An annual Appalachian Christmas Celebration will run from Dec. 6-9 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. With Christmas concerts and a crafts show, the Appalachian Christmas Celebration is a weekend to shop for unique handcrafted gifts or to just relax and absorb the beauty of the season.
The craft show, featuring some of the best crafters and artisans in the area, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Harrell Center.
The weekend’s events also include the Lake Junaluska Singers’ Christmas concerts set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in Stuart Auditorium. A preshow will be held from 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, by Voices in the Laurel, the region’s award-winning youth choir.
A Saturday evening concert performance of Handel’s Messiah at 8 p.m. will feature the Lake Junaluska Singers, accompanied by regional choirs and orchestra.
800.422.4930 or www.lakejunaluska.com/christmas.
What could be more fun than a weekend of fellowship and great birding? Maybe setting a new record for total number of species recorded during the annual Great Smoky Mountains Birding Expedition? 
