The expected years-long recovery from Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina has set up tourism-based businesses across the 25-county region for major losses.
In Buncombe County, the Tourism Development Authority recently estimated that businesses will post revenue losses of up to 70% in the final quarter of 2024, BPR reported. Counties that weren’t hit as hard by the storm have seen a negative economic impact as autumn is normally the economic engine for tourism.
This holiday season, WNC tourism-based businesses are holding out hope that visitors from across North Carolina and other states will plan trips and vacations that include local stays, dining and shopping. The state has a map of travel tips and more to support tourism, specifically in the western part of North Carolina.
Here's a list of some top events or ongoing attractions across the region:
Buncombe County
Nov. 2 to Jan. 5 - Christmas at Biltmore
Nov. 23 to Jan. 5 - Gingerbread Trail of Giving
Dec. 6 to Dec. 23 (Free Buncombe County Days are on Dec.10 and Dec. 17) - Lake Julian Festival of Lights
Dec. 6 - Weaverville Candlelight Stroll
Dec. 6 - Jan. 6 - Deck the Trees in Black Mountain
Henderson County
Nov. 23 and Dec. 7 - Holiday Farmers Markets
Nov. 29 - Holiday Tree Lighting
Nov. 30 - Small Business Saturday
Dec. 6 - Hendersonville Old Fashioned Christmas
Dec. 7 - Hendersonville Christmas Parade
Dec. 21 - Holiday Train Rides with Mountain Fresh Orchards
Transylvania County
Dec. 7 - Brevard Christmas Parade
Dec. 7 - Light Up The Night in Brevard
Madison County
Dec. 7 - Mars Hill Christmas Parade
Madison County Online Shopping
Jackson County
Nov. 29 - Sylva Christmas Tree lighting, holiday concert and fireworks
Dec. 1 - Sylva Christmas parade
Dec. 6 and Dec 7 - Dillsboro Luminaries
Dec. 13 and Dec 14 - Dillsboro Luminaries
Haywood County
Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 - Small Business Shopping
Dec. 2 - Waynesville Christmas parade
Dec. 5 - Canton Christmas parade
Swain County
Nov. 7 to Jan. 5 - Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular
Nov. 7 to Dec. 31 - The Polar Express Train Ride with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Nov. 7 to Jan. 5 - Bryson City Downtown Christmas Lights and Displays
Nov. 30 - Darnell Farms Hayride at Santa’s workshop
November and December - Ice Skating at The Yard on select dates in November and December
Macon County
Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 - Winter Wonderland in Downtown Franklin
Nov. 30 - Tree Lighting Ceremony in Franklin
Dec. 1 - Franklin’s Annual Christmas Parade
This article has been updated for clarity.
