Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Good Morning! On this Christmas Eve in 1895, George Vanderbilt opened his grand home, Biltmore, to family and friends after nearly six years of construction. View a video about how America's largest privately owned home is celebrating its 130th Christmas here.

Do you eat your primary holiday dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Let us know by answering today's poll.

Today's edition of Flyover North Carolina is running a bit shorter as our team takes time to celebrate the holiday with loved ones.

Today's sponsor is Money. North Carolina drivers often pay less than the national average for car insurance, but that doesn't mean everyone is getting the best deal. Rates are still rising, and a quick comparison can reveal whether your coverage still makes sense.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Unwrap Christmas Eve Traditions Across NC

North Carolina's Christmas Eve celebrations have deep historical roots reflecting colonial, Moravian, Appalachian, and Gilded Age influences.

Moravian settlers arrived in Old Salem (now Winston-Salem) during the mid-1700s and introduced the Lovefeast tradition, with Christmas Eve services featuring hymns, sweetened buns, coffee, and beeswax candles.

Some colonists celebrated Old Christmas around Jan. 5, a result of the British Empire's adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1752. The holiday involved dancing, feasting, exchanging gifts, and other common practices.

In 1770, Tryon Palace in New Bern hosted a feast, dancing, and entertainment that extended into the early morning hours.

George Vanderbilt opened Biltmore House to guests on Christmas Eve in 1895 amid elaborate decorations, marking the start of lavish holiday gatherings that continue there to this day through Candlelight Christmas tours.

NC Stores, Restaurants Open Christmas Eve

Major chains in North Carolina are welcoming last-minute shoppers today, though with reduced hours. Harris Teeter is open until 7 p.m., and Lowes Foods, Food Lion, and Walmart are open until 6 p.m. All four stores will be closed on Christmas Day.

View a roundup of popular grocery stores closed on Christmas Day here.

If you don't feel like cooking on Christmas Eve, Yelp has compiled top 10 lists of restaurants open in major cities across North Carolina, including Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, Greensboro, and Wilmington.

You can also find a complete list of popular chain and fast food restaurants open on Christmas Eve here.

Flying together with our sponsor

Car insurance premiums up 64% since 2020.

Car insurance premiums are up more than 64% nationwide since 2020. While North Carolina drivers typically pay below the national average, rates have still been climbing due to higher repair costs, inflation, and increased claims. Comparing providers can still make a meaningful difference. See how North Carolina compares with Money's auto insurance comparison tool.

COMPARE RATES

➤ Western NC: Applications for the Renew NC Single Family Housing Program—offering reimbursement, replacement, reconstruction, and rehabilitation for homes damaged by Hurricane Helene in 28 western counties—are due by Dec. 31. Over 6,000 applications have been received so far. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Lyndsi and Wesley Sigmon, who lost their 6-year-old son to a congenital heart defect, purchased a home near Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital through their Hearts and Hope Foundation to provide free lodging for families of pediatric patients. (More)

➤ Cary: Private school Cary Academy announced its expanded Charger Promise initiative, starting in the 2026-27 school year, to fully cover the cost of attendance for families earning $100,000 or less. (More)

➤ Dortches: Smith's Red and White grocery store attracts shoppers from as far as Central Virginia for its renowned homemade sausage and other specialties, with holiday production surging to around 30,000-35,000 pounds of sausage weekly. (More)

➤ Southeast: A new compilation of the 30 best Southern Christmas foods includes classics like candied sweet potatoes, cornbread casserole, bacon cheese straws, pimento cheese, and chocolate chess pie. Links to the recipes are included. (See List)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

Could North Carolina drivers still save on car insurance?

Possibly more than you think. Even in a state known for lower-than-average rates, premiums can vary significantly between insurers. If you haven't compared quotes recently, you might be leaving money on the table. A quick comparison could reveal better options for the same coverage. Check your rates with Money's car insurance tool.

SEE IF YOU COULD SAVE