A Small Town Christmas Weekend

2025 Small Town Christmas Weekend

When: Friday through Sunday, December 5-7, 2025
Where: Downtown Banner Elk and Nearby Locations

A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk is a celebration of all things Christmas! 

This festive weekend is jammed full of festive events hosted by the Town of Banner Elk, the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce, and our local businesses. The weekend event begins Friday with local events and the town Tree Lighting Ceremony. Saturday is the main event, starting at 8:30 am with Breakfast with Santa and ending with the Parade of Lights and Christmas Party at the Historic Banner Elk School! 

We are now accepting registrations for Downtown Businesses that would like to offer an activity during the day on Saturday. We are also looking for other local businesses to include in our event, through their own activities or sponsorships. 

If you are interested in offering an activity on Saturday or helping sponsor our event, email [email protected] today! 



2025 Schedule of Events:
Events will continue to be added!

All Weekend Long:
Santa's Mailbox at the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center
Guided Tours at Apple Hill Farm (advanced tickets required)
10:00 am to 6:00 pm: Reindeer Scavenger Hunt at Mountain Emporium

Friday, December 5:
  • Tree Lighting: 6:30 pm | Corner on Main, Downtown Banner Elk
  • "A Banner Elk Christmas" variety show 7 pm | Ensemble Stage, Downtown Banner Elk

Saturday, December 6: 
8:30 AM - 10 AM: Breakfast with Santa at Lees-McRae College’s Welcome Center
8:00 am: 5K Reindeer Run organized by Williams YMCA
10:00 am to 4:00 pm: Christmas Market at the Corner on Main
            Williams Deli baked goods, local crafters, etc!
10:00 am to 6:00 pm: Make Your own Reindeer Food at Timber and Twine
10:00 am to 6:00 pm: Reindeer Scavenger Hunt at Mountain Emporium
10:30 - 11:00 am: Storytime with Santa & Fire Truck Tour at Banner Elk Fire and Rescue Station
11:00 am to 3:00 pm: Christmas Tree Weaving at Apple Hill Farm Outpost
11:00 am - 4 pm: Christmas Market & Kids' Craft Activities at the Historic Banner Elk School
  • 11:00am - 1 pm: Bookmark making for kids in the Banner Elk Book Exchange
  • ​11:00AM - 1 PM: Christmas ornament making in Common Ground
  • 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Let Your Heart Be Light | Playtime hosted by Playful Hearts Yoga. Open Play for kids 6 and under and their parents.
  • 11:00 am - 4:00 pm: Shopping at BE Artist's Gallery
11:00 a.m. - 5 pm: snacks for people and pooches at My Best Friend's Barkery 
11:00 am until..: Hot Toddies and Fire pits at The Village of Banner Elk
11:00 am until..: Hot chocolate, Food truck, heated porch at Stonewalls/Cluck Truck
11:00 am untill..: Fresh Squeezed Lemonade by Banner Elk Bevs in the Stonewalls Parking Lot
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Bear hug selfie station at Mountain Hugger Gallery
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Pet Pictures with Santa at My Best Friend's Barkery
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Snowman Yard Ornament making at Blind Elk hosted by Premier Sotheby's
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Cookie Decorating at the Bayou Smokehouse
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Cookie decorating at the Banner Elk Cafe
3:00 - 3:45 pm: Community Carol Sing at Banner Elk Presbyterian Church

Parade of Lights 6:00 pm | Main Street, Banner Elk
Christmas Celebration 6:30 pm to 9 pm | Historic Banner Elk School ( Christmas lights, hot cocoa, Caroling, Santa, and more!)

Sunday, December 7:
  • "A Banner Elk Christmas" variety show 2 pm | Ensemble Stage, Downtown Banner Elk

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 2025 Schedule
updated 11/20/25

*Schedule subject to change - Please check for updates
More coming soon! Email us if you would like to help make the magic happen! 
More coming soon! Email us if you would like to host an activity at your business!