To us North Carolinians, it is entrenched in our DNA to make the most of our holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas holidays and New Year! We love to celebrate this time of year! One of our favorite places to enjoy holiday fun is Asheville, NC. Located just 40 minutes from Maggie Valley, Asheville is a fun day trip and an easy drive from Creekside Lodge in Maggie Valley.
As we see our colorful Fall Season coming to an end, Asheville welcomes in the upcoming holiday season in an equally vibrant manner! During the months of November, December and January, Asheville offers visitors a plethora of amazing tourism opportunities! Whether, you come from western North Carolina or from any other place around the world, you will not want to miss Asheville’s charm and warmth especially during the holidays! Here are a few of the top holiday events to put on your calendar:
Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings (From November 4, 2016 to January 8, 2017)
Possibly the longest event of this grand holiday season, the Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings are considered a truly magnificent way of showing the world the reason behind Asheville’s “Land of the Sky” nickname. Fireplace mantels will light the sky and offer a warm welcome to any visitor for the entire holiday period.
Western NC Pottery Festival in Dillsboro (November 5, 2016)
Discover the beauty of western NC pottery as more than 40 pottery masters are set to raid Dillsboro to show their extraordinary arts and crafts. This event is very enjoyable and has been named among the top 20 art events by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Polar Express Train (November 11, 2016)
As one of Asheville’s favorite holiday traditions, the Polar Express Train will give kids of all ages, (as well as adults), an enthralling ride, starting at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Highlighted with a visit by Santa Claus himself, enjoy cookies, warm cocoa, as well as impressive Christmas classic stories at this wonderful family event. With the tickets in high demand, it’s highly recommended that you order your tickets soon!
River District Artists Studio Stroll (November 12, 2016)
For any art lover, this is actually the best time to visit Asheville. This is an event when all resident artists in River Arts District studios will be displaying their impeccable artworks. That will not only add to the fun of exploring a wide and diverse array of artworks, but will also present you with an opportunity to talk with the artists themselves.
Sample Asheville Cuisine (November 17, 2016)
If you want a true taste of Asheville (literally), you’ll want to visit Asheville’s’ annual “Taste and Tune’s”. Asheville Independent Restaurants will be organizing an enormous event where visitors can taste the Southern comfort food. Take advantage of getting to sample some of the best dishes from Asheville. Enjoy the opportunity to taste delectable dishes from French, Indian, Southern and Native American cuisines.
Thanksgiving Day and Weekend (November 24, 2016 to November 27, 2016)
Make plans to experience Thanksgiving Day the Asheville way. Although some restaurants will be closed on big Thursday, there are plenty of places that will offer Asheville feast of fun in a more special way. They include Omni Grove Park Inn, The Blackbird, Grand Bohemian Hotel and Buffalo Nickel, among others. What a unique way of enjoying a well-prepared turkey!
On top of that, Thanksgiving weekend will present you with ample time to visit various National Parks or enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season with some holiday shopping.
Santa on the Rock (December 3, 2016 to December 10, 2016)
Always a hit with the kids and adults alike, don’t miss watching Santa Claus clambering down the Chimney Rock. This is one of the main events of the holiday season and a little taste of Asheville’s old-fashioned charm.
Christmas Day and Week (December 24, 2016 to December 30, 2016)
If you are spending Christmas Day and your Christmas week in Asheville for the first time, trust us, you’ll want to come back because it is the best place to be during this period! With many events unfolding during this period, you just have to visit Asheville to get to see it for yourself. Be ready to take home holiday memories that you will cherish for many years to come!
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2017
Want to kick off your 2017 in the best way possible? Head to Asheville! There are unlimited events that will surely close out your year and welcome the New Year in a special way!
With the holidays fast approaching, it’s time to make your plans! Maggie Valley Creekside Lodge is a wonderful home base for all of your holiday fun! Located in the Smoky Mountains just 35 miles from Asheville, Creekside Lodge offers the best of both worlds. You can go drive into the city during the day, enjoy the hustle and bustle, and then return to the beautiful peace and relaxation of a quiet mountain town at the end of the day. Just call Creekside Lodge today at 1-800-621-1260 and reserve your dates today! Make it a mountain holiday to remember!
