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Home for the Holidays

Step into a Holiday Movie

Back by popular demand in 2023 is Hendersonville’s holidays celebration. From mid-November through New Year’s Day, Hendersonville invites visitors to come “Home for the Holidays” in this special town in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Main Street’s shops, galleries and boutiques are decorated in holiday splendor, while large wreaths with big red bows hang from streetlights. Add in the twinkling lights and decorations along the serpentine street, and you get a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie.

Events include carriage rides, visits with Santa, greenery markets, a Christmas parade, holiday-themed performances at the Flat Rock Playhouse, special shopping events and the ever-popular Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt.

Probably the biggest event of the season is the downtown tree lighting on the plaza of the historic courthouse the day after Thanksgiving. Santa arrives to throw the switch on the 30-foot tree, and the festivities include live music and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Click here to see the featured events of this holiday season or check out the complete calendar of holiday happenings.

The yuletide season is sprinkled with excitement for the entire family in Hendersonville. We invite you to make our home your home for the holidays this year.

If you forget to book your stay before your arrive, check out the Room Availability Page to find something available last-minute. Use our Holiday Dining Guide to know where to dine during the holidays and see our directory of area Christmas greenery markets.

Christmas Trees and Greenery

Purchase your locally-grown Christmas trees, wreaths, greenery & garland in Hendersonville

Camps Evergreens / Camp Tree Farm, 301 Cabin Creek Rd, Zirconia, NC
828-674-2558
Open: 11/24/23 until sold out on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Choose-N-Cut Norway Spruce & Pre-cut Fraser Firs, garland, wreaths, craft items (cash only)

Henderson County Curb Market, 221 N. Church St., Hendersonville, NC
828-692-8012
Open: Thursday & Saturday 8:00am-1:00pm
Christmas wreaths, greenery, baked goods, crafts & gift items

Packa’s Place, 4210 Brevard Rd, Horse Shoe, NC
623-221-3164

Open: Wednesday through Sunday
Christmas trees, wreaths & garland

Western NC Farmer’s Market, 570 Brevard Rd., Asheville, NC
828-253-1691

Open: 7 days a week year round
Pre-cut Christmas trees, wreaths, greenery, crafts, canned goods, produce & honey

Special Events

Bullington Gardens Holiday Sale, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NC
December 1 & 2 • 9am-4pm
Decorated wreaths and swags, holiday house plants, gifts & more

Christmas Bazaar, 221 S Church St., Hendersonville, NC
December 2 • 9am-4pm
Wreaths, greenery, gifts items & more

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Hendersonville NC

5:00-8:00 pm at Historic Courthouse on Main Street
Downtown Hendersonville’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the season in the ultimate small-town fashion: the lighting of the town Christmas tree! Enjoy live Christmas music, shopping, hot drinks and delicious treats, followed by a countdown to Santa’s arrival, when he flips the switch at dusk and lights up Main Street.

The evening continues with carriage rides and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Click here for more details.

Nov. 24-Dec. 21 • A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas

Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas season show

Multiple performances at 2661 Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock
A holiday tradition like few others. Bring the whole family to a dazzling holiday celebration, Playhouse-style. A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas 2023 features many seasonal classics along with several new adaptations and medleys.

Showcasing a cast of Flat Rock Playhouse favorites, this song and dance revue is sure to bring you great holiday joy!  Click for tickets

Nov. 24-Dec. 23 • Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt

Downtown Hendersonville
Peppermint Bear takes you on a fun-filled bear hunt in downtown Hendersonville in search of her lost cubs. Hint: the cubs are hiding in downtown businesses.

Once you have found a lost cub in at least 12 of 28 participating businesses and the shopkeeper has punched your brochure, you are eligible to win scavenger hunt prizes. To enter, submit an image of your brochure via our online entry form after scanning the provided QR code by December 23rd.

Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt brochures will be available at the Hendersonville Welcome Center, located at 201 S Main St starting November 24th.

Nov. 24-Dec. 23 • Home For The Holidays at Marked Tree Vineyard

Marked Tree Vineyard, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock

Come to Marked Tree Vineyard this holiday season to enjoy award-winning wine while you take in the more than 50,000 twinkling lights that adorn the property. As you drive up to the tasting room, you will be treated to a holiday landscape that is reminiscent of a drive-thru light display, including 5 commissioned, lighted art installations, and Henderson County’s largest oak tree, “Otto,” dressed in more than 6,000 lights! If the light display isn’t enough to get you into the holiday spirit, every Saturday, carolers will be at the winery, bringing Christmas cheer. In December, Marked Tree will release their Champagne-style “Bubble Swarm” sparkling wine and offer a musical performance by the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra.

Learn more about the festivities here.

Dec. 1 – 26 •  Holiday Light Trail

Holiday Carriage Rides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Hendersonville NC

Evenings, across the county
The best thing about being in a small town during the holiday season is that everyone joins in on bringing the holiday cheer! This year, homes and businesses across the county are festively decorated, and welcome visitors to view their holiday displays. Follow the trail for a fun evening with your loved ones, driving to view the best lights the area has to offer. There is no competition here, just a bunch of people who love this time of year! This self-guided tour offers a free, suggested driving route to view all of the displays at participating locations. (Please note, many of the Downtown Hendersonville locations are best viewed by foot.  Some displays may be up beyond December 26th.)

View the Google Map with driving directions here.

View printable list here.

Dec 2 • Santa Claus on the Square

Visit with Santa at Hendersonville's Home for the Holidays celebration

5:00 to 8:00 pm on Main Street
Jolly Ol’ St. Nick visits with kids of all ages on the square of the Historic Courthouse on Main Street. Santa takes time to meet with all the good little children and get their holiday wish list under the lights of Hendersonville’s 35-foot town Christmas tree.

The festivities will include games, crafts, hot chocolate, carriage rides, special guests and, of course, photos with Santa.

Click here for more details.

Dec 2 • Hendersonville Christmas Parade at Night

Christmas Parade in Hendersonville, NC

6:00 pm on Main Street
The annual Hendersonville Christmas Parade sets the tone for the holiday season. Local organizations and businesses participate in this festive event, which is capped off by a visit from the big man in red himself, Santa Claus! Again this year, enjoy the parade in the evening, festively lit up in holiday spirit with Christmas lights.

Come to Main Street Hendersonville to enjoy the floats and marching bands, and get in on the holiday cheer. This event is hosted by the Hendersonville Merchants and Business Association.

Dec. 4-20 • Daytime Christmas Tours at Historic Johnson Farm

Hendersonville Christmas Tours at Historic Johnson Farm Home for the Holidays

10:30 am weekdays only at 3346 Haywood Rd., Hendersonville
Guided tours of the decorated 1880 farmhouse, one of the oldest brick structures in Henderson County. Experience what Christmastime was like in the late 1800s and early 1900s at this restored farm owned and operated by the local school system. Pick out unique holiday gifts on property at the gift shop of Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists.

This is a ticketed event and reservations are recommended. Drop-ins accommodated if space allows. Self-guided tours are available from 1-3 p.m. weekdays.

Dec. 8 • Old-Fashioned Christmas

Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration in Hendersonville NC near Asheville

5:00 to 8:00 pm on Main Street
Step into a Hallmark movie with the annual Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration, hosted by the Downtown Merchants Association. Stores, boutiques and galleries stay open extended hours and serve holiday treats, carolers stroll the sidewalks, Santa visits with kids on the courthouse plaza and carriage rides take place along the serpentine Main Street.

Click here to learn more about this special evening.

Dec. 8 • Downtown Holiday Carriage Rides

Holiday Carriage Rides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Hendersonville NC

5:00 to 8:00 pm on Main Street
Get into the holiday spirit with carriage rides on Hendersonville’s beautiful Main Street. Experience the twinkling Christmas lights and decorations of downtown Hendersonville at the leisurely pace of a horse-drawn carriage.

The free rides begin in front of the Historic Courthouse. They are free and on a first-come, first-serve basis. The carriage rides are part of the Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration by downtown merchants. Stores, shops and boutiques stay open late and Jolly Ol’ St. Nick makes an appearance.

Dec. 8 & 9 • Iceless Skating Rink & Christmas in the Park

mother and children holding hands while ice skating outside

12/8 from 3:30-6pm & 12/9 from 12-3pm
Bill Moore Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Rd., Fletcher
Lace up your skates and come out to enjoy the iceless skating rink! This manmade surface enables you to really glide, just like real ice, but is usable in any almost
temperature. Skates and ice time are all included for free on both Friday & Saturday.

Friday also includes a special tree lighting ceremony at 6pm, and on Saturday, enjoy a fun Christmas In The Park festival from 12-3pm, which includes a vendor village, Santa, inflatables, llamas, live music and more.

Dec. 8-9 • Candlelight Christmas Tours at Historic Johnson Farm

Candlelight Christmas Tours in Hendersonville, NC

5:00, 5:45, 6:30 & 7:15 pm
at 3346 Haywood Rd., Hendersonville
The Historic Johnson Farm, one of the oldest brick structures in Henderson County, hosts candlelight tours of the decorated 1880 farmhouse. Experience what Christmas was like in the 19th Century, visit with the Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists, listen to live music by local students, and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies.

The farm is owned and operated by the local school system. There are four tours each evening. Advance tickets are required as space is limited.

Dec. 16 • Holiday Train Rides on Main Street

Holiday Train Rides in downtown Hendersonville, NC Home for the Holidays

5:00-8:00 pm at Historic Courthouse on Main Street
A newer tradition during Hendersonville’s Home for the Holidays is a fun evening of train rides with Mountain Fresh Orchards. These Main Street mini-train rides pick up and drop off at the square of the Historic Henderson County Courthouse.

In addition to the rides, the evening’s festivities include photo opportunities in a Christmas sleigh, photos with holiday llamas from Ellaberry Llama Farm, holiday craft vendors, educational displays for children, face painting and a pop-up market with fresh baked goods and treats from Mountain Fresh Orchards.

Dec. 31 • New Year’s Eve Apple Rise

New Year's Eve Apple Rise family fun Hendersonville, NC

5:00-7:00 pm at Historic Courthouse on Main Street
A family-friendly celebration to ring in 2024. Hendersonville pays homage to its status as North Carolina’s Apple Capital by raising a giant apple on the plaza of the Historic Courthouse.

The free event features New Year’s Eve swag giveaways, a DJ dance party, hot cocoa, games and craft vendors. All leading up to the apple rise countdown at 7 p.m. Perfect for families with young children or those who wish to enjoy an early, alcohol-free celebration. (Additional info coming soon!)

2023 Holiday Shopping Guide

2023 Holiday Dining Guide

Downtown Shopping

2023 Full Calendar of Holiday Events
(List added to regularly!)

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