The festival is from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10. Each night will also include musicians, carolers, church and school choirs, free food, hot drinks, and lots of lights and luminaries illuminating the streets threading through Dillsboro’s shopping district.

“It’s a beautiful sight,” said Stacy Hepp, owner of Dillsboro Chocolate Factory and president of the Dillsboro Merchants Association.

Carrying on the town’s annual Christmas tradition of lighting up shops after dark, the Dillsboro Merchant Association organizes the event each year as a way to give back to the community after a year of support.

Doing her part in the festivities, Hepp will have free fudge samples, cheese and hot cider, along with a store specialty — egg nog latté — for customers.

“People just love it,” Hepp said. “ And it’s free — it’s not commercialized.”

The festivities began 22 years ago as a way for Dillsboro merchants to give back to the community with a night of lights. Since then, it has expanded into four nights of entertainment with free food samples, decorations and music. More than 2,500 white paper bag luminaries will be lit this year, and many of the town’s buildings will be trimmed with white lights. Santa Claus will be in the Dillsboro Town Hall to welcome Christmas wishes, and various musicians and bands will be set up to share music at eight to 10 locations in town. The music will include a glockenspiel, a dulcimer group, bagpipes and drums, French horns, and a bell choir.

Dillsboro is a haven of small-town charm with historic buildings and a walkable district of shops that cater to those in search of arts, crafts, collectibles and cozy cuisine. The luminary festival is a welcoming event for both local and out-of-town shoppers.

With the gas crunch this year, some are staying closer to home for shopping this season, and Hepp has noticed more local shoppers in her store this year.

“It’s been pretty busy,” Hepp said the day before Thanksgiving. “I was slammed yesterday.”

Karen Barnes, entertainment coordinator for the luminary festival, has been lining up music for the four nights. Entertainers will include the Western Carolina University horn choir, Bryson City Brass, the Celtic band Bill Hambrick and Malarkey, and Marshal Ballew.

“It’s a pretty, small town all done up for the holidays,” said Barnes, who co-owns Riverwood Pottery in Dillsboro along with her husband Brant and their daughter Zan.

Riverwood has been in Dillsboro for 10 years, and recently helped organize the town’s first pottery festival. Joining in on the luminary festivities, Riverwood will host jam sessions with local musicians — and don’t forget to grab a few goodies while you’re there.

“We take great pride in our cookies,” Barnes said.

Folks can come by the Yule Fire just around the corner from Riverwood Pottery to roast free marshmallows.

At the Cheddar Box Country Store, owner Sue Stafford will have free samples of fudge, dip mixes and hot cider on hand. The luminary festival has also become an opportunity to reach out to those who are less fortunate.

Stafford’s 14-year-old daughter, Katie, makes ornaments and sells hot chocolate, cookies and assorted holiday goodies to raise money for the Toys for Tots charity. About eight years ago, Katie came up with the idea, and her mom agreed to match whatever Katie raised. Katie made $160 that first year, and her mom stayed true to her word. Every year since then, Katie has collected more and more money; her mom has continued to match the amount. This year, Katie’s goal is $700.

For more information about the Festival of Lights and Luminaries in Dillsboro call 828.631.0156 or go to the website www.visitdillsboro.org.