The Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC has an exciting lineup of holiday events in store beginning after the Thanksgiving holiday.
The schedule boasts a diverse range of activities, including:
• Ice Skating in Park – Fri., Nov. 29, 1 - 10 p.m. in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.
The Highlands Parks and Recreation-managed Ice Skating in the Park kicks off and runs through March. The hours are Thursdays 3:30 – 8 p.m., Fridays 3:30 – 10 p.m., Saturdays 1 – 10 p.m. and Sundays 1 – 5 p.m. The price is only $8, with or without skates. Coffee and hot chocolate are available for purchase.
• Light Up the Park – Sat., Nov. 30, 6 - 8 p.m. in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.
Anticipation will fill the mountain air as the community gathers in the park to enjoy treats and a program that includes live music and carols led by the Fox Fire Boys, a display of children’s artwork and a reading of the Christmas story.
Then, Santa arrives atop a firetruck to usher in the lighting of the park and Main Street. Watch the park come alive with thousands of holiday lights that will remain throughout the season, along with ice skating and photo-op fun.
• Santa in the Park – Saturdays in December in Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.
Every Saturday throughout December, Santa Claus himself will make a special appearance in the park to listen to the wishes of children, both young and young at heart. Additionally, he will make periodic visits to collect letters placed in a designated mailbox within the park.
• Highlands Christmas Parade – Sat., Dec. 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. along Main Street
As part of this longstanding tradition, expect to witness a delightful procession along Main Street featuring marching bands, llamas, camels, imaginative floats, and, of course, the star of the show, Santa Claus.
• Lighting of the Menorah – Weds., Dec. 25, 5:30 p.m., Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park
Hanukkah is an eight-day winter festival of lights, celebrated to mark the triumph of light over darkness. One candle of the giant menorah will be lit on the first night of Hanukkah and an additional candle each successive night. This will be done until the eighth night when the Menorah is fully illuminated.
Additionally, many of the area restaurants will offer special holiday menus and events for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
Following the holiday season, Highlands will continue to embrace the winter spirit with one if its most popular events – SnowFest, coming in January of 2025.