📅 This Week's Featured Events

🎨 1. First Friday Gallery Crawl – Downtown Boone

• 📅 Date: Friday, December 12, 2025

• ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Multiple galleries in downtown Boone, including Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

• 📝 Description: A free, self-guided tour of downtown art galleries with new exhibitions, artist meet-and-greets, and light refreshments. Perfect for art lovers and families.

• 🔗 More Info: Downtown Boone Gallery Crawl Details

🛒 2. Watauga County Winter Farmers Market

• 📅 Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025

• ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center, Boone

• 📝 Description: Shop local! Seasonal produce, handmade crafts, baked goods, live music, and holiday gifts—all from High Country makers and growers.

• 🔗 More Info: Watauga Farmers Market Website

🌲 3. Winter Wildlife Walk – Elk Knob State Park

• 📅 Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025

• ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Elk Knob State Park, Todd, NC

• 📝 Description: Join a park ranger for a guided winter hike focusing on animal tracks, evergreen plants, and mountain ecology. Dress warmly. Free, no registration required.

• 🔗 More Info: NC State Parks – Elk Knob Events

🎄 4. High Country Holiday Parade – Blowing Rock

• 📅 Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025

• ⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Main Street, Blowing Rock, NC

• 📝 Description: A beloved community tradition with festive floats, marching bands, classic cars, and a special appearance by Santa. Bring a chair and enjoy small-town holiday spirit!

• 🔗 More Info: Blowing Rock Chamber Event Calendar

🎭 5. “A Christmas Carol” – Ashe County Little Theatre

• 📅 Date: Thursday–Saturday, December 11–13, 2025

• ⏰ Time: Evening shows at 7:30 PM

• 📍 Location: Ashe County Arts Council, West Jefferson, NC

• 📝 Description: Local theater group presents the classic Dickens tale. A heartwarming show for all ages. Tickets: $15 adults, $10 students.

• 🔗 More Info & Tickets: Ashe County Arts Council Events

🌠 6. Grandfather Mountain's Starwatch

• 📅 Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025

• ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Grandfather Mountain, Linville, NC

• 📝 Description: Astronomy experts guide you through winter constellations using high-powered telescopes. Fee supports conservation and education programs.

• 🔗 More Info: Grandfather Mountain Event Calendar

✂️ 7. Holiday Craft Workshop – Boone Library

• 📅 Date: Monday, December 8, 2025

• ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Watauga County Public Library, Boone

• 📝 Description: Free family-friendly craft session: make ornaments, cards, and wrapping paper from recycled materials. All supplies provided.

• 🔗 More Info: Explore Boone Events

🐦 8. New River Birding Hike

• 📅 Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025

• ⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

• 📍 Location: New River State Park, Laurel Springs, NC

• 📝 Description: A ranger-led bird-watching walk focusing on winter species. Binoculars recommended. Free.

• 🔗 More Info: New River State Park Events

🎇 9. Winterfest at ASU

• 📅 Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025

• ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Appalachian State University Student Union

• 📝 Description: Tree lighting, holiday music performances, hot cocoa, cookie decorating, and Santa visits. Free and open to the public.

• 🔗 More Info: AppState Events Calendar

🎶 10. Community Carol Sing – Boone United Methodist Church

• 📅 Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025

• ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

• 📍 Location: Boone United Methodist Church, Boone

• 📝 Description: An evening of traditional carols led by a community choir. Songbooks provided. Free, donations accepted for the Hunger Coalition.

• 🔗 More Info: Local church bulletin – details here