🎄 Small Town Christmas Weekend in Banner Elk! 🎄
December 5–7, 2025 | Downtown Banner Elk & Nearby Locations
Get ready for the most wonderful weekend of the year! Banner Elk is rolling out the tinsel, firing up the hot cocoa, and welcoming Santa himself for three days of holiday magic.
Friday night kicks things off with the Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Corner on Main (6:30 PM), followed by “A Banner Elk Christmas” variety show at Ensemble Stage.
Saturday is the BIG day — and it is absolutely packed:
- Start your morning with Breakfast with Santa at Lees-McRae College (8:30 AM) or lace up for the 5K Reindeer Run
- Browse the Christmas Market at the Corner on Main, shop local crafters, and grab treats from Williams Deli
- Little ones can enjoy Storytime with Santa & a Fire Truck Tour, ornament making, bookmark crafts, and open play hosted by Playful Hearts Yoga
- Warm up with hot toddies by the fire pits at The Village, hot chocolate at Stonewalls, or fresh-squeezed lemonade from Banner Elk Bevs
- Bring your furry friends for Pet Pictures with Santa at My Best Friend’s Barkery (1–3 PM)
- Get creative with cookie decorating, snowman yard ornaments, and Christmas tree weaving
- Cap it all off with the spectacular Parade of Lights at 6 PM down Main Street, followed by the Christmas Celebration at the Historic Banner Elk School with lights, caroling, cocoa, and Santa until 9 PM!
Sunday wraps up the weekend with an afternoon performance of “A Banner Elk Christmas” at 2 PM.
🦌 Don’t forget — the Reindeer Scavenger Hunt at Mountain Emporium runs all weekend long, and kids can drop letters in Santa’s Mailbox at the Chamber Welcome Center!
Want to be part of the parade? Register your float, vehicle, bike, ATV — or even your llama — for a chance to win the Edgar Award of Excellence!
For more info or to get involved, email BannerElkChamber@gmail.com.
See you in Banner Elk — where Christmas feels like it’s supposed to! 🎅✨