Forest City, Rutherford County

2026 Christmas events in Forest City, North Carolina.

Forest City holiday events

Forest City lights up historic Main Street with the Hometown Holiday Lights — over a million lights and a giant illuminated ornament at POPS, well worth the trip. The Christmas Lighting Ceremony kicks off the season on Nov 26, the Forest City Christmas Parade rolls down Main Street on Nov 29, and horse-drawn carriage rides run under the lights on select December nights.

Parades & tree lightings

2 verified events for 2026.

Forest City Christmas Lighting Ceremony

Tree Lighting

Thu, Nov 26, 2026 · Ceremony/music 6:30 PM; lights on 7 PM ET

Historic Main Street

Cost: check link

Hosted by Town of Forest City

Main Street Broadway–Church closed 7 AM–9 PM; no Main St parking. Use municipal lots between Main/Trade, around Florence Mill, or the grassy area across from First Baptist Church. Links to the lights feature without duplicating its season dates.

View details

Forest City Christmas Parade

Parade

Sun, Nov 29, 2026 · 3:00–5:00 PM ET

Main Street, east toward First United Methodist Church

Cost: check link

Hosted by Town of Forest City / Forest City Merchants

Route origin conflict: the seasonal page says Cool Springs Administrative Building, the event page says McNair stadium. Main Street route is shown and linked; confirm the exact origin on the event page. No parking eastbound Main between Church/Broadway. Rain or shine.

View details Forest City Christmas hub

Lights & house displays

1 verified event for 2026.

Forest City Hometown Holiday Lights

Light Display

Lighting Nov 26, 2026; nightly display Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 · Nightly 5:00–11:30 PM ET after opening ceremony

Historic Main Street and Pavilion on Park Square (POPS), 153 Park Square

Free to view lights; optional rides/purchases extra

Hosted by Town of Forest City

Worth the trip for the lights. Drive and stroll historic Main Street under over a million lights; visit POPS for the giant illuminated ornament/photo stop. Opening night lights switch on 7 PM, not 5 PM. Prefer the town closing date of Jan 3 over the tourism page's Jan 1.

View details Romantic Asheville guide

Kids & family

1 verified event for 2026.

Forest City Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides Under the Lights

Other

Dec 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19, 2026 · 6:00–8:45 PM ET

Huntley Alley behind POPS concession stand, 153 Park Square

Cost: check link

Hosted by Explore Forest City Main Street Association / Town of Forest City

Private carriage seats four adults or fewer adults plus children. Online advance reservations only via exploreforestcity.com (Christmas menu). Dec 4/5 releases Nov 30 noon; Dec 11/12 releases Dec 7 noon; Dec 18/19 releases Dec 14 noon. No day-of sale; arrive 10 minutes early. Weather cancellation refund policy on the town page. Hayrides (tickets onsite, price not stated) and Santa 6–9 PM same six dates are included as supporting notes, not in the carriage fare.

View details

All Rutherford cities Back to the guide