News

Downtown offers many ways to celebrate the holidays

Carriage rides on Main Street are one of many ways to celebrate the holidays downtown this year.

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 10, 2025

Light displays, carriage rides, shopping and several holiday events in downtown Hendersonville over the next few weeks will celebrate the magic of the season.

A list of downtown holiday-themed events and activities provided by the City of Hendersonville includes:
• Thanksgiving Farmers Market on Maple Street from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. on Nov. 22 in the 7th Avenue District. This is described as a great opportunity for shoppers to look locally for unique gifts and holiday decorations, as well as to stock their pantries with feast-worthy baked goods and seasonal food items.
• Turkey Trot on Nov. 27. Participants are invited to start their Thanksgiving morning with a fun-filled dash through downtown Hendersonville for the 13th annual Turkey Trot 5k. Whether a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or just in it for the costumes, this race is for all. For the first time, the Turkey Trot is organized by the Hope Coalition. For more information or to register, visit elementsofhope.org.
• Holiday Tree Lighting from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse on Main Street. All are welcome to gather on the Historic Courthouse Plaza to sing Christmas carols, sip hot cocoa and watch for the man in red. Once Santa arrives, he will flip the switch at 6 p.m. to illuminate the tree on the plaza and the lights along Main Street. Free carriage rides begin after the tree lighting.
• Small Business Saturday is all day on Nov. 29. Christmas shoppers are encouraged to visit downtown. A gift from a local business is a gift made or sold with love. Shopping downtown supports the city’s downtown businesses on Small Business Saturday and all holiday season.
• Olde Fashioned Christmas from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 5 in Historic Downtown Hendersonville. Visitors to downtown are invited to join an old-fashioned open house with all of downtown Hendersonville’s wonderful assortment of destination shops, family friendly entertainment and fabulous eateries.
A highlight of the old-fashioned Christmas includes a magical carriage ride through Historic Downtown Hendersonville among its twinkling lights and festive decorations. The serpentine street adds to the leisurely pace of the horse, so carriage riders can slow down and savor the moment.
Henderson County Parks and Recreation will accompany the event with Santa on the Square. It will include selfies with Santa, hot cocoa, games, crafts, specials guests and more. Santa on the Square will be hosted in front of the Historic Courthouse in Downtown Hendersonville.

• Christmas Farmers Market & 7th Avenue District Cookie Stroll in the 7th Avenue District from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 6. Visitors are encouraged to celebrate the season in the 7th Avenue District with a sweet stroll through the district. During the Holiday Cookie Stroll from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local businesses will be serving up tasty cookies and festive fun at stops throughout 7th Avenue and Locust and Maple streets. The day starts at the Hendersonville Farmers Market Holiday Market on Maple Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. where participants can pick up their Cookie Stroll passport. The day includes a chance to explore participating shops while collecting stamps and cookies along the way. There is also a chance to win prizes when completed passports are turned in.
• Hendersonville Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6. The “Light up the Night” parade in downtown Hendersonville sets off at 6 p.m. and heads south down Main Street.

• Holiday Train Rides with Mountain Fresh Orchards from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse on Main Street. Mountain Fresh Orchards will provide holiday train rides on Main Street, that begin at the Historic Courthouse where they will have fresh baked and canned goods. Ellaberry Llama Farm will have a photo opportunity with two llamas and holiday cheer. There will also be free face painting, fairy hair and a holiday craft for the kids.
For more information about holiday events taking place all season in Downtown Hendersonville, visit downtownhendersonville.org.