Whether you're looking for a chance to see Santa, watch floats roll by, or simply soak in the mountain holiday atmosphere, use this guide to plan your seasonal adventures throughout WNC.
November & December 2025 Holiday Events
Below is a curated list of parades, tree lightings, and signature holiday events across Western North Carolina, listed chronologically.
November 2025
November 1–January 4, 2026:
Event: Christmas at Biltmore (Daytime and Candlelight Evenings)
Location: Biltmore Estate, Asheville (Buncombe County)
Details: Features over 100 decorated trees, thousands of ornaments, and evening Candlelight tours.
November 6–10:
Event: Cold Mountain Release Weekend
Location: Highland Brewing, Asheville (Buncombe County)
Details: Celebration for the return of Cold Mountain Winter Ale.
November 6–December 31:
Event: THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Location: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City (Swain County)
Details: A magical nighttime train ride to the "North Pole."
November 7–January 4, 2026:
Event: Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular
Location: Bryson City (Swain County)
Details: Holiday light display.
November 15–January 4, 2026:
Event: Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Location: Asheville (Buncombe County)
Details: Open-air, walk-through light show featuring over one million lights and Thomas Dambo's Trolls.
November 15:
Event: West Jefferson Holiday Parade
Location: Downtown West Jefferson (Ashe County)
Time: 2:00 PM
November 21:
Event: Light Up the Town
Location: Downtown North Wilkesboro (Wilkes County)
Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
Details: Late store hours, Christmas lights, music, Santa visits, and carriage rides.
November 22:
Event: Asheville Holiday Parade
Location: Downtown Asheville (Buncombe County)
Time: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Details: Festive parade with the theme "Toyshop Whimsy."
November 23:
Event: Marion Christmas Parade ("A McDowell Strong Christmas")
Location: Downtown Marion (McDowell County)
Time: 3:00 PM
November 26–January 19, 2026:
Event: Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards
Location: Asheville Yards, Downtown Asheville (Buncombe County)
Details: Outdoor skating and a Winter Wonderland market.
November 28:
Event: Lighting of the Town & Christmas Festival
Location: Memorial Park, Downtown Blowing Rock (Watauga/Caldwell County)
Time: 12:00 PM–6:30 PM (Lighting at approximately 5:30 PM)
November 28:
Event: Jingle & Mingle Holiday Market
Location: Downtown Tryon (Polk County)
Time: 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
November 28–30 (and selected dates in Dec):
Event: Tweetsie Christmas
Location: Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock (Watauga/Caldwell County)
Details: Nighttime train ride and winter wonderland experience.
November 29:
Event: Blowing Rock Christmas Parade
Location: Main Street, Blowing Rock (Watauga/Caldwell County)
Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
November 29:
Event: Grove Arcade Holiday Tree Lighting Block Party
Location: Grove Arcade, Asheville (Buncombe County)
Time: 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
November 29:
Event: Winter Wonderland Night One
Location: Downtown Franklin (Macon County)
Time: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
December 2025
December 1–26:
Event: Christmas Town U.S.A.® Light Display & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Location: McAdenville (Gaston County)
Time: Lights shine daily 5:30 PM–10:00 PM. Tree Lighting on Dec 1.
December 5:
Event: Olde Fashioned Christmas Open House
Location: Downtown Hendersonville (Henderson County)
Time: 5:00 PM
Details: Carriage rides, Santa, and entertainment on the Square.
December 5:
Event: Black Mountain Holly Jolly Celebration & Parade
Location: Downtown Black Mountain (Buncombe County)
Details: Evening celebration with luminaries, vendors, carolers, and a parade.
December 5:
Event: Boone Festive First Friday & Solar Tree Lighting
Location: Downtown Boone (Watauga County)
Time: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
December 5:
Event: Tryon Christmas Stroll and Tree Lighting
Location: Downtown Tryon (Polk County)
Time: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM (Tree lighting at 5:45 PM)
December 5:
Event: Sylva Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade
Location: Downtown Sylva (Jackson County)
Details: Tree lighting on the historic courthouse steps followed by the parade.
December 5–January 5, 2026:
Event: Deck the Trees at Monte Vista Hotel
Location: Black Mountain (Buncombe County)
Details: Viewing of creatively decorated Christmas trees.
December 6:
Event: Hendersonville Christmas Parade ("Light up the Night")
Location: Downtown Hendersonville (Henderson County)
Time: 6:00 PM
Details: Nighttime parade.
December 6:
Event: Winter Wonderland Night Two
Location: Downtown Franklin (Macon County)
Time: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
December 6:
Event: Saluda Christmas Parade
Location: Downtown Saluda (Polk/Henderson County)
Time: 4:00 PM
December 6:
Event: Old Fort Christmas Holiday Parade
Location: Old Fort Elementary to Downtown (McDowell County)
Time: 5:00 PM
December 6:
Event: Mars Hill Christmas Parade
Location: Mars Hill (Madison County)
Time: 6:00 PM
December 6:
Event: Valdese Christmas Parade
Location: Downtown Valdese (Burke County)
Time: 10:00 AM
December 10:
Event: Tryon Christmas Parade
Location: Downtown Tryon (Polk County)
Time: 6:00 PM–7:00 PM
December 12:
Event: Weaverville Candlelight Stroll
Location: Main Street, Weaverville (Buncombe County)
Time: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
December 13:
Event: Boone Christmas Parade
Location: King Street, Downtown Boone (Watauga County)
Time: 6:00 PM
December 13:
Event: Town of Marshall Christmas Parade
Location: Downtown Marshall (Madison County)
Time: 11:00 AM
December 23:
Event: Beech Mountain Christmas Parade
Location: Beech Mountain Ski Resort up to the White Wolf Lodge (Avery County)
Time: 4:00 PM–6:00 PM
Important Reminder
While this information is current based on published event listings, dates, times, and event details are subject to change by event organizers. This is especially true for outdoor parades which may be affected by weather conditions. Always check the official website or social media channels for the specific town or event before making travel arrangements to ensure you have the latest information.
WNCTimes