The Winter holidays descend upon Western North Carolina in an intimate, small town tradition. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, you can create holiday memories that will last a lifetime. Here are 5 events you will definitely want to experience.

Christmas at the Biltmore
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC gets decked out for the holidays in early November. With spectacular Christmas trees on display throughout the 250 room chateau, the artistic displays are guaranteed to inspire your creativity and to enliven your spirit. Shop for unique holiday gifts at the Biltmore gift shops. Your day pass also provides access to Antler Village for dining, shopping, and historical exhibits.

Grove Park Inn: “Gingerbread is in the Air”
The Grove Park Inn of Asheville, built during the heyday of the Biltmore Estate, provided accommodations for many of America’s luminaries including William Jennings Bryan and F. Scott Fitzgerald. You won’t want to miss the expansive Great Hall, 120 feet across with 24 foot ceilings and two grand 14 foot fireplaces. At the Inn, the annual national gingerbread house competition highlights the holidays.

“A Night before Christmas” in downtown Waynesville, NC
A fun night in this charming mountain town with hayrides, caroling, live music, Santa, and more. You’ll feel like you have taken a step back in time when you visit Waynesville especially for this celebration. Main Street is closed to cars and the street scene exudes holiday cheer.

All Aboard the Polar Express
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad brings to life the new modern Christmas classic book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. What better way to experience the holidays with your children than traveling to the North Pole to meet Santa. The train departs from Bryson City, NC for a scenic ride through the spectacular Smoky Mountains.

Dance Your Way into the New Year
Join the surge in ballroom dancing and bone up on your moves during a dance camp then end 2010 with a celebration of dance and music. Not interested in the dance camp, you can still reserve a seat and spend your New Year’s Eve at the Crowne Plaza Resort of Asheville enjoying the big band music of the 30s and performances by international dance champions.

Stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley to be conveniently located for each of these holiday events.

Holiday Open House
Waynesville, the county seat of Haywood County since 1810, provides a wonderful backdrop for a down home kind of Christmas. The holiday season kicks off on the Sunday before Thanksgiving with a Holiday Open House on Main Street, the quaint shopping district. With the historic buildings and lovely street scene, the Christmas decorations take on a storybook charm.

Here Comes Santa Claus
This year the Christmas parade marches down Main Street on Monday night, December 6 at 6pm. The “Storybook Christmas” theme should inspire originality by non-profits competing for a first place prize of $150 and commercial enterprises competing for a commemorative plaque. An evening procession of lights after dark should mesmorize the parade watchers.

A Night Before Christmas in Downtown Waynesville
Line the streets with hundreds of luminaries. Close down Main Street to make room for the carolers, musicians, and none other than good ole St. Nick. Take a hayride on an old fashioned wagon. This Waynesville tradition is guaranteed to delight visitors of all ages. Join the shopkeepers and Waynesville residents for visiting, shopping and dining on December 11, 2010 until 9 pm.

Stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of mountain life during the holiday season.

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Waynesville

It’s a wonderful life in Waynesville. And walking down Main Street during the holiday season you might expect to see George Bailey and his wife Mary sipping a cup of coffee at Pheasant Hill Cafe and Gallery.

More Than 100 Artists Inspired by Nature
Looking for unique gifts for the unexpected surprise on Christmas morning you’ll find it in downtown Waynesville. One of my favorite shops Twigs and Leaves feels as much like an art gallery as a fine gift shop. With 160 artists represented, you will find an original gift that you love in your price range.

Artists in Residence Work Wonders with Clay
While you are out and about, a stop at Burr Studio is a must. Dane, one of the owners and sculptors, can usually be spotted in the shop. Dane never seems to tire of meeting, greeting and sharing one of his many stories. If clay sculpture and pottery are your first love, you will want to visit Burr Studio.

Did You Say Colored Pencils
After visiting T Pennington Art Gallery, you’ll never look at colored pencils in the same way again. Teresa Pennington, self taught artist, documents the spectacular beauty of western North Carolina. This artist considers her talent God given and she certainly is a blessing to the town of Waynesville.

Happenings in Waynesville
The residents of Western North Carolina know how to reflect the small town charm and warmth of the holiday season. The merchants of downtown Waynesville along with some talented musicians put together their annual A Night Before Christmas highlighted by caroling, live music, visits with Santa and horse drawn carriage rides down Main Street.

Foot Traffic Only
The shopping district is closed off to cars and Main Street is beautifully lit by luminaries. Strolling down Main Street, walking in and out of the beautifully decorated shops, and enjoying the live music that echoes down the street evokes memories of less complicated times.

When looking for a boost of Christmas spirit you don’t want to miss out on this beautifully orchestrated event. Visit downtown Waynesville to see a calendar of events.

Shop Windows in Sylva
In downtown Sylva, the shop owners competed to create the best holiday window display. A stroll down Main Street in Sylva revealed some truly original concepts. Raining down paper snowflakes from ceiling to floor, Annie’s Naturally Bakery got creative with the art of paper cutting. Catching the mood of the theme “Winter in Appalachia” Annie’s placed second in the contest.

Advanced Home Care took first place and Heinzelmannchen Brewery placed third. Give your Christmas spirit a boost, take a stroll through downtown Sylva and choose your favorite window. Check out what’s happening in downtown Sylva .

Annie’s Naturally – Good Eats
While in Sylva, don’t forget to pick up Annie’s Christmas butter cookies only available this time of year. They are truly as good as Mom used to make. Stop by Annie’s
for a light lunch and to pick up some of their excellent baked goods.