• A Traditional Thanksgiving & Tree Trimming will be held from Thursday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Fontana Village Resort. www.fontanavillage.com.

• Lake Junaluska will host a Thanksgiving Dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24, at the Terrace Inn. $19.95 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-11. Children under 5 are free. Reservations required. 454.6662.

• Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, in downtown Franklin. Free cider, cookies and music. 524.2516. www.RenewingFranklin.com.

• Greater Cashiers Area Merchants Association brings Santa to the Village Green from noon to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25. 743.1630.

• Cackleberry Mountain presents discounts, surprises, hot cider and local artist John Long from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, at 460 Hazelwood Ave. in Waynesville. 452.2432.

• The Highlands Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, at Highlands United Methodist Church. 526.2112.

• The Franklin Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27, in downtown Franklin. In addition to parade, a food drive will be happening to benefit CareNet. Applications to be a part of the parade must be received by Friday, Nov. 25. www.franklin-chamber.com.

• Angel Medical Center will host a “Blessing of the Hospice Tree” at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the main lobby of Angel Medical Center at 120 Riverview Street in Franklin. Ornaments are $5 and proceeds go towards Hospice patient services. 369.4206.

• A special holiday edition of “Art after Dark” will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, On Main St. in Waynesville.

• Dalton’s Christian Bookstore will host its annual Happy Birthday Jesus Party from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, in Waynesville. Ages 3 to 12 are invited for cake, crafts, prizes and more.

• The Bryson City Spirit of Christmas will be held all day on Saturday, Dec. 3, in downtown Bryson City.

• The Cherokee Christmas Bazaar will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, in Cherokee. Includes a concert and a visit from Santa.

• The Hometown Christmas Parade will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, in downtown Murphy. 837.6821.

• The Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts at Shelton House will host the Appalachian Christmas celebration from 7-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at HART main theater. 456.5384 or www.sheltonhouse.org.

• The Cherokee Christmas Parade will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, from the Cherokee Bear Zoo and going down Main St. to 441 N., and then ending by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

• The Maggie Valley Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Ghost Town parking lot and continue to the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. 926.0866.

• “A Living Nativity” will be presented from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 84 Frank Mann Road in Canton. May bring one food item to benefit the Canton Community Kitchen. Free.

• MusicWorks! Studio of performing arts will perform “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3, at the auditorium of Canton Middle School. $12 for adults, $8 for students ages 3-17. 456.2283.

• WATR will host its annual Holiday Party at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, at the Dillsboro Inn on River Road. 488.8418 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• The Haywood County Arts Council will host a Christmas Dinner and gift raffle from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Chef’s Table at 30 Church Street in Waynesville. $50 per person. All proceeds support arts programming in Haywood County. 452.0593.

• The Friends of the Smokies will host a holiday celebration at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Classic Wineseller at 20 Church Street in Waynesville. $10 donation requested. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 452.0720 or www.classicwineseller.com.

Holiday Giving

• The Town of Maggie Valley will host a Food Drive benefit from Saturday, Dec. 3 thru Tuesday, Dec. 6 at Town Hall and the Police Department. All food donations benefit Haywood Christian Ministries. www.maggievalleypd.com or 926.4950.

• “Can you Ski Food & Coat Drive” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley. Bring 10 cans of food or a warm winter coat and receive a lift ticket for that day. 800.768.0285.

• The Nurses Christian Fellowship student organization at WCU is seeking donations of gloves, scarves, hats and mittens to give to youth in Jackson County through Tuesday, Dec. 13. Donations will be collected in Room 209 of Moore Hall on the campus of WCU. 227.3529 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..