The holiday season is in full swing, and Franklin, NC, is bursting with festive cheer! Keep reading our December 2024 Events Calendar to plan your holiday outings!
From sparkling light displays to cozy community gatherings, December offers endless opportunities to make special memories with family and friends. Whether you’re looking to sip hot cocoa at a holiday market, enjoy live music, or find the perfect gift from a local artisan, our December Events Calendar has something for everyone. ❄️🎄
Join us as we embrace the spirit of the season and celebrate the joy of community. Keep this guide handy and don’t miss a moment of the holiday magic in Franklin this December! 🎅✨
Popular Annual Events
Annual Christmas Parade – Main Street in- Downtown Franklin – December 1 @ 3:00pm – 5:00pm
A wonderful tradition falling on the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the procession of the Franklin Christmas Parade. The Parade floats will line up on Church Street, entering Main Street through Town Hall’s parking lot. The parade will continue down Main Street, turning left onto Porter Street at the Lazy Hiker, then turning left again onto Palmer Street at the red light and ending at the Highlands Road Intersection. The parade will feature fire trucks, EMS, police cars, floats, trucks, cars and walkers.
Winter Wonderland – Main Street in Downtown Franklin – December 7 @ 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Join with the Town of Franklin as we ring in the holidays with Winter Wonderland. Winter Wonderland is held on the two consecutive Saturdays after Thanksgiving from 5:00 to 8:00 each evening. Remember, our Downtown Merchants are open late with great gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list! And Gracious Plates On Main will be serving dinner and cocktails both inside the restaurant and outside on the patio until 9:00pm.
You’ll find there’s no holiday quite like a mountain holiday in Franklin, NC, so bring the family and enjoy all the music, lights, fun and holiday cheer of Winter Wonderland in Historic Franklin, North Carolina. Winter Wonderland is held rain or shine but subject to snow.
New Year’s Eve Ruby Drop – Main Street in Downtown Franklin – December 31 @ 9:00pm & Midnight
The New Year’s Eve Ruby Drop has become one of Franklin’s favorite holiday traditions. This year marks the 11th anniversary the Crabtree family, with help from the Town of Franklin, has sponsored the New Year’s Eve Ruby Drop. The 10th Annual Ruby Drop, sponsored by Motor Company Grill and Crabtree General Store & Coffee Vault, will ring in the New Year with two ruby drops: one at 9:00 p.m. and one at midnight to officially welcome in 2024. Gracious Plates On Main will be open for dinner and drinks until 9:00PM.
Music & Performances
Three Times A Lady Christmas – Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts – December 6 @ 7:00pm
Together called “Three Times A Lady,” Singer/songwriters Kennedy Scott, Victoria Camp and Hannah Blaylock present the most timeless show in country music. Initially starting out as a just-for-fun tribute to their all time favorite “Trio” albums (Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris), the combo grew artistically as the girls started playing their own original songs and adding in their own trio-inspired covers.
Between them, they have toured nationwide with the best in the business such as Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lady A and Blake Shelton, as well as performing on the Opry 20+ times. Already, the trio is playing across the country including iconic venues such as The Mulehouse Theatre, a residency at the iconic 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, TN, and a 6-week long residency in Dollywood at the Showstreet Palace Theater.
They also just released their first record “Three Times A Lady: Live at 3rd & Lindsley”. Their show is filled with captivating storytelling and top notch songs from their catalogs, which include works like “Married Alone” album title track by Sunny Sweeney & Vince Gill, Grammy nominated album title track “Stronger Than The Truth” by Reba McEntire, and top 20 radio hit “Amen”.
Once Upon A Christmas Star – Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts – December 13 & 14 @ 7:00pm
Emily is excited, for this Christmas, it is her first turn to place the star on top of the family Christmas tree. However, in all the confusion of the holiday preparations, the star has become lost. While searching for the star, Emily must face the emotions of excitement and disappointment, and she discovers the realization that family is one of the greatest gifts one can receive.
Told through traditional and sacred songs, dance and stories. Presented by the Overlook Theatre Company and friends.
Christmas With Mark Lowry & Friends – Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts – December 21 @ 7:00pm
The musical soundtrack of Mark Lowry’s childhood rang rich with beautiful family harmonies, so it’s no surprise that his love for that same harmony has only grown with age. As a singer, songwriter, author, and humorist, Mark Lowry is best known for penning the lyric to the Christmas classic “Mary Did You Know?” and singing baritone for the Grammy Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band for many years. Lowry, who’s entertained audiences since he was 11 years old, has a unique gift of communicating profound Biblical truths through music and storytelling. His life’s work features a large catalog of diverse projects including many videos, books, and CDs. Join Mark this Christmas Season as he presents a night of music, laughter and special memories.
Karaoke – Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub – Tuesday Evenings
Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub hosts Karaoke with DJ Don every Tuesday evening. They offer a full espresso bar, an array of craft beers, and fresh baked goods.
Music Bingo – Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. – Tuesday Evenings
Check out Lazy Hiker every Tuesday at 6 pm for a fun spin on traditional bingo that lets you jam out to snippets of your favorite songs while playing competitively against other music lovers! FREE to play! Join in for 4 rounds of musical fun, hosted by the one and only, DJ Mox, for your chance to win a $5, $10, $15, or $20 Lazy Hiker gift card!
Open Mic – Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. – Thursday Evenings
Lazy Hiker invites you to showcase your talent every Thursday night at their Open Mic from 6:30-9:30. Hosted by Diana New & Rachel Bellevance! All acts are welcome! Sign up for your time and show everyone what you got!
Karaoke – Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. – Friday Evenings
Hang out in the Taproom every other Friday from 7-10 pm for a fun-filled night of Karaoke hosted by John Witherspoon of Spoon Karaoke. Grab some beers, take the stage, and sing your heart out!
Open Mic with Dirty Dave – Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub – Friday Evenings
Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub hosts an Open Mic Night on various Friday evenings throughout the month. Check out their online event page for the full schedule!
Live Music – Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub – Friday & Saturday Evenings
Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub features LIVE MUSIC most Friday evenings and every Saturday evening throughout the month. Check out their online event page for the full schedule!
Live Music – Slanted Window Tasting Station – Sunday Evenings
Slanted Window is a quaint local hangout where you can enjoy the only wine that is bottled right here in Macon County and an array of food pairings. It’s also one of the only places in town where you’ll find live music on Sunday evenings. Check out their online event page for the full schedule!
Trivia
Trivia – Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub – Wednesday Evenings
Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub hosts Trivia every Wednesday evening, and the proceeds from the fun always go to a local nonprofit chosen by the winning team! They offer a full espresso bar, an array of craft beers, and fresh baked goods.
Food & Wine Events
Wine Tasting – Gracious Plates on Main – Wednesday Evenings
Every Wednesday, Gracious Plates On Main welcomes a guest Sommelier from a different wine distributor and offers a guided wine tasting at individual tables throughout dinner service. Joining the Wine Club and attending the tastings are both free.
Arts & Crafts Events
Watercolor Wednesdays with Maryellen Tully – Uptown Gallery – Wednesdays @ 4:15-6:00 pm
Join fellow artists of this translucent medium in a step-by-step approach to delightful seasonal subject matter. All levels are welcome. These classes are led by an instructor Maryellen Tully. Libations and snacks are also welcome!!! The materials list is available. Class fee $30 members / $40 nonmembers. Materials fee: $20.00 if not provided by the student. Email: mtully1001@gmail.com to RSVP
Thursday Painters – FREE – Uptown Gallery – Thursdays @ 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Join MCAA Member Artists at the Uptown Gallery from 10 am-2 pm every Thursday for a fun time! Bring a bagged lunch and your art project that you would like to work on. Bring your own art materials, as this is a free and open-to-the-public event. Contact Pat Mennenger at 28734pm@gmail.com for any questions.
Yarn & Fiber Classes – Silver Threads and Golden Needles (various dates)
Silver Threads & Golden Needles is a friendly and fiber-obsessed yarn shop located in the Historic Downtown shopping area of Franklin, North Carolina. Whether you are a local or taking a vacation in the Smoky Mountains, they are your one-stop destination for all things yarn and fiber! Check out their list of Yarn & Fiber Classes for this month.
Book & Garden Club Events
Book Club – A Novel Escape – December 6 @ 6:30pm
On the first Thursday of every month, A Novel Escape hosts Book Club. It’s a fun group that delves into a variety of different genres, with each month’s book selected by popular vote. And to make it even better, each month’s chosen book is 15% at the bookstore!
Markets
Macon County Farmers Market – Downtown Franklin Gazebo – Saturdays @ 9:00 am-2:00 pm
The Macon County Farmers Market is downtown by the Gazebo on Saturdays, May through November. The market features local growers, bakers, and makers, as well as family-friendly educational activities. And thanks to a sponsorship from Gracious Plates On Main, there will be live music at the market from local and regional artists.
You’ll find there’s no holiday quite like a mountain holiday in Franklin, NC, so bring the family and enjoy all the music, lights, fun and holiday cheer of Winter Wonderland in Historic Franklin, North Carolina. Winter Wonderland is held rain or shine but subject to snow.