A Small Town Christmas Weekend

2024 Small Town Christmas Weekend

When: Friday through Sunday, December 6-8, 2024
Where: Downtown Banner Elk and Nearby Locations

This year we are asking parade participants to register their float, vehicle, bicycle, ATV, llama, etc. The winner will receive our Edgar Award of Excellence (see the picture above) for their participation in our Small Town Christmas Parade.

Reverend Edgar Tufts played a vital role in the early development of the Banner Elk community, and it is our great honor to name this award after him.

You can also stop by our Welcome Center during operating hours and fill out a paper registration form.

Please feel free to email us with any questions at [email protected].

 A Small Town Christmas Weekend 2024 Schedule 

Download Printable Schedule


  *Schedule subject to change - Please check for updates
All Weekend- Santa’s Mailbox is accepting Letters to Santa
Friday, December 6th 
10:00AM - 4:00PM: Christmas at Apple Hill Farm
6:30 PM Christmas Tree Lighting at the Corner on Main
7:00PM: "A Banner Elk Christmas" - A Holiday Musical Variety Show
Saturday, December 7th
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Breakfast with Santa at Lees-McRae College's Welcome Center
Virtual  5K Reindeer Run organized by Williams YMCA 
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Storytime with Santa & Fire Truck Tour at Banner Elk Fire and Rescue Station
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Holiday Market at the Historic Banner Elk School
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Bookmark making &  Kids' Craft Activities in the Banner Elk Book Exchange ​
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Christmas ornament making in Common Ground
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Let Your Heart Be Light | Playtime hosted by Banner Elk Body Shop in the Historic BE School. Open Play for kids 6 and under and their parents.
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Wood ornaments for kids & hot cider for all at It's All About the Art Gallery
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Christmas Candy Bags for Kids - Come grab a bag of candy from Reilly's Shop
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - My Best Friend's Barkery - Light refreshments and snacks for people and pooches
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Christmas Craft making for kids hosted by the Blind Elk Taproom in the loft area. Sponsored by Premier Sotheby's International Realty and Blind Elk Tap Room.
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Christmas ornament making at the Bayou Smokehouse 
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Cookie decorating at the Banner Elk Cafe
3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Community Carol Sing at Banner Elk Presbyterian Church
6:00 p.m. - Christmas Parade on Main Street 
6:15 p.m. - Photos with Santa in front of the Historic BE School Entrance
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Christmas Lights on the Greene in front of the Historic Banner Elk School: Luminaries, train rides, synchronized Christmas light show, Hot chocolate by the bonfire, Lees-McRae College’s Highlanders caroling group, and more!
Sunday, December 3rd
10:00AM - 4:00PM - Christmas at Apple Hill Farm
​2:00 PM - "A Banner Elk Christmas" - A Holiday Musical Variety Show - Production by Ensemble Stage at the Historic Banner Elk School

*Schedule subject to change - Please check for updates