Hendersonville and Cary named two of the “Cutest Christmas Towns in the South”

Two North Carolina towns made Southern Living magazine’s list of the 18 Cutest Christmas Towns in the South.

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.

Hendersonville, which was hit hard by Hurricane Helene in late September, came in at number 12 on the list.

The town carried on with its Christmas traditions, including its annual Christmas tree lighting (with carols, carriage rides, and cocoa), which kicked off the holiday season on Nov. 29 at the historic courthouse.

They 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.

There was also a Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt with bear cubs scattered around local businesses to promote local boutiques and galleries (if you find ten bear cubs, you get a prize).

The town also hosts what Southern Living calls “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, has many events each year, including the lighting of a 40-foot Christmas tree, a gingerbread house competition, and its 43rd annual Christmas parade.

They also host a Victorian Christmas at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, where guests can enjoy cookies, carols, holiday stories, and more at the historic hotel.

The town also held its 13th Annual Gifting Tree Project along S. Academy Street and inside Downtown Cary Park with Christmas tree displays. Local families, schools, and organizations decorate their trees in a competition to win a donation to the nonprofit group of their choice. There were prizes for the top three trees. 

A synchronized light show also takes place at the fountain downtown.

Other events are set to take place at the end of the month and into the new year.

On Dec. 27 and 28, the town has teamed up again with Pure Life Theatre Company to produce The Motown Sound of Christmas, which features some of the Triangle’s finest singers and dancers.

The Cary Kwanzaa Celebration takes place on Dec. 29 at the Cary Arts Center, and the town will come together on Dec. 30 in Downtown Cary Park for a Menorah Lighting on the 6th night of Hanukkah. The menorah will be lit each evening throughout the eight days of Hanukkah (December 25-January 2).

Finally, on Jan 11, Cary’s Latino community will hold the Three Kings’ Day Parade.

Searcy, Arkansas 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.    

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