5 cities worth a quick winter visit

Sure, we have plenty of holiday events here in Cleveland County, but sometimes you just want to get out and about. If you are looking for a day trip or perhaps an overnight stay, here are some seasonal suggestions.

Bryson town

Bryson City, about 135 miles from Shelby, is described as being “on the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.” The city’s holiday offering includes:

• 50th Annual Bryson City Christmas Parade: On December 7, the city celebrates the season with its 50th annual Christmas Parade featuring floats, marching bands, homecoming queens, fire trucks, antique cars and an appearance by Santa Claus.

• Smoky Mountain Christmas Lights Spectacular: A drive-through light show daily from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM through January 4. Start the trip at Smoky Mountains Event Park, 1130 Hyatt Creek Road, Bryson City. Purchase tickets at the gate or on Eventbrite.com for $20 for cars and family vans, $40 for activity vans and limousines.

• The Polar Express Train Ride: A WNC classic from the Smoky Mountain Railroad running through December 31st. Enjoy cocoa and something tasty while listening to the story of ‘The Polar Express’. Santa Claus boards the train and gives each child a present. Visit www.gsmr.com or call 800-872-4681 for dates, times and prices.

More: Polar Express Train Ride returns for the season despite Helene: Times, tickets

Blowing rock

About 70 miles from Shelby, Blowing Rock is famous not only for its geological features, but also for nearby ski slopes and other seasonal favorites. Some holiday offers include:

• Tweetsie Christmas: A second fun, festive railroad option is Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock. The open-air Christmas train ride with holiday decorations, classic carnival rides, visits from Santa and a s’mores burning area opens at 5pm on December 6-8, 13-15, 18-23 and 26-30. Tickets must be purchased in advance at tweetsie.com/special-events/tweetsie-christmas.

• Fireworks on New Year’s Eve: The slopes close at Appalachian Ski Mountain on December 31 at 11:30 PM in preparation for a torch show and fireworks celebration. Visit appskimtn.com for more information.

• Holiday Glow Time: Starting at Thanksgiving, Blowing Rock is lit up with Christmas lights, with festive displays spread throughout the city. Visit blowingrock.com/blowing-rock-holidays for a list of the city’s annual events.

Banner moose

As another town with well-known WNC ski trails, Banner Elk is no stranger to celebrating winter. Here are a few of this year’s vacation options in the city, which is about 80 miles from Shelby:

• Christmas in a small town: In the spirit of a small town, Banner Elk will host events from December 6 to 8 that include lighting of city trees, breakfast with Santa, carol singing, Christmas parade, cookie decorating, ornament making, mini train rides and two shows featuring a Christmas carol-and-dance revue .

• Celebration of New Year’s Eve: Another option to ring in the new year, the Banner Elk celebration will be held on December 31 at Sugar Mountain Resort from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Featuring music from The Collective, the Last Run Lounge with champagne toast at midnight for those 21 and older, a third floor cafeteria for all ages, music and dancing, hors d’oeuvres and a free Alpine torchlight procession and fireworks at 11:45 p.m. the celebration has something for everyone.

• Banner Elk Christmas parade of lights: Last but not least, the city’s Christmas parade is scheduled for December 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.

More: Snow in Asheville, Western NC: See highest totals, where more is expected, week’s forecast

Brevard

While Brevard may not have as many holiday events as waterfalls, the area still has a lot to offer. Here are a few selections this year in Brevard, about 83 miles from Shelby:

• Illuminate the Night and Christmas Parade: Brevard’s Christmas Parade will also be held on December 7, beginning at 2:30 p.m. The parade will be followed by another city event, an official tree lighting ceremony on the courthouse lawn with Christmas carols, a Christmas craft festival market, an ice skating rink, a Tuba Christmas concert and more.

• Brevard Holiday Window Contest and Walking Tour: Through December 31, you can vote for your favorite holiday window in downtown Brevard. Windows will be decorated across the city, following the theme of this year’s Christmas parade: ‘Holidays: Past, Present and Future’.

Greenville, SC

Last but not least is a city outside of NC – Greenville, South Carolina. Only about 80 miles from Gastonia, Greenville makes for an easy, festive day trip. From the Greenville News, here are a few vacation options:

• 30th Annual Dickens of Christmas: On December 3, not far from Greenville in downtown Spartanburg, the 30th annual Dickens of a Christmas event starts at 6:00 PM and runs until 9:00 PM. The event includes carriage and train rides, live entertainment, a holiday market and a 7:30 p.m. Christmas tree lighting.

• Night of Lights: On December 6 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Greenville will celebrate a Night of Light. A 30-foot Christmas tree decorated with 25,000 LED lights will be lit between 6 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., with a countdown by Mayor Knox White. The event also includes food trucks and vendors, live music and a visit from Santa Claus.

• Poinsettia Christmas Parade: A tradition of more than 75 years, the Poinsettia Christmas Parade returns once again on December 7 at 6:30 p.m. Thousands gather in downtown Greenville to view holiday floats and festivities. The parade is also up for “Best Holiday Parade” in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared in The Gaston Gazette: Christmas, Holiday Events: 5 Towns for Day Trips in NC, SC