Thursday, October 1, 2026
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The Gaston County Museum of Art & History will kick off the holiday season on Friday, December 5, with the Museum’s annual Holiday Open House and Carriage Rides from 6:00-9:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
The event coincides with Carols on the Square, presented by the Town of Dallas, which begins at 6:30 pm on the Historic Court Square in Dallas.
“We love the holidays at the Museum and the chance to show off the Museum’s beautiful architecture and interiors during our Open House,” says Alexandrea Pizza, the Museum’s Director. “This year, we will again have free horse-drawn carriage rides, crafts and activities for children, refreshments around the fire pit in the garden, and the Museum and Carriage House will be open and beautifully decorated with traditional Victorian decorations.”
There will be a North Pole Post Box for children who wish for their letters to get to Santa at “reindeer speed.” (Santa has been known to write back.)
Carriage rides, which start from the parking lot of the Museum’s Daniel Stowe Carriage House on West Church Street, are free, and are sponsored by the Morris and Overcash families in memory of long-time Museum board member and supporter James Hovis.
“James was a beloved member of the Dallas community, as well as a devoted friend of the Museum, and we’re honored to be reminded of his generous spirit during this special time of the year,” Ms. Pizza said.
The Museum galleries will be open until 9:00pm for visitors to enjoy three current exhibits:
“The Old-Fashioned Way”: The Tony’s Ice Cream Story; Nellie Ashford: Remembrance & Renewal, Wisdom From an Elder Folk Artist; and K. Orr Ambrose, This Is What Happened, as well as the permanent Carolinas Textile Exhibit.
The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
The Gaston County Museum of Art & History is a 501(c)3
131 W. Main St., Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-7681
