Nov. 30 
Pinnacle
Horne Creek Farm State Historic Site 
Christmas Open House, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join Horne Creek Farm for the simple beauty of the 1875 Hauser Farmhouse with its unpretentious décor, bathed in the warmth from its fireplaces, is an inviting setting for visitors to sit and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Cookies and hot chocolate will evoke memories of Christmases spent with loved ones and friends. Shop for handcrafted holiday gifts, vintage-style ornaments, old-timey children’s games, beautiful Christmas flags and pillow covers, and wonderful books for all ages. A unique item is Bountiful Red Acres: Two Farms, Two Families, and a Year on the Land. Telling the story of the Hausers and the Sawyers families in 1900, this very special children’s book is a wonderful way for children today to learn about farm life on a Surry County farm. Free, although donations are appreciated.

Dec. 6-7
Pinnacle
Horne Creek Farm State Historic Site 
Christmas By Lamplight, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Experience the warmth of a rural turn-of-the-20th-century Christmas. Caroling, a make-and-take craft, and readings from the period will be featured. A light meal will be served. Reservations required; no walk-ins allowed. Fee: $30 per person. Please select from one of two time slots each evening: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. or 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. For further information, call 336-325-2298. Event sponsored by the NC Living Historical Farm Committee.

Dec. 7-8
Asheville
Governor’s Western Residence
Governor’s Western Residence Holiday Open House, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Celebrate the holiday season at the Governor’s Western Residence by touring the residence, which has been decorated for the season. Due to some property damage on the grounds caused by Hurricane Helene, guests will travel to the Western Residence via shuttle bus. Please do not drive directly to the Western Residence as no parking is available. Shuttles will be available for guests to board in the parking lot located at 143 Executive Park, at the base of Town Mountain Road, and will run continuously from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. There is no charge for the shuttle or the open house. Guests can donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund via a QR code at the residence or by visiting nc.gov/donate to donate to the fund. All donations go directly to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Dec. 14
Old Fort
Mountain Gateway Museum
Christmas Open House, 1 to 4 p.m. The Mountain Gateway Museum will have a soft opening and Christmas open house at its temporary home! Ready to celebrate holiday cheer, visit us at 78-C Catawba Avenue before the annual Old Fort Christmas parade. Decorated for Christmas, the temporary location will also have a special exhibit on holiday traditions in Western North Carolina. The many communities that called Western N.C. home all had special winter celebrations. Along with Christmas, people also celebrated the Scottish New Year, Junkanoo, and others. Visitors can learn about all of them while enjoying Christmas decorations, free hot cocoa and fun holiday crafts thanks to the Old Fort Community Forum.

Dec. 21
Nebo
Lake James State Park
Winter Solstice Celebration, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Come celebrate the returning of the light with us! Drop by the Visitor Center any time between 1 to 2:30pm to learn why the Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, grab a cup of free hot chocolate, and make a solstice suncatcher to take home.

Dec. 31
Danbury 
Hanging Rock State Park
New Year's Eve Hike, 9 to 11 a.m. Join a park ranger on the last day of 2024 to hike Hanging Rock Trail. Start your day off on the right foot and learn about the beautiful Hanging Rock. Hanging Rock Trail is 1.8 miles each way and considered moderate. Please wear proper footwear, bring water and weather appropriate clothing. We will meet at the Hanging Rock Trailhead located in the visitor center parking lot. Please email Maggie.miller@ncparks.gov to register for the program. 

Jan 1. 
Roaring Gap
Stone Mountain State Park
First Day Hike, 9 to 10 a.m. Join a Ranger for your first hike of 2025 at the Lower Trail Head at 9:00 AM. The hike will start on the Wolf Rock Trail and connect into the Cedar Rock Trail for a total of 2.5 miles. These trails are rated as moderate. Please come dressed for the weather and bring plenty of water.

Jan. 1 
Nebo
Lake James State Park
First Day Hike 2025, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Put your best foot forward in 2025! Join Ranger Hughes for a nature walk along the Fox Den Loop Trail for Lake James State Park’s first guided hike of the year. We'll also have free hot chocolate as a treat after the hike!