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.
Featured 2023 Events
Nov. 24 • Tree Lighting Ceremony & Carriage Rides
5:30-8:00 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
Multiple performanaces 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 2022 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 26 participating businesses and the shopkeeper has punched your brochure, you are eligible to win scavenger hunt prizes. Complete the entry form in the brochure and drop it in Peppermint’s mailbox in front of the Welcome Center, by Dec. 23.
For more details about the Scavenger Hunt, watch this video or stop by the Welcome Center at 201 South Main Street. Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt brochures will be available at the Hendersonville Welcome Center.
Nov. 25-Dec. 31 • Drive Thru Light Show at Marked Tree Vineyard
Marked Tree Vineyard, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock
Come to Marked Tree Vineyard each evening for a holiday landscape drive-thru, which includes 5 commissioned, lighted art installations, and Henderson County’s largest oak tree, “Otto,” dressed in more than 6,000 lights!
Additional festive events at Marked Tree: Every week on Thursdays and Saturdays, carolers will be at the winery, bringing Christmas cheer; In December, they will release their Champagne-style “Bubble Swarm” sparkling wine; Musical performances by local musicians and the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra; and a New Year’s fireworks display on 12/30.
Learn more about the festivities here.
Dec. 1 • Old-Fashioned Christmas
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, carollers 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. 1 • Santa Claus on the Square
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. 1 • 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.
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 2 • Hendersonville Christmas Parade at Night
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! For the first time, 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. 2-3 • Iceless Skating Rink at Bill Moore Community Park
12/2 from 3-6pm & 12/3 from 1-4pm
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 temerature. Skates and ice time are all included for free!
On Saturday, enjoy a fun Christmas In The Park festival from 1-5pm, which includes a vendor village, Santa, inflatables, live music and a special tree lighting ceremony. (Additional info coming soon)
Dec. 4-20 • 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.
Reservations are recommended. Drop-ins accommodated if space allows. Self-guided tours are available from 1-3 p.m. weekdays.
Dec. 8-9 • Candlelight Christmas Tours at Historic Johnson Farm
5:00, 5:45, 6:30, 7:15 & 8:00 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 five tours each evening. Advance tickets are required as space is limited. (Additional info coming soon!)
Dec. 10 • Holiday Tour of Inns & Cookie Caper
1:00-5:00 pm, Throughout Henderson County
The annual Holiday Tour of Inns & Cookie Caper is a beloved holiday tradition in Hendersonville, where the area’s historic inns welcome the public to experience the warmth and joy of the season at their beautifully appointed and festively decorated properties. Enjoy a sweet treat at each stop along this self-guided tour of four of the area’s historic inns.
Tickets are required and may be purchased at the Hendersonville Welcome Center, located in downtown Hendersonville. (Cash or check only) (Additional info coming soon)
Dec. 16 • Holiday 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 include photo opportunities in a Christmas sleigh, photos with holiday llamas, holiday crafts vendors, educational displays for children, face painting and a pop-up market with fresh baked goods and treats from Mountain Fresh Orchards.
Dec. 30 • New Year’s Fireworks Display
Time TBD, Marked Tree Vineyard, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock
As a finale to their Christmas season festivities, Marked Tree will host a fireworks display on the Saturday of New Year’s Eve weekend. The event will also include live music. More details coming soon!
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. (Additional info coming soon!)
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: 11/25/22 until sold out on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Pre-cut Fraser Firs, garland, wreaths, craft items
Henderson County Curb Market, 221 N. Church St., Hendersonville, NC
828-692-8012
Open: Tues, Thurs. & Sat. 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 Dates TBD • 9am-4pm
Wreaths, greenery, evergreen trees to plant, gifts items & more
Christmas Bazaar, 221 S Church St., Hendersonville, NC
Date TDB • 9am-4pm
Wreaths, greenery, gifts items & more