Home for the Holidays
Hendersonville Shines Brightest During the Holidays
2025 Featured Events
Nov. 28 • Tree Lighting Ceremony & Carriage Rides
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
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. 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 by scanning the provided QR code by Dec. 23. 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. 28
Nov. 28-Jan. 5 • Wine in Winter Wonder at Marked Tree Vineyard
Marked Tree Vineyard, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock
Come to Marked Tree Vineyard this holiday season for award-winning wine while viewing more than 50,000 twinkling lights that adorn the property. The drive up to the tasting room is reminiscent of a drive-thru light display and Henderson County’s largest oak tree, “Otto,” dressed in more than 6,000 lights.
Guests can also enjoy a glass of wine by the outdoor fire pits or hike around the property to view the lights.
Dec. 1-19 • 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.
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
5:00-8:00 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
5:00-7:00 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. 5 • Sleigh Photos with Holiday Llamas
5:00-8:00 pm at Historic Courthouse on Main Street
Part of the festivities surrounding the Old Fashioned Christmas, 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.
Dec. 6 • Land O’ Sky Garden Club Christmas Bazaar
9:00 am-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.
Dec. 6 • Hendersonville’s Night-time Christmas Parade
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
1:00-5:00 pm, Throughout Hendersonville
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 six 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.
Dec. 13 • Candlelight Christmas Tours at Historic Johnson Farm
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. Advance tickets are required as space is limited. Call 828-891-6585 or email [email protected] to make your reservation.
Dec. 14, 20, & 21 • Carolina Horse & Carriage Rides
5:00-8:00 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). Advance reservations are strongly encouraged by contacting Carolina Horse & Carriage. Walk-ups are accepted only if space is available. Starting point is the Historic Henderson County Courthouse on Main Street.
Dec. 20 • Holiday Train Rides with Mountain Fresh Orchards
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.
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 2026. 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.
Full list of Holiday Events
