A Black Mountain Christmas: Your 2026 Holiday Guide
The holiday season in Black Mountain kicks off with Holly Jolly on Friday, December 4, 2026, and keeps going right through New Year’s Day. In between you’ll find a hometown Christmas parade, holiday markets, a town full of decorated trees and shop windows dressed up for the season.
This is our local guide to all of it: what’s happening and when, where to shop and eat, easy side trips and a few tips from folks who live here.
December 2026 at a glance
Your December in Black Mountain
Thanksgiving weekend: shop small
Small Business Saturday falls on November 28. It’s a good day to get a head start on gifts before the Holly Jolly crowds arrive.
December 4–5: Holly Jolly weekend
Holly Jolly is Black Mountain’s town-wide holiday kickoff. Friday from 5 p.m. is the big night, with late shopping, carolers, cocoa and Santa. Saturday brings more shopping and the Christmas parade down State Street at 4 p.m., with Santa riding in on his sleigh. Friday is the busiest night, so come Thursday if you can.
The Chamber’s Christmas Window Display Competition is back for its second year, with a map that leads you from one decorated storefront to the next all month. Circle of Lights is also on Saturday, December 5, with details coming soon.
For a day-by-day plan, parade tips and where to eat, see our Holly Jolly Weekend Guide.
Mid-December and the holiday week
Prefer a quieter visit? Come the second or third week of December. The trees, windows and markets are still up, and it’s easier to find a parking spot and a table for lunch. Deck the Trees stays on display through January 1, so there’s plenty to see over the holiday week too.
Holiday Markets and Shopping Small
Almost every shop downtown is locally owned, and the person ringing you up is often the owner. Between the galleries, shops and holiday markets, you’ll find handmade work from more than 100 local artists and makers.
That means one-of-a-kind gifts you won’t find at the mall: a mug thrown by a potter down the road, a hand-turned wooden bowl, a painting of the ridges you can see from downtown. Ask about the piece, and there’s a good chance someone can tell you who made it. It’s the easiest way to give a gift with a story behind it, and every dollar stays right here in the valley.
- Holly Jolly Christmas Markets at White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Road: Local makers and artisan gifts on Holly Jolly weekend (Dec 4 and 5) and Saturdays, Dec 12 and 19.
- Holiday Pottery Market at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 West State Street: Handmade pottery from the Center’s clay studio, opening in early December.
- Downtown shops: Galleries, outdoor gear shops, antique and vintage stores and gift boutiques full of things you didn’t know you needed.
Looking for ideas before you come? Check out our Digital Christmas Gift Guide for gifts from local businesses.
Deck the Trees
From December 4 through January 1, dozens of decorated Christmas trees fill businesses across Black Mountain and Swannanoa for the 16th annual Deck the Trees. Vote for your favorites by donating, with every dollar counting as one vote. Every cent goes to the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund to help local families heat their homes. Find the trees on SVCM’s tree map.
Read the whole story in Deck the Trees 2026: 16 Years of Keeping Neighbors Warm.
Where to Eat and Drink This Season
A cold December day calls for good coffee in the morning and a warm spot to settle into at night.
Coffee and breakfast
- Dripolator Coffeehouse: A local favorite on State Street for strong coffee, homemade pastries and friendly conversation.
- Open Oven Brunch & Bakery: Brunch, fresh breads and pastries on Church Street, with a rooftop patio.
- Cousins Cuban Cafe: Family-owned and full of flavor. Stop in for Cuban coffee, breakfast and homestyle Cuban sandwiches on Broadway Street.
Evening drinks
- Hell or High Water: Elevated cocktails and mountain views from the rooftop patio, inside the historic Icehouse on Broadway Street.
- Black Mountain Cider + Mead: Small-batch ciders and meads made from local apples and honey.
- Lookout Brewing and Black Mountain Brewing: Cozy local breweries for a pint after the parade.
Keep an eye on our events calendar for holiday happenings at local bars and breweries, like the Reindeer Romp holiday pub crawl, which ran last December.
For the full list of spots, see our Eat and Drink guides.
Easy Holiday Day Trips
Black Mountain is about 15 miles east of Asheville, so three of the area’s best-known holiday events are a short drive away. Spend the evening there, then come back to a quiet mountain town for the night.
Nearby in the Valley: Swannanoa and Old Fort
Our neighbors just down the road have their own holiday traditions, and both towns are an easy drive from downtown Black Mountain.
Swannanoa Winterfest at Grovemont Park A free, family-friendly holiday market inspired by the old European Christmas markets. Expect local vendors under strings of lights, caroling, kids’ activities and the Swannanoa Library’s used book sale. Grovemont Park, 251 Stonewall Ave., Swannanoa. Date and times coming soon.
Holiday Bazaar in Old Fort Get a jump on your gift list at this indoor market featuring more than 15 Western North Carolina artists. You’ll find textiles, ceramics, metalwork, photography, paintings and more. It opens Friday, November 6, and returns on multiple dates into December at 78 Catawba Ave. in downtown Old Fort.
Old Fort Christmas Parade A small-town parade down Catawba Avenue, with Santa riding at the end. Date coming soon.
Where to Stay
During Holly Jolly weekend, the best place to stay is somewhere you can walk downtown. Black Mountain has cozy cabins, historic inns and vacation homes, and many are within a few blocks of the action.
One we like: Solitude on 6th, a four-bedroom home off Montreat Road with a hot tub, close enough to walk to the downtown shops and markets.
See all of our favorite places to stay in our guide to Where to Stay in Black Mountain. Holly Jolly weekend books up fast, so reserve early.
Local Tips
- Come Thursday. Friday night is the busiest night of Holly Jolly.
- Walk instead of drive. Parking fills up fast on Friday and Saturday.
- Dress warm. At about 2,400 feet, it gets cold quickly once the sun goes down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it snow in Black Mountain at Christmas? Sometimes, but not often. Most December days are cool and clear with frosty mornings, and a light dusting of snow now and then. For more, see our guide to winter in Black Mountain.
Is Black Mountain worth visiting at Christmas? Yes. It’s one of the best times of the year to visit. Shop windows glow on Cherry Street, carolers stroll the sidewalks and neighbors stop to chat over cocoa along the parade route. You get small-town charm and a real community feel without the big-city crowds, and Asheville and Biltmore are just down the road.
