Visit Hillsborough, North Carolina. The perfect weekend getaway. The Perfect day trip. Visit Hillsborough, a Unique southern town. Founded more than 250 years ago. Explore over 100 historic homes and structures. Take in the beautiful, historic architecture. Stroll on the scenic Riverwalk greenway. Hike to the top of Occoneechee Mountain. (Hillsborough is) A haven for artists and writers. Unique shops and restaurants you can’t find anywhere else. Great food, great beer, great people. The perfect weekend getaway (or) escape. Explore for the day, or extend your stay. Delicious (and/or) award winning, locally owned pubs and restaurants. America’s little literary town. America’s coolest small town. No ordinary small southern town. The (or) A Small town with BIG History. Variations: It’s just a stone’s throw; A charming southern getaway. It’s just a stone’s throw to a charming, southern getaway on the banks of the Eno River.
Kelly of @historichillsborough and Meighan Carmichael of @hillsboroughregroup joined Aaron Keck and @wchlchapelboro to chat more about Holiday Happenings in Hillsborough! There’s so much to do - Jingle and Joy weekend starts this Saturday, and Homes for the Holidays Gingerbread Competition begins on Sunday!
But the fun in Hillsborough doesn’t end there - once you’re finished visiting Santa, shopping for gifts, or dining out, check out some of the nightlife Hillsborough has to offer! Eryk Pruitt of @yonderbarnc walks you through it - check out the link in our Bio to read Eryk’s article and listen to Meighan and Kelly talk about holiday fun in town!
Dec 4
🎄✨ Jingle and Joy Holiday Weekend | December 6 to 7, 2025 ✨🎄
Celebrate the season in Hillsborough with two full days of festive fun for the whole community. Come enjoy the sparkle, music, and traditions that make this time of year special.
🎅 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Start the excitement at the Hillsborough Visitor Center with Photos with Santa, a cozy Reading with Mrs. Claus at 3:00 PM, a Multicultural Holiday Fair, free yard games, and sweet treats for sale.
At 5:00 PM, gather with the Color and Light Community Choir and walk together to the Historic Orange County Courthouse for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Watch downtown come alive as the lights turn on for the season. 🎄
✨ From 3 to 8 PM, step into Hillsborough’s past with the Tinsel and Traditions Home Tour. This ticketed experience offers a fresh take on the classic Candlelight Home Tours and gives guests a chance to explore local history in a warm, welcoming setting.
🎄 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
Wrap up the weekend with one of Hillsborough’s most loved traditions: the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade, complete with music, floats, and cheerful surprises.
The Running of the Elves begins at 4:00 PM, followed by the parade at 4:20 PM.
For details, check the link in our bio.
🎟️ Tickets are needed only for the Tinsel and Traditions Home Tour.
All other activities are free!!
Dec 2
🦃 Happy Thanksgiving Hillsborough! There’s a lot going on this weekend!
⭐️The final Last Fridays of 2025! This includes a free make your own paper lantern workshop at Snow Approach from 6-8pm. @hillsborougharts
✨It is also Small Business Saturday on November 29 - don’t forget to shop and dine small this weekend and during the holidays!
Nov 27
Just a reminder that this Saturday, November 29th is small business Saturday! ✨✨✨✨
Hillsborough is so lucky to have a range of unique and high quality local shops, restaurants, and bars in town. It’s always important to shop local, but shopping on Small Business Saturday is an extra special way to show your support.
This is also a great time to get those holiday gifts knocked out early! 👀
Nov 26
Happy Friday Hillsborough! Here are a few fun festive things going on this weekend ✨
⭐️Color and Light Community Choir Sing-along Fundraiser | November 22, 4pm | Eno House
@enohouseig
🎁Drop-in Card Making Workshop at Margaret Lane Gallery | November 22 between 10-4
@margaretlanegallery
⭐️Make and Take Folded Star Ornaments at Bull Town Fabrics | Nov 21 3-5pm and Nov 22 2-4pm
@bulltownfabrics22
As always, Hillsborough’s many shops, bars, and restaurants are ready to welcome you for the holiday season! Click the link in our bio for more information.
Nov 21
There’s a new store open in downtown Hillsborough! @provencookbooks ✨ It’s called Proven, and it’s a store for curated cookbooks and culinary essentials! Located in a beautiful space, Proven has everything a home cook could want. There’s a whole cookbook shelf, along with a ton of cool accessories and tools to use in the kitchen.
📍 Proven is located at 110 West Margaret Lane here in Hillsborough
🎂 Proven is open Wednesday to Friday from 11-6, Saturday from 10-4, and Sunday from 12-5.
Go stop by and say hello!
Nov 20
Did you see the awesome article about Hillsborough’s Homes for the Holidays gingerbread contest in @chapelhillmag ? Homes for the Holidays is an annual event held at participating businesses here in Hillsborough. Incredible gingerbread houses are displayed in store windows between Dec 7 and Jan 5, and you can vote for your favorite through Dec 20!
Registration is now open, so if you fancy yourself an aspiring gingerbread artist, check out the registration link at the @hillsborough.chamber website!
Nov 18
The holiday season has started in Hillsborough! Here are a few festive things going on this weekend ✨
🌲 Hillsborough Holidsy Bazaar organized by @ocncarts | Saturday November 15 10am-4pm
A fun holiday market on the Courthouse Lawn with craft vendors, art, entertainment, food, beverages, and more!
✨ Solstice Lantern Walk Felting Lantern Workshop organized by @hillsborougharts | Sunday November 16 at 1pm
A fun workshop where you can learn the art of wet felting while creating a one of a kind glowing lantern!
🎁 Young Entrepreneur and Kids Craft Fair organized by @enoriverfarmersmarket | November 15 10-12pm
Pick up some cool crafts from over 30 kids craft booths at the Eno River Farmer’s market this weekend!
🎅🏼 Special holiday events at @jeanniewho @pawsatthecorner @reinvintaged20 and @bulltownfabrics22
And exciting news, registration is open for the annual Homes for Holidays gingerbread event!
For more information on holiday happenings and how you can shop and dine small this holiday season, visit the link in our bio!
Nov 14
Dwell is a thoughtfully curated home and life shop in downtown Hillsborough! You can find so many beautiful treasures at Dwell - candles, stationary, beauty products, decor, and so much more. Everything is picked with an eye for blending the vintage, the new, and the local.
✨ Dwell is open Monday to Thursday from 11-5, Friday from 11-6, Saturday from 10-6, and Sunday from 12-5
🤎 You can find them at 107 N Churton Street in downtown Hillsborough!
Nov 12
🎄✨ Jingle & Joy Holiday Weekend | December 6–7, 2025 ✨🎄
Hillsborough invites you to unwrap the magic of the season during our Jingle & Joy Holiday Weekend! This festive two-day celebration is packed with cheer for all ages.
🎅 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Kick off the holiday fun at the Hillsborough Visitor Center with Photos with Santa, Reading with Mrs. Claus (3:00 PM), Photos with Santa (3:15 - 4:45 PM), a Multicultural Holidays Fair, free yard games, and delicious treats for sale! 🎅🏼
At 5:00 PM, join the music with the Color and Light Community Choir in a group procession to the Historic Orange County Courthouse for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, where we’ll light up downtown with holiday spirit! 🎄
The Tinsel & Traditions Home will take place 3–8 PM. With the purchase of a ticket, you can step inside Hillsborough’s history with this reimagined take on the beloved Candlelight Home Tours. 🕯️
🎄 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
End the weekend with one of Hillsborough’s favorite traditions: the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade, filled with floats, music, and merry surprises for the whole family!
Kick off with the afternoon with the Running of the Elves at 4:00 PM and watch the floats go by starting at 4:20 PM.
For more info, see the link in our bio!
🎟️ Tickets are required only for the Tinsel & Traditions Home Tour.
All other events are free and open to the public.
Tree lighting and parade photos by @copperkeyphotonc
Nov 7
Does anybody remember Holiday Home Tours from years past in Hillsborough? Well @historichillsborough is offering a fresh new take with Tinsel and Traditions Holiday Home tours! 🎄
❄️ With the purchase of a ticket, you will be able to explore six of Hillsborough’s historic private residences and learn about holiday celebrations from years past!
⭐️ For more information and a link to purchase tickets, check out the link in @historichillsborough ‘s bio
Nov 4
