Cooleemee Christmas Parade & Old Time Christmas

Saturday, November 28 | 4 p.m. | Cooleemee

For a Christmas celebration with plenty of small-town charm, head to Cooleemee on Saturday, November 28, for the Cooleemee Christmas Parade and Old-Time Christmas.

The celebration begins at 4 p.m. as the Christmas Parade makes its way from Cooleemee Elementary School through town to the historic Zachary House.

But don’t leave when the parade ends — that’s when the second half of the celebration begins.

Head to the Zachary House for Old-Time Christmas, a longtime Cooleemee tradition that slows things down and celebrates the simple pleasures of the season.

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, listen to readings of the Christmas Story and ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, and warm up with homemade desserts, hot chocolate, and cider.

Who Makes the Best Fudge?

There’s a little friendly competition involved, too!

The Cooleemee Fudge Contest returns as part of Old-Time Christmas. Originally started by retired Cooleemee Mayor John Chandler in the early 2000s, the contest has become one of the celebration’s sweetest traditions.

All types of fudge are welcome, and the entries become part of the dessert table for everyone to enjoy. The winner receives bragging rights — along with their name engraved on the official fudge contest trophy.