Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries Showcase NC Mountains Historic Small Town Christmas Celebrations

December 11 - 12, 2015   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 unique shops and craft shops and art studios. Horse and buggy rides are available (f0r a fee) each night from 5-8 PM. Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Enjoy carolers singing and children may visit with Santa at Town Hall.

Learn more about Dillsboro on our
Dillsboro NC Visitor Guide

 

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. 

Thanksgiving Weekend a Time for Christmas Crafts in the Mountains

Date:      November 25 - December 27
NC City:  WEST JEFFERSON
Event:    Tree Fest and Christmas Miniatures Art Exhibit    Beautifully decorated trees with handcrafted ornaments, holiday crafts, gift items and miniature paintings and photography. The gallery shop is also full of handmade ornaments available for purchase. 

Date:      November 26 - December 24
NC City:  MARION
Event:     Blue Ridge Artisans Show and Sale  features crafts from local artisans, including woodwork, paintings, photography and various Christmas ornaments. The Show is held at the McDowell Arts Council Association Gallery, Main Street in Historic Downtown Marion. 

Date:      November 29 - December 30
NC City:  CULLOWHEE  (near Sylva)
Event:     Hard Candy Christmas Arts and Crafts Show  Mountain Artisans presents the 25th Hard Candy Christmas, Arts and Crafts Show. This mountain Christmas Tradition features original arts and crafts at a great price. Held at the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University - Free Parking  

Date:      November 29 - December 30
NC City:  FRANKLIN
Event:    Santa's Gift Shop is MV Craft Shows Christmas themed show. Come get in the Christmas shopping mood with festive decorations, music and a jolly atmosphere. In addition to their usual great crafts, the vendors will also display Christmas themed crafts such as decorations, clothing, baked goods and lots of great gifts. Santa himself will also be present to visit with kids of all ages. Along with the craft show there will be a food drive for CareNet. 

Date:      November 30
NC City:  WEST JEFFERSON
Event:     West Jefferson Gallery Crawl   Stroll the streets of an historic mountain town, enjoy the cool mountain breeze while listening to the sounds of street musicians and "popping" in and out of West Jefferson's many galleries. Open House in more than 15 art galleries and studios.

Date:      November 30
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:     Thanksgiving Kiln Opening at Traditions Pottery   Be present at 10:00 AM to watch the wood kiln be unloaded, and them make your selection. Items in the wood kiln will include work from Bolick’s and from Traditions. With face jugs such as Santas, wizards and cry babies, Rebekah pitchers, candlesticks, sculpted chickens and other traditional wares. Food will be served. Free admission.

Date:     November 30
NC City: BEECH MOUNTAIN
Event:    Holiday Market Craft Fair  This is the 7th annual Holiday Market at the Buckeye Recreation Center held from 9 AM - 3 PM. Spend the day with the family or get your holiday shopping done with the unique  arts and crafts that will be offered by local artisans. There is more to do than just shop at the market. Free samples and craft demos add to the fun along with a cookie decorating station. Santa will be on hand for photos and to hear everyone’s wish list. FREE event. 

Date:      November 30
NC City:  HENDERSONVILLE
Event:     Curb Market Old Timey Christmas  The Henderson County Curb Market Old Timey Christmas includes refreshments, music, carriage rides, holiday gifts and arts & crafts. Come visit the South's most unique Curb Market. All items sold at the market must be either handmade or locally grown.

Get links for these mountain Christmas craft shows and exhibits on the  NC Events Calendar. 
 

Holiday Event: Christmas Ornament Festival in Burnsville's Town Center

November 23   Christmas Ornament Festival in Town Center   An annual Christmas Ornament Festival featuring one of a kind gift items handmade by local crafters and artisans. Admission is free. The Burnsville NC area is home to hundreds of North Carolina's favorite arts and crafters. This is your opportunity to make your holiday gift giving really special with a handcrafted piece from, the mountains.

Learn more about Burnsville NC HERE. 

Holidar Bazaar at the Historic Carson House

November 15   Historic Carson House Luncheon and Holiday Bazaar   Held at St. John’s Episcopal Church Parish House  from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM. St. John's Parrish House is located at 289 S. Main Street in downtown Marion. Join members of the Carson House Partners to purchase crafts, baked goods and peruse a white elephant sale. Enjoy a soup and salad lunch from 11:00 AM. - 2 PM.  All of the proceeds from this bazaar go to benefit the Historic Carson House.

Get links for complete visitor information on the Marion NC Guide. 

 

NC Christmas Event: Holiday Crafts Sale at the Folk Art Center

December 1   Guild Artist Holiday Sale   The Southern Highland Craft Guild presents the annual Holiday crafts sale at the Folk Art Center from 10 AM - 4 PM, milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Choose from a variety of gift items - at special prices -  including ceramics, jewelry, fiber, paper, glass and wood. 

Buying from artists supports the local economy and promotes the mission of the Guild which is bringing together the crafts and craftspeople of the Southern Highlands for the benefit of shared resources, education, marketing and conservation. An additional date is Dec 8 with different artists participating,
The Guild Artists’ Holiday Sale is held on December 1 and again on December 8. 70+ Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild will be on hand in the center’s auditorium on these two Saturdays, with different artists each day,  to sell select work 10-50% off regular retail.

While at the Folk Art Center, be sure to visit all three galleries showcasing the work of current Guild members and collections from the Guild’s history.  Member work is also available at Allanstand Craft Shop, the nation’s oldest craft gallery, located within the Folk Center.

Learn more about NC mountain crafts and artists on the NC Mountain Crafts Guide.

Participating Artists include:

December 1 Participants

Lin Oglesby, fiber

Ed & Kate Coleman, pottery

Harriet Smith, polymer clay

I & K Leather Goods, leather

Mary Mikkelsen & Henry Pope, clay

Ann Gleason, Clay

Maud Boleman, clay

Tyrone & Julie Larson, clay

Ruthie Cohen, jewelry

Portfolio Metalwork, jewelry

Tom & Pat Bauman, jewelry

Diana Gillispie, clay

Judy Simmons, fiber

Jen Swearington, fiber

Q Evon, jewelry

Kelsey Schissel, clay

Cat Jarosz, clay

Janice Maddox, fiber

Buzz Coren, wood

Debbie Littledeer, paper

Charlie Patricolo, mixed media

Walt Cottingham, wood

Sandy & Ann Batton, clay

Ann Gleason, clay

Troy Amastar, clay

Dianna Gillispie, clay

Earth2 Art Pottery, mixed media

Diannah Beauregard, jewerly

Betsy Gray, clay

Rebecca Owen, fiber

Kathryn Faille, clay

Phillip Nolley, glass

Hamilton Williams, clay

John Gunther, fiber

Hank Goodman, clay

Martine House, fiber

Jason Green, wood

Nhia Lo, fiber

December 8 Participants

Patte Vanden Berg, fiber

Julia Gaunt, fiber

Magruder Glass, glass

Linda Caristo, jewelry

Rita de Maintenon, fiber

Jeff McKinley, glass

Marc Tickle, glass

Michael Rutkowsky, clay

Perry Holbrook, mixed media

Kathy Spencer, fiber

Allen Davis, wood

Bart Vinsh, wood

Chris Kamm, wood

Michael Hatch, glass

Robert Levine, glass

Nancy Darrell, paper

Laurey-Faye Long, clay

Rob Levin, glass

Steven Forbes-deSoule, clay

Doug McCubbins, leather

David Grant, clay

York Haverkamp, clay

Cheryl Hevrdeys, glass

Pat Poole, fiber

Maggie Jones, clay

Kathrin Weber, fiber

Martha Biggar, clay

K4 Glassart, glass

Jan Brooks, fiber

Susan Taylor, fiber

Peggy Whitted, fiber

Judy Brater, clay

Louis & Christine Colombarini, clay

Kristin Schoonover, clay

Cindy Riccardelli, mixed media

Friendswood Brooms, natural materials

Janet Taylor, fiber

Don Duncan, wood

NC Holiday Events: Foothills Holiday Arts and Crafts Show

November 17-18   Foothills Holiday Arts and Crafts Show   Find unique gifts during this year's pre-Thanksgiving arts and crafts show in Marion at the YMCA. The area's best talent will be showcased for two days including oil, pastel and watercolor paintings, drawings, wood and metal works, textile arts, jewelry and much more. Commercial vendors are not allowed at this event.

You'll find regional artists with unique points of view exhibited in their work. Vendors will be set up inside and outside the Corpening YMCA. Enjoy live regional music during the show. The Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League of Old Fort and the McDowell Arts Council have partnered to bring you this special event. Show Hours are Saturday, November 17th between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. Sunday hours are 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

Learn more about Marion events and attractions on the Marion NC Visitor Guide.

Need Marion Lodging for this weekend?

Mountain view cabin rental in gated community - 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, sleeps 6. Open deck and covered porch, fireplace. Located in Grand View Peaks, Nebo - 15 minutes from downtown Marion and Lake James Park.  $125 - $150 night, $800 - $900 week.  Check rental availability

Christmas Art and Crafts this weekend in Asheville

December 3   Asheville Downtown Galleries Walk  Take a self-guided tour and explore the diversity of art in downtown Asheville.The December Galleries Walk is especially festive and a great opportunity to find unique Christmas gifts. Handmade gifts are treasured for a lifetime, not just the current fashion's season. Browse 25 Galleries in Asheville's downtown decorated with this year's "old fashioned Christmas" theme.

December   3, 10   Guild Artists’ Holiday Sale at the Folk Art Center     Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild will be on  hand in the center’s auditorium  to sell select work at 10-50% off retail. Guild Membership is considered acknowledgement of the highest level of art and craft in the Southeast. The Annual Holiday sale is an opportunity to purchase high quality works, a value at any price. The event is held at the Folk Art Center located at Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville NC