North Carolina - Winter Festivals, Special Events and Holiday Celebrations

November - February

From the beaches to the mountains, North Carolina is a great destination in any season for fun festivals, special events, and holiday celebrations. The following selected events are some of the most popular for winter fun in beautiful North Carolina.

• Christmas at Biltmore Estate
  November 7, 2008 – January 4, 2009 in Asheville, North Carolina
  The magnificent Biltmore Estate is even more magical than usual during the holidays. Continuing the traditions that began when George W. Vanderbilt first welcomed his friends and family to Biltmore on Christmas Eve 1895, this annual celebration features almost 100 decorated Christmas trees, more than 1,000 wreaths and bows, 1,450 poinsettias, miles of evergreen garland and thousands of ornaments. More about Christmas at Biltmore.



• American Music Jubilee Christmas Show
  November through the week of Christmas in Selma, North Carolina - Call for dates and show times.
  Sing along to Christmas favorites, enjoy comedy routines, a spiritual Christmas tribute and more at this annual Christmas Show, which is located less than five miles from great holiday shopping at Carolina Premium Outlets.



• Tanglewood Festival of Lights
  November 15, 2008 - January 1, 2009 in Clemmons, North Carolina
  This holiday light show features storybook scenes and holiday themes in more than 100 displays, illuminated with over one million lights at Tanglewood Park, located about 10 minutes from Winston-Salem on I-40.



• National Gingerbread House Competition at the Grove Park Inn
  On Display November 19, 2008 - January 11, 2009 in Asheville, North Carolina
  Intricately designed Gingerbread houses will delight visitors to the historic Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa during the holiday season. This enchanting display is free and open to the public. Community Viewing is Monday - Thursday only. Resort Guests may view Gingerbread Houses at anytime. See Photos
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• Carolinas’ Carrousel Thanksgiving Parade
  November 27, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina
  This annual Thanksgiving tradition begins at 1 p.m. and draws participants from both of the Carolinas.



• Charlotte Holiday Events Guide
  November and December, 2008 in and around Charlotte, North Carolina
  Find out about more holiday events in Charlotte, including tree lightings, seasonal performing arts events and other fun things to do during the holidays in North Carolina's Queen City, from About.com's City Guide to Charlotte.



• Carolina Designer Crafts Fair
  November 28 - 30, 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina
  This annual fine craft and design show, held at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds Exposition Center, showcases the work of Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild members, featuring some of the finest contemporary crafts in the Southeast.



• Enchanted Airlie
  Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays November 28 - December 20, 2008 in Wilmington, North Carolina
  Enjoy live entertainment, holiday flowers and lights, refreshments and a large display of model trains under the stars. Tickets are required for two time slots, 5 - 7 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m.



• North Carolina Holiday Flotilla
  November 29, 2008 at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
  This festive Wrightsville Beach tradition begins at 6 p.m. followed by fireworks. During the day visitors may enjoy the Festival in the Park from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.



• Christmas Town U.S.A.
  December 1 - 26, 2008 in McAdenville, North Carolina
  Lights twinkle nightly during most of December, when this small mill town, located about 15 miles west of Charlotte, transforms into Christmas Town U.S.A.



• The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival: A Christmas Carol
  Schedule Varies - High Point, North Carolina
  Enjoy this favorite Dickens family holiday tradition performed in High Point and Winston-Salem.



• Appalachian Ski Mountain New Year's Eve Celebration
  December 31, 2008 in Blowing Rock, North Carolina
  New Year's Eve fireworks, torchlight skiing, night skiing, moonlight ice-skating are all great ways to ring in the New Year in the North Carolina mountains.



• Annual Durham Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade
  Saturday, January 17, 2009 on Fayetteville Street at 12 noon - Durham, North Carolina
  The 7th Annual Durham Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade will feature marching bands, choirs, drum lines, drill-dance-step teams and more.



• Big Band - Swing Dance Weekend
  January 23 - 25, 2009 at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville, North Carolina
  The Annual Big Band Weekend features performances by the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Charles Goodwin Orchestra throughout the weekend of swinging big band music.



• Blowing Rock Winterfest Celebration
  January 22 - 25, 2009 in Blowing Rock, North Carolina
  Offering something for everyone, this annual winter festival includes a wine auction, the Frosty 5K Run and live Bluegrass, plus a Chili Cook-Off, lot of kid's activities and, for the very hearty, a polar plunge in Chetola Lake.



• All That Jazz Weekend
  January 30 - February 1, 2009 at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, North Carolina
  This popular annual jazz weekend features evening and afternoon jazz concerts, an array of performers throughout the weekend, a jazz clinic, all-star jazz jams and Meet the Artists receptions.



• Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival
  February 5 - 7, 2009 in Wilmington, North Carolina
  Now in its 29th year, this popular annual jazz festival features all-star musicians and the best of traditional jazz, presented in one venue with cabaret style seating. Check the festival web site for information about the 2009 performers, schedule, reservations and special hotel rates for Jazz Festival attendees.



• Carolina Chocolate Festival in Morehead City, North Carolina
  February 6 - 9, 2009
  Just in time for Valentine's Day, enjoy a weekend of chocolate delights at this annual celebration of chocolate.



• North Carolina International Auto Expo - NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
  February 12 - 15, 2009
  The latest cars and exciting entertainment.



• Seagrove Winterfest
  February 20 - 21, 2009
  Visit the birthplace of Traditional North Carolina pottery, where participating potters will display newly stocked shelves for browsing or buying.