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 Polar Express Christmas train rides.
Bryson City is a great NC mountain town for a family vacation at any time of year. But Christmas lights the town up—figuratively and literally—in wonderful ways.
The question isn’t whether or not there will be special things to see and do when you visit Bryson City, but how do we find time to do it all?
So put your fake Santa beard on, don those jaunty elf hats, and feed the reindeer, because it’s time to learn more about Christmas in Bryson City NC!
READ MORE: The 15 Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina
Christmas in Bryson City NC Guide
- Bryson City Christmas Tree Lighting
- Christmas Wonderland at Darnell Farms
- Downtown Bryson City Christmas Parade
- Explore Downtown Bryson City Christmas Lights
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Polar Express Train Ride
- Holiday Market
- Ice Skating at The Yard
- Merry Market
- Santa’s Workshop
- Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular Drive-Thru
READ MORE: The 20 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in NC
1. Bryson City Christmas Tree Lighting
Bryson City will be officially getting into the holly days with the town’s Christmas tree lighting on Thanksgiving weekend (Nov 30).
Starting at 5PM, this event will include Christmas caroling by the Greenville Caroling Company, as well as a live nativity scene.
Mayor Tom Sutton will be lighting the 24-foot tree at 6PM on the front lawn of the Swain County Visitor Center & Heritage Museum.
Complimentary cocoa and cookies will be distributed. Canned goods and unwrapped gifts will be collected for charity. And the kiddies can write/mail their letters to Santa!
READ MORE: Inside the Biltmore House Christmas in Asheville NC
2. Christmas Wonderland at Darnell Farms
Starting November 27 and running Wednesday to Saturday evenings through Christmas Eve, Darnell Farms invites visitors to their annual Christmas Wonderland celebration.
This family-owned farm’s holiday festivities feature a hayride through light displays, with holiday music providing lots of nostalgic Christmas cheer.
Admission is $20, and guests will enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and get their photo taken with Santa.
The farm will also be selling fresh-cut Christmas trees. for an additional charge.
READ MORE: The 28 Best NC Christmas Tree Farms to Visit
3. Downtown Bryson City Christmas Parade
The annual Bryson City Christmas Parade will begin at 2PM on Saturday, December 7, taking over Everett and Main Street Downtown.
This year’s parade is themed “Home for the Holidays,” and will have a festive collection of floats, decorated cars, and special guests, including the jolly old elf himself!
Their Annual Cookie Walk & Christmas Bazaar will also take place on Main St at 9AM that day, and the River’s End Restaurant will be serving a buffet breakfast with Santa from 7:30AM to 11:30AM.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Christmas Parades in North Carolina
4. Explore Downtown Bryson City Christmas Lights
In addition to the large tree at the Swain County Visitor Center, the Bryson City square will be covered in Christmas lights, including a walk-through tunnel and a life-sized Santa sleigh.
While exploring Downtown Bryson City, you can do some Christmas shopping at local shops like Uncle Bunky’s Christmas Cottage, The Loose Moose, and Appalachian Mercantile.
Good eats and seasonal décor can also be found at Heavenly Fudge, The High Test Deli & Sweet Shop, Pop-N-Jacks Gourmet Popcorn, and Mountain Perks.
READ MORE: Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville NC
5. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Polar Express Train Ride
The real showstopper in Bryson City’s arsenal of holiday cheer is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Polar Express Train Ride.
Kids and adults alike get to sing carols, drink “hot chocolate,” and snack on sweet treats en route to see Santa at the North Pole. Kids also receive the gift of a silver sleigh bell.
Multiple 75-minute trips depart daily, but they often sell out far in advance. There are several classes of tickets to choose from, from Coach and Crown to Premium Crown and First Class.
Another worthy addition to the Bryson City train ride experience is visiting the Smoky Mountains Train Museum, which has Christmas decor and lots of souvenirs.
READ MORE: Best Train Rides for Christmas in the Blue Ridge Mountains
6. Holiday Market
The Smoky Mountains Farmers & Artisan Market puts on a special Holiday Market every Saturday from November 22 to December 20.
It’s full of colorful creations by talented artisans & crafters from Western North Carolina.
Open from 10AM to 3PM, the market is located at 117 Island Street, offering one-of-a-kind gift ideas, including handmade jewelry, pottery, toys and more!
Traditional baked treats, honey, and other traditional Appalachian foods are also available.
READ MORE: Celebrating A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk NC
7. Ice Skating at The Yard
Located across from the Bryson City train depot, The Yard has an ice rink for skating every November and December.
It’s open every Friday through Sunday until December 16, when they begin offering daily hours. But the rink will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
In addition to ice skating, there’s also hot chocolate being served rink-side, with fire pits and lots of places to sit and watch.
READ MORE: Christmas in Hendersonville NC: Home For the Holidays
8. Merry Market
Another great Bryson City shopping opportunity is the Merry Market on December 7.
It’s similar to the Holiday Market, but for one day only, featuring artisan vendors selling gifts of the season and hand-made treats.
The Merry Market is open from 8AM to 2PM in the parking lot of the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) Outfitters Store.
Head across the street for lunch at Rivers End Restaurant, which offers an array of tasty dishes and a stunning view of the Nantahala River.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Bryson City Restaurants for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
9. Santa’s Workshop
Who knew that Bryson City had one of Santa’s workshops (at least for a day)?!
From 11AM to 5PM on Saturday, Nov 30, Santa’s toy-making elves will be at Darnell Farms, working their magic.
In addition to photos with Santa, the event will include hot cocoa and cider, festive music, Christmas trees for sale, and hayrides through Christmas light displays starting at 6PM.
If you’re visiting Bryson City, this is the place to be on Thanksgiving weekend!
READ MORE: Western NC Christmas Celebrations on Thanksgiving Weekend
10. Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular Drive-Thru
Holiday lights don’t get much more festive than those twinkling at the humbly-named Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular Drive-Thru.
It’s filled with magical LED lights and Christmas-themed displays, including The 12 Days of Christmas, the North Pole, Sweet Tooth Lane, and the Tree of Lights Tunnel.
You’ll find these gorgeous Christmas lights at The Great Smoky Mountains Event Park from 6 to 10PM through January 5, and entry is just $20 per car or family van! –by Jonathon Engels; lead photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett
