It brings so much joy to Santa seeing everyone truly enjoying Christmas with smiles, hugs, and embracing the Christmas Spirit. Here are some of Santa’s and the Elves’ favorite things to do both at home and around Western North Carolina during the Christmas season. Just click the BLUE TITLE on each activity for more information. Have fun!!
Hendersonville’s Home For The Holidays
Hendersonville comes alive with Christmas charm from November through the holiday season. Stroll along beautifully decorated Main Street, enjoy the lights around the historic courthouse square, and take part in a variety of family-friendly holiday traditions.
Festivities throughout the season include carriage rides, visits with Santa, the nighttime Christmas parade, Holly Jolly Train Rides, holiday markets, the Holiday Tour of Inns & Cookie Caper, and Christmas performances at Flat Rock Playhouse. With so many activities taking place throughout the season, Hendersonville makes a wonderful Christmas day trip for families.
Watch a Preview of Hendersonville’s Home For The Holidays
Google Santa Tracker and NORAD Tracks Santa
Google Santa Tacker not only allows children to keep track of Santa’s travels on Christmas Eve — children can also play, learn, and explore with Santa and his Elves all year long.
NORAD has been the official tracker of Santa’s Christmas Eve travels since 1955. Available on December 1 of each year, children can play games and, of course, keep a close watch on Santa’s location anywhere in the world on Christmas Eve.
National Gingerbread House Competition — Omni Grove Park Inn
A beloved Asheville Christmas tradition, the National Gingerbread House Competition features imaginative, entirely edible creations made by children, teens, and adults. The gingerbread displays are open for public viewing on select days from November 17, 2026 through January 3, 2027 at the Omni Grove Park Inn. Be sure to check viewing dates and times before visiting.
Watch a Preview of the National Gingerbread Competition
Christmas Coloring Pages From Crayola
Looking for a little Christmas fun? Crayola offers a wonderful collection of free Christmas coloring pages featuring Santa, reindeer, Christmas trees, presents, and more. Easy to download and print, there are pages for all skill levels — from little ones just getting started to the more accomplished artist!
Winter Lights At The North Carolina Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum, located just off Brevard Road in Asheville, presents the Winter Lights display each Christmas. The show is the largest annual fundraiser for the Arboretum supporting many other of its activities and mission to the community.
Call 828-665-2492 for ticket information.
The Lake Julian Festival of Lights
The Lake Julian Festival of Lights, sponsored by Buncombe County Parks & Recreation, is a drive-through light show that has become a yearly tradition for families and visitors. All are invited to drive along the magical Christmas displays as lights sparkle over the lake and favorite Christmas songs are played.
Watch a Preview of the Lake Julian Festival of Lights.
Call 828-250-4260 for more information.
The Polar Express Train RideThe Polar Express Train Ride departs from the Bryson City Depot and heads for the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus himself! The classic story will unfold before your eyes as all sing and dance their way to the North Pole while enjoying hot chocolate and sweet treats. Santa visits each coach and hands out the first gift of Christmas to each child.
Watch a Preview of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s Polar Express.
Call (800) 872-4681 for reservations.
Just over an hour from Asheville, the town of Forest City welcomes you to over one million Christmas lights along its historic Main Street. It has been voted the #1 Christmas town in the greater Asheville area and the #2 place to see Christmas lights in Western North Carolina by RomanticAsheville.com. Additionally, the celebrations include a tree lighting ceremony, a Christmas parade, carriage rides, hay rides, ice skating — and, of course, Santa Claus!
Watch a Preview of Christmas in The Forest.
The Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour
The Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour is a great family activity for the kids when in Asheville. It includes storytelling and traditional Christmas caroling with an on-board musician performing classic songs of Christmas. You will see festive holiday decorations in downtown Asheville as well as the Montford and Grove Park neighborhoods.
Tweetsie Christmas: A Wild West Holiday Adventure
Approximately 2 hours from Asheville, families can experience the magic of Christmas at Tweetsie Railroad. Activities include a festive train ride through thousands of sparkling lights, holiday music, visits with Santa, and seasonal activities for children. Warm up with hot chocolate, roast marshmallows by the fire, and enjoy the sights and sounds of a mountain Christmas.
Watch a Preview of Tweetsie Christmas
The Winter Wonderland At Grove Arcade
The 1920’s architecture of Asheville’s historic Grove Arcade comes to life during the Christmas season with the Winter Wonderland at Grove Arcade. There is a tree lighting ceremony, movies and book readings for children, Christmas trees, lights, and Santa Claus!
The Winterfest & Christmas Light Show at Tryon
Just a 45 minute drive from Asheville, the Tryon International Equestrian Center hosts the Winterfest & Christmas Light Show. You will drive through a beautiful 2 mile Christmas light show that is synchronized to music. As you drive through hundreds of thousands of lights, you will enjoy large displays of Santa and many other characters. Families can visit the Winterfest Village that includes Santa’s North Pole Experience (you might see Santa!!), the Who-liday Character Zone, Mrs. Claus’ Cookie Kitchen, and live music.
Watch a Preview of Winterfest at Tryon
Christmas at BiltmoreOne of Asheville’s most famous landmarks, the Biltmore Estate becomes a Christmas destination like no other transporting one back in time to 1895 when George Vanderbilt first welcomed Christmas guests into his home. Elaborate hand decorated trees, a 35 foot live Frasier fir in the Banquet Hall, daytime tours, and candlelight tours all await a Christmas visit to Biltmore.