Christmas in Appalachia
Sylva Christmas Parade will be Dec. 1. Nick Breedlove photo
As the temperature drops in Western North Carolina, the fun only heats up. The holiday season here is filled with events and activities aimed to celebrate the best way we know how — with friends, family and visitors alike.
Families can partake in wagon rides, ice skating, craft sales and art demonstrations, all the while enjoying authentic mountain music, clogging and parades through several downtowns. These are just some of the innumerable activities.
Within every date, time and place found amid this section, the communities around the region once again open their arms to share in the winter festivities.
It’s a winter wonderland out there. It’s yours for the taking — so reach out and enjoy all Southern Appalachia has to offer.
Balsam
• Balsam Mountain Inn will host the “Balsam Christmas Concert” featuring Darren Nicholson & Shawn Lane (Americana/bluegrass) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Tickets are $30 per person. 828.283.0145 / thebalsammountaininn.com.
Bryson City
• “Polar Express” train ride will roll down the tracks on select dates from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in downtown. For a complete listing of departure dates and times, 800.872.4681 or gsmr.com.
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• “Christmas Wonderland” hayrides will be held at Darnell Farms through mid-December. Limited seating available. For a full schedule and/or to purchase tickets, visit darnellfarms.com.
Bryson City Christmas Parade will be Dec. 7. File photo
• “Christmas Light Show Drive-Thru” is running everyday through the holidays at the Great Smoky Mountains Event Park, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. greatsmokies.com/events.
• “Ice Skating at The Yard” will be 4-8 p.m. Fridays and 1-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at The Yard on Depot Street. For more information, visit facebook.com/theyardbc.
• Christmas Tree Lighting will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, in downtown. Christmas caroling and a live nativity scene, with the lighting at 6 p.m. Free cookies and hot cocoa, letters to Santa and more. Free and open to the public. greatsmokies.com/christmas.
• “Cookie Walk & Christmas Bazaar” starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Bryson City United Methodist Church on Main Street. greatsmokies.com/christmas.
• The 50th annual Bryson City Christmas Parade will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. This year’s theme is “The Wonder of Christmas.” Free and open to the public. greatsmokies.com/christmas.
Canton
• Canton Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in downtown. The parade features area school groups, high school bands, Christmas music, dance teams, churches and many local businesses, as well as horses, dogs, tractors, vintage cars and the flashing lights of our local emergency services. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be making a special appearance. Free and open to the public. cantonnc.com/winter-roundup.
• The fourth annual “Kris Kringle Holiday Market” will be held from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Sorrells Street Park in downtown. Over 50 vendors will be in attendance. Photos also available with Santa Claus. Free and open to the public. milltownfarmersmarket.com/kringlemarket.
Cashiers
• “Mistletoe Market,” “Santa On The Green” and Cashiers Christmas Tree Lighting will be held from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, on The Village Green. The “Mistletoe Market” will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with “Santa On The Green” 2-5 p.m. and the Cashiers Christmas Tree Lighting from 5:45-6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. discoverjacksonnc.com.
• The 50th annual Cashiers Christmas Parade will be held from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The one-mile parade route starts on N.C. 107 South and heads north towards the Cashiers Crossroads where participants are announced to the crowd. The parade then turns left on U.S. 64 heading west, ending at the intersection of Frank Allen Road at the Cashiers Community Center. Free and open to the public. discoverjacksonnc.com.
Cherokee
• “Enchanted Island Of Lights” will be shown 5-10 p.m. each day through Jan. 3 at the Oconaluftee Island Park. visitcherokeenc.com/events.
• “Ice Skating & Food Trucks” will be offered Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 at the Cherokee Islands. visitcherokeenc.com/events.
• Cherokee Christmas Parade will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Cherokee Visitor Center. Free and open to the public. visitcherokeenc.com/events.
Clyde
• The “Home for the Holidays” concert with the Blue Ridge Orchestra will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the auditorium in the Hemlock Building at Haywood Community College. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for students. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Haywood Strong program. The scholarship supports students that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. For tickets, visit givebutter.com/3kndnb.
Cullowhee
• The 37th annual “Hard Candy Christmas” arts/crafts show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29-30 inside the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University. This mountain tradition started in 1987 and has grown to over 100 regional artisans. Admission is $5 for a two-day pass. Children under 12 are free. Parking is also free. mountainartisans.net.
• “The Nutcracker,” featuring Ballet Conservatory of Asheville, will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Bardo Arts Center Performance Hall at Western Carolina University. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit arts.wcu.edu/tickets.
Franklin
• “Winter Wonderland Nights” will be held Nov. 30 and Dec. 7. Downtown will feature living window displays of the holidays, live sounds of the season outdoors at the gazebo and inside stores, free holiday attractions (weather permitting), refreshments, hot cider, great sales from local merchants and more. franklin-chamber.com/events/winter-wonderland.
• The Franklin Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, in downtown. The parade floats will line up on Church Street entering Main Street through the Franklin Town Hall parking lot. The parade will continue down Main Street, turning left onto Porter Street at Lazy Hiker Brewing. Turning left again onto Palmer Street at the red light, the parade will end at the Highlands Road intersection. franklin-chamber.com/events.
• “Christmas with Mountain Voices” concert will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, at the First United Methodist Church. The mixed-voice Community Chorus will help us “Swing into Christmas” with secular and sacred songs of the season. Free to the public. Donations welcome. franklin-chamber.com/events.
• “Three Times A Lady” Christmas concert will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit smokymountainarts.com.
• “Cowee Christmas” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center. The event will include a snowball fight, lunch, holiday cheer, kids activities and a visit from Santa. Free and open to the public. coweeschool.org/events.
• “Christmas At The Cove” will be held from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at The Cove. Pictures with Santa, hot cocoa, mulled cider, s’more, fire pit and holiday crafts. Free and open to the public. franklin-chamber.com/events.
• Brasstown Ringers will present “Caroling Bells” at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the First United Methodist Church. Free and open to the public. Donations welcome. franklin-chamber.com/events.
• “Once Upon A Christmas Star” stage production will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 13-14 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Presented by the Overlook Theatre Company and friends, the story will be told through traditional/sacred songs, dance and more. Tickets are $15 per person in advance. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit smokymountainarts.com.
• “Christmas With Mark Lowry & Friends” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $28 per person with seating upgrades available. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit smokymountainarts.com.
Highlands
• Mark O’Connor’s “An Appalachian Christmas” featuring Maggie O’Connor will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $75 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit highlandsperformingarts.com.
Mark O’Connor’s ‘An Appalachian Christmas’ will be in Highlands Nov. 29. File photo
• “Light Up The Park” will be from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in downtown. Christmas activities, ice skating rink and a special appearance by Santa. highlandschamber.org.
• “Home For The Holidays” stage production will run Dec. 6-22 at the Highlands Performing Arts Center. Presented by the Mountain Theatre Company. For a full schedule and/or to purchase tickets, visit mountaintheatre.com.
• The Olde Mountain Christmas Parade will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 7, on Main Street. highlandschamber.org.
• “Santa In The Park” will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 7, 14 and 21 at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in downtown. Free and open to the public. highlandschamber.org.
• “Holiday Market” will be from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at The Bascom Center for Visual Arts. Free and open to the public. thebascom.org.
Maggie Valley
• The annual “Holiday Boutique & Bake Sale” will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Maggie Valley United Methodist Church. Find new and gently used clothing, handbags, shoes, jewelry, decor, Christmas items and unique gifts. Last year, the event raised $9,000 to fund two long-standing food ministries: Shepherd’s Table and the Food Pantry. Each Monday, Shepherd’s Table volunteers cook and deliver nutritious meals to 135 people in our community. The Food Pantry (open 10 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays) provides much needed groceries to the food insecure. This year, the need is even greater because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. For more information, call 828.926.8036.
• The “Sounds of the Season” concert with the Haywood Community Band will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec, 14, at the Calvary Baptist Church. Free and open to the public. Donations accepted to provide scholarships to student musicians attending college and band camps.
haywoodcommunityband.com.
Robbinsville
• Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center will host a bevy of holiday events, including “Have Breakfast With Santa” (including cookie decoration and ornament craft) from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 ($8 per person, bring your own camera). The “Christmas in the Mountains” art/craft show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Presented by the local community choir,, a Christmas cantata “A Carol To The King” will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 (free admission). The Stecoah Artisan Gallery will offer its handcrafted Christmas gift options onsite from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 21 (a special gallery open house will be Tuesday, Dec. 17). For more information, 828.479.3364 or stecoahvalleycenter.com.
Sylva
• Sylva Christmas Tree Lighting and “Holiday Concert” will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, in front of the Historic Jackson County Courthouse on West Main Street. The “Holiday Fireworks” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. discoverjacksonnc.com.
• Sylva Christmas Parade will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, on Main Street. The parade takes place along Historic Main Street for celebration, cheer and a chance to see Santa. The floats start and end at Mark Watson Park after a loop through town. Free and open to the public. discoverjacksonnc.com.
• “Yuletide Market” will be held from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Bridge Park. Crafts, caroling, food, s’mores and more. Free and open to the public. discoverjacksonnc.com.
Waynesville
• Waynesville Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, on Main Street. The theme this year is “Mountain Traditions.” Parade starts at First Presbyterian Church and proceeds down Main Street to Bogart’s Restaurant. downtownwaynesville.com.
• “A Charlie Brown Christmas Musical Extravaganza” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 13, 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14 and 5 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit harttheatre.org or call the box office at 828.456.6322.
• “A Kilted Christmas” concert with Eireann’s Call will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center. The show features the band’s unique and powerful take on Christmas throughout the Celtic world. Songs range from driving rock to the sacred and from rollicking dance tunes to the hilarious. The family friendly event features dancers and a dramatic/humorous narrative to create a memorable event. Admission is pay what you can, starting at $15 per person. Donations welcome. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit folkmoot.org or call 828.452.2997.
• “A Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration” will be held from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in downtown Waynesville. Hundreds of Luminaries, live music, clogging, church choirs, Santa & Mrs. Claus, storytelling, holiday treats/beverages and more. For a full list of participants and events, visit downtownwaynesville.com.
• The fourth annual “Holiday Night Market” will be held 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Axe & Awl Leatherworks on Depot Street in downtown. Free and open to the public. axeandawlleatherworks.com.
Dillsboro’s ‘Lights & Luminaries’
The 41st annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and 13-14 in the streets of downtown Dillsboro.
Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song. Over 2,500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios.
Each night, shops will stay open way into the night providing free refreshments, musicians and singers performing in individual shops. -- T he sound of hooves will echo through the night with old-fashioned horse and buggy rides.
‘Lights & Luminaries’ returns to Dillsboro Dec. 6. JCTDA photo
With retail shops offering a variety of quality arts and crafts, unique gifts, clothing, gourmet foods/wines and specialty Christmas items, the festival provides a unique holiday shopping experience.
Shopkeepers and restaurants are open late. See Santa and Mrs. Claus as they ride through town in their pickup truck. Write a letter to Santa and drop it off at his special mailbox. Live music will also be held on Front Street.
Free and open to the public. For more information, visit dillsboronc.info.
‘Christmas at Lake Junaluska’
A beloved annual tradition, the “Christmas at Lake Junaluska” celebration will be held Dec. 13-15 at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center.
Enjoy carriage and trolley rides, Christmas lights, a hot chocolate bar, marshmallow roasts, music, a special service and more.
‘Christmas at Lake Junaluska’ will be Dec. 13-15. File photo
• “Holly Jolly Trolley Tour” from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the York Dining Commons. Join Jolly Elf as you tour the lake in the Holly Jolly Trolley. Enjoy festive Christmas lights, an onboard scavenger hunt, music, hot cocoa, cider, a marshmallow roast and more.
• “Festival of Lessons and Carols” at 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Memorial Chapel. Feel the spirit of Advent and Christmas this holiday season during Festival of Lessons and Carols, a one-hour traditional English service featuring Scripture readings and corresponding music.
• “Carriage Rides” from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Harrell Center. Enjoy a scenic ride on a horse-drawn carriage that offers mountain views and the lakeside Rose Walk decorated for the holidays, a marshmallow roast, hot chocolate bar and more.
For more information and a full schedule of activities, visit lakejunaluska.com/events-calendar/christmas-lake-junaluska.
