Last Updated on November 18, 2025 10:07 am
VALLE CRUCIS, NC — The Valle Crucis Community Council is excited to announce Valle Glow, a joyful holiday event set for Friday, November 21, 2025, at the historic Apple Barn and Holy Cross Episcopal Church grounds. This festive gathering, made possible by generous community support and local sponsorships, invites everyone to come together for an evening of warmth, wonder, and resilience.
A Season to Shine After the Storm
Last year, Hurricane Helene cast a shadow over our Christmas celebrations, leaving heartbreak and hardship in its wake. But research shows that experiencing happiness and finding joy — in community, art, nature, and other ways — plays a vital role in recovery and building resilience after disaster. Valle Glow is our answer: a night to reconnect, uplift one another, and make memories that shine brighter than any storm.
Event Highlights
3:00 PM — Holiday Market Opens: Discover unique, handcrafted gifts and festive treats from local artisans inside the Apple Barn
4:30–6:00 PM — Santa Visits: Snap a photo and share a wish with Santa himself at the Apple Barn!
6:15 PM — Welcome: Gather in the cul-de-sac below Holy Cross for brief remarks from Community Council representatives
6:30 PM — Tree Lighting & Caroling: Gather around the 50-foot Norway spruce, watch as Santa lights the tree, join in classic carols led by local choirs, and warm up with hot beverages and cookies
8:00 PM — Market Closes: Take home a little Valle Glow of your own
Community Connections, Local Heart
This event has been made possible by the dedication and generosity of the public, most of whom are our Valle Crucis neighbors. Special thanks go to Wren's Nest, whose owners, Brett Clement and Warren Keyser, saw their garden and landscaping business devastated by Hurricane Helene but still stepped forward to donate a significant portion of the event's cost. “After losing our shop, the community came out to help us rebuild, so supporting this community means everything to us. Valle Glow is about hope, and we're thankful we can support it,” Clement said.
The Community Council is also deeply grateful to Blue Ridge Energy for volunteering a crew to help Luminescence Unique Outdoor Lighting illuminate the tree; to Pearl's Kitchen and Stick Boy Bread Company for providing hot drinks and cookies; to the Valle Crucis Conference Center for providing use of the Apple Barn, parking, and help from their staff; to Mast General Store for donating and supplying Santa's treats for kids; and to several local church choirs for filling the event with glorious music.
Join Us and Help Spread the Joy
The entire Valle Crucis community and our friends throughout the High Country are warmly invited to gather, celebrate, and glow with us. Media outlets are encouraged to cover our story of resilience, generosity, and holiday spirit.
Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food to donate and/or contribute to the community cookie table (please sign up to bring cookies here).
For more information, or to arrange interviews or coverage, please contact Erin Welsh at emthompson1981@gmail.com or Alyson Browett at abrowett@gmail.com.
Let's make Valle Glow a night to remember, for everyone and for every reason we have for joy.
The event will proceed rain, shine, or cold. Bundle up, bring a chair if you want to sit, and show your holiday spirit!
In operation since 1987, the Valle Crucis Community Council is a group of residents and property owners elected by their peers who make community-driven recommendations to the Watauga County Commissioners and work with other partners to preserve and celebrate Valle Crucis — a place of natural beauty, historic significance, and strong community spirit. Through dedicated stewardship, the Council strives to support sustainable growth that protects the area's rural character, conserves its natural environment, and honors its rich history. The Council is a highly collaborative and dedicated team, coming together to serve and strengthen our community.
