Good morning, High Point.

Hundreds of animal shelters, including those in North Carolina, are joining the national Bissell Pet Foundation's Empty the Shelters event — which offers reduced-fee pet adoptions and runs through Dec.

15.

The Annual Cheer Fund has returned in High Point this holiday season to continue a tradition that has brightened Christmas for many families for over a century.

Local Christmas tree lots in High Point reported rising holiday shopper visits as the festive season begins.

Vendors said they expect busier weeks ahead.

Shoppers visited Triad shopping centers to snag holiday deals and honor a time-honored tradition—bustling crowds gathered for discounts and seasonal excitement.

Angela Childs-Kindred, a Triad resident, lost her husband in April from an unknown heart defect and later her mother, leaving her to care for her father and brother during this hard year.

She shares coping advice from a local therapist—who suggests that taking time to feel one’s grief is key—helping many get through an uneasy holiday season.

Families can enjoy ice skating at several local rinks this winter — options include public skating until March at Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex and year-round fun at Ice House of Greensboro.

The Piedmont Winterfest Rink, Downtown Graham’s Ice Skating Rink, plus a synthetic rink at Kernersville Museum Historic Village offer sessions before and after Christmas — giving families many choices for holiday fun.

WXII 12 released a guide to Christmas tree providers that lists choose-and-cut farms and retail lots across the Triad to help locals pick a tree for the season—covering options in Forsyth, Guilford, Alleghany and nearby counties—ensuring an easy holiday tree hunt.

Danú: An Emerald Isle Christmas

6-10 p.m. — High Point Theatre — $0 to $78.73 — Celebrate the spirit of a traditional Irish Christmas with live music and colorful dancing.

Lunch Meetup High Point

12:30-1:30 p.m. — Kickback Jack's High Point — Check registration for costs — Network with like-minded real estate investors and gain insights from qualified professionals.

The Nutcracker Ballet: A Holiday Classic

6 p.m. — High Point Theatre — $31 — Experience Clara’s enchanting journey in a magical production of The Nutcracker Ballet with stunning visuals and delightful performances.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Systems Administration II Training

December 8th-11th — Arise Health Training Institute — $1890 — Enhance your Linux skills with this extensive hands-on training course.

Adaptive Tennis

11 AM - 1 PM — Deep River Recreation Center Tennis Courts — Free — Experience the joy of tennis tailored for individuals with physical disabilities.

Live Music with James Vincent Carroll

7-9 p.m. — Goofy Foot Taproom and Brewery — Cost Info not provided — Enjoy a night of live music with local artist James Vincent Carroll in a top-rated taproom.

A Christmas Carol - Musical Performance

2-4 p.m. — High Point Theatre — $26 to $31 — Experience the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge in a delightful holiday musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic.

MBB vs. Mary Baldwin Basketball Game

7-11:59 p.m. — Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena — Ticket prices vary — Experience an electrifying basketball showdown featuring the Mary Baldwin Fighting Squirrels.

Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Class

7-9 p.m. — Uncle Cheesecake — Cost information not provided — Craft a stunning dessert charcuterie board with festive treats for your holiday gatherings.

Adaptive Tennis

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Deep River Recreation Center — Free — Embrace the sport of tennis in an inclusive setting for adaptive players of all abilities.