Home for the Holidays
Hendersonville Shines Brightest During the Holidays
Hendersonville’s Home for the Holidays unwraps a collection of yuletide events from mid-November through New Year’s. Visit our Christmas town this holiday season, where a walk down Main Street is like stepping into a Hallmark movie. Enjoy the town tree aglow on the courthouse square, twinkling lights along the serpentine sidewalks and storefronts decorated in holiday splendor. The schedule of events includes Main Street carriage rides, visits with Santa, greenery markets, nighttime Christmas parade, holly jolly train rides, sleigh photos with holiday llamas, the Holiday Tour of Inns & Cookie Caper, and a 25-show Christmas musical revue at the Flat Rock Playhouse.
This holiday season, make plans to frolic and play the Hendersonville way. We offer a sleigh full of events, shopping, cozy lodging and holidays spirits along the Cheers! Trail. Stay with us for a night or two — the best way to establish new family traditions, create lasting memories, and enjoy everything this special place has to offer during the most wonderful time of the year.
2025 Featured Events (coming soon)
Nov. 28 • Tree Lighting Ceremony & Carriage Rides
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. More details to come.
Nov. 28-Dec. 21 • A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
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 2025 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 holiday joy. Click for details and tickets
Nov. 28-Dec. 22 • 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 by scanning the provided QR code by Dec. 22. Find out how it works here.
Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt brochures will be available at the Hendersonville Welcome Center, located at 201 South Main Street, starting Nov. 24.
Dates TBA • Daytime Christmas Tours at Historic Johnson Farm
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. More info here.
Dec. 5 • Olde Fashioned Christmas
5:00 to 8:00 pm on Main Street
Step into a Hallmark movie with the annual Olde 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 and Mrs. Claus visit 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. 5 • Downtown Holiday Carriage Rides
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.
Carriage rides begin in front of the Historic Courthouse. They are free on a first-come, first-serve basis. The rides are part of the Olde Fashioned Christmas celebration by downtown merchants. Stores, shops and boutiques stay open late and Ol’ St. Nick makes an appearance.
Dec. 6 • Land O’ Sky Garden Club Christmas Bazaar
9:00 am to 3:00 pm, 221 S. Church Street, Hendersonville
The Christmas Bazaar packs J&D Produce with a dazzling array of gifts and décor. A highlight are handmade wreaths that can be embellished with multiple options at the “wreath bar.” Also popular are fresh yule logs adorned with local greenery and the garden club’s signature paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs in festive pots from rustic to sophisticated. New this year are a limited number of fresh greenery-made reindeer suitable for indoors or outdoors. As always, the bazaar provides delicious baked goods, jams and homemade treats. This rain-or-shine event is a long-time favorite for holiday shoppers. More details available here.
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Dec. 6 • Hendersonville’s Night-time Christmas Parade
6:00 pm on Main Street
Hendersonville’s Christmas Parade is a must-see holiday experience, a ribbon of festive floats and marching bands illuminating Main Street. Local businesses and organizations get into the holiday spirit as they try to out-do each other with creatively decorated and lighted vehicles and floats.
The event, hosted by the Hendersonville Merchants and Business Association, is capped by an appearance by the big man in red himself, Santa Claus. More info here.
Dec. 7 • Holiday Tour of Inns & Cookie Caper
1:00-4:00 pm, Throughout Town
The annual Holiday Tour of Inns & Cookie Caper is a beloved tradition in Hendersonville that embodies the warmth and spirit of the Christmas season. This self-driving tour takes you to five historic inns decorated in holiday splendor, with each host going all out to serve the tastiest cookies. Ticket sales benefit the local historic preservation commission.
Tickets ($20 adults/$10 children) may be purchased at the Hendersonville Welcome Center at 201 South Main St. in Hendersonville beginning Friday, Oct. 31. (Cash or check only). Visitors may line up tickets by contacting Sam Hayes at (828) 341-7081 or via email.
Date TBA • Carolina Horse & Carriage Rides
5:30 to 8:30 pm on Main Street
Cuddle under a warm blanket and enjoy a festive Main Street carriage ride with Carolina Horse & Carriage. This wonderful holiday experience is set amidst the twinkling lights and Christmas decorations of downtown Hendersonville.
Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children (free for children under 2). Walk-ups are welcome, or reserve a ride in advance by contacting Carolina Horse & Carriage. Starting point is the Historic Henderson County Courthouse on Main Street.
Date TBA • Holly Jolly Train Rides on Main Street
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 holiday craft vendors, educational displays, face painting and a pop-up market with fresh baked goods and treats from Mountain Fresh Orchards. Snap photos with holiday llamas from Ellaberry Llama Farm.
Date TBA • Sleigh Photos with Holiday Llamas
5:00-8:00 pm at Historic Courthouse on Main Street
Part of the festivities surrounding the Holly Jolly Train Rides, this activity captures the curiosity and attention of kids and adults like. Everybody seems to love taking pictures with the festive holiday llamas from Ellaberry Llama Farm.
Create unique family memories and be the envy of social media by posting images of your loved ones sitting in the llamas’ Christmas sleigh.
Date TBA • Carolina Horse & Carriage Rides
5:30 to 8:30 pm on Main Street
Cuddle under a warm blanket and enjoy a festive Main Street carriage ride with Carolina Horse & Carriage. This wonderful holiday experience is set amidst the twinkling lights and Christmas decorations of downtown Hendersonville.
Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children (free for children under 2). Walk-ups are welcome, or reserve a ride in advance by contacting Carolina Horse & Carriage. Starting point is the Historic Henderson County Courthouse on Main Street.
Dec. 31 • New Year’s Eve Apple Rise
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. More info here.
2025 Holiday Events
