Kick off the holiday season with Morganton's Winter Carnival and Lighting on Nov. 22
Take a break from the busyness of Thanksgiving preparation on Saturday, Nov. 22, to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season at Morganton’s annual Winter Carnival.
Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the November Holiday Market. Browse a delightful selection of local crafts, produce, plants, and more until 2 p.m. The market will be at 111 N. Green St., at the corner of Green Street and Avery Avenue.
Then head over to the Courthouse Square from 2:30-5:30 p.m., where the Winter Carnival will transform the area into a wonderland of holiday activities.
Enjoy a variety of entertainment for the whole family, including face painting, an ice slide, games, and a special station for writing letters to Santa.
Take a free carriage ride through town for a picturesque pre-Santa visit. Meet the jolly man himself! Santa Claus will be waiting to hear your Christmas wishes.
After visiting Santa, indulge in delicious treats from Frosty’s Diner and Saint Charles Youth Group, serving egg rolls.
Visit with event sponsor Food Lion and Leo the mascot and sample some delicious pound cake from the Food Lion Holiday Front Porch located on-site.
The talented Aaron Costic returns to Morganton for his always exciting ice carving demonstration.
Just as the sun goes down, Morganton will light up for the season.
At 5:30 p.m., a brief ceremony will take place before the holiday lights are switched on, offering a moment for everyone to reflect on the past year and look ahead to a bright new season.
“This is my favorite time of year, and I’m so excited for the downtown Morganton Winter Carnival,” said Main Street Manager Makenzie McGinnis. “It’s going to be a fantastic evening as we gather together to kick off the Christmas season. I cherish sharing these festive moments with our community, right here in the heart of our city, and I’m especially looking forward to seeing the incredible, perhaps mischievous, Grinch ice carving take shape.”
Kasey Goodfellow, community events coordinator, said, “There’s something so special about watching our community gather around the Historic Burke County Courthouse Square — kids laughing and playing, families sharing treats, and everyone coming together to watch the lights shine. I love seeing the wonder in the children’s eyes as they talk with Santa and hearing the crowd ‘ooo’ and ‘ahhh’ as Aaron Costic reveals another breathtaking ice masterpiece. It’s the perfect reminder of what makes Morganton feel like home.”
For more information about the event, call 828-438-5252 or email info@downtownmorganton.com.
The 2025 Winter Carnival is sponsored by Food Lion.
— AKC
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