BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Christmas is chugging its way back into the Blue Ridge Mountains as Tweetsie Railroad hosts its 2021 Tweetsie Christmas event.

The event starts Friday, November 19 and continues on select nights, opening at 5 p.m., through December 30.

The park will be closed Thanksgiving eve, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

“We are very excited to celebrate the holidays and make memories. This is the fifth year we’ve lit up the park and fired up our historic steam locomotive for Tweetsie Christmas,” said Cathy Robbins, director of marketing.

Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of holiday themed events, including a 20-minute train ride along a three mile route lined with roughly 1 million Christmas lights, a tour of Santa’s gingerbread house, a variety show at Tweetsie Palace, roasting marshmallows and s’mores over open-air fire pits, taking a walk along the holiday-illuminated Main Street, shopping and more. And of course, families will be able to speak to and make photos with the man in red himself, Santa Claus.

Children are also encourage to bring a letter to Santa to place in his mailbox.

“It will be a very magical experience,” said Robbins. “We hope everyone will make plans to visit the park to celebrate the holidays.”

Guests are advised to dress warmly as many attractions are located outside, including the open-air train ride.

Tweetsie Railroad says it will be following current CDC guidelines to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Guests are also asked to wear masks while indoors, and a protective clear snowflake shield will be in place to protect guests and Saint Nick at all times, according to a release.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.