10/20/2026
On December 12th in Waynesville, North Carolina, “A Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration” takes place as one of the most magical events of the year here in the North Carolina Smokies! From 6–9 PM, historic downtown Waynesville comes alive with thousands of twinkling Christmas lights, glowing luminaries lining Main Street, holiday music, and all kinds of old-fashioned Christmas fun! One of the highlights is taking a horse-drawn wagon ride through downtown beneath the beautiful Christmas lights. Families can visit Santaland to meet Santa, take pictures, and enjoy some Christmas fun with the kids. There's also the Elf Trail, where children visit participating downtown businesses for holiday activities and surprises. You'll get to watch ice carvers turn large blocks of ice into beautiful sculptures, enjoy live music and Christmas carolers, browse local shops and art galleries, and grab dinner or something warm to drink downtown. Another special part of the evening is First Baptist Church's Little Bethlehem Live Nativity, bringing the Christmas story to life. With the beautiful decorations, festive streets, and plenty of activities, it's a wonderful evening for the whole family!
