Give Tar Heels the perfect present
This holiday gift guide will help you find just the right items for lovers of the arts, athletics or anything Carolina Blue.
With the holidays right around the corner, Carolina offers all kinds of merchandise, event tickets and memberships that make perfect gifts for Tar Heel fans.
From athletics to arts and everything in between, there is something for everyone at Carolina.
Gift shops
One of the premier destinations on campus is the historic Carolina Inn. Stop by the Inn’s gift shop, which offers a range of licensed merchandise, including children’s books, tote bags and a commemorative holiday ornament that will look perfect on any holiday tree. And if someone in your life is hoping to spend a night at a luxurious hotel, a gift card to the Carolina Inn makes an ideal stocking stuffer.
The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s gift shop, Cosmic Goods, offers out-of-this-world items such as a star projector and glow-in-the-dark planets. Younger family members interested in science will enjoy the selection of science games and kits for at-home experiments.
No Carolina gift guide would be complete without Student Stores. In addition to University-licensed apparel, the on-campus and online stores carry an extensive book collection, from academic texts to popular bestsellers and classic literature.
Event tickets
Give the Tar Heel sports fans in your life the gift of game day. GoHeels.com provides a full events calendar along with ticket information. Carolina staff and employees can also use their OneCard to claim four free tickets to any Carolina home sporting event, except for football and men’s basketball games — perfect for sharing with friends and family.
If the person on your list prefers the stage, PlayMakers Repertory Company presents world-class productions throughout the year. Tickets are already on sale for the 2026 lineup, which includes “Primary Trust,” “Macbeth” and “Steel Magnolias.”
Carolina Performing Arts offers another strong selection of ticketed events for fans of music and dance. Choose from jazz performances, hip-hop showcases, interpretive dance works, opera and more — all of which make thoughtful gifts.
Memberships and season passes
Carolina also offers gifts that keep on giving the whole year with membership plans to different popular spots on campus.
Morehead Planetarium offers virtual membership packages with different price points and different features, but each tier of membership offers early-access tickets and exclusive updates on exhibits, programs, special events and more.
The North Carolina Botanical Garden offers multiple membership levels, including virtual only ($30), individual ($50), couple ($75) and household ($100). Other levels offer plant sale discounts, free seeds and even program discounts, among other perks.
For theater fans, PlayMakers also offers Flex Passes, which allow attendees to bring guests to several shows or cover the expenses for a large group going to one show. The Flex Passes also provide the chance to secure premium seating for only $45.
The Ackland Art Museum offers membership packages that are perfect for any art lover. An individual membership ($60) provides a 10% discount at the gift shop and free or reduced admission to public programs. These perks and more are included in a family membership for an additional $40.
