Home for the Holidays
Hendersonville Shines Brightest During the Holidays
Discover Hendersonville this holiday season, where twinkling lights, festive decorations, charming storefronts, and cheerful residents create a magical experience. Explore our scenic Main Street, transformed into a winter wonderland lifted straight from a Christmas card. And don’t miss the opportunity to join the fun of the Peppermint Bear scavenger hunt — a delightful tradition your family will want to take part in year after year.
This season, your trip to Hendersonville helps support our local community and businesses, many of which continue to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene with the help of visitors like you. Whether you’re attending the annual tree-lighting ceremony, grabbing a hot chocolate from your favorite café, or purchasing Christmas presents from a unique boutique, every moment spent here shows your appreciation for our special town. Cozy up at local wineries, cideries, and breweries featuring one-of-a-kind holiday releases, or simply treat yourself to the gift of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains.
Make Hendersonville your home for the holidays. 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.
Even if you can’t join us in person this holiday season, you can still share the magic of Hendersonville! Visit our Gifts from Hendersonville online portal to purchase local goods or make a donation in honor of a loved one. It’s the perfect way to give a meaningful gift while also supporting our community’s small businesses!
Holiday Season Essentials
Give gifts from Hendersonville
Upcoming Greenery & Tree Markets
Festive Holiday Lodging Options
Christmas at The Farm
Peppermint Bear scavenger hunt
2024 Holiday Dining Guide
Itinerary: Make Family Holiday Memories
Itinerary: Romantic couples holiday getaway
Featured 2024 Events
Nov. 29 • 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. Click here for more details.
Nov. 29-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 2024 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 tickets
Nov. 29-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. 24.
Nov. 29-Dec. 31 • 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, including five commissioned, lighted art installations, 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. In addition to the nightly light display, carolers will be at the winery bringing Christmas cheer on Saturday evenings. Learn more about the festivities here.
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.
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. 6 • 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. 6 • 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. 7 • Land O’ Sky Garden Club Christmas Bazaar
9:00 am to 3:00 pm, 221 S. Church Street, Hendersonville
This event is a shopping delight for all and a chance for the garden club to contribute to the community. Proceeds provide scholarships for students and assistance to local non-profits.
The bazaar packs J&D Produce with a dazzling array of Christmas gifts and décor. Included are handmade wreaths that can be embellished on the spot, terracotta pots of paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs, artistic yule logs adorned with fresh greenery and baked holiday goods. This rain-or-shine event is a long-time favorite for holiday shoppers. More details here.
Dec. 7 • 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. 8 • 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 in which 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 bed-and-breakfast inns.
Tickets ($20) are required and may be purchased at the Hendersonville Welcome Center at 201 South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville beginning Friday, November 1, 2024. (Cash or check only)
Dec. 14 • 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. 21 • 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.
Dec. 21 • 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.
Dec. 22 • 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.
2024 Full Calendar of Holiday Events
Please note: This list is updated and added to regularly