Holiday Festivities in the High Country of North Carolina

By Local Information November 25, 2023
Christmas Tree lit up in the High Country of North Carolina

December brings cold weather and the beautiful snow to the High Country. Whether you are visiting family, taking a day trip up to the mountains, or are searching for the perfect mountain cabin to hide away in, there’s plenty of holiday festivities for you to enjoy. Christmas in the High Country of North Carolina has a little bit of fun for the entire family.

5 Fun Christmas Activities Around Boone

#1: Christmas Tree Farms

If you’re standing in the middle of Boone, close your eyes, spin around and point your finger, you’ll most likely land in the direction of a Christmas tree farm. There are plenty to choose from Ashe County to right here in Watauga County. Some of our favorites include:

  • Bear Wallow Choose & Cut
  • C & J Christmas Trees
  • Bluestone Greenery
  • Circle C Tree Farms
  • Clawson’s Choose & Cut
  • Panoramic View Christmas Tree Farm
  • Swinging Bridge Farm
  • RRR Laurel Knob
  • Mistletoe Meadows

Grab a cup of coffee in downtown Boone and head over to any of these vendors to find the Christmas tree of your dreams.

#2: The Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort

The Festival of Lights is a wonderful way to stay warm and cozy inside your car while enjoying a lovely view of the famous Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Every day, starting at 6 p.m., visitors can take a drive or stroll through the resort grounds to view the Christmas lights stationed all around. It is located at 185 Chetola Lake Drive, Blowing Rock, N.C., 28605.

#3: Apple Hill Farm Christmas Celebration

The name might be confusing, but the Apple Hill Farm Christmas Celebration doesn’t actually have apples, the farm is home to alpacas! Visitors can take an educational walking-tour of the farm to meet the animals and view the many Christmas decorations. There’s even a little gift shop full of local goods! Reservations are required, so don’t miss out!

#4: Boone’s Winter Farmers’ Market

Still looking for the right gift? Need last minute ingredients for your favorite holiday recipe? The Boone Winter Farmers’ Market is a great place to visit! Every Saturday December through April, various local vendors sell their products from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. It is located at the Watauga Agricultural Conference Center in Downtown Boone. The vendor list includes:

  • Against the Grain
  • Sweet Dreams Patisserie LLC
  • Mountain Flowers Hemp
  • Resupply LLC
  • Creeksong Farm
  • Carringer Farms
  • Black Birch Her-Pothecary
  • Berry Patch Farm
  • Fermenti Farm
  • Mountain Roots Farm
  • Devorah Chocolate
  • Sweetwater Ktichen
  • Laughing Springs Farm
  • Between the Trees
  • Happy Hens
  • and MANY more!

#5: Skiing, Snowboarding and Snow Tubing

For the beginner to the professional, people from all across the East Coast flock to the High Country of North Carolina to hit the slopes. During certain parts of the year, students at Appalachian State University can even opt to take a class in snowboarding or skiing to fulfill certain requirements.

Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain Resort and Sugar Mountain Resort, Inc. provide visitors with the ultimate winter sports and activities experience! But, if you’re not up to going down the mountain while standing up, no worries! Sit down and relax in a snow tube at Hawksnest Tubing.

There’s plenty of holiday festivities for you to experience in the High Country of North Carolina. At 828 Real Estate we’re in the holiday spirit. If you are in downtown Boone during the holiday season, come by our office and say hi!

About the Author
Shalamar Blevins, Office Manager & Marketing Director, [email protected]

Shalamar Blevins grew up in Ashe County, right next to the North Fork of the New River. Shalamar loves the outdoors after spending most of her life kayaking and hiking in her own front yard. 

Throughout her life, Shalamar tried to learn every art form she could get her hands on, from ceramics to African Batiking! Being creative and adding a splash of lively color is Shalamar’s superpower. After studying the classic mediums from local masters such as Stephen Shoemaker and Lenore DePree, Shalamar attended the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston- Salem before attending UNC-Asheville. After graduating in 2011, Shalamar spent time traveling through Europe and Asia before moving back to the North Carolina High Country to start her own studio and to work for Florence Thomas Art School.

To this day Shalamar still loves to travel and hosts small art classes on location and at festivals. She joined the 828 Real Estate gang in the fall of 2021. Since then, she has been working diligently to provide their agents and clients with the latest marketing tools, while celebrating the adventures that await in the 828! Shalamar got married to wonderful fellow Ashe County native, Micheal the summer of 2021. Micheal is a 13 year US Army Veteran, recently graduated from Nursing school and just started a career at Watauga Medical. They have 2 fur babies, an Australian Shepherd named Quill and Chocolate Lab named Brody. These boys keep Mike and Shalamar on their toes!

 When Mike and Shalamar aren’t working on their garden and home improvement ventures, they love spending time with their big family and friends while exploring the local music and art scene of NC High Country!