A Highlands, NC Christmas
Experience Christmas in Highlands, NC with tree lightings, parades, festive performances, and a holiday market. Plan a cozy stay at Trailborn Highlands.
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Holidays at Trailborn Highlands
Holiday Magic,
Highlands Style
Downtown lights up, local shops fill with gifts, and the mountains become the backdrop for a holiday getaway. Wander through town, then head back to Trailborn to gather around the fire and make a few traditions of your own.
Make Highlands Your Holiday Tradition
Maybe it's the parade. Maybe it's skating under the lights. Maybe it's the first drink by the fire after a cold day outside. However you do the holidays, Highlands gives you plenty of reasons to come back to them.
A Different Kind of Spa Day
The Trailborn Nordic Spa pairs an outdoor sauna and cold spritz showers with a firepit lounge—an especially good way to warm up after a chilly day exploring Highlands.
Holiday Dining
Gather around the table and make a night of it. Join us at Highlands Supper Club for festive holiday dining, seasonal sips, and great food shared with the people you love to make memories with.
Campfire & Cocoa Nights
Keep things cozy with our Campfire & Cocoa Nights experience, complete with signature Trailborn mugs, rich cocoa, and s’mores for roasting under the stars.
Holiday Happenings
Just down the road, Founders Park comes alive with seasonal lights, while Main Street fills with decorated storefronts and plenty of places to duck inside and warm up.
View Winter Happenings
Ice Skate at Founders Park
November 20 - Early March
Strap on your skates and take a whirl on the ice at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park off Main Street. Cost is $8 with or without skate rental.
November 20 - Early March
Strap on your skates and take a whirl on the ice at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park off Main Street. Cost is $8 with or without skate rental.
Light Up the Park
November 28, 2026
Kick off the season at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park as the town gathers for carols, cocoa, Santa’s arrival, and the first glow of holiday lights.
November 28, 2026
Kick off the season at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park as the town gathers for carols, cocoa, Santa’s arrival, and the first glow of holiday lights.
Highlands Christmas Parade
December 5, 2026
Main Street comes alive with marching bands, creative floats, community cheer, and a Santa sighting to top off this beloved Highlands tradition.
December 5, 2026
Main Street comes alive with marching bands, creative floats, community cheer, and a Santa sighting to top off this beloved Highlands tradition.
Holiday Happenings at Trailborn
From festive crafts and seasonal activities to a few surprises along the way, there’s always a little something happening around the property to make your stay feel merry and bright.
From festive crafts and seasonal activities to a few surprises along the way, there’s always a little something happening around the property to make your stay feel merry and bright.
Santa in the Park
Select dates in November & December
Santa makes appearances at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park during the holiday season, giving families a chance to share their wish lists and drop off letters.
Select dates in November & December
Santa makes appearances at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park during the holiday season, giving families a chance to share their wish lists and drop off letters.
Holiday Market at The Bascom
October 31–December 26, 2026
Browse handmade gifts, ornaments, ceramics, textiles, and artful finds from regional makers at The Bascom’s festive holiday market.
October 31–December 26, 2026
Browse handmade gifts, ornaments, ceramics, textiles, and artful finds from regional makers at The Bascom’s festive holiday market.
Snow Tubing at Highlands Outpost
In search of fun for the whole family? Head on over to Highlands Outpost where you can enjoy snow tubing and rides on the Scaly Mountain Screamer.
In search of fun for the whole family? Head on over to Highlands Outpost where you can enjoy snow tubing and rides on the Scaly Mountain Screamer.
Home for the Holidays at Mountain Theatre Company
December 6–22, 2026
Warm up indoors with a 90-minute holiday performance from Mountain Theatre Company, filled with seasonal songs, sparkle, and Highlands cheer.
December 6–22, 2026
Warm up indoors with a 90-minute holiday performance from Mountain Theatre Company, filled with seasonal songs, sparkle, and Highlands cheer.
Make a Day of It
The Highlands Holiday Edit
Morning — Take the Scenic Route
Start with a waterfall walk or a quiet morning outside. Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and other nearby waterfalls feel especially atmospheric in the colder months, when the landscape is quieter and, on the coldest days, water can freeze into dramatic formations.
Afternoon — Shop Small
Head downtown and take your time. Highlands is especially good for holiday shopping, with boutiques, galleries, specialty stores, and The Bascom’s Holiday Market offering locally made and curated gifts.
Late Afternoon — Skate Under the Lights
Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park’s seasonal ice rink opens in November and runs into March, with extended hours around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and a special New Year’s Eve skate.
Evening — Back to Trailborn
Head back to Trailborn for Après Hour, a little time around the firepit, then settle into Highlands Supper Club for dinner.
New Year's at Trailborn
End the Year
in the Mountains
Finish the year somewhere beautiful. Spend New Year’s Eve over a long dinner, gather around the fire, and wake up to a fresh year in the mountains.
A Trailborn Gift Card
Give Them a
Mountain Getaway
Some gifts get used up. Others turn into a weekend in the mountains. Give someone a reason to escape to Highlands—with a Trailborn stay, dinner at Highlands Supper Club, or an adventure waiting in the Blue Ridge.
Your Guide to Highlands
Get to know the shops, trails, waterfalls and traditions that make a Highlands holiday unforgettable. Start planning your stay with our favorite local guides.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Highlands, NC
Explore family-friendly things to do in Highlands, NC, from easy waterfall hikes and gem mining to kid-friendly activities near Trailborn Highlands.
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Make the Most of Highlands in Winter
Explore winter in Highlands, NC with ice skating, snow tubing, and scenic mountain activities. Trailborn Highlands is the perfect warm & cozy stay this season.
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Shopping in Highlands, NC: Boutiques, Gifts & Antiques
Explore shopping in Highlands. Visit charming boutiques, antiques, and gift shops on Main Street, just steps away from Trailborn Highlands Hotel.
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The Best Things to Do in Highlands, NC: A Guide
Discover the best things to do in Highlands, NC — from scenic waterfalls and mountain hikes to downtown shops, art galleries, cozy retreats, and romantic or family-friendly escapes. Plan your perfect Highlands getaway.
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