Get ready to kick off the holiday season in Morganton with a magical day filled with festive fun! Join us for the Winter Carnival on Saturday, November 22nd held on the Courthouse Square in Downtown Morganton. The Winter Carnival is sponsored this year by Food Lion! A special thank you to Food Lion for helping to make this event special for our community!
Start your day at the November Holiday Market:
- Browse a delightful selection of local crafts, produce, plants, and more from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The market is conveniently located at 111 North Green Street, at the corner of Green Street and Avery Avenue.
Immerse yourself in holiday cheer at the Winter Carnival sponsored by Food Lion:
- Head over to the Courthouse Square from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm, 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 Eggrolls.
- Visit with Sponsor of the event Food Lion, Leo the mascot and sample some delicious pound cake from the Food Lion Holiday Front Porch located on site.
- Watch an ice craving demo by the talented Aaron Costic!
Morganton lights up for the season!
- As the clock strikes 5:30 pm, a short ceremony will ensue to lead up to the beautiful transformation of Downtown Morganton as the town lights up for the holiday season.
- We will not be doing the Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony this year. However, we will still have a short ceremony leading up to the lighting of downtown that will be an opportunity to reflect on this year and look toward the bright new future of a healthy holiday season coming into a new year.
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Make memories that will last a lifetime and kick off your holiday season in style at the Winter Carnival and Downtown Lighting in Morganton on Saturday, November 22nd.
Makenzie McGinnis, Main Street Manager said, “This is my favorite time of year and I'm so excited for the downtown Morganton Winter Carnival! 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, “Downtown Morganton’s tree lighting is one of my favorite events of year. 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, please call 828-438-5252 or email info [at] downtownmorganton.com (info[at]downtownmorganton[dot]com)
Saturday, November 22nd event summary:
10am-2pm – November Holiday Farmers Market
2:30-5:30pm – Winter Carnival (Free event with Free carriage rides, Santa visits, games and activities, and food)
5:30pm – Pre-Downtown Lighting Ceremony
6:00pm – Downtown lights up for the Holiday Season
November Holiday Market: 10:00am – 2:00pm (111 N Green St)
Winter Carnival & Downtown Lighting: 2:30pm-6pm (Historic Courthouse Square)
Contact: Kasey Goodfellow: 828-438-5252
Community Events Coordinator
City of Morganton, Main Street Department
