And just like that, another spectacular October has come and gone here in Waynesville. As we move into November, we are excited for the upcoming holidays as our beautiful town is full of festive fun and Hallmark charm. Throughout November and December, Waynesville and Haywood County have many great events to enjoy, plus our dining and shopping experience is fabulous, making this the perfect place to enjoy some small-town holiday magic. We’ve compiled a list below of some of the great things to see and do in our area to add a bit of Main Street Appalachian America to your holiday season. As an FYI, we do typically close the Inn during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas to spend time with our family, but we are open the rest of the time!
Specifically in Waynesville, here are some great things to do and ideas for planning that perfect holiday trip to our town:
- Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration in Downtown Waynesville – Waynesville’s Main Street transforms to a holiday wonderland for one night a year in mid-December.
- Enjoy the Waynesville or Hazelwood Christmas Parades – Both of these great parades are within walking distance of the Inn and usually occur during the first week of December!
- Take a seasonal workshop at Axe & Awl – This year’s workshop is a festive sleigh bell hanger!
- Enjoy fabulous holiday shows at HART Theatre – Each year, HART Theatre puts on great holiday shows. This year’s lineup includes The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
- Get tickets for the Balsam Range Art of Music Festival at Lake Junaluska.
- Choose & cut your own Christmas Tree at Boyd Mountain Farm.
- Taste fabulous seasonal brews at Frog Level & Boojum Breweries – Our local craft breweries are always introducing new seasonal specialty brews.
- Main Street Waynesville is a great place to do your holiday shopping with incredible gift and clothing stores like Mast General, Minted Mercantile, Sassafras, Olde Brick House, J. Gabriel’s, The Kitchen Shop, and so much more!
- While you are shopping, take a break and grab a coffee or seasonal hot beverage at our amazing local coffee shops like Orchard, Panacea, or Smoky Mountain Coffee Roasters.
- Indulge in decadent sweet treats at Kilwin’s or Dillsboro Chocolate Factory.
- Visit Lake Junaluska and enjoy the light displays, the festive Holly Jolly Trolley, or do a Turkey Trot!
Elsewhere around the area, here are some other great things to do that are definitely worth the drive:
- The Biltmore Estate – Christmas is one of the most popular times of the year at the Biltmore Estate. The Estate is simply amazing this time of year!
- Experience the Drive-thru Light Show in Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Polar Express Train Ride.
- Take in the Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum – Coinciding this year with the Thomas Dambo Trolls exhibit!
- Check out the National Gingerbread House Competition at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.
- Attend the tree lighting in downtown Sylva.
We hope you will consider visiting our area for the holiday season! At the Inn, our cozy guest rooms with warm fireplaces are waiting for you! For more information on great local events in our county during the end-of-the-year season, make sure to go to VisitHaywood.com!
See you soon at the Inn!
–Your Innkeepers,
Brenda and Peter
