A special production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 19-20 and 2 p.m. Dec. 13-14, 20-21 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

When the unruly Herdman kids, the “worst children in the history of the world,” show up at church and muscle their way into the annual Christmas pageant, everyone expects total disaster.

A beloved annual tradition, the “Christmas at Lake Junaluska” celebration will be held Dec. 12-14 at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. 

A special production of “Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberly” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 13, and 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. 

The second annual Cold Mountain Christmas Craft Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Bishop Johnson Dining Hall in Lake Logan.

Holiday shopping, pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, live music and more. Guests will experience a charming holiday event in a pristine gem of Haywood County. 

The 42nd annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 12-13 in the streets of downtown Dillsboro.

Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song. Over 2,500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios. 

With the untimely passing of founding member and longtime lead singer Scott Weiland in 2015, and the tragic death of replacement singer Chester Bennington (originally of Linkin Park) in 2017, the Stone Temple Pilots were at a crucial crossroads with one question in mind — pack it all up and shake hands goodbye or push ahead, hell or high water. 

Thanksgiving morning. I awoke to the sounds of my upstairs neighbor scurrying about, most likely getting things together for whatever he has planned for Turkey Day. Nearby Russ Avenue is oddly quiet. Nobody is heading to work. The incessant construction has ceased for the day, too. 

Students in the Professional Crafts Program at Haywood Community College will host a holiday craft sale from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 on campus in Clyde. The sale will feature student work in four mediums: fiber, metals, ceramics and wood. Held in the Mary L. Cornwell Gallery in the Sycamore Building, the sale is open to the public. 

As the temperature drops in Western North Carolina, the fun only heats up. The holiday season here is filled with events and activities aimed to celebrate the best way we know how — with friends, family and visitors alike. 

The Summit Charter School Foundation announced that the 2025 Cashiers Festival of Trees will open on Friday, Nov. 28, at 370 Mitten Lane in Cashiers. The festive fundraiser — accessible both in person and online — will run through Saturday, Nov. 29, with doors open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.