The Swannanoa Valley gets into the holiday spirit

Black Mountain and Swannanoa set to celebrate with Deck the Trees, Holly Jolly, Christmas parade and more

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
November 20, 2023

The Black Mountain Christmas Parade, which will return to downtown, Dec. 2, is one of many holiday celebrations coming to the Swannanoa Valley in the month of December. Photo by Fred McCormick

A sleigh-full of popular local traditions and an assortment of new seasonal events will spread the holiday spirit around the Swannanoa Valley in the coming weeks, as Holly Jolly, Deck the Trees, the annual Black Mountain Christmas Parade and more return to town. 

The lineup of merrymaking will open Friday, Dec. 1, as Deck the Trees celebrates its 13th year with a theme of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

The annual fundraiser supporting the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry’s Fuel Fund will feature more than 40 creatively decorated trees in the Monte Vista Hotel and area businesses. Members of the public can support for their favorite entries by donating $1, with no limit on the number of votes per person.

Throughout its history, the event has raised more than $250,000 for the fuel fund, which supports Swannanoa Valley residents with heating costs through the upcoming winter. Deck the Trees celebrated a record year in 2022, raising $60,000 for the SVCM, which distributed approximately $100,000 in heating assistance. 

Due to rising fuel prices, the nonprofit organization anticipates costs will double this year, in which one of every eight Swannanoa Valley residents has sought assistance from the ministry. 

“We were able to do a lot for the SVCM Fuel Fund last year, and in the midst of that, we’re making people happy,” said Libba Fairleigh, chair of the Deck the Trees committee. “People enjoy being able to go out into town and look at these creative and pretty trees.”

The fundraiser has grown every year since the beginning, thanks to loyal sponsors and the participation of a growing number of local businesses. One anonymous sponsor has supported Deck the Trees since the first year, while the majority of the current sponsors have been involved for several years.

“The trees get better every year,” Fairleigh said. “We’ll have 23 in the Monte Vista and at least 22 out in the community.”

The first day of December will also mark the return of another long-standing holiday tradition, as the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce brings Holly Jolly to downtown Black Mountain. The festivities will include a performance by the Warhorse Regiment Marching Band, while local merchants open their doors to evening shoppers. 

Deck the Trees will unveil 45 trees in the Monte Vista Hotel and at businesses around the Swannanoa Valley, Dec. 1, as the annual fundraiser returns for its 13th year. Photo by Fred McCormick

Kicking off Holly Jolly will be a tree lighting in Town Square, where Black Mountain Mayor Mike Sobol will read A Visit from St. Nicholas, more commonly known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Local singer-songwriter Ryan Perry, who in 2022 released his Swannanoa Valley-inspired single - My Hometown - will perform in Town Square to close out the evening. 

Across the street, the White Horse is jumping into the spirit of the season with the debut of its Holly Jolly Festival Market, which will be held from 5 - 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, and from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 2. The White Horse Holly Jolly Markets, which will include visits with Santa, live music, holiday drinks and food vendors, will continue, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9; from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16 and from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 23. 

The holiday cheer will continue downtown at 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, with the annual Black Mountain Christmas Parade. The procession, which will be led by Grand Marshal Bill Christy, will begin on Flat Creek Road and head west along State Street to Cragmont Road. The parade featured more than 60 entries in 2022, as area businesses, nonprofit and civic organizations greeted thousands of onlookers. 

Lookout Brewing Co., on East State Street, will host a parade watch party on the route, while the Monte Vista Hotel will hold a viewing event on West State Street. 

Following the parade, the Town of Black Mountain will hold its annual Circle of Lights celebration at Lake Tomahawk. The event will feature refreshments provided by Four Sisters Bakery and allow visitors to walk around the illuminated lake. 

Montreat College will offer its annual holiday gift to the community at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, with its annual Christmas Concert in Anderson Auditorium. The free concert, which raises money to support the school’s music program, will feature a performance by Montreat College choir students and alumni, as well as a live orchestra. 

The Swannanoa Valley will celebrate the holiday season throughout the month of December. Photo by Fred McCormick

Holiday shoppers can find local handcrafted items, including pottery, metalwork, woodworks, jewelry and more, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, as Owen Middle School hosts its 19th Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show. Booths will be set up in the OMS gymnasium. 

Lookout Brewing Co. will host its annual holiday market, featuring local vendors and artisans, from 12 - 6 p.m. The free event will include a bonfire, food specials and the release of the local brewery’s Christmas Cookie Brown Ale.

Fans of the theater can take in a holiday show on two weekends - Dec. 8, 9 and 20, and Dec. 15, 16 and 17 - when the Black Mountain Center for the Arts hosts A Dickens’ Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts, by Mark Landon Smith. The performance by the Styckes-Upon-Thump Repertory Theatre Co., will be take place for two weekend, and tickets are available at blackmountainarts.org.

Last-minute shoppers looking for gifts, food, drinks and a “jolly good time” can stop by the Country Christmas Vendor Market at Silverados, from 4 - 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16. The market will be followed by live music, scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

Food trucks, holiday music and handmade crafts will ring in the holiday season in Grovemont Square, as the Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS), the Swannanoa Community Council and Friends of the Swannanoa Library hold the Fourth Annual Swannanoa Winterfest, from 2 - 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 17. Local vendors will set up in the square, while children enjoy arts and crafts and trolley rides. The family-friendly gathering is free, and will offer items from local crafters, live music, refreshments and a large heated tent.