Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina Guide now available from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

The Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina, a new guidebook to musical adventure in the North Carolina mountains and foothills, is now available for purchase online.  Profits from these sales will help support the work of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership.

 

CLICK HERE to Buy it Now

 

In the guidebook, noted folklorist Fred C. Fussell puts readers on the trail to discover the many sites in Western North Carolina where a unique musical legacy thrives. Organized by region and county, Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina, welcomes readers into the rich worlds of bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and string band music, as well as clogging, flatfooting, and other forms of traditional dance.

 

As a bonus, in addition to the book, you will receive a 20-track CD that is nestled inside the back cover, a sampler of the amazing music that was born and bred in our region.  Get yours today!

Have Breakfast with Mrs. Claus on Beech Mountain

December 21   Breakfast with Mrs. Claus    Held at the Buckeye Recreation Center from 9 AM - 11 AM. Join Mrs. Claus for holiday cheer, Christmas stories and photos with the children. A light breakfast will be served free of charge, but donations are accepted.

Get a link for Breakfast with Mrs. Claus and other local events and attractions on the Beech Mountain NC Visitor Guide. 

Swannanoa Solstice in Asheville

December 22   Swannanoa Solstice   A tapestry of joyful and thoughtful seasonal reflection beautifully woven from the mountains' Appalachian, Scots-Irish and world influences. Celebrate winter's allure at a special 10th anniversary edition of this beloved holiday tradition. Bring family and friends to delight in each moment, from sharing a cup of wassail, to enjoying an enormous breadth of acoustic performers gathered on one stage. 

Headlined by internationally renowned musicians Al Petteway, Amy White, and Robin Bullock playing guitar, mandolin, fiddle, Appalachian dulcimer, piano, harp, and world percussion, these performances are enhanced further by the voices and talents of special guest musicians, storytellers, dancers, and host Doug Orr.

The Solstice will be performed at the Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 S. Pack Square in downtown Asheville NC. 

Carolina Christmas Concert in Hendersonville

December 21    Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra presents “Carolina Christmas”   A holiday tradition 16 years in the making, the Hendersonville Smyphony Orchestra welcomes the return of the Hendersonville Children's Choir under the direction of Kristen Walter.

Guest artists soprano Collette Boudreaux and tenor Scott Joiner lead a program of sacred and seasonal holiday favorites including the familiar sing-a-long. Two performances at 3 PM and 7:30 PM. Admission: 35.00

Get a link for Hendersonville's Carolina Christmas and other local events and attractions on the Hendersonville NC Guide.

Christmas Event: Jingle Bell Trolley Train Ride in Asheville

December 21   Jingle Bell Trolley Train Ride   Santa and Mrs. Clause will be there to meet the children and hot chocolate and cookies will be served for everyone. Train rides will start on the hour, from 4 PM. to 8 PM. Tickets are $10 for this special Christmas train ride. Kids 3 and under get free admission.

Purchase tickets on the day of the event. Reservations recommended as seating is limited. Call 828-808-4877 or 828-808-4630 for more information. Craggy Mountain Line, 111 North Woodfin Avenue in Asheville NC.

Rediscovering Christmas at The Black Mountain Center for the Arts

December 19 at The Black Mountain Center for the Arts – Rediscovering Christmas   Jim and Carol Anderson return to the Arts Center with their popular show, "Rediscovering Christmas."

The show presents a series of original vignettes that range from the comedic tale of two blue-collar shepherds who are in the right place at the right time on Christmas Eve, to a piece about dealing with in-laws at Christmas, to a scene with an irrepressible Jamaican Wiseman who retells the Christmas story like you've never heard it before, and a comedy called “Minnesota Ice Fishing.”

Get links for lodging and complete visitor information on the Black Mountain NC Guide. 

Christmas Open House at the Wilkes Museum

December 14 at the Wilkes Heritage Museum, 100 East Main Street in downtown Wilkesboro NC come enjoy the annual Christmas open House from 10 AM - 4 PM.
The Museum, Old Jail and Cleveland House will be decorated for the Christmas Season and all buildings will be open for tours. Story Teller Naomi Faw will delight audiences young and old in the old courtroom at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM. Special music will be performed throughout the day and refreshments will be served. Shop for the holidays in the Museum Gift Shop. Victorian Christmas Card Making, Heritage Demonstrations and much more!

Asheville Hosts Tour of Homes in Historic Monford

December 14   Annual Monford Holiday Tour of Homes   Montford, Asheville's most historic neighborhood, showcases another offering of homes and holiday cheer this year. Explore eclectic architecture that has been lovingly restored or carefully constructed to reflect the neighborhood's historic past. Enjoy homes both old and new, and experience all the Holiday warmth and hospitality that Montford has to offer.

Festive treats and entertainment will be on offer throughout the tour. This is a self-guided tour. With your ticket you will receive a map to all tour locations & information about the individual properties.

Get a link for the Monford Tour of Homes and other Holiday events on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide. 

Christmas Art and Crafts Shows this Weekend in the Mountains

Date:      December  14
NC City:  ROBBINSVILLE  NC(Stecoah Valley)
Event:     Indoor Holiday Arts and Crafts Show   Held at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center Gallery from 10 AM to 5 PM, just in time to finish  your Christmas gift shopping. The Center's cafe will be open all day.  Have breakfast with Santa for 9 - 11 AM and enjoy Pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee for only $5.

Date:        December 14     
NC City:   ASHEVILLE   NC
Event:     Guild Artist Holiday Sale   Held on two consecutive Saturdays at The Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 on The Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. There will be a different group of craftspeople participating each Saturday. Find handcrafted jewelry, pottery, glass, fiber, wood and more by members of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild with 10 - 50% off regular retail prices.

Date:       December 14
NC City:  ASHEVILLE  NC
Event:     River Arts District Second Saturday  Asheville’s River Arts District Artists open their studios for a day of family friendly fun, educational experiences, live demonstrations and to share their creations. Visit dozens of artists working in all types of media, available for viewing or purchase.
 

Date:        December 14     
NC City:   BREVARD  NC
Event:      Holiday Tour of Artists’ Studios  The Transylvania Community Arts Council will host its Holiday fundraiser with a Holiday Tour of Artists’ Studios from 10 AM - 5 PM. Tickets are on sale now at the TC Arts Council located at 349 S. Caldwell Street in downtown Brevard. Tickets are $20 and will also be on sale at the TC Arts Council on the day of the tour. Proceeds will benefit the TC Arts Council youth programs including Arts In Schools, scholarships to Summer Art Camp and Pottery Camp and Kids Art Day. Find local art and crafts just in time for holiday gift giving. 

Give Handmade for Christmas this year!

Weaverville Candlelight Christmas Stroll this Weekend

December 13     Weaverville Candlelight Christmas Stroll   Downtown Weaverville will be aglow the with luminaries along the streets and local choirs and bands will provide music. Horse and buggy rides will be available through town. Local businesses will be open late for Christmas shopping, and kids can visit with Santa.

Weaverville NC and the Reems Creek Valley have been a beacon to yearning souls since pioneers began settling in what was still Cherokee territory in the 1700s. The natural beauty of Weaverville, and its proximity to downtown Asheville (only 10 miles to the north) have made Weaverville NC the perfect blend of small town and big city. Although Weaverville is a separate city, many consider it to be in reality, "North Asheville".

Enjoy a Spectacular Christmas Light Show at Asheville's Lake Julian Park

December 6 - 23  Lake Julian hosts its 12th annual holiday light spectacular.  The drive through show is open  nightly from 6 - 9 PM.  The park is brightly lit with thousands of colored lights and over 50 animated and stationary light displays. The road circling the park becomes a magical journey through tunnels of dazzling lights.

Lake Julian Park is a family recreational facility located on the banks of 300 acre Lake Julian in Ardenk, a suburb of Asheville. The park offers picnicking, boating, fishing, a playground, outdoor games and special events.

Get a link for Lake Julian on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide. 

SugarFest on Sugar Mountain Annual Kickoff for NC Ski Season

December 13 - 15   SugarFest at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort   1992 Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist Paul Wylie will dazzle onlookers with an amazing ice show followed by an on ice skating clinic, a meet and greet session and a chance to hold a real, Olympic silver medal. Consumer ski/snowboard equipment demos, live North Carolina bluegrass music by Boss Hawg, fireworks, appearances by Sweetie and Sugar Bear, and lodging specials are some of the SugarFest events and activities. Keep up your energy at the hot chocolate and whip cream bar, soup safari or North Carolina BBQ.

Sugar Mountain (Ski) Resort is located in the Village of Sugar Mountain on the outskirts of Banner Elk NC.  Sugar Mountain is the largest NC ski area with twenty slopes and trails spread over 115 skiable acres for all levels of skiing and snowboarding. There are seven lifts - including one triple, four doubles and two surface lifts. The 700 foot long tubing lanes are serviced by a Magic Carpet lift, all located on the Sugar Mountain golf course. The Resort includes a 10,000 square foot refrigerated outdoor ice skating rink and a Base Lodge with ticket sales, equipment rentals, cafeterias, lounge, sports shop. Ski and snowboard lessons are available for all ages including the Sugar Bear Ski School for ages 5-10.

Find lodging, restaurants and attractions convenient to Sugar Mountain at Sugar Mountain NC and nearby Banner Elk NC

 

See Santa Climb Chimney Rock Today

December 7   Santa on the Chimney    How is Santa able to climb down millions of chimneys around the world in a single night? He practices, of course. Witness Santa’s daring stunt as he practices on one of the world’s largest chimneys in Chimney Rock State Park (315 feet tall).

Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, complimentary hot cocoa, cookies and kids’ activities and see live critters. See why Chimney Rock was named one of “10 great places to catch up with Santa” by USA Today,

New this year: Win a Free Climb with Santa’s Elves! Each day, one lucky guest will win FREE two-hour rock climbing lessons for two with Santa’s professional helpers, Fox Mountain Guides. You must be present to win the drawing. Learn more about rock climbing in Chimney Rock with Fox Mountain Guides.

 
Learn more about Chimney Rock State Park
and Chimney Rock NC HERE

NC Christmas Parades The Weekend

Date:      December 7
NC City:  BOONE
Event:     Annual Downtown Boone Christmas Parade   Join Santa Claus and all your friends and neighbors on King Street in Downtown Boone for the Annual Boone Christmas Parade. 11 AM - 12:30 PM.

Date:      December 7
NC City:  WEAVERVILLE
Event:     Weaverville Christmas Parade    At 1 PM the Annual parade begins at the intersection of North Main Street and Dula Springs Road, travels through downtown Weaverville, and ends at the intersection of South Main and Yost Streets. Join us on Main Street along with local bands, floats, marching units, local dignitaries and of course Santa.

Date:       December 7     
NC City:   BLACK MOUNTAIN  
Event:     Christmas Celebration in Black Mountain    Chamber Open House with Santa from noon - 3 PM. Enjoy light refreshments, see what's new in the Visitor Center and have your picture made with Santa ($10).   Christmas Parade 4 PM downtown.  Circle of Lights at Lake Tomahawk 6 PM (Free event)

Find more holiday and Christmas events on the NC Mountain Events Calendar.

  

Christmas Event: Annual Folk Art Center Holiday Sale

December  7 and 14    Guild Artist Holiday Sale    Held on two consecutive Saturdays at The Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 on The Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. There will be a different group of craftspeople participating each Saturday. Find handcrafted jewelry, pottery, glass, fiber, wood and more by members of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild with 10 - 50% off regular retail prices.

Over 50 artists will be participating over the course of the two sales, with a different group of artists each weekend. The annual holiday sale is an opportunity for artists to liquidate overstocks and 2013 items, try out new techniques, and sell studio seconds. And it provides buyers with exceptional Christmas and holiday gifts at the best prices of the year. 

Buying from artists supports the local economy and promotes the mission of the Southern Highland Craft Guild which is bringing together the crafts and craftspeople of the Southern Highlands for the benefit of shared resources, education, marketing and conservation.The Southern Highland Craft Guild hosts daily craft demonstrations in the Folk Art Center lobby from March - December. Demonstration hours are 10 AM to 4 PM.  Visitors are invited to watch highly skilled craftspeople work and talk about their craft. 

Get a link for the Folk Center Holiday Sale and other local Christmas events on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide. 

Black Mountain NC Celebrates the Christmas Season

Date: December 6
Event: Holly Jolly Christmas A festive evening visiting downtown shops of Black Mountain with stores staying open late and Santa will make an appearance. 

Date: December 7
Event: Christmas Celebration in Black Mountain Chamber Open House with Santa from noon - 3 PM. Enjoy light refreshments, see what's new in the Visitor Center and have your picture made with Santa ($10). Christmas Parade 4 PM downtown. Circle of Lights at Lake Tomahawk 6 PM (Free event)

Located 10 - 15 minutes southeast of Asheville, Black Mountain NC is nicknamed "The Front Porch of Western North Carolina. Downtown Black Mountain can be accessed directly off I-40 and offers dozens of unique shops, art and craft galleries and restaurants within easy walking distance. Spend an afternoon at the public park at Lake Tomahawk with its walking path, swimming pool, tennis courts, golf course and beautiful view of the "Seven Sisters" Mountain range.  Black Mountain is a friendly small town with big charm and a perfect place to welcome in the Christmas season.

Get links for lodging, attractions and events on the Black Mountain NC Guide.  

 

Christmas Event: Biltmore Village Dickens Festival in Asheville NC

December 6-8   Biltmore Village Dickens Festival   Historic Biltmore Village transforms itself into a quaint Victorian village with entertainment for every age and interest. The main stage will be filled continuously with musicians, choral groups, singers, dancers and the Montford Park Players. This year the Festival will feature more than 300 performers who, after their stage segments, will rove throughout the Village entertaining on the streets and in the shops and restaurants. Friday and Saturday evenings will feature main stage concerts for the entire family. As dusk turns into evening, more than 250,000 white lights outlining the historic Village buildings will combine with the streetlights to enhance the ambiance.

Shops stay open evenings until 7 PM with many of the shopkeepers dressed in Victorian-era garb. In addition, there will be horse-drawn carriage rides through the tree-lined Village streets all day Saturday and Sunday. Chestnuts roasted on an open fire by chestnut roaster Sakshi Gentenbein will be available next to the main stage.

Learn more about Biltmore Village on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

 

NC Chrsitmas Events: Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries begins this Weekend

December 6-7   Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries   Journey back to the days of yesteryear as Dillsboro presents its annual Festival of Lights and Luminaries. Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song.

2500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios in charming downtown Dillsboro NC. Horse and buggy rides will be available each night from 5-8 PM (cost + tips). Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Listen to carolers sing and children may visit with Santa at Town Hall.

Get links for complete visitor information including lodging on the Dillsboro NC Guide.