News

HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Nighttime parade, Christmas greenery, historic inn tour

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 7, 2024

Bullington Gardens' holiday greenery sale wraps up today, the city's Christmas parade downtown lights up Main Street tonight and the holiday tour of historic inns — plus cookies — happens Sunday as Hendersonville celebrates the season.

Here’s a roundup:

• 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.

• ‘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 support the Historic Preservation Commission’s work to preserve 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.

• Hendersonville Community Band holiday concert. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec.15, Blue Ridge Conference Hall at BRCC. Tickets at the door $12 and in advance at the Henderson County Visitors Center. Student admissions free. Featuring Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” with alto sax soloist Joel Helfand; swingin’ Sammy Nestico’s jazz arrangement of “Good Swing Wenceslas” originally performed by the Count Basie Orchestra; a medley of traditional carols, including “March of the Kings,” “Greensleeves,” “I Saw Three Ships,” a soulful gospel rendition of “Go Tell it on the Mountain" and more.

• Holly Jolly Train Rides: Saturday, Dec. 21: Chug on down to Main Street for train rides plus photo ops with the Ellaberry llamas, freshly baked goods from Mountain Fresh Orchards.
• Historic Johnson Farm Christmas Tours, weekdays through Dec. 20: Tour the historic 1880s house decked out for the holidays, visit the Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. Built by hand from 1876-1880, the farmhouse is believed to be the oldest standing brick home in Henderson County. Guided tours are at 10:30 a.m. While drop-ins are allowed, those with reservations take priority, so please consider making a reservation. Guided daytime tours are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (65 and over) and free for those 4 and under. Groups of 10 or more are welcome to reserve private group tours at 1:30 p.m. each weekday for a group rate of $8 per person, but they must reserve ahead of time by calling 828-891-6585 or emailing jfarm@hcpsnc.org. Mugs, ornaments and magnets with the farm logo are for sale. The popular children’s book about the farm, Winston the Farm Dog: A History of Historic Johnson Farm, is for sale as well and the Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists gift shop is stocked full of handmade fiber gifts.

• Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum: Through Dec. 31. New this year, “Seasons of Light” celebrates the four seasons interpreted in more than a million lights. Get tickets per vehicle at ncarboretum.org/winter-lights. The Arboretum strongly recommends purchasing tickets in advance and online. Please leave pets at home.
• New Year’s Eve Apple Rise: Dec. 31. Early evening family-friendly celebration, Historic Courthouse.
• Also ongoing: “A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas,” through Dec. 21. For tickets visit flatrockplayhouse.org/. Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt, through 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. celebrates 12 Beers of Christmas, a daily beer release Dec. 13-24.