Once the turkey and stuffing have been devoured and the leftovers are saran-wrapped in the fridge, you’ll hear it, the familiar sound of Christmas carols and even the sight of neighbors wrapping their house is colorful light displays. Everyone knows the official start of the Holiday season comes right after Thanksgiving, and with that comes North Carolina’s weird and wacky holiday traditions.
- Moravian Cookies
Flickr / F. Tronchin There’s something about those crispy little cinnamon-esque cookies that are addicting come Christmas. Whether you’re gifting them or serving them at a Christmas party, Moravian culture (including the Moravian star) is highly represented during Christmas, especially in the Triad.
- Flotillas
Facebook / North Carolina Holiday Flotilla From Wrighstville Beach to Lake Norman to even a simple lake or river, decorating boats with colorful Christmas lights is a given come December. The Wrightsville Beach Holiday Flotilla is the real showstopper though, kicking off the holiday season with an impressive parade of boats adorned in more than lights but total Christmas-themed designs and spectacles.
- Biltmore Estate
Flickr / Ken Lane While many head to New York City to see the impressive tree at Rockefeller Center, Biltmore Estate is the North Carolina equivalent of that. With impressive decorations and a Christmas tree or two in almost every room, Biltmore is an experience many save for Christmas.
- Professional gingerbread houses
Flickr / Selena N.B.H If you’re at Biltmore it’s basically a two-for-one to also stop by the Grove Park and check out the gingerbread houses built for the National Gingerbread House Competition. Drawing out some serious competition, the winners and entries are on display throughout December - and some are shocking to the eyes. This was built out of gingerbread?!
- Cutting your own Christmas tree
Flickr / Soil Science With one of the largest selections of cut-your-own in the country, many North Carolinians don’t know how to ‘Christmas’ without a trip to the mountain to cut their own Christmas tree. Many families have their farm of choice where the tradition passes through generations.
- Driving around neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights
Flickr / patti haskins While there’s plenty of must-visit drive-through light displays in North Carolina, we also all know that one (albeit competitive) neighborhood that has house displays better than the professionals. For many, it’s a fun tradition to pile in the car and drive around to check it out.
- Or visiting an entire Christmas town
Yelp / Natalie R McAdenville has been deemed ‘Christmas Town U.S.A.’ and as one of the most festive towns in the country, there’s no shortage of holiday spirit here. While many have discovered the secret of this magical Christmas town already, many drive across the state just for a visit.
- Watching Santa scale Chimney Rock
Explore Asheville In a state full of adventure, it’s only logical that Santa gets adventurous too. A Holiday favorite for many is watching Santa scale down Chimney Rock. This ’extreme Santa’ will be climbing this year Dec 3rd.
- Christmas parades
Flickr / smithereen11 From large-scale parades to a highlight of the season in small town North Carolina, Christmas parades are a weekend event many of us adore and cherish. While there are plenty of impressive ones, it seems the best ones are found in small towns where you can really feel the holiday spirit.
- Using Christmas Eve as a way to enjoy North Carolina without the crowds
Flickr / if winter ends From hiking to sitting on the beach or boat, driving along the Blue Ridge, or even skiing, North Carolina is a great state that attracts a LOT of tourists. A Christmas Eve tradition for me was skiing every Christmas Eve because there were no crowds…and many also have their own ‘Christmas Eve’ traditions that involve making the most of North Carolina.
Which ones do you agree with? Which ones would you add?
Flickr / F. Tronchin
There’s something about those crispy little cinnamon-esque cookies that are addicting come Christmas. Whether you’re gifting them or serving them at a Christmas party, Moravian culture (including the Moravian star) is highly represented during Christmas, especially in the Triad.
Facebook / North Carolina Holiday Flotilla
From Wrighstville Beach to Lake Norman to even a simple lake or river, decorating boats with colorful Christmas lights is a given come December. The Wrightsville Beach Holiday Flotilla is the real showstopper though, kicking off the holiday season with an impressive parade of boats adorned in more than lights but total Christmas-themed designs and spectacles.
Flickr / Ken Lane
While many head to New York City to see the impressive tree at Rockefeller Center, Biltmore Estate is the North Carolina equivalent of that. With impressive decorations and a Christmas tree or two in almost every room, Biltmore is an experience many save for Christmas.
Flickr / Selena N.B.H
If you’re at Biltmore it’s basically a two-for-one to also stop by the Grove Park and check out the gingerbread houses built for the National Gingerbread House Competition. Drawing out some serious competition, the winners and entries are on display throughout December - and some are shocking to the eyes. This was built out of gingerbread?!
Flickr / Soil Science
With one of the largest selections of cut-your-own in the country, many North Carolinians don’t know how to ‘Christmas’ without a trip to the mountain to cut their own Christmas tree. Many families have their farm of choice where the tradition passes through generations.
Flickr / patti haskins
While there’s plenty of must-visit drive-through light displays in North Carolina, we also all know that one (albeit competitive) neighborhood that has house displays better than the professionals. For many, it’s a fun tradition to pile in the car and drive around to check it out.
Yelp / Natalie R
McAdenville has been deemed ‘Christmas Town U.S.A.’ and as one of the most festive towns in the country, there’s no shortage of holiday spirit here. While many have discovered the secret of this magical Christmas town already, many drive across the state just for a visit.
Explore Asheville
In a state full of adventure, it’s only logical that Santa gets adventurous too. A Holiday favorite for many is watching Santa scale down Chimney Rock. This ’extreme Santa’ will be climbing this year Dec 3rd.
Flickr / smithereen11
From large-scale parades to a highlight of the season in small town North Carolina, Christmas parades are a weekend event many of us adore and cherish. While there are plenty of impressive ones, it seems the best ones are found in small towns where you can really feel the holiday spirit.
Flickr / if winter ends
From hiking to sitting on the beach or boat, driving along the Blue Ridge, or even skiing, North Carolina is a great state that attracts a LOT of tourists. A Christmas Eve tradition for me was skiing every Christmas Eve because there were no crowds…and many also have their own ‘Christmas Eve’ traditions that involve making the most of North Carolina.
Speaking of Christmas, this winter walk will enchant you.
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