Brevard, North Carolina, the little mountain town which I’m lucky enough to call home, is a fabulously quirky place. We have a festival for just about everything (not unlike Stars Hollow, for those of you who’re Gilmore Girls fans).

My very favorite festival of the year is the Twilight Tour, and this year it’s this coming Saturday, December 6, from 4 – 9 p.m. Streets are blocked off downtown, and it quite literally becomes a winter wonderland. The town Christmas tree is decorated and lit, carolers sing, there are fire bowls and S’Mores, sleigh and train rides, an elf’s workshop, delicious food, coffees, a visit from Santa himself, and more. (In the past there’s even been an ice luge for the little ones.) Shops are open late for the night. And, of course, there’s music. When the sun sets, luminaries lining the streets are lit, and the white twinkle lights gracing every tree and lamppost make it seem as if you’re at the North Pole itself.

We always watch the Christmas Parade as it passes through our neighborhood, then walk downtown to meet up with friends and enjoy the festival. There’s really nothing quite like it to kick off the holiday season, and I do hope if you’re in the neighborhood, you’ll join us.

For more information, check out the 2014 Twilight Tour Facebook page here.