Holidays in the High Country

The holiday season is upon us! The NC High Country offers a wide range of activities and events to enjoy the season, with parades and other holiday-themed activities starting around Thanksgiving. Here are some events to get you in the holiday spirit.

Christmas in The Park: Blowing Rock

November 25th, 2-7 pm

Blowing Rock's Christmas in the Park & Lighting of the Town celebration is an annual holiday event that you are sure to love. Join us for free hot chocolate, caroling, and visits with Santa. The festival is always the Friday after Thanksgiving, and is the perfect time to kick off your holiday and Christmas celebrating! Bring the whole family, or enjoy the romance of the lights and fun, jovial atmosphere with your partner. The Annual Blowing Rock Christmas parade follows on Saturday, November 26th. Click here for more information.

Festival of Lights: Chetola Resort

Begins November 25th

Chetola Resort features a sparkling display of lights each winter season! The "Festival of Lights" is free and open to the public, and you are invited to enjoy thousands of dazzling illuminations throughout the resort. As you drive or stroll around Chetola Lake, view glittering ice skaters, "Rudolph" reeling in a big fish, strolling carolers and many more captivating holiday scenes. The "Festival of Lights" begins Thanksgiving weekend on Friday, Nov. 25 and remains up through Blowing Rock WinterFest till Sunday, January 29, 2017. The displays illuminate at dusk each evening. Click here for more information.

Beech Mountain Holiday Market: Beech Mountain

November 26: 9 am-3 pm

Come shop around for the perfect gift for all your friends and family at our annual Holiday Market! We'll have crafters and artisans selling a variety of items that will make the perfect prize for someone special. This event takes place at the Buckeye Recreation Center from 9:00 am -5:00 pm on Saturday, November 26th. This is a FREE event, so load up the car and join us for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience! Click here for more information.

Festival of Trees: Chetola Resort

December 1-4

Join Western Youth Network as Chetola Resort's Appalachian/Blue Ridge Room is transformed into a Christmas spectacle for this magical event in support of WYN. Over 75 themed trees and wreaths will be on display for your viewing enjoyment, and everything is for sale! This event also features gift baskets and raffle items. Any item could be yours via the online auction or a simple buy-it-now feature at the event, to be collected on Sunday, Dec. 4. For more information, click here.

A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk: Banner Elk

December 2-3

Start the Christmas Season off by visiting Banner Elk's Small Town Christmas. Enjoy the hospitality of a small town that is Big on Christmas Spirit! On Friday evening at 6pm, visitors will enjoy caroling while watching the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a symbolic Menorah lighting. After the ceremony, see a free movie, Elf starring Will Ferrell. The movie will be shown inside the Historic Banner Elk School gymnasium; bring a chair or blanket to sit. Saturday's daytime activities include a 5K Reindeer Run with the Williams YMCA, Breakfast with Santa at Dunn's Deli, Free pet treats at My Best Friends Barkery, Cookie Decorating at Banner Elk Café, Ornament decorating at the Bayou, A candy cane hunt in Tate Evans Park, Christmas at Apple Hill Farm, and Read a book with Santa at the BE Book Exchange. At 6 pm watch the streets light up with Banner Elk's Parade of Lights! Santa will ride in the parade and meet children in Tate-Evans park. The park is illuminated with hundreds of luminary candles, and a train ride takes visitors around the trail. Click here for more information.

Holiday Stroll in Blowing Rock: Blowing Rock

December 9: 5-8 pm

Join us in Blowing Rock for the Holiday Stroll, a celebration of winter and the Christmas season in December. It's like a town-wide holiday open house! On Friday, December 9 from 5 to 8pm, local businesses and organizations present an evening of fun surrounded by the twinkling lights of the season. Click here for more information.

Yule Log Bonfire & Hayride: Beech Mountain

December 23

Join Buckeye Recreation Center at Beech Mountain's Town Hall for the Annual burning of the Yule Log. This event is FREE and will be from 5 pm - 7pm. Please dress appropriately. We will have a hayride, bonfire, marshmallows, and other activities. Any questions, please call David at (828) 387-3003.