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!

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: 
  • Breakfast with Santa 8:30 am to 10:00 am | Lees-McRae College
  • Storytime with Santa and Fire Truck tour 10:30 am | Banner Elk Fire & Rescue, Downtown Banner Elk
  • Cookie decorating, ornament making, Christmas Market, goodie bags, and more hosted by Downtown Businesses from 11 am to 5 pm - details to come!
  • Parade of Lights 6 pm | Downtown Banner Elk (from Lees-Mcrae College to Tate-Evans Park)
  • Christmas Celebration 6:30 pm to 9 pm | Historic Banner Elk School (luminaries, train rides, Christmas lights, hot cocoa, 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 (Coming Soon)

*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!