Old Fort Mountain Music

Jan 1, The Rockett Building, downtown Old Fort NC. Every Friday evening for more than a decade, folks have gathered to hear and play bluegrass and traditional mountain music. Nobody's paid everyone's welcome and coffee and sodas are still just a quarter! Friday evenings. http://www.mcdowellnc.org/towns/old_fort.php

New Year's Eve Country Style

Dec 31, Mountain Music Jamboree, Glendale Springs NC. Enjoy the Blue Country Band, a great country music band for a grand New Year's Eve Celebration. Make your reservations today.  http://www.mountainmusicjamboree.com/

New Year's at RagApple Lassie

January 1 - 2, RagApple Lassie Vineyards, Mount Airy NC. Begin the New Year at RagApple Lassie on January 1 with the introduction of Walt's Wine Down Fridays! Come, meet and/or be entertained by the famous 'Big Walt' McMillan, get your own FREE herd starter kit, enjoy special 'by the glass' wine prices, and Friday only discounts on wine purchases!

Or come January 2, and spend the afternoon recovering from the hustle and bustle of the holidays while immersing your spirit in the wines of RagApple Lassie and your mind in the smooth Jazz of Bill Mann on his special saxophones. http://www.ragapplelassie.com/

Classic Car show in a Classic Town

Dec 20, 1PM-5PM downtown Old Fort. Classic Car Show - Bring your car, truck, or motorcycle. Downtown Old Fort, 1-5 p.m.; free. Sponsored by Route 70 Cruisers. For more information, call 828-442-5135 or http://www.mcdowellnc.org/

Skull Camp Blending Party

December 19, 4PM-7PM, Round Peak Vineyards, Mount Airy NC.  Skull Camp Wines is hosting its first ever blending party! We are planning to introduce three blends in early 2010, and want you to help us create them...our next "anticipation", and two more that you will help us name!Come be part of our team!  (336) 352-5595  http:// www.roundpeak.com

Over Easy with Kris Kringle

19, 9AM-11AM, Valley Cultural Arts Center,  Robbinsville NC.  Breakfast with Santa -  Kids of all ages eat breakfast with Santa; pictures with Santa will be offered to those interested. Reservations required. Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, 121 Schoolhouse Road, 828-479-3364  http://www.stecoahvalleycenter.com

Christmas on the Farm

Dec 19-20, 10AM - 8PM, Lytle Farm, Marion NC. Experience life on the farm at Christmas! Christmas on the Farm is fun for the entire family. Santa Claus, hay rides, petting zoo, pony rides and refreshments - hot chocolate & cider. Pick out the perfect Christmas tree together with wreaths and garland. Local heritage craft artisans will demonstrate and sell their crafts. Evening bonfire, Christmas caroling and toasting marshmallows on the fire. No admission for the farm - individual activities priced separately. Call ahead to schedule groups of 10 or more. Email: christmasonthefarm@yahoo.com

Old Fort and Old Time Mountain Music

Dec 18, 7PM - until, The Rockett Building, Main Street, Old Fort, NC. Every Friday evening for more than a decade, folks have gathered to hear and play bluegrass and traditional mountain music. Nobodys paid, everyones welcome and coffee and sodas are still just a quarter! For more information call 1-888-233-6111.

Tweetsie Season Passes at Preseason Discount

Tweetsie Railroad 2010 Season Tickets are now available online at a pre-season discount:
2010 GOLDEN RAIL SEASON PASS PRICES - available now at a savings of $15 off the regular Adult price and $10 off the regular Childens price.
Regular                               Pre-Season
Adult                 $80                $65
Children 3-12     $55                $45
Children age 2 and under Free Free
Visit the site for details or purchase

Cherokee Christmas Parade

Dec 12, 5:30PM - 6:30PM, Begin at Big Bear Exxon, end at Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds, Cherokee NC. A Christmas procession with special Cherokee flair. Just the thing to get you in the holiday mood. Floats, bands, clowns, and more. This year’s parade theme is “The Gift.” Cash prizes awarded for 1st and 2nd place floats that best demonstrate the holiday theme http://www.cherokee-nc.com/

Celebrate Christmas Old Toxaway Style

Dec 12,  4PM - 7PM, The Ray House, Lake Toxaway NC. The Ray House, a craftsman-style home filled with antiques will be decorated with twelve Christmas trees and open for all to enjoy .  Hors-d'oeuvres with hot cider will be served. Tickets and directions are available at the Transylvania Heritage Museum, 40 W. Jordan St., Brevard, or reserve at 884-2347. $10/single, $15/couple, $20/family. Come enjoy and also support your local Museum in "Keeping History Alive."  Website: http://www.transylvaniaheritage.org

Music, Lights and Refreshments Highlight Saluda's Hometown Christmas

Dec 11, 6:30PM-8PM, Downtown Saluda NC. The town of Saluda celebrates the holidays with a Hometown Christmas in charming downtown Saluda. Refreshments and music will flow along Main Street, Across the Bridge, and up Greenville Street.A variety of musical offerings include dulcimer, Celtic Ensemble, Keyboard, Saluda School Chorus, Classical Strings and more located at different merchants and restaurants throughout the downtown area. Following the events at 8:15 an ecumenical service will be held at the Saluda Presbyterian Church.

Carson House Christmas Candlelight Tour

Dec 12-13, 6PM, 7PM, Historic Carson House, 805 Highway 70 West, Marion NC. Experience the holiday season as it was in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Candlelight tours with music, entertainment and Christmas shopping on the porch for unique gifts and decorations. Admission is $5.00 with no fee for children under the age of 12.

Built as a walnut log cabin in 1793, the home once served as a stagecoach inn and the seat of county government until the courthouse was constructed. This historic home and private, nonprofit museum is currently filled with unusual household and plantation artifacts. Don't miss the QUILT COLLECTION!  http://www.historiccarsonhouse.com/

Dillsboro Festival of Lights and Luminaries a Sight to See

Dec 11-12, 5PM-9PM, Downtown Dillosboro NC. The annual event begins at dusk the first two weekends in December. Dillsboro is aglow with thousands of Luminaires and twinkling lights adorning every business. The stores serve goodies and Santa has set up shop as well. The streets are alive with music, entertainment, and Christmas Cheer. Website: http://www.visitdillsboro.org

Charles Dickens Dinner at The Orchard Inn in Saluda

Dec 10, 12, 15, 17,18,  7PM, The Orchard Inn, Saluda NC. A magical holiday evening at the Orchard Inn's 20-acre mountaintop retreat. Enjoy the chef's memorable five-course dinner with readings from A Christmas Carol.Seating is at 7 PM and will end in candlelight by the roaring fire. The Inn offers wine and beer and suggests jackets for gentlemen. Cost for the evening is $59 per person, plus tax and gratuity. After dinner, treat yourself to an overnight at a $99 discounted rate. http://www.orchardinn.com/

Christmas at The Mill

Dec 11-13, Patriots Theater at Mitchell Mill, North Wilkesboro NC. Tours led by colonial costumed guides inside 3 floors of the 100-year-old Mitchell Mill, now home of the Dixon family. Mitchell Mill will be decorated in traditional Old English holiday splendor. Seasonal refreshments served. Friday 6 - 9pm enjoy a tour by candlelight! Saturday 2 - 7pm. Sunday 2 - 5pm. Tickets available at the door. Reservations requested for groups of 10 or more. http://www.foundingquotes.com/

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

December 11 at 7:30 and December 12 at 3:00 at the Carolina Theatre in Spruce Pine.
December 17-19 at 7:30 pm at Mountain Heritage High School Auditorium in Burnsville. Parkway Playhouse presents its production of THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER featuring a talented cast of young performers who will bring the holiday family treat to life. . Purchase tickets or get more info...

"Blind Side" in Flat Rock

Dec 4th - Dec 10th,  Weekdays 4, 7; Sat-Sun 1, 4, 7 at the Flat Rock Cinema, 2700 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock NC. "The Bland Side" with Sandra Bullock. PG-13, Drama, 120 Minutes. A poor, oversized and under-educated teenager is recruited by a major college football program where he is groomed into an athletically and academically successful NFL prospect. Based on Michael Lewis' book, "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game." All tickets are $6. Enjoy lunch or dinner with us. We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes prior to show time if you plan to eat with us or have a group of four or more. Website: http://flatrockcinema.com/

Winter with Wines Holiday Art Market

December 12, 12PM-6PM, Round Peak Vineyards, 765 Round Peak Church Road, Mt. Airy NC. Enjoy stress-free holiday shopping while warming up with hot spiced wine and enjoying tasty refreshments surrounded by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Participating Wineries Include: Round Peak Vineyards, Old North State Wines, McRitchie Winery, Stony Knoll Vineyard and Surry Cellar - all offering wine and wine related gifts.

Artists include: Lylou - Handbags; Buffalo Creek Farm - Handmade Goat's Milk Soap; Bryn Chapman - Photography; Dawn Sadler - Aprons/Wine Bags; Anne Owens - Copper Water Features; Yadkin Art Guild;  Lill -Jewelry; Jan Atkins - Painter. Website: https://www.roundpeak.com/

Grove Arcade offers Unique Holiday Shopping

For the fourth year, the Grove Arcade and the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa have partnered to display entries from the annual National Gingerbread House Competition. Through January 3, the Arcade is displaying 35 of the whimsical entries. The houses are arranged together in Suite 115 on the O. Henry side of the building in a winter wonderland setting. The public is invited to view the houses Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM, Sunday noon to 5 PM.

The Arcade is a spectacular setting to see the gingerbread, shop and enjoy the holidays. The building has made a substantial investment in new holiday décor and has been transformed by a volunteer team of merchants led by designer Beth Hohensee of Studio Flora Diva. Enormous glittering wreaths, twinkling trees, holiday chandeliers and more welcome visitors. The merchants are also hosting free holiday performances and concerts. Website: http://www.grovearcade.com