Merrier in Moore Pinehurst North Carolina Sandhills

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‘Merrier in Moore’: The North Carolina Sandhills

By: TLP's Partners

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Moore County may be known for its award-winning golf and small-town charm, but the Sandhills region of North Carolina is also the perfect backdrop for a holiday season filled with magical memories. The holidays are the shared moments we remember most and celebrate best, especially here in our small towns reminiscent of Hallmark Christmas movies. Whether you are visiting friends and family or looking for the perfect holiday getaway, Moore County has something for everyone

With a vast variety of festive celebrations in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen area, we invite you to celebrate Merrier in Moore in our small towns!

Ashtens at Christmas in North Carolina Sandhills

A Thanksgiving morning tradition in the Sandhills, the Blessing of the Hounds is a celebration of the area’s equestrian culture. Each year the event draws thousands of people to Southern Pines to witness a pack of foxhounds and mounted hunt staff, dressed in all their riding splendor, follow the trail in this fox-friendly mock hunt. An event you don’t want to miss.

A long list of Christmas parades and tree lighting ceremonies happening from late November into early December provide families with memory-making events.

Moore County’s three-day Festival of Trees, benefitting Sandhills Children’s Center, is held the week before Thanksgiving in the Carolina Hotel and hits the sweet spot for many. Wall-to-wall trees, decked from trunk to star in original themes, dreamed up by local designers, await their permanent homes.

Looking for live performances? Our holiday shows include The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and more. The Carolina Philharmonic Holiday Pops concert and the Holiday Pops with the N.C. Symphony highlight our holiday musical events.

One of the best ways to experience holiday magic is aboard the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway’s Carolina Christmas Train, which whisks away passengers aboard a historic passenger car on a 50-minute round-trip journey through the heart of North Carolina. Their destination: the oldest and highest railroad bridge in Montgomery County. Each section of the Carolina Christmas Train features different decorations so that every space has its own distinct, festive feel.

First Eve in Southern Pines, North Carolina

If you are into the arts, catch a number of live traditional holiday shows at local theaters and performance centers throughout the Sandhills.

To experience some holiday cheer, visit our local breweries, wine shops, BHAWK distillery and cider house.

The Sandhills offers the perfect backdrop for your holiday party. A number of our restaurants offer private space for families and groups. And nothing says holiday fun like a special Foodie Tour! Think beyond roasted chestnuts and fig pudding to the culinary delights the Sandhills has offer. Foodie Tours cooks up something special and unique every holiday season but they fill up fast, so book early.

End the year with a picturesque moment at the First Eve Celebration in downtown Southern Pines. The pinecone drop ceremony happens at 8pm and is perfect for family and friends of all ages. You’ll have plenty of time to get home and into your jammies or celebrate later at one of local establishments.

To see a complete list of holiday things to do including options for dining, shopping and accommodations, visit the Merrier in Moore website for more information.