20 BEST Christmas Towns in North Carolina to Celebrate

There’s no need to cry when fall in North Carolina has come to a close. Come December, the holiday season ramps up, and it’s a time of colorful lights, festive decor through small towns, parades, and visits from Santa.

Many towns in North Carolina , most famously the ones in the Blue Ridge Mountains turn into a winter wonderland. Areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont Regions, and even some coastal towns provide some of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina to celebrate with family and friends.

Whether you are into skiing and tubing, a luxury weekend at the Biltmore , shopping downtown, or enjoying a festive parade, here are some of the best places to celebrate Christmas in North Carolina.

*Christmas Towns in North Carolina cover image credit to The Biltmore Company *

Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina

1. mcadenville.

McAdenville Christmastown

  • Location : Christmastown- 212 Wesleyan Dr, McAdenville (GPS)
  • Holiday Events : Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas Parade, Yule Log Ceremony

They don’t call McAdenville “Christmas Town USA” for nothing. It’s a very Christmasy place around the holidays! The town is mostly known for its elaborate light display that features over 500,000 lights that stretch for over a mile and twinkle against some equally elaborate displays with the sound of Christmas music setting the mood.

There are many other reasons that the town is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in North Carolina, including the Yule Log Ceremony and the annual Christmas Parade.  

best christmas towns to visit in nc

  • Location : Hometown Christmas- McCreery Park, Saluda (GPS)
  • Holiday Events : Christmas carol sing-along, donating goodies to elf stations, light shows in Saluda Shoals Park.

It only has 700 residents but the small town of Saluda is big on Christmas. The shopping alone is a reason to visit, with a beautifully-decorated main street with century-old stores and elf stations serving complimentary treats. Mid-way through December is the town’s main Christmas event, Hometown Christmas. 

During this much-anticipated event, you can expect lots of lights, caroling, a visit from St. Nick himself, and roasting s’mores over an open fire. 

3. Benson 

Benson

  • Location : Main Street, Benson (GPS)
  • Holiday Events : Christmas craft show, gospel choirs, Santa Claus gift distribution, Christmas parade.

Everyone loves lights at Christmas time, but one family in the town of Benson takes their love of lights a little further. The family hosts the oldest and biggest light show in the eastern region of North Carolina with ten acres of displays. 

Admiring them from the road doesn’t do them justice.  Visitors are invited to walk around the property and admire the set-up and you can also embark on a train ride around the property.

On-site, you’ll find an old-fashioned carousel, a Country Store selling hundreds of varieties of old-fashioned candy and perhaps even Santa. Benson also hosts its annual event Christmas on Main which features a parade, tree lighting, and entertainment. 

4. Forest City 

Forest City

  • Location : W Main St, Forest City (GPS)
  • Holiday Events : Lighting ceremony, Christmas parade, carriage rides, hay rides, ice skating. Santa Claus shows.

Another popular place to visit in North Carolina around Christmas is Forest City.  With mountain allure, small-town charm, and holiday events including a tree-lighting ceremony, parade, and a main street lit up with one million lights, it’s not hard to capture the spirit of Christmas!

During December, it’s common to see carollers making their rounds, live music events, and random encounters with Santa.  Holiday movie viewings and horse-drawn carriage rides also take place throughout the month.

But one of the most anticipated events is the one where Santa Clause shows off his climbing skills with a climb up Chimney Rock at nearby Chimney Rock State Park . 

5. Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock Christmas Parade

  • Location : 1125 Main St, Blowing Rock (GPS)
  • Holiday Events: Christmas parade, Lighting of the town festival, Saturday with Santa and festival of trees.

It’s a tiny mountain town in the northern part of the state, but Blowing Rock is also a place known for its lively holiday spirit. In fact, the town takes Christmas so seriously that they’ve made an annual holiday out of their biggest holiday event, the Christmas in the Park and Lighting of the Town Festival.

Just walking the fairytale-like streets decked out with holiday cheer is an experience in itself, but there are also many events and activities to enjoy throughout the season including the Festival of Trees, carriage rides, and hikes along the pretty Glenbury Trail. You can even take an evening ride on the Tweetsie Railroad and see beautiful Christmas displays. 

Brevard christmas Parade

  • Location :175 E Main St, Brevard (GPS)
  • Holiday Events: Christmas parade

Holiday cheer is alive and well in the town of Brevard , which is a magnificent Christmas town in North Carolina. It’s especially so along Main Street where the shops buzz with activity as holiday shoppers search for those ideal gifts for their loved ones.

O. P. Taylor Toy Store is a longstanding business in the town and a favorite among locals and visitors alike. While you’re exploring the town, it’s worth it to check out the fascinating Aluminum Christmas Tree Museum before heading out to one of the best Brevard restaurants.

7. Dillsboro

best christmas towns to visit in nc

  • Location : 42 Front St, Dillsboro (GPS)
  • Holiday Events : Festival of Lights and Luminaries

It has an artsy mountain village feel to it when it’s not Christmas, but around the holidays Dillsboro is enchanting.

The most anticipated event of the holiday season is the Dillsboro Festival of Lights and Luminaries where over 2,500 candles in white bags are placed along the streets and the shops and galleries are open later than usual to accommodate holiday shoppers.

There’s just something about kicking back with a hot cocoa or cider after a shopping session and before venturing outside to enjoy some live entertainment or a good ol’ fashioned wagon ride. Jolly carollers and a live nativity scene are just some of the other things you’ll see as you wander the streets of Dillsboro around Christmas. 

 8. Asheville 

best christmas towns to visit in nc

  • Location : 1 Approach Rd, Asheville (GPS)
  • Holiday Events : Christmas parade, Gingerbread competition, Christmas at Biltmore Winter Lights at the N.C. Arboretum.

Asheville is an amazing place to spend the Christmas Holidays, and while the city itself has plenty of holiday cheer to go around, much of the season’s festivities take place around its most famous property, the Biltmore Estate .

This is where you’ll see over-the-top decorations, spectacular gingerbread houses, gigantic Christmas trees, and one of the most incredible light displays around. You’ll even have a chance to try some red and white Christmas wines and take a carriage ride around the property!

Another popular event in Asheville is the National Gingerbread Competition, and the Botanical Gardens of Asheville are lit up for the season with both Christmas lights and fire pits where visitors can roast s’mores. 

9. Banner Elk

Banner Elk Christmas

  • Location : Tate-Evans Park- 210 Park Ave, Banner Elk, NC (GPS)
  • Holiday Events : Christmas tree lighting and musical variety show, breakfast and story time with Santa, Christmas light show.

If winter sports are a regular part of your Christmas holidays, look no further than the cute North Carolina mountain town of Banner Elk for a combination of skiing, ice skating and snow-tubing mixed with wholesome holiday events.

This small town really does know how to do Christmas in a big way.  With an annual Christmas Tree Lighting and the live entertainment featured at A Banner Elk Christmas, it’s hard not to get into the Christmas spirit!

Even the Apple Hill Farm gets in on the celebrations by offering a guided tour where you’ll meet the resident animals and browse a gift shop full of beautiful handmade Christmas gifts. 

10. Waynesville

Waynesville Night Before Christmas

  • Location : 9 S Main St, Waynesville, NC (GPS)
  • Holiday Events: Christmas Parade

T’was A Night Before Christmas in Waynesville and all along Main Street, the shops are lit up with care, carollers are caroling, and people are gleefully touring the district on horse-drawn wagons.

It’s an old-fashioned celebration of the happiest time of year! Be sure to grab a festive meal in one of the town’s great restaurants and check out the Living Nativity. 

11. Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Festival Of Lights

  • Location : Tanglewood Park- 4061 Clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC (GPS)
  • Holiday Events : Festival of lights at Tanglewood Park, Running of the lights

Historic Winston-Salem’s Christmas customs go back more than 260 years, making this little city the perfect place to head to if you want to capture that old-timey holiday ambiance.

Many of the customs come from Moravian traditions and a walk over the picturesque Old Salem Bridge or stroll through Old Salem feels like a trip in a time machine. Lose yourself in the beautiful Christmas decor along the Cobblestone streets and on ancient buildings.

Enjoy an unforgettable performance of The Nutcracker and explore the inside of some of those old buildings by candlelight – it’s one of the best things to do in Winston Salem in December! You’ll have plenty of opportunities to try out some time-honored Moravian holiday sweets!

12. Rutherfordton

Rutherfordton Christmas

  • Location : Main Street Rutherforton
  • Holiday Events : Winter’s farmers market

If you want to stand in awe before one of North Carolina’s tallest Christmas Trees, head to Rutherfordton where you’ll find a massive tree towering over Main Street.

Early in December, the Historic Small Town Christmas Celebration features vendors, live music, a snowman decorating contest, and a lively parade. Be sure to take a stroll around the town and check out the live window displays at some of the shops. 

Numerous Main Street events unfold from 1 PM to 9 PM. Explore the Christmas Market with sidewalk vendors , and don’t miss the live interactive displays showcased in storefront windows. However the Christmas Parade takes center stage, followed by the grand tree lighting ceremony on December 2nd at the Courthouse. Best of all, these festivities are open to all and free of charge.

13. Morganton

best christmas towns to visit in nc

  • Location : Christmas Parade-110 E Meeting St, Morganton (GPS)
  • Holiday Events : Christmas Parade, Christmas in the barn, Christmas Market.

If Christmas is a time that reminds you of simpler times in a small town, bring that feeling to life in Morganton , where old-fashioned holiday traditions are still alive and well. Check out the town’s courthouse decked out in its holiday best or browse the Christmas Charm Market.

Of course, the Downtown Morganton Christmas Parade is not to be missed! And nothing says “we’re going to take a trip down memory lane to recapture the old-time Christmas feeling” like a ride in a horse-and-carriage. 

14. Black Mountain 

best christmas towns to visit in nc

  • Location : Circle Of Lights Event- 304 Black Mountain Avenue, Black Mountain (GPS)
  • Holiday Events:  Christmas parade, Circle of lights at Lake Tomahawk, Santaland diaries

Black Mountain has that downhome, hometown atmosphere that turns Christmastime into something that can only be described as cozy and warm.

The annual Christmas parade usually has more than 100 entries so you can bet on quite the show! Other popular events during the weeks leading up to Christmas include the Dinner with Dickens dinner theater at the Red Rocker Inn, the Holly Jolly Downtown Christmas Market, and the Circle of Lights display around Lake Tomahawk.

For last-minute shoppers, many of the galleries and boutiques are open late on the weekends leading up to Christmas and as you make your way through the shopping district, you’ll meet carollers and storytellers spreading yuletide cheer. 

15. Charlotte 

Charlotte Christmas village

  • Location : 324 S Mint St, Charlotte (GPS)
  • Holiday Events:  Christmas village, Christmas caroling

You’ve heard about Germany’s famous Christmas markets and perhaps even pondered the idea of traveling there to check them out.  Well, there’s no need to venture overseas because the Christmas markets that spring up around Charlotte are as close to the real thing as you can get! In particular, the market held at the Charlotte Christmas Village captures that old-world feeling. 

As you make your way around the stalls showcasing various items including strudels, bratwurst, mulled spice wine, toys and crafts, you’ll hear live German music. 

Holiday movie showings, Santa visits, dinner theaters, and an enchanting WinterFest festival with lots of lights, a 70-foot tree and rides are just some of the fun holiday events that take place in Charlotte around Christmas. 

Sylva City Christmas

  • Location : Downtown Sylva, 773 W. Main Street Sylva, NC (GPS)
  • Holiday Events: Christmas parade, Tree lighting

An elaborate Christmas parade, a winter market with local crafters, live entertainmnt, visits from Santa, extended shopping hours, and a picturesque courthouse perched high above a hill of Christmas trees are just some of the highlights of a Christmas holiday spent in Sylva , North Carolina.

You’ll likely also love the town’s several breweries that serve up a variety of seasonal craft brews.  

17. Beaufort

Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina

  • Location : Beaufort Waterfront (GPS)
  • Holiday Events: Christmas in Peachtree Bluff Double-Decker Bus Tours annual Christmas candlelight tour, Christmas Parade

It has been said that Beaufort is one of the best towns in North Carolina for the holidays and with its beautifully-decorated downtown and great events including the annual Christmas parade and Holiday Art Walk, you can see why!

The Christmas Candlelight Tour also draws a crowd of holiday revelers who can’t wait to get inside some of the most beautifully decorated homes, churches, and inns around the town. 

18. Beech Mountain

Beech Mountain Ski Resort

  • Location : 403 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC (GPS)
  • Holiday Events: Holiday Market, Annual Christmas Parade and Festivities

If a white blanket of freshly-fallen snow is essential to your ideal holiday scene, your best bet for a white Christmas in North Carolina is Beech Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Said to be the snowiest town in the state, Beech Mountain is also the highest which is why it snows so much there.

The town is also known for its ski resort, where you can participate in a range of winter activities such as skiing, snow tubing , ice skating, sledding, and snowshoeing.

For a true winter wonderland setting, a hike to Creekside Falls can really put one in the Christmas spirit! Leading up to the big day, many events take place in the town including the Beech Mountain Holiday Market, Beech Mountain Christmas Parade & Festival, and Santa Comes to Beech Mountain. After all your holiday cheer head to Beech Mountain Brewery, it’s one of the best breweries in North Carolina!

19. Concord

Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina

  • Location : Union St N, Concord, NC (GPS)
  • Holiday Events: Christmas Tree Lighting and parade, annual Christmas tree festival.

One of the largest Christmas light shows in the United States takes place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord.  More than 4 million lights and hundreds of displays take over the four-mile course in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The town also hosts its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade which features a variety of activities and entertainment for all ages including a beautiful fireworks display. 

20. Bryson City

Bryson City - Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina

  • Location : Polar Express train-45 Mitchell Street, Bryson City (GPS)
  • Holiday Events: Polar Express train ride, Letters to Santa, Holiday market, Christmas wonderful hayride, Christmas Parade.

By far, the most popular attraction in Bryson City in December is the Polar Express. Get to the Depot and hop aboard for a memorable journey to the North Pole.

The kids will be excited to meet Santa while the adults can enjoy the chance to feel like a kid again. There’s storytelling, caroling, and hot cocoa while taking in the beautiful scenery outside during the journey.

Back in Bryson City, check out the holiday light displays and 50-foot Christmas tree adoring the town square, take a hayride through Darnell Farms, and check out the beautiful Christmas items sold by local artisans. If you’re traveling with children, be sure to stop by the Visitor Center so they can write a letter for Santa. 

What Town in North Carolina is like a Hallmark Movie?

McAdenville, known as “Christmas Town U.S.A.,” hosts a mesmerizing light display that attracts hundreds of thousands of annual visitors and is often considered the perfect “Hallmark” movie town.

Where Are the Places to See Christmas Lights in North Carolina?

  • Biltmore’s Christmas Celebration at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville
  • Forest City Christmas in Forest City
  • Winter Wonderlights in Greensboro
  • NC Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary
  • Holiday Light Spectacular in Mooresville
  • Light the Knights and Christmas Village in Charlotte
  • Speedway Christmas in Concord
  • Festival of Lights at Sweet Valley Ranch in Fayetteville
  • Christmas Town USA in McAdenville
  • Fieldstream Farm Christmas Light Festival in Raleigh

Does It Snow on Christmas in North Carolina?

North Carolina’s climate ranges across the state from the coastal areas with milder winters to the western mountainous regions with colder temperatures. In the eastern and coastal parts of North Carolina, it would be pretty rare to experience a white Christmas, as these areas typically have milder winters with temperatures above freezing.

In the western part of North Carolina, especially in the higher elevations of the Appalachian Mountains (where many of these Christmas towns in North Carolina are) there is a better chance of experiencing a white Christmas. These areas often receive more snowfall during the winter months, and it’s not unusual to have snow on the ground during the holiday season.

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About Natasha

Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). Her days were spent reading a book on the beach and enjoying a cold glass of sweet tea in between classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and seven continents. After, many years of international travel they settled down a bit and launched Lost in the Carolinas to share their experiences about and travel tips on South Carolina and North Carolina.

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Visit these enchanting North Carolina Christmas Towns

With so many charming small towns and rich holiday traditions around North Carolina, there are plenty of enchanting Christmas towns to visit in December.

Whether you're looking for thousands of twinkle-lights, horse-drawn carriage rides or visits with Santa, here are some of the most magical North Carolina towns to visit during the holidays.

Visit these enchanting North Carolina Christmas Towns

1. McAdenville: Secret identity: Christmas Town, USA

McAdenville is a historic mill town with a population of only around 600 people – and around a million Christmas lights! It's literally written into the town charter that every home, business, school and church must decorate for Christmas.

Santa can be seen wandering through town. Carolers sing in downtown, while church bells ring throughout the community. Children riding past shout "Merry Christmas!" as they pass.

The town itself has a story like a Christmas movie: It was almost abandoned in the Great Depression, when a wealthy family saved the town. There's an immense charm to the carefully-preserved mills and historic structures, all decked to the nines with greenery, ribbons and lights.

Holiday roadtrip: These 8 enchanting NC Christmas Towns are like something from a storybook

2. Old Salem: Old-fashioned Moravian Christmas

Want a good old-fashioned Christmas?

Old Salem is the only place in North Carolina where you can find a 200-year-old bakery still churning out gingerbread and Moravian cookies with a recipe from the 1800s.

Horses trot down the street, pulling carriages behind them. Candles glow in the windows of preserved historic buildings. Moravian stars and decorations shine from the gables of a rustic covered bridge that serves as a portal to Christmas past.

3. Banner Elk: Traditional Christmas tree farm

A village high up in the North Carolina mountains, Banner Elk serves up a "A Small Town Christmas," with luminary-lighted train rides and good old-fashioned choose-and-cut Christmas trees.

Visit these enchanting North Carolina Christmas Towns

4. Downtown Cary: Glowing lanterns and ice-skating rinks

In the past few years, Downtown Cary has added thousands of lights and lanterns to a walkable winter wonderland.

The main street through downtown includes an ice-skating rink, a mailbox to Santa, a giant walk-through Christmas ornament and even glowing Chinese lanterns.

The historic Ashworth's Drug Store still has a lunch counter that serves up hot dogs and cherry Coke floats.

Holiday roadtrip: These 8 enchanting NC Christmas Towns are like a storybook

5. Bryson City: Real-life Polar Express

Bryson City offers up small-town charm in droves, with a magical train station that takes you on an enchanting Polar Express ride through the North Carolina mountains.

Grab a golden ticket and hop aboard! The ride features hot chocolate, a visit from Santa and a trip to the North Pole.

It's like a literal storybook.

Holiday roadtrip: These 8 enchanting NC Christmas Towns are like something from a storybook

6. Beech Mountain: The snowiest town in NC

Beech Mountain's downtown sits at the highest elevation on the East Coast. That premier location makes the rustic mountain town the snowiest town in the state.

A nearby ski resort offers a plethora of winter activities, like skiing, tubing and skating. Enjoy hot cocoa in the lodge -- or a visit with Santa.

Nearby, the historic general store, Fred's General Mercantile, offers a rustic small-town lunch and shopping experience.

7. Forest City: Nearly 100 years of a million lights

The Town of Forest City's historic main street glows green and red with over a million lights – a tradition they've held for nearly a century.

Their historic downtown is like something from a Christmas movie -- including carriage rides, ice-skating, hot chocolate and boutiques with illuminated windows full of unique gifts. They offer classic Americana like a soda fountain, vintage decor and charming architecture.

The contrast of shimmering lights overlaid on a historic, small-town main street full of mom-and-pop shops is a major reason they were voted the #1 Christmas Town in the greater Asheville area.

Holiday roadtrip: These 8 enchanting NC Christmas Towns are like something from a storybook

8. Blowing Rock: Tweetsie Railroad and fairytale downtown

All year long, the town of Blowing Rock looks like a fairytale village.

During the holiday season, it's even more enchanting.

Tweetsie Railroad makes holiday dreams come true. Start your trip roasting s'mores over a fire by Santa's gingerbread house and watching variety shows. Then finish with a magical Christmas train ride over a mountainous route lined with over a million dazzling lights.

Blowing Rock offers eclectic boutiques for creative holiday shopping in a storybook downtown with local dining and holiday lights.

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The 20 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in NC (2023)

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial & privacy policies .

[Updated October 31, 2023]

For us, making the most of Christmas in North Carolina includes spending time at home with family and friends, as well as getting to celebrate by immersing ourselves in the holiday spirit.

From the Appalachian Mountains through the NC Piedmont into the Coastal Plains, the state of North Carolina has lots of unique and exciting places to visit during the holidays.

A classic NC Christmas features candlelit nights, Christmas lights, gingerbread competitions, small town Christmas parades, and the trademarked “Christmas Town USA” (a.k.a. McAdenville NC).

The list of things to do in North Carolina for a fun holiday getaway can also include NASCAR racetrack light displays, rides on a Christmas train, and visiting choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms.

Whether you’re celebrating the season in Asheville , Boone , or Bryson City , there are an awesome array of Christmas events in NC that are guaranteed to provide a lifetime of special memories.

If you’re interested in planning a North Carolina Christmas vacation , read on for a local’s guide to the 20 best places to celebrate Christmas in NC, including all our favorite holiday activities and attractions. 

READ MORE:  Best NC Christmas Events in Asheville, Bryson City & Beyond

Places to Celebrate Christmas in NC Guide

  • Christmas at Biltmore (Asheville)
  • The National Gingerbread Competition (Asheville)
  • Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum (Asheville)
  • Polar Express on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (Bryson City)
  • Dillsboro NC Lights & Luminaries (Dillsboro)
  • Sugar Mountain Resort (near Banner Elk)
  • Christmas in the Park in Blowing Rock (Blowing Rock)
  • Tweetsie Railroad Christmas (Blowing Rock)
  • C&J Christmas Trees (Boone)
  • Festive First Friday, Art Crawl & Solar Tree Lighting (Boone)
  • Light the Knights and Christmas Village (Charlotte)
  • Speedway Christmas (Charlotte)
  • Winterfest at Carowinds (Charlotte)
  • Hometown Holiday Festivities (Forest City)
  • Christmas Town USA (McAdenville)
  • NC Chinese Lantern Festival (Cary)
  • Theatre in the Park: A Christmas Carol (Raleigh/Durham)
  • Winter Wonderlights (Greensboro)
  • Salem Saturdays at Christmas (Winston Salem)
  • Sweet Valley Ranch Festival of Lights (Fayetteville)

READ MORE: The 12 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in North Carolina

Asheville NC Christmas

Christmas in Asheville NC - Biltmore Christmas Banquet Hall

1. Christmas at Biltmore

One Lodge St, Asheville NC • ( 80) 411-3812

Official Website

Christmas in Asheville NC has to include a visit to the Biltmore Estate.

The country’s largest private residence goes all out on decorating the stately home, magnificent gardens , and Antler Hill Village (home to one of the best North Carolina wineries ).

Christmas at the Biltmore includes Daytime Celebration tours and Candlelight Christmas Evenings, which run from November 3, 2023 to January 7, 2024.

Tickets can be reserved online, and there are three options to choose from– an audio-guided visit, an audio-guided visit-plus (which includes a Leonardo da Vinci exhibition), and an expert-guided tour.

In addition to visiting the Biltmore House and  botanical gardens , all tours include access to Antler Hill Village, which features great restaurants and shops full of holiday toys, confections, and festive collectibles.

READ MORE: The 15 Best NC Wineries to Visit

2021 Winner of National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville NC

2. The National Gingerbread Competition at Omni Grove Park Inn

290 Macon Avenue, Asheville NC • ( 800) 438-5800

The Omni Grove Park Inn kicks off the  Christmas season with its annual National Gingerbread Competition, which includes fantastical creations from pro and amateur bakers of all ages. 

The 2023 Gingerbread Competition takes place on November 20, but the gingerbread creations will remain on display in the historic hotel from November 27 through January 2, 2024.

Guests who are not staying at the hotel are invited to view the  gingerbread houses after 6PM on Sundays, or anytime Monday to Thursday. Only registered guests are allowed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Self-parking costs $25 for day guests and $20 for registered guests, or valet parking is available ($35/$30). A portion of the proceeds are donated to local non-profit organizations.

For those who are not traveling to Asheville, “12 Days of Gingerbread” is a new online  Christmas Event wherein one of the Top 12 finalists will be announced via social media each day.

READ MORE:  The 35 Best Things to Do in Asheville NC

Quilted Lights at NC Arboretum - Asheville Christmas

3. Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum

100 Frederic Law Olmsted Way, Asheville NC • ( 828) 665-2492

Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville contains over a million lights and a 50-foot North Carolina Christmas tree.

Beyond the open-air, walk-through light show, Christmas at the NC Arboretum includes live musical performances , model train rides to the North Pole, and Storytime in Woodland Cove.

Refreshments are available at the Cocoa Shack and Bent Creek Bistro, and nighttime visitors can buy s’mores kits to roast on the firepits.

Non-refundable Winter Lights tickets are sold per vehicle ($30 for a typical car on budget-friendly nights), not per person. They can be bought in advance, or at the gate for an additional $10.

READ MORE:  The 25 Best NC Christmas Tree Farms Near Asheville, Boone & Beyond

Bryson City NC Christmas

The Polar Express - Bryson City Christmas

4. Polar Express on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

45 Mitchell St, Bryson City NC • ( 800) 872-4681

Christmas in Bryson City  transforms the always-amazing Great Smoky Mountains Railroad into the Polar Express, complete with golden tickets and live performers.

The train takes a trek through the wilderness while guests enjoy holiday music , cookies, and warm cocoa.

Tickets for the Bryson City Polar Express range from First Class and Premium Crown Class to Crown Class and Coach, each with its own seating section and collection of amenities.

Most of the Polar Express train rides are on a diesel train, but there’s a daily option to take an actual steam train instead (for an extra charge, of course).

The GSMR steam engine leaves in the morning for a 4.5-hour round-trip journey, while the others are evening rides that last a little over an hour.

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Dillsboro NC Christmas

Christmas in North Carolina -Dillsboro NC Winter Lights & Luminaries

5. Dillsboro NC Lights & Luminaries

42 Front St, Dillsboro NC • ( 800) 962-1911

There are lots of small North Carolina mountain towns around Asheville with amazing Christmas celebrations, including colorful lights, snacks, and appearances by Santa Claus .

Dillsboro gets a special mention because it has all those things, as well as some 2,500 candles illuminating the streets of the charming little town (population 219).

The Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries event happens over the first two weekends in December and is regularly rated as one of the top NC Christmas events.

Visitors can enjoy the white light display while walking around a town filled with elves, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and tons of seasonal activities .

There’s no admission charge, and your trip can also include a visit to nearby Sylva, another quaint small town in Western NC with lots of holiday cheer.

READ MORE:  The 10 Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina

Banner Elk NC Christmas

Sugar Mountain Ski Resort - Christmas in North Carolina mountains

6. Sugar Mountain Resort near Banner Elk

1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain NC • ( 828) 898-4521

For many folks who prefer a White Christmas, the ultimate way to celebrate the season involves skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snow tubing , and/or ice skating.

Sugar Mountain Resort is located near Banner Elk , Blowing Rock, and Boone . It’s a popular place to spend the holidays if North Carolina winter recreation  is what you seek.

In addition to fun outdoor activities, there’s plenty of shopping, Christmas light displays , and other holiday merriment to be had in the village of Sugar Mountain and the town of Banner Elk.

A Small Town Christmas  takes place in  Banner Elk on the first weekend in December and includes breakfast with St. Nick, a candy cane hunt, storytelling, ornament making, and more.

Beech Mountain Ski Resort is just a few minutes north of Banner Elk and also offers a lot of wintertime activities.

READ MORE: The Best Places for Snow Skiing in North Carolina

Blowing Rock NC Christmas

Blowing Rock Christmas - Christmas in the Park, Blowing Rock

7. Christmas in the Park in Blowing Rock

Main Street, Blowing Rock NC • ( 828) 295-5222

The  Blowing Rock NC Christmas season starts with Christmas in the Park and Lighting of the Town, which happens annually on the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Fun festivities start on Friday with carnival games in the park, photos with Santa, and live music into the evening. The Lighting of the Town happens right after sunset at 5:30 PM.

The Blowing Rock Christmas Parade begins on Saturday at 10 AM, while the choose & cut Christmas tree season officially kicks off afterward.

The event and most of the parking for it are free. On Saturdays, there’s a free shuttle service running from the Tanger Outlet to Main Street to make parking easier.

READ MORE:  The 20 Best Things to Do in Blowing Rock NC

Tweetsie Railroad - blowing rock nc christmas

8. Tweetsie Railroad Christmas

300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock NC • ( 800) 526-5740

Tweetsie Railroad, which is located between Blowing Rock and Boone, is more than just a historic train.

It’s an entire North Carolina theme park, and it gets really into the holiday spirit from mid-November to late December.

Tweetsie (a.k.a. Locomotive No. 12) is a steam train originally used by the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad. It runs every half-hour from 5:30 PM to take visitors to elaborate light displays throughout the park.

There’s also a live Christmas show, a massive gingerbread house, amusement park rides, and toasting s’mores over an outdoor fire pit.

Tweetsie Railroad tickets should be purchased in advance due to limited park capacity, and run $52 for ages 13+, $35 for children ages 3-12, and free for babies and toddlers under age 3.

READ MORE:  The 15 Best Blowing Rock Cabin Rentals (1 to 4+ Bedrooms)

Boone NC Christmas

North Carolina Christmas Tree Farm

9. C&J Christmas Trees in Boone

1999 Brookshire Rd, Boone NC • ( 828) 264-6694

Boone NC Christmas Tree Farms  are a big thing, partly because the NC High Country offers an ideal climate for producing Frasier fir trees for Christmas.

C&J Christmas Trees is by no means the only option for visiting a tree farm in the area.

But the family-owned farm has been awarded the Environmental Stewardship Award (2019), Conservation Farm Family of the Year (2018), and Watauga County Christmas Tree Farmer of the Year (2016).

Beyond the trees, visits to  Christmas tree farms often include shopping for symbols of Christmas such as handmade wreaths, artisan ornaments, seasonal treats, and hot cocoa or fresh apple cider.

Most of them also have knockout views, so they can be fun to visit even if   buying a Christmas tree isn’t the focus.

READ MORE: 25 Best Things to Do in Boone NC

Boone NC Christmas starts at the Jones House - Christmas in NC mountains

10. Festive First Friday, Art Crawl & Solar Tree Lighting in Boone

King Street, Boone NC • ( 828) 268-6283

Boone has a youthful small-town feel due to Appalachian State University occupying much of downtown. But the area’s vibes get even more fun and festive during Christmas in NC.

Festive First Friday is an annual event at the Jones House in Downtown Boone that happens on the first Friday in December, usually starting at 5 p.m.

The event includes a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony (hosted by the ASU Sustainable Energy Society), an art crawl, Christmas caroling, and free hot cocoa and holiday cookies.

Other holiday cheer includes marshmallow snowball fights, Santa at the Mast General Store, and horse -drawn carriage rides.

Boone NC has loads of other holiday revelries throughout the season, including the Boone NC Christmas Parade, sledding in Jaycee Park, and the Boone Winter Farmer’s Market.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Cabin Rentals in Boone NC

Charlotte NC Christmas

Charlotte Christmas lights

11. Light the Knights and Christmas Village at Truist Field

324 South Mint Street, Charlotte NC • ( 704) 274-8300

Every winter in NC, Truist Field (home of the Charlotte Knights minor league baseball team) becomes a beacon of Christmas fun .

The ballpark’s Holiday Walkthrough & Light Show features thousands of lights, multiple Christmas trees, and snow , while the Village at Truist Field becomes a Christmas market with food, handmade gifts, and live shows.

In 2023, this Uptown celebration will also boast an outdoor rink for ice skating and a snow tubing hill.

The base ticket (which costs $10) includes admission to the light show and Christmas Village, but there are combo tickets ($25) that also include either ice skating or snow tubing .

The $35 All-Access Day Pass offers unlimited access to all of it, and season passes are also available.

Opening night is November 22, and the Christmas festival extends to through New Year’s Day.

READ MORE: 15 Fun, Festive Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Helen GA

Christmas in Charlotte NC - Speedway Lights

12. Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway

5555 Concord Pkwy South, Concord NC • ( 704) 455-3200

For NASCAR fans, there’s probably no better Christmas gift than the opportunity to drive around the Charlotte Motor Speedway to see a holiday light show.

The drive-thru Christmas light displays are 3.75 miles long and feature 4 million lights that require around 14,000 feet of extension cords.

There’s also a Christmas Village with a movie theater, Lil’ Donuts, and a number of craft vendors.

The Speedway Christmas celebration is open from November 18, 2023, through January 15, 2024.

Tickets are between $30 and $70, depending on the day and your willingness to wait in line. There’s also an option to pay more and skip the line entirely.

READ MORE: 20 Awesome Things to Do for Winter in North Carolina

NC Christmas Places - Carowinds WinterFest

13. Winterfest at Carowinds

14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte NC • ( 704) 588-2600

Every year, the Carowinds theme park in Charlotte creates an immersive holiday experience called WinterFest.

The festival features Christmas lights, ice skating, and special holiday foods. There are also gift shops, holiday-themed games, live shows, and crooning carolers.

Nightly holiday events include the Carowinds Christmas Tree Lighting and the WinterFest Wonderland Parade, with floats, live music , and performers.

Winterfest tickets start at $32.99 and have several iterations, such as Season Pass Bring-a-Friend, WinterFest Group Tickets, and more.

Ice skating, cookie decorating, and igloo rentals are also available for an additional charge.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Christmas Towns in Georgia to Visit

Forest NC Christmas

Best NC Christmas Towns - Forest City

14. Hometown Holiday Festivities in Forest City

Main Street, Forest City NC • ( 828) 245-0148

Located about an hour from Asheville and Charlotte, the town of Forest City is known for having one of the most festive holiday celebrations (and some of the best Christmas lights) in NC.

Christmas in the North Carolina mountains is truly at its apex here, with Forest City being voted the #1 Christmas town in the Greater Asheville Area.

The town’s historic Main Street has over a million lights, horse-drawn carriage rides, hayrides, and ice skating. You can also get hot cocoa, hot apple cider, cookies, and other tasty holiday treats.

The Christmas lights in Forest City are on each night from November 25 through January 1. Admission to the Hometown Holiday Festivities is free, but some of the holiday activities do have fees.

READ MORE: The Top 10 Treehouse Rentals near Asheville, NC

McAdenville NC Christmas

downtown McAdenville NC Christmas, is known as Christmastown USA

15. Christmas Town USA

Main Street, McAdenville NC • ( 704) 823-2333

McAdenville NC is widely regarded as one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in the USA .

It has a Christmas tradition dating back to the 1950s, and has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in Southern Living Magazine .

Officially trademarked as “Christmas Town USA ,” McAdenville is known for its incredible town-wide Christmas light display, which runs from December 1-26 every year.

The McAdenvilleTree Lighting Ceremony is held on December 1, while the Yule Log Parade is on December 14.

Guests can drive or walk through the town and park, while Christmas carols are played on bells in Historic Downtown McAdenville.

NC Christmas simply doesn’t get any more traditional than this, and McAdenville is truly a holiday institution.

READ MORE: The 10 Most Festive Christmas Towns in Virginia to Visit

Cary NC Christmas

North Carolina Christmas events - NC Chinese Lantern Festival

16. NC Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre

8003 Regency Parkway, Cary NC • ( 919) 462-2025

For a step away from conventional Christmas events, the Koka Booth Amphitheatre hosts the annual NC Chinese Lantern Festival, and it’s every bit as dazzling as more traditional Christmas light displays .

Open from November 17, 2023, through January 7, 2024, this relatively new NC Winter tradition in the Raleigh-Durham Triangle has broken attendance records.

There are over 40 artistic lantern displays to enjoy, with cultural performances nightly on the main stage included in the price of the ticket.

Tickets are geared for all sorts of interests, including photography, education, and groups, with tickets starting at $30 for ages 3 and up.

There are also concessions available on-site, and food trucks set up on special nights.

READ MORE:  The Top 30 Blue Ridge Mountain Towns in GA & NC

Raleigh NC Christmas

Christmas in Raleigh NC - A Christmas Carol

17. Theatre in the Park: A Christmas Carol

107 Pullen Rd, Raleigh NC • ( 919) 831-6058

A comedic musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol has been performed in Raleigh NC annually for nearly 50 years now.

In 2023, Theatre In The Park’s performances will take place on December 8-10 at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, and on December 13-17 at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

Starring Ira David Wood III, the show has received dozens of honors, including being named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast, the Triangle Arts & Entertainment Reader’s Choice Award, and the Metro Ovation Award.

The show has even toured England and France, and has been seen by over a million people!

READ MORE: 10 Great Places to Celebrate Christmas in Virginia

Greensboro NC Christmas

Greensboro Christmas Lights - Winter Wonderlights

18. Winter Wonderlights at Greensboro Science Center

4301 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro NC • ( 336) 288-3769

The Greensboro Science Center goes all out with its Winter Wonderlights event each year. From entertaining exhibits to forest hiking trails , the entire 22-acre property is part of the Christmas celebration.

The family-friendly, nature-themed displays include Dancing Fountain, Polar Pond, Starry Night, Forest of Lights, Wintry Welcome, Dino Disco, and Festive Fun Zone.

The Winter Wonderlights festivities begin before Thanksgiving (November 17) and extend to New Year’s Day.

Regular admission ($25) is required on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as the week of Christmas, but discounted rates ($16) are available Monday through Thursday. Children ages 2 and under get in free. 

Carpooling is encouraged to help manage the venue’s limited parking.

READ MORE: The 50 Best North Carolina Waterfalls to Visit

Winston Salem NC Christmas

Salem Night at Old Salem Museums & Gardens in Winston Salem NC

19. Salem Saturdays at Christmas

900 Old Salem Road, Winston Salem NC • ( 336) 721-7350

The historic Old Salem Museums & Gardens in Winston-Salem NC is amazing and quaint all year round.

But when the living history attraction gets dressed up for the holidays, that all reaches a new level.

Some of the many experiences on tap are Potter’s Workshop at T. Bagge for chocolate and toys, the Miksch House & Garden for painted illuminations of the Christmas story, and the Butner Hat Shop for a visit to “Santa’s Workshop.”

Winkler Bakery serves up sweet treats, while the Moravian Book & Gift shop has souvenirs and gifts for sale.

Salem Saturdays are held from 10 AM to 4 PM on November 18 and 25, as well as on December 2, 9, and 30. Tickets are $28 for adults or $15 for students.

READ MORE: 40 Facts About the History of the Banjo (From Africa to Appalachia)

Fayetteville NC Christmas

A North Carolina Christmas -Christmas at Sweet Valley Ranch

20. Sweet Valley Ranch Festival of Lights

2990 Sunnyside School Road, Fayetteville NC • ( 844) 622-3276

Every year Sweet Valley Ranch (a working farm ) transforms into a Christmas wonderland for their Festival of Lights.

The big attraction here is a drive-thru light show with over a million lights and 350 live animals. There’s also an option to take a tractor-pulled wagon tour through the property. 

The farm has all sorts of animals, including cows, horses, chickens, turkeys, goats, sheep, llamas, camels, zebras, parrots, tortoises, and more.

Holiday visitors will also enjoy Tiny’s Winter Wonderland, which is located just across the street. Tiny’s has Santa, vendors, rides, food, and a gift shop.

Just one visit and you’ll understand immediately why Sweet Valley’s Festival of Lights has become one of the most popular North Carolina Christmas events!   –by Jonathon Engels; lead image of Christmas at Biltmore by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

The 20 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in NC, including candlelit nights, gingerbread competitions, Christmas Town USA and more! | asheville nc christmas | mcadenville nc christmas | north carolina christmas | christmas in north carolina | asheville christmas | christmas in asheville nc | north carolina christmas tree | christmas lights in nc | christmas in charlotte nc | christmas town in north carolina | charlotte christmas | downtown mcadenville nc christmas | christmas town in nc |

We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about the  Leave No Trace   principles of responsible environmental stewardship. 

Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. 

Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. Never try to climb waterfalls or get close to a ledge to get a selfie.

When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic!

Jonathon Engels

After visiting North Carolina for the first time, Senior Writer Jonathon Engels and wife Emma spent 2 years exploring Western NC in search of a homestead property. They first lived in Brevard, where Jonathon taught writing at Blue Ridge Community College and extensively explored the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest. For the last several years they have lived just off the BRP near Elkin, Southwest Virginia, and the NC High Country. The couple also volunteers with the Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention, the Elkin Valley Trail Association, and Reeves Downtown School of Music.

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12 Best Christmas Towns In North Carolina To Visit In 2023 + Christmas Markets & Mass

Where to go in North Carolina at Christmas? Read this article with a list of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina with Christmas markets, festive Christmas Mass, feasts, and holiday activities. 

ALSO READ : 👉🏼15 Best Christmas Towns In Tennessee To Visit In 2023 With Festive Events + Markets + Mass

Christmas Towns In North Carolina - North Carolina Christmas Vacation

Christmas Towns In North Carolina – North Carolina Christmas Vacation

North Carolina’s charming Christmas towns captivate visitors with festive decorations, enchanting light displays, and a warm Southern hospitality that infuses the holiday season with a unique charm.

Weather – North Carolina Christmas Vacation Tour

North Carolina experiences diverse Christmas weather , with coastal areas enjoying milder temperatures averaging around  50°F (10°C) . In comparison, the mountainous regions may see cooler temperatures, often  dipping below freezing, creating the possibility of a festive dusting of snow  to enhance the holiday atmosphere. 

This climatic variety lets residents and visitors choose between a cozy coastal celebration or a winter wonderland experience in scenic mountain towns.

👉🏼11 Best Vacation Spots In North Carolina – Top Places To Visit In NC

12 Best Christmas Towns In North Carolina – Christmas Attractions In North Carolina 

Let’s check out things to do for Christmas in North Carolina and know what to do in North Carolina at Christmas.

asheville thanksgiving - Thanksgiving dinner Asheville NC Asheville NC thanksgiving

Asheville in North Carolina is renowned as one of the best Christmas towns due to its enchanting Biltmore Village Dickens Festival, where the historic streets come alive with Victorian charm and festive cheer. 

Christmas Market Name :  Biltmore Village Dickens Festival

Christmas Activities:  Visit the Biltmore Estate for dazzling light displays, carriage rides, and live music.

Things to Do :  

  • Explore the Winter Lights at the  North Carolina Arboretum .
  • Lace-up your skates and enjoy outdoor  ice skating at Pack Square Park.
  • Explore the festive events at  The Omni Grove Park Inn , including gingerbread house displays.
  • Attend a holiday concert by the  Asheville Symphony Orchestra.
  • Take a  trolley tour  to view the best  Christmas lights  in Asheville.
  • Visit the  Grove Arcade  for holiday shopping in a historic setting.

Christmas Mass :  Attend the Christmas Eve service at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence.

Asheville’s holiday atmosphere is further elevated by the spectacular light displays and seasonal activities at the Biltmore Estate, creating a magical and unforgettable Christmas experience for residents and visitors alike.

👉🏼St Augustine Night Of Lights 2023-24 – Christmas In St Augustine + Best Things To Do

Boone, North Carolina, is a quintessential Christmas destination with its picturesque mountain setting, offering visitors a chance to experience a magical holiday ambiance enhanced by festive events, charming local shops, and the potential for a snow-covered landscape, creating a truly enchanting Christmas vacation.

Christmas attractions in North Carolina - things to do for Christmas in North Carolina

Christmas Market Name:  Appalachian Holiday Craft Show

Christmas Activities:  Enjoy skiing and snow tubing at Appalachian Ski Mountain.

Things to Do:  

  • Take a festive ride on the  Tweetsie Christmas Express .
  • Indulge in the warmth of a  traditional Christmas feast  at the  historic Daniel Boone Inn , known for its Southern hospitality and delicious family-style dining that captures the season’s spirit.
  • Check out the  holiday events  hosted by  Appalachian State University .
  • Stroll Through the  Charming Downtown.

Christmas Mass:   Attend the Christmas Day service at St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country Catholic Church.

The town’s warm community spirit and the possibility of winter activities make Boone a captivating retreat for those seeking an authentic and memorable North Carolina Christmas experience.

Charlotte, North Carolina, transforms into a festive wonderland during Christmas, with its Uptown area adorned in dazzling lights, offering enchanting holiday displays, spirited parades, and a magical ice-skating experience, making it a captivating destination for a joyful and vibrant Christmas vacation in the heart of the state.

Christmas Market Name:  Southern Christmas Show

Christmas Activities :  Skate at the Holiday on Ice rink uptown.

  • Experience the  Speedway Christmas  light display at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • Take a  short drive to McAdenville,  also known as  Christmas Town USA , where the entire town is illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights. 
  • Visit the NASCAR Hall  of Fame during the holiday season for “ Holidays at the Hall .”
  • Kick off the holiday season by enjoying the  Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade  in  Uptown Charlotte .

Christmas Mass:  Join the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral .

Charlotte’s blend of Southern charm, cultural events, and festive activities creates a welcoming atmosphere for visitors seeking a memorable holiday experience in Charlotte.

ALSO READ : 👉🏼 Celebrate Christmas In Nashville – Nashville Christmas Vacation Planner + Best Activities

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill stands out as one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina, thanks to its picturesque charm, festive decorations adorning the historic downtown area, and a warm community spirit that invites residents and visitors alike to partake in joyful holiday celebrations, creating a truly magical Christmas atmosphere. 

things to do for Christmas in North Carolina - North Carolina at Christmas

Christmas Market Name :  Festifall Arts Market

Christmas Activities :  Stroll through the Winter Lights at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

  • Attend a  holiday concert at Memorial Hall .
  • Experience the  enchantment of The Carolina Inn,  beautifully decorated for the holidays. 
  • Discover the season’s magic with holiday-themed planetarium shows and  festive displays at the Morehead Planetarium .
  • Join the local community in celebrating the season at the  Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade,  featuring festive floats, marching bands, and holiday cheer, creating a lively and spirited atmosphere.
  • Explore the  iconic Southern Season,  a gourmet food and gift store, for unique holiday shopping. 
  • Enjoy holiday events and activities at  University Place, including tree lighting ceremonies , festive markets, and seasonal performances, adding a joyful touch to the Christmas spirit in Chapel Hill.

Christmas Mass :  Attend the Christmas Day service at University United Methodist Church.

The town’s blend of cultural events, local festivities, and Southern hospitality makes Chapel Hill a delightful destination to experience the joy and enchantment of the holiday season.

Winston-Salem:

Winston-Salem has become a magical Christmas town in North Carolina with its historic Moravian traditions, where the enchanting Old Salem district comes alive with candlelit streets, traditional crafts, and festive events, offering visitors a captivating journey into the spirit of an authentic Moravian Christmas.

Best Christmas Towns In North Carolina - North Carolina Christmas Vacation

Christmas Market Name :  Old Salem Christmas Market

Christmas Activities :  Visit Tanglewood Park for the Festival of Lights.

  • Experience the C andle Tea tradition at Old Salem .
  • Enjoy the festive atmosphere at Hanes Mall, where Christmas decorations and holiday lights create a cheerful ambiance.
  • Attend the Winston-Salem Jaycees Holiday Parade , a community tradition featuring festive floats, marching bands, and holiday cheer, bringing the community together to celebrate the joy of the season.
  • Immerse yourself in the historic charm of Old Salem with Christmas Candlelight Tours, where the historic district is illuminated by candlelight, and costumed interpreters share the traditions of Moravian Christmas in the 18th century.

Christmas Mass :  Attend the Christmas Eve service at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church.

The town’s blend of rich cultural heritage, illuminated holiday displays, and community warmth make Winston-Salem a truly magical destination to experience the season’s wonder and joy.

Christmas Towns In North Carolina - North Carolina Christmas Vacation - Christmas attractions in North Carolina

Visit Raleigh during Christmas in North Carolina for a delightful blend of festive events, including the Raleigh Christmas Parade, and mesmerizing light displays at Pullen Park, and the enchanting Winterfest, where the state capital transforms into a winter wonderland, offering a perfect mix of holiday cheer and Southern charm. 

Christmas Market Name :  Raleigh Christkindl Market

Christmas Activities:  Skate at the outdoor ice rink at City Plaza.

  • Kick off the holiday season by attending the  Raleigh Christmas Parade .
  • Experience the enchanting Lights on the  Neuse , a holiday lights extravaganza just  outside Raleigh in Clayton.
  • Bring the family to  Pullen Park for the Holiday Express,  featuring a train ride through thousands of twinkling lights, a carousel adorned in holiday decor, and visits with Santa, providing a joyful and magical experience for all.
  • Immerse yourself in the winter  wonderland of Winterfest,  where downtown Raleigh transforms with an outdoor ice-skating rink, festive decorations, and holiday performances, creating a magical and family-friendly atmosphere.

Christmas Mass :  Join the Christmas Day Mass at the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.

 Raleigh’s vibrant atmosphere, cultural festivities, and seasonal attractions make it an ideal destination for a magical Christmas experience in the heart of North Carolina.

ALSO READ 👉🏼: 23 Ways To Celebrate Christmas In California In 2023 – Best Activities+ Events

Greensboro:

Greensboro emerges as one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina, enchanting visitors with its festive spirit showcased through the Tanglewood Festival of Lights, historic holiday tours, and community-driven events, creating a magical tapestry of seasonal charm and Southern hospitality. 

Christmas attractions in North Carolina - things to do for Christmas in North Carolina - North Carolina at Christmas

Christmas Market Name:  Festival of Lights

Christmas Activities:  Explore the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden light displays.

  • Stroll through  downtown Greensboro  adorned with festive decorations, twinkling lights, and seasonal storefront displays.
  • Immerse yourself in the  Festival of Trees at the Greensboro Historical Museum,  where elaborately decorated trees and holiday displays showcase the creativity and festive spirit of the community. 
  • Enjoy a  Victorian-inspired Christmas  at the  O. Henry Hotel, where Dickens Dinners  offer a festive feast accompanied by carolers.

Christmas Mass:   Attend the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Pius X Catholic Church.

The town’s blend of vibrant light displays, cultural traditions, and community engagement makes Greensboro a standout destination for those seeking a joyous and memorable Christmas experience.

Durham earns its place among the best Christmas towns in North Carolina with its festive blend of cultural events, including the American Tobacco Tower Lighting, dazzling holiday displays at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, and the vibrant Motorco Holiday Market, creating a spirited and joyful atmosphere that captures the essence of the season. 

Christmas Market Name:   American Tobacco Holiday Market

Christmas Activities :  Attend the iconic American Tobacco Tower Lighting ceremony in Durham.

  • Attend a holiday performance at the  Durham Performing Arts Center.  Enjoy the season’s magic with holiday-themed performances at the Durham Performing Arts Center. 
  • Experience the enchanting  Sarah P. Duke Gardens  during the holiday as it transforms into a winter wonderland with dazzling lights, seasonal displays, and special events, providing a peaceful and festive escape.
  • Visit the  Motorco Holiday Market  for a unique shopping experience featuring local artisans, crafters, and vendors.
  • Stroll through  Brightleaf Square,  where the historic architecture is adorned with festive lights and holiday decorations. 

Christmas Mass:   Join the Christmas Day service at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Hendersonville:

Hendersonville earns its distinction as one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina with its picturesque Main Street, adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, creating a charming holiday backdrop. 

 North Carolina Christmas Vacation - Christmas attractions in North Carolina

Christmas Market Name :  Hendersonville for the Holidays

Christmas Activities:  Take a stroll through the historic downtown’s holiday decorations.

  • Attend the  Downtown Holiday Street Lighting ceremony , where the streets of Hendersonville are illuminated with holiday lights, live music, and a joyful community atmosphere to kick off the Christmas season.
  • Explore the  historic Johnson Farm  during the Christmas season, where special holiday tours showcase the farm’s heritage with decorations, seasonal exhibits, and festive activities for the whole family.
  • Take a  short drive to the North Carolina Arboretum  for the  Winter Lights  display, featuring thousands of colorful lights, interactive displays, and festive music, creating a magical experience in the heart of nature.
  • Visit Santa at the Historic Train Depot.

Christmas Mass :  Attend the Christmas Eve Mass at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church.

 Hendersonville’s annual Christmas events, including the Home for the Holidays celebration and the historic district’s timeless appeal, contribute to a warm and enchanting atmosphere that captures the season’s true spirit.

Fayetteville:

Fayetteville stands out as one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina, boasting a festive blend of events such as the Dickens Holiday and the enchanting Carriage Rides, creating a historic and joyful atmosphere that celebrates the season with a unique Southern charm.

Best Christmas Towns In North Carolina - North Carolina Christmas Vacation

Christmas Market Name:  Dickens Holiday

Christmas Activities :  Immerse yourself in the charm of  Fayetteville’s Dickens Holiday , an annual event downtown that transforms the historic area into a Victorian-era Christmas celebration, complete with costumed characters, carriage rides, and festive entertainment.

  • Enjoy the magic of the season with  horse-drawn carriage rides  through downtown Fayetteville. 
  • Attend the  Liberty Point Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony , where the community gathers to witness the illumination of the town’s Christmas tree. 
  • Experience the  festive atmosphere at Arnette Park  during Christmas in the Park, featuring holiday lights, decorations, and themed displays, creating a winter wonderland for families to explore and enjoy.
  • Embrace the  holiday spirit with the Cameo Art House Theatre’s Holiday Film Series , showcasing classic Christmas movies in a historic setting. 

Christmas Mass:   Join the Christmas Day service at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

The town’s rich cultural traditions, vibrant community spirit, and holiday attractions make Fayetteville a delightful destination for a memorable and heartwarming Christmas experience.

👉🏼Christmas In Helen Ga 2023 – Best Christmas Activities, Events, Feast & Things To Do

New Bern – North Carlonia At Christmas

New Bern secures its status as one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina with its historic charm accentuated by festive decorations along Tryon Palace, captivating candlelight tours, and the town’s warm hospitality, offering a timeless and enchanting holiday experience.

Christmas Market Name:  New Bern Farmer’s Market Holiday Show

Christmas Activities:  Explore the historic downtown decorated for the holidays.

things to do for Christmas in North Carolina - North Carolina at Christmas

  • Attend the “ Festival of Trees ” at the North Carolina History Center.
  • Experience the  historic Tryon Palace  adorned in festive lights during the Candlelight Christmas Celebration.
  • Visit  Bear Town Market for their annual Christmas Lights Display , where the store’s exterior transforms into a festive light show, creating a cheerful and vibrant atmosphere in the heart of downtown. 
  • Attend the  Neuse River Lighted Boat Parade,  a unique Christmas event where boats decorated with festive lights sail along the Neuse River, creating a picturesque and magical scene along the waterfront of New Bern.

Christmas Mass:   Attend the Christmas Eve service at Christ Episcopal Church.

The combination of colonial elegance, waterfront views, and a calendar filled with seasonal events makes New Bern a picturesque destination that embodies the magic of Christmas.

Wilmington earns its reputation as one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina with its festive Riverwalk adorned in holiday lights, the iconic Victorian-era decorations of the Historic District, and a wealth of seasonal events, creating a magical ambiance that blends coastal charm with traditional Christmas spirit. 

Christmas Towns In North Carolina - North Carolina Christmas Vacation

Christmas Market Name :  Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla

Christmas Activities:  Take a holiday-themed riverboat cruise along the Cape Fear River.

  • Embark on a  trolley tour through historic downtown Wilmington , adorned with Victorian-era decorations and holiday lights. 
  • Experience the  season’s magic at Enchanted Airlie,  where the gardens are transformed into a dazzling display of holiday lights featuring festive decorations, seasonal music, and the enchanting Butterfly House.
  • Attend the  North Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach , where decorated boats light up the Intracoastal Waterway, accompanied by fireworks and festive celebrations, creating a unique coastal Christmas spectacle.
  • Explore the  Battleship NORTH CAROLINA  during the holidays, where special events like the Battleship Ho Ho Ho, featuring Santa’s arrival by helicopter, and other festive activities provide a maritime and joyful Christmas experience.

Christmas Mass:   Join the Christmas Day Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Wilmington’s unique blend of historic charm, waterfront beauty, and community-driven celebrations makes Wilmington an enchanting destination for a coastal Christmas experience.

Now you know the best Christmas towns in North Carolina, with twinkling lights, festive events, and warm Southern hospitality enveloping you in the true magic of the holiday season. 

From the historic charm of Chapel Hill to the snowy landscapes of Boone, each town offers a unique and enchanting experience, inviting you to create cherished memories and embrace the joyous spirit of Christmas in the heart of the Tar Heel State.

So visit North Carolina at Christmas after reading this article on the best Christmas towns in North Carolina with magical Christmas attractions in North Carolina.

Read More On North Carolina Travel

  • 6 Best Scenic Drives In North Carolina With Scenic Stopovers & Hotels
  • 8 Best Hikes In Blue Ridge Parkway With Campgrounds & Waterfalls
  • Best Newfound Gap Road Trip Itinerary – Newfound Gap Scenic Drive, Trails, Campgrounds

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Top Christmas Towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Get yourself and your family into the Holiday spirit, by visiting one of these amazing Best Christmas Towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains.   These are all towns that go above and beyond with decorations, events, shopping and more!   These are the best of the best Christmas towns for us!  So grab yourself some hot cocoa, and let's start exploring these wonderful towns.

Best Christmas Towns in the Georgia Mountains

Here are our top Christmas towns in the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains :

Dahlonega, Georgia

Seeing Dahlonega Georgia's Old Fashioned Christmas is really something special.  The town is covered in twinkling lights and horse-drawn carriages are plentiful.  The month-long holiday celebration features a hometown parade, caroling, movies, a tree lighting, visits to see Santa, a live Nativity scene, and so much more.   This amazing small town has it all, and will make you feel as if you've been dropped into the middle of classic Christmas movie.

Helen, Georgia

If you're looking for a Christmas town with a twist, Helen Georgia's Bavarian Christmas will definitely deliver.  Helen may not be very big (2.1 miles), but this small package contains big Christmas things.

Things to see include beautiful holiday decorations with lights, a traditional holiday market, annual downtown parade, and even Santa in a Bavarian sleigh.  Helen is amazing year-round, but just magical during the Christmas season.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Blue Ridge GA is a wonderful town in and of itself, but even more so at Christmas draped with lights and decorations.  The icing on the cake is taking a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway's Santa Express.  On the ride, you'll listen to a Christmas story, sing carols, meet Christmas characters, and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on the train.  Pure Christmas magic.

Best Christmas Towns in Western North Carolina

Here are our top Christmas towns in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains:

Bryson City, North Carolina

All Aboard the Polar Express!   Bryson City is the starting point for the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad's, THE POLAR EXPRESS Christmas train ride.   The town itself is beautifully decorated with white lights.  They have Christmas shopping, a small town parade, and a 50ft tall Christmas tree!

The highlight of your Christmas visit to Bryson City will be the THE POLAR EXPRESS!  This 1¼ hour round-trip passenger excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole.

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell.

Christmas carols will be sung as the train returns back to the Bryson City Depot.  The whole experience is just pure Christmas Magic!

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville NC is the largest mountain city in North Carolina, and is literally nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Asheville offers a number of wonderful Christmas attractions, including Biltmore , Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum , the National Gingerbread competition at the historic Omni Grovepark Inn, along with carriage rides downtown, holiday decorations and more.  Asheville also offers a number of wonderful hotels and restaurants as well.

One of the Christmas highlights in Asheville is visiting Biltmore at Christmas .  The grounds are lavishly lit up with Christmas lights, and vintage decor.  The house itself is also lavishly decorated with hundreds of Christmas trees, lights, and decor.   Particularity magical is the candlelight tour, which will take you back in time to the opening of Biltmore on Christmas eve in 1895.

Waynesville, North Carolina

Photo by: Ed Kelly

Looking to step into a Norman Rockwell Christmas town?  Waynesville NC is it.  This quant mountain small town really goes all out for Christmas, and the downtown area is wonderful.  The town is decorated with thousands of lights, including the signature globes along the tree-lines through downtown.  Events include a wonderful small town Christmas parade , A Night Before Christmas , shopping and art events, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and more!

You won't see Waynesville NC on many "Best Christmas Town" lists, as it's truly a hidden gem.

Dillsboro, North Carolina

Go back, to simpler times at Christmas, by visiting the town of Dillsboro NC.  Their annual "Lights and Luminaries" event brings old time customs and celebrations to current times.  You'll find the downtown area lined with more than 2,500 luminaries that guide your way through the town it's shops, live music, and restaurants.  Enjoy cocoa, cider, and a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.  The celebration also features a live nativity scene, and horse and buggy rides each evening.   A truly magical Christmas experience.

Best Christmas Towns in East Tennessee

Here are our top Christmas towns in the Tennessee Blue Ridge Mountains:

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg TN is the most visited mountain town in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains .  Gatlinburg is a busy and fun town with lots to see and do.  But during Christmas, Gatlinburg becomes a magical Christmas getaway.  The town goes all out with Christmas lights, including lights along the roadways and streets, and merchants put up their own lights.  When visiting, you'll see thousands and thousands of beautiful light displays.  There is also a very large Christmas Parade, you can meet Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, hear singing, and much more.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Nearby Pigeon Forge, is another incredibly popular mountain town to visit.  Like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge goes all out when it comes to Christmas.  Their celebration is called Winterfest, and drapes Pigeon Forge in more than 5 million holiday lights.  Pigeon Forge creates a winter wonderland for locals and guests alike to enjoy during the city’s annual celebration.  From winter light displays to captivating holiday shows and so much more.  The lights of Winterfest shine from early November until February.

Don't forget to visit nearby Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge for a Smoky Mountain Christmas , and one of the most stunning light shows you'll ever see.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga isn't a small town, but certainly not a big city either, so you still get that small town charm.  Travel along the Holiday Trail of Lights, with millions of Christmas lights leading to some of the most beautiful and interesting attractions in the city.  

You can also go underground to see Ruby Falls, and the special holiday town they create.   Visit Rock City, where the rock faces and paths become magical under the Christmas colors and lights.  You can even ice skate in the outdoor rink in the downtown area!

Best Christmas Towns in the Virginia Mountains

Here are our top Christmas towns in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains:

Abingdon, Virginia

Abingdon is a wonderful small town in Southwest Virginia combining both history and outdoor adventures.   During the holidays, all the things you love about Abington turn up a notch (or three) with the holiday decor and events, making this wonderful town and your visit into post-card Christmas.

Abingdon’s quaint downtown is transformed in to a Christmas wonderland, with carolers, magical storefront displays, and special events to celebrate the season.  You can visit holiday shows at the historic Barter Theater, shop at the countless local boutiques and galleries, stop by the famous Martha Washington Inn or cozy up to the fire at The Tavern. 

Charlottesville, Virginia

Ranked as one of Best Towns for the Holidays, Charlottesville's history and charm only get better during the Christmas and Holiday season.   You won’t want to miss the "Lighting of the Lawn" at the University of Virginia or Charlottesville’s Grand Illumination.   There is also the The Barracks Road Annual Holiday Parade, First Night Virginia, and of course lots of Shopping!

Front Royal, Virginia

Front Royal VA is the text book small town, especially during the holidays.   You can Stroll their historic Main Street where you can shop, enjoy some of the great food, and holiday decorations.  Also enjoy the festive streets during the Annual Christmas Parade and special holiday events.

Roanoke Virginia

Roanoke Virginia begins the holiday season with lots of wonderful annual events, such as the City of Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting and other festivities. Other Roanoke holiday favorites include ice skating at Elmwood Park, special holiday events at local museums and businesses and the Hotel Roanoke’s classic Victorian-inspired decorations. 

With spectacular lights on display at Explore Park's Illuminights, fairies dancing in the Southwest Virginia Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker , the flicker of candlelight on historic home tours, and beautiful trees on display throughout the towns and communities of the region, the holidays in Roanoke are hard to resist!

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Larry Deane

About the author

Larry Deane is co-owner of Blue Ridge Mountain Life. He has spent more than 20 years exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and has a deep passion for nature, history, storytelling, and adventure. Along with his wife Jenn, they combined these passions to create Blue Ridge Mountain Life, a travel guide to these stunning mountains they are fortunate to call home. Larry has more than 20 years of experience as a writer and journalist, and has established himself as a leading voice and expert for Blue Ridge Mountains. He is also an avid hiker, photographer, and videographer. He loves sharing his mountain adventures and knowledge with more than 500,000 people per month on Blue Ridge Mountain Life.

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Don't Miss These Perfect Christmas Towns In North Carolina

These Christmas towns in North Carolina guarantee the best holiday experience.

North Carolina is a fantastic destination to immerse in the Christmas spirit. Regardless of the location, the Christmas trees, colorful lights, beautiful decorations, roaring fires, and Christmas carols are almost everywhere in the state. But what could be more fun than visiting a perfect Christmas town that turns into a holiday paradise throughout the entire season?

Well, there are plenty of charming towns in North Carolina with the most incredible decorations, vibrant festivals, twinkling lights, and lots of fun activities to celebrate Christmas. Don't miss these Christmas towns in North Carolina.

10 Blowing Rock

Blowing is a small charming mountain town in North Carolina's northern side and is a perfect place to celebrate Christmas. The holiday is extremely important to the locals to an extent that they came up with a festival for the season, the Christmas in the Park and Lighting of the Town Festival.

The event includes visits and several pictures with Santa for the children, live entertainment, carnival games, and beautiful lights displayed throughout the town.

9 Black Mountain

Black Mountain's Christmas vibe suites travelers of all ages ad interests, and is a perfect way to immerse oneself in the holiday spirit.

The charming small town's Christmas celebration involves numerous festive events, such as the Christmas parade, involving displays of lights in circles along Lake Tomahawk, and the Holly Jolly Christmas, happening every first weekend of December.

These events are some of the most colorful and vibrant in North Carolina. They are a perfect time to explore the streets and enjoy some live music, carolers playing all over, and Santa listening to everyone’s wishes.

Related: These Towns Celebrate Christmas Year-Round

8 McAdenville

McAdenville is arguably the most famous Christmas Town in the state and has been nicknamed ''Christmas Town U.S.A'' for a reason. The town's streets are filled with millions of colorful lights, carolers, and live music performances.

Over 600,000 visitors from different parts of the country arrive in McAdenville to celebrate and experience the vibrant Christmas scene.

The town is packed with Christmas trees, which appear to be more than people. McAdenville is one of the perfect Christmas towns in North Carolina.

7 Asheville

From magical Christmas decorations to millions of twinkling lights displayed throughout the town to fantastic candlelit tours, there is no better place to celebrate Christmas than in Ashville.

And while it's a bit larger than probably all towns on this list, it is definitely one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina.

Plus, some of the most impressive Christmas destinations in the country are located near the town. The highlight of Asheville's Christmas celebrations is the decorations at Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in the United States.

Related: This Is The Best Time To Go To Asheville, And You Can See It In One Weekend

Boasting a population of only 700 residents, Saluda may look small, probably one of the tiniest towns in North Carolina, but once Christmas arrives, it transforms into a magical wonderland.

The town's main street gets colorfully decorated and boasts century-old stores selling almost everything.

The numerous shopping opportunities are enough reasons to explore Saluda at Christmas.

The Hometown Christmas, happening from Mid-December throughout the month, is the main Christmas event in the town.

Home to the Meadow Lights, the largest and oldest Christmas light event in Eastern North Carolina. Featuring 10 acres of light displays, the family-run business has been there for the past forty years. There are some scenes showing the life of Jesus Christ.

The beautiful twinkling lights are always visible from the road, a train ride is the best way to experience the gorgeous displays and keep warm in winter.

There is more to explore in Benson in the season, including a carousel with 16 horses, visits and pictures with Santa, and an Old Country store selling all kinds of items.

One of North Carolina’s oldest towns is also among the best Christmas towns in the state.

Christmas is an amazing time in this city, thanks to its energetic and colorful events, such as the annual Night On the Town Celebration, featuring live shows, visits and pictures with Santa, lighting of trees, and late-night shopping .

The Festival of the Trees is another important event to catch in Beaufort. The town also boasts several vibrant parades, including the Port Royal Golf Cart Parade. Annual Christmas Parade, and Light Up the Night Christmas Boat Parade.

3 Forest City

A visit to Forest City during the holy season is one of the best things to do in North Carolina. The city is recognized for its massive Christmas celebration. The town's Main Street brims with millions of colorful lights and Christmas decorations.

Some of the city's events to catch are the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony and Christmas Parades. There are also visits and photographs with Santa, horse-drawn carriages, and some of the most interesting Christmas movies.

Boone is the county seat of Watauga County and is known for its Appalachian State University. It is a bustling town that gets even more interesting during the Christmas Season.

The town is a popular destination for outdoor lovers, boasting incredible hiking trails and some of North Carolina's most impressive waterfalls.

It also has a fantastic dining scene, with its restaurants and bars serving delicious meals and drinks. The town hosts several Christmas events, and it's a Christmas town worth visiting.

Some of its vibrant events to catch are Christmas Fest, Christmas Concerts, Solar Tree Lighting, and more.

1 Charlotte

Charlotte is extremely impressive during Christmas, offering vacationers a perfect holiday wonderland with lots of things to see and do.

The town’s streets are filled with colorful Christmas markets, selling different kinds of items, including specialty food, such as bratwurst, roasted buts, sauerkraut, strudel, and more.

Travelers will also find several Christmas ornaments, toys, arts & crafts, holiday-themed décor, and live German music performances, along the streets.

There are lots of family-friendly movies to watch and visits and photos with Santa.

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11 Unique Christmas Towns Near Asheville

Win a two-night stay at omni grove park inn.

Forest City NC Christmas

Get in the holiday spirit by visiting one of these "Norman Rockwell" small towns near Asheville in the North Carolina mountains! Visit these top towns for a festive small-town Christmas experience with lights, hot cocoa, shops, and more. (Feature image: Forest City)

best christmas towns to visit in nc

Forest City, Hometown Holidays

best christmas towns to visit in nc

Dillsboro, Festival of Lights & Luminaries

best christmas towns to visit in nc

Bryson City, Hometown to Polar Express

Forest City Lights

1.  Forest City : Our top pick for Christmas town decks out Main Street with a million lights! The lighting ceremony is on Thanksgiving night (just like those Hallmark movies!). Ride horse-drawn carriages down the street on Friday and Saturday nights. Come for lunch and step back in time with hand-patted hamburgers, cherry Cokes, and milkshakes at the old-fashioned soda fountain at Smith's Drugs. Plus, see an impressive classic car collection.  Read more about their Hometown Holidays.

Smoky Mountain Christmas Spectacular Bryson City

2.  Bryson City :  From the depot, hop aboard the  Polar Express  train for the "North Pole" on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Before your trip, browse galleries and shops and find various restaurants and two breweries. The town is decked out with garland and holiday lights, with a 50 ft Christmas tree in the town square. Also, find nearby ice skating, freshly cut Christmas trees, and more. At the Visitor Center (255 Main St.) kids can enjoy cookies and hot cocoa while they write letters to Santa. Don't miss the Chocolate Shoppe!  Go to their website  for holiday happenings.

Dillsboro NC Christmas Town

3 .  Dillsboro:  This tiny artist village near Sylva is big on art! Browse many studios and galleries, including the Dogwood Crafters Artisans Cooperative Gallery with 80 artists. Don't miss their Festival of Lights and Luminaries during the first two weekends of December.  Read more.

Beech Mountain NC

4.  Beech Mountain  and  Banner Elk :  These two villages high in the mountains are just a few miles apart. The best chance of a white Christmas is Beech Mountain, the snowiest town in North Carolina. It's the highest town in eastern America. If Mother Nature doesn't cooperate with providing snow, the ski resort is a sure bet for a host of winter activities, including tubing and ice skating.  Read more.  Nearby is  Top Ski Town Banner Elk  with  Christmas tree farms  to choose from and cut your perfect tree.   See Banner Elk's Choose & Cut Christmas Tree Package. 

Sylva NC Jackson County Courthouse Christmas

5.   Sylva : The most photographed courthouse in North Carolina sits atop a hill of Christmas Trees overlooking Main Street, filled with many places to explore, shop, and dine. Sample seasonal beers at Innovation Brewing. Their "Christmas in Sylva" weekend usually features tree lighting, a downtown concert, a Winter Market, luminaries, and a Christmas Parade.  Check back for updates!  Read more about Sylva.

Saluda, NC Christmas

6.  Saluda :  This adorable, tiny town (population 700) is big on great shopping with 100-year-old general stores and galleries like Heartwood that have been there for 30+ years. Find some fantastic restaurants, too. The extra festive Hometown Christmas is mid-December.  Read more.

Downtown Waynesville NC Christmas

7.  Waynesville : Lighted balls line picturesque Main Street, which is filled with great local shops and restaurants. The first weekend of December usually brings Holly Days, kicking off with Art After Dark on Friday evening at the many galleries and ending with the parade on Monday night. The second Saturday night of December is A Night Before Christmas, an old-fashioned celebration with caroling, wagon rides, Bethlehem marketplace, and luminaries. Check back for updates!  Read more .

Rutherfordton NC Christmas Tree

8.  Rutherfordton :  See North Carolina's largest living Christmas tree by the historic Courthouse, towering 75 feet and dwarfing the buildings along Main Street. Their Historic Small Town Christmas Celebration (first Saturday in December) includes sidewalk vendors, a parade at 5 PM, tree lighting, music, and more. During the day, visit nearby wineries in the  Tryon Foothills Wine Country . Our top Christmas town,  Forest City , is just six miles away so that you can see both!  Read about more things to do .

Brevard NC Christmas

9.  Brevard :  With the stately courthouse on the town square with the towering Christmas Tree, this town is home to many great local stores, including the longtime favorite O.P. Taylor toy store. Down the street is the quirky  Aluminum Christmas Tree Museum .

Biltmore Village Christmas

10.  Biltmore Village :  While this is not a separate town since it's in the city of Asheville, this village was built by George Vanderbilt at the entrance to his Biltmore Estate. Many visitors to  Christmas at Biltmore  miss the charming streets filled with historic buildings and houses filled with shops, galleries, restaurants, and breweries.  Read more.

Downtown Morganton

11.  Morganton : Enjoy the lights around the courthouse. Browse many local shops or the "Christmas Charm" Market (November 26-28), and try some local brews at the lively Catawba Brewing, Side Tracked Brewing, or Fonta Flora. Don't miss the Memorial Tree Lighting at Courthouse Square, Christmas parade, or carriage rides.  Read more.

See our full Top NC Mountain Small Towns list for more great places. Also, see our  Top Holiday Things To Do  and  Top Holiday Events  in and near Asheville.

  • Holiday & Christmas Season Things to Do
  • Top Holiday Events: Asheville & WNC (November & December)
  • Vacation Packages & Specials, WNC, Asheville & Biltmore
  • 40 of the Best North Carolina Mountain Towns Near Asheville
  • Top 2024 To-Do List: Blue Ridge Weekend Getaways

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best christmas towns to visit in nc

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11 Adorable North Carolina Towns That Feel Like A Hallmark Christmas Movie

best christmas towns to visit in nc

  • Activities and Interests
  • Christmas Markets
  • Destinations
  • Hallmark Christmas Movies
  • Holiday Travel
  • North Carolina
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Not much snow falls in North Carolina . Almost every town has a chance of seeing a white Christmas, but the possibility becomes more remote the closer you get to the coast. The good news is you can find Hallmark-style Christmas towns everywhere in the state, with real snow, manufactured snow, or no snow. The heart, spirit, and warmth of the season burn bright in North Carolina’s communities and welcome all who want to join in the celebration. 

The following is a small sample of North Carolina towns that promise to make visitors feel as if they’ve been transported into the center of a Hallmark Christmas movie .

Wilkesboro Christmas in the Commons

1. Wilkesboro

The good people of Wilkesboro may live in a small town, but they know how to think big, especially when it comes to making their beloved town Hallmark-Christmas-movie-worthy throughout the holidays. 

The Christmas vibe ramps up after Thanksgiving with Small Town Business Saturday in downtown Wilkesboro, encouraging residents and visitors to support the local economy while getting in some early shopping for those special gifts.

The first Saturday in December is a busy one, beginning in the morning with the annual Christmas Open House at Wilkes Heritage Museum, featuring children’s activities, live music, and of course, cookies. The lively Wilkes County Christmas Parade ushers in an evening of family fun and entertainment. Then celebrate at Christmas in the Commons in Historic Downtown Wilkesboro, featuring a tree-lighting ceremony, food trucks, everyone’s favorite holiday tunes, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a winter wonderland of snowflakes and icicles to enhance that Hallmark movie feeling. Horse-drawn carriage rides will add a delightful perspective, but space is limited and reservations are required. 

The frosting on the Christmas cookie? There is no charge for all this holiday joy.

Pro Tip: The neighboring town of North Wilkesboro also offers an annual holiday lighting ceremony and Christmas festival, live music and dance, food vendors, children’s activities, and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Montero's hot cocoa

2. Elizabeth City

Known as the Harbor of Hospitality, Elizabeth City is a delightful coastal town worth visiting any time of year. But during the holidays, it transforms itself into the quintessential Hallmark Christmas town.

Elizabeth City’s annual Hot Cocoa Crawl has every chocoholic counting the days. From late November through January 2, local businesses showcase their most flavorful hot cocoa creations. Cocoa with plenty of whipped cream woo the youngsters, while cocoa-based cocktails such as Dirty Snowman keep the adults soothed and satisfied.

The Hot Cocoa Crawl may be a relatively new Christmas kid on the block, but partaking can easily be partnered with the town’s annual holiday festivities. Every year, Elizabeth City presents homey holiday musical and theatrical productions. The annual Main Street Lighting Ceremony, the evening after Thanksgiving, is an old-fashioned small-town celebration. And the Lighted Boat Parade, accompanied by caroling, circles the harbor.

South Center Street

3. Goldsboro

It seems the friendly, jovial residents of Goldsboro can’t wait to get in the holiday spirit, which makes this coastal plain town an ideal candidate for Hallmark Christmas movie status. The lighting up of the downtown area takes place before Thanksgiving, and festivities ramp up before the turkey leftovers cool down.

The switch-flipping that lights up the town is a family-friendly event free to the public. It features visits from Santa, real snow, hot cocoa, horse-drawn trolley rides, and live entertainment. An ice/snow slide adds to the already festive scene.

The downtown Holiday Drive-In series presents free, family-friendly holiday movies on an enormous 40-foot screen. Bring those Thanksgiving leftovers, or grab some tantalizing takeout from one of the downtown restaurants.

Of course, there is an annual Christmas Parade in early December. This holiday tradition sees a new record number of parade entries each year.

4. Hendersonville

Tucked into its own serene space in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville is large enough to put on a big-time holiday celebration, yet small enough to easily star in a Hallmark Christmas movie.

At dusk on the evening following Thanksgiving, the Hendersonville holiday season officially begins at the historic downtown courthouse. Santa himself flips the switch at the annual tree lighting ceremony, setting the tone for an evening of Christmas music, shopping, hot drinks and yummy treats, The evening continues with carriage rides and visits with Santa.

Throughout Henderson County, homes and businesses compete for the honor of having the best holiday decorations. Everyone is invited to drive around and/or walk and admire all the festive displays, then vote online for their favorites.

Of course, there will be a colorful parade to celebrate the season in style. Local markets will have trees, wreaths, ornaments, and homemade goodies to warm you inside and out. And Peppermint Bear will challenge you to help find her lost cubs, hiding in over 25 downtown businesses, for prizes.

The Christmas tree in Statesville, North Carolina

5. Statesville

The holidays are magical in Statesville , where the downtown area lights up with the warmth and joy of the season, just like the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie. In early December, the town bursts into a glittering ball of colorful lights, seasonal sounds, and joyfully frantic activities.

The annual downtown Christmas tree lighting and the first of many horse-drawn carriage rides kick off the holiday festivities. On the following evening, Statesville residents and visitors come out to make merry at the Holiday Shop & Stroll Spectacular, featuring trolley and train rides through downtown, merchant open houses, and a live nativity scene.

The evening becomes even more magical when City Hall transforms into Santa Central for the little ones — with refreshments, arts and crafts, and a visit from Santa. The kids can send their special letters express to the North Pole — no stamp necessary — in Santa’s magic mailbox, and they’ll even get a personal reply.

Horse and carriage rides from outside the former Cleveland County Court House

Located in Cleveland County in North Carolina’s Piedmont , the town of Shelby is home to the kind of Christmas cheer that warms you from within. A strong sense of community and genuine Southern hospitality makes Shelby a perfect Hallmark Christmas town.

Be among the first to see local businesses unveil their festive finery and new Christmas merchandise during the Open House Crawl. Also, the Arts Council’s Handmade for the Holidays includes a gift gallery.

The evening following Thanksgiving is when Shelby presents seasonal live music and the annual tree lighting on Court Square. This is also the first evening when a series of horse-drawn carriage rides begins. The following day is Small Business Saturday, and the day the youngsters can start filling Santa’s Mailbox with requests outside the Antique Market.

The first week in December sees the Foothills Farmers Market expand with extra craft vendors. And the week before the big day, Shelby holds its colorful Christmas parade.

Meadow Lights

Secret Treasure $302/nightly avg

best christmas towns to visit in nc

Sharpe Tiny House $92/nightly avg

best christmas towns to visit in nc

The charming town of Benson , located in Johnston County, has a happy, Hallmark-like vibe that begins on Main Street and radiates outward.

The Southern Vintage Christmas Market in late November kicks off the festivities, offering locally produced items to give folks a head start on their holiday shopping. If that doesn’t get the Christmas juices flowing, Christmas on Main — a festive parade featuring special shopping opportunities and a tree lighting event — surely will. 

A few miles outside Benson, Meadow Lights , the largest and oldest Christmas light show in eastern North Carolina, spreads Christmas cheer over 30 acres. More than 8,000 lights illuminate the family owned and operated property, which offers a train ride, a carousel, and photo ops with Santa.

Pro Tip: The Old Country Store, one of the largest of its kind in the state, carries over 300 varieties of Christmas candy and old-fashioned treats.

Former Sylva Courthouse

The most photographed former courthouse in North Carolina, now Jackson County Public Library, perches atop a hill overlooking Sylva’s Main Street. And in early December, it’s joined by a twinkling Christmas tree that signifies the start of the holiday season. The official tree lighting and holiday concert take place at the library steps, and echoes of a Hallmark Christmas movie begin to solidify in this delightful mountain town.

Flickering luminaries, a jolly Christmas parade , and colorful decorations bolster spirits as townsfolk go about their holiday shopping. A mailbox is available for children’s letters to Santa, and of course, Santa photo ops help the kids reinforce their Christmas wishes in person. 

Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries

9. Dillsboro

If good things do indeed come in small packages, the tiny mountain town of Dillsboro , population fewer than 300, is the perfect example. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in heart and hospitality. What better setting for a Hallmark Christmas movie than this adorable artisan town?

The annual Dillsboro Festival of Lights & Luminaries makes the town sparkle every year for the first two weekends in December. More than 2,500 candles in white bags line the streets and envelop the town in a warm glow. The tradition is adapted from a Scandinavian custom of lighting the way for the Christ child.

Cheerfully decorated shops and restaurants stay open late so townsfolk can make the most of the chilly December evenings. The galleries are stocked with handmade crafts, pottery, and other inspired creations that make wonderfully unique gifts. Santa and Mrs. Claus ride through town in a pickup truck, and live music on Front Street provides a joyful holiday soundtrack.

Pro Tip: Dillsboro lies a mere 2 miles from Sylva, so enjoy both towns in one visit.

Brevard ballet performance during Christmas

10. Brevard

Each year, the delightful mountain town of Brevard in Transylvania County goes all out to create a holiday celebration worthy of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Holiday warmth and cheer flow from every house and business, onto the streets, and through the town. That joyful Christmas feeling is not only possible, it’s mandatory.

A tall, brightly lit tree stands stately in Brevard’s historic town square. Downtown Brevard is stunningly decked out in holiday lights and decorations. The charming local shops and galleries are ideal for finding unique gifts.

Black Friday heralds the official start of the holiday shopping season with the Window Display Competition & Walking Tour. Businesses creatively decorate their storefronts to participate in the competition. Meandering through the vibrant displays adds enjoyment to the laid-back small-town shopping experience.

Pro Tip: Be sure to poke your head into the wonderfully quirky Aluminum Christmas Tree Museum .

Christmas in Bryson City

11. Bryson City

The quaint mountain town of Bryson City is located on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountain National Park , and, during the holidays, it’s every Hallmark lover’s dream come true.

Imagine a 50-foot, brilliantly lit, and lavishly decorated tree in the town square. Then picture Main Street transformed into a winter wonderland with brightly lit storefronts, wreaths adorning every window, and snowflakes hanging from street poles. But the most spectacular Bryson City Christmas experience is the Polar Express on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

Every November and December, upward of 90,000 joyful passengers board the Polar Express at the Bryson City Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot, bound for the North Pole. The round trip takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. When the train arrives, Santa comes aboard with a special gift of a silver sleigh bell for every child, and then it’s back to the Bryson City Depot.

Pro Tip: Be sure to visit the local toymaker, Tim the Storyteller, and listen to him spin Christmas tales by the tree in his workshop.

For more Hallmark Christmas-like towns like these, check out:

  • 11 Tennessee Towns That Will Make You Feel Like You’re In A Hallmark Movie
  • 11 Pennsylvania Towns That Feel Like You’re In A Hallmark Christmas Movie
  • The 21 Best Gifts For Hallmark Christmas Movie Lovers

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Penny Zibula has been a freelance writer and blogger since she retired in 2013. Her background is in public relations and community outreach, with stints as a newspaper reporter, television talk show host, and producer. She applies her life-long love of learning and passion for travel to her writing about destinations, history, culture, food, and accessibility.

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McAdenville, North Carolina, Is One Of The Most Magical Christmas Towns To Visit

There’s no place like it during the holiday season.

Khara Scheppmann has 12 years of marketing and advertising experience, including proofreading and fact-checking. She previously worked at one of the largest advertising agencies in the southwest.

best christmas towns to visit in nc

Christmas Town U.S.A.

Christmas tree lighting ceremony, christmas light display, yule log parade, mcadenville residents.

Many places worldwide claim to have the best Christmas celebrations , but no holiday location is quite like McAdenville, North Carolina. Brought to the public's attention in 1980, the Charles Kuralt Morning Show featured McAdenville and continues to be a popular place for visitors. Here are some unique events that help make this small town near Charlotte, North Carolina , an ideal place to visit (and live) during the holiday season .

During the year, McAdenville, a small town home to around 1,000 full-time residents, and its streets are as charming as any place you can imagine. This town becomes a beacon for those looking for a head-to-toe holiday spirit . The town, dubbed " Christmas Town U.S.A. ," puts on a light show that draws in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The celebrations start with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Main Street. Each December, a child turns on the Town's Christmas tree display, officially marking the beginning of this joyous season.

Every night from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m., Christmas lights illuminate downtown McAdenville creating a picturesque winter wonderland for residents and visitors to admire. The Christmas light exhibit usually runs from the first to December 26, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the winter wonderland scenery. The historic area, adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights, is visible to those looking to walk around the Main Street shops or drive by and enjoy in their car.

One of the earliest Christmas traditions that continue today in McAdenville is the Yule Log Parade, which began in 1949. Townspeople gather to parade down Main Street through the historic district to the Memorial Yule Log Fireplace at Legacy Park. The celebration commences by placing this Yule Log on the fire. The parade features a high school marching band and carolers in the evening.

McAdenville residents appreciate people's enthusiasm for their hometown and continue to spread joy by decorating their own homes as a free attraction. The entire area is like an authentic Christmas village.

Town of McAdenville. Christmas Town U.S.A. history .

Data Commons. McAdenville, NC .

Town of McAdenville. Yule Log Parade .

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Visit McAdenville, The One Christmas Town In North Carolina That's Simply A Must Visit This Season

best christmas towns to visit in nc

Robin Jarvis

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Light up the holidays this year with a cruise into (and through) McAdenville, a tiny town of about 650 people located just 18 miles from downtown Charlotte. Each year during the month of December, McAdenville transforms into Christmas Town U.S.A. and the efforts to express holiday cheer here are above and beyond what you’ll find in most towns in the Tar Heel State. It’s one of the most festive Christmas towns in North Carolina that’s worth a visit.

best christmas towns to visit in nc

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best christmas towns to visit in nc

Have you ever visited McAdenville, NC during the holiday season? What other Christmas towns in North Carolina do you enjoy visiting? Let us know!

The annual tree lighting ceremony for Christmas Town U.S.A. is Dec. 1, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at Dynamo 31 located at 102 Main Street in McAdenville. After that, the lights will turn on nightly at 5:30 p.m. and turn off at 10 p.m. through Dec. 26, 2023. The Annual Yule Log Parade will be held on Dec. 14, 2023, at 100 Main Street. The event’s singing will begin at 5:30 p.m. There are no entry fees to visit McAdenville to see the lights and you can drive or walk through as many times as you like. For more information, visit the Town of McAdenville website and you can also follow the Christmas Town U.S.A. Facebook page.

Looking for gifts for your loved ones this holiday season? Check the OnlyInYourState Gift Guide for ideas!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Christmas towns in north carolina.

What are some other Christmas towns in North Carolina worth visiting? 

Aside from McAdvenville, aka Christmas Town USA, here are a few other Christmas towns in North Carolina that are worth visiting:

  • Asheville, North Carolina: There’s something so magical about visiting The Biltmore this time of year. 
  • Beaufort, North Carolina has an annual parade not to mention all the incredible holiday lights around town.
  • Concord, North Carolina is home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway which hosts its annual drive-thru lights display.
  • Edenton, North Carolina hosts a Christmas Candlelight Tour through its historic district. It’s a great way to experience an old-fashioned Christmas!

Check out these Christmas towns in North Carolina .

What are some Christmas traditions celebrated in North Carolina?

Among the Christmas traditions celebrated in North Carolina include:

  • Attending a Holiday Flotilla which is held annually in Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington, NC. You’ll get to enjoy a parade of boats all decked out for the holidays.
  • Attend the National Gingerbread House Competition in Omni Park.
  • Watch Santa scale Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.

Check out more holiday traditions celebrated in North Carolina .

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Creative Travel Guide

9 Best Places to Visit in North Carolina for Christmas

By Author Katie

Posted on Last updated: December 8, 2023

9 Best Places to Visit in North Carolina for Christmas

These best places to visit in North Carolina for Christmas will get you in the festive spirit whilst you explore the picturesque state.

If you’re looking for a winter wonderland adorned with twinkling lights, charming festivities, and a warm sense of community this holiday season, look no further than North Carolina. This is a fun state that needs to be on your USA Bucketlist .

While some may retreat indoors to hibernate during the colder months, others seek out enchanting destinations to immerse themselves in the festive spirit. 

North Carolina, with its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and vibrant local traditions, provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable holiday getaway. So pack your bags and get ready to discover why North Carolina should be at the top of your travel list this holiday season.

Best Places to Visit in North Carolina for Christmas

Wilmington Market in North Carolina

A Coastal Christmas in Wilmington

Wilmington, nestled along the Cape Fear River and boasting a charming historic district, offers a unique coastal Christmas experience like no other.

The city comes alive during the holiday season with dazzling events and attractions guaranteed to ignite your holiday spirit. 

If you’re looking for the perfect accommodation during your visit, make sure you explore Wilmington vacation rentals , as they offer a charming and convenient way to experience the rich history and vibrant atmosphere of this coastal city, known for its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and lively waterfront.

Wilmington historic center

Historic Riverfront Stroll

Your Wilmington adventure starts with finding the ideal vacation rental as your home base. Once settled, embark on a captivating journey along the historic riverfront.

This stroll isn’t just a walk; it’s a step back in time. The streets are lined with buildings that have stood the test of time, some dating back several centuries, each with its own story to tell.

As you wander these cobblestone paths, you’ll feel like the main character in a classic tale, surrounded by the charm of the past.

The Cape Fear River adds a magical touch to this historic walk.

During the holiday season, it transforms into a picturesque scene with its waters reflecting the twinkling lights strung along the riverfront. This view is nothing short of mesmerizing, especially as the evening sky deepens.

As you continue your stroll, take a moment to admire the storefronts. Each one is decked out in festive decorations, showcasing a delightful array of holiday spirit.

These local businesses, with their unique and cheerful displays, contribute to the warm and inviting atmosphere of Wilmington’s riverfront.

This historic riverfront stroll is more than just a scenic walk; it’s an experience that weaves together the beauty of nature, the richness of history, and the joy of the holiday season.

It’s a peaceful yet vibrant journey that offers a perfect start to your Wilmington holiday, filling you with awe and leaving you with lasting memories of this charming coastal town.

Airlie Gardens in North Carolina

Enchanting Airlie Gardens

Airlie Garden s transforms into a magical wonderland during December with their beloved Enchanted Airlie event. Walk hand-in-hand with loved ones through illuminated gardens adorned with whimsical displays, captivating music, and shimmering lights.

Marvel at towering oaks wrapped in twinkling strands while sipping on hot cocoa or cider under starry skies.

Festive Holiday Markets

You can immerse yourself in Wilmington’s local culture by exploring its festive holiday markets. From the Riverfront Farmers Market to the Tidal Creek Co-op Holiday Bazaar, these markets offer a plethora of unique gifts, local crafts, and delectable treats.

Support local artisans while finding that special something for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

The Majestic Mountains: Asheville’s Winter Wonders

If you prefer a mountainous retreat for your holiday adventure, look no further than Asheville. Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this picturesque city offers breathtaking winter landscapes and an array of seasonal activities.

Asheville in North Carolina

Biltmore Estate Spectacular

No visit to Asheville during the holidays is complete without experiencing the grandeur of the Biltmore Estate , which is visited by nearly 1.4 million people every year. This iconic mansion transforms into a winter wonderland, adorned with elaborate decorations and sparkling lights.

Explore its opulent rooms filled with festive cheer or take a stroll through its beautifully manicured gardens.

The estate also hosts candlelight tours accompanied by live music, immersing visitors in an enchanting atmosphere.

Winter Hiking in North Carolina

Winter Hiking and Outdoor Adventures

For those seeking outdoor adventures amid nature’s snowy embrace, Asheville has plenty to offer. Strap your boots and embark on scenic hikes along trails boasting panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and frozen waterfalls.

No matter if you’re a seasoned hiker or just beginning, there are trails suitable for everyone.

Breweries in North Carolina

Festive Breweries and Culinary Delights

After a day spent exploring Asheville’s winter wonders, treat yourself to some locally crafted brews and culinary delights.

The city is renowned for its vibrant craft beer scene, with numerous breweries offering seasonal specialties sure to warm your spirits. Pair your pint with delectable farm-to-table cuisine sourced from local ingredients—a true gastronomic delight.

Christmas in Blowing Rock  

If you yearn for a classic small-town holiday experience straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, head to Blowing Rock. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains , this charming village captivates visitors with its timeless allure and festive traditions.

Christmas as Chetola Resort

Winter Wonderland at Chetola Resort

If you’re dreaming of a holiday scene straight from a storybook, Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock is the place to be. Picture yourself walking around a serene lake, with twinkling lights and festive trees all around. It’s not just pretty lights; this is a full-on festival of lights where the trees dance to classic holiday music.

And don’t forget about the cozy fire pits. Imagine yourself roasting marshmallows, making s’mores, and enjoying the crisp air of the mountains. This is the kind of holiday magic that makes memories.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Downtown Delights in Blowing Rock 

Walking into downtown Blowing Rock is like stepping into a holiday card. The local shops, boutiques, and art galleries are not just stores; they’re an experience.

You’ll find unique gifts and beautiful artwork that are perfect for remembering your holiday trip. 

The streets, decked out in holiday cheer, add to the town’s warm and welcoming feel. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the spirit of the season and find that special something for your loved ones.

Winter Sports Extravaganza 

Blowing Rock isn’t just about cozy holiday vibes; it’s also a paradise for winter sports lovers.

At Appalachian Ski Mountain, you can experience the thrill of skiing or snowboarding on beautiful snowy slopes. It’s perfect for those seeking an adrenaline boost. 

But if you’re in the mood for something more relaxed, the town offers lovely ice skating. Imagine gliding on ice with the breathtaking backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Whether you’re an adventure-seeker or just looking to enjoy the winter scenery, Blowing Rock has something for everyone.

North Carolina is a holiday wonderland, with each corner of the state sparkling with its own unique charm. From Wilmington’s inviting coastal vibe to Asheville’s grandeur amid the mountains and Blowing Rock’s enchanting small-town traditions, there’s a festive adventure waiting for everyone.

In Wilmington, the ocean adds a special touch to the holiday spirit, with twinkling lights reflecting on the water and a cool, salty breeze.

Asheville, nestled in the majestic mountains, offers a stunning backdrop for holiday festivities, filled with local culture and mountain crafts.

Blowing Rock is another North Carolina gem, offering a plunge into classic holiday customs that feel straight out of a festive fairytale. In North Carolina, your vacation becomes more than just sightseeing; it’s an adventure filled with the spirit of the holidays. 

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christmas lights in the biltmore in North Carolina

15 Best Places To See Christmas Lights in North Carolina

August 30, 2022 //  by  Southern Trippers

Christmas lights in North Carolina are quite the treat. From Fayetteville and Greensboro to Wilmington and Asheville, you can find stunning light displays in every corner of the Tar Heel State. Christmas in North Carolina is a major bucket list item, so be sure to add it to your list of things to do in North Carolina! You can walk through, drive through, or watch Christmas lights and displays from afar in NC. No matter how you choose to enjoy the stunning light displays this year, there are opportunities around every corner. These displays in North Carolina will have you feeling like you are in a Hallmark Christmas movie! Which will you visit first?

rows of trees with benches around them, christmas lights around the trees

15 Best Places To See Christmas lights in North Carolina

The christmas family lights.

If you’re looking for Christmas lights near Winston-Salem, The Christmas Family Lights is a great choice as they are some of the best Christmas lights in North Carolina. Winston-Salem is among the best romantic getaways in North Carolina , and visiting during Christmas time is magnificent. Every year in Winston-Salem, you will find light displays put on by corporations, churches, and individuals. One of the family-run light displays is the Christmas Family Lights. This display is a street of homes that come together to put on a great show for visitors. Located in Forsyth County on Shiloh Church Road, driving through this display is one for the books! With large trees, traditional displays, wooden cutouts of your favorites Christmas characters, lined paths, and festive music provided by local radio stations, the Christmas Family Lights shouldn’t be missed! This display is particularly perfect for anyone with young kids or someone who isn’t walking around in the cold to enjoy the lights.

house with lights on it as well as other holiday decorations

Greenville Christmas Parade

A quality way to see Christmas lights in Greenville is at the Greenville Christmas Parade. When thinking about Christmas lights in North Carolina, you may be thinking about large tree lightings and expansive drive-through light shows; but there’s more than that. You can find treasured light displays in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In Greenville, you can visit the annual Christmas parade to see beautiful and colorful lights. Lights are strung on roofs’ edges, the tops of fences, and around lamp posts. You can sit along the sidewalk and watch festively decorated floats and vehicles go by, many of which are also adorned with lights. The parade is a jolly way to experience the lights in NC!

JIRDC Lights

If you are looking for Christmas lights in Morganton, the JIRDC Lights display is where you want to be. JIRDC Lights is put on by the J. Iverson Riddle Development Center for the people of Burke County and anyone who wants to visit! The light display is on daily during the Christmas season for you to drive by and enjoy. There is also a Christmas parade that you should check out as well! Christmas in North Carolina is such a merry occasion. When you’re hunting for Christmas lights in North Carolina, be sure not to overlook smaller towns and events, as those can be some of the most incredible experiences for visitors! While large displays and events draw the largest crowds, events like the JIRDC Lights are creating a cozy and welcoming experience all the same.

Christmas at The Biltmore

The Biltmore Estate is one of the best things to do in Asheville , North Carolina. Of all the Christmas lights in Asheville, you won’t want to skip Christmas at the Biltmore. When visiting the Biltmore, be sure to check out everything the site has to offer. From touring America’s largest home and exploring the Antler Hill Village to the Christmas displays and Candlelight Christmas evenings, Christmas at the Biltmore is magical. What makes Christmas at The Biltmore the best place to see Christmas lights in North Carolina is the extravagance of the displays. Ribbons, garlands, and thousands of twinkly lights adorn every nook and cranny at the Biltmore. The halls, rooms, doors, edges, fences, and trees are all decorated for the season. This is something you won’t want to miss! Staying at one of the stunning cabins in Asheville during your visit will make your trip all the more memorable. If you are looking for a way to get the most out of your trip to Asheville, staying in a dreamy mountain cabin overlooking the town’s light displays is a dreamy way to make your visit all the more memorable.

room carefully and thoughtfully decorated with elegant christmas lights and decorations, biltmore estate, one of the best places to see christmas lights in north carolina

Holiday Light Spectacular

Christmas lights in Mooresville are out of this world! The Holiday Light Spectacular is among the best Christmas lights in North Carolina! Located on the lawn of Town Hall on N. Main Street, Mooresville, the Holiday Light Spectacular is a carefully orchestrated light show with nearly 175,000 lights that dance along to holiday music. The show is free to watch and comes on every evening for four hours. This is an ideal location to let young children run around, take pictures, and play amongst the lights. If you’re looking for a good place for an Insta-photo opportunity, the Holiday Light Spectacular is wonderful for that as well!

Lights at The American Tobacco Campus

Durham Christmas lights can be seen at the American Tobacco Campus. When it comes to Christmas light displays in North Carolina, this may be one of the most unique. The iconic water tower on the campus is lit up for the Christmas season with great celebration. You can dine at one of the restaurants nearby, listen to live music, watch a dance performance, and more while you wait for the lights. When the tower is lit up, the celebration is just getting started. You can grab drinks, visit with Frosty, Rudolph, or Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and more while you enjoy the American Tobacco Water Tower Light Display. Amazing Christmas lights in North Carolina are not bound to only large drive-through spectaculars, you can find surprising displays everywhere in NC.

Fieldstream Farm Christmas Light Festival

The Fieldstream Farm Christmas Light Festival is the place to be to see Christmas lights in Raleigh. When it comes to NC Christmas light displays, the Fieldstream Farm Christmas Light Festival is one of the very best! What makes it one of the best displays of Christmas lights in North Carolina is that it is a large drive-through lights festival with a diverse array of displays. If you are interested in visiting a Christmas tree farm while you are in the area, the Grace Tree Farm is just a half hour away from Charlotte in Denver and is one of the best Christmas tree farms in North Carolina . There are also other areas in Raleigh with amazing light displays that you can visit while you are in town for the Fieldstream Farm Christmas Lights Festival.

Make sure to check out our list of the best restaurants in Raleigh for more inspiration!

a tunnel of rainbow christmas lights

Festival of Lights at Sweet Valley Ranch

The Festival of Lights at Sweet Valley Ranch is among the best Christmas lights in Fayetteville. Sweet Valley Ranch is proudly the location where nature meets adventure. Fun can be found at Sweet Valley all year round. If you find yourself in east-central NC, you can check out some of the best Christmas lights in North Carolina in Fayetteville. The Festival of Lights is not only a lights display, they also have fun exhibits, tours, and more. You can take a farm wagon around the animal enclosures and see more than one million lights from different angles. With more than 350 animals at Sweet Valley, seeing these beautiful creatures really adds to the fun you will have at the Festival of Lights. While you are there, you can enjoy special exhibits like Dinosaur World, Stars Wares, Gingerbread House, The Grinch’s Mansions, and more!

While you are in town, make sure to check out some of the best restaurants in Fayetteville!

Woodberry Lights

North Carolina road trips are an amazing experience, and if you plan on road tripping in the winter, the coastline is a great place for it. Wilmington is one of the best beach towns in North Carolina , and visiting during Christmas time is a real treat. Some of the best Christmas lights in Wilmington can be found at Woodberry Lights. This display is another example of how Christmas lights in North Carolina can pack a big punch. Woodberry Lights is a long-running family lights display in Wilmington that has been operating since 2010. Located on Kirby Smith Drive, this display has archways, more than 30,000 lights, more than 25 inflatables, and a radio station that the lights are synched with. Don’t skip driving by the Woodberry Lights if you find yourself on the NC coast this year!

Don’t forget to check out the best restaurants in Wilmington while you are nearby!

Light the Knights and Christmas Village

The Light the Knights and Christmas Village are the best place for Christmas lights in Charlotte. Light the Knights is the lighting of Truist Field and takes place along with Charlotte Christmas Village. You can find a regulation-size ice skating rink and a snow tubing slope on the field! There is also live entertainment, concessions, vendors, Santa visits, and of course, Christmas lights! Christmas lights in North Carolina know how to bring the holiday fun, and Charlotte is no exception. In the Charlotte Christmas Village, you will find all sorts of holiday fun for visitors of all ages. The village is designed to look like a European market, and as such, you can find many European gifts and foods. You can indulge in some kinderwein and pretzels while you walk around the shops, performers, and lights.

lights hanging from roof and around windows of building

Winter Wonderlights

Winter Wonderlights is held at the Greensboro Science Center in Greensboro, NC. Greensboro is an interesting town to visit in the Tar Heel State as it is home to marvelous museums, parks, and a beautiful arboretum. Some of the best Christmas lights in Greensboro can be found at Winter Wonderlights, so be sure you don’t miss this spectacular lights display this year! What puts Winter Wonderlights among the best Christmas lights in North Carolina is that many of the display aspects are interactive. Family travelers will love Wonderlights! You can jump across stones that are lit up with Christmas lights, run through tunnels, walk along light-lined paths, watch dancing lights, and marvel at unique light features that you aren’t likely to have seen anywhere before.

Make sure to check out our favorite Christmas Towns In North Carolina for more holiday cheer!

NC Arboretum Winter Lights

There are incredible arboretums and botanical gardens in North Carolina that make for great NC itinerary destinations. The NC Arboretum in Asheville is one of the best places to see Christmas lights in North Carolina. The display is designed in a well-thought-out and artistic way. The aesthetic is immaculate, and it is a true work of art.

This is truly one of the best Mountain Towns In North Carolina! This walk-through holiday display is intriguing and beautiful. As you walk through the sections of the display, you will be able to find traditional setups as well as new and unique designs. Walking the winding paths of the arboretum surrounded by stunning light displays is something you won’t want to miss.

The vibe is electric, and the NC arboretum does a fantastic job of creating an atmosphere that feels like a winter wonderland.

tunnel of lights surrounded by other decorations

Speedway Lights in Charlotte

The Speedway Lights in Charlotte is one of the best drive-through Christmas lights in North Carolina. Located at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, this drive-through light show is massive. There are more than four million lights decorating the 3.75 miles course. For nearly two months in the winter, the speedway welcomes visitors to experience an incredible display of Christmas spirit. All of the efforts put in to make the Speedway Lights one of the best Christmas lights in North Carolina did not go to waste. Diligent hands work for more than 5,000 hours putting up the millions of lights that make the display. The lights are synched with fourteen different Christmas songs and create an even more spectacular show for guests. At the speedway, you will also find craft vendors, an indoor movie theatre, and sweet treats to chow down on. This show is arguably the most popular in the state as it has seen visitors from all fifty states and Canada. With the popularity of this display, you may want to book pre-sale tickets if you get the chance.

Christmas Town USA

If you are looking for festive vacation destinations for Christmas in the south , consider the Belmont area, as it is home to some of the best Christmas lights in NC. The Christmas lights in Belmont are renowned and draw in hundreds of tour buses and hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Wow, why so many? Well, they don’t call it Christmas Town USA for nothing! The displays here are at the top of the list of Christmas lights in North Carolina. Also called the Mcadenville Lights, the entire town decorates and lights the streets for the holiday season. The main street is covered, rows of houses away from the main drag are covered, there are lights in the woods, there are lights around the lake; you can truly find a stunning display of Christmas lights in every part of this beautiful little North Carolina town.

a nativity scene in christmas town usa, one of the best places to see christmas lights in north carolina

Whether you are driving through them, walking through them, or viewing them from afar, the Christmas lights in North Carolina are remarkable and are a big part of what makes the holiday season in The Tar Heel State so magical. Which of these Christmas lights in North Carolina will you see first?

inside of a victorian style house at one of the haunted hotels in savannah GA

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12 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Western North Carolina

Cathy Bennett Kopf

The writer was hosted.

Want to get as excited as Buddy the Elf about Christmas? A whirlwind December road trip through the mountain towns near Asheville put me in a holiday mood that just might last until the daffodils erupt in March. My smile, like the Grinch’s heart, grew as my traveling partners and I strolled through twinkling gardens, sampled seasonal brews and gawked at amazing gingerbread displays. The decades rolled back and I truly felt like my 5-year-old self waiting to meet Santa for the first time.

Western North Carolina’s been on my Christmas radar for a while. Two of the premier holiday events in America happen in Asheville – Christmas at Biltmore and the National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn. And the surrounding North Carolina towns lean into the holidays with gusto.

For five days, we logged hundreds of scenic North Carolina mountain miles and oohed and aahed at millions of lights.

We out-Christmased Clark Griswald and I learned that the holiday season in Western North Carolina is magical. Here’s what to expect at many of the region’s top Christmas events plus dining and lodging suggestions for a sleigh-worthy road trip.

Read More: Best Places to Visit in North Carolina

1. Have a Hallmark Moment at Biltmore

The 8,000-acre Biltmore estate located minutes from downtown Asheville has the feel of a grand European aristocratic manor with a stunning, 250-room French Renaissance chateau at its center. When my family toured it back in 2006, we gasped and gawked like country bumpkins who’d never seen indoor plumbing. The kids particularly loved the basement bowling alley and swimming pool.

Bedazzled for the holidays with thousands of ornaments, twinkle lights and lush wreaths, Biltmore is breathtaking. Daytime tours begin at 9:30 am, continuing until the Candlelight Christmas Evenings begin at 5:30 pm. The 1.5-hour audio guide tour winds through the home and provides rich details about the Vanderbilt family, architect Richard Morris Hunt and unique features of the home.

I wandered around, imagining what my life would be like after winning Powerball, as a talented high school choir performed in the Winter Garden, filling the house with music.

Starring Role

Although many productions have been filmed at Biltmore, it wasn’t until 2023 that the estate got its chance for top billing. The Hallmark Channel, with the encouragement and cooperation of the fourth and fifth generations currently running the estate, released A Biltmore Christmas . 

The usual rom-com plot (girl meets boy, girl loses boy and – spoiler alert – girl and boy live happily ever after) is elevated in this film thanks to a magic hourglass, gorgeous ’40s costumes, sassy banter and lush sets. Fun fact: the film’s star, Bethany Joy Lenz, starred in One Tree Hill,  a classic high school CW series set and filmed in the Tar Heel State that’s currently celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Also on the estate property is Antler Hill Village , a retail/entertainment complex with a winery, shops, dining and an Outdoor Adventure Center. Biltmore tour tickets include admission to Antler Hill, and, in 2023, tickets also include FREE next-day grounds access to the Estate.

Christmas at Biltmore Asheville, NC 2023 Dates: November 3, 2023 – January 7, 2024 The final Candlelight Christmas Evening is January 6, 2024

2. Check Out the Entries in the National Gingerbread House Competition

My greatest gingerbread house-building success was the year I glued together sheets of graham crackers with tubed frosting. Basically a “2” on a scale of 1-10. The entries I swooned over at the annual competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn inspired me to make a better effort next year.

Two hundred bakers entered this year’s event, competing in four age categories: adult, teen, youth and child. The displays must be at least 75 percent gingerbread and 100 percent edible. If the judges get suspicious, they sample the goods so cheaters need not apply. There is no fee charged and every entry is displayed and judged. It’s also free to view the displays.

If you’re really eager to hone your skills, a two-hour gingerbread house workshop will be held on December 11 at Montgomery Sky Farm in Leicester, NC, about 20 minutes from Asheville.

National Gingerbread House Competition Omni Grove Park Inn 290 Macon Avenue Asheville, NC 2023 Dates: November 27 – January 2, 2024

3. It’s Time for a Toast at Grovewood Village

My friends are crafters. They knit, crochet and felt. And I’m totally jealous of my buddy who can Cricut. After visiting Grovewood Village , I’m all about planning a return girlfriend trip because this is way better than an outing at Michael’s.

This historic site was once home to the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries. Operations ended in 1981 and the property was transformed into working artist studios in 1992. Visitors can learn about the rich history, tour an antique car museum and shop ’til you drop in the 9,000 square-foot retail space featuring the work of more than 350 artisans.

Vessels of Merriment is a special holiday event. Celebrating its 5th year in 2023, drinking vessels including goblets, flasks and tumblers are available for purchase from 15 potters just in time for a holiday toast.

Grovewood Village Vessels of Merriment 2023 Dates: November 11 – December 31

4. Head to Forest City for Hometown Holidays

A million lights are bright in Forest City, RomanticAsheville.com ‘s #1 Christmas town in the greater Asheville area. After a cozy dinner for two, snuggle up for a horse-drawn carriage ride, take a hand-in-hand twirl around the “ice” skating rink, then commemorate the moment with a photo in front of the largest lighted ornament in POP (Pavilion on Park Square).

Note: The carriage rides and skating are weather-dependent and were sadly unavailable during my visit.

Forest City Christmas 2023 Dates: November 23 – January 1, 2024

5. Spend an Evening at the Holidays at the Garden Illumination

Want to wander through a garden full of lights? Head to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens for their annual illumination. A highlight of this year’s event is a 7-minute fable told through lights and sound, tracing a fawn’s journey through the four seasons.

Tiptoe through light tulips, skip along light discs and stop for photo ops in the glittering pavilion in the Children’s Garden.

Holidays at the Garden 2023 Dates: November 24-December 23 The Garden is closed on Mondays

Want more glowing gardens? Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville is another popular event.

NC Arboretum Dates 2023 Dates: November 17-December 31

6. Shop by Candlelight in Dillsboro

Celebrating its 40th year in 2023, the Lights & Luminaries festival is a sparkling two-week celebration in Dillsboro, about an hour’s drive from Asheville. I chatted with one patriarch herding his large and lively family into one of the shops who said he’s been coming for more than 30 years and wouldn’t miss it. More than 2500 luminaries are set out to light the way to the town’s shops and studios where the owners welcome guests with hot cider, hot chocolate and holiday treats.

I collect snowflake ornaments so I was tickled to score ones woven out of sweetgrass at Dogwood Crafters, a cooperative of 40 artisans that opened back in 1976. Another must-stop is Nancy Tut’s Christmas Shop. The 100-year-old home is full of ornaments, many of which can be personalized; follow the peppermint swirls on the floor to guide you from room to room.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are on hand to meet the kiddos. Romantic (and FREE) horse and buggy rides are a highlight. Sadly, due to wet weather, the rides were canceled during my visit. The music lineup for 2023 includes Grammy-nominated bluegrass legend Darren Nicholson on December 9.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Parking can be difficult. Be patient and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance to secure a spot. A very kind gentleman walked us to an open space and helped us back in. Or head to Monteith Park to park and take the free shuttle downtown.

7. Attend the Sylva Tree Lighting

The tree lighting ceremony in Sylva is accompanied by live music and a brilliant fireworks display – normally. This year, because of drought conditions, the fireworks display was canceled.

But that didn’t put a damper on the celebration that takes place at the foot of the town’s historic courthouse. It’s dramatically perched 107 steps above Main Street and is billed as the “most photographed courthouse” in North Carolina. The building’s been repurposed as the county library and the view of the town from above is worth the climb.

After the lighting, explore Sylva’s Main Street, a major stop on the Jackson County Ale Trail, promoted as pouring 100 different drafts. Prefer mixed drinks? Check out the sassy sips at The Cut.

Sylva Tree Lighting and Fireworks 2023 Date: December 1

8. Catch a Christmas Parade

The last thing you want to do in New York in December is stand on the sidewalk to watch a parade. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is the city’s last seasonal hurrah. But southern small towns, with their above-freezing late fall temps, stage festive Christmas parades, often paired with Christmas tree lightings, to kick off the season. Most, including Rutherfordton’s and ones in Banner Elk and Tryon, occur annually on the first Saturday in December.

Our group was graciously hosted by Jim Masek and Russell Knight, innkeepers of Carrier Houses Bed and Breakfast in Rutherfordton for a parade viewing party. The 8-room guesthouse in the Blue Ridge foothills features period furnishings and a grand front porch providing the best parade view in town.

Rutherfordton Christmas Parade 2023 Date: December 2

9. Watch Santa Rappel in Chimney Rock State Park

If you’re looking for an unusual, only-in-NC holiday event, the Annual Santa on the Chimney features the man of the hour rappeling 314 feet down Chimney Rock, assisted by pros from Fox Mountain Guides.

Sadly, due to inclement weather, I wasn’t able to witness the spectacle or take an elf-led hike to Hickory Nut Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi.

But our group still made the ascent via a 27-story elevator ride to join Santa Claus for a photo op. There’s a craft table and letter-writing station for the kids.

At the base, Chimney Rock Village is filled with kitschy souvenir shops and restaurants.

Chimney Rock State Park Santa on the Chimney 2023 Dates: December 2 and December 9

10. Stroll Christmas Town USA

The neighborhood with the over-the-top Christmas lights near my home in New York is Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. In North Carolina, the standout is McAdenville , a town of 650 that swells during the holiday season to accommodate more than a half-million visitors.

The FREE event is a perennial finalist in USA Today’s 10Best Public Holiday Lights Display, ranking alongside big-time and big-money shows like Austin’s Trail of Lights and Lights Under Louisville, the underground festival of lights in Mega Cavern.

Sip a beer in the River Room in the Dynamo 31 complex while you wait for the lights to go on at 5:30 pm. The taproom is a unique funding source for the Catawba Riverkeeper, a not-for-profit tasked with preserving the Catawba-Wateree River Basin. All beers served are produced within the basin.

Although you can drive through the lights, I suggest walking to appreciate them. You can park in the lot at Dynamo 31. Stroll along the pond with the floating trees and continue through the housing development which has an HOA requirement that homeowners participate in the light display. It’s a circular loop that winds back to the downtown area with shops and restaurants.

Christmas Town USA McAdenville, NC 2023 Dates: December 1 – 26

11. Ride The Polar Express

One of the first things I did this year when my grandbaby was born was to book a Christmas trip on our local Polar Express. It’s a holiday tradition for many families throughout the US, and North Carolina has one of the best.

Beginning in early November, families don their Christmas pjs and climb aboard the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s Polar Express . There’s singing, dancing, cocoa and cookies on the ride to the North Pole to pick up you-know-who.

The Polar Express Train Ride Bryson City, NC 2023 Dates: November 9 – December 31

Read More: 11 Fun Things to Do in Andrews NC, a Charming Spot Near Asheville

12. Drive-Through a Christmas Winter Wonderland

Tryon International is a renowned equestrian center near Rutherfordton and the site of Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland Drive-Thru Light Show. In addition to the illumination, there are live music performances, ice skating and kid’s activities in the Winterfest Village.

Tryon International Winterfest 2023 Dates: November 17 – January 1, 2024

Where to Eat and Drink Near Asheville

Edison, craft ales + kitchen.

The Omni Grove Park Inn has 10 dining options (some seasonal). The EDISON features a farm-to-table menu, gorgeous Blue Ridge mountain views and adult beverages including craft beers, small-batch bourbons and handcrafted cocktails.

On tap during the holiday season is a special local beer, Highland Brewing’s Gingerbread Ale. It was lighter than I expected with a pleasant spice cookie aroma and taste. It held up against the rich flavors of the bites I sampled, including a taste of the South appetizer that topped fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, four-cheese grits, arugula, lemon vinaigrette and smoked tomato jam.

Try to save room for a souvenir mug of hot cocoa served from the full-size REAL gingerbread house in the lobby. Take your cocoa to one of the chairs in front of the 36-foot-wide fireplace and soak up the sound, sights and smells of the season.

Maples on Main

Discard your good intentions. “Dan’s Too Thick French Toast” is too good to pass up at this cozy eatery in Rutherfordton. But it’s only served on Sundays. The Lavazza coffee was the best I had on this trip.

Nellie’s Southern Kitchen

I’ve had great experiences at celebrity restaurants (sublime fish and chips at Gordon Ramsay’s in Atlantic City) and those that were meh (overpriced and underwhelming entrees at Richard Gere’s Bedford Post Inn). Nellie’s Southern Kitchen , owned and operated by Denise and Kevin Jonas, the parents of the singing Jonas Brothers, falls into the great category. The mission here is to serve elevated Southern comfort food in an environment that evokes memories of meals enjoyed ’round a family table.

Nellie was Kevin’s grandmother, the family’s beloved matriarch who lived, worked, sang and cooked in Belmont NC. Her beaming portrait watches over guests in the dining room. She’s dressed in a gown of billowing cotton, a nod to her employment in the local cotton mill.

Our group dined with Denise and Kevin who graciously told us about the development of the restaurant as a way to honor Nellie and keep her recipes alive for future generations. Denise is a talented cook too. She’s modest about her abilities but her Sweet Potato Caroline casserole was a standout of the many bites we sampled. I also really enjoyed the shrimp and grits. The shrimp float on a fried raft of grits accented by a Cajun cream sauce.

Of course, Nellie’s is a destination restaurant for fans of the band. The rear hall is lined with notable awards marking milestones in the brothers’ careers. Kevin beamed like every proud papa, especially noting a photo of the family in the White House with President and Mrs. Obama and Sir Paul McCartney taken after the boys surprised the Obama daughters with a performance.

Chimney Rock Smokehouse

The weather outside was frightful but the mood inside the C himney Rock Smokehouse was truly delightful. Nick Sottile and his crew transformed their small BBQ joint into a pop-up Miracle bar for the holidays. There are 200 of these application-only pop-ups in the US and Canada that feature Griswaldian decorations and a curated menu of holiday cocktails.

The “Die Hard”-inspired Yippie Ki Yah Mother F*****r! was a coco-rummy delight, served in Santa’s pants and decorated with a basil sprig “tree.” My pulled pork sammie was tender and flavorful and the baked potato salad had a fresh flavor thanks to a sour cream dressing.

City Lights Cafe

When traveling, I’m always on the lookout for the local version of my hometown breakfast joint, Sparky’s Diner. I’m sure you have one – the place where regulars stow their mugs behind the counter, you bus your table and the owner knows your name, order and the date of your next dentist appointment. City’s Lights Cafe gives off a Sparky’s vibe.

Adjacent to the City Lights bookstore, the cafe serves breakfast all day (the restaurant closes at 3 pm) and a variety of sweet goodies that are hard to resist.

When a sommelier marries a Michelin-trained chef, good things happen in your mouth. That’s what I learned when dining at ILDA , the passion project of sommelier Crystal Pace and chef Santiago Guzzetti. The restaurant features a charmingly eclectic interior with an open kitchen and large bar where mixologist Antoine Hodge serves tasty cocktails and homemade numbered batches of limoncello infused with a rotating assortment of herbs. Batch #58, for example, featured a blend with echinacea, feverfew and lavender, an appropriate potion on a drizzly grey evening.

Consider sharing entrees with your dining partners so you can eat more of the light and lovely tiramisu at meal’s end.

Babbo Italian Kitchen

We like to call these places red sauce joints. Expect satisfying portions of traditional Italian-American favorites at Babbo . We sampled several appetizers including tasty mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat, a caprese salad and one whopper of a meatball.

My entree, Pollo alla Babbo, featured chicken encased in a too-dense-for-my-taste breading. But the Alfredo cream sauce was delicious. Table entree favorites were the ravioli, plain and lobster.

Where to Stay

Inn on biltmore estate.

1 Antler Hill Road Asheville, NC  28803

It might be hard to go back home after a stay at the Inn on Biltmore Estate . A Forbes Four-Star property, the Inn pampers guests with Vanderbilt-level attention. The setting serves up million-dollar Blue Ridge views, the rooms are comfortably elegant and the services are those you’d expect at a high-end resort:

  • Evening turndown with chocolates on the pillow
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Spa reserved for Biltmore Estate Annual Pass Holders and guests of the Inn, Village Hotel or Cottages
  • Complimentary guest shuttle service to the Estate, Antler Hill Village and Winery and Amherst at Deerpark

The Esquire Hotel

168 W. Main Street Gastonia, NC 28052

A six-year renovation transformed a bank building that opened its doors in 1918 into a boutique luxury retreat, an Ascend Hotel Collection property. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Lawyers Building as it’s known locally, is an architectural delight. Barrister’s is the hotel restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The Esquire is located on Gastonia’s Christmas parade route. Accessing the parking lot can be difficult during the festivities. Speak to the front desk staff about when the streets will be closed to traffic and for help with alternate routes.

Hampton Inn and Suites

227 Sparks Drive Forest City, NC 28043

I was thrilled to discover this gem in Forest City. The bright, cheery lobby features a treat station to purchase bevvies and snacks. The lobby is a high-ceilinged great room with plenty of light and seating. And the complimentary breakfast area, featuring the chain’s legendary waffle station, is clean and well-stocked.

Rooms at the Hampton Inn are large with comfy bedding and seating areas, fridges, microwaves, desks and a very handy wall-mounted valet station for coats.

Best Western River Escape Inn & Suites

248 WBI Drive Dillsboro, NC  28725

Don’t be put off when pulling up. The approach to the Best We s tern is through an industrial area over railroad tracks. Consider it a mullet. The front might be all business, but the party’s in the rear where this budget-friendly hotel fronts the Tuckasegee River. During my stay, the river was shrouded in an eerily beautiful fog, a view I enjoyed from my guestroom balcony.

Rooms are large with mini-fridges, microwaves, flat-screen RVs, a desk and a tub/shower combo. There’s a large indoor pool and hot tub with several chaise lounges. And the nightly rate includes a complimentary hot breakfast. The holiday events in Sylva and Dillsboro are less than 15  minutes away.

Can You Have Too Much Christmas?

I was afraid that the trip was going to be too much of a good thing. Just the opposite. I left western North Carolina super excited to savor the season. Bring it on, Santa!

It may seem crazy to travel during December but there are lots of reasons to pack up the sleigh and just do it.

As a young mom, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was a total blur. While the kids were at school, I’d hustle around like an overstressed elf, prepping for the holidays. On January 2nd, I’d let out a huge sigh and collapse. I would have loved a trip like this for a few days with my girlfriends to unwind, shop and get some holiday decorating inspo.

Now that the kids are grown, I appreciate the Christmas season more. Getting into the holiday spirit means cycling through Hallmark movies, stringing twinkling lights while sipping a seasonal cocktail and planning Christmas season grownup getaways. I saw so many adorable senior couples dressed in holiday sweaters and holding hands while wandering around Biltmore. It was the sweetest thing ever. Our wedding anniversary is in late November. I think I know what we’re doing next year and I can’t wait to suggest it to our friends.

Getting to Western North Carolina

Touring the western North Carolina holiday events is a wonderful seasonal road trip because you’ll travel through the scenic Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Wish for a dusting of snow to turn the whole landscape into the stuff of snow globes.

If you’re flying into the area, you’re in luck. Airport options near the NC mountain towns are numerous. Check Charlotte Douglas International, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and Asheville Regional Airport for flight fares and car rental rates.

best christmas towns to visit in nc

The Best Christmas Towns in America You Should Visit at Least Once

The christmas towns you have to see.

C hristmas towns are chock-full of all the things we've come to associate with the holiday season. But what makes some villages the absolute best? Whether they have the best Christmas light shows , old-fashioned Victorian decorations, fun Christmas activities , things for kids to do—or they're your best chance for a white Christmas—we share the best Christmas towns in the USA that'll make you feel as if you've stepped into a Hallmark movie.

Some of the Christmas towns on our list exude Old World charm, with German markets, centuries-old traditions or a focus on the history of Christmas , while others feature huge, kitschy Christmas shops and even a giant Santa statue and are perfect for a Christmas getaway . Many are located in regions that get a lot of snow—but some southern locales also made our list. So no matter where you're located, there's a "Christmas village near me" to find.

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How we chose the best Christmas towns in the USA

Many of these towns have gained a reputation for going all out for Christmas, so our reporting included recommendations and ratings from travel experts and real travelers, including our own personal experience. Without further ado, these are the best Christmas towns in the USA, from coast to coast.

Mystic, Connecticut

Best for: Boat lovers

The historic seaport of Mystic isn't just a summer destination—it's an exciting place to spend "Christmas in Connecticut" (if you didn't catch the reference, the classic flick is one of  the best romantic Christmas movies ). See the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, in which vessels get decked out for the holidays and parade down the Mystic River. There's also a Santa Paddle, with Santas on paddle boards, and Santa arriving via tugboat. The Mystic Seaport Museum offers a "holiday bake" workshop of traditional New England treats, a community carol sing and a self-guided tour of their Lantern Light Village, where you can enjoy Christmas light displays, live holiday music, carriage rides and a visit to St. Nick. Meanwhile, the shops and restaurants of Olde Mistick Village will be decorated with more than half a million lights in the Holiday Lights Spectacular, the largest light display in southern New England.

The family-owned—and family-friendly— Taber Inn and Suites stands out among the many B&Bs and inns of Mystic. Set in 12 buildings over two acres, the inn is conveniently located near all the village's attractions and features the only indoor pool in downtown Mystic.

Bardstown, Kentucky

Best for: Bourbon lovers

Nicknamed "the most beautiful small town in America," this old stagecoach stop gets into the holiday spirit with southern-style hospitality and Christmas traditions . Light Up Bardstown starts the season with the illumination of Main Street and the town Christmas tree, along with "Christmas Corner," which has hot cocoa, cookies, balloons and face painting for kids. Throughout December, visit My Old Kentucky Home, an 1818 mansion said to have inspired the classic song, to see it decked out for the holidays. Costumed performers sing the song as you view decorated rooms from Colonial times to the Victorian era to the 1920s. In addition, the town hosts a parade, a "North Pole Express" train ride and a candlelit Christmas Tour of Homes. Seasonal events at the area's bourbon distilleries add grown-up celebrations to Bardstown's many holiday happenings.

Step back in time with a stay at the Jailer's Inn Bed and Breakfast, a circa-1819 jail-turned-hotel centrally located in downtown Bardstown. You can also take tours of the old cells—and even stay in one!—although most of the guest rooms are modern and comfortable.

Santa Claus, Indiana

Best for: Santa kitsch

Santa Claus is one of the most well-known  symbols of Christmas . So it's no wonder that each December, the post office of this St. Nick–themed town receives 400,000 pieces of mail (compared with the usual 13,000 monthly) to be canceled with a special holiday picture postmark. But its post office isn't the only thing "America's Christmas Hometown" is famous for: live reindeer, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, light displays, live music and entertainment, and of course, the man himself are all part of the celebrations throughout the season. And no visit to Santa Claus would be complete without stops at Santa's Candy Castle and the Santa Claus Museum and Village.

Chain hotels abound in the area, but for a touch of local Christmas charm, stay at the holiday-themed Santa's Lodge right in town. Set on a lovely property overlooking a lake, the hotel features a rustic, vault-ceilinged lobby that's decorated for Christmas year-round.

Andalusia, Alabama

Best for: Free events

Who says you can't have a white Christmas in Alabama? This small city with a name like a fairy-tale country is a great place for a  mini vacation in the winter. It transforms its main square to "Christmas in Candyland," complete with snow-making machines to create a blizzard-like show of flurries each day. We consider Andalusia one of the best Christmas towns in the USA for the additional attractions, from snow tubing and outdoor ice-skating to play cottages and light shows (not to mention the train rides, an inflatable "Arctic" maze, music, hot chocolate, and of course, visits with Santa). Best yet? Most activities are totally free.

Located just minutes from the town square, the Best Western Andalusia Inn offers comfortable accommodations and reasonable prices for your holiday trip. It's also right next door to Dean's Cake House, a local bakery noted for its delicious seven-layer cakes.

Branson, Missouri

Best for: Live music shows

Judy Garland might have sung "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in the classic holiday flick  Meet Me in St. Louis  (side note: Judy's original version definitely belongs on your  holiday playlist ), but that city may be outdone by another Missouri town at Christmastime. The tourist hot spot of Branson, "America's Christmas Tree City," celebrates all season long with the live music shows the town is known for, plus light displays, parades and Branson Scenic Railway's Polar Express Train Ride through the Ozark Mountains, departing from the town's 1905 train depot. The 1880s-themed park, Silver Dollar City, also gets the holiday treatment for An Old Time Christmas festival. Plus, we can't forget about the various Christmas shows, including Dolly Parton's Stampede at the Dolly Parton's Stampede Theater and the Hamners' Unbelievable Magic Variety Show at Hamners' Variety Theater.

The comfortable Lodge of the Ozarks is in a prime location on Branson's "76 Strip," near many of the live entertainment, music and theater venues the town has to offer. Rustic-themed decor, an indoor pool and a great breakfast add to the hotel's appeal.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Best for: The top Christkindlmarkt

Nicknamed "Christmas City," the official moniker for this town was designated as Bethlehem on Christmas Eve 1741. At the town's famous Christkindlmarkt, which features unique artisans, music, crafts, food and handmade gifts from Germany, you'll find the best Christmas gifts for everyone on your list. But even beyond the awesome shopping, the town overflows with Christmas spirit. Take a Bethlehem by Night bus tour, carriage ride or walking Christmas Stroll; enjoy a wassail party, a concert or a stage show; and see the decorated Trees of Historic Bethlehem, set among five historic sites.

Stay at the restored 1922 Historic Hotel Bethlehem in the town's historic district for easy walkability to many holiday events. The well-appointed hotel actually sits on the site where the early settlers named the town on Christmas Eve all those years ago; a mural painted in 1937 on a hotel wall depicts the event, as well as more town history.

Solvang, California

Best for: A hygge-inspired holiday

Visiting this captivating Christmas town north of Santa Barbara at holiday time will have you thinking you've been transported to the Old World. Founded by settlers from Denmark, the village features architecture (including a windmill!), restaurants and goodies that are distinctively Danish—not to mention that warm and cozy sensibility the Danish call " hygge ," one of the top  Christmas traditions to steal from around the world . In December, Solvang goes all out for its Julefest, featuring downtown candlelit caroling tours, Santa's village, a parade and tree lighting. The festival also takes visitors on a "Nisser adventure" scavenger hunt to find these Danish gnome-like creatures throughout the downtown. Plus, if you're staying for New Year celebrations, their annual Solvang Christmas Tree burn happens in January (weather permitting). It's one of the largest fire-safety demonstrations along the California Central Coast and is supervised by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The area is teeming with luxury resorts that can be very pricey around the holidays, but Royal Copenhagen Inn  offers a reasonable alternative. Located right in the center of Solvang, the traditional inn features Danish architecture and charm.

Canton, Mississippi

Best for: Children's activities

This sleepy southern town comes alive during the holidays, when thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the town's historic Courthouse Square during the Canton Christmas Festival (also known as the "City of Lights" Christmas festival). The season's events are especially magical for kids, as they listen to storytime with Mrs. Claus and give Santa their wish list. Youngsters can also enjoy roaming characters, animated holiday displays and rides including a gorgeous carousel that makes viewing the lights all the more beautiful as you twirl. There's even an annual "Sip-N-Cider."

Most lodgings in Canton are chain hotels just outside the main part of town, where you can retire after enjoying the holiday festivities. Hampton Inn Canton offers the comforts the brand is known for, at a comfortable price as well.

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Best for: Illuminated Christmas set pieces

Perhaps best known as the inspiration and filming location for  Steel Magnolias , Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish) really gets into the Creole Christmas spirit. Although the holiday festival in the movie was actually filmed in August, the event is real, complete with fireworks, a Festival of Lights parade and even Miss Merry Christmas, just like in the film. Now in its 97th year, the seasonal celebration features 300,000 lights and 100 set pieces, along with music, a lighted boat parade, a Christmas tour of homes and a kids fest. Even better, there are fireworks every Saturday until the end of December.

Finding a room in downtown Natchitoches during the festival can be difficult, but if you can, book the comfortable and convenient boutique hotel Chateau Saint Denis , just blocks from the Cane River Lake. You'll be able to enjoy all the season has to offer right outside your door.

Cape May, New Jersey

Best for: Victorian architecture

This Victorian seaside town gets even more Dickensian with its gaslights and garlands for the season. Even today, the National Historic Landmark city looks like it belongs in  vintage photos of Christmases past . Take a trolley ride back in time to see the Christmas lights, hear Ghosts of Christmas Past tales and jaunt along with Mrs. Claus. Candlelight holiday house tours let you see inside Cape May's historic homes and inns, and you can enjoy a decorated "Winter Wonderwalk" at the Physick Estate, a Victorian house museum.

Cape May has plenty of comfortable accommodations, from B&Bs to seaside hotels such as La Mer Beachfront Resort . The oceanfront location can't be beat, even in winter, with cozy rooms-with-a-view to snuggle up in after an evening touring the area's historic buildings.

New York, New York

Best for: A big-city Christmas

OK, we know New York City isn't exactly a "town" in the traditional sense. But no list of Christmasy places to visit in the U.S. would be complete without it. After all, it's hard to beat NYC for Christmas spirit: home of the Rockefeller Center tree and the setting for tons of Christmas movies, from Miracle on 34th Street  to  Elf . Walk down Fifth Avenue to take in the amazing department store window displays; go ice skating in Central Park; visit the Holiday Shops at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park; take in a performance of the  Nutcracker ballet. And we can't forget the iconic Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

New York accommodations can be pricey, especially around the holidays, but Pod Hotels pride themselves on their affordability. With clean, modern, simple decor, plus an excellent Midtown location just a couple blocks from Times Square, Pod Times Square checks all the boxes.

Taos, New Mexico

Best for: Displays of luminarias

Many New Mexican towns follow the hundreds-of-years-old Spanish tradition of luminarias (also called  farolitos ), paper bags with candles inside that symbolically light the way through the streets at Christmastime. But nowhere is the practice more intriguing than the small-town Christmas in Taos, in the northern high desert. The blending of Hispanic, Western and Native American cultures is evidenced in month-long Yuletide celebrations with bonfires, fiestas, New Mexican food and local folk art among the adobe buildings of the town. On Christmas Eve, the local ski resorts all have torchlight parades, in which spectators can watch skiers come down the mountain holding flares—this is one Christmas Eve tradition your family will love . Other Christmasy things to do include visiting the holiday pop-up store, Taos Folk, at the Stables Art Gallery, the Sagebrush 2nd Annual Winter Jamboree Arts & Craft Fair at Sagebrush Inn & Suites, and the Festival of Trees at Bataan Hall.

Located right in Taos's historic district, the Historic Taos Inn features live music, traditional cuisine and a friendly vibe. Just a bit quirky, this adobe building also has wood-burning fireplaces to relax in front of after enjoying the holiday festivities.

Franklin, Tennessee

Best for: Christmas on Main Street, USA

This village south of Nashville offers one of the best small-town Christmas experiences in the country. Its 16-block historic district, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of  the most beautiful Main Streets in America —and it looks even more beautiful at holiday time. Take in the Christmas Parade, catch a holiday-themed show at the Franklin Theatre or visit the outdoor Franklin Makers Market for artisan crafts, delicious food and drink, and kids activities. But the town's signature event is the Dickens of a Christmas festival, which features musicians, dancers and Dickens characters roaming Main Street.

The beautiful Harpeth Franklin Downtown is the only hotel within Franklin itself, but a short drive up the road toward Nashville is the much more affordable Aloft Nashville Franklin . This unique, modern, pet-friendly property offers games in the lobby and live music to energize your holiday.

San Antonio, Texas

Best for: Riverside strolls

San Antonio stands out as one of the best Christmas towns for the unparalleled setting of its River Walk, decorated for the holidays with thousands of lights hung on the bald cypress trees that line the river. The season kicks off with a Holiday River Parade of floats on boats along the river, then the illuminated River Walk is open (and free) nightly. Visitors can also book a caroling boat and belt out their favorite Christmas tunes, or enjoy them from the riverside. The San Antonio Botanical Gardens also have amazing illuminations with their Lightscape walking event, featuring lights set among the gardens as well as a "Cathedral of Light," 100,000 bulbs in a glorious archway. Food, drinks and s'mores round out the festivities.

Stay at the historic 1859 hotel The Menger , with an awesome location one block from the River Walk, as well as a block from the famous Alamo. Surprisingly affordable, the property includes an amazing lobby atrium that looks fabulous decorated for Christmas.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Best for: A warm-weather Christmas vacation

Say "Mele Kalikimaka" ("Merry Christmas" in Hawaiian) as you combine your Christmas celebration with a tropical vacation in one of the  best destinations to visit for a warm Christmas . Honor the heroes of Pearl Harbor while celebrating Hawaiian culture during the Waikiki Holiday Parade. Also not to be missed: Honolulu City Lights, illuminations and displays outside Honolulu Hale (City Hall) that include the 21-foot Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele (Mrs. Claus) statues, who dip their giant toes in the fountain. There's also an annual wreath exhibit at the Honolulu Hale Lane Gallery and The City Department Tree Exhibition in the Honolulu Hale.

Base your stay in Honolulu to experience all the Hawaiian capital has to offer for the holidays. The beautifully decorated historic Queen Kapiolani Hotel is just a block from Waikiki Beach, with an affordable price tag and amazing views.

Minden, Nebraska

Best for: Local history and tradition

This is a very small town with a big history. The traditions of "Nebraska's Christmas City" began more than a hundred years ago in 1915, when lights were strung on the courthouse dome to honor the arrival of the Civil War veterans organization Grand Army of the Republic. Today, city workers scale the courthouse dome using mountain climbing gear to hang the copper wires, many of which are more than 50 years old. The unique celebration continues with The Light of the World Christmas pageant, written by town residents in 1946. Other events include a kids carnival, Miss Christmas City pageant, elf run and more. If you're inspired by Minden's illuminations, you should use the  best outdoor Christmas lights  for your neighborhood display (maybe skip the climbing gear, though).

Minden's remote location leaves few lodging options, but Burchell's White Hill Farmhouse Inn , a small, locally run B&B, is a rare find for those looking for some country hospitality. This peaceful setting will truly make your Christmas Eve a "silent night."

Prescott, Arizona

Best for: Pioneer Christmas spirit

"Arizona's Christmas City" earns its nickname with tons of events to celebrate the season in this western gem of a town. The Courthouse Lighting, preceded by the annual Christmas parade, illuminates the gorgeous historic building as well as more than a hundred trees in the main square. Other events include the annual musical showcase, a Frontier Christmas Carol performance at Sharlot Hall Museum and a DIY wreath-making  workshop at Highlands Center for Natural History.

A restored 1920s hotel, Hassayampa Inn offers historic elegance in the heart of Prescott, with its gorgeous lobby decked out for the holiday. It's just a short walk to the Courthouse square to see Prescott's light displays.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Best for: Christmas light forests

This historic Ozark mountain village celebrates Christmas the old-fashioned way. Its charming downtown shopping district offers unique boutiques, art galleries and craft shops for one-of-a-kind gifts . Events include the Christmas Parade of Lights and a drive-thru forest of more than 300 trees and nativity scenes leading to the 67-foot-tall Christ of the Ozarks statue. The 1886 Crescent Hotel gets into the holiday spirit with Christmas at the Crescent, featuring its own Christmas Tree Forest of lit-up arbors on its 15-acre grounds, plus sleigh rides, ice skating, s'mores around the campfire and more.

With so many holiday happenings at the 1886 Crescent Hotel , it makes sense to stay right where the action is. Overlooking the village itself, the historic Crescent offers amazing views of the Ozark Mountains and luxury amenities at affordable prices.

Vail, Colorado

Best for: Ski vacations

With its mountain  villages covered by fresh blankets of snow , Colorado has more than its share of the best Christmas towns, from Aspen and Breckenridge to Telluride, Durango and Ouray. But we most love the ski town of Vail, which has tons of events to celebrate the season. Holiday events include a tree lighting and lantern walk—and of course, tons of snowy activities in addition to skiing, such as snowshoeing, outdoor ice skating and even dog-sledding and snowmobiling nearby. Vail Snow Days may be returning with their four-day festival of live music (to be determined for 2023).

The reasonably priced Sitzmark Lodge at Vail offers comfortable accommodations right in the center of Vail Village. Enjoy the year-round outdoor heated pool and hot tub, then walk right outside your door to stroll the pedestrian-only shopping and dining area, all dressed up for the holidays.

Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Best for: A Norman Rockwell Christmas

This town may be one of the best family vacation ideas ! Step into a Norman Rockwell painting, literally: The buildings of this New England small town are just as they were when Rockwell lived here, and as he depicted them in his 1967 painting "Main Street at Christmas." As you stroll through this village in the Berkshire Mountains, enjoy holiday shopping and decorations. Other seasonal activities include a holiday marketplace at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens, along with several outdoor light displays, including Winterlights at historic home Naumkeag and NightWood at The Mount, author Edith Wharton's home. To see more of the artist's work, visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in town.

Just a few miles up the road from Stockbridge is The Black Swan Inn Lee , a boutique yet affordable hotel on the banks of Laurel Lake. Relax in the tranquil, snowy setting as you gaze over October Mountain State Park, where you can take advantage of all the outdoor winter activities the Berkshires have to offer.

Leavenworth, Washington

Best for: An authentic old-world Christmas

This Bavarian-inspired town didn't always look so Old World—it actually used to be more Old West. In the 1960s, after a long period of decline, the former logging town planned a makeover influenced by the alpine landscape. Completing the overhaul, new festivals were created to draw visitors, and Leavenworth slowly grew into a must-see holiday destination. All December, the "Christmastown Village of Lights" features carolers, kids activities, roasting chestnuts and holiday characters. Beautifully lit storefronts and musical performances at the gazebo complete the classic Christmas scene. You might even be inspired to create some DIY Christmas decorations  of your own.

Leavenworth is full of charming Christmas chalets, but top honors go to Bavarian Lodge . This German-style hotel features a great location across the street from the festivities, amazing mountain views from its balconies and magical Christmastime decorations, plus whirlpool tubs, fireplaces and a beer pub.

Ogden, Utah

Best for: Christmas "North Pole" cottages

You know a town is Christmas-worthy when one of the cutest  Hallmark Christmas movies  was filmed there.  My Christmas Love was partially shot on Historic 25th Street, in this former railway hub under the shadow of the stunning Wasatch Mountains. But the town is also known for its Christmas Village, a collection of tiny cottages fit for elves, modeled after Santa's workshop at the North Pole. Visitors can marvel at the holiday displays and lights of each cottage as they wander through the winter-wonderland-like setting. The grand opening of the season follows the Electric Light Parade. Twenty minutes from downtown, enjoy outdoor winter activities at three ski resorts that get 450 inches of snow each year.

The downtown area offers some chain hotels, but for the ultimate in rustic relaxation, head up the road to Snowberry Inn . Located in a tranquil mountain setting, this log cabin B&B is the perfect place to spend a cozy holiday—guests can even enjoy the outdoor hot tub on cold winter evenings. If you don't live near Ogden, you can still get a taste of Hallmark with the official Hallmark holiday suites !

Cleveland, Ohio

Best for: Fans of  A Christmas Story

There are tons of holiday events going on in downtown Cleveland, but we suggest you visit the modest Tremont neighborhood. It's home to the A Christmas Story House, the original home used to film the classic 1983 movie. Restored by a superfan to match the interior sets (only the exterior of the house was used in filming), it's now a near-replica of Ralphie's house. You can even stay in the house overnight! Visit the museum across the street for more props, costumes and memorabilia from the movie. Then head downtown for holiday musical performances, the Winterfest event and a visit to Public Square, where Higbee's department store building (in which Ralphie first spots his Red Ryder BB Gun and later has a run-in with Santa) still stands. For more Christmas events, head over to Playhouse Square to see a theatrical performance of A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker . Plus, the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s has a new "Frost" display.

If you don't stay in the Christmas Story House itself, consider the Drury Plaza Hotel . Just a five-minute walk from Public Square, the hotel in a historic building offers comfortable accommodations with amenities like an indoor pool and a great breakfast to start your day of holiday activities.

North Pole, Alaska

Best for: Northern Lights viewing

Okay, so it might not be the actual North Pole, although it is the closest Christmas town to the real one. But this village near Fairbanks, named after Santa's Arctic abode, sure enjoys playing up its namesake. The entire city stays dressed up for Christmas all year long, but the holidays are an especially magical time—it's one of the destinations that are even better in the winter. The Santa Claus House is like one big giant Christmas shop, plus you'll find a reindeer farm and a giant statue of Santa himself. Travel down streets with names like Snowman Lane, Holiday Road and Saint Nicholas Drive, then be sure to mail your Christmas cards from the local post office to get that North Pole postmark. Your kids can also send  letters to Santa  at North Pole, Alaska—and receive a response back!

The locally run Hotel North Pole offers plenty of Christmas kitsch—ask about booking the Santa Suite for extra special holiday decor. You may even be able to see the Northern Lights right from your hotel window.

New Castle, Delaware

Best for: Dickensian atmosphere

This Colonial village really gets into The Spirit of Christmas, a town-wide celebration featuring reenactments, museum programs and decorations. Visitors can see the historic homes dressed up for the season—there's even an annual "holiday greening" event to make wreaths to decorate the well-preserved buildings throughout the charming downtown. Also enjoy this old-fashioned Christmas town with costumed Dickens characters reenacting Victorian Christmas scenes throughout the village.

Although the historic village itself doesn't have many accommodations, there are several chain hotels nearby that offer a clean and comfortable place to stay while exploring the area. The Fairfield Inn and Suites is conveniently located, with free breakfast and an indoor pool.

St. Augustine, Florida

Best for: Dazzling lights displays

You may not get snow, but you will witness the jaw-dropping sight of the Nights of Lights's 3 million white bulbs illuminating the city. Based on the Spanish practice of lighting a candle in the window for Christmas, the annual display has become an iconic Christmas tradition of its own. See the lights from a trolley or electric cart, or take to the water and view them by boat. Plane and helicopter rides let you see the spectacle from above. Entertainment, shopping and other seasonal community activities round out the festivities, along with St. Augustine's annual Christmas Parade, where you'll see floats, marching bands, horses and St. Nick himself!

Stay at the lovely Southern Oaks Inn , just a block from the center of the action at Plaza de la Constitucíon and two blocks from the Bridge of Lions. Beautifully landscaped, and both family- and pet-friendly, this property is also affordable—a true gem.

Helen, Georgia

Best for: A Bavarian Christmas

Pretend you're in the Alps instead of the Blue Ridge Mountains in this adorable German-influenced Christmas town, one of the most picturesque  small American towns you'd swear were in Europe . As if it doesn't already look storybook enough, in December it becomes a holiday paradise with its Christkindlmarkt, or Christmas market, with unique gifts, decorations, yummy food, drinks and candied treats. Plus, the annual lighting of the village has Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a Bavarian sleigh to greet children as the town is lit up, plus musical performances.

The quirky Heidi Motel is one of the only places in the country you can stay in a windmill! Close to the center of town, with recently updated rooms and in-room jacuzzis, this motel will make for a memorable stay.

Sun Valley, Idaho

Best for:  Snow festivals

Enter the Winter Wonderland of ski resort Sun Valley, featuring a snow and ice festival to melt even the most Scrooge-like heart. From Christmas concerts and holiday-sweater parties to high tea and brunch with Santa for the kids, the entire month of December is alive with seasonal activity. But the can't-miss event is the Christmas Eve celebration, featuring a Skating in Winter Wonderland Ice Show, fireworks and the Torchlight Parade, in which skiers holding torches glide down Dollar Mountain, creating a blaze of light. Expect fireworks, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa.

Sun Valley Lodge has beautiful mountain views and easy access to all the festivities—not to mention a heated pool and on-site spa to warm up after a chilly day.

Galena, Illinois

Best for: Holiday fireworks

With its many 19th-century buildings, B&Bs and antique shops, Galena is one of the most charming small towns for a cozy, old-fashioned Christmas. Set among the snow-covered farmland of northern Illinois, the town has a charming Main Street that gets all decked out for the season. The festivities begin with "Holiday Fire in the Sky," a fireworks display over the Galena River. See 5,000 candles along streets, stairs and sidewalks during the "Night of the Luminarios and Living Windows," in which storefronts show off amazing window displays and offer extended hours. Revelers can also enjoy carolers singing the best Christmas songs from the Grant Park gazebo.

Galena boasts many well-appointed B&Bs, but the Aldrich Guest House stands out for its amazing location just a few blocks from Grant Park, as well as scrumptious breakfasts and comfortable rooms. Elegant yet simply decorated, it's the perfect spot for a cozy holiday away from the crowds.

Valley Junction, Iowa

Best for: A Midwestern getaway

Is this holiday heaven? No, it's Iowa! One of the best of the state's many small-town Christmas celebrations happens in the thriving, quaint village of Valley Junction. For four Thursday evenings during the season, the historic railroad town in the West Des Moines area celebrates with Jingle in the Junction. The streets are lined with more than 125,000 twinkling lights, and visitors can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa and caroling. Shop for gifts in the 150 unique stores, antique shops and other businesses downtown. It'll make you feel as if you're back in your own hometown.

For a touch of upscale luxury during your down-home visit to Valley Junction, stay a few minutes up the road in the heart of Des Moines at the gorgeous, historic Des Lux Hotel . With its affordable rates, along with in-room fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, you'll want to spend the holidays in the Midwest more often.

Lindsborg, Kansas

Best for: Traditional Swedish celebrations

Known as "Little Sweden," this town incorporates its Swedish heritage into its brightly colored architecture, Swedish horse sculptures called  dalas and, of course, its Christmas celebrations. The St. Lucia Festival, one of the  fascinating winter solstice traditions around the world , honors the legend of Lucia, who came to Scandinavia bearing light and food during a famine. Wearing white gowns with red sashes and crowns of lingonberry, young women parade with stjärngosse (star boys) to symbolize life during the dark winter solstice. Traditional Swedish services of Julotta (Christmas morning) and Annandag Jule (the day after Christmas), plus a Juletide concert, are also part of the Scandinavian holiday festivities.

The candy-colored Rosberg House bed-and-breakfast looks just like a gingerbread house. And the lush decor inside—not to mention the delectable breakfasts—are just as sweet. It's also conveniently located in the center of town, within walking distance of art galleries, shops and restaurants.

Annapolis, Maryland

Best for: Extended shopping

The historic seaport looks picture-perfect at holiday time. See the lighting of trees during the city's Grand Illumination. Drive through Lights on the Bay in Sandy Point State Park to view illuminated displays along the Chesapeake Bay. Downtown shops will stay open for Midnight Madness, so you can get your gift-giving on, and the Chocolate Binge Festival offers delectable treats along with music and entertainment. Hear the traditional gathering of the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club and the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra for the singing of Handel's Messiah. Finally, the Eastport Yacht Club Light Parade features dozens of lit-up vessels sailing through the harbor.

Comprising three separate historic buildings, Historic Inns of Annapolis stands out for its distinctive character and prime central location. Just step outside your door to find all the holiday shopping and events the town has to offer.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Best for: A traditional German Christmas

True, this town is home to the world's largest Christmas-themed store, Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. But that's not the only reason Frankenmuth makes it onto our list of the best Christmas towns. Settled by German immigrants, "Little Bavaria" looks like you've stepped right into a fairy tale—and it's magical at holiday time. Horse-drawn carriages clip-clop past quaint boutiques, German-influenced architecture and 150 trees decorated with white lights. In the center of it all stands a 40-foot tree decked in red and green lights—the  Christmas colors , of course—complete with an illumination and music show. Visit reindeer at a local farm, go ice skating in the outdoor rink or peruse the traditional German Christkindlmarkt.

Where else would one stay in Little Bavaria than the German-inspired Bavarian Inn Lodge ? The town's signature hotel has been delighting visitors for decades, and for good reason, as you'll really feel you've been transported to Europe.

Stillwater, Minnesota

Best for: A white Christmas

With some areas of Minnesota having a near-100% chance of a white Christmas, it's hard to narrow down the best holiday-worthy town in the area. But Stillwater, the state's historic birthplace near Minneapolis, has been called one of America's most picturesque towns, and it's especially enchanting at holiday time. This river village's Hometown Holiday event runs throughout the season, with many boutiques, restaurants and other establishments luring visitors with wagonette carriage rides and Victorian carolers. Musical and stage performances, a holiday bazaar at the old courthouse, a fun Twinkle Party in which guests are encouraged to adorn themselves with battery-powered lights, and many more events round out the festivities.

Stay downtown at the 1927 Lowell Inn for proximity to everything happening in Stillwater. Offering both Victorian-themed and modern rooms, the hotel also hosts Holiday Tea weekends in December.

Bigfork, Montana

Best for: A mountain escape

The mountains of Montana look even more magical at Christmastime. Thanks to the volunteer "elves" of the artsy town of Bigfork, on the shores of Flathead Lake, "Montana's Christmas Village" gets a holiday makeover featuring evergreen garlands strewn over the businesses of downtown. Come for winter activities like downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, sleigh rides, ice fishing and the nearby Glacier National Park. Then stay for a holiday art walk, tree lighting, parade and performances of A Touch of Christmas holiday music and other seasonal shows at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.

After outdoor winter fun or holiday cultural activities, retreat to the quiet Bigfork Mountain Lake Lodge to cozy up by the fireplace or relax in the jacuzzi. Even more gorgeous covered in snow (which it's likely to be in December), the hotel boasts views overlooking Flathead Lake.

Jackson, Wyoming

Best for: Animal lovers

Where else can you take sleigh rides to see elk? This mountain town is surrounded by ski resorts, Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge, where you can take a sleigh ride to view the aforementioned wildlife. Downtown, thousands of lights will illuminate the famous elk antler arches, and children can leave a letter for Santa in his mailbox. Santa will also "drop in" from the aerial tram on Christmas Eve. The Friday after Thanksgiving is the Town Square Lighting, and the five Saturdays after Thanksgiving are Small Business Saturdays, where you can shop for one-of-a-kind treasures from local boutiques. Resorts and hotels throughout the area also offer their own seasonal festivities as well.

For an affordable place to stay in this expensive ski town, try the Elk Country Inn . Rustic yet comfortable, the log-cabin-themed accommodations are within walking distance of the antler arches.

Virginia City, Nevada

Best for: A cowboy-themed Christmas

This Old West mining town takes visitors back to frontier times with its monthlong Victorian-inspired Christmas on the Comstock celebration. Stroll through the decorated historic downtown, watch the holiday parade, light show and fireworks, and take the young ones for a ride on a steam train decorated with thousands of lights. Adults can enjoy the "Grinch Made Me Do It" saloon crawl. Seasonal entertainment at the historic Piper's Opera House includes their Christmas Concert featuring Glen and Molly of Lady and the Tramps.

The spacious Victorian-style rooms of Silverland Inn and Suites continue the Old West theme of Virginia City in the heart of town. Lovely views overlook the desert hills—you may even get a visit from some of Nevada's wild horses.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Best for: A quintessential New England Christmas

Complete with snowy scenes and covered bridges, New Hampshire's villages offer the classic Christmas of your dreams. The best of these Christmas towns, though, may be Portsmouth and its Vintage Christmas, which offers a gingerbread house decorating contest, holiday lights parade, musical shows and beautifully decked out Market Square. The waterfront living history museum, Strawbery Banke, features a Candlelight Stroll among decorated historic buildings and outdoor ice-skating. You can even enjoy hot apple cider and a holiday shopping experience at Pickwick’s at the Banke.

The Hotel Portsmouth , within walking distance of the town's holiday happenings, offers elegant yet simple luxury at reasonable prices in an 1881 Victorian mansion. Claw-foot tubs and fireplaces add to the cozy ambiance.

Seneca Falls, New York

Best for: Old movie buffs

Seneca Falls is said to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls in one of the best Christmas movies  of all time, the 1946 classic  It's a Wonderful Life . All season long, you can marvel at the town's similarities to the film and even visit a steel bridge identical to the one where George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) contemplates his life. If you're lucky enough to visit during the It's a Wonderful Life Festival in December, you can also meet former child actors from the movie, including Zuzu herself, Karolyn Grimes. Musical performances, film history, exhibits, fireworks and a bonfire, drinks and dining events, and the live radio play Merry Christmas, George Bailey  are also part of the holiday fun in one of the best Christmas towns in the country.

The town and all its holiday happenings are totally walkable with a stay at the Gould Hotel . The 1920s hotel features richly decorated rooms in a historic building.

McAdenville, North Carolina

Best for: Neighborhood Christmas lights

One of the  best small towns in America for Christmas lights , McAdenville, aka "Christmas Town USA," features 100 decorated homes, plus 265 evergreen trees illuminated with 500,000 colored lights. The town gets 600,000 visitors in December to see the lights by car and on foot, as some roads are closed off to traffic. One lucky elementary student is chosen to flip the switch at the start of the season, then the luminaries go on nightly throughout the month. Visitors can also enjoy the Yule Log Ceremony and the Annual Christmas Town Festival.

After your excursion to McAdenville, drive a few minutes down the road to the charming town of Gastonia and the Esquire Hotel , a revamped 1918 bank that later housed law offices—hence the name of its eatery, Barrister's Restaurant. The boutique hotel's decor is top-notch, and be sure to check out the cool rooftop lounge.

Garrison, North Dakota

Best for: Victorian cosplay

For three weekends during the holiday season, the "Christmas Capital of North Dakota" transforms into a Victorian village with its Dickens Village Festival, which has been drawing crowds to the small-town Christmas on the shores of Lake Sakakawea since 1994. Get dressed in your finest period gear (or a street urchin costume will do) for unique events like a fruitcake toss, quilt show, street carolers, double-decker "Queen Elizabus" rides, top-hat decorating and Fezziwig's Feast. The fun culminates in performances of a theatrical adaptation of A Christmas Carol .

Accommodations in this small town are hard to come by, but visitors can enjoy a relaxing winter retreat by renting a lakefront vacation home with amazing views. You can even enjoy ice-fishing right outside your door.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Best for: Arts and culture

The vibrant cultural community of OKC steps into Christmas with its monthlong Downtown in December celebration, which includes the gorgeous illuminations of Lights on Broadway in historic Automobile Alley. Enjoy window displays, sidewalk events including live music, balloon art and pop-up shops. Outdoor ice-skating, snow tubing at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, a Santa run, performances of classical music and The Nutcracker  ballet, and many more events are scheduled. Also check out Treefest at the Red Earth Art Center, in which Native American tribes across the state create ornaments and other artwork that represents their culture.

In keeping with the city's artsy vibe, stay at the Fordson Hotel . Housed in a historic Ford Model T assembly plant just a five-minute walk to Film Row, with funky modern decor, this is one of the most unique places to spend your Christmas holiday.

Jacksonville, Oregon

Best for: Restaurants and wine

This gold rush town rushes headfirst into the holiday season with its Victorian Christmas celebration. During December, Jacksonville's National Historic District is draped in greenery and twinkling lights as visitors take in the seasonal beauty and enjoy the Victorian Christmas parade, tree lighting, caroling, musical performances and visits with Father Christmas. Shoppers make their way among charming boutiques, outstanding restaurants and antique stores. Holiday tours of the 1873 Beekman House, home of a wealthy pioneer family, are also offered, along with tastings in the many fine wineries of Oregon .

Stay right downtown at the Jacksonville Inn , which dates from 1861 and features an award-winning restaurant and wine shop with an abundant selection. The lush accommodations reflect the historic elegance of the town, which is on full display during the holidays.

Newport, Rhode Island

Best for: A romantic couples getaway

See how the Gilded Age's upper crest celebrated the season when visiting the Newport mansions all dressed up for the holidays. Christmas trees, evergreens, wreaths and poinsettias (including a 15-foot poinsettia "tree") adorn The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House. View them in candlelight for a holiday evening out as well; guests can even splurge for a black-tie Holiday Dinner Dance. The Sparkling Lights at the Breakers event will show off the grounds of the estate with tens of thousands of colored lights throughout. The experiential "Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff" has the audience moving with the dancers throughout the mansion, as if you're part of the story. The charming town of Newport has many holiday events as well, with unique shops, tree lighting, musical performances and festive fare at restaurants.

Affordable accommodations in the tony town of Newport are hard to come by, but Beech Tree Inn and Cottage offers a reasonably priced B&B without sacrificing comfort. This quiet and cozy inn is the perfect spot to retreat after a busy day of holiday merry-making.

Charleston, South Carolina

Best for: History buffs

Low-country southern history and hospitality come alive during the holidays when this stunning city becomes even more beautiful. Visit the illuminated display over the water at James Island County Park's Holiday Festival of Lights. Learn about Charleston's holiday past with visits to the city's historic homes, such as this piece of Christmas trivia you probably didn't know: The poinsettia is named for a Charlestonian, Joel Roberts Poinsett, who brought back the Flor de Noche Buena ("Christmas Eve flower") from Mexico in the early 19th century. Guests can also listen to traditional African American Spirituals Concerts at Drayton Hall and Gullah Christmas stories at Edmonston-Alston House.

Stay in one of the city's many  charming historic hotels that are beautifully decked out for the holidays, such as the grand Francis Marion Hotel , which dates from 1924. The location in Charleston's historic district can't be beat, and the gorgeous interiors of the hotel are jaw-dropping at Christmastime.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Best for: Waterfall chasers

Gorgeous waterfalls of tumbling icy water in the Big Sioux River illuminated by more than 355,000 colored lights are the highlight of the Christmas season in Falls Park, a winter wonderland fit for Santa himself. But that's not all the city has to offer: Downtown Sioux Falls also gets the holiday treatment with a Parade of Lights and tree lighting, while the town's thriving entertainment scene offers holiday musical and stage performances. There are plenty of outdoor winter activities in the area as well, including skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing and ice skating.

A stay downtown at Hotel on Phillips allows visitors to walk to many area holiday attractions, bars and restaurants and offers amazing views over the river. The hotel, which features an art deco style, plays up the building's history as an early-1900s bank with the original 16-ton vault door as the entrance to the lounge.

Woodstock, Vermont

Best for: A classic country Christmas

With covered bridges, rolling farmland, horse-drawn sleigh rides and charming country inns, Woodstock, Vermont, is worthy of being named one of the best Christmas towns in the USA. The quaint town of Woodstock hosts a Wassail Weekend, a feast for the senses with holiday lights, the sound of bells from horse-drawn wagons, decorated homes, music, and hot cider and donuts. The celebrations continue during the festive Christmas at the Farm event at Billings Farm rural history museum, with candle dipping, holiday stories, cooking demonstrations, sleigh rides and snowshoe trekking.

Right outside the town, the Jackson House Inn presents a refined historical inn that looks wonderful dressed up for Christmas—especially when covered in snow. Classically elegant rooms feature fireplaces and four-poster beds.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Best for: Colonial Christmas traditions

Historic Colonial Williamsburg observes Christmas as our forefathers did, with tours, stories and strolling costumed performers among the decorated buildings of this living history museum. The Grand Illumination lights up the sky with fireworks displays; other events feature candles, a bonfire, caroling, and fife and drum music. For more old-fashioned holiday celebrations, visit other Colonial towns in the Greater Williamsburg area, including Jamestown and Yorktown; for modern revelries, check out the Busch Gardens Christmas Town events.

Immerse yourself in 18th-century life with an experiential stay in your own private cottage in the Colonial Houses of Colonial Williamsburg . Settle down by the fire in the evening, or stroll along the historic, holiday-decorated streets after the crowds have left.

Lewisburg, West Virginia

Best for: Theater and classical music performances

Named one of the "coolest small towns" in America, Lewisburg has a downtown that's even more delightful when decorated for Christmas, kicking off with its Holiday Festival, with live music, food, carriage rides and beautiful holiday decorations. The town also has a thriving arts scene, so visitors can check out seasonal performances at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre and Carnegie Hall (one of four venues established by steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie that are still in use as theaters today; the most well-known is in New York City). More Christmas revelry awaits at The Greenbrier resort, including musical events, storytime with Santa and holiday dinner parties.

A stay at The Greenbrier may be pricey, so try the more affordable historic property the General Lewis Inn . Just a couple of blocks from downtown, this 1834 mansion also features a farm-to-table restaurant.

Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Best for: Families

If you're looking to visit some of the best Christmas towns in the USA, try endearing Cedarburg. This cute town gets the twinkle-light treatment at holiday time, with specialty shops and eateries looking more inviting than ever. On Festive Friday Eves, luminarias line the streets and revelers can enjoy music, entertainment, wine and food tasting, free trolley rides and an outdoor cookout. Children of all ages can also stop by the pint-size "gingerbread" Santa's Workshop and enjoy a drive-thru holiday light show.

There are a couple of sophisticated B&Bs in Cedarburg itself, but if you're coming with the family, stay at the Chalet Motel of Mequon down the road. It's simple, yet clean and comfortable, and the rate can't be beat.

Ogunquit, Maine

Best for: New England beach lovers

This quiet fishing village gets lively at holiday time with its annual Christmas by the Sea festival. In addition to dressing up the boutiques of downtown, the residents take to the beach to celebrate at Perkins Cove. To experience true Maine style, sample chowder at the Taste the Season event; a bonfire, caroling, hay rides, tree lighting, storytelling, ornament making and craft shows are also part of the fun. The Christmas town has even been known to make Christmas trees out of lobster traps!

Ogunquit has many lovely inns, but Anchorage by the Sea  stands out for its phenomenal oceanfront location, just a short walk into downtown for all the Christmas activities. Ask for a room with a view to take full advantage of the setting.

The post The Best Christmas Towns in America You Should Visit at Least Once appeared first on Reader's Digest .

leavenworth,Washington,usa.-02/14/16: beautiful leavenworth with lighting decoration in winter.

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  1. Most MAGICAL Christmas Towns In The World!

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  1. 20 BEST Christmas Towns in North Carolina to Celebrate

    2. Saluda. Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina. Location: Hometown Christmas- McCreery Park, Saluda (GPS) Holiday Events: Christmas carol sing-along, donating goodies to elf stations, light shows in Saluda Shoals Park. Website. It only has 700 residents but the small town of Saluda is big on Christmas.

  2. The 15 Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina

    The 15 Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina including info on holiday tree lightings, parades, activities, ... READ MORE: The 15 Best Christmas Towns in Georgia to Visit. Christmas in Dillsboro, photo by Nick Breedlove via Jackson Country Tourism Development Authority 9. Christmas in Dillsboro NC

  3. Top 10 Christmas Towns in North Carolina for 2024

    Benson. Best Places to Stay. The town of Benson is home to the oldest and largest Christmas light show in Eastern North Carolina - Meadow Lights. The family-owned and operated business that began over 40 years ago features 10 acres of light displays, including six scenes depicting the life of Jesus Christ.

  4. Holiday roadtrip: These 8 enchanting NC Christmas Towns are like a

    A village high up in the North Carolina mountains, Banner Elk serves up a "A Small Town Christmas," with luminary-lighted train rides and good old-fashioned choose-and-cut Christmas trees. Visit ...

  5. The 20 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in NC (2023)

    1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain NC • (828) 898-4521. Official Website. For many folks who prefer a White Christmas, the ultimate way to celebrate the season involves skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snow tubing, and/or ice skating. Sugar Mountain Resort is located near Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, and Boone.

  6. 12 Best Christmas Towns In North Carolina To Visit In 2023 + Christmas

    So visit North Carolina at Christmas after reading this article on the best Christmas towns in North Carolina with magical Christmas attractions in North Carolina. Read More On North Carolina Travel. 6 Best Scenic Drives In North Carolina With Scenic Stopovers & Hotels; 8 Best Hikes In Blue Ridge Parkway With Campgrounds & Waterfalls

  7. 10 Festive Christmas Towns In North Carolina

    The best Christmas towns in North Carolina know how to bring the holiday spirit to the Tar Heel State! There are festivals, events, dinners, and Christmas decorations in these stunning NC towns that will leave you in awe. You can find Christmas parades, walk-through and drive-through light displays, perfectly decorated hotel lobbies, delectable Christmas meals, and more when you explore North ...

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    The highlight of your Christmas visit to Bryson City will be the THE POLAR EXPRESS! This 1¼ hour round-trip passenger excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. ... You won't see Waynesville NC on many "Best Christmas Town" lists, as it's ...

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    5. McAdenville. This small town is also known as Christmas Town, USA. As you can guess, McAdenville is one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina. One visit and you will fall in love with this charming village full of Christmas spirit. The town has less than 1,000 residents, but it is big on holiday cheer.

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    4 Beaufort. One of North Carolina's oldest towns is also among the best Christmas towns in the state. Christmas is an amazing time in this city, thanks to its energetic and colorful events, such as the annual Night On the Town Celebration, featuring live shows, visits and pictures with Santa, lighting of trees, and late-night shopping.

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    1. Asheville. Biltmore, 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803, USA. Biltmore/Facebook. One of the most beloved North Carolina Christmas traditions is visiting our castle illuminated as far as the eye can see. Beginning Nov. 3, 2023, two events to celebrate include the Christmas at Biltmore Daytime Celebration and Candlelight Christmas Evenings.

  12. 12 Festive Places To Celebrate Christmas In North Carolina

    Forest City is one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina. In fact, Forest City was voted the #1 place to see Christmas lights in the western part of North Carolina and the #1 Christmas town in the greater Asheville area. If you want to truly experience what Christmas in North Carolina is like, be sure to visit Forest City this year.

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    9. Brevard: With the stately courthouse on the town square with the towering Christmas Tree, this town is home to many great local stores, including the longtime favorite O.P. Taylor toy store. Down the street is the quirky Aluminum Christmas Tree Museum. 10.

  14. Best Christmas Towns In North Carolina

    Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina Asheville: A Winter Wonderland. When it comes to celebrating the holiday season, Asheville truly transforms into a winter wonderland. The charming mountain town is known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant arts scene, making it the perfect destination for a festive getaway.

  15. 11 Adorable North Carolina Towns That Feel Like A Hallmark Christmas

    11. Bryson City. The quaint mountain town of Bryson City is located on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and, during the holidays, it's every Hallmark lover's dream come true. Imagine a 50-foot, brilliantly lit, and lavishly decorated tree in the town square.

  16. Christmas in North Carolina 2023 (50+ Best Things to Do)

    Holiday Lights at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville (December 1 to 21) Lights & Luminaries in Dillsboro (December 1 to 2 and 8 to 9) Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla in Beaufort (December 2) Christmas in the Park in Fayetteville (Dates 3 to 7, 10 to 14, and 17 to 21)

  17. We've Spotted the Most Magical Christmas Town To Visit

    McAdenville, North Carolina, Is One Of The Most Magical Christmas Towns To Visit. There's no place like it during the holiday season. Many places worldwide claim to have the best Christmas celebrations, but no holiday location is quite like McAdenville, North Carolina. Brought to the public's attention in 1980, the Charles Kuralt Morning Show ...

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    The annual tree lighting ceremony for Christmas Town U.S.A. is Dec. 1, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at Dynamo 31 located at 102 Main Street in McAdenville. After that, the lights will turn on nightly at 5:30 p.m. and turn off at 10 p.m. through Dec. 26, 2023. The Annual Yule Log Parade will be held on Dec. 14, 2023, at 100 Main Street.

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    These best places to visit in North Carolina for Christmas will get you in the festive spirit whilst you explore the picturesque state. If you're looking for a winter wonderland adorned with twinkling lights, charming festivities, and a warm sense of community this holiday season, look no further than North Carolina.

  20. 15 Best Places To See Christmas Lights in North Carolina

    The NC Arboretum in Asheville is one of the best places to see Christmas lights in North Carolina. The display is designed in a well-thought-out and artistic way. The aesthetic is immaculate, and it is a true work of art. This is truly one of the best Mountain Towns In North Carolina!

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    4. Concord. There are so many Christmas attractions in Concord, including North Pole University at Great Wolf Lodge. Kids delight in completing holiday-themed activities to earn their official "Snowplomas" along with a Rowdy the Reindeer trading card. The indoor water park features 80,000 square feet of pools, slides, and rides.

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    An old-fashioned hayride will show you some of the best Christmas lights in NC. Ticket Info Read More: Eastern North Carolina (and 100+ Awesome Places to Visit) Sweet Valley Ranch Christmas Lights. 2023 Dates: Select Dates Starting November 24 Ticket Info

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    Christmas Town USA McAdenville, NC 2023 Dates: December 1 - 26. 11. Ride The Polar Express. One of the first things I did this year when my grandbaby was born was to book a Christmas trip on our local Polar Express. It's a holiday tradition for many families throughout the US, and North Carolina has one of the best.

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    One of the best small towns in America for Christmas lights, McAdenville, aka "Christmas Town USA," features 100 decorated homes, plus 265 evergreen trees illuminated with 500,000 colored lights ...