Christmas 2024 is on the way: Plan holiday shopping and outings

The Christmas season has begun in Henderson County with drive-through light shows, plays, historic home tours and more. Plan your holiday shopping and find events that will lift spirits and bring hope.

Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt: Through Dec. 23 throughout downtown Hendersonville. Peppermint Bear takes you on a bear hunt in search of her lost cubs. Hint: the cubs are hiding in downtown businesses. Once you find a lost cub in at least 12 of 28 participating businesses and the shopkeeper has punched your brochure, you are eligible to win scavenger hunt prizes. To enter, submit an image of your brochure via online entry form by scanning the provided QR code by Dec. 23. More info here. Brochures available at Welcome Center, 201 S. Main St.

Winter Lights walk-through light show: Through Dec. 31 at N.C. Arboretum, Frederick Law Olmstead Way, Asheville. $40-$85 per vehicle. Visit https://www.ncarboretum.org/winter-lights/ticket-info/ for tickets and to choose entry time of 6, 7, or 8 p.m.

North Pole Winter Wonderland Christmas display: Take holiday photos through Dec. 31 at Ace Hardware, 911 Greenville Hwy., Hendersonville. Open daily. Free. Call (828) 697-2237.

Brevard holiday window competition and walking tour: Through Dec. 31 in downtown Brevard. Showcases festive and fun windows, mirroring Christmas parade theme of “Holidays: Past, Present and Future.” Vote for your favorite window with your phone.

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“A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas Show!”: Dec. 18-21, Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock. Shows at 2 and 7:30 p.m. $55-$75, child pricing available for age 17 and younger. Visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org for specific dates and times.

Bobcat Ice Skating Rink: Through Dec. 31, Tryon International, 95 International Blvd., Mill Spring. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday for $15. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday $15, 5-10 p.m. $18. Group packages available. Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Visit https://www.resort.tryon.com/winterfest.

Wine in Winter Wonder: Through Dec. 31, Marked Tree Vineyard, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock. Tasting room open until 6 p.m. More than 50,000 twinkling lights. The drive to tasting room is reminiscent of a drive-thru light display, including five commissioned, lighted art installations, and Henderson County’s largest oak tree, “Otto,” dressed in more than 6,000 lights. Outdoor fire pits, carolers on Saturday evenings, hike around property. Call (828) 513-3773 or visit www.markedtreevineyards.com.

Christmas on the Farm: Open Thursday-Sunday through Dec. 22. Grandad's Apples n' Such, 2951 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville. Pre-cut Christmas trees, light displays, Moo-dolph train, 10 varieties of apples, Santa visits. Free admission. Cow Train and Apple Cannon run Saturday-Sunday through December. Visit https://grandadsapples.com/christmas-on-the-farm/.

Christmas at the Farm: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Jeter Mountain Farm, 1126 Jeter Mountain Road, Hendersonville. Visit the farm on the three weekends following Thanksgiving to find the perfect tree and enjoy festive activities. Fire, warm holiday beverages, desserts, sing along to carols. A reservation is required only to purchase a Christmas tree. Otherwise, everyone is welcome to wander the farm.

Christmas tree and holiday sale: Camp Tree Farm, 301 Cabin Creek Road, Zirconia. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday. For weekday visits, call ahead to (828) 674-2558. Cash only. Fresh precut Fraser Fir trees and wreaths, 5-8 feet tall, $10 per foot. Also Norway Spruce trees available for choose-and-cut. Fresh wreaths and handmade crafts. Available until sold out.

Christmas Tours at Historic Johnson Farm: 10:30 a.m. weekdays through Dec. 20, 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Tour decorated historic 1880s house, visit Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists, hot cocoa and cookies. Guided tours at 10:30 a.m. While drop-ins are allowed, those with reservations take priority. Guided tours $15, $10 for students and seniors (65 and older), free age 4 and younger. Group tours 1:30 p.m. for $8 per person – reserve in advance by calling (828) 891-6585 or emailing [email protected].

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Children's activities at The Horse Shoe Farm: Kids can enjoy Letters to Santastation, Elf Scavenger Hunt, or opt to adventure on your own around property, visit the game room, or spend quality time with the farm animals. 155 Horse Shoe Farm Road, Hendersonville.

Shadrack’s Drive-Thru Light Show: 6-11 p.m. daily through Jan. 5 at Tryon International, 95 International Blvd., Mill Spring. Rain or shine. $45-$150. Entrance at 3580 Pea Ridge Road, Rutherfordton. Visit www.resort.tryon.com/winterfest.

Winterfest Village: 5-10 p.m. Dec. 19-23, Tryon International, 95 International Blvd., Mill Spring. A festive wonderland offering array of activities: Whoville Experience, petting zoo, bounce houses, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, meet Santa and more. $18. Visit https://www.resort.tryon.com/winterfestvillage.

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Jingle Mingle Ugly Sweater Party: 8-11 p.m. Dec. 19, The Main Event, 125 S. Main St., Hendersonville. Karaoke, DJ, festive drinks, chance to win a 50 inch TV for the ugliest sweater. Visit https://www.themaineventwnc.com/upcoming-events.

Hendersonville Ballet presents "The Nutcracker": Dec. 20-22, Blue Ridge Community College, 180 W. Campus Drive, Flat Rock. 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 21, 3 p.m. Dec. 22. Visit https://www.hendersonvilleballet.org/the-nutcracker-24.

Holly Jolly Train Rides: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 21, Main Street, Hendersonville. Hop on the mini-train at the Historic Courthouse where there will be fresh baked and canned goods. Ellaberry Llama Farm will offer photo opportunity with two llamas.

Breakfast with Santa: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 21, Tryon International, 95 International Blvd., Mill Spring. Reservations required. $10. Visit https://www.resort.tryon.com/breakfast-with-santa.

An Appalachian Solstice: Wintering with Word & Song: Dec. 21, Kanuga, 130 Kanuga Chapel Drive, Hendersonville. Holiday Artisan Market 4–7:30 p.m. Candlelight labyrinth walk and guided solstice reflection, weather permitting, at 4:30 p.m. Buffet supper 5:30–7 p.m. Concert at 7 p.m. featuring Chris Rosser and Adam Maalouf. $10 for concert or $30 for supper and concert. Visit Kanuga.org/events to register.

Cookie decorating session: 4 p.m. Dec. 22, The Horse Shoe Farm, 155 Horse Shoe Farm Drive, Hendersonville. Start your cookie decorating with a foraging board and selection of specialty cocktails, beer, and fine wines for purchase. Holiday-themed Sunday Brunch available ahead of the session. Cookie decorating $50. Visit www.thehorseshoefarm.com.

Brevard Philharmonic presents "Christmastime in Brevard": 3 p.m. Dec. 22, Porter Center at Brevard College. $43. Visit https://brevardphilharmonic.org/concert/christmastime-in-brevard-4/.

Ring in the new year

New Year's Eve Apple Rise and festival: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 31, on plaza of Historic Courthouse, downtown Hendersonville. The free event features New Year’s Eve swag giveaways, DJ dance party, hot cocoa, games and craft vendors — all leading up to the apple rise countdown at 7 p.m.

Midnight Masquerade New Year's Eve Ball: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31, The Main Event, 125 S. Main St., Hendersonville. Enjoy masks, gourmet bites, music, acrobatics, midnight confetti drop. Visit https://www.themaineventwnc.com/upcoming-events.

Rockin' New Year's Eve Dinner Party: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 31, The Horse Shoe Farm's Silo Cookhouse, 155 Horse Shoe Farm Drive, Hendersonville. Prix fixe menu with add-on option of a caviar bar. After-party at sister restaurant Root & Bone from 9 p.m.-midnight. Dance the night away with a live DJ paired with complimentary snacks and a glass of bubbly to toast to 2025. Visit www.thehorseshoefarm.com.

Tryon Midnight: New Year's Eve Ball Drop Celebration: 7-10:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Visit https://www.downtowntryon.org/.

Compiled by Carole Terrell

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Christmas 2024: Everything to see and do in Henderson County this season