North Carolina Agritourism Farms Offer Holiday Attractions

Annie Baggett, NCDA&CS

Whether you are looking to cut your own Christmas tree, or take a sleigh ride with Santa, North Carolina farms offer an abundance of options for family fun this holiday season.

“Agritourism farms help connect our rural and urban communities across the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “They offer great family entertainment while educating about our state’s No. 1 industry, agriculture.”

Following is a list of several agritourism farms offering special holiday programs organized by regions and dates:

Western North Carolina

  • Justus Orchard in Hendersonville offers 21 varieties of apples on its fourth-generation apple farm. In addition to fresh apples, visitors can find delicious baked goods, apple cider donuts and fried apple pies.
  • Apple Hill Farm in Banner Elk, a working angora goat and alpaca farm, will open its doors to visitors Fridays through Sundays, November 17-December 10, 2017. Guests can take walking tours of the farm, enjoy apple cider and Christmas cookies, and shop for tabletop trees, wreaths and garland.
  • Fir Heaven Sake Christmas Tree Farm in Topton will host an event called “Just Fir Fun” on November 18, 2017 from 9am to 5pm. The celebration includes a visit from Santa, sleigh rides, storytelling, games and more.
  • OakMoon Farm and Creamery in Bakersville will celebrate the holidays with its fifth-annual Yule For Y’all sales event Saturdays in December from 10am to 3pm. Shoppers will find festive goat cheese party balls, holiday treats and farm-made products.
  • Addison Farm Vineyards in Leicester will hold an event featuring local crafters on December 9, 2017 from noon to 5pm. The fundraiser will benefit Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Farmland Projects. Addison Farm Vineyards is open Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 5pm and Sundays from 1pm to 5pm.

Central North Carolina

  • Mystic Farm and Distillery in Durham is the Triangle’s only farm distillery. Tours are offered Saturdays at 2pm and 4pm through December 30, 2017. Private tours are available by appointment.
  • Mitchell’s Nursery and Greenhouse in King will offer a greenhouse tour on November 18, 2017 at 11am. Specialists will show and explain the innovations that help the nursery grow better plants while conserving water and energy. Poinsettias also will be available for purchase.
  • Prodigal Farm  in Durham will host two Goat Kid Festivals featuring tours, goat cheese tastings, music and craft demonstrations. The first will be held on November 19, 2017; the second on December 17, 2017. Both events are from 1pm to 5pm.
  • Southern Distilling Company in Statesville will open November 24, 2017 for special Black Friday tours and tastings from 10am to 6pm. Guests can learn about the distillery’s grain-to-glass production on its 20-acre farm.
  • Almond Farms in Albemarle offers choose-and-cut Christmas trees, a gift shop with farm-made products and hickory-smoked barbecue. The farm will open Nov. 24, 2017. Hours are Thursdays and Fridays, 3 p.m. until sunset; Saturdays, 9am until sunset; and Sundays, 2pm until sunset.
  • Smith’s Family Fun Farm in Hillsborough will open its Christmas tree farm from November 24-December 24, 2017. On Friday and Saturday nights, the farm will hold story time with Santa. More information and hours are available on the farm’s Facebook page.
  • Plum Granny Farm in King is partnering with Buffalo Creek Farm and Creamery to offer a holiday shopping spectacular on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event provides visitors not only the opportunity to visit a local farm, but to shop on-farm and meet a wide variety of farm-based vendors.
  • Grietje’s Garden Vineyard of Rocky Ridge Farm in Olin will hold two special holiday events on December 2, 2017. From 9am to 3pm, the vineyard will have its 5th annual Holiday Craft Event featuring dozens of local crafters. That evening, from 6:30pm to 8pm, the farm will host a Christian, Gospel and Christmas music concert.
  • Adams Vineyards in Willow Spring will host a holiday shopping event on Sunday, December 3, 2017, from 2pm to 6pm featuring wine tastings, local artisans and crafters, music and food. In addition, the winery offers wine tastings Tuesdays-Saturdays from 11am to 6pm and Sundays from 2pm to 6pm.
  • Hickory Creek Farm in Greensboro offers Christmas trees, wreaths, poinsettias, hayrides and more holiday fun. On December 9, 2017, the farm will host a Christmas Craft Fair with Santa form 10am to 4pm.
  • Happy Hills Farm in Monroe will open its doors on December 9, 2017, from 1pm to 4pm. The event will feature tours of the fiber-animal farm, opportunities to feed animals, tour the fleece studio and purchase yarn, socks, shawls, scarves and more. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children.
  • Toad Song Farm in Clayton is bringing the community together with a Stone Soup event on December 22, 2017 from 5:30pm to 10:30pm. Visitors are asked to bring an ingredient for the soup, which will be shared with those in need in the community.

Eastern North Carolina

  • Lu Mil Vineyard in Elizabethtown will have a Christmas Light Show, featuring a drive-through light exhibit, country buffet, visits with Santa and holiday gifts. The display is open from 6pm to 10pm on November 25-26; November 30-December 3; December 7-10; and December  14-23, 2017.
  • Livingston Creek Farmers Harvest and Eatery in Bolton will have a vendor fair and hayride with Santa on Nov. 25, 2017 from 10am to 5pm. The restored farmhouse sits on more than 100 acres and includes a farmers market, seafood market, craft shop, nursery and more.
  • Nooherooka Natural in Snow Hill will hold its annual Holiday Sale on December 2, 2017, from 9am to 5pm. Visitors can tour the farm and purchase pasture-raised beef and pork products for the holidays.
  • SoCo Farm and Food in Wilson offers a farm-to-table private dining experience in a renovated tobacco barn. Holiday parties are available Tuesdays-Saturdays in December at 6pm or 8pm.
  • Simply Natural Creamery in Ayden will host Christmas at the Creamery December 9-10, 2017. The weekend features photos with Santa, fresh cookies, as well as milk and ice cream from the dairy.

Agritourism farms are found in nearly every county of the state. Consumers looking for a farm experience can go to www.visitncfarms.com for a full directory.

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