The Town of Jonesborough will host Christmas in Olde Jonesborough, a month-long holiday series of events and activities. Christmas in Olde Jonesborough will feature a different theme every Saturday from November 25 to December 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Jonesborough.
Santa will also be on site in his sleigh beside the Washington County Courthouse each Saturday for pictures and visits with children. Attendees are encouraged to bring letters to Santa and drop them off in the mailbox by Monday, December 18 and receive a reply from the jolly old man himself. Free gift wrapping will also be offered inside the International Storytelling Center during the Saturday events on any purchases made in downtown.
Shop Small Weekend
November 25
Main Street Jonesborough is your destination for Christmas shopping. Support small businesses by shopping local on November 25 beginning at 10 a.m. in downtown Jonesborough, visit the Shop Small welcome tent to pick up some swag, and enjoy extended shopping hours.
Jonesborough is proud to have the streets lined with small businesses. You’ll find handmade jewelry from local artisans, unique gifts, nostalgic antiques, repurposed furniture, and more items that can be found only in Jonesborough. During Small Business Saturday, enjoy the magic of Dr. Seuss as Whoville takes over downtown Jonesborough with a variety of happenings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You’re invited to join the shop local movement and discover Jonesborough’s downtown shopping district during Small Business Saturday on November 25. For more information call 423.753.1010
Whoville Christmas
November 25
Take a photo with the Grinch and get a “grinch treat”. We will have face painting, a craft with the McKinney Center and Grinch Punch at Noelles.
Join us at the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum on November 25th for readings of the holiday classic, Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! This program is part of the town of Jonesborough’s “Whoville” holiday celebration which takes place from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. This program will feature a reading of the “Grinch” in our restored parlor room as well as a display of holiday items from our archival collection. We will also talk about the history of Victorian holiday celebration customs and the practice of storytelling during the holidays. Each program will be approximately 15-20 minutes.
This year there will be readings at 12:00, 1:15, 2:00, and 2:45. Due to spacing issues, we will be limiting the attendance of each program to the first 20 people. Attendees can pick up their tickets at the Chester Inn Museum on the 25th. Tickets for the first two programs will be available starting at 11:00 am, and tickets will be available for the other programs starting at 1:00 pm
Lighting of the Tree
November 25, 6 p.m.
Jonesborough’s historic and charming downtown is the perfect setting to kick off the Christmas holiday season as the lights are lit on the authentic Fraser Fir tree. Join your friends and neighbors and enjoy the sounds of the season sung by David Crockett High School’s Madrigal Singers, the voices of elementary school students from Jonesborough Elementary and Grandview Schools. A Christmas story will be told by local artist Jules Corriere.
Doggone Christmas
December 2, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Christmas is Going to the Dogs!
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dog Treat Stops
During Doggone Christmas visit each of these stops so your furry friend can get a treat! Some locations will have the treats outside as they can’t have pets inside restaurants.
1 p.m. Pet Costume Contest
Tennessee Tails Pup Parade to Follow the Costume Contest
Tennessee Tails Pet Boutique will host a Pup Parade that will start after the costume contest.
It will begin at the Washington County Courthouse and travel on Main Street towards the Mill Spring Makers Market, across the intersection and towards McLeod’s Organics. It will then cross the intersection to bring the parade back to the courthouse.
Santa’s Christmas Village
December 9, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join us for Santa’s Christmas Village on December 9th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout downtown. This event includes lots of family fun including pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, face painting, Santa Mart and multiple children’s crafting stations throughout Tennessee’s Oldest Town.
Christmas Parade
December 9, 6 p.m.
Jonesborough, TN- Jonesborough is gearing up for another festive season in downtown. What better opportunity to spend time with family and friends than to grab a cup of hot chocolate, throw on mittens and hats and gather on Main Street in downtown Jonesborough to watch the annual lighted nighttime Christmas Parade. Continuing with tradition, the parade will take place on the second Saturday in December. Make plans to be a part of Jonesborough’s Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 9th at 6 p.m. in downtown Jonesborough.
Folks of all ages will gather along Boone and Main Streets downtown in anticipation of the arrival of floats, bands, classic cars, dancers and, of course, Santa Claus as they make their way downtown. This year’s theme is “Spirit of Christmas”. As one of the only nighttime parades in the area, Jonesborough takes advantage of the beautiful small-town setting in the downtown area as the setting stage for the event.
Entry deadline is Tuesday, December 5th. Incorporation of live music and lights is highly encouraged for all participants.
The 2023 Parade Winners Are:
Eagle Award, given to the float judged to be the best overall float entry- WF Stables
Mayor’s Award, given to the float judged to be the best representation of the Town of Jonesborough- McKinney Center
Schubert Club, given to the float judged to be the most vibrantly decorated- Casey Well Drilling
Jonesborough Kiwanis Award, given to the float that best represents children or children’s issues- David Crockett High School FFA
Honorable Mentions– Fit for Life, Appalachian Highlands Humane Society
Donations for the Jonesborough Food Pantry are encouraged from participants and can be dropped off at Town Hall.
If you have any questions about the parade or entry application, please contact Rachel Conger at rachelc@jonesboroughtn.org or 423.791.3869.
Christmas Church Stroll
December 16, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The series wraps up on Saturday, December 16 with the Christmas Church Tour. Stroll through town and visit participating churches in downtown. Attendees can view decorated sanctuaries and enjoy music. Grab a guide at the International Storytelling Center to begin the tour. Each church is located within easy walking distance of downtown.
Jonesborough Christmas Market
Located on the International Storytelling Center Plaza from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. you will find local craft vendors and artists. Items will include homemade soaps, hand knitted items, handmade jewelry, women’s clothing and accessories, and woodworking. Each week the market will feature different vendors for you to explore!
Other Christmas Events
The Chuckey Depot Museum hosting Santa Claus
December 2, 3 pm – 6 p.m.
Come and meet Santa Claus at the Chuckey Depot Museum on Saturday, December 2nd from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Santa will be stopping by the historic caboose located outside the museum. Visitors will have a chance to meet Santa and get their picture taken with him. Special, train ornaments will be available for a $1.00 donation to the museum. All donations go to help with future exhibits and educational programs. After you visit with Santa, make sure you go inside the museum and check out all the fun exhibits. The Chuckey Depot Museum is free of charge, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Breakfast with Santa at the Chuckey Depot
December 16, 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Ho, ho, ho! Breakfast with Santa is back at the Chucky Depot Museum on Saturday, December 16th. This event was a sell out in 2019, and the Town of Jonesborough is excited to see it return.
Breakfast times are 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30 that Saturday morning. Guests of all ages will enjoy a meal from Chick-fil-a. They’ll meet Santa Claus in the Depot’s warehouse and listen as he reads a holiday classic that features a magical train. Each family that attends will also receive a special, Christmas ornament for their tree. All of this is included in the ticket price of $20.00. Breakfast times are limited to 25 people, so make sure you get your tickets before they’re gone.
2023 Soups & Songs
November 27th, 6 p.m.
Soups and Songs is an annual fundraiser supporting the StoryTown programs at the McKinney Center every November. The event usually takes place the Monday after Thanksgiving, usually the fourth Monday of November. This event is an in-person, sit-down dinner with holiday entertainment. The doors open at 5:45 p.m. Dinner is served between 6 – 7 p.m. The sing-along and storytelling performance will begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $30 per person. Seating for this event is strictly limited to 125 tickets.
A delicious soup bar is provided with a variety of selections including a vegetarian option. Soups in the past have been Chicken Tortilla, Chili, Squash, Zuppa, and more. The meal includes bread, tea, water, and a cookie for dessert.
The StoryTown Radio Show cast weaves together stories from days gone by along with tales about our most favorite holiday songs. Music is led by the Jonesborough Novelty Band and the audience is encouraged to sing along. This event also recognizes holiday traditions across the globe. This is a wonderful event fit for the entire family and great way to start out your holiday season! Get to know your neighbors and community through stories, soups, and songs!
This event serves as a fundraiser which supports the StoryTown Radio Show production all year round.
Tickets are available online at jonesborough.com/tickets or by calling the Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010.
For more information visit mckinneycenter.com or call 425.753.0562.
Annual Celebration of Trees
December 4 – 26
Twinkling lights, the scent of Fraser firs, handcrafted ornaments and lovely Christmas decorations are filling the shops and store fronts of downtown Jonesborough. The annual Celebration of Trees, a unique exhibit of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, will be held in Historic Jonesborough on December 4 through December 26.
This year’s exhibit begins at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, located at 117 Boone Street, where seven beautifully decorated live trees will be on display within the Old Town Emporium Gift Shop. These trees are all sponsored and decorated by area businesses and non-profit organizations. Participants can pick up a program which features a listing of locations throughout the historic district where they can view over 30 decorated trees.
The celebration of trees has been a Jonesborough tradition for over 30 years. Growing over the years, it is now become an event that stretches from the Jonesborough Visitors Center to the Jonesborough Senior Center to the Chuckey Depot Museum on 2nd Ave. The exhibit features many spots in between as well including the International Storytelling Center, Noelle, Gabriel’s Christmas, Mill Spring Park Gazebo, McKinney Center and many others.
The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday, December 4 through Tuesday, December 26. Exhibit programs are located at the Jonesborough Visitors Center and the International Storytelling Center. This year the program will double as a ballot where attendees can vote for the “People’s Choice Award” for the best decorated tree in town. All locations are open to public viewing during their normal operating hours.
For additional information on the Celebration of Trees, contact the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010.