Don’t miss Christmas County, an extravaganza of festivals and events designed to celebrate this special time of year. 

Capture the magic of the holidays in the charming little town of Mocksville. It’s a time for family and friends to come together, exchange gifts, decorate their homes, be thankful and merry.

Fun experiences are waiting to be had in Stokes County, North Carolina. A brisk winter hike along the trails of Hanging Rock State Park reveal views and natural beauty not normally experienced during summer months when trees and flora are in full bloom.

December is a time to celebrate the Christmas Season – and in Granville County, it’s also a time to gather with family and friends. 

The three towns of Western Rockingham County, Madison, Mayodan, and Stoneville, offer a holiday experience you and your family will remember for years to come.

Years ago, it was as if magic was in the air when the holidays rolled around. Each year the whole family would hop in the car to make a special trip into town to scour the street on a hunt for the perfect holiday gift for each of our family and friends. Poinsettias, twinkling lights, silver and gold ornaments, greenery and red bows, would decorate the stores while Nat King Cole filled the room putting you in the holiday spirit. 

As you are gearing up for the Holiday’s and looking for those special gifts for loved ones don’t forget to shop local. Plan your weekend trip or day trip to Hickory to explore not only our outdoor adventures and culinary scene but we hope you will take a piece of Hickory home for the Holidays. 

Burke County is known for its magnificent leaf-peeping trolley tours, its world-renowned breweries, and Apple Orchards, but did you know that the best holiday shopping experience is here too!

This holiday season Hendersonville welcomes back some of its favorite traditions for its Home for the Holidays celebration. The festivities begin in November and continue through the New Year.

Early holiday shoppers can peruse over 140 craft shops in a village market which provides a diverse selection of handmade items such as pottery, jewelry, perfume, glass blown ornaments, ceramics, bath & body products, medieval costumes, hand carved candles, unique musical instruments, children’s toys, a full spectrum of clothing, and much more. Watch artisans make a masterpiece right before your eyes. Enjoy demonstrations of fine skills such as weaving, woodcarving, blacksmithing, glassblowing, pottery, and jewelry making – all using ancient skills and low technology.

Leaves of yellow, auburn, red, and brown linger a bit longer here for your leaf peeping enjoyment. The season is still perfect to experience why Stokes County ROCKS in Autumn. Cast a reel at the Hanging Rock Lake, sit back to admire the colorful array reflecting onto the water, as you catch the largest trout of a recent re-stock. Support local food banks this holiday season by attending “Soup in a Bowl” held annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this year on November 20th. A unique event hosted by Stokes Arts, where attendees will receive their very own handcrafted pottery bowl, donated by a local artist, and enjoy their choice of warm soup in the heart of Danbury, NC at The Arts Place of Stokes.

Belmont, NC The Museum of the Moon will be exhibited in downtown Belmont for three weekends serving as the backdrop for a series of lunar-inspired events. Over the centuries, the moon has been used as a timekeeper, calendar, and source of light to aid nighttime navigation. The evenings and weekends…

Davie County, NC Your family can enjoy a full day of free fun during the annual Oaks Festival. The festival is held in historic downtown Mocksville on the second Saturday in October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with our crafters while the music plays on until 8 p.m. that evening. There…

Hendersonville, NC Whether your dream day involves a rustic wedding barn, pavilion with wraparound views, a church sanctuary or a lakeside lawn, Hendersonville has a venue to accommodate your wedding ceremony and reception. Couples planning a wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains are invited to explore Hendersonville’s offerings at the…

Hickory, NC Hickory is known for craftsmanship in many forms including furniture, wood working and more but did you know that Hickory is well known for its craft beer and craft cocktail scene. Our booming culinary destinations are pushing boundaries in a fun and artistic way by encouraging local “mixologists”…

Burke County, NC South Mountain Distillery curates the best kind of spirits, based on generations of practice here in Burke County.  Don Smith, a 4th generation moonshiner, opened the distillery in 2016 after years of operating other businesses, as a way to embrace his roots.  He wanted to make traditional…

The 28th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival. The wildly popular Carolina Renaissance Festival is back to celebrate its 28th year Saturdays and Sundays, October 2nd through November 21st. Located just north of Charlotte, NC, the Festival blends imagination, fantasy, and history all within a 20-acre outdoor storybook village filled with shopping,…

Rockingham County, NC Whether you are a beer drinker, wine sipper, or stiff shooter, we have no doubt one of the best ways to discover Rockingham County is to take it one sip at a time along the Rockingham County Spirit Trail. With generations-old recipes and enjoyably outrageous brews, Rockingham…

Stokes County, NC. This October, discover a Stokes County State of Mind on a leaf peeping drive, windows down enjoying a kaleidoscopic show of vibrant auburn, yellow and red coloring unique to the Piedmont Triad areas of North Carolina. Take the less traveled path on rural roadways where the only…

Gaston County, NC Fall is absolutely the best time to get outside as temperatures cool and landscapes come brilliantly alive. Get out and explore!   Check out our brand new Fall Guide 2021, showcasing the best way to experience Gaston County this season. Enjoy the outdoors, locate our most scenic…

Burke County, NC Known as a small town with big celebrations, the Town of Valdese summer concerts will conclude on September 3rd with a special performance by Too Much Sylvia. Sharing a variety of hits from ZZ Top to Motown, TMS is sure to get the crowd to their feet….

Stokes County, NC. Festival season returns as the longest running festival in Stokes County, “Stokes Stomp” marks its 47th year along banks of the mighty Dan River on September 11th. A new festival for fall arrives the following weekend along Main Street in Walnut Cove as “FallFest” is born from…

Henderson County, NC In the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville, harvest season means walking through rows of apple trees in the middle of an orchard, purchasing fresh fruit, taking in mountain views and making memories as a family. Throughout the fall, apple orchards buzz with activity. Orchards, markets and…

Burke County, NC Burke County is known as Nature’s Playground due to the endless opportunities to explore, and experience the mountains, lakes, streams and trails.  Whether you enjoy biking, kayaking, hiking or just relaxing and taking in the crisp mountain air, this is the place to be. If you would…

The 28th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival. The Festival is a full day of entertainment, adventure, and pageantry! History comes alive with hundreds of costumed characters re-creating a 16th Century European Marketplace in the town of Fairhaven. It’s a 25-acre outdoor open air village nestled in the forest and meadows. At…

Catawba County, NC Hickory, NC is located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Under two hours from Winston-Salem and Greensboro, Hickory is a perfect getaway to cooler temperatures and outdoor adventures. Known for a heritage of furniture manufacturing and furniture shopping, the Hickory area has grown through…

Stokes County, NC. As cooler temperatures of fall start to arrive, beauty of colorful leaves become more present along mountain faces of the Sauratown Mountains in Stokes County, North Carolina. Set out for a drive on the winding scenic roads in a whole new season and enjoy fall foliage painted…

Gaston County, NC Summertime just makes people want to get out and explore! If you’ve done the beach, and the mountains, and looking for something new, now is the time to try Gaston County. Gaston County is a recreational wonderland you need to discover, with options from easy to strenuous…

Henderson County, NC D9 Brewing Company’s indoor-outdoor bar that opens onto Hendersonville’s Main Street has become a popular place to gather in the NC mountains. The roll-up garage door front draws passersby. They peek inside the industrial-chic space formally home to a piano store and chat with patrons who snagged…

Burke County, NC Festivals are one of the main ways that we celebrate heritage in Burke County. In Valdese, every year in August, the town celebrates the Waldensians, a group of people who escaped religious persecution in Italy and eventually settled Valdese. The local theater company, the Old Colony Players,…

Granville County is not like where you came from…we are “Uniquely Carolina™”  – a Carolina that melds the endearing heart of hometown living with (individual) space, and easy accessibility – a rare fusion that allows you to define “experience” and “gathering” on your term… and compels you to come and…

Stokes County, NC. Neill Caldwell – The Stokes News Experience the mighty Dan River flowing from the northwest in Westfield at Jessup Mill Access, to southeast at Pine Hall Bridge Access. The Dan passes through the Sauratown range keeping waters cool and refreshing for kayaking, canoeing, or river tubing. In…

Henderson County, NC Art means more when you meet the person who created it. This July, Hendersonville encourages you to meet the artists who live and work along some of the most creative routes in the region. Blue Ridge Craft Trails Month highlights three distinct trails throughout Henderson County that…

Avery County, NC Banner Elk’s summertime Art on the Greene shows return this year after the coronavirus pandemic forced cancelation last summer. The fine art shows take place on the grounds of the Historic Banner Elk School the following weekends: July 3-4, Aug. 7-8 and Sept. 4-5. Booth space will…

Burke County, NC The foothills of Western North Carolina have long been known for the craft culture and amazing artisans that live in these parts. From the founding of the Piedmont Blues to famous bluegrass musicians and stunning pottery, Burke County especially is no stranger to craftsmanship. This is evident…

Here is how to enjoy a weekend in Mount Holly by getting outside and onto the Catawba River in Gaston County, located just outside of Charlotte, NC. Let the adventure begin! Make your way to Tailrace Marina, where you can rent a variety of personal vessels available for hourly and…

Goldsboro, NC Nestled in the heart of eastern NC between Raleigh and the coast, we are a destination with rich culture and heritage. Our heritage has deep military and agricultural roots. And, let us not forget to mention our legendary BBQ! We sum up ourselves with 3 Ps: pigs, pickles, and…

Lexington, NC A story that begins with a teenage boy in North Carolina building a chest in shop class and winning an industrial arts award now has chapters that span a 50-year professional art career. Those chapters include such accomplishments as a world-renowned furniture line, paintings and prints hanging in…

Henderson County, NC Western North Carolina is known for black bears. They roam the Blue Ridge Mountains and are often a topic of conversation among visitors. Downtown Hendersonville honors the furry natives each year by populating Main Street with 20 colorful versions for the Bearfootin’ Art Walk. Each sculpture is…

Avery County, NC Exciting outdoor adventures – both new and old – await this summer in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Banner Elk, North Carolina. This high-elevation resort town is surrounded by thrilling experiences. The newest adrenaline rush comes with downhill speeds reaching up to 27 miles per hour. Wilderness…

Burke County, NC 2020 was a crazy year for everybody, including our pets. Our four-legged friends found their lives turned upside down when their owners suddenly didn’t leave the house to go to work, drastically altering life as they knew it. Now that workers are returning to the office, our…

3 Locations | Saturdays & Sundays | May – September Gaston County, NC If you haven’t taken a spin on the open water aboard a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, it’s probably just a matter of time. Participation in paddling has been on the rise over the past few years…

Stokes County, NC Discover your best summer days in a “Stokes State of Mind” along the sandy banks of the Dan River or along the trails of Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County, North Carolina.  This summer picnic with friends, family and Doggo in the wide open spaces within…

Davie County, NC What better way to spring into summer but with outdoor concerts on the square. We love inviting all of our friends, family, and bringing the kiddos to hit the square and stroll through town.  Downtown Mocksville has so many options to grab dinner and drinks before the…

Henderson County, NC What’s better than a Blue Ridge Mountain weekend getaway? A mountain trip that offers plenty of shopping opportunities to stock up on spring annuals, perennials, and vegetable and herb plants. Hendersonville once again hosts Garden Jubilee on Memorial Day weekend, May 28-30. Last year, the event was…

Granville County, NC As the weather improves it is time to head outdoors and enjoy the Carolina weather and also the North Carolina strawberry season. Three farms in Granville County take the lead in delivering fruit and produce. Lyon Farms in Creedmoor, Christmas Place Strawberry Farm in Bullock, and Dixon…

Are you looking for somewhere to go and something new to do? There’s plenty to do in Downtown Mocksville! Shop downtown bridal at Laced With Grace, an art gallery-like Southermood, and home décor and furniture at Lydia Jaynes, Artisan Crafts at Artist Market on Main, and vintage collectibles at Vintage…

Gaston County, NC The Carolina Thread Trail will bring back its annual National Trails Day celebration on Saturday, June 5, 2021 with an increased focus on safety and social distancing. National Trails Day is a great way to kick off the summer and safely enjoy the outdoors. This free, family-friendly…

Stokes County, NC Some may have walked this section of trails from Pilot to Hanging Rock but not realized that the Sauratown Trail is a unique 25 mile bridle and hiking trail connecting both parks. It is an official section of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail following Segment 7 and…