The Town of Jonesborough will host Christmas in Olde Jonesborough, a month-long holiday series of events and activities. Christmas in Olde Jonesborough will feature a different theme every Saturday from November 26 to December 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Jonesborough.
Santa will also be on site in his sleigh beside the Washington County Courthouse each Saturday for pictures and visits with children. Attendees are encouraged to bring letters to Santa and drop them off in the mailbox by Monday, December 12 and receive a reply from the jolly old man himself. Free gift wrapping will also be offered inside the International Storytelling Center during the Saturday events on any purchases made in downtown.
Shop Small Weekend
November 26
Main Street Jonesborough is your destination for Christmas shopping. Support small businesses by shopping local on November 26 beginning at 10 a.m. in downtown Jonesborough, visit the Shop Small welcome tent to pick up some swag, and enjoy extended shopping hours.
Jonesborough is proud to have the streets lined with small businesses. You’ll find handmade jewelry from local artisans, unique gifts, nostalgic antiques, repurposed furniture, and more items that can be found only in Jonesborough. During Small Business Saturday, enjoy the magic of Dr. Seuss as Whoville takes over downtown Jonesborough with a variety of happenings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You’re invited to join the shop local movement and discover Jonesborough’s downtown shopping district during Small Business Saturday on November 26. For more information visit Jonesborough.com or call 423.753.1010
Whoville Christmas
November 26
Take a photo with the Grinch and get a “grinch treat”. Enjoy a reading of the classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas from the Heritage Alliance at the Chester Inn Museum. This will take place at noon, 1:15, 2, and 2:45 p.m. Each program will last 30 to 45 minutes. Limit is 20 people per reading. Tickets are free, but must be picked up in advance at the Chester Inn Museum. Tickets for the first two programs will be available starting at 11 a.m., and tickets will be available for the last two programs at 1:15 p.m.
Lighting of the Tree
November 26, 6 pm
Jonesborough’s historic and charming downtown is the perfect setting to kick off the Christmas holiday season as the lights are lit on the authentic Fraser Fir tree. Join your friends and neighbors and enjoy the sounds of the season sung by David Crockett High School’s Madrigal Singers, the voices of elementary school students from Jonesborough Elementary and Grandview Schools and a special performance from Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. A Christmas story will be told by local artist Jules Corriere.
Doggone Christmas
December 3, 11 am – 3 pm
Christmas is Going to the Dogs!
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dog Treat Stops
During Doggone Christmas visit each of these stops so your furry friend can get a treat! Some locations will have the treats outside as they can’t have pets inside restaurants.
- Tennessee Tails Pet Boutique
- Scarlett & Company
- International Storytelling Center
- McLeod Organics
- Texas Burritos & More
- Noelle Seasonal Decor & Gifts Galore
- Jonesborough Visitors Center
- James Griffin Art Gallery
- Paul’s Pens
- Mill Spring Makers Market
- Main Street Cafe
- Gabriel’s Christmas
- Tennessee Hills Distillery
1 pm Pet Costume Contest
Tennessee Tails Pup Parade to Follow the Costume Contest
Tennessee Tails Pet Boutique will host a Pup Parade that will start after the costume contest.
It will begin at the Washington County Courthouse and travel on Main Street towards the Mill Spring Makers Market, across the intersection and towards McLeod’s Organics. It will then cross the intersection to bring the parade back to the courthouse.
Jonesborough Christmas Market Vendors
Visit local artists and crafters on the Plaza of the Storytelling Center each Saturday during Christmas in Olde Jonesborough on December, 3, 10, and 17.
Mulberry Mobile Nursery
Jen Larsen
Plants & Evergreens
Buttons & Yarn
Michaela Fisk
Handknitted Items
Tennessee Homemade
Robin Waters
Homemade Goat Soaps and More
Grits & Grace Woodworking
Brittany & Eugene Mullins
Handmade Wood Items
Knot Me
Debi Lynn
Macrame
The Blue Tic Boutique
Megan Sikora
Boutique Items and Clothing
On the Brightside Designs
Katie, Katie Wilhoit
T-shirts & Designs
The Pet Sitter
Olivia Moses
Pet Items
Thanks to the Appalachian Highlands Humane Society and JAMSA for their support of this event!
Santa’s Christmas Village
December 10, 11am – 3pm
Join us for Santa’s Christmas Village on December 10th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout downtown. This event includes lots of family fun including pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, face painting, Santa Mart, horse drawn carriage rides and multiple children’s crafting stations throughout Tennessee’s Oldest Town.
Christmas Parade
December 10, 6pm
Jonesborough is gearing up for another festive season in downtown. What better opportunity to spend time with family and friends than to grab a cup of hot chocolate, throw on mittens and hats and gather on Main Street in downtown Jonesborough to watch the annual lighted nighttime Christmas Parade. Continuing with tradition, the parade will take place on the second Saturday in December. Make plans to be a part of Jonesborough’s Annual Christmas Parade on December 10th at 6pm in downtown Jonesborough. You can register below or download a registration form HERE. For more information, please contact Rachel Conger: 423.791.3869 or rachelc@jonesboroughtn.org.
Christmas Church Stroll
December 17, 11 am – 3 pm
The series wraps up on Saturday, December 17 with the Christmas Church Tour. Stroll through town and visit participating churches in downtown. Attendees can view decorated sanctuaries and enjoy music. Grab a guide at the International Storytelling Center to begin the tour. Each church is located within easy walking distance of downtown.
The Chuckey Depot Museum hosting Santa Claus
December 17, 3 pm – 6 pm
The Chuckey Depot Museum will host Santa Claus on Saturday, December 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Santa will be stopping by the historic caboose located outside the museum. Visitors will have a chance to meet Santa and take their picture with him.
Special train ornaments will be available for a $1 donation to the museum. All donations help with future exhibits and educational programs. After visiting Santa, make sure to go inside the museum and check out the exhibits. The Chuckey Depot Museum is free of charge, but donations are greatly appreciated.
The Chuckey Depot Museum is operated under a partnership between the Town of Jonesborough, the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society, and the Heritage Alliance. Visit the museum in person on Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit Jonesborough.com, follow the Chuckey Depot on Facebook or call the Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010.
Other Christmas Events
Downtown at Dusk
December 9 5:30 – 8:30pm
Annual Celebration of Trees
December 5 – 26
Twinkling lights, the scent of Fraser firs, handcrafted ornaments and lovely Christmas decorations are filling the shops and store fronts of downtown Jonesborough. The annual Celebration of Trees, a unique exhibit of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, will be held in Historic Jonesborough on December 5 through December 26.
This year’s exhibit begins at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, located at 117 Boone Street, where seven beautifully decorated live trees will be on display within the Old Town Emporium Gift Shop. These trees are all sponsored and decorated by area businesses and non-profit organizations. Participants can pick up a program which features a listing of locations throughout the historic district where they can view over 30 decorated trees.
The celebration of trees has been a Jonesborough tradition for over 30 years. Growing over the years, it is now become an event that stretches from the Jonesborough Visitors Center to the Jonesborough Senior Center to the Chuckey Depot Museum on 2ndAve. The exhibit features many spots in between as well including the International Storytelling Center, Noelle, Gabriel’s Christmas, Mill Spring Park Gazebo, McKinney Center and many others.
The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday, December 5 through Sunday, December 26. Exhibit programs are located at the Jonesborough Visitors Center and the International Storytelling Center. This year the program will double as a ballot where attendees can vote for the “People’s Choice Award” for the best decorated tree in town. All locations are open to public viewing during their normal operating hours.
For additional information on the Celebration of Trees, contact the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010.
Christmas in Olde Jonesborough