This holiday season is extra special for the town of Banner Elk NC, especially after having spent the last two months 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 2024 brought much heartache and loss to the NC High Country, this resilient little town is determined to spread holiday joy to locals and visitors alike this Christmas.
While many Banner Elk restaurants are only just reopening, they’re looking forward to welcoming guests for their annual “Small Town Christmas” celebration the first weekend of December (Dec. 6-8).
Read on for our guide to all the best ways to celebrate a Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk NC, from shopping and dining to watching Christmas shows, singing carols, and meeting Santa Claus.
READ MORE: 40 NC Mountain Towns Officially Open to Visitors
Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk NC Guide
- Christmas Shopping in Downtown Banner Elk
- Choose & Cut Christmas Trees at Avery County Tree Farms
- Dine at Banner Elk Restaurants on a “Holiday Stroll”
- Lighting of the Banner Elk Tree
- See “A Banner Elk Christmas” Musical Revue
- Breakfast and/or Storytime With Santa
- Holiday Market at the Banner Elk School
- Community Carol Sing at Banner Elk Presbyterian Church
- Banner Elk Christmas Parade
- Skiing & Snowboarding at Beech Mountain & Sugar Mountain
READ MORE: The 30 Best NC Christmas Events
1. Christmas Shopping in Downtown Banner Elk
A lovely walk through downtown Banner Elk offers great opportunities for Christmas shopping at unique stores, which supports the town’s locally-owned businesses.
Reilly’s Shop is a wonderful place to get your hands on handmade pottery, blown glass, or sustainably made soaps and lotions from the Great Smoky Mountains region.
You can find lots more creative artwork from local artisans at BE Artists Gallery which will be having a Christmas Market on December 7.
Rustik by Underwood offers an awesome collection of handcrafted wood pieces, including everything from chairs and candle holders, to a very special inanimate petting zoo!
Pop into the Banner Elk Trading Co. and pick up some home decor items and tasty treats, then stock up on bottles of wine for all the holiday parties you have planned at the Banner Elk Winery.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Banner Elk NC
2. Choose & Cut Christmas Trees at Avery County Tree Farms
There’s nothing quite like kicking off the holiday season with a trip to a Christmas Tree Farm with friends or family in tow to choose and cut your own Christmas tree!
The Trinity Tree Company is welcoming visitors to pick out the perfect tree and/or wreath. While they suffered greatly from Helene, they’ve picked themselves right back up and can’t wait to see you at the farm.
Helene also hasn’t stopped David Pittman’s Christmas Tree Farm from helping you find your perfect tree this Christmas. There are choose-and-cut trees, as well as hayrides and wreaths.
They also offer choose-and-cut trees at the Evergreen Ridge Christmas Tree Farm, as well as wreaths, garlands, hayrides, refreshments, and more.
READ MORE: The 28 Best NC Christmas Tree Farms to Visit
3. Dine at Banner Elk Restaurants on a “Holiday Stroll”
For such a small town, Banner Elk’s wonderfully walkable downtown area has more than its fair share of great restaurants, with something for everyone and every occasion.
Why not pop into one of these eateries for a bite while taking a “holiday stroll” through Downtown Banner Elk?
You can get a true taste of the mountains at Banner Elk Cafe and Lodge, or try some Cajun cuisine at LP (Louisiana Purchase) on Main or the Bayou Smokehouse & Grill.
If you’re looking for international cuisine, we recommend trying some Mexican food at Puerto Nuevo, some Italian fare at Sorrento’s Bistro, or Vietnamese cuisine at Cam Ranh Bay.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Restaurants in Banner Elk NC for Foodies
4. Lighting of the Banner Elk Tree
Start the holidays with some community Christmas spirit by visiting the lighting of the Banner Elk Christmas tree at 6:30PM on Friday, December 6.
Taking place at the Corner On Main Park (in the heart of town), this wholesome family event is free of charge and includes caroling, hot chocolate, and a countdown to the lighting of the big tree.
Once the tree is all aglow, festivities continue in the tradition of “A Small Town Christmas,” with an ever-popular holiday-themed song and dance revue (see below).
READ MORE: The 15 Best Places to See Christmas Lights in North Carolina
5. See “A Banner Elk Christmas” Musical Revue
Continue the fun during this small-town Christmas weekend by catching “A Banner Elk Christmas” musical revue at 7PM on Dec 6 and 8 at the Historic Banner Elk School.
Presented by the Ensemble Stage theatre company, this action-packed evening of fun and festivities pays tribute to the holiday variety shows of the 1960s and ’70s.
There will be 40 classic Christmas songs performed, as well as dance numbers, comedy skits, and colorful costumes, with tickets running from $12 to $25.
READ MORE: Inside the Biltmore House Christmas in Asheville NC
6. Breakfast and/or Storytime with Santa
If you want to try to catch some face time with the jolly old elf himself, head to Lees-McRae College from 8:30 to 10 AM on December 7 for a spot of breakfast with Santa.
Afterwards, you can head over to the Banner Elk Fire Station and see Mr. Claus again, this time for some special storytelling filled with holiday cheer.
READ MORE: The 7 Best Train Rides for Christmas in the Blue Ridge Mountains
7. Holiday Market at the Banner Elk School
You’ll have three chances to soak up some Christmas spirit at the Holiday Market at the Banner Elk School, which is adjacent to the Artists Gallery.
This indoor market takes place on the first three Saturdays in December, including the weekend of the “A Small Town Christmas” celebration.
The Christmas market is open from 11AM to 4PM and features a variety of unique and handmade gifts, all of which will be priced at under $25!
So you can find something for everyone on your Christmas shopping list, stick to your budget, and support local artists and crafters! There will also be holiday ornament making for kids.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina
8. Community Carol Sing at Banner Elk Presbyterian Church
It’s been said that “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” If you agree, visit the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church at 3PM on December 7 for a community sing-a-long!
This a free event where you can join in on classics such as “White Christmas” to “Joy to the World.”
The church choir will be belting out beloved holiday hymns, and the Lees-McRae Highlands and other soloists will offer jazzy renditions of Christmas favorites such as “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” and “Deck the Halls.”
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9. Banner Elk Christmas Parade
On Saturday, December 7, the evening’s fun festivities kick off with the annual Banner Elk Christmas Parade down Main Street.
Vehicles, floats and people will all be decked in the vivid colors and lights of the season, as the community comes together to celebrate.
Be there at 6:30 PM for the traditional small-town parade, then stick around for mini-Christmas train rides, holiday lights, and even a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus!
READ MORE: The 10 Best Christmas Parades in North Carolina
10. Skiing & Snowboarding at Beech Mountain & Sugar Mountain
When we’re not snuggling with hot cups of cocoa and gathering around the Christmas tree, we also love to get outdoors and partake in a little winter weather adventure in the NC High Country.
Banner Elk is near two awesome North Carolina ski resorts. The slopes of Beech Mountain Resort are just 15 minutes away, with snow skiing and snowboarding for all levels of expertise, as well as snow tubing fun!
Sugar Mountain Resort is just an 8-minute drive from town, and it’s a great family-friendly place to play in the snow.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the resort also has snow tubing, ice skating, and snowshoe tours, offering a well-rounded sample of Winter in North Carolina fun. –by Emma Gallagher; lead image by Todd Bush
