From Staff Reports

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Hendersonville is one of two North Carolina cities that recently made Southern Living magazine’s list of the 18 Cutest Christmas Towns in the South. 

More specifically, Hendersonville finished at No. 12, just nipping Cary, N.C., which was listed at No. 13 on the list.

Southern Living magazine, based in Birmingham, praised several North Carolina locations on a recent list of 18 cutest Christmas towns.

Hendersonville and Cary were among the “holiday havens that go all out for the season, breaking out their festive best with thousands upon thousands of twinkling lights, impressive window displays, and garland galore,” according to the magazine.

Despite being hit hard by tropical Storm Helene on Sept. 27, Hendersonville carried on with its Christmas traditions, including its annual Christmas tree lighting (with carols, carriage rides, and cocoa), which launched the holiday season on Nov. 29 at the historic former courthouse.

The city also hosted an Old-Fashioned Christmas with an open house of local businesses, a farmers market holiday market, and the 4th Annual Historic 7th Avenue District Pup Crawl, where dog-owners and pet-lovers came together for a fun experience and raised funds for the Blue Ridge Humane Society. 

Participants purchased “Pawsports” and toured dog-friendly 7th Avenue District food and beverage businesses, earning stamps at each stop to win a grand prize.

In addition, the town held its annual Christmas parade along Main Street with plenty of floats, bands, and firetrucks. Holiday train rides on Main Street also took place, along with a Jingle Mingle Ugly Sweater Party.

What’s more, there was a Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt, with bear cubs (artd displays) scattered around local businesses to promote local boutiques and galleries (if one finds 10 bear cubs, that indiviidual gets a prize).

The city also hosts what Southern Living called “one of the most charming holiday celebrations” – a Holiday Tour of Inns, where guests can explore bed and breakfasts decked out for the season, learn the storied histories of these properties, and meet the innkeepers.

Cary, right behind Hendersonville at number 13, featurss many events each year, including the lighting of a 40-foot Christmas tree, a gingerbread house competition, and its 43rd annual Christmas parade.

Meanwhile, Searcy, Ark., made the top of the list. 

Other towns on the list include Georgetown, Washington D.C.; Milford, Delaware; Apalachicola, Florida; Marco Island, Florida; Cartersville, Georgia; Danville, Kentucky; Lutcher, Louisiana; Cullman, Alabama; Canton, Mississippi; Warrensburg, Missouri; Aiken, South Carolina; Rock Hill, South Carolina; Bristol, Tennessee; Richmond, Texas; and Bluefield, West Virginia.

Areas where Hendersonville stood out to Southern Living writers when it came to Christmas cheer included:

• Downtown Hendersonville’s tree-lighting.

• Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt, with bear cubs scattered around local businesses and prizes for finding 10 cubs.

• Holiday Tour of Inns, with bed-and-breakfasts’ “decked out for the season” and the added bonus of innkeeper meet-and-greets and interesting inn histories.

• Christmas parade on Main Street, with floats, bands and firetrucks.

• The Horse Shoe Farm in Hendersonville hosting holiday events and activities, including a Christmas Eve dinner.