The Town of Jonesborough will host Christmas in Olde Jonesborough, a month-long holiday series of events and activities. The series will kick off the afternoon of Friday, November 29 in downtown Jonesborough with events held the following four Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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 Wednesday, December 18 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 for any purchases made in the downtown.
Shop Small Weekend
November 29, 30, 31
Get an early start supporting small businesses with Shop Small Friday on November 29 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
You’re invited to join the shop local movement and discover Jonesborough’s downtown shopping district during Small Business weekend. For more information call 423.753.1010
Sugar Plum Sip & Stroll
November 29, 4 p.m.
Join us in Historic Jonesborough to kick off the holiday season with the Sugar Plum Sip & Stroll on Friday, November 29 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Attendees will enjoy 10+ Nutcracker and Christmas-themed beverages and small–bite tasting stops. Close the night with the magical Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. followed by a big holiday twist.
Lighting of the Tree
November 29, 6 p.m.
The annual Lighting of the Tree ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. Christmas themed programming will lead up to the official lighting of the Fraser Fir tree beside the Washington County Courthouse downtown.
Whoville Christmas
November 30
Events continue with Whoville and Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 30 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”.
Join us this Saturday during Jonesborough’s A Whoville Christmas event for the reading of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” This is a FREE event located in the Chester Inn Museum’s upstairs parlor; however, spots are limited. There will be three separate readings at 1:15PM, 2:00PM, and 2:45PM. Tickets are per person and available for pickup inside the Jonesborough Visitors Center.
Cheermeister Competition
Do you think your family or group of friends have what it takes to be dubbed Jonesborough’s Holiday Cheermeister?
Saturday, Nov. 25, 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.
Doggone Christmas
December 7, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Christmas is Going to the Dogs!
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dog Treat Stops
Attendees can check in at the information tent beside the courthouse and get a treat bag with a doggy snack and an original JBO pet bandana for the first 200 people. A Local Business Paw Print will be on the doors of stores that are pet friendly and offer a free pet treat. 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.
1 p.m. Pet Costume Contest
There will be a Costume Contest sponsored by Appalachian Highlands Humane Society and Tennessee Tails Pet Boutique with prizes in both large breed and small breed categories that takes place at 1 pm. including Ugliest Christmas Dog Sweater, Best Holiday Costume and Pet/Owner Lookalike. The Costume Contest will be emceed by Washington County Mayor, Joe Grandy. No prior registration is necessary for the costume contest. After the contest, pets and owners can join in the Pet Parade down Main Street.
Santa’s Christmas Village
December 14, 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. Miss State of Franklin 2024 will be on hand to help kids make Gift Tags. Other activities at the Visitors Center include crafts and popcorn at Frosty’s Top Shop with the Kiwanis of Jonesborough and the Daniel Boone High School Key Club, a Scratch Art Ornament with UT Extension’s 4-H and FCE clubs, a Snowman Craft with the local Garden Club, and taking a photo at the selfie booth.
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 18. 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 Nutcracker Ornament to take home.
Make S’mores with Scout Troop and Pack 130 at the Christopher Taylor Cabin, which will be open for public viewing, and get a sweet picture inside the Sugar Plum Fairy Cottage, a 12-foot long wooden cottage decorated with candy and sweets, located on the front lawn.
Christmas Paper Chain Workshop
The Heritage Alliance is excited to offer a Christmas Paper Chains Workshop on Saturday, December 14th. As a part of Jonesborough’s Santa’s Village celebration, the Heritage Alliance will be offering a paper chains workshop from 11:00 am-3:00 pm. The event will be held in the Chester Inn boardroom and no reservations are required. It is free and participants will be able to take home their paper chains when they are done.
Christmas Parade
December 14, 6 p.m.
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 Saturday, December 9th at 6 p.m. in downtown Jonesborough.
Folks of all ages will gather along Boone and Main Streets downtown in anticipation of the arrival of floats, bands, classic cars, dancers and, of course, Santa Claus as they make their way downtown. This year’s theme is “A Nutcracker Christmas”. As one of the only nighttime parades in the area, Jonesborough takes advantage of the beautiful small-town setting in the downtown area as the setting stage for the event.
Incorporation of live music and lights is highly encouraged for all participants.
Parade Registration is now closed!
Christmas Church Stroll
December 21, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The series wraps up on Saturday, December 21 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.
Jonesborough Christmas Market
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!
Other Christmas Events
The Polar Express at the Jackson Theatre
December 7, 4 p.m.
SOLD OUT
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 7, 2024, at 4:00 PM at the Jackson Theatre.
This beloved holiday tradition transforms the 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 that has become a cherished annual tradition for local families.
Each ticket includes:
• Warm cookie and a cup of frothy hot chocolate
• A special post-movie visit with Santa Claus
• A personal gift for every passenger
• Photo opportunities with Santa
Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas and join in singing along with the movie’s memorable songs to create an authentic “Polar Express” experience.
Tickets are $15.00 per person, with each guest receiving the complete experience regardless of age. Due to the popularity of this event pre-booking is strongly recommended.
2024 Soups & Songs
November 27th, 6 p.m.
This annual fundraising event kicks off the holiday season each year, always falling on the Monday after Thanksgiving. 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, and then sing-along with the cast, joined by the Jonesborough Novelty Band, in a holiday performance of carols, songs, and stories. This year’s event will also include the talents of local violinist Chloe Suarez, the jazz quartet of Portail du Son from Dobyns Bennett High School, and a gospel choir. Each guest receives a beautiful, hand-made ceramic ornament created by local artists.
All the soups are locally sourced, with at least one vegetarian option available. Guests may continue to fill their bowls, trying one or all of the delicious offerings.
Tickets to this fundraising event are $35, and will support the McKinney Center’s special programming, including the StoryTown Radio Show.
Seating is limited to one-hundred-twenty-five, and purchasing tickets well in advance is recommended, as the event regularly sells out ahead of time.
For more information visit mckinneycenter.com or call 425.753.0562.