Festival of Lights

8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Visit Chetola Resort for their annual "Festival of Lights" where more than 30,000 lights illuminate the property. In this free event that is open to the public, you can drive or stroll around Chetola Lake to see a sparkling display of holiday scenes. ...

Art in the Park Registration

12:00 AM

Register for 2026 Art in the Park here

Hendrick Automotive Presents WinterFest 2026

Don’t hibernate—celebrate at Blowing Rock WinterFest, January 22–25, 2026! Over four wintry days, the mountain town bursts with the Polar Bear Plunge, live ice-sculpting, the Rotary Chilly Chili Challenge, WinterFeast tastings, and the WinterFest Beer ...

WinterFest 2026 Polar Bear Plunge Sponsored by ERX

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Brave the chilly waters and join fellow thrill-seekers for the annual Polar Bear Plunge! Kick off WinterFest with a splash of fun and community spirit, with Al Conklin from WBTV as your emcee.

Village Thrift WinterFest Sip and Shop

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Visit Village Thrift after you take the Plunge or visit the shops on Main Street for some hot cocoa, cider and home-made cookies. Come learn about Thrifting and help us raise money for the local scholarship program.

WinterFest 2026 Rotary Chilly Chili Challenge Sponsored by The Spice & Tea Exchange

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Warm up at the Chilly Chili Challenge, a fan-favorite WinterFest event where local restaurants team up with nonprofits to serve the tastiest chili in town. Guests can sample a variety of flavorful chili recipes, vote for their favorites, and enjoy live ...

Cork & Canvas

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Learn to paint in a relaxed atmosphere, inspired by A. Y. Jackson's "Smart River (Alaska)". Each participant goes home with a finished work of art. All materials, including canvases, acrylic paint, brushes, and aprons, are provided. Our trained ...

Winterfest Story Time & Book Sale

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Tom Boyd will provide a Wintry Storytime for children from 11:00 am to 12:00 or 12:30 pm. Best for ages 3 to 12. The library and book sale will be open for extended hours, from 10 am to 5:00 pm, and is offering a buy five books and get one book for ...

WFDD 2025 Photo of the Year Reception

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Join us for a reception for this year’s WFDD Photo of the Year competition. This will be the final day of voting for your favorite so make sure to stop by for an afternoon of photography and fellowship. The WFDD 2025 Photo of the Year exhibition ...

WinterFest 2026 - Hot Chocolate and Hayrides

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Cozy up with complimentary hot chocolate ☕ Enjoy festive hayrides through the Growth Zone 🎄 Family-friendly winter fun during WinterFest A warm, welcoming stop thanks to our sponsor, SERVPRO

A WinterFest Toast to the Windmoor

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Join the brand-new Windmoor Hotel for A Toast to the Windmoor, a cozy open house celebration on Saturday, January 24th, 12PM-3PM. Enjoy s’mores toasted by the fire pit and fresh, hot coffee and walk through the new hotel, experiencing the warmth and ...

WinterFest 2026 Beer Garden Sponsored by The Speckled Trout

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Relax and toast to the season at the WinterFest Beer Garden, featuring local craft beers, tasty bites, and a festive winter atmosphere. Guests can mingle with friends, enjoy live entertainment, and celebrate the spirit of the season in a fun, ...

Yoggs Choreograph Pilgrimage

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

This is event is free and open to the public. Performances will be 20 - 25 minutes long and will take place at 2 & 3 pm. The choreography is designed so that the public can move through the exhibition while the performance is taking place. "To make ...

Cork & Canvas

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Learn to paint in a relaxed atmosphere, inspired by A. Y. Jackson's "Smart River (Alaska)". Each participant goes home with a finished work of art. All materials, including canvases, acrylic paint, brushes, and aprons, are provided. Our trained ...