Not much beats the the Smoky Mountain holiday season! Enjoy a cozy and festive holiday escape with plenty of gorgeous winter-time mountain views to go around in addition to the small town feel of holiday spirit. Wander among dazzling light displays, ride the Polar Express, enjoy a parade on main street, and support local small businesses while checking off gifts off your shopping list. Get a big helping of holiday cheer at any of these great events.
Please note that scheduled events are subject to change—refer to event websites and organizers for the most up-to-date information. We’ll update this blog as we learn of new events.
2024 Holiday Events in the Beautiful Smoky Mountains
The Polar Express Train Ride
November 7 – December 31, 2024
Toot!! Toot!! All aboard!! The Polar Express is ready to take you and your family on a fantastic holiday ride to The North Pole to meet you know who, Santa Claus! This 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while they listen and read along with the magical story. Have the cameras ready when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting to greet the kiddos. Santa will board the train and present each child with their own special gift, just like in the story – their own silver sleigh bell (but shhhh! Keep that a Christmas surprise!). Christmas carols will be sung on the return back to the Bryson City Depot.
Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular
November 7 – January 5, 2024
Experience a dazzling drive-through winter wonderland filled with festive light displays at The Great Smoky Mountains Event Park in Bryson City. Perfect for the whole family, this seasonal event promises holiday enchantment.
Holidays at Darnell Farms
November 27 – December 24, 2024
Darnell Farms offers winter hayrides, festive activities, and family-friendly fun throughout the season. Santa will make a special appearance on November 30 to kick off the celebrations.
Christmas in Cashiers
November 29 – 30, 2024
Visitors to The Village Green in Cashiers, NC, will enjoy twinkling light displays and festive decorations from Thanksgiving Weekend through New Year’s Day. On November 29, experience Santa on the Green, the Mistletoe Market, and the Cashiers Festival of Trees featuring crafts, entertainment, raffles, and more.
That same weekend head out for the Cashiers Festival of Trees, a two-day, family-friendly event filled with decorated Christmas trees, holiday décor, and a variety of entertainment.
Franklin’s Winter Wonderland Nights
Saturdays, November 30 & December 7, 2024, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Visit the town of Franklin for their 2024 Winter Wonderland festivities! Enjoy unique holiday experiences like living window displays, live sounds of the season, extended shopping hours, plus maybe even catch a glimpse of Santa himself! On November 30, enjoy a tree lighting ceremony and free carriage rides.
Christmas in Highlands
Light Up the Park and Santa in Highlands
November 30, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Highlands, N.C. welcomes you to join them in their holiday celebrations for their annual tree lighting. The trees in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park will sparkle with millions of lights, to be switched on promptly at 6pm and can be enjoyed by car or on foot.
Ice skating opens up on November 21, starting at 3:30pm, where set amongst the softly lit trees of the park, you can skate to your heart’s content throughout the holiday season, weekly Thursdays-Sundays.
Highlands Christmas Parade
December 7, 2024, 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
This long-standing Highlands Christmas tradition, the Olde Mountain Christmas Parade features camels, bands, and floats decorated by community organizations parading down Main Street.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the beloved dancing ladies from Mountain Garden Club leading the way, before the parade begins!
Home For the Holidays by Mountain Theatre Company
December 6-22, 2024
Enjoy a festive musical revue perfect for all ages. Performances include matinees and evening shows at Highlands Playhouse. Grab a ticket, sit down and relax into the holiday season with this all ages fun, high-energy and most of all, cheerful production. Go to highlandperformingarts.com for show dates and ticket information.
Dillsboro Festival of Lights and Luminaries
December 6, 7, 13, and 14, 2023, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Dillsboro Festival of Lights and Luminaries is a step back into Christmases past. Experience Christmas magic as the entire town transforms into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song. 2500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios. Horse and buggy rides are available each night, shopkeepers provide live music and serve up holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa, carolers sing, and children visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Christmas in the Mountains Art & Craft Show
December 7, 2024
Celebrate the season at this arts and crafts show. Taking place at the Stecoah Valley Center in Robbinsville, this festive event will feature handmade gifts and a chance to enjoy breakfast with Santa.
Appalachian Christmas at Shelton House
December 8, 2024, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The whole family will be dazzled by the twinkling lights of Tinsel Trail at the Shelton House, a museum of NC handicrafts, in Waynesville, NC. The Tinsel Trail will stay lit every evening through January 1st, starting at dusk. Santa Claus will be on the scene with his real sleigh on December 8, so bring the kids for a special photo opp!
There are also Special Holiday Evening Candlelight Tours of the Tinsel Trail on December 6,7,13, and 14 by reservation ($20/per person) which include holiday refreshments
Robbinsville Christmas Parade
December 14, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Town of Robbinsville will ring in the start of the holiday season with the Robbinsville Christmas Parade. Floats, Cars, Fire Trucks, Santa, and much more are in store. Bring the family to enjoy the excitement of Christmas. The parade starts at Robbinsville High School.
A Smoky Mountin Christmas Celebration
December 14, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Waynesville turns into a holiday playground for children and children at heart. Shop and dine along a luminary lined street, tell Santa (and Mrs. Claus, too!) your Christmas wishes and enjoy musicians and carolers.
Insider Tip: Visit the Living Nativity under the stars, sponsored by First Baptist Church in Waynesville!