Christmas in Olde Jonesborough

November 28, 6 p.m.

November 29

Events continue with Whoville and Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 29 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.. Grab shop small ‘swag’ at the welcome tent next to the Washington County Courthouse. Take a photo with the Grinch and get a “grinch treat”.

Do you think your family or group of friends have what it takes to be dubbed Jonesborough’s Holiday Cheermeister?

Saturday, Nov. 29, during Whoville Christmas, teams can participate in the Jonesborough Cheermeister Competition at 1 p.m. in front of the Courthouse.

Each team will designate one person to compete in a different leg of the competition. If there are less than five people in the group, participants will double up on activities. These include:

• Best Christmas attire

• Best wrapped gift

• Sing loud for all to hear holiday sing-a-long

• Cookie decorating contest

• Christmas cookie-eating contest

If the Cheermeister competition is too close to call the teams will participate in Grinch trivia to break the tie.

Your team MUST check in at the tent beside the courthouse by 12:30 p.m. on Saturday or we will pass your spot off to another team.

December 13, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Santa Mart will be located inside the Jonesborough Visitors Center where kids can shop for friends and family. These holiday gifts will cost only $1. Free Gift Wrapping by the David Crockett Civinettes for the Santa Mart purchases will be available inside the auditorium of the Visitors Center.

Activities continue downtown with Free Carriage Rides from Old Town Horse & Carriage. Meet Santa and drop off wishlist letters in Santa’s Mailbox by the Courthouse. Kids will get a reply by Christmas if a return address is included with the letter and the letter is dropped off by December 17.  Shoppers can stroll along Main Street to holiday music and have their downtown purchases wrapped for free at the International Storytelling Center.

Folks can also shop for Handmade Holiday Gifts from local artisans at the Christmas Marketplace located on the plaza at International Storytelling Center. Inside kids can take advantage of free Face Painting by Judy Butterfly and make a Ornament to take home.

December 13, 6 p.m.

December 20, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

 The series wraps up on Saturday, December 20 with the Christmas Church Tour. Stroll through town and visit participating churches in downtown Jonesborough. Attendees can view decorated sanctuaries and enjoy music.  Each church is located within easy walking distance of downtown.

December 20th at 1:00 pm

In conjunction with the Town of Jonesborough’s annual Christmas Church Stroll event, the Heritage Alliance invites you to take a deeper look at the history of churches in Tennessee’s Oldest Town. On Saturday, December 20th at 1:00 pm, join the Heritage Alliance for a special edition of the Jonesborough Town Tour, focused entirely on the history of local churches and the communities they’ve served for generations. From early meetinghouses to the architectural treasures that grace Main Street today, this guided walking tour will explore how church congregations helped shape Jonesborough’s cultural and social landscape. Along the way, participants will discover stories of resilience and service along with historical information about the buildings themselves. Tickets for this one-time tour can be purchased at the Chester Inn Museum. Space is limited, and the tour is weather dependent, so guests are encouraged to plan ahead and dress appropriately for the season.

Event Details:

• Location: Tour departs from the Chester Inn Museum, 116 W. Main St.
• Tickets: Available for purchase at the Chester Inn Museum

Note: Weather dependent; please dress for winter conditions This special walking tour offers the perfect complement to Jonesborough’s Strolling Church Tour, providing a historical lens through which to view the town’s most cherished places of worship.

This program continues the Heritage Alliance mission to share the stories and spaces that make Jonesborough a place where history lives. For more information, contact the Heritage Alliance.

First Baptist Church (201 East Main Street)
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. – Open House
Guests are welcome to stroll throughout the church and admire its beautiful stained glass windows.

Central Christian Church (106 Fox Street)
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. – Open House
Hot chocolate and cookies will be available for attendees.

Jonesborough Presbyterian Church (128 West Main Street)
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. – Handbell Performance
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. – Open House
Visitors may explore the church’s beautiful interior.

Jonesborough United Methodist Church (211 West Main Street)
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Cantata: A Great and Mighty Wonder
Performed by the Jonesborough United Methodist Chancel Choir and narrated by Tom Flagg (adapted by Jane Flagg)
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. – Christmas Carol Sing-Along
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. – Harp & Piano Selections
Performed by Martha Painter’s Harpstring and Piano Studio

Located on the International Storytelling Center Plaza from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. you will find local craft vendors and artists. Items will include homemade soaps, hand knitted items, handmade jewelry, women’s clothing and accessories, and woodworking. Each week the market will feature different vendors for you to explore!

December 1st, 6 p.m.

This annual fundraiser kicks off the holiday season each year, always falling on the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year the date is December 1st. The McKinney Center and the cast of the StoryTown Radio Show present this unique event which brings together food, art, music, and storytelling.

Guests are warmed in body and spirit as they are treated to a delicious dinner of soup, salad, bread, and cookies. Afterwards, they’ll be invited to kick back and enjoy a special version of the Radio Show featuring holiday carols, festive songs, and heartwarming stories. Musical acts for this year’s event include the Jonesborough Novelty Band, violinist Chloe Suarez, and the Thankful Baptist Church Mass Choir. Each guest receives a beautiful, hand-made ceramic ornament.

All the soups are prepared locally, with at least one vegetarian option available. Guests may continue to fill their bowls, trying one or all the delicious offerings.

Tickets to this fundraising event are $35, and will support the McKinney Center’s special programming, including the StoryTown Radio Show. The doors open at 5:45 pm, soup service begins at 6:00 pm, and the show will start around 6:45 pm.

Seating is limited to 125, and purchasing tickets well in advance is recommended, as the event regularly sells out ahead of time.

December 6th, 10 a.m.

Mill Spring Makers Market in Downtown Jonesborough is excited to host their next Makers Faire event on Saturday, December 6th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Holiday Makers Faire is a bi-annual juried event featuring 70+ of the region’s best artists, makers and creatives. The outdoor market will take place along Spring Street and throughout Mill Spring Park in Downtown Jonesborough and include demonstrations, a food truck and lots of holiday cheer. You’ll find a great selection of unique handmade goods including pottery, fine art, furniture & wood crafts, jewelry, clothing, artisan chocolates and more. You’re sure to find great gift ideas and stocking stuffers for those on your list.

Entry to the Faire is free and parking can be found nearby at the Jonesborough Library, behind the Courthouse and throughout downtown. Be sure to follow Mill Spring Makers on Facebook and Instagram for event updates and other information about their store, located at 144 E. Main St. in Downtown Jonesborough.

Contact Melinda Copp at millspringmakers@gmail.com for more information.

December 6th

Celebrate the season in historic style at the 47th Annual Progressive Dinner, hosted by the Heritage Alliance on Friday, December 6th. This beloved holiday tradition invites guests to experience fine dining, live music, and warm fellowship as they journey through some of Jonesborough—all while supporting the educational programs and preservation work of the Heritage Alliance. Guests will visit four unique locations throughout the evening, each featuring a delicious course and festive entertainment. This year’s stops include Root Studio School, the Historic Eureka Inn, the McKinney Center, and the Engel-Broyles-Orsinelli House. At each site, musicians will fill the rooms with seasonal sounds, including performances by The Butternuts, Brett McClusky, The Jonesborough Novelty Band, and Steve Orsinelli.

The evening’s menu will delight the senses, beginning with a toast and hors d’oeuvres course, followed by a soup course, a plated entrée catered by Bonefish Grill, and finishing with a decadent dessert. Tickets for this year’s Progressive Dinner are available now at www.jonesborough.com/tickets. There will be four seating times available, offering flexibility for guests. Seating is limited and this event traditionally sells out, so early reservations are strongly encouraged.

Locations:

• Root Studio School
• Historic Eureka Inn
• McKinney Center
• Engel-Broyles-Orsinelli House

Important Notes: Busses are sponsored by the Senior Center, but guests are encouraged to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. For more information, contact the Heritage Alliance.

December 6th & 7th

The Chuckey Depot Railroad Museum invites families to embark on a magical journey to the North Pole with a special screening of “The Polar Express” on Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7, at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at The Jackson Theatre located at 121 West Main Street.

This beloved holiday tradition transforms Jackson Theatre into a festive railway “station” where passengers of all ages can experience the wonder of this classic Christmas tale. The event includes much more than just the film; it’s a complete holiday experience for families.

Each ticket includes a warm cookie, a cup of frothy hot chocolate, a special post-movie visit with Santa Claus, a personal gift for every passenger, and photo opportunities with Santa.

Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas and join in singing along to the movie’s memorable songs, creating an authentic “Polar Express” experience.

December 7th & 14th

Storytime with Santa is a magical new holiday experience coming to Lincoln Park this December. Families are invited to gather around as Santa reads a short Christmas story, creating a cozy and festive atmosphere for children of all ages. Mrs. Claus will also be joining the fun, serving milk and cookies to every child.

Each 30-minute session ends with the opportunity for families to take a photo with Santa, making it a perfect keepsake for the season. Storytime with Santa will take place on December 7 and December 14, with sessions offered at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. The cost is $5 per child.

December 11th & 18th

Santa’s Workshop is a hands-on holiday adventure where children can build and decorate their own wooden Christmas house, a fun allergy-friendly twist on the classic gingerbread house. All supplies, decorations, and materials will be provided. Mrs. Claus will also be serving snacks to keep creativity flowing.

Santa’s Workshop will be held on December 11 and December 18, with sessions offered from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. This festive experience is $10 per child.

December 13th

Family Series

Free Event, Please Reserve Your Seat- Sponsored by Town of Jonesborough Parks & Recreation

Burl Ives narrates this animated musical, first telecast in 1964. The Johnny Marks score includes the title tune, “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “We’re a Couple of Misfits.”

December 14th

Cinema Classics

WWII vets-turned-entertainers scheme to help a retired general with his strapped New England inn by putting on a big musical show with the help of their army buddies and a singing sister act.