Hendersonville, NC: Thanksgiving and Christmas Events
It’s no secret that the holidays this year will look quite a bit different than they usually do. While we may have to connect virtually with family this year instead of connecting face-to-face, we can still create a joyful holiday season for us and our families. Here’s a round-up of local events you can participate in to celebrate the season and create your own traditions.
- Mindful Meditation (Mission Pardee YMCA 6:00-7:00 pm https://ymcawnc.org)
Kick off your Thanksgiving week with a mindful meditation workshop to help ease any holiday stress you may be dealing with. This feels especially prescient given the collective anxiety and disappointment around COVID-19 and the holidays. This workshop will help you to ground yourself in the present moment, which will help you to feel the joy of the holiday season more deeply.
- Turkey Trot 5K (November 26, 2020 from 8:30-10:00 am https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/turkey-trot)
In order to promote social distancing, runners/walkers can begin their route between 7:30-8:30 in the morning. There will be no official time or clock kept, which will again promote social distancing and also foster a festive non-competitive atmosphere. Completing a Turkey Trot is a fun way to kick-off the Thanksgiving festivity and to ensure that you can indulge guilt free in all the Thanksgiving goodies.
- Thanksgiving Day yoga at YAM (8:00-9:15 am Hot Turkey, 10-11 am YAM before the Turkey https://iamyam.com/)
If running isn’t your preferred activity, check out the Thanksgiving Day yoga offerings at YAM. These classes will provide a respite from any holiday stress you may be feeling and give you a welcome outlet for exercise and self-care. YAM is following stringent COVID safety guidelines, and practitioners should pre-register for classes using the MindBody App to ensure that they will be able to participate.
- Riveter Family Camp at the Riveter (Family Camp November 28-29 https://app.rockgympro.com/b/widget/?a=list&&widget_guid=2258941045714ba2a67af6bd7b0480c1&random=5fb179491bbfc&iframeid=&mode=p)
If you’re interested in keeping the whole family active during the Thanksgiving break, then check out the Family Camp schedule at The Riveter. Family Camp will consist of a kids’ day camp, which will allow kids to explore the rock climbing gym as well as the bike track at The Riveter. While the kids are playing, parents can enjoy some time at The Riveter’s bar, or they can spend time climbing kid-free.
- Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt ( November 27-December 23 https://www.visithendersonvillenc.org/event/peppermint-bear-scavenger-hunt/2020-12-14)
Download and print out the Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt brochure or stop by the Visitor’s Center to pick up a copy and enjoy a fun day on Main Street with the family. This is a scavenger hunt to reunite Peppermint Bear with her cubs who got lost as they were trying to help her find decorations for their den. Kids will love following the clues and taking in the Christmas decorations on Main Street, and adults will love window shopping while the kids are busy finding the lost cubs.
- Historic Johnson’s Farm Christmas Tours (Open starting December 1st and open 5 days a week from 1:00-3:00 https://www.visithendersonvillenc.org/event/historic-johnson-farm-christmas-tours/2020-12-18)
Enjoy history and festive decorations at Historic Johnson’s Farm. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the farm and make a holiday craft. Additionally, holiday baskets, Christmas cacti, and more will be for sale at the Interpretive Center.
- Holiday Farmers’ Market (November 28th and December 5th 8:00am-1:00pm https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/events/hendersonville-farmers-market)
Take a walk in the historic Seventh Avenue district of Hendersonville and enjoy a festive
holiday atmosphere. Vendors will be there selling fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts. This will be a great time to find some local produce for holiday meals or to buy some locally made Christmas crafts.
- Whoo Loves Hendo (December 5th 10:00am-9:00 pm on Main Street)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Main Street has closed to traffic one weekend a month to allow shoppers and visitors a chance to walk down Main Street while maintaining social distancing. This allows shoppers to patronize local businesses while also keeping COVID front of mind. While it is always important to support our local businesses as much as possible, it’s even more important this year. Whoo Loves Hendo will be a celebration of all things Hendersonville as merchants participate in this Grinch inspired event. Merchants will be decorating their stores and sporting Who-ville inspired costumes. This event is sure to put the whole family in a festive mood.
- Main Street Holiday Hayrides (December 11-12th from 5:00-8:00 pm)
Cozy up with the family and take in all the holiday decorations on Main Street while enjoying an old fashioned hayride on Main Street. This event is always a family holiday favorite. Hayrides begin at the Visitor’s Center on Main Street.
- Guidon Christmas Market (December 12th 12:00pm-6:00pm)
This Christmas market will be held outside at Guidon Brewery. It will feature local, handmade arts, crafts, gifts, and more. There will be live music, and of course, the beer from Guidon Brewery will be available. Visitors can also enjoy a warm, mulled wine called Gluhwein as they pursue the local holiday goodies.
