This Iconic Holiday Event in North Carolina Is the One Thing You Must Do This Season

When it comes to Christmas events in North Carolina, a few iconic experiences may come to mind. The Biltmore during Christmas or the Carowinds celebrations during the holidays certainly may be high on your list, but have you ever considered Hendersonville? This charming mountain town tucked into the western part of the state near Asheville is quaint and undeniably lovely. The Thanksgiving turkey hardly has time to cool from the oven before this town starts its holiday season. The magic of the holidays comes alive as the local community gathers, making every window aglow with Christmas cheer! For a whole month, you can find holly and jolly activities going on in Hendersonville, and you won't want to miss it.

Hendersonville’s Home for the Holidays is a massive celebration of all things Christmas. The historic downtown gets transformed into a wonderland of sparkling lights and the wonderful local community shuffling about. This has no doubt been a hard year in this part of the world, and this town has come up with a brilliant way to help those who have lost so much. Letting go of the past and moving forward towards a bright future, the town is open for business and is looking to boost sales for those businesses affected by Helene. You can even participate online even if you can’t make it in person, but with so much going on, you will definitely want to make the trip for a visit. 

Expect to hear the clopping of hooves along the roadside or see the chugging of a Christmas train down the streets. Times will be available for those who want to take a carriage ride or hop on the Holly Jolly Train Ride. The community will gather for parades, special shopping events, and traditional holiday celebrations, just to name a few. 

The magic of Christmas can clearly be seen in the lovely storefront windows around town. The elaborate decorations will bring you back to a sense of childlike wonder and invite you in for a closer look. Some participating shops will also be hosting the Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt. Hidden somewhere within each shop, Mama Bear has lost her cubs, and it's up to you to find them. This fun little game is a great way to get kids involved as they seek every nook and cranny of these fuzzy creatures. 

The town does its best to deck the halls, but the celebratory festivities don’t end there. Many of the rental properties and historic inns give their spaces a complete Christmas makeover. With so many events happening in this small town, you might want to stay around for a while to soak in the best of the holiday happenings. For that, the Laurelwood cabin would be the perfect fit. This stylistic rental decks the halls and will ensure you continue the Christmas traditions long into the night. Sleep well and dream of sugar plumbs before you get up the next morning to do it all over again. 

My personal favorite activity during this month-long celebration is a bit more unique. We have all heard of reindeer during this time of the year, but not many people have a Christmas llama! The great people of Ellaberry Llama Farm bring along their lovable animals for pictures and petting. You can snap your picture next to these adorable creatures in their little Christmas outfits, and if that doesn’t bring holiday cheer, I don’t know what will. 

From festive trees to clopping beasts, there is something for everyone in Hendersonville this year. When it comes to Christmas events in North Carolina, this is one you won't want to miss. With so much going on throughout the month the best place to go is the Visit Hendersonville website for your guide on all things Christmas. Happy holidays!