Hometown Holidays
Hometown Holidays: Get into the spirit with six Hallmark-worthy small-town celebrations
Forest City Christmas
Forest City Christmas - November 28-January 1 » Forest City
Since the late 1920s, Forest City has celebrated the season with twinkling lights. Nowadays, one million bulbs light up Thanksgiving night, and festivities on weekends leading up to Christmas draw visitors from near and far. Live music, ice skating, and visits with Santa take place. On Fridays, hayrides are available, while popular horse-drawn carriage rides are offered Saturdays. And Sunday presents Santa Paws for pets. It’s free to see the lights, while skating, carriage, and hayrides require a fee.
» Downtown; Saturday, 6-8:30 p.m.; free; (828) 247-4417; townofforestcity.com
Christmas on Main - November 23 » Andrews
A former whistle-stop town in Cherokee County, Andrews lights up for the season, with more than 100 food and craft vendors lining historic Main Street. Strolling carolers in Victorian dress, three stages of live entertainment, a car show, Christmas tree lighting, and kids activities make this seventh annual event all the merrier. Decorated trees will also be available for purchase. » Main St.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; free; (828) 321-3584; visitandrewsnc.com
Winter Carnival - November 23 » Morganton
Downtown Morganton transforms into a winter wonderland for this celebration, which includes a tree lighting ceremony and plenty of family-friendly fun. Games, face painting, a station for writing letters to Santa, carriage rides, a bonfire with hot cocoa, and a visit with Saint Nick himself bring on the spirit of the season. » Historic Burke County Courthouse, 102 E. Union St.; Saturday, 5-8 p.m.; free; (828) 438-5252; downtownmorganton.com
Winter Wonderland - November 30 & December 7 » Franklin
On two different evenings, downtown Franklin becomes a holiday mecca with joyous live music, living window displays, refreshments like hot cider, free miniature train, wagon, and carriage rides, and, of course, an appearance from jolly ole Saint Nick. » Downtown; Saturday, 5-8 p.m.; free; (828) 524-2516; townoffranklinnc.com
Olde Fashioned Christmas - December 6 » Hendersonville
With festively decorated storefronts, carolers, apple cider and hot cocoa, and merchants and restaurants open late, this celebration (which takes place the night before the town’s annual parade) is all the more reason to embrace the enchanting offerings along Hendersonville’s historic Main Street. » Main St.; Friday, 5-8 p.m.; free; (828) 697-2232; visithendersonvillenc.org
Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries - December 6 & 7, 13 & 14 » Dillsboro
The small town of Dillsboro sets a nostalgic wintery scene with live music and carolers, late 1800s cottages trimmed in lights, and 2,500 old-fashioned paper luminaries lining Front Street. Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a live nativity at Jarrett Memorial Baptist Church add to the allure. » Downtown; Friday & Saturday, 5-9 p.m.; free; (828) 586-1439; visitdillsboro.org