Forest City Christmas
The Town of Forest City is honored to continue the tradition of over one million Christmas lights along historic Main Street. Voted the #1 Christmas town in the greater Asheville, NC area and the #2 place to see Christmas lights in Western North Carolina by RomanticAsheville.com, the Town of Forest City welcomes you to come visit and experience our Hometown Holiday Festivities!
Our Hometown Holiday Festivities will be held November 26, 2026-January 3, 2027!
LIGHTING CEREMONY
Join us on Thursday, November 26 at 6:30PM for our annual lighting ceremony! The ceremony begins at 6:30pm and features live music from In His Glory quartet. Make sure you are on Main Street when the lights are turned on at 7PM!
NOTE: Historic Main Street will be closed from Broadway Street to Church Street beginning at 7AM on Thursday, November 26. There will be no parking on Main Street due to the lighting ceremony. We encourage you to park in the municipal lots between Main Street and Trade Street, around the Florence Mill, and in the grassy area across from First Baptist Church if you are attending the lighting ceremony. Main Street will reopen at 9PM. Many of our businesses will be open on Thanksgiving night for your shopping pleasure. Stop in and support our local businesses during the holiday season!
CHRISTMAS PARADE
The annual Forest City Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, November 29, at 3PM. The parade begins at Cool Springs Administrative Building and travels east on Main Street to First United Methodist Church. There will be no parking on eastbound Main Street during the parade. Vehicles/floats participating in the parade must be decorated for the holiday season! The parade is a rain or shine event and will not be rescheduled.
Please read over parade rules before turning in your application! Applications are also available at Forest City Town Hall Collections office and United Bank, 142 N Watkins Drive.
Deadline for applications is November 13, 2026, at 4PM. Contact Amy Bridges at 828-447-1730 for more information.
CARRIAGE RIDES
December 4 & 5 on sale on Monday, November 30 at 12PM
December 11 & 12: on sale on Monday, December 7 at 12PM
December 18 & 19: on sale on Monday, December 14 at 12PM
Reserve your own private horse-drawn carriage for a ride under the lights along historic Main Street. Carriage rides will be available on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19 from 6-8:45PM. Carriage rides will be sold online in advance through a reservation system. Visit www.exploreforestcity.com to reserve your carriage. Carriages can seat 4 adults or fewer adults plus additional children. The carriages will depart from Huntley Alley behind the concession stand at POPS (153 Park Square, Forest City, NC 28043).
Carriages must be reserved in advance. Reservations will go live on the dates and times listed above. Visit www.exploreforestcity.com and click on "Christmas" at the top menu. Select a quantity of “1” to book an entire carriage. Each carriage ride you purchase has a designated line that you will wait in. For example: if you purchase “Friday, 12/4 Carriage Rides - 6:00PM - Line 1”, you will go to Line 1 and depart from there. Reservations are only available online and will not be sold the day of. Please arrive at least ten minutes early for your reservation. If you do not arrive at your scheduled time, we will consider your reservation forfeited and no refund will be available. Please dress warmly in case of cold weather.
Carriage rides may be cancelled due to inclement weather. In case of a cancellation due to weather, the purchase amount will be refunded to the original payment method. Refunds can take up to 7 days to be processed. Stay tuned to our Facebook page or call 828.447.1730 for cancellation information.
HAY RIDES
Bring the family and enjoy a hayride along historic Main Street. Hayrides will be available on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19 from 6PM-9:00PM. Hayrides will load at Main Street Meetings (108 E. Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043). Hayride ticket sales begin at 6PM and are sold first come, first served. Tickets are sold on-site.
SANTA
Visit with Santa on the stage inside POPS December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19 from 6PM-9PM.
ICE SKATING
The "ice" skating rink will be open November 27, 28 and December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19. Located across Park Square from POPS, the rink is a hit with both young and old alike.
The "ice" is made of synthetic material. However, real ice skates are used!
SANTA PAWS
Have your pet's picture made with Santa Paws! Visit Santa Paws at the Santa House on December 5, 13, 20 from 1PM-4PM.
BE THE LIGHT 5K
Enjoy the iconic Forest City Christmas Lights as you run in the Be the Light 5K and Fun Run! The event takes place on December 13 at 6PM. Register at https://runsignup.com/BetheLight5KRun. Rain date is December 20.
ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS
Stroll through POPS and view the largest lighted ornament in the region! The ornament makes a great photo op for your holiday photos. And don't miss the decorated tree located on the small splash pad!
Enjoy the sounds of the season with the Black Coffee Quartet, December 5, 12, and 19 from 6pm-9pm inside POPS.
Explore Forest City Main Street Association will be selling hot chocolate, cider and coffee at the POPS concession stand on Fridays and Saturdays during Hometown Holiday Festivities.
Local food trucks will be located on Mill Street near Main Street.
While in Forest City, make sure to visit our local restaurants and shops on historic Main Street. Grab a bite to eat, shop for unique Christmas gifts, and view the decorated storefront windows! Look for the QR codes in the windows to vote on your favorite one!
Lights are on each night from 5PM-11:30PM from Friday, November 27 through Sunday, January 3.
Come visit with us this holiday season and experience our Hometown Holiday Festivities!
In the event of inclement weather, some activities may be cancelled. Follow us on Facebook at Forest City Events for up-to-date information.