Snow in Blowing Rock
Todd BushWhen a Hallmark Channel holiday movie happens across my screen, I can’t help but be drawn to characters living in a quaint town with snow-covered streets, twinkling lights and a town square that hosts every holiday event imaginable.
These charming towns with grand events aren’t just fiction — plenty exist right here in North Carolina. When NuWray Hotel co-owner Amanda Keith walks along Burnsville’s Main Street during the holidays, she’s reminded of why she moved to Burnsville.
“I love that everybody makes their own contribution,” explains Amanda, a French Broad Electric Cooperative member. “It’s a concerted effort to make the downtown feel warm and welcoming.”
Make a debut in your own Hallmark movie with a day trip or weekend stay at one of these North Carolina towns:
Asheboro
Randolph County
Christmas on Sunset, Dec. 12, 2025, from 6–9 p.m., celebrates an old-fashioned Christmas with choirs and musicians lining the streets in Downtown Asheboro. Guests can watch a Christmas movie at Sunset Theatre, visit the live nativity scene at First Baptist Church, send a letter to Santa and hop on a wagon ride through Bicentennial Park.
Banner Elk
Avery County
A Small Town Christmas, Dec. 5–7, 2025, begins with a tree lighting ceremony on Friday evening and continues with events such as a pancake breakfast with Santa, holiday caroling, cookie decorating, ornament making and walking tours of Apple Hill Alpaca Farm. Choose-and-cut your Christmas tree from a local farm.
Blowing Rock
Watauga County
Voted the 2025 Finest Downtown by Carolina Country readers, Blowing Rock’s charm shines brightly during the holiday season. Every Friday after Thanksgiving the town kicks off the season with its Christmas in the Park & Lighting of the Town celebration, with caroling and music, hot chocolate from local vendors, a tree lighting and, of course, Santa. A Christmas parade will take place on Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Bryson City
Swain County
Bryson City transforms into North Carolina’s version of the North Pole: Downtown sparkles with decorated storefronts, a 20-foot Christmas tree, wreaths in every window and an outdoor ice-skating rink. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad operates the Polar Express Train Ride through early January.
Burnsville
Yancey County
On Dec. 12, 2025, Burnsville’s Town Square and Main Street become Merry Main Street. Visitors enjoy the Christmas tree lighting event and carriage rides. Shops on Main Street are decked out for holiday shopping.
Elizabeth City
Pasquotank County
Elizabeth City, the self-proclaimed “Hot Cocoa Capital of the World,” hosts the Hot Cocoa Crawl from Nov. 28, 2025, through Jan. 3, 2026. Visitors sip the classic winter drink, with some creative twists, at restaurants, coffee houses and boutique shops. Look for the Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 5, 2025, and the annual holiday parade on Dec. 6, 2025, featuring marching bands, decorated floats, local dance groups and Santa.
Hendersonville
Henderson County
Main Street carriage rides bring Hallmark magic to this Blue Ridge Mountain town throughout the holiday season: Dec. 5, 14, 20 and 21, 2025. Experience the twinkling lights and decorations of downtown Hendersonville from a horse-drawn carriage. Rides begin in front of the Historic Courthouse and clip-clop along the festive street.
Kannapolis
Cabarrus County
Through Dec. 30, 2025, the impressive “Celebration of Lights” showcases the City of Kannapolis with thousands of lights, train rides on the Winterland Express and double-decker Village Park Carousel, visits with Santa and performances from the Kannapolis Singing Bears.
Southport
Brunswick County
Maybe your fantasy Hallmark movie is set at the beach. Southport, part of North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, shines each December during Winterfest, a festival featuring more than 15 events between Dec. 5 and 13, 2025. From Winterfest Tea to Pet Pictures with Santa, the weeklong festivities will get you in the spirit for the season.
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