Halloween is over, it’s time to deck the halls with boughs of holly! At least that’s what most people do. While it’s still the season to be jolly, it’s also the season to be thankful. So instead of it’s beginning to look a lot like everyone forgot about thanksgiving; let’s all set our scales back 10 pounds and be thankful, blessed, and mashed potato obsessed! Have an attitude of gratitude, with a dose of holly jolly and take part in all of High Point’s Holiday happenings.
Thanksgiving Wine Tasting
Friday, November 19th | 6pm
The Brewer’s Kettle | 1813 N Main Street, Suite 101
Impress your guests this Thanksgiving by offering wine that is perfectly paired with your turkey dinner! While this sounds like it can be stressful, this experience won’t be! The Brewer’s Kettle invites you to join them for a Thanksgiving Wine Tasting where they will have a delicious selection of wines and will help in choosing the best wines for your Thanksgiving meal!
Open Hearth Cooking in the Historical Park
Saturday, November 20th | 10am-4:30pm (Drop-In Event)
High Point Museum | 1859 E Lexington Avenue
Looking for an old-fashioned Thanksgiving experience? Take a savory journey into the past along with a heaping helping of history at High Point Museum’s Open Hearth Cooking in the Historical Park event. Watch their costumed interpreters cook a traditional fall harvest meal over an open hearth in the Hoggatt House, just like early Americans used to do!
High Point Holiday Party
Trolley Hop, Craft Fair & Inaugural Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 20th | 12pm-10pm
Showing gratitude is one of the simplest, yet most powerful things humans can do for each other. So take that attitude of gratitude of yours and join Furnitureland Rotary for a fun day of festive activities and celebrating High Point! Jump on the trolley hop and support local retailers, restaurants and bars on Main Street. While you’re on the trolley route you can enjoy complimentary s’mores, balloon animals and face painting. You’ll get to meet Santa and his 8 reindeer, take a selfie in a winter wonderland, and there will even be a Christmas unicorn! The Trolley will run from 12pm-10pm.
From 3pm-7pm make Truist Point one of your stops as they will be having a Craft Fair with 30+ vendors! While visiting the best holiday vendors in the Triad, the kids can play in the Truist Point Playground and jump in the Rocker’s bounce house. Enjoy funnel cakes from one of the food trucks and High Pint’s for drinks!
Finally at 5pm High Point’s Christmas Tree, which will not only be the biggest tree in the Triad, but also one of the most beautiful trees in the state, will be lit with 33,500 LED bulbs. Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa, food trucks, entertainment from performers, and see how the designers of the tree, STUDIO25DECOR have a special way to make the tree glisten!
High Point Parade
Sunday, November 21st | 3pm Rain or Shine
South Main Street at Green Drive and will proceed north on Main Street to Montlieu Avenue
Take part in a High Point tradition that has been around since 1925! The parade is known statewide as one of the favorites and at one point was held on Thanksgiving Day. In 1976 the parade was officially given its name we all know today, the High Point Holiday Parade. The parade was moved to the evening in the 1980’s and for years was the largest nighttime parade in the state of North Carolina. In 2010, the parade was moved to the Sunday before Thanksgiving at 3pm, rain or shine and each year the parade has more than 100 entries! You’ll see anything from marching bands and beauty queens, to floats, clowns Santa Claus and so much more! Be one of the thousands that flock to Downtown High Point year after year and ring in the coming holiday season with the High Point Holiday Festival Parade!
5 Before The Feast - Thanksgiving Day 5K
Thursday, November 25th | 8am
Truist Point | 301 North Elm Street
Thanksgiving is the day that you can eat all day and not be judged, so before you do that why don’t you and the whole family go struttin’ before you start stuffin’. Whether you are running for fun or you’re out to break your PR – come run, walk, or trot at Truist Point – Home of the High Point Rockers! Take part in the 5 Before The Feast, Thanksgiving day fun for everyone, including your four-legged family members! This event is free for kids 12 & under.
Kersey Valley Christmas
Open on Weekends Starting Friday, November 26th
Will be Open Daily December 17th-23rd
Kersey Valley | 1615 Kersey Valley Road | Archdale, NC
There’s nothing better than a Kersey Valley Christmas because there is family fun for everyone! Visit Santa’s Workshop to get that family photo and find that unique present in the Christmas Gift Shop. With millions of lights that decorate the farm, delicious food options like apple cider donuts, fudge, funnel cakes, fresh kettle corn, and hot cocoa…you will surely feel like you are at the North Pole. You can even roast s’mores over the fire pits in the Roasty Toasty Village. Get your tickets before they sell out and make plans for Lights, Santa, Action at Kersey Valley!
Let's Craft! Paper Plate Pies in the Little Red Schoolhouse
Saturday, November 27th | 10am-2pm
High Point Museum | 1859 East Lexington Avenue
The High Point Museum is baking spirits bright this holiday season! Head over to the Little Red Schoolhouse and join in on the fun of creating your favorite pies. Make the next centerpiece of your dessert table by “making” your favorite flavor pie: cherry, pumpkin, chocolate, or apple! Due to COVID-19 safety, masks are required inside Little Red Schoolhouse and there is a 15-person limit inside of the building. This event is a drop-in event and free for all ages!
Christmas With John Berry: The Silver Anniversary Tour
Saturday, November 27th | 7pm
High Point Theatre | 220 East Commerce Avenue
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! So come out to the High Point Theatre for Christmas with John Berry: The Silver Anniversary Tour. This Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter John Berry rose to stardom on the country charts of the ‘90s with such mega hits as Your Love Amazes Me, Standing on the Edge of Goodbye and She’s Taken Shine. His 25th annual Christmas tour will brighten the holidays for thousands, as will his stunningly beautiful rendition of O Holy Night. Discounts of $5 per ticket are available for High Point residents and groups of 10 or more.
Holiday Movie Trivia
Tuesday, November 30th | 7pm
The Brewer’s Kettle | 1813 North Main Street
In the 2003 film Elf, what is the make and model number of the “500 reindeer-powered” jet turbine engine that powers Santa’s sleigh? Who gets their tongue stuck to the iced pole in A Christmas Story? How many sizes does the Grinch’s heart grown once he gets feelings? What is the name of the action figure that the father in the film Jingle All the Way desperately tried to obtain? What had Clark Griswold from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation plan on buying with the Christmas bonus he expected from work? If you know the answers to these questions, save the date for Holiday Movie Trivia at The Brewer’s Kettle and enjoy beer, wine, cigars and a little holiday fun!
Charlie Brown Christmas Concert Featuring Keith Byrd & Frynz
Thursday, December 2nd | 7pm-8:30pm
Centennial Station Arts Center | 121 South Centennial Street
“It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters, it’s who’s around it.” Make memories with your loved ones this holiday season and join High Point Arts Council as they host their annual holiday concert: The Charlie Brown Christmas Concert featuring Keith Byrd & Frynz. Listen to your favorite sounds of the season and feel free to sing along! The Whistle Stop Bar will also be open and offering complimentary nonalcoholic holiday punch in addition to wine and beer for purchase.
12th Annual Uptowne High Point Holiday Stroll
Saturday, December 4th | 10am-4pm
Along Main Street (between Ray & State Avenues)
Join Uptowne High Point for the 12th Annual Holiday Stroll! Start your morning off at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church where the Community Clinic of High Point will be hosting the Puttin’ On The Grits Fundraising Breakfast. Then kick off the Uptown Holiday Stroll by watching horses and riders from the Sedgefield Hunt Club parade from the High Point Public Library to Visit High Point and back to Brantley Circle. It is quite the show of red coats and well-groomed horses! Then enjoy Holiday Time at the Market, Santa at the JH Adams Inn, a vendor tent at First Bank, carriage rides, a petting zoo at Visit High Point and open houses at High Point Jewelers & Fine Gifts, Cindy Lou’s, The Briles House, High Point Candle and Tea, Simon Jewelers, Bernhardt Watch Company, Trigg Jewelry and many more!
Black Luxe Holiday Mixer
Saturday, December 4th | 3pm-7pm
Gallery On Main | 100 South Main Street
The Black Luxe Holiday Mixer is the ultimate holiday shopping kickback to jumpstart the Christmas holiday season! Shop over 20 amazing local black-owned businesses, revel in black excellence and enjoy good food from Chef Elle & Co.! There will be music, hot cocoa, cookies, raffle gifts and games!
Painting With Santa!
Sunday, December 5th | 6pm-8pm
Distractions: An Art Entertainment Studio | 2762 NC 68, Unit 107
Enjoy that special moment when your children meet the Big Guy and don’t forget your cameras to photograph all the fun! Painting With Santa is a ticketed event and each ticket is valid for one child and up to two caregivers. Each ticket includes a visit with Santa, a custom painted thumb print “Santa and Me” ornament, and an ornament for your child to paint during the event. There are 4 time slots to choose from between 6pm-8pm and be sure to check out the ticket add-on options!
High Point Museum 49th Annual Open House
Sunday, December 5th | 1pm
High Point Museum | 1859 East Lexington Avenue
Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more. Begin your holiday season with the High Point Museum as they host their 49th Annual Open House! The event will include take home craft kits, the HPU brass quartet, the Memorial Handbells of First Presbyterian Church, blacksmith demonstrations, candle dipping in the Historical Park and more! Visitors will have a chance to shop in the Museum Store. Santa Claus visits will be in the Little Red Schoolhouse from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and a mailbox for letters to Santa will be available if you do not get to see him.
A Christmas Carol: The Musical Presented By High Point Community Theatre
Friday, December 10th | 7:30pm
Saturday, December 11th | 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, December 12th | 2pm
High Point Theatre | 220 East Commerce Avenue
A beloved holiday classic is returning to the High Point Theatre stage this December with High Point Community Theatre’s 7th annual production of “A Christmas Carol: The Musical”. This 90-minute musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic combines the nostalgia of the holidays with the splendor or a Broadway-style musical. With a cast of 54 Triad locals and a beautiful live orchestra, “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” would be a magical addition to your holiday season!
High Point Ballet - The Nutcracker
Friday, December 17th & Saturday, December 18th | 7:30pm
High Point Theatre | 220 East Commerce Avenue
With the magic of Drosselmeyer, Clara’s dream comes to life in the holiday tradition of the story of The Nutcracker. Swirling with heroic toy soldiers, sword-fighting mice, and the glittering Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the classic ballet is beautifully presented through the choreography of award-winning Artistic Director Gary Taylor, award-winning set designer Howard Jones, and lighting by award-winning designer Craig Stelzenmueller.
Scottish Faire in the Historical Park
Saturday, December 18th | 10am-4:30pm
High Point Museum | 1859 East Lexington Avenue
Hogmanay is a traditional Scottish festival celebrating the new year! Its origins reach back to the celebration of the winter solstice among the Vikings with wild parties in late December. On this evening it was traditional for parties of masked children or young men to visit houses as guisers or mummers. Enjoy something new by going to the Scottish Faire in the Historical Park and join early North Carolina Scottish families as they prepare to celebrate and enjoy festive Scottish traditions for Hogmanay and the Yule season. Watch as they cook Hogmanay dishes over an open fire and enjoy music, dancing, poetry and get ready for the end of year festivities by coming in costume!
1st Annual Holiday Blessing Brunch
Saturday, December 18th | 12pm-4pm
Gallery On Main | 100 South Main Street
The 1st Annual Holiday Blessing Brunch isn’t just an event, but a whole vibe rooted in love, positivity, and the appreciation of those who have been a blessing in the High Point Community. This event is to honor those who have been working tirelessly in the community; so come shop, eat, laugh, dance and celebrate the amazing folks focused on fighting disease, hunger, violence and poverty in our community. Purchase your brunch ticket, which will also give you access to vendors, drink tickets, and live music by DJ MC Partial.
High Point Ballet: The Nutcracker - Land of the Sweets
Saturday, December 18th | 2pm
High Point Theatre | 220 East Commerce Avenue
The Nutcracker – Land of the Sweets is your holiday tradition of the story The Nutcracker, however this performance is designed especially for children. The show is approximately an hour long and is tailored for young people’s attention. Make this experience an unforgettable one and come one hour prior to the performance to meet the Nutcracker characters, have souvenir pictures taken and participate in themed activities!
High Point University's Christmas Drive
Sunday, December 19th – Saturday, January 1st | 5pm-8pm
High Point University | One University Parkway
A tradition that is always a community favorite is High Point University’s Christmas Drive. Take a slow drive through campus and enjoy views of the more than 100,000 Christmas lights, a candy cane DNA structure in Congdon Hall, a life-size Nativity scene, 138 nutcrackers and soldiers that are larger than life and many other holiday decorations!
Intimate New Year's Eve Package
Friday, December 31st at 3pm – Saturday, January 1st at 12pm
Grandover Resort & Spa | 1000 Club Road
What would be better than celebrating the new year in a luxury resort destination with impeccable service, incredible amenities, amazing cuisine, and the best leisure activities? Make your wish come true and enjoy an intimate experience at the Grandover Resort & Spa. This special New Year’s Eve Package includes accommodations for 2, sparkling wine & truffles in your room, a NYE favor pack, dinner for 2 at DiValletta, and a jazz breakfast for 2 in DiValletta featuring the Sam Fribush Trio.
These are just a few ideas to make sure that your Christmas season is bright! For all events in the High Point area, please check out High Point’s Events Calendar where you will find all of High Point’s happenings.
#VisitHP wishes you all a very merry safe and happy holiday season!