Community News

'Light Up the World' Christmas parade set for 6 p.m. Dec. 7

Holiday Historic Inns Tour & Cookie Caper takes place Sunday, Dec. 8.

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 22, 2024

Whether it’s a Thanksgiving morning jog to work up an appetite for the feast, a stroll on Main Street, sweet treats during the Historic Inns Tour & Cookies Caper or the nighttime Christmas parade, Hendersonville offers an abundance of holiday events to enjoy. Here’s a roundup:

• Turkey Trot: 8:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, City Hall on Fifth Avenue East at King Street. Race kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, at City Hall on Fifth Avenue East at King Street. Registration is $15 and includes a long-sleeved T-shirt. Pick up race packets 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, and Wednesday, Nov. 27. Unclaimed packets will be redistributed by 9 a.m. on race day. The Turkey Trot awards prizes for farthest traveled, first male, first female and a mystery time prize. Well-behaved pets are welcome. For more info or to register, visit hendersonvillenc.gov/turkeytrot
• Books for Good: Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29 and 30. More than 45,000 adult and children’s books, CDs and DVDs are sold at a 25 percent discount during annual holiday sale. Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Proceeds benefit nonprofits. Since it was founded in 2014, Books for Good has raised more than $350,000 for over 100 charities. 50 Heritage Park Drive in Fletcher behind the Subway on U.S. 25 at Butler Bridge Road.
• Home for the Holidays: Opens Friday, Nov. 29, with the Holiday Tree Lighting and Santa’s arrival at the Historic Courthouse plaza to light up the town tree and the Christmas lights downtown. The evening includes carriage rides, live music, sweet treats and shopping.
• Bullington Gardens holiday greenery and craft sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7, featuring Fraser fir trees, wreaths and other Christmas decorations. 95 Upper Red Oak Trail.
• Olde Fashioned Christmas, Friday, Dec. 6: Stores and galleries extend hours to serve holiday treats and choirs and carolers stroll the sidewalks. Santa visits with kids at the courthouse plaza, while carriage rides return to Main Street. The llamas of Ellaberry Llama Farm dressed in their holiday finest will be on hoof for festive photo ops.
  
  
• Land’O’Sky Garden Club Christmas Bazaar, Saturday, Dec. 7

• ‘Light Up the World’ Christmas parade, 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, downtown.

• Holiday Historic Inns Tour & Cookie Caper: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Sponsored by Hendersonville's Historic Preservation Commission and the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority, self-driving tour invites participants to explore the charm of historic inns and vacation rentals decorated for the holidays while enjoying unique holiday treats along the way. Tickets, $20 per person through Dec. 7, are available for purchase at the Henderson County Visitors Center, 201 S. Main St. Ticket holders receive a brochure featuring a map and brief histories of each property. Proceeds from the event will support the Historic Preservation Commission’s work in preserving the City’s three local historic districts, four local landmarks, and eight districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Jingle Jog 5K: 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Includes festive costume contest; post-race hot cocoa, holiday treats, and music at the finish line; pets welcome. All proceeds support Hope Coalition. Registration: Early Reindeer $30 through Nov. 31; You Snow The Drill $35 through Dec. 3; Saint Nick of Time, Dec. 3-13 $40; race day $45. To register, visit jinglejog5k.itsyourrace.com/register/ or contact jhuneycutt@elementsofhope.org.

• Holly Jolly Train Rides: Saturday, Dec. 21: Chug on down to Main Street for, plus more photo ops with the Ellaberry llamas, while enjoying freshly baked goods from Mountain Fresh Orchards.

• Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum: New this year, “Seasons of Light” celebrates of the four seasons interpreted in more than one million lights. Also new this year is the Enchanted Oasis, an interactive light installation that changes and responds to touch and motion, and the Ice Castle, where silvery winter spires rise toward the sky. Familiar favorites include the 50-foot animated Tree of Light, the illuminated musical quilt garden, and the Polar Express railroad will also return. Get tickets per vehicle at com. The Arboretum strongly recommends purchasing tickets in advance and online. Please leave pets at home.

• Ongoing: “A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas,” Nov. 29-Dec. 21. Daytime Christmas Tours at Historic Johnson Farm weekdays Dec. 2-20. Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt, Nov. 29-Dec. 23, a fun-filled downtown search for Peppermint’s lost cubs, who are hiding in shops and stores. Christmas festivities at Jeter Mountain Farm and Grandad’s Apples. Dry Falls Brewing Co. 12 Beers of Christmas, a daily beer release from Dec. 13-24.

• New Year’s Eve Apple Rise: Dec. 31 early evening family-friendly celebration, Historic Courthouse.

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NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the Christmas parade start time. It's 6 p.m.