EVENT DETAILS
Light up the Night and our Merry Market are two events that are combining all the fun things of the holiday seasons. We traditionally hold a Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Courthouse Lawn and accompany it with Carolers, Music and our Holiday Windows Competition. This year we are expanding our event to include a Merry Market of fine arts and craft vendors on West and East Main Streets, Nonprofit vendors and family entertainment.
Food Vendors will be located through out the festival footprint, and not congregated all in one section of the festival.
After the Chamber Christmas Parade passes through town we will be bringing out fire pits for roasting marshmallows, a local Ice Carver, real live Llamas for holiday photo opportunities, a Tuba Christmas and Dance Troupes to entertain all. Transylvania County will be sponsoring an event at Silvermont Mansion, the Ice Skating Rink and the Hay Ride Wagon on the east end of town. Our Social District Businesses will be participating with special drinks and cocktails for the adults and the kids will have plenty to keep the twinkles in their eyes.
We expect to have 4,000 attendees at this annual holiday event in 2024.
The event runs to 7:00pm and we highly recommend adding some outdoor string lights to your set-up, if you don't have them already. We have street lights in downtown, but it may not be as bright as you'd like. Plus, the extra string lights will really make our Merry Market stand out!
Take a look at something like these, as they are solar powered and have a run time of approximately 8 hours with a full charge: ZJOJO Solar Outdoor String Lights 35FT, Globe Patio Lights
Event Hours:
Saturday, December 7th - one day event only
Vendor Setup: 9:00am-11:45am
Event Open to the Public: 12:00pm-7:00pm
Breakdown: 7:00pm
*Vendors must cease vending and begin breakdown upon the event's conclusion at 7:00pm and must clear the event area by 8:30pm.