Bryson City Christmas Tree Lighting

An Old-Fashioned Start to the Season

Bryson City kicks off Christmas the way a small mountain town should, with neighbors gathered on a courthouse lawn waiting for a tree to light up. The tree stands in front of the 1908 courthouse that now houses the Visitor Center and Heritage Museum, and the whole evening is built around it. Carolers and a live nativity get things going an hour before the main moment, which gives you time to find a spot and let the kids warm up before the mayor lights the tree.

What You Will Find There

• Caroling and Live Nativity: Both begin before the lighting and give the crowd something to enjoy while it gathers.
• Cookies and Hot Cocoa: Handed out free, which is welcome on a November evening in the mountains.
• Letters to Santa: Children can write a letter and drop it in the mailbox right at the Visitor Center.
• Family Photos: Families pose in front of the lit tree once the lights come on.

Bring a Donation

Organizers ask guests to bring a non-perishable food item or an unwrapped toy. Donations go to local Swain County charities, so it is worth putting something in the car before you leave the cabin or hotel.

Making a Night of It

The tree lighting falls on Shop Local Saturday, so the downtown storefronts are worth a walk before or after. Shops keep their own hours, so check with any store you have your eye on. The Chamber’s calendar also lists the drive-thru Christmas light show at the Great Smoky Mountains Event Park from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on that date. If you are in town the following weekend, the Bryson City Christmas Parade takes over the streets on Saturday, Dec 5 at 2:00 PM.

Parking and Getting There

Free parking has been available behind the courthouse, though downtown gets busy over Thanksgiving weekend, so plan to arrive early and walk the last couple of blocks. The ceremony is outdoors, so dress warmly.