RALEIGH, NC – Experience a lighted parade of sailboats, the world's largest living Christmas tree or the world-famous Rockettes performing in North Carolina. The state’s rich history inspires magical holiday events. Find your holiday celebration and more at www.VisitNC.com.
Christmas at Biltmore, Asheville
Nov. 6, 2009 – Jan. 3, 2010
Enjoy America's largest home decorated with dozens of Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, bows and poinsettias; miles of evergreen garland; thousands of ornaments, tinsel and beading; and a magnificent 35-foot Fraser fir. www.biltmore.com (828) 225-1333 or (800) 411-3812
The Polar Express, Bryson City
Nov. 6 - Dec. 23, 2009
The Polar Express comes to life when the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad departs from the depot and downtown Bryson City for a special visit to the North Pole. Enjoy holiday caroling, hot cocoa, a special treat and a memento for children. Departs 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. www.gsmr.com (800) 872-4681
Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Season (statewide)
One of the most popular family holiday traditions in North Carolina is cutting down a live Christmas tree. Sip hot chocolate and take pleasure in the company of loved ones while joining in on this holiday tradition. Visitors chose and cut their own tree, enjoy sleigh rides, hayrides and other fun filled activities. Stay the night in a cozy cabin (plenty of listings at VisitNC.com) and snuggle next to the fire while sipping hot chocolate. www.ncchristmastrees.com (800) 562-8789 or (828) 262-5826
National Gingerbread House Competition, Asheville
Nov. 18, 2009 – Jan. 3, 2010
More than 300 uniquely designed gingerbread houses will be on display at The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville. Visitors can see all of these amazing houses Nov.18 through Jan. 3. This event is free and open to the public Monday – Thursday. www.groveparkinn.com (828) 252-2711 or (800) 438-5800
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, Wrightsville Beach
Nov. 28, 2009
Celebrating its 26th year, the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla (a 2009 Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event) kicks off the Saturday after Thanksgiving in Wrightsville Beach. The Flotilla at 6 p.m. on Saturday features a lighted parade of sailboats, motorboats, and yachts decorated for the holidays. www.ncholidayflotilla.org (910) 256-2120
Christmas at Korner's Folly, Kernersville
Nov. 27, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010
Known as “The Strangest House in the World,” this historic, slightly whacky 22-room mansion will be decorated in Christmas splendor. The house’s ceiling heights range from 5 feet to 25 feet, with 10-foot doorways and 2-foot passageways. Ornate mantles top the 15 fireplaces and decorative murals and detailed woodwork adorn every room. A winding staircase dizzies the mind as it takes you from level to level. Korner’s Folly will be open extended hours Thursday through Sunday for holiday visitors. www.kornersfolly.org (336) 996-7922
Christmas Town USA, McAdenville
Dec. 1 - 26, 2009
McAdenville transforms into Christmas Town U.S.A with hundreds of thousands glittering lights. This small town was nicknamed “Christmas Town USA” by famous CBS TV announcer Charles Kuralt, who reported from McAdenville. www.mcadenville-christmastown.com (704) 823-2260 or (800) 849-9994
Santa Train, Spencer
Dec. 5 – 6, 12 – 13, 19 – 20, 2009
Every weekend in December, visitors will ride a train at the Transportation Museum, a southern railway tradition, as Santa rides the train, passing out oranges and candy canes. Storytelling of classic Christmas tales and ornament-making activities are also part of this event. www.NCTrans.org (704) 636-2889 or (877) 628-6386
Downtown Forest City Hometown Holidays, Forest City (75 miles west of Charlotte)
Tree Lighting: Nov. 26, 2009
Santa House: Dec. 4, 11, and 17 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Dec. 5, 12, 19 2:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Hayrides: Dec. 4, 11, and 18 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Carriage Rides: Dec. 5, 12, and 19 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The Town of Forest City features more than 500,000 lights. Come for the lighting ceremony and parade on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. or enjoy the regular Friday and Saturday night carriage and hayrides through the sparkling downtown reminiscent of the town in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Visit Santa’s House, get “Santa Paws” photos with your pets, or shop and dine. www.forestcityevents.com (828) 247-4430
Lighting of the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree, Wilmington
Dec. 3, 2009
The world's largest living Christmas tree has been lit with spectacular lights for 80 years. The giant gnarled live oak tree is decorated with 4,000 lights and is estimated to be between 400 and 450 years old. The event features holiday entertainment followed by the arrival of Santa. The tree will remain lit through Dec. 31. www.wilmingtonrecreation.com (910) 341-4602
Dillsboro Luminaries, Dillsboro
Dec. 4 – 5, 11 – 12, 2009
Beginning at dusk the first two weekends in December, Dillsboro is aglow with thousands of luminaries and twinkling lights adorning every business. The stores serve goodies, and Santa has set up shop as well. The streets come alive with music, entertainment and Christmas cheer. www.visitdillsboro.org (800) 962-1911
12th Annual Manteo Rotary Rockfish Rodeo, Manteo
Dec. 4 – 5, 2009
For the past 11 years, the Manteo Rotary Rockfish Rodeo fundraising fishing tournament has included kayak fishing, plus surf and pier fishing; the event is family oriented with trophies for top youth and women anglers in both ocean and sound categories. rockfishrodeo.com (252) 473-6644
The Christmas Flotilla, Carolina Beach
Dec. 5, 2009
Fishing boats and pleasure crafts are electrically decorated with thousands of lights for a spectacular display on the Intracoastal Waterway. The parade of boats will cruise from Snows Cut to Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back. www.islandoflights.org (910) 458-7116 or (910) 458-0211
Tryon Palace Christmas Candlelight Tour, New Bern
Dec. 12, 19, 2009
Costumed guides will escort visitors through the first floor and cellar of the Palace and Kitchen Office, which will be outfitted for the holidays and lit with candle globes and fire baskets to create an ambiance of times past. Music and entertainment will take place throughout the Palace and gardens with costumed dancers, musicians and dynamic performers giving shows of acrobatics, juggling, sword swallowing and more. www.tryonpalace.org (252) 514-4900
Kwanzaa Celebration, Robersonville (90 miles east of Raleigh)
Dec. 25, 2009 - Jan. 1, 2010
Celebrating the seven principals of Kwanzaa, the holiday celebration honors African-American people and their past. Activities include African-American dancers, storytelling, music and song, African fashion show, drum and mat making, headdress wrapping and soul food. visitmartincounty.com (252) 795-4848
Elizabethan Christmas, Manteo
Dec. 19, 2009
Celebrate the sixth day of Christmas at Roanoke Island Festival Park and get a taste of 16th century holiday traditions. Make decorations, learn special dances, sing songs, discover food and drink of the season, and indulge in merriment with members of the Guild of St. Andrew. www.roanokeisland.com (252) 475-1500
15th Annual New Year's Eve Possum Drop, Brasstown
Dec. 31, 2009
Ring in the New Year with a Miss Possum Contest, bluegrass music, Little Brasstown Church Choir, the Blessing, cider and good clean fun. www.cherokeecountychamber.com (828) 837-3797
Running of the Dragon, Oriental
Dec. 31, 2009
The Oriental Dragon comes out at 8 p.m. and again at 11 p.m. to run the waterfront at Oriental. Folks line the street with noisemakers and gather luck by touching the dragon. www.oriental-nc.com (252) 249-3655
Mount Olive Pickle's New Year's Eve Pickle Drop, Mt. Olive
Dec. 31, 2009
Make plans to ring in the New Year at Mount Olive Pickle Company's annual New Year's Eve Pickle Drop. A lighted, three-foot pickle drops into a perfectly preserved redwood pickle tank at 7 p.m. (midnight Greenwich, England, where the world's time is kept). Live music, door prizes and free refreshments are offered. www.mtolivepickles.com (919) 658-2535 or (800) 672-5041
There’s plenty more where that came from. For even more events, go to VisitNC.com. Order the 2009 North Carolina Travel Guide, download itineraries, sign up for e-newsletters and search extensive lodging, rental, restaurant, attraction and event listings at VisitNC.com, or call 1-800 VISIT NC (1-800-847-4862). Become a fan of North Carolina on facebook at Visit North Carolina. Follow the latest travel news on twitter @VisitNC and visit our Media Center at Media.VisitNC.com.
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Contact
Wit Tuttell
919-733-7420
wit@visitnc.com
Susan Dosier
704-953-9408
sdosier@lkmideas.com
