Christmas in July Festival in West Jefferson, NC
What is Christmas in July?
Christmas in July is West Jefferson's free downtown festival. It began in 1987 as a celebration of Ashe County's Christmas tree industry, and it still is one: decorated trees, Santa, live music and a street full of handmade regional crafts. It is held downtown each year around the Fourth of July.
A volunteer committee and board run the festival as a nonprofit 501(c)(3). For news and the full schedule, see the official site, christmasinjulyfestival.com.
When is the festival?
It is held each year around the Fourth of July, Friday evening and Saturday. Dates are posted on christmasinjulyfestival.com. Friday evening is the warm-up. Saturday is the full day.
What to see and do
The festival fills downtown West Jefferson along Jefferson Avenue, centered at 1 N. Jefferson Ave. Here's what's on the street.
Christmas trees with a patriotic spin. The festival honors Ashe County's Christmas tree growers with decorated trees "with a patriotic spin," plus Santa himself.
Handmade crafts. Craft vendors are there on Saturday. If crafts are your reason to go, come Saturday.
Food and specialty foods. Food vendors and specialty-food booths line the street.
Live music. The lineup spans traditional mountain music, country, rock, jazz and beach music.
The farmers market. The Ashe County Farmers Market is part of the festival, so you can shop local right in the middle of it all.
Kids' activities. Face painting and kids' activities are at the Ashe Arts Council booths at the east end of Main Street. Roving magicians, balloon artists and stilt walkers work the crowd.
Local nonprofits. Community groups set up booths alongside the vendors.
Plan your festival day
- Pick your day. Come Friday evening for music and food. Come Saturday for the crafts and the full street.
- Start early on Saturday. The street opens in the morning, and you can walk down from the cabins in minutes.
- Bring the kids to Main Street. Head to the east end of Main Street for face painting.
- Take a break. Walk back up to your cabin for lunch or a soak, then head down again.
- Stay for the evening. Bring a flashlight for the walk home after dark.
Getting downtown from the cabins
Leave the car at the cabin and walk. From Cozy at 7 High Drive it's about a 7–8 minute walk downhill to Jefferson Avenue. Farm, West Jefferson, and Nature sit a little farther along the same mountainside. You skip the parking entirely.
The walk back is a climb, so pace yourself after a long festival day. A soak in your own hot tub waits at the top.
Driving from Cozy takes about 3 minutes on a normal day, but festival weekend brings crowds downtown. If you drive, there are several free public lots within walking distance of the festival. The festival map on the official site shows where they are.
More summer days around West Jefferson
The festival is a weekend. The rest of your stay is summer in the High Country.
- Hike. Find trails for every pace on our guide to hiking near West Jefferson.
- Paddle or float. Plan a day on the New River.
- Eat downtown. Walk to dinner after the crowds thin. See West Jefferson restaurants.
- Find what else is on. See West Jefferson events.
Christmas tree country year-round
The festival celebrates the Christmas tree farms around West Jefferson. Come back in the cold months and cut your own. See Christmas tree farms near West Jefferson for the farms and when they open.
Quick answers
Is the festival free? Yes. Admission is free.
When is it? Each year around the Fourth of July.
Where is it? Downtown West Jefferson, along Jefferson Avenue.
Where do I park? Several free public lots sit within walking distance. Or stay at High Peak and walk down.
When is this year's festival? Watch christmasinjulyfestival.com for the schedule.
Cabins a short walk from the festival
Four A-frames. One mountainside. Just above downtown.
High Peak sits a short walk above Jefferson Avenue, so you can spend the day at the festival and be back on your porch before dark. Cozy sleeps 4. Farm, West Jefferson and Nature sleep 6 each, so all four together sleep 22. That's room for family reunions and friends' weekends. See group stays.
Every cabin has a private XL hot tub, a gas grill, a porch, an EV charger, a full kitchen, a walk-in spa shower and an electric fireplace. Out on the grounds you'll find a covered pavilion, a gas stone fire pit, a large BBQ, a small waterfall and lighted trails.
Plan ahead for the weekend around the Fourth of July. Compare the cabins, then check your dates.
Updated October 2026