Annual Holiday Parade in West Jefferson this Weekend

November 15, 2014   Annual Holiday Parade   The Holiday parade begins at 3 PM followed by the 1st Annual Light up the Town event starting around 5:30 PM. The Downtown will be lit at dusk with lighted displays and decorations. Businesses will be all decked out for the Holiday season many will also have extended hours to start your Holiday shopping early. 

Food specials and live music at will be offered by downtown restaurants. Visit stores for chances to win prizes. End your evening at the WJ Methodist Church Hensley Hall for Coffee House Live with great entertainment and refreshments beginning at 7:30 PM.

Get links for lodging, attractions and information on the West Jefferson and Jefferson NC Visitor Guide.  

Holiday Event: Light Up Downtown in North Wilkesboro

November 22   Light Up Downtown    Annually, Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro kicks off the Holiday Season with the lighting ceremony soon after dusk. Main Street is filled with the lights, joys, smells, and sounds of Christmas. 

Santa will be in the lobby of Wilkes Towers ready for photos with the little ones. Local community groups take part in in providing hay rides, live entertainment, food, crafts, kids activities and more.

Get links for lodging, attractions and visitor information on the Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro NC Guide.

NC Christmas Event:

December 21-22   Re-discovering Christmas   at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. This is a fun evening of professional theatre and down home Christmas music in an intimate theatre setting in downtown Black Mountain.

Jim and Carol Shores of Acts of Renewal Theatre Co. bring a series of vignettes that welcome young and old to rediscover the hilarity, the mystery, the wonder of Christmas. The evening concludes with a finale about an irrepressible Jamaican wiseman who retells the Christmas story like you've never heard it before. Music by the Holly Hoppers will bring rousing fun to an already great night.

Learn more about Black Mountain NC HERE.

NC Holiday Events: "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" Performed in Asheville

December 19-30   Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol   is performed by The North Carolina Stage Company.  What happened to Scrouge's business partner Marley? Is he truly past redemption, or does every person deserve a chance to change, to do better? In this darkly funny and deeply touching holiday play by Tom Mula, see Jacob Marley’s heroic efforts to save Scrooge’s soul – and in the process, save his own.

Find more Asheville Christmas events on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide. 

Last Two Weeks to Ride the Polar Express

Now through December 29 join join friends and family, visitors and locals for one of the most popular Christmas mountain events: The Polar Express on The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

All Aboard The Polar Express for a memorable journey to the magic of the Holiday season. The 1.25 hour round-trip excursion departs the Bryson City NC depot for a journey through a peaceful wilderness to a special visit at the North Pole. The motion picture soundtrack music plays as guests on board enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while reading along with the magical story. 

Children's faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the "North Pole" to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express, greeting each child and presenting everyone a special gift as in the story – a special silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung on the return back to the Bryson City Depot.

Find a link for the Polar Express and more NC Holiday Events on the NC Mountains Events Calendar

NC Holiday Event: Santa visits the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center

 Santa at Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center  9 AM - 11 AM Breakfast with Santa ($3 per person). Kids of all ages get to eat breakfast with Santa. Professional photos will be available with Santa by photographer Mardie Drolshagen (for an additional charge) or bring your own camera to capture this special Christmas event.

6:30 PM - Movies with Santa.  Watch your favorite Christmas Classics with Santa.  Bring the whole family to a movie at the Stecoah Center. These movies are always G or PG rated . Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. The cafe will sell popcorn, candy, hot chocolate, ice cream and other concessions. Call the Center at 828-479-3364 for movie title.

The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road  in Robbinsville, NC

NC Holiday Event: Santa Visits Beech Mountain this Weekend

December 15  Santa Visits Beech Mountain  Santa makes a special visit to Beech Mountain to spread Holiday Cheer. Visit with Santa beside the fireplace and enjoy hot chocolate, cider and cookies at the 4 Seasons at Beech. After your visit, bring a homemade ornament and join the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce for the lighting of the town Christmas Tree.

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.

Holiday Bed and Breakfast Inn Tour in Hendersonville Today

December 9   2012 Holiday Tour of Historic Inns and Cookie Caper  A self-driving tour is sure to get you in the holiday mood as you visit the decked halls of each inn. Six inns will be open, each inn has been beautifully restored and delightfully decorated to welcome visitors on this special day. These turn-of-the-century inns will feed the curiosity and holiday spirit of all who enter, including a holiday treat.

Learn more about Hendersonville Holiday Events, lodging and attractions on the Hendersonville NC Visitor Guide.

NC Holiday Events: Santa Climbs Chimney Rock Today

December 8  and 15 -  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 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. 11AM - 2 PM

Get a link for Santa on the Chimney and more information about Chimney Rock Park on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide. 

Carl Sandburg Historic Site Hosts Christmas at Connemara Today

December   Christmas at Connemara  The Carl Sandburg Home (Connemara), a National Historic Site, is decorated as the Sandburg's did with traditional Christmas decorations, holiday music and programs. 

Take a leisurely stroll of the grounds and visit the goat barn. Musicians and storytellers will perform traditional holiday stories and music. Hot cider and cookies will be served. This is a  FREE event. 

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site:  Carl Sandburg, American poet, historian, author, and lecturer spent the final 22 years of his long and productive life at his estate, Connemara, in Flat Rock, NC. Today this National Historic Site offers a keen insight on Mr. Sandburg, his family and their 264 acre working farm. The Sandburg Home was built in 1838 and now houses his collection of 10,000 books, notes and papers. The home offers daily tours.

Get  a link for the Carol Sandburg Home and Historic Site on the Flat Rock NC Visitor Guide.

NC Holiday Events: Asheville Celebrates with Chocolate and Crafts

December 8  Asheville Chocolate and Arts Festival   A multicultural arts event featuring performers, musicians and dancers from Asheville and beyond. Experience local artisans, baskets and basket weaving demonstrations by Gullah artisans, cultural arts and education by members of the Cherokee Nation, Bellydancing, African dance, Argentine Tango, Hip Hop, and local chocolate tasting by Asheville's finest chocolatiers and dessert-makers.

Performers will also be teaching classes in: Drumming, Bellydance, Tango, West African Dance, and digeridoo throughout the day which are all included in your ticket price. This is a family friendly event with Local children's performance artists Juan Halladay and the Secret B-sides, balloon twisting, face painting, and dance workshops. 25% of proceeds will be donated to Urban Arts Institute and Odyessy School to fund multicultural arts education for Asheville youth.

Learn more about Asheville Lodging, events and attractions on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

NC Holiday Event: Franklin Winter Wonderland

December 7    Winter Wonderland in Franklin   Franklin's Holiday Festival transforms Historic downtown Franklin into a Winter Wonderland. The event will be one night only with live music, Santa Clause, wagon rides and more.

5 PM - 9 PM. The Smoky Mountain Brass Quintet will be headlining the entertainment performing two concerts, one at 7:00 PM and the other at 8:00 PM. Artist Ryan McCurdy from Asheville will create a special slide made of ice for the young and young at heart to enjoy.

NC Holiday Event: Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries

December 7-8   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. Horse and buggy rides available each night from 5-8 PM.

Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Carolers sing and children visit with Santa at Town Hall.

Learn more about Dillsboro NC HERE.

NC Holiday Event: A Celtic Christmas

Date: December 5 - 22  A Celtic Christmas   Join the Playhouse Downtown as it transforms with mist and candlelight for three Celtic singer/storytellers and a group of unique musicians who will ignite the Christmas spirit within you.

Traditional carols like Silent Night, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, The Little Drummer Boy, O Holy Night, and many, many more are given the Celtic treatment in this one-of-a-kind Christmas spectacular. This is a show you will want to share with the entire family!

A Celtic Christmas is presented by The Flat Rock Playhouse at the Hendersonville Playhouse Downtown. Get a link for this and other Holiday events on the Hendersonville NC Visitor Guide.

NC Holiday Event: Lighting of the Green in Asheville

December 4 - 18   Lighting of the Green  Celebrate the holidays with the Lighting of the Green, featuring historic homes on the Asheville campus of A-B Tech. Fernihurst, a restored 1870s mansion, and Sunnicrest, a former rental property of George Vanderbilt, will be decorated for the holidays.

Both buildings will also be opened to the public for free tours, with Fernihurst also offering light refreshments and entertainment.
Find more NC Holiday Events on the NC Event Calendar

Christmas Parade In Downtown Boone Today

December 1   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. The Boone parade takes place from 11 AM - 12:30 PM.

NC Holiday Event: Dickens Festival in Biltmore

November 30 - December 2   Biltmore Village Dickens Festival  begins today.  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 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.

Get a link for details about the Biltmore Dickens Festival on the
Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

NC Holiday Events: Beech Mountain Craft Fair and Community Bonfire This Weekend

Beech Mountain NC is full of the Holiday Spirit this weekend with handmade mountain crafts and an evening community bonfire.

November 24 -  Holiday Market Craft Fair An annual Holiday Market at the Buckeye Recreation Center held from 11am-3pm. 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.

November 25 -   Community Bonfire Held at 8 PM at the Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria. Come cozy up around the fire as you roast s’mores, drink cider and cocoa and sing along to the rhythm of the guitar string. Free food, beverages, and music.

Get a link for the community bonfire, craft show and other local information on the Beech Mountain NC Visitor Guide.

NC Holiday Events: Tree Lighting Celebration in Hendersonville

November 23 -  Holiday Downtown Lighting Celebration   See Historic Downtown Hendersonville come alive with Santa lighting the community Christmas tree and ushering in the Christmas Season. Featuring entertainment, storytelling, and holiday good cheer.

Learn more about Hendersonville events, attractions and lodging on the Hendersonville NC Visitor Guide

NC Holiday Events: High Country Lights

November 22 - January 1  High Country Lights Northwest North Carolina's premier animated light show features over 100,000 lights choreographed to your favorite Christmas tunes on 96.5 FM.

This free light show, hosted by Glade Creek Volunteer Fire Department, can be seen nightly starting at 6 PM Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. The Location is 6374 Glade Valley Road in Ennice NC.