Christmas has always had a special place in our hearts, both for all the traditional reasons and for some very personal ones. Mary and I first met at a Christmas party back in 2008, fell in love at a Christmas light display in North Georgia, and we take a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains … Read more
After recovering relatively quickly from Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina mountain town of Murphy (and surrounding Cherokee County) is making the most of the holiday season. Inspired in part by their Cherokee County Holiday Itinerary Guide for this Winter, we’ve decided to put together our own guide for celebrating Christmas in Murphy NC. This slice of … Read more
After Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc throughout Western NC in late September 2024, it was a wonderful thing to see so many small towns able to reopen to visitors for Christmas. Located about an hour north of Asheville in Yancey County, the town of Burnsville NC was one of those places that faced a seemingly insurmountable … Read more
[Updated November 7, 2025] You can’t swing a stick in Western NC without hitting a wonderful place to celebrate Christmas. But you’d be hard-pressed to find one more splendid than Bryson City NC! This little town in the Great Smoky Mountains has it all– great restaurants and shopping, weekly holiday events, and even the beloved … Read more
Galax is one of those quaint little Virginia mountain towns that becomes all the more endearing during the Christmas holidays. Although best-known as “the Old-Time Music Capital of the World,” Galax is also one of the most fun Christmas towns we’ve visited, with holiday-themed events from late November into early January. From twinkling Christmas lights, … Read more
[Updated October 28, 2025] This holiday season is extra special for the town of Banner Elk NC, coming one year after climbing out from under the devastation Hurricane Helene brought. As a small North Carolina mountain town whose economy is largely tourism-dependent, it was quite a blow. But while last year brought much heartache and … Read more
[Updated November 7, 2025] Quite a few of this year’s NC Christmas events kick off on Thanksgiving weekend, with everything from Turkey Trot 5K runs to Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and holiday markets. Honestly, it’s a great time to go to Western North Carolina, have a beautiful weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and get … Read more
[Updated November 14, 2025] From the Biltmore House Christmas and Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum to the Grove Park Inn’s Gingerbread House Competition, Asheville has more than its fair share of nationally-known holiday attractions. But those seeking a simpler, less crowded, and more budget-friendly small town Christmas celebration may want to head 25 … Read more
[Updated October 27, 2025] If you’re planning to spend Christmas in Asheville NC, experiencing the Biltmore Estate Christmas is a bucket list item that proves well worth the pricy investment (2025 tickets range from $130 to $400+). The 8,000-acre estate is the largest privately owned home in the USA. With 250 rooms encompassing 135,000+ sq … Read more
[Updated October 27, 2024] This year was not the first time we’ve celebrated Christmas in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But aside from day trips to see the Rock City Christmas lights, this was the first time we’ve ever devoted multiple days to attending all the biggest Christmas events in Chattanooga. With a population of around 185,000 people, Chattanooga … Read more