It's Holiday Glow Time in Blowing Rock!

Blowing Rock Holiday Stroll Returns!

Join us in Blowing Rock for the Holiday Stroll, a celebration of winter and the Christmas season in December. It’s like a town-wide holiday open house! Shops are open late, and a number of special guests and activities will make the glowing streets even more festive. This year the stroll is on Friday, December 12.

Take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 4-8 pm.

Look for strolling Carolers, Time TBA

Live Nativity Scene (with live animals) at Rumple Memorial Church 5-7pm.

The Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort 5:30-9pm

There are also tasty treats to be had and stores will be open late!

For more Holiday Stroll info and a list of participating stores, click here!

Ready to see Santa?

He'll be in Memorial Park from 6-8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays in December to meet his biggest fans! Guardians, remember to have your camera ready for pics of the occasion.

Memorial Park Santa Schedule:

December 5&6, 12&13, and 19&20!

Vote Best Holiday Window Display!

Rate each shop in our public poll! The shop with the highest rating will be be awarded the title of “Best Holiday Glow” for our Holiday Stroll on December 12.

Make plans to complete your holiday shopping in Blowing Rock and enjoy the Holiday Glow in person this season!

Give Your Ratings Here!

Tweetsie Christmas is Open!

Get ready to enjoy the wonder of the Tweetsie Railroad dazzlingly lit for the holidays! The train ride will feature over one million lights on its open-air route. Dress warmly to enjoy this special treat. See Santa in his Ginger Bread House, warm up to a campfire at the Hacienda, enjoy the lights on Main Street and the Christmas trees, visit the shops, and more.

Space is limited so advance tickets are needed. Tickets include admission and are for a specific date and train ride time. The Tweetsie Christmas event will be held on Friday, Saturday, and on select weekday evenings from November 28 – December 30. The hours are 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

See ticket information and all other details at Tweetsie.com

Winter Snow Sports are Gearing Up

'Tis the season for playing in the snow! What better way to play than to enjoy all the High Country has to offer. We've got skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, skating, and much more!

Blowing Rock's own Appalachian Ski Mountain is open and ready to welcome you! Don't miss special events at App Ski Mountain all season. Coming up: Christmas Day skiing and New Year's Eve fireworks, late-night ice skating, and more!

More on High Country Snow Sports here!

Appalachian Ski Mountain

WinterFest is Fast Approaching

After the festivities of the Holidays, things begin to calm down and winter really settles in. Well in Blowing Rock, we embrace it with a four-day winter celebration! Grab your coat and boots and come share in the warmth of our WinterFest traditions. Yearly we have a Polar Bear Plunge, beer garden, ice stroll, Chilly Chili Challenge, and much more! This year WinterFest will be January 22-25, 2026. To see a tentative schedule and keep up with developments, click the link below.

Get your tickets for WinterFest 2026

Book a Room with a WinterFest Lodging Partner

Plan a Wedding in Blowing Rock!

Blowing Rock is a favorite place to tie the knot! You already know that Chetola Resort and Meadowbrook Inn are fantastic places to stay, but did you know they are also experts at hosting weddings? Dedicated event planners at each property work to make each ceremony or reception truly special. Here are a few additional notes on these unique spots:

Chetola Resort

Location makes Chetola Resort a a great place to get married. If you're looking for a place where everyone can come together and never have to leave the resort, Chetola is for you. There are hiking trails and a sporting reserve for outdoor bonding as well as great dining and a bar for those looking to stay inside. Downtown is walkable from Chetola resort if your group is looking to do some shopping as well!

Learn About Chetola

Meadowbrook Inn

Meadowbrook Inn is a great versatile venue for hosting your wedding. With both outdoor and indoor venues, they are prepared for whatever nature may throw our way. This means they can also host beautiful winter weddings. They are located in downtown so your wedding party is just steps away from shopping, dining, and drinks. There are sister lodging locations nearby so your whole guest list can stay within walking distance.

Learn About Meadowbrook

For more information on weddings and venues in the area, see our Weddings Page!