Christmas & Holiday Parades

• Asheville – November 17, 11 a.m. – The Asheville Holiday Parade presented by Bojangles’ steps off at Biltmore Avenue at Charlotte Street and concludes on Patton Avenue at S. French Broad. This year's theme is Appalachian Holiday. 

• Columbia – December 1, 9:45 a.m. The Carolina Carillon is South Carolina’s Official Holiday Parade featuring entries from all across the state. This year’s theme is Music! Magic! And Mistletoe! It starts at the corner of Gervais and Bull Streets then makes its way west on Gervais, passed the State House, and into the Vista to Park Street. 

• Hendersonville – December 1, 10:30 a.m. – The Hendersonville Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Hendersonville Merchants Association, marches down Main Street from Five Points to Caswell. 

• Winston-Salem – December 1, 5 p.m. – The Winston-Salem Jaycees Downtown Holiday Parade makes its way down Fourth Street from Poplar to Liberty then follows Liberty to Corpening Plaza at First Street. It will be followed b the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership Tree Lighting Ceremony. 

• Greenville – December 1, 6 p.m. – The holiday season officially arrives with the Poinsettia Christmas Parade. The route runs along Main Street from Augusta to North Streets. 

• Waynesville – December 3, 6 p.m. – Enjoy more than 100 illuminated entries in the Waynesville Christmas Parade as they make their ways down Main Street celebrating this year’s theme Jingle All the Way. Remember to remove your vehicles from Main Street before step off. 

• Knoxville – December 7, 7 p.m. – The WIVK Christmas Parade lights up the night in Knoxville. The route begins on Church Street, travels toward Gay Street, then turns onto East Jackson Street headed toward Old City. 

• Boone – December 8, 11 a.m. – Ring in the holidays with Boone’s Christmas Parade. The parade will travel east from the Health Department parking lot on West King Street to Hardin Street near the Dan’l Boone Inn. 

Santa Sightings

Columbia– Santa will be visiting Mast Store on December 1 (noon to 3:00 p.m.) and December 6 (5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.). Bring the kids and your camera to capture magical memories as the Jolly Old Fellow is making his list!

Greenville– Old Saint Nick makes his yearly appearance at Mast Store on December 1 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Bring the kids and your camera to capture magical memories as the Jolly Old Fellow is making his list!

Waynesville – December 7, 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. – The Jolly Old Elf will be visiting the Winston-Salem store, so bring your camera and join the fun, with lots of holiday activities.

Knoxville– Santa will swing by Mast Store on December 8 and 9 from noon- 4:00 p.m. Bring the kids and your camera to capture the memories as the Jolly Old Fellow is making his list!

Hendersonville –  Mast has convinced Santa to meet with kids of all ages on Sunday, December 2 from 1-4 p.m. and on Sunday, December 9 from 1-4 p.m.  

Asheville – Come see Santa on Thursday, December 6 from 5-8 p.m. and find out which list you are on!

Boone – Santa is being extra generous with his visits this year, stopping in on ALL Fridays and Saturday from November 23^rd to December 22^nd.  See the calendar for more details.

Valle Crucis – Santa will visit every Saturday through the 24^th from 11-4 p.m. and every Sunday from 12-4 p.m. See the calendar for details.

Lighting Up the Holidays

Tour de Lights – Knoxville, December 14. 6-8:30 p.m. Take a lighted Bike ride through downtown Knoxville-- with hot chocolate at the ride’s end. And if you just want to watch: "Vienna Coffee at Regas will be open until 8:30 p.m. just for Tour de Lights, so if you are looking to watch the parade instead of ride in it, that would be a great location." You can find out more HERE. 

Festive First Friday – December 7, Downtown Boone – Be part of the annual tradition of lighting the Jones House Christmas Tree on Friday! The event kicks off at 4:00 p.m. with musical performances, cloggers and dancers, caroling, snowball fights, and more before and after the tree lighting at 6:00 p.m. As a part of Festive First Friday, you may also run into The Grinch, a Snowman, and Santa Claus. You can even take a carriage ride or get some yummy treats like hot chocolate and s'mores, and roasted chestnuts! For more information, visit the Facebook page HERE.  

Olde Fashioned Christmas – December 7, 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Main Street, Hendersonville - Shops along historic Main Street stay open late for holiday shopping, entertainment and celebration; caroling, lights, treats and other holiday festivities. Call (828) 697-2232 for more information. 

A Night Before Christmas - December 8, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. - Downtown Waynesville is transformed into Christmastown with illuminaria lining the sidewalks, wagon rides, carolers, and surprise visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Stop in at the Mast Store to sample foods for your table and to enjoy hot apple cider.

Ho Ho Hoedown - The holiday season in Downtown Knoxville is filled with special events, community gatherings, and unique shopping opportunities. Mast Store kicks it off at 9 a.m. on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving with special coupons and extended hours. WDVX’s Blue Plate Special is a great lunch break from your holiday shopping. And Mast Store recommends the Ho-Ho-Hoedown to wrap up the day’s events. Visit WDVX's page HERE for more details. 

Holiday Happenings with Our Partners

Candlelight Christmas Evenings – November 3-January 5, 5:00 p.m., Biltmore Estate, Asheville - Candlelight, firelight, and live music bring holiday warmth to the extravagant holiday décor of Biltmore House, creating an evening to remember. Evening guests can also take advantage of Antler Hill Village & Winery to enjoy free wine tastings. Advance reservations are required for evening visits. Click HERE for details. 

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks – Columbia, November 17- December 30, 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., Riverbanks Zoo and Garden - $11 for Adults, $9 Children ages 2–12, and children younger than 2 free. Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years! Nearly one million twinkling lights, countless decorative images, an animated story tree, nightly visits with Santa, and more! Festive holiday foods and hot cocoa will be available for purchase.  While you may spot a few night owls during your visit, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zz's. You can purchase your tickets and get more information HERE. 

Tweetsie Christmas – November 23-24, and 30; December 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, and 28-29, Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock - Open 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Advance Tickets Required! Enjoy the Wonder of the Park dazzlingly lit for the holidays, with a nighttime train and more. Click HERE for tickets and information. 

Two Chances to see The Nutcracker – Imagine gifts, magic, and the grand holiday in ballet!

• The Nutcracker: Meet and Greet – Winston Salem, November 25 - Come meet some of the dancers in this year's Nutcracker performance! All performances will be at the Stevens Center at 405 West Fourth Street, downtown Winston-Salem. Presented by the UNC School of the Arts. For more information, click this LINK.
• Nutcracker! - December 8-16, Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia - Nutcracker, Columbia’s holiday family tradition, has the distinction of being Koger Center’s first Nutcracker production and longest consecutively running annual arts event. With six snow-filled performances, including four matinees, Nutcracker is designed to accommodate the entire family’s holiday schedule. Here's a LINK to learn more. 

Ice on Main! - November 16-January 15, Downtown Greenville - During the November-January skate season, hours are typically 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. on Sunday. Hours are expanded during school break and for holidays. United Community Bank Ice on Main, located in the heart of Downtown Greenville, is an open-air ice skating rink. Since 2011, more than 86,000 skaters and countless spectators have enjoyed Greenville’s favorite holiday tradition. Come celebrate the holidays with one of America’s favorite winter traditions. Check the Ice on Main Facebook page before planning your trip to come skate, as rink status and closings are updated daily. 

Santa on the Chimney – December 1 & 8, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Chimney Rock Park - Santa has to have some practice going down chimneys. And to prepare for the big day, he visits the world’s largest chimneys at Chimney Rock State Park. So, come by and bring your list to Santa and Mrs. Claus. There's also live holiday music, hot cocoa, cookies and kids’ activities to enjoy. Here’s where you can FIND MORE.  

Holidays on Ice – November 23–January 6, Market Square – Monday thru Thursday 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.-9 p.m. - Knoxville's Holidays on Ice, presented by Home Federal Bank, is an outdoor ice skating rink in the heart of Downtown Knoxville on Market Square. Enjoy skating under Christmas lights and stars while listening to music every night.  1 Day Ticket Adult $10, 1 Day Ticket Children Age 12 & Under $7, Season Pass Adult $45, Season Pass Children Age 12 & Under $30. The ice rink will be closed during inclement weather, please check the Holidays on Ice Facebook page to stay updated.

The Polar Express Christmas Train – November 9- December 31 (excludes Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day), Bryson City - See Schedule for times (click here) Don't forget to purchase tickets in advance; rides sell out quickly, and you don't want your little ones to be disappointed. Here's the LINK to purchase tickets.