MLK Weekend Events and Specials

The long Martin Luther King Jr Holiday Weekend is a great time to visit the mountains. The NC Ski Slopes offer special weekend activities and reduced winter traffic make taking a weekend break a true getaway. Visit Biltmore, take a hike in the crisp mountain air or visit any of the hundreds of craft galleries and specialty shops.

ASHEVILLE:  Couples Getaway Weekends in January:  Stay Two Nights in a luxurious Asheville cabin and get a 3rd night FREE* (*Certain Restrictions Apply). Starting with MLK's Holiday Weekend. At Carolina Mornings  you can choose from dozens of Asheville Cabins and Luxury Mountain Vacation Rentals. Take advantage of this January Special or one of their popular Packages and Discounts for extra mountain fun.

January 14    B.B. King Performs at the Civic Center   Universally hailed as the reigning king of the blues, the legendary B.B. King is without a doubt the single most important electric guitarist of the last half century.  Get a link HERE.

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MAGGIE VALLEY:   January 13-16    Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Weekend at Cataloochee Ski Area    In addition to regular twilight and night skiing schedule of Tuesday through Saturday evenings, there will also twilight and night ski on Sunday, January 15. 

Special on Maggie Valley vacation rental - $550 per week! Reserve now for skiing at Cataloochee. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, sleeps up to 5. Fireplace, large deck with grill. Easy access year around.   Get a link HERE


Cataloochee Mountain Cabin - Spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath log cabin in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. Located on a 1+ acre lot at 3,300 ' elevation 15 min to downtown Waynesville. Wooded mountain views. PET FRIENDLY, fireplace, WIFI, large deck, hammock. Community pond, picnic area, volleyball. $175 night, $800 week.

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BEECH MOUNTAIN  January 15-16   MLK Day Celebration   at Beech Mountain Ski Resort. Day and evening skiing and boarding and lots of special activities throughout the weekend.

   Walk to the new snowboarding Slope - 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, sleeps up to 10. Decks overlooking the lower level of Ski Beech. Condo with wood-burning fireplace, fully equipped kitchen,  WIFI, Pets considered.  Get a link here.



Year around gorgeous mountain views - 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, sleeps 8. Gas fireplace, kitchen equipped with all the fun gadgets. Lots of deck. Minutes from ski slopes, golf course, recreation center, lakes, and dining. Beech Mountain Club privileges included. $100-$225 night, $700-$1225 week.  Get a link here.

Winners in the National Gingerbread House Competition

Grand Prize WInner

The results of the 2011 National Gingerbread House competition are in for all categories. The 19th Annual Competition is held at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville NC and will continue on display through January 2, 2012.  Hundreds of entries frommore than 20 states were evaluated by  11  judges, with winners in four categories. Non-resort guests are welcome to view the display from Sunday to Thursday each week.

Winners in the 2011 National Gingerbread House Competition are:

Grand Prize Winner: Ashley Howard – Winter Springs, Florida;
Adult (18 years and older):
Second Place: Heather Lewis – Austell, Georgia;
Third Place: Barbara Evans & Mary Jo Dowling – Edlestein, Illinois.

Teen First Place

Teen (13-17 years old):
First Place: Carly Owens – Swannanoa, North Carolina;
Second Place: Julia Navin – Franklin, Tennessee;
Third Place: Laura Malanowski – Newton, North Carolina.

Youth First Place

Youth (9-12 years old):
First Place: Lydia Gentry – Hendersonville, North Carolina;
Second Place: Carley Cantrell – Cookeville, Tennessee;
Third Place: Gabriella Arthur – Easley, South Carolina.

Child First Place

Child (5-8 years old):
First Place: Abby Adkins – Kodak, Tennessee;
Second Place: Kristen Dodd – Arden, North Carolina;
Third Place: Lydia Koenig – Mathews, North Carolina.

Mother's Day Buffets and Brunches

Get Mom out of the kitchen on her special day with any of the Mother's Day Brunches and Buffets at fine restaurants throughout the Western North carolina Mountains: 

  CHIMNEY ROCK 5 Course Mother's Day Dinner at Esmeralda

WAYNESVILLE Mother's Day Brunch at the Waynesville Inn

HIGHALNDS Madison's Mother's Day Brunch

LAKE LURE Mother's Day Brunch at Lakeview Restaurant

ASHEVILLE Mother's Day Grand Buffet at the Blue Ridge Dining Room

ASHEVILLE Mother's Day Brunch at the Sunset Terrace, Grove Park Inn

ASHEVILLE Horizons Dining Room Mother's Day Brunch, Grove Park Inn

ASHEVILLE Mother's Day Brunch, Inn on Biltmore Estate

WEST JEFFERSON Mother's Day Buffet at Frasers

BLOWING ROCK Mother's Day Brunch at Rolands

MAGGIE VALLEY Mother's Day Brunch Buffet at Maggie Valley Club 

Find more Mother's Day events here...

UNC at Asheville Celebrates Martin Luther King JR

January 17 - 21     MLK Week at UNC-A   The Office of Cultural Events and Special Academic Programs partners with the Intercultural Center / Multicultural Student Programs to host a week-long campus observance promoting the work of Martin Luther King Jr. Activities include service learning, panel presentations, film screenings,... art exhibitions and distinguished speakers.

Winter Wonderland at Asheville's Grove Arcade

Asheville's historic Grove Arcade has been a wonder since its opening in 1929. Every year at this time the architectural marvel becomes a "Winter Wonderland" with a display of entries from the National Gingerbread House Competition,  a special art exhibition featuring holiday cover art submissions from the Mountain Xpress, live holiday music on the weekends, photos with Santa and special family events on Saturday December 4 & 18. A dramatic reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas will be  performed at noon

Visit the Arcade this weekend after the holiday parade and see the beautiful seasonal decor organized by Arcade merchants led by Beth Hohensee of Studio Flora Diva. Enjoy a delicious meal and get a jump on your gift buying while patronizing local businesses.

North Carolina Restaurant Chain Honors Veterans

North Carolina is home to one of the largest concentrations of veterans and active duty military personnel in the country. NC is also home to the Golden Corral Restaurant chain. Each year, Golden Corral offers a free meal as, "a special thank you tribute to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to .... Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Monday dinner."

This will be the 10th year that Golden Corral has offered the Military Appreciation Dinner. Last year, Golden Corral served over 335,000 veterans and active duty with a free buffet meal and beverage and collected over $808,000 for the Disabled American Veterans organization. To date, Golden Corral has provided over $2.5 million in free meals and contributed over $4.1 million to Disabled American Veterans.

You can learn more about the Military Appreciation Dinner at Golden Corral here: http://www.goldencorral.com/military/

20th MLK Celebration at Brevard College

Jan 16-18, Brevard College, One Brevard College Dr, Brevard North Carolina. Brevard College and the community will join together to honor and celebrate the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year's events include:
A free interfaith prayer brunch
A joint worship service
A moving performance of "Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory" 
A Brevard College student-led initiative called the MLK Challenge
The "Walk to Change"   
A community-wide MLK Celebration
For more info and details... 

New Year's Celebrations in the North Carolina Mountains

We have availability for Cabins, Bed and Breakfasts and all types of lodging to help you ring in the New Year. How about the annual Possum Drop (no possums are harmed in the making of this celebration)? Or maybe a Polar Plunge, Swing Dance or Fireworks? Whatever your pleasure you'll find it in the beautiful North Carolina mountains - along with skiing and other winter sports, cozy fires for cuddling and beautiful views of snow-capped peaks. Get your 2010 off to a great start! http://www.climbeverymountain.com

Last Chance for the Polar Express

Through December 23, Great Smoky Mountains Rail Road, Bryson City NC. The Polar Express comes to life as the train departs Bryson City. Read along with the story as the train makes its round trip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot cocoa, and a treat. For those who believe - a special memento for each child. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas! Begin a great holiday tradition with your family! Ticket prices include admission to the Smoky Mountains Model Trains Museum.

First Time Christmas Eve Limited - Offered for the first time this Christmas Eve, pajama clad passengers will board trains bound for the North Pole at The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad! Christmas Eve Limited ticket prices start at $48.00 for adults and $36.00 for children ages 2-12, and all standard seating passengers on this special Christmas Eve excursion will receive a souvenir Polar Express cocoa mug. Children under two years old ride complimentary, but must be seated in an adult’s lap. First Class seating upgrades are available. http://www.gsmr.com/

Brevard Holiday Gallery Walk

Dec 18, downtown Brevard NC. Looking for those last minute gifts? Why not shop local and support local artists. The galleries, art spots and restaurants in downtown Brevard will host a Holiday Gallery Walk on Friday,  from 5:00-9:00 pm. Stop by and enjoy the many new exhibits and art locations in the downtown area. Be sure to look for the 16 sculptures and five murals located in downtown as well. For more information call TC Arts Council at 828-884-2787 or go to www.artsofbrevard.org and click on Art Tours.

Christmas Events at Lake Junaluska

Visit Lake Junaluska's beautifully decorated Lambuth Inn during the Christmas season and enjoy the splendor and grace of nativities, lights and trees! The Train room and other select rooms will only be open during meal times.
Dec 14th and 15th – Dinner hours only (5:30pm -7:00pm)
Dec 16th – Lunch only (Noon until 1:30pm)
Dec  17th, 18th, 19th- Lunch and Dinner hours (Noon until 1:30pm; 5:30pm -7:00pm)
Dec 20th – Dinner hour only (5:30pm – 7:00pm)
Dec 21st- 26th, the Lambuth Inn will be closed.

Song O’ Sky Sweet Adelines, December 17th, 6PM., Lambuth Inn
Dinner Entertainment: Song O’ Sky Chorus - a chapter of Sweet Adelines International
Adults: $17; Children 6-11: $8.50, Children 5 and under Free
Song O’ Sky Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, an organization dedicated to promoting and teaching one of America’s original art forms, barbershop harmony, or four-part harmony sung a cappella. Enjoy the sweet tunes of the Sweet Adelines while you dine with family and friends!

Voices in the Laurel, Dec18 6PM, Lambuth Inn
Dinner Entertainment: Voices in the Laurel, Adults: $17; Children 6-11: $8.50, Children 5 and under Free. Special entertainment during dinner will be provided this evening by Voices in the Laurel.

Tuscola High School Choirs, December 19, 6PM, Lambuth Inn
Dinner Entertainment: Tuscola High School Chamber Choir and Summit, Adults: $17; Children 6-11: $8.50
Children 5 and under Free.Celebrate an evening out with family and friends at the beautifully decorated Lambuth Inn. The Tuscola High School Chamber Choir and Summit will provide entertainment during dinner.

For more details visit: http://www.lakejunaluska.com

Deck the Hall for Wildlife Today at Camp Lake James

Dec 12, 1PM - 3PM. Camp Lake James' Annual “Deck The Hall For Wildlife." This annual event is as exciting for our local wildlife as it is for you! Bring the family and bundle up for a few hours of creative fun. We will decorate the trees with popcorn chains, birdseed ornaments and fruit/cinnamon garland -- all while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate by the fire! The activity will begin at The Camp Social Hall at 1 p.m. and end around 3 p.m. It costs $5 per family. If you would like to join us, call us at (828)584-2863.

A Winter's Tale at the WNC Nature Center

Dec 12, 6PM-9PM, Western North Carolina Nature Center, Asheville NC. Don your mittens for a winter stroll along the trails to see the animals and holiday lights at night. Enrichment programs, presentations, entertainment (Mountain Marionettes on Saturday evening), crafts and more will be provided during our Holiday in Lights. $6 per person ($1 off for members of Friends of the WNC Nature Center). http://www.wildwnc.org/

Bryson City has the Spirit of Christmas

Dec 12, 6PM, Downtown Bryson City, NC. A true Christmas experience! Luminaries line historic Everett Street, the signature hemlock is lit with memorial lights, carolers and musical artists abound, and a living nativity proceeds up the avenue. Photos are available with Santa and Mrs. Claus, children can post letters to Santa, and many shops offer special event discounts. Read more...

Mountain Winter Festival in Spruce Pine

Dec 12, 1PM - 7PM, Downtown Spruce Pine, Spruce Pine NC. Historic Downtown Spruce Pine, nationally known as the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree, will transform into a spectacular and magical evening this holiday season. Blanketed with thousands of lights, the historic Upper Street becomes an eye-popping winter wonderland with real ice skating in the streets, holiday festooned wagon rides, Story time for kids, festive food, a unique shopping experience and more. A special holiday event for the whole family unlike any other!

http://www.homeoftheperfectchristmastree.com/

The Saluda Inn and Wine Cellar Host Local Artists

Dec 11, 6PM, Saluda Inn and Wine Cellar, 229 Greenville Street, Saluda NC. A collection of artists and crafts people will be selling paintings, pottery, jewelry, artistic wearables, metal work and more at the Saluda Inn and Wine Cellar beginning at 6:00 PM during Hometown Christmas. This is a family friendly event! Guitarists Ellen Trnka and Marc Yaxley will be featured musicians. Trnka, known for her languid mix of blues, country, folk, jazz, covers and originals joins up with intense classical and jazz guitarist Yaxley. The public is encouraged to celebrate an evening of local art in a holiday atmosphere while helping to support the artist community and local commerce. Website: http://www.saludainn.com/

Southern Highlands Guild Artists’ Holiday Sale

Dec 5, Dec 12, 10AM-4PM, The Folk Art Center, Milepost 382, Asheville NC. Over 70 artists will be participating over the course of the two day sale. The Southern Highland Craft Guild’s annual Holiday Sale has become such a popular event that an extra day has been added this year.  Craftspeople will be on hand in the center’s auditorium to sell select work 10-50% off retail.  Choose from a variety of gift items including ceramics, jewelry, fiber, paper, glass and wood.  Buying from artists supports the local economy and promotes the mission of the Guild which is bringing together the crafts and craftspeople of the Southern Highlands for the benefit of shared resources, education, marketing and conservation.

Website: http://southernhighlandguild.org/

Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting

Dec 1, 6PM - 9PM, Downtown Sylva NC. Carrolling, Christmas Tree Lighting, holiday shopping and dining highlight Sylva's Holiday kickoff. Downtown stores and restaurants will be open late and offering specials, samplings, craft demonstrations and more. Website: http://www.downtownsylva.org

Are you ready for a FRESH Christmas Tree?

Nov 26 - Dec 15, Watauga County NC. Choose & Cut Christmas Trees.Watauga County, also known as the Choose and Cut Capital, is home to some of the most entertaining and scenic Choose and Cut farms across the region. Choose and Cut involves customers visiting a tree farm and roaming across tree-covered hillsides hunting the perfect tree to take home with them. Choose and Cut is the essential holiday family tradition, where young and old alike can enjoy a day on a real farm. Many farms offer hayrides, farm animals, cookies and cocoa and even Christmas Shops to purchase other holiday gifts. Wreaths and roping are also available to purchase. Visit the site for a map of Christmas tree farms and details: http://www.watauganurserymen.org/choose_cut.htm

22nd Annual Twilight Tour in Brevard

Dec 5, 4PM-8PM, Downtown Brevard NC. The downtown streets of Brevard will be transformed into a magical world of holiday cheer during the Heart of Brevard's 22nd Annual Twilight Tour: "Christmas by the Campfire"...celebrating mountain traditions.

Instead of streets lined with vendors, each downtown block will have an open campfire. This will be a cozy place to huddle, in between "touring" the different downtown shops and restaurants for their holiday specials. Around each campfire there will be places to sit to warm up. You can participate in a more traditional activity like marshmallow roasting, story telling, ornament making, singing, or watching a children's Christmas movie. At each campfire there will also be some refreshments to help warm your toes. READ MORE...