Christmas & holidays
Christmas in Highlands: A Little Mountain Holiday Magic
Small-town lights, thoughtful gifts, and festive evenings in the mountains. Plan a Highlands holiday with room to enjoy it.
Make the holiday feel like a getaway
Christmas in Highlands, NC is a chance to combine a small-town celebration with the quieter pleasures of a mountain vacation. Spend part of the day browsing for a thoughtful gift, make dinner an occasion, and return to a cabin where the evening can be as simple as a favorite film and something warm to drink.
The official Holidays in Highlands page is the source for the 2026 dates below, checked October 22, 2026. Recheck it before traveling: weather and organizers can change plans. For future holiday seasons, use the new schedule rather than carrying these dates forward.
2026 celebrations to plan around
- November 28: Small Business Saturday downtown, followed by Light Up the Park & Main from 6–8 p.m. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.
- December 5: the Highlands Christmas Parade begins at 10 a.m. along Main Street.
- Select holiday dates: Santa visits the park; check the official schedule for each appearance.
- Winter season: ice skating returns to Founders Park, weather permitting. Confirm the current rink schedule and operating hours.
Choose one celebration as the anchor for your visit. Arrive with time to park, find your spot and enjoy the atmosphere. A parade morning does not need a tightly scheduled lunch and another distant event immediately afterward.
Find gifts with a local story
Make a shopping afternoon part of the holiday rather than something to finish as quickly as possible. Look for a small piece of art, something useful for the home, or a gift that reminds you of the trip. A few well-chosen stops leave time for a coffee and a conversation along the way.
The Bascom is worth checking for its Holiday Market and seasonal workshops. Browse the current program before visiting, especially if you want to join a class that requires registration. Pair an arts stop with downtown shops, then leave a little room in the luggage for an unexpected find.
Reserve the meal before planning the evening
Holiday dinner plans deserve early attention. Highlands is a small town, and availability can be limited when visitors arrive for the same celebration. Make reservations wherever offered and contact the restaurant about holiday hours, special menus and walk-in seating. A normal weekly schedule may change on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year’s.
Use our Highlands dining picks to begin your shortlist. If you prefer a quiet meal at home, plan groceries ahead and choose something easy to prepare. A cabin supper can be a very happy part of the holiday, especially after an afternoon in town.
Keep a weather-friendly alternative ready
A winter mountain trip benefits from a flexible day. Browse an exhibition, make time for a long lunch, or simply enjoy a quiet morning if the forecast changes. Check road conditions before setting out and avoid building the day around exposed trails or a waterfall path in freezing weather.
For a calmer visit after the main celebrations, consult the Highlands winter hours guide and confirm openings directly. A quieter town can be appealing, provided your plans fit the businesses and experiences available on your dates.
Considering a bigger holiday outing?
Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas offers another North Georgia holiday experience. Asheville’s Christmas at Biltmore is a separate, ticketed possibility. Both deserve a full outing with route planning; neither should be squeezed between Highlands events. Check current admission arrangements and allow for the drive back after dark.
Our Dahlonega guide and Asheville guide help you decide whether the extra travel suits your stay. Sometimes the right holiday choice is to stay local and enjoy one place properly.
A cozy base in the Mirror Lake area
65 Below at Netsi Place accommodates up to four guests in two queen bedrooms, with a full kitchen, laundry and private outdoor areas. Our hillside has many stairs, so read the access information carefully, particularly when considering a winter visit. We do not promise snow, holiday decorations or a special event package; the pleasure is making your own mountain holiday.
Check cabin availability, reserve the experiences you care about, and leave room for the small moments that make a holiday feel personal.
A little planning goes a long way. Local information reviewed October 22, 2026. Follow the linked organizers for current dates, hours, access and reservations. Suggested itineraries are flexible ideas, and travel times depend on your route and conditions.
