The Town of Forest City is honored to continue the tradition of over one million Christmas lights along historic Main Street in 2023. Voted the #1 Christmas town in the greater Asheville, NC area and the #1 place to see Christmas lights in Western North Carolina by RomanticAsheville.com, the Town of Forest City welcomes you to come visit and experience our Hometown Holiday Festivities!

Our Hometown Holiday Festivities will be held November 23, 2023-January 1, 2024!

LIGHTING CEREMONY

Join us on Thursday, November 23 at 6:30PM for our annual lighting ceremony! Local gospel quartet In His Glory will be performing a collection of Christmas songs, both old and new. Make sure you are on Main Street when Mayor Steve Holland and his special guest flip the magic switch that turns on the lights at 7PM!

NOTE:  Historic Main Street will be closed from Broadway Street to Church Street beginning at 9AM on Thursday, November 23.  There will be no parking on Main Street due to the lighting ceremony. We encourage you to park in the municipal lots between Main Street and Trade Street and in the grassy area across from First Baptist Church if you are attending the lighting ceremony. Main Street will reopen at 9PM. Many of our businesses will be open on Thanksgiving night for your shopping pleasure. Stop in and support our local businesses this holiday season!

CHRISTMAS PARADE

The annual Forest City Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, November 26 at 3PM.  The parade begins at Cool Springs Administrative Building and travels east on Main Street to First United Methodist Church. There will be no parking on Eastbound Main Street during the parade. Applications for the parade will be available after October 16. Applications are available at the Town Hall Collections Office (128 N. Powell Street, Forest City, NC 28043), Mooneyham Library (240 East Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043), and United Bank (142 North Watkins Drive, Forest City, NC 28043).  

Please download the parade application and submit by dropping it off, in person, at Town Hall Collections Office or via email to amybridges@townofforestcity.com. 

CARRIAGE RIDES

December 1 & 2: reservations on sale on Monday, November 27 at 12PM
December 8 & 9 reservations on sale on Monday, December 4 at 12PM
December 15 & 16: reservations on sale on Monday, December 11 at 12PM
December 22 & 23: reservations on sale on Monday, December 18 at 12PM

Reserve your own private horse-drawn carriage for a ride under the lights along historic Main Street. Carriage rides will be available on December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23 from 6:00PM-8:45PM. Carriage rides will be sold online in advance through a reservation system (see dates above). Carriages can seat 4 adults or fewer adults plus additional children. Carriages are $50 for 15 minutes. The carriages will depart from Huntley Alley behind the concession stand at POPS (153 Park Square, Forest City, NC 28043).

Carriages must be reserved in advance (see dates above). The carriages will depart from Huntley Alley behind the concession stand at POPS (153 Park Square).Select a quantity of “1” to book an entire carriage. Each carriage ride you purchase has a designated line that you will wait in. For example: if you purchase “Friday, 12/1 Carriage Rides - 6:00PM - Line 1”, you will go to Line 1 and depart from there. Reservations are only available online and will not be sold the day of. Please arrive at least five minutes early for your reservation. If you do not arrive at your scheduled time, we will consider your reservation forfeited and no refund will be available. Please dress warmly in case of cold weather.

Carriage rides may be cancelled due to inclement weather. In case of a cancellation due to weather, the purchase amount will be refunded to the original payment method. Refunds can take up to 7 days to be processed. Follow us on Facebook at Explore Forest City, Forest City Events, Town of Forest City or call 828-447-1730 for cancellation information.

HAY RIDES

Bring the family and enjoy a hayride along historic Main Street. Hayrides will be available on December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16. 22, and 23 from 6PM-9:00PM. Hayrides will load at Main Street Meetings (108 E. Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043). Hayride ticket sales begin at 6:00PM and are sold first come, first served. Tickets are sold on-site and are $3 per person (adult/child).

ICE SKATING

The ice skating rink will be open December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23 from 6:00PM-until. Located across Park Square from POPS, the rink is a hit with both young and old alike. Cost is $8 per person and includes skates. (Note: our synthetic ice rink performs just like natural ice!)

VISIT WITH SANTA

Visit with Santa on the stage at POPS December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23 from 6:00PM-9:00PM..

SANTA PAWS

Have your pet’s picture made with Santa at the Santa House, December 3, 10 and 17, 1:00PM-4:00PM.

ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS

Explore Forest City Main Street Association will be selling hot chocolate, cider and coffee at the POPS concession stand on Fridays and Saturdays during Hometown Holiday Festivities.

While in Forest City, make sure to visit our local restaurants and shops on historic Main Street. Grab a bite to eat, shop for unique Christmas gifts, and view the decorated storefront windows!  

Lights are on each night from 5PM-11:30PM from Friday, November 24 to Monday, January 1.

Come visit with us this holiday season and experience our Hometown Holiday Festivities!