Make Magical Memories During Hendersonville’s Home for the Holidays
If thoughts of a Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas sound idyllic, the Western North Carolina town of Hendersonville invites your family to experience Home for the Holidays. This collection of yuletide events runs from mid-November through New Year’s Day.
Located approximately three hours west of the Triad and just south of Asheville, the town of Hendersonville has one of the most welcoming Main Streets in North Carolina, and this time of year, it’s all decked out in lights. Downtown is a destination for carriage rides, holiday shopping, family-friendly dining and the Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt.
Many families visit Hendersonville each fall for U-pick apples. While all of the apples have been plucked from the branches, several farms welcome visitors through the holidays.
To get in the spirit, check out these best bets for family fun this season and make plans to spend a few days in Hendersonville. A complete Home for the Holidays schedule is available here.
Downtown Tree Lighting
Holiday festivities kick into high gear the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28. Enjoy live Christmas music, shopping, hot drinks and delicious treats, followed by a countdown to Santa’s arrival. At dusk, the Man in Red flips the switch to light up the tree on the Historic Courthouse plaza. Afterward, board a horse-drawn carriage to see all of the twinkling lights and share your wish list with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
Each year the iconic Flat Rock Playhouse — the state theater of North Carolina — delights patrons with an original Christmas show. Expect favorite tunes and some surprises in this musical revue with beautiful costumes and decor. With 25 shows from Nov. 28-Dec. 21, the playhouse offers plenty of opportunities to catch the merriment on stage. Showtimes switch between 7:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., so there’s no need for younger attendees to miss bedtime.
Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt
Peppermint Bear took her cubs downtown to shop for decorations, and now her 29 cubs have gone missing. Rumor has it they’re hiding in the shops along Main Street. Stop by the Hendersonville Welcome Center on Main Street to pick up a Peppermint Bear brochure and embark on a scavenger hunt to help mama bear find her cubs. When you spot a bear, let the shopkeeper know and you’ll receive a stamp. Once you’ve found 12 cubs, return your brochure to the welcome center for the chance to win a prize.
Olde Fashioned Christmas
On Friday, Dec. 5, stores, boutiques and galleries stay open extended hours and serve holiday treats for this annual downtown celebration. Carolers stroll the sidewalks, and Santa and Mrs. Claus visit with kids on the Historic Courthouse plaza. Carriage rides along the serpentine street have become a favorite tradition. Don’t miss the extensive toy selection at O.P Taylor’s, and stock up on plenty of candy and other stocking stuffers at Mast General Store.
Fa-La-La Llama Farm Tour
Ellaberry Llama Farm dresses up its animals and invites visitors to meet them. Tours are offered on select Fridays and Saturdays in December. The property is owned by sixth-generation apple farmers who started raising llamas in 2017. Learn about the lovable llamas and alpacas, guide them through a Christmas-themed obstacle course, and capture the moment with group photos in the sleigh photo booth.
Christmas at Jeter Mountain Farm
The mountaintop farm is a hotspot for U-pick apples, pumpkins and more during the fall. This year, the farm reopens for three weekends of Christmas cheer. Purchase a fresh-cut Fraser fir tree grown at nearby farms. Enjoy hot chocolate, holiday hard cider, live jazz music and rocking chairs around the fire. If you’re looking to shoot some snapshots of the kids, this pristine property is a splendid choice.
Holidays at Grandad’s Apples
This 120-acre fifth-generation family farm welcomes visitors in November and December with twinkling lights, festive treats and holiday cheer. Enjoy farm favorites, such as fresh cider and apple cider doughnuts. Purchase a Christmas tree and holiday pies to take home. Santa will be accepting wish lists at the farm on Saturdays and Sunday, Nov. 22-Dec. 14.
New Year’s Eve Apple Rise
Close out the holidays with a family-friendly celebration to ring in 2026. Hendersonville pays homage to its status as North Carolina’s Apple Capital by raising a giant apple on the plaza of the Historic Courthouse. This free event features New Year’s Eve swag giveaways, a DJ dance party, hot cocoa, games and craft vendors. All leading up to the apple rise countdown at 7 p.m. Perfect for families with young children or those who wish to enjoy an early, alcohol-free celebration.
Lodging Options to Suit Every Style
Hendersonville’s variety of lodging options pleases families of all shapes and sizes. Name-brand hotels offer convenience with proximity to the interstate and continental breakfast. Vacation rentals are ideal for multigenerational travel and allow for memory making with grandparents and extended family. When browsing vacation rentals, choose from remote options with mountain views or downtown locations walkable to Main Street. Several resorts feature multiple lodging options, as well as dining, outdoor recreation and more, on a single property.
Hendersonville’s Home for the Holidays celebration unwraps a season of yuletide fun from mid-November through New Year’s. Make plans now to frolic and play the Hendersonville way. Go online to https://visithendersonvillenc.org/home-for-the-holidays or call 828-693-9708.