If you’re ready for a little fa la la la boost of holiday spirit, the events celebrating Christmas in Hendersonville, NC should do the trick.
The Hendersonville, NC Christmas parade is one of the most festive we’ve been to, and the rest of the town’s holiday events are loaded with fun and cheer.
Our list includes some of the very best Christmas Hendersonville, NC events and our all-time favorites. Most of these events and things to do are actually totally free, so they’ll be easy on your budget. Here’s your guide to celebrating Christmas in Hendersonville, NC.
The Big Events: Christmas, Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville really turns up the Christmas charm every year. This year, their theme for the season is Hometown Christmas Lights, and they are loaded up on free, family fun, beautiful downtown decorations to fit the theme. Christmas is gorgeous up here, and these events are 100% worth the drive for locals and visitors alike.
Hendersonville Christmas Tree Lighting
Hendersonville Courthouse: November 28th, 2025, 5 to 8 pm
Kicking things off, it’s the Christmas Tree Lighting on November 28th, 2025 from 5 to 8 pm. Santa will arrive with Mrs. Claus to light the tree at about 6 pm. Kids will get to visit with Santa for free after he’s lit the tree, and there will also be free carriage rides. Downtown Hendersonville is beautiful at Christmas, and we can’t think of a more festive way to ring in the Christmas season.
An Olde Fashioned Christmas in Hendersonville
Downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina
December 5th, 2025
What comes to mind when you think of a holiday Christmas small-town celebration? Whatever just popped into your head, it’s probably happening in Hendersonville. There are several simultaneous events and happenings occurring all along Main Street and most of it will be free. From an Olde Fashioned Christmas with songs and shopping, cookies, cocoa, and carriage rides, you’ll find it all in Downtown Hendersonville.
- Two hours of live ice sculpting
- Live holiday performances, carolers, choirs, and festive music spread throughout Downtown Hendersonville
- Holiday Shopping: Tonight the shops are open late, so feel free to wander amongst the twinkling lights and holiday music while you find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list
- Carriage rides: Enjoy an Old Fashioned Christmas favorite and take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage down the beautifully lit and decorated Main Street. Rides begin at Historic Courthouse Plaza.
- The llamas of Ellaberry Llama Farm will dress in their holiday finest for festive photo ops.
The Hendersonville, NC Christmas Parade Might Be My Favorite Ever
Downtown Hendersonville, NC
December 6th, 2025, 6 pm
If you are in need of Christmas cheer and you can only go to one event all season, the Downtown Hendersonville Christmas Parade should probably be that one event. Everyone from high school marching bands, to the fire department, the local plumber, and the llama farm come out to celebrate the season together with a giant parade full of lights, floats, music, and more. You’ll get Christmas spirit thrown at you no matter where you look, in the best possible way. Of course, the parade ends with the final float carrying Santa straight from the North Pole.
Parent Tips for the Hendersonville, NC Christmas Parade
- Check the weather and dress warm if needed. We were pretty chilly last year. Especially if you’re coming from a town in nearby Upstate, SC, don’t forget that it’s colder in Hendersonville.
- Arrive early for a good seat along Main Street. Pick up something delicious to eat and enjoy while you’re sitting out along the street waiting for the parade to start. Black Bear Coffee and Mike’s on Main are two good places to grab a bite to eat to go.
- Of course you could also bring a picnic dinner and a thermos full of cocoa to enjoy while you wait!
- Bring a bag for candy passed out during the parade.
Linda’s Plants and Shrubs
2025 Information Coming soon: We were visiting Linda’s and saw them setting up their Christmas Haybale maze! Check back soon for dates and details. In the meantime, you can read all about last year’s holiday maze at Linda’s Plants and Shrubs.
Awesome & Free Things to Do for Christmas: Hendersonville, NC
One of the things I absolutely love about Hendersonville is all the free things to do any time of the year. But at Christmas time, they really take the cake. We’ve already covered the free opportunities to see Santa and carriage rides, but there’s so much more!
December 20th, 2025, Mountain Fresh Orchards is bringing their Apple Express Train downtown for free Holly Jolly Train Rides down Main Street. In addition to the holiday train rides, the orchard will also have their delicious baked goods available for sale. Hop aboard the train at the Courthouse Square in Downtown Hendersonville. Plus Ellaberry Llama Farms llamas will be ready for more photo ops.
All holiday season: Find the Peppermint Bears in Downtown Hendersonville. Visit the Hendersonville Welcome Center to pick up a brochure and then get hunting through Henersonville’s downtown businesses. Once you find at least 12 bears, you can bring your brochure back to the visitors center and drop it in the mailbox to win a prize.
Check all the great Home for the Holidays Hendersonville 2025 Events.
Worth the Drive: More Christmas Fun Near Hendersonville
Winter Lights – This popular light show at the NC Arboretum in Asheville is a walk-through light experience unlike any other! The show runs from November 15, 2025 – January 4th, 2026 nightly from 6 pm – 10:00 pm.
2025 Festival of Trees Greenville, SC: Come see the holiday trees on display from November 21st through December 25th, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown and the Courtyard Greenville Downtown.
