Free Thanksgiving Eve Live Music Party Wednesday, Nov. 22, 1-8 p.m., at The Tasting Station at Slanted Window. Three different sets from musicians: Zorki, 1-3 p.m.; David Potter, 3:30-5:30 p.m.; and, Seth & Sara, 6-8 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church Free Drive-thru Thanksgiving Meal Thursday, Nov. 23, noon-2 p.m., 26 Church Street. Meals include turkey, traditional side dishes, rolls, and a dessert. No utensils or beverages provided. Reservations not required unless diners are requesting 10 or more meals. Call (828)524-3119, by 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 22.
10th Annual Cold Turkey 5K & Little Turkeys FUN Run/Walk, Thursday, Nov. 23, at Tassee Shelter, 877 Ulco Drive, Little Tennessee River Greenway. Annual fundraiser for Special Olympics of Macon County and 100% of the proceeds raised donated; raffle; awards to age group winners, overall winners, and best dressed Thanksgiving-themed runner and family. All “Little Turkeys” FUN Run//Walk finishers receive finisher’s certificate and goodie bag. Register through RunSignu.com – under Cold Turkey 5K and Little Turkeys Fun Run/Walk; event shirts limited to first 150 signups.
Small Business Saturday, Saturday, Nov. 25 downtown Franklin. Initiative backed by American Express shifts focus from Black Friday and Cyber Monday to supporting small, local businesses.
Winter Wonderland Saturday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Dec. 2, downtown Franklin, 5-8 p.m. Tree lighting at 7 p.m. at Gazebo on the Square; candlelight service at 7:15. Letters to and visit from Santa both Saturdays as well as carriage rides, music, open shops, and more. Hosted by the Town of Franklin, (828)524-2516.
American Legion 108 Dance Night with Johnny Web and the JW Band, Nov. 25, 7 to 10 p.m., at the post.
36th Annual Hard Candy Christmas Arts & Crafts, Friday, Nov. 24 and Saturday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Western Carolina University Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activities Center, 92 Catamount Road, Cullowhee; free parking; crafts, art, live music, and more; produced by Doris Hunter – [email protected], (828)524-3405
Annual Christmas Parade Sunday, Nov. 26, 3 p.m., downtown Franklin. Parade features fire trucks, EMS vehicles, police cars, floats, vintage trucks and cars, walkers, and more. Hosted by Franklin Chamber of Commerce, (828)524-3161.
Voctave: The Spirit of the Season Nov. 28, 7 p.m., at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Voctave’s holiday spectacular “The Spirit of the Season” includes a stocking full of holiday favorites from their chart-topping album and is sure to be a magical evening of music for the whole family. Jazz Weekly raves “Voctave bring a cappella music to a new dimension. For ticket information at (866)273-4615.
Christmas with Fiddler Finn, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Sanctuary, 471 Main Street, Highlands. Award-winning violin virtuoso Andrew Finn Magill plays holiday music; along with beloved Christmas tunes, the concert includes selections with a distinct Celtic flavor. Admission free; donations accepted. Produced by Arts Council of Macon County, (828)524-ARTS or email [email protected].
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training session, Friday, Dec. 1, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; public welcome to free session; refreshments provided. Hosted by and located at American Legion Macon Post #108, 614 W Main Street, Franklin; (828)349-2151 or (828)231-6509.
Bonfire + Barn Time for Veteran Families, Friday, Dec. 1, 5-7:30 p.m., 635 Berry Cove Road in Franklin Onion Mountain area. Veteran families invited to free chili dinner around a bonfire, fun homesteading workshop, and quality time with horses. Hosted by Special Liberty Project – (619)726-9240; or email [email protected].
Three Rivers Review publication deadline Friday, Dec. 1. Seeking original works by local writers to fill anthology-style publication, to be published and available Valentine’s Day 2024. Sponsored by the Arts Council of Macon County. Guidelines for submission: www.artscouncilofmacon.org or email [email protected] or call 828-524-ARTS.
Inspire School of Dance Narnia Ballet Friday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 2, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., at Franklin High School fine arts building. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students. Cast consists of all local dancers from 3 years old to 18 years old. For tickets, call the dance studio at 828-342-5361.
Cowee Christmas and Balsam Bee Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center. Free admission, arts and crafts vendors, kids’ activities, snowball fight, soup lunch, Santa visit, and much more. Some monies raised support Cowee School. Sponsored by Bald Head Realty and Winding Stair Farm. For more information, call (828)369-4080, email [email protected], or visit www.coweeschool.org.
Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries Saturday, Dec. 2, 5-8 p.m., in Dillsboro. Free event – illumination of 2,500 candles and twinkling white lights; shops and restaurants open. Organized by Town of Dillsboro, (828)586-1439.
Brasstown Ringers Bringing Christmas Joy! Concert, Sunday, Dec. 3, 5 p.m., First United Methodist Church in Franklin. First UMC Chancel Choir will join the ringers for select pieces and the audience is invited to participate in a sing-along. For more information, email director Linda Sterrett at [email protected].
First Presbyterian Church of Franklin Benefit concert for Macon County Care Network, Sunday, Dec. 3, 3 p.m. in church’s sanctuary at 26 Church Street. Free program features church’s music director, Frank Armato, playing a variety of musical arrangements on the piano, keyboard, and organ. Also performing: Dan Williamson on trumpet, Linda Sterrett on hand bells, and Barry Clinton and Sharon Taylor – guitar and vocal. Love offering taken for CareNet and First Presbyterian Church will match all monetary donations up to $1,000, dollar-for-dollar. Reception with cookies and cider follows in Tartan Hall. For more information, contact Cecilia Morgan, [email protected].
The Collingsworth Family A True Family Christmas Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. From the very first upsweep of familiar Christmas tunes, to the final triumphant anthem, A True Family Christmas is true to the traditions, warmth, and the memories that make the celebration of Christmas near and dear to our hearts. For ticket information at (866)273-4615.
Fun Gospel Sing-A-Long first and third Friday. Next gathering is on Dec. 8, 6 p.m., at West Franklin Church on Sloan Road.
Mountain Voices Community Chorus Annual Christmas Concert, Friday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, Franklin. From jazzy arrangements to big band orchestral scores, from twists on holiday favorites to traditional anthems, the concert represents all genres of music, both secular and sacred.
Celtic Christmas Extravaganza Saturday, Dec 9, 4-6 p.m., Macon County Public Library in Franklin. Costumed cast of talented singers, instrumentalists, dancers, and Scottish and Irish storytellers. Admission by donation. Reserve seat by emailing [email protected] or phone 828-524-ARTS by Nov. 27. Sponsored by The ARTS Council of Macon County; produced by musician Marie Dunkle.