Celebrating Christmas: A list of area light shows, performances, outdoor events

Dean Hensley, Hendersonville Times-News
·4 min read

When Thanksgiving Day comes to a close, it will officially kick off the 2023 Christmas season, and there will be several chances to see Christmas lights and participate in Christmas-themed activities in Western North Carolina.

Listed below are holiday events scheduled for Henderson, Polk, Transylvania and southern Buncombe counties:

The annual Shadrack's Christmas Drive-Through Light Show is on display through Jan. 1 at Tryon International Equestrian Center.
The annual Shadrack's Christmas Drive-Through Light Show is on display through Jan. 1 at Tryon International Equestrian Center.

Light shows

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland Drive-Thru Light Show

Where: Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring.

When: 6-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1.

Description: Tickets range from $35-$150 per vehicle, depending on the size of the vehicle. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.resort.tryon.com/winterfest. Lights are synchronized to holiday music tunes through your car's radio.

North Carolina Arboretum's Winter Lights

Winter Lights runs at the North Carolina Arboretum through Jan. 1. The holiday spectacular features one million lights.
Winter Lights runs at the North Carolina Arboretum through Jan. 1. The holiday spectacular features one million lights.

Where: North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville.

When: 6-10 p.m. daily through Dec. 31.

Description: This open-air walk-through light show is celebrating its 10th year. The overall display is made from over 1 million lights and features favorites like the 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.ncarboretum.org/winter-lights/.

Lake Julian's Festival of Lights

Lake Julian Park will once again host its annual Festival of Lights this year with a percentage of proceeds to benefit the local Special Olympics program.
Lake Julian Park will once again host its annual Festival of Lights this year with a percentage of proceeds to benefit the local Special Olympics program.

Where: Lake Julian Park, 37 Lake Julian Road, Arden.

When: Drive-through is 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4-23 ($10 per vehicle, $25 for large vans and $50 for motor coaches).

Description: This is a drive-through Christmas light display at the park and features 50 animated and stationary light displays. More information about the park is available at https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/parks/facilities/parks/lake-julian.aspx.

Other outdoor events

Ice skating at Tryon Stadium

Ice skating at Tryon Stadium, located at Tryon International Equestrian Center, is being offered through Jan. 1.
Ice skating at Tryon Stadium, located at Tryon International Equestrian Center, is being offered through Jan. 1.

Where: Tryon Stadium at Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring.

When: Now through Jan. 1, assorted times.

Description: Ice skating returns to Tryon Stadium with hourly time slots available for ages 4 and up. Weekend times are 3-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and noon-9 p.m. Sundays. More information is available at https://www.resort.tryon.com/.

Christmas tours at Historic Johnson Farm

Where: Johnson Farm, 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville.

When: 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4-20 for daily tours and 5 p.m.; 5:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Dec. 8-9 for candlelight tours.

Description: Visitors will take part in tours of the decorated 1880 farm house, visit with the Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists, listen to live music by local students and partake in hot cocoa and cookies. For more information, call the farm foundation office at 828-891-6585, visit www.historicjohnsonfarm.org or www.facebook.com/HistoricJohnsonFarm or send an email to jfarm@hcpsnc.org.

Christmas performances

A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas

Flat Rock Playhouse's annual Christmas show
Flat Rock Playhouse's annual Christmas show

Where: Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock.

When: Now through Dec. 21.

Description: This is the seventh year of the show, which is all new this year, according to a news release. Tickets range from $52-$72. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to http://www.flatrockplayhouse.org or call 828-693-0731.

Brevard College Theater's A Christmas Carol

Where: The Morrison Playhouse at Brevard College, 1 Brevard College Drive, Brevard.

When: 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 7 p.m. Dec. 3.

Description: Brevard College Theatre will perform "A Christmas Carol: A One-Man Ghost Story," an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale by William Leach. The show is directed by and stars faculty member Dan Toot. Tickets can be purchased online at brevardcollege.eventbrite.com or at the door. Ticket prices are $5 for students and $10 for the general public.

A Christmas Memory at St. John in the Wilderness

Where: St. John in the Wilderness, 1895 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock.

When: Four performances are set: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17.

Description: For a fifth straight season at St. John in the Wilderness, actor and theologian E.R. Haire Jr. will perform Truman Capote’s "A Christmas Memory," as a one-man show. The show is free to the public but seating is limited to 55 people per performance and RSVP is required. The direct link is bit.ly/christmasmem23 or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Area holiday light shows, performances and events with dates, times