‘Tis the Season: Town of Jonesborough gearing up for Christmas

Santa Claus visits with some good girls and boys during last year’s Doggone Christmas event in Downtown Jonesborough:
Doggone Christmas Pet Portraits with Santa – Photo by Whitney S Williams

Historic Jonesborough gets spruced up for the holiday season with a month-long series of events and activities. Christmas in Olde Jonesborough will feature a different theme every Saturday from Nov. 30 through Dec. 21.

Each Saturday will offer a variety of events from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. along with music, storytelling and extended holiday shopping hours in Tennessee’s Oldest Town. Santa will also be on site in his sleigh beside the Courthouse each Saturday for pictures and visits with children.

Be sure to bring your letters to Santa and drop them off in the mailbox by Dec. 15 and receive a reply from the jolly old man himself. The Christmas Market will be available on the Plaza of the International Storytelling Center featuring handmade crafts, jewelry and holiday items. Free gift wrapping will also be offered inside the Storytelling Center during the Saturday events on any purchases made in downtown.

The Grinch will be on hand for Jonesborough’s Whoville Christmas event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The series will kick off with Whoville and Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30, complete with the Grinch and other characters. Dress as your favorite Whoville character and get a “grinch treat”. Catch a movie inside the theater at the International Storytelling Center and also enjoy a reading of the classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Chester Inn Museum.

Then at 6 p.m., Jonesborough will officially kick off the Christmas season with the Lighting of the Tree. Music and Storytelling will lead up to the official lighting of the Spruce beside the Washington County Courthouse in downtown.

Christmas in Olde Jonesborough continues on Saturday, Dec. 7 with Doggone Christmas. Bring your furry friends for pictures with Santa, treat station and be sure to check out the pet-friendly items at the Christmas Market.

Join us at 1 p.m. for contests including Ugliest Christmas Dog Sweater, Best Holiday Costume and Pet/Owner Lookalike. Donations will also be accepted for the Washington County Humane Society so please bring something to add to the back of the sleigh.

Fun with Frosty & Friends will take place throught the downtown area on Dec. 14. There will be plenty of family fun, including Pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, children’s activities, a Santa Mart, games and more.

A float makes its way down Main Street during Jonesborough’s annual lighted Christmas parade. The town of Jonesborough will celebrate the Christmas season with special events scheduled each Saturday between Nov. 30 and Dec. 21.

The much-anticipated Jonesborough Lighted Christmas Parade will take place that evening starting at 6 p.m. The parade will travel through the festively decorated historic district from Boone Street to Main Street.

The series wraps up on Dec. 21 with the Christmas Church Tour. Stroll through town and visit participating churches in the downtown historic district. See their beautifully decorated sanctuaries and enjoy music, hand bells and more.

Grab a guide at the International Storytelling Center to begin your tour. Each church is located within easy walking distance of downtown. Also, make sure to stop in the shops to get your last-minute gifts while you’re in town.

For more information on Christmas in Olde Jonesborough, call 423.753.1010 or visit www.jbochristmas.com.