All around our mountain range, the charming town of Franklin and its neighbors transform each year into a festive haven of lights, music and small-town holiday cheer. From downtown strolls in a glowing “winter wonderland” to handbell concerts, artisan markets and midnight ruby drops, there’s something for every kind of holiday memory. Here’s a curated guide to the 2025 season of festivities in Franklin — mark your calendar and plan your visit!
❄️ Winter Wonderland: Two Nights of Holiday Magic
📅 Night One: Saturday, November 29, 2025 | 4:30pm–8pm
⏰ Night Two: Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 5pm–8pm
📍 Historic Downtown Franklin, NC
Kick things off with the annual Winter Wonderland, when downtown Franklin is transformed into a glowing holiday village filled with twinkling lights, live music, carriage rides, shopping specials with extended shopping hours, Santa photo-ops, and the joyful feels of the season.
Tip: Wear layers — the mountain evenings can turn crisp — and arrive early to stroll Main Street during the golden hour for photos.
🚗📸 Franklin’s Annual Christmas Parade
⏰ Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 3:00pm–5:00pm (Sunday after Thanksgiving)
📍 Floats line up on Church Street, enter Main Street via Town Hall parking lot, proceed down Main, turn onto Porter Street at Lazy Hiker, then left on Palmer at the red light, ending at the Highlands Road intersection A beloved tradition, the Franklin Christmas Parade brings float after float of holiday festivity down Main Street.
Tip: Bring a chair or blanket, come early for a good spot, and plan for parking a very short walk away since Main Street will get lively.
🎻 Celtic Christmas at the Otto Community Center
📅 Friday, December 5, 2025 | 6:00pm–8:30pm
📍 Otto Community Center, 65 Firehouse Rd., Otto, NC
Step into an old-world holiday celebration at the annual Celtic Christmas Céilidh in Otto, NC. This heartwarming community event brings together the spirited traditions of Scotland and Ireland with lively fiddle tunes, whistles, drums, singers, Irish dancers, and captivating seasonal stories. Gather with friends and family for an evening filled with culture, music, and festive cheer. Suggested donation: $20 (no reservations, open seating). All contributions support OCDO and the evening’s guest performers.
Tip: Arrive a little early to grab a good seat — this beloved local event fills up quickly with both regulars and first-timers soaking up the Celtic holiday magic.
🔔 “Christmastime” by the Brasstown Ringers
⏰ Friday, December 5, 2025 | 7:00pm–8:30pm
📍 First United Methodist Church – Franklin, 66 Harrison Avenue, Franklin
For a beautiful musical treat, attend the annual concert by the Brasstown Ringers: a community handbell ensemble that spans counties and brings crisp holiday harmonies to Franklin. What you’ll hear: traditional carols, classical & pop favorites arranged for six octaves of Schulmerich bells and seven octaves of Malmark chimes, plus select choir/bell collaborations and an audience sing-along.
Tip: This concert is free (donations welcome). Arrive early to grab a seat and enjoy the intimate acoustics of the venue.
🎄 Cowee Christmas Preview Party
⏰ Friday, December 5, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center — 51 Cowee School Dr., Franklin, NC
Kick off the holiday season a night early with the Cowee Christmas Preview Party — the perfect chance to beat the crowds and enjoy a quieter evening of holiday shopping, local crafts, and festive cheer. Browse handcrafted gifts from regional artisans, enjoy a cozy atmosphere with music and refreshments, and get a head start on your holiday list with unique Appalachian-made treasures.
Tip: Arrive early to grab a free ticket, sip a warm drink, and stroll the holiday-lit halls before the weekend rush!
🎄 11th Annual Cowee Christmas & Balsam Bee
📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center – 51 Cowee School Dr., Franklin, NC
Celebrate a cozy, family-friendly Appalachian Christmas at Cowee School with handmade crafts, mountain music, artisan vendors, holiday gifts, kids’ crafts, and warm community spirit. With dozens of regional artisans offering pottery, quilts, wood-crafts, fiber arts, and more — plus seasonal food, holiday décor, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere — it’s the perfect place to find something special and support local artists.
Tip: Bring your Christmas list — and plan plenty of time for browsing all the unique handcrafted finds!
🎁 Artisan Christmas Market
⏰ Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 11:00am–3:00pm
📍 Community Building, 1288 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC
If you’re looking for unique, locally-made gifts and artisan finds, the Artisan Christmas Market is a must-visit. What to discover: quilts, knitted items, wood crafts, resin art and more — everything handmade and local.
Tip: Bring your Christmas gift shopping list with you!
🎄 A Foxfire Christmas
⏰ Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Foxfire Fund, Inc. Village Museum, 98 Foxfire Lane, Mountain City GA
Celebrate an old-time Appalachian Christmas at Foxfire! This family-friendly event features caroling and live mountain music, a hot chocolate and Christmas cookie station, children’s crafts and ornaments from 10 : 30 AM–1 : 30 PM, and a special visit from Santa from 11 AM–2 PM. Donations are appreciated to support the event hosted by Foxfire volunteers, staff, and board.
Tip: Dress warmly — the historic village is open-air and charming in the winter mountain air.
🎶 “A Very Merry Christmas” by the Mountain Voices Community Choir
⏰ Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 7:00pm
📍 First United Methodist Church, Franklin
Enjoy harmonies and seasonal spirit at the concert by the Mountain Voices Community Chorus. What to expect: A 45-voice chorus accompanied by local instrumentalists performing both secular and sacred holiday music. Donation appreciated.
Tip: Great for an early evening outing — pair this with a dinner in downtown Franklin beforehand for a full holiday evening.
🎵 “Christmas with The Isaacs”
⏰ Friday, December 19, 2025 | 7:00pm–9:00pm
📍 Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 Georgia Road, Franklin
Cap off the season with a high-energy concert from acclaimed gospel/bluegrass group The Isaacs. About the artist: Performing for 50 years, inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, multiple Dove Awards and Grammy nominations.
Tip: Tickets are required (priced $22-$38). Reserve early — this is one of the bigger holiday draws in town.
❤️💎 Annual New Years Eve Ruby Drop
⏰ Tuesday, December 31, 2025. Families can enjoy an early drop at 9:00pm, followed by the official midnight ruby drop
📍 Location: Downtown Franklin (Main Street) — free event with live entertainment
When the calendar flips to 2026, Franklin puts its own sparkle on the moment with the Annual Ruby Drop.
Tip: Bring warm layers, a thermos of something hot and maybe some ear protection for kids if the celebration gets loud. Parking near downtown may fill up by evening — plan ahead.
❄️ Ice Skating in The Highlands
📅 Open November 21, 2025 through early January 2026
Hours vary by day, with skating sessions typically offered Thursday–Sunday.
Glide into the season at the Highlands Ice Rink, where sparkling lights, mountain air, and festive music make for one of the most charming winter experiences in Western North Carolina. Set in the heart of Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, this outdoor rink is a favorite for families, couples, and anyone craving a little holiday magic on ice.
What to expect: crisp mountain air, glowing holiday lights, skate rentals on-site, warm drinks from nearby cafés, and plenty of seasonal cheer.
Tip: Plan an evening skate — the rink is especially magical under twinkling lights, with the surrounding park illuminated for the holidays.
Bonus: Holiday Shopping + Stay & Play
Beyond the headline events, downtown Franklin’s charming storefronts, art galleries and local boutiques are open late during Winter Wonderland and beyond — perfect for finding one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.
Stay options abound in the surrounding hills, and the drive into town through the Blue Ridge Mountains adds its own scenic layer to your holiday outing.
Whether you’re browsing the artisan market, tapping your toes in a handbell concert, singing along with a community choir, or welcoming the New Year under the mountain stars — Franklin offers a full season of heart-warming events in a setting that’s hard to beat.
Plan early, dress for comfort, and soak in the genuine hospitality that makes a mountain holiday so special.
