3 things happening in NC: The Polar Bear Plunge in Blowing Rock

A group of brave swimmers take the Polar Bear Plunge at Chetola Lake in Blowing Rock, part of this week’s slate of statewide events.

Today marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and while most folks working corporate gigs have the holiday off, many pay tribute to the civil rights icon by observing MLK Day not as a “day on, not a day off.” 

This means getting out and serving your community in some way, be it by volunteering at a local food pantry in your area, leading a community cleanup, or compiling care bags for your less fortunate neighbors. 

Many municipalities have organized ways you can get involved. In Charlotte, for example, the city hosts six clean-ups along its Corridors of Opportunity in the morning. I could go on with opportunities all across the state, but your best bet is to hit Google and search for “MLK Day of Service” and the name of the town or city where you live. You’re sure to find something meaningful to do. 

And when you’re finished, look ahead to this slate of happenings around the state later this week. For past editions of “3 things happening in NC,” click here. 

‘Spamalot’ in Charlotte

Jan. 20-25

Monty Python’s “Spamalot,” a hilarious Broadway production, comes to NC this week. (Photo via Shutterstock)

From the mind of Eric Idle, the odd man out among the famed Monty Python crew, the musical Spamalot is billed as “the show that set Broadway back 1,000 years.” Created in collaboration with composer John Du Prez, this production plays like a tuneful take on Monty Python & the Holy Grail — a take that has hauled in three Tony Awards including Best Musical.  

Look for flying cows, killer rabbits, rubbery shrubbery and the Lady of the Lake. Songs include “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and others that have become beloved classics since this play first arrived on Broadway in 2005. Now the touring production stops in Charlotte at Belk Theater for the week. 

Blowing Rock WinterFest’s Polar Bear Plunge

Jan. 22-25

At the time of this writing, the forecast for Blowing Rock on Saturday calls for a high of 29 degrees. There is a small group of folks who will read that sentence and feel it in their bones. That’s because they’re planning to jump into Chetola Lake that day in front of a large crowd of onlookers as part of the Polar Bear Plunge, Blowing Rock WinterFest’s most infamous event. You’ve still got until Thursday to register if you’re into that sort of thing, or just visit for a week of other, not-so-cold happenings. 

Those other happenings include the Rotary Chilly Chili Challenge, WinterFest Beer Garden, ice-carving demonstrations, an artisan’s market, WinterFeast at Chetola, and more.

If you’re in the area, it’s worth stopping by at some point in the week just to check out the Festival of Lights, which features nearly 30,000 illuminations along the lakeside at Chetole Resort beginning at dusk each evening until 10 p.m.

And just in case you’re still worried about the folks taking the Polar Bear Plunge, there will be a fire, hot cocoa and hot food awaiting those fearless swimmers emerging from the icy water. 

Battle of the Bands in Elizabeth City

Jan. 24, 7 p.m.

The 2025 “Battle of the Bands” winners, The Bee Keepers. (Photo via Arts of the Albemarle)

Arts of the Albemarle began hosting this fun event in 2023, inviting fans to help choose a winner from a lineup of regional acts competing for $250 and a PR package worth $3,000 that includes professional photos, graphic design and professional promo videos. And, of course, there are the bragging rights. 

This year’s event will see performances of original music from Analog Index, The Dunebillys, Run Hill, UniS, and Untaken as the bands fight to claim the title that was held by The Bee Keepers in 2025. The panel of judges will take crowd reaction into consideration in choosing their winner.