Soak up a season of holiday cheer with “A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk” the first full weekend in December.
Escape the rush and enjoy an authentic small town holiday Dec. 6-8, 2024, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Festivities start Friday and run through Sunday. Most events take place within walking distance in the downtown area of Banner Elk, and the 2024 schedule is listed at the bottom of this page.
For out-of-town visitors, weekend lodging packages are available that include a choose & cut Christmas tree from Elk River Evergreens.
Get in the mood for the weekend on Friday evening with caroling, hot chocolate and the lighting of the official town tree in the Corner On Main Park at 6:30 p.m.
After the tree lighting, Ensemble Stage presents “A Banner Elk Christmas” at 7 p.m. just a short walk away at the Historic Banner Elk School. The holiday musical variety show is one of the most popular shows each year by the local professional theater group. It’s a fast-paced tribute to the television holiday musical revues of yesteryear, with all or parts of more than two dozen songs and lots of choreography. All tightly wrapped in one hour and 10 minutes of holiday joy.
Saturday’s schedule begins early with the annual Breakfast with Santa from 8:30-10 a.m. at Lees-McRae College, and storytime with Santa at 10:30 a.m. at the Banner Elk Fire Station. The YMCA’s Reindeer Run 5K, which typically takes place Saturday morning, has been switched to a virtual event in 2024.
During the afternoon Saturday, events include “Christmas at Apple Hill Alpaca Farm” (tickets required), a Christmas market and kids making ornaments in the Historic Banner Elk School, and a 3 p.m. Community Carol Sing at Banner Elk Presbyterian Church.
More Saturday afternoon events are listed below, and on the Banner Elk Chamber’s A Small Town Christmas webpage.
Saturday’s festivities continue with a 6 p.m. Christmas Parade on Main Street, followed by mini-train rides through luminary lights on the green in front of Historic Banner Elk School. In addition to the train rides, there will be visits with Santa, music, holiday lights and more.
Visitors can put a bow on their holiday experience Sunday with a visit to one of many Christmas tree farms in the area, or they can opt for a 2 p.m. performance of “A Banner Elk Christmas” musical revue at Historic Banner Elk School.
“The whole town gets involved with A Small Town Christmas,” says Nancy Owen, Banner Elk’s tourism director. “We love seeing families and couples get away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy a simpler celebration in a small town. And what better way to end the weekend than visiting a tree farm and driving home with a hand-picked tree on top of the car?”
Also available all three days are Christmas-themed walking tours of Apple Hill Alpaca Farm. Tours take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Cost is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for children ages 4-10 and $3 for children 3 and under.
An added bonus all weekend — Santa’s Mailbox accepts letters to Santa at the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce. Children may write letters at the Chamber during business hours; see www.bannerelk.org for hours.
Great Lodging Options Available
Because it is a resort town, Banner Elk has many accommodations that allow families and couples to find the idea lodging option for this special weekend. Seek out your perfect accommodations by clicking here. Or, check our special Choose & Cut Christmas tree lodging packages by clicking here.
Schedule of Events for 2024*
Friday, Dec. 6
10:00 a.m. – Christmas at Apple Hill Alpaca Farm (through 4:00 p.m.; tour purchase required)
6:30 p.m. – Christmas Tree Lighting & Caroling at Corner on Main Park
7:00 p.m. – A Banner Elk Christmas musical variety show at Historic Banner Elk School
Saturday, Dec. 7
8:30 a.m. – Breakfast with Santa at Lees-McRae College Welcome Center (through 10:00 a.m.)
10:00 a.m. – Christmas at Apple Hill Alpaca Farm (through 4:00 p.m.; tour purchase required)
10:30 a.m. – Story time with Santa at Banner Elk Fire & Rescue
11:00 a.m. – Candy bag pickup at Reilly’s Shop (through 3:00 p.m.)
11:00 a.m. – Holiday market at BE Artists Gallery in Historic Banner Elk School (through 4:00 p.m.)
11:00 a.m. – Kids crafts at The Book Exchange in Historic Banner Elk School (until 1:00 p.m.)
11:00 a.m. – Christmas ornament making in Common Ground (until 1:00 p.m.)
11:00 a.m. – Wood ornaments for kids & hot cider for all at It’s All About the Art Gallery (until 2:00 p.m.)
11:30 a.m. – Open playtime for kids 6 and under and parents at Banner Elk Body Shop yoga studio in Historic BE School (through 2:00 p.m.)
12:00 p.m. – Paw art at My Best Friend’s Barkery (until 1:00 p.m.)
1:00 p.m. – Christmas craft making for kids hosted by Blind Elk Taproom in the loft area (until 3:00 p.m.)
2:00 p.m. – Ornament making at Bayou Smokehouse (until 3:00 p.m.)
3:00 p.m. – Community Carol Sing at Banner Elk Presbyterian Church. Everyone invited to a small-town sing-a-long of Christmas carols
3:00 p.m. – Christmas cookie decorating for kids at Banner Elk Cafe (until 4:00 p.m.)
6:00 p.m. – Christmas Parade on Main Street
6:15 p.m. – Photos with Santa in front of Historic Banner Elk School entrance
6:15 p.m. – Luminary-lighted train rides, Christmas lights, caroling, hot chocolate, bonfire, and more on the green of Historic Banner Elk School
All day – Letters to Santa at the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce.
Sunday, Dec. 8
All Day – Choose & Cut Christmas Trees at Avery County tree farms (get a free tree with a Choose & Cut lodging package)
10:00 a.m. – Christmas at Apple Hill Alpaca Farm (through 4:00 p.m.; tour purchase required)
2:00 p.m. – A Banner Elk Christmas musical variety show at Historic Banner Elk School
*Schedule subject to change. Check here for the latest updates or call the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce at 828-898-8395.