A Dickens Holiday is a celebration of the opening of the season of the holidays downtown,” said Elaine Kelley, chair of A Dickens Holiday Committee. “It started out as a traditional thing to try to get people to join us downtown on what is known as Black Friday.”
She added, “It turned into a tradition of holiday shopping, community and fun.”
The day-long Fayetteville tradition includes businesses with seasonal specials, shopping with artisan street vendors, carriage rides, people dressed in Victorian costumes, selling of handmade goods and holiday treats, characters from Charles Dickens’ book, A Christmas Carol, including Ebenezer Scrooge, the ghost of Marley, Tiny Tim, The Cratchit Family, the Queen and her court, holiday music, contests, performers, local kids from dance and theater groups, carolers, specialty events and more.
“You can come at 1 p.m. to the Hay Street United Methodist Church to hear Dr. Elliot Engel, professor, talk about A Christmas Carol and how it transformed to what we know as Christmas today,” said Kelley.
“You can attend A Royal Tea and Tour of the Sandford House, which is the Heritage Square Historical Society’s property, and have a tea with some light things to eat, get a tour of the facilities and take pictures with Queen Victoria.”
The horse-drawn carriage ride is an event favorite, and reservations fill up quickly.
“You pay for the carriage ride that lasts about 15 minutes in downtown Fayetteville," said Kelley. "You can have between 4 to 6 people in your carriage and have a lovely time together.”
With any great event, there is great food.
“There will be hot cocoa, apple cider stops and an area where there will be food trucks,” said Kelley. “In addition to our restaurants that are always going to be open, many of them have specialty items just for A Dickens Holiday.”
Kelley added, “You can get everything from street food to being able to sit down or grab a quick bite all the way through the day and into the evening.”
Step into the Fezziwig Ball at A Dickens Holiday. Come dressed in Victorian attire and enjoy afternoon dance instruction with Jeremy Gershman and the Cape Fear Heritage Dance Club at Volta Space from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and an evening celebration at Skyview on Hay Street from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
There is a gingerbread house contest that will run the entirety of the day, and public voting takes place between noon and 7 p.m. Come dressed in holiday attire or Victorian attire and enter the Photo Contest for Best Dressed. Vendor booths will also be judged for the most festive and creative décor.
“We had lots of Cumberland County Schools that participated, and it was just so much fun to see the creations that students, young adults and professionals had made,” said Kelley. “We will also have Victorian llamas, a magician, a balloon twister and picture opportunities with Father Christmas and the llamas.”
She added, “The gingerbread house contest and the costume contest winners will be announced on the Person Street stage between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.”
The most popular attraction of the event is the Candlelight Procession that will begin at 5 p.m.
Cape Fear Valley Scottish Clans and Cross Creek Pipes & Drums will play and lead the procession. “Thousands of people light candles and we walk down the street to the lighting of the Christmas tree and have a small ceremony,” said Kelley. “It is just a magical moment, and if you have not been there before, you will find that this is the thing that you will remember above all.”
Kelley added, “After that, we are going to have Elves’ Night Off, where Santa’s helpers, who are so tired from working and need some time off, come down and spend the evening enjoying our nightlife. We want to encourage everyone to go to the Segra Stadium and see the Holiday Lights. The evening will conclude with a dazzling fireworks display in Segra Stadium at 9 p.m.”
“This event has had a 26-year run, and we have enjoyed anywhere between 18,000 to 21,000 people through the course of the day,” said Kelley. “We are looking forward to celebrating the holidays in full force, and this year’s event is spread throughout downtown Fayetteville on Hay Street, Franklin Street, Person Street and Maxwell Street.”
The event is free and open to the public; however, there are some special ticketed events that cost an entrance fee. The first 100 patrons will receive exclusive “Dickens Dollars” that can be used that day at participating shops. For more information, visit www.adickensholiday.com or email director@adickensholiday.com.

(Top Photo: The Ghost of Christmas Present makes an appearance in Downtown Fayetteville. Bottom Photo: Marley's Ghost haunts the streets of Fayetteville during A Dickens Holiday. Photos courtesy of A Dickens Holiday)

Slurp, speed, street style: Fayetteville’s Ichi Kaku serves up five pound ramen showdown

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Written by Jamie Bishop

The sound of laughter, the smell of broth, and the thump of bass will fill the air on Saturday, Nov. 23, when Ichi Kaku, Fayetteville’s Japanese street food restaurant, hosts its annual Ramen Eating Contest and Block Party at 350 N. Eastern Blvd.
The event kicks off at 1 p.m. and promises more than just a food challenge. It’s a celebration of community, culture, and culinary creativity. Five competitors will battle it out to conquer a five-pound bowl of ramen, complete with noodles, vegetables, and steaming broth. The rules are simple but ruthless; every bite, every sip must be finished. The first to clean their bowl earns the title of Fayetteville’s Ramen Champion, along with three free ramen tickets valued at over $300.
“This isn’t just a contest, it’s a thank you to the people of Fayetteville,” said Chef Yohei, owner and head chef of Ichi Kaku. “We do this every year to show appreciation to our customers and community. It’s fun, it’s loud, and it’s full of love.”
The challenge, now in its third year, began as a playful in-house idea among regulars. In its early years, contestants were faced with seven pounds of ramen, a Herculean task no one could complete. This year, Chef Yohei decided to scale it down to five pounds to make victory possible.
“I think someone can finally finish it this time,” he said with a grin in his voice.
But the event is about far more than who eats the fastest. The restaurant transforms its parking lot into a full-on block party, complete with live music, food specials, and a lineup of Japanese sports cars courtesy of Cruzin Auto Performance. The cars gleam under the sun as spectators gather to cheer on their favorite contestants, creating a mashup of speed, sound, and spice.
“We wanted it to feel like an outdoor festival,” Chef Yohei said. “You get the energy of a car meet, the flavor of Japan, and the warmth of Fayetteville all in one space.”
Hosting duties will be handled by MC Tameka Bright, a familiar voice to local radio listeners and fans of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, where she serves as on-field host. Her charisma and humor will keep the crowd engaged while a live DJ spins upbeat tracks that blend hip-hop with Japanese pop and lo-fi instrumentals, a nod to Ichi Kaku’s modern yet authentic style.
The restaurant will also feature a special one-day-only menu, showcasing new street food items alongside customer favorites like tonkotsu ramen, chicken shio, and Japanese curry. Patrons can grab a drink, enjoy the music, and watch as five brave challengers attempt to conquer their massive bowls.
“People think it’s just about the food,” Yohei said. “But it’s about connection, seeing everyone together, smiling, supporting one another. That’s the best part for me.”
For Ichi Kaku, the event is both a culinary spectacle and a love letter to its loyal customers. Yohei’s approach to community is as generous as his portions. “Every time someone comes into my restaurant, I’m thankful,” he said. “This block party is how I say thank you back.”
As the countdown begins and the competitors take their seats, the crowd will chant encouragement while the DJ drops the beat. In minutes, the air will fill with cheers, laughter, and the unmistakable rhythm of chopsticks clinking against bowls. When the dust and broth settle, one person will stand victorious, holding up an empty bowl and earning the bragging rights of Fayetteville’s fiercest noodle warrior.
For everyone else, it’s a chance to enjoy good food, good people, and good vibes in a space that celebrates both flavor and friendship.
The Ramen Eating Contest and Block Party begins at 1 p.m. on Nov. 23 outside Ichi Kaku, located at 350 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville, NC 28301. The event is free and open to the public. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early, as space fills quickly.
Follow @ichikakufay on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates, sneak peeks, and highlights from past events.
“It’s all about fun,” said Chef Yohei. “We just want to make people happy, one bowl at a time.”

(Photo: Chef Yohei, owner of Ichi Kaku, hopes the ramen eating contest is part of a larger day of celebration, giving back to the community. Photo courtesy of Ichi Kaku Facebook page)

"E.T." returns home to Big Screen at the Cameo

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Tuesday, 11 November 2025

Written by Adam Taylor

There are few moments in cinema more unforgettable than a bicycle soaring across the moon. Few melodies more instantly recognizable than those first shimmering notes of John Williams’ score. And few stories that have touched the human spirit quite like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Steven Spielberg’s 1982 masterpiece about a lonely boy, a stranded alien and the unbreakable bond between them.
Now, more than forty years after it first captured the world’s imagination, E.T. returns to the big screen for one special showing at the Cameo Art House Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 4:30 p.m. For longtime fans and new generations alike, it’s a chance to experience the wonder the way it was meant to be seen; in the darkened glow of a movie theater, surrounded by community, where laughter and tears can be shared freely.
The Movie That Sparked a Lifelong Love of Cinema
I still remember the first time I saw E.T. We rented it from our local video store being that I was born long after it had left the theaters. I can’t think of any other movie that made me fall in love with the movies, other than E.T. That spark, ignited in the glow of Spielberg’s storytelling, eventually led me to a lifelong career in film and the arts. I have seen the film at least once on the big screen when it was released in the early 2000s.
A Story That Touched the World
When E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial first premiered in the summer of 1982, few could have predicted its impact. Spielberg, already a household name after Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Raiders of the Lost Ark, crafted something quieter and more intimate. It was a film that looked at science fiction through the eyes of a child.
The story follows Elliott, a ten-year-old boy, played by Henry Thomas in one of the most authentic child performances ever captured on screen. Elliott discovers a small, stranded alien hiding in his family’s backyard shed. Elliott’s loneliness as a result of his parents’ recent separation, mirrors that of E.T., who has been accidentally left behind by his fellow travelers. What begins as a secret friendship soon becomes a journey of trust, courage and love that transcends not only age, but galaxies themselves.
Elliott enlists the help of his siblings. Older brother Michael played by Robert MacNaughton and younger sister Gertie, played by a then-six-year-old Drew Barrymore, help keep E.T. hidden from their mother. Their mother is played by Dee Wallace. The quest to hide him from the faceless government agents determined to capture him becomes most important. Together, the children must help their new friend “phone home” before it’s too late.
At its heart, E.T. is not just a science fiction story, but a film about empathy. It’s about seeing life through another’s eyes and about the universal longing to belong. Spielberg once described it as “a story about what happens when you’re lonely and you make a friend who changes your life.” That emotional truth, as much as the film’s special effects or thrilling sequences, is what has kept audiences returning to it decade after decade.
A Landmark of Film History
The success of E.T. was immediate and staggering. It became the highest-grossing film of all time upon its release, surpassing Star Wars, and held that title for more than a decade. Critics hailed it as an instant classic, praising Spielberg’s direction and the deeply emotional screenplay by Melissa Mathison.
The film went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Original Score for John Williams, whose music has become inseparable from the image of a bicycle silhouetted against the moon. Williams’ music, much like the film itself, walks the line between wonder and melancholy. That final cue when E.T. says goodbye and says “I’ll be right here” as he points to Elliot’s forehead, still gives me chills.
The film’s legacy extends beyond its box office numbers. It reshaped how Hollywood approached stories about childhood and imagination. It inspired countless filmmakers and artists like J.J. Abrams to Guillermo del Toro.
A Film That Still Speaks to Us
More than forty years later, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial remains timeless because it speaks to something deeply human; the ache of separation and the joy of connection. Its message, whispered through the stars, is one of compassion. That’s why audiences still gather, decades later, to relive the magic. In a world that often feels divided, E.T. reminds us that friendship, courage and kindness can bridge even the widest distance.
The Cameo Art House Theatre at 225 Hay St. invites the community to come home to the movies on Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m., to your memories and to that feeling of wonder that only great storytelling can bring. Bring the whole family. It’s for all ages. Tickets can be purchased online at https://ticketmesandhills.com/events/et-the-extra-terrestrial-1982-november-15th-11-15-2025