Thanksgiving Weekend at Tryon International
For Immediate Release
Sarah Madden for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC - November 17, 2023 - Thanksgiving Weekend at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International) features unending festivities for the whole family to enjoy, from live music and movie nights to ice skating, a drive through light show, a holiday shopping market, and so much more. The weekend kicks off Winterfest presented by Stuller Power Solutions with a flurry of fun for all ages, including ticketed and free activities. Preview all events happening November 23-26 below.
Thanksgiving Brunch: Thursday, 10am-4pm
Skip the hassle and mess of cooking a gourmet meal for your daily and friends this Thanksgiving with a dine-in or to-go experience with Tryon International! For dine-in seatings, choose from four convenient options and enjoy a delicious menu that features all the classics. Kids four and under are FREE! Reservations required in advance.
Firefly Drone Show: Friday, November 24, 7pm
To celebrate the start of Winterfest powered by Stuller Power Solutions, we’re bringing a dazzling Firefly Drone Show to the Tryon Stadium at 7pm on Friday, November 24th! PLUS, join us at 5pm before the drone show for a special showing of the movie Elf. Don’t forget to check out all the fun activities going on all weekend for Winterfest powered by Stuller Power Solutions.
Hundreds of drones will fly over the Tryon Stadium. Flying to the tune of music and soaring in sync to bring stunning visuals, this is a FREE event that is sure to bring goosebumps! Admission to the Firefly Drone Show is FREE! Parking is $10/vehicle with a portion of the proceeds benefiting local charities.
Free Special Events: Daily
The weekend features two Movie Nights in Tryon Stadium: Elf will be shown Friday at 5pm, and Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018) will air at 5pm on Saturday. Both movie nights and drone show attendance are FREE. Carousel Rides will be offered daily from 11am-8pm, and Christy Cashman will host a book signing for her debut novel, The Truth About Horses, from 12-3pm in the Unique Boutique on Friday and Saturday.
Live music can be found throughout the weekend from 1-4pm. On Friday, catch Champagne Charlie on the Legends Plaza stage from 1-3pm. Darin & Brooke Aldridge will grace the stage with two sets on Saturday: 1-2pm and 3-4pm. Hope Griffin will play from 1-4pm on Sunday, November 26. All live music performances are FREE and open to the public, with some seating provided. Lawn chairs are welcome.
Christmas Market:
11am-5pm | November 24-26
Free and open to the public! Shop for everyone on your list this holiday season, with diverse offerings from local and artisan vendors so your shopping will support handcrafted goods and local entrepreneurs. While you shop, let the kids enjoy ice skating, live music, concessions and more. In addition to Tryon International’s onsite shopping throughout Legends Plaza and the Promenade, participating vendors include:
4 Seasons Photos
Bag Lady’s Bags
Cocoa Collections
CTM Designs
Dapper Darling
Diane’s Wreath Designs
Hendersonville Toy Company
Girl in a Barn Leather
Hawleywood Designs
Kimberly Renee Studio
Little Things Mean A Lot
NM Mosaics
Round Bottom Farm
Scentsy
South of Uptown
The River Goat
TLS Global Group
Breakfast and Dinner with Santa: November 24-25
Breakfast with Santa presented by Boyd Automotive will take place in The Ridge, the third floor of the International Pavilion, Friday and Saturday morning with three seatings offered: 8am, 9:30am, and 11:30am. Children four and under are FREE! Reservations are required in advance and seating is limited.
NEW for 2023, Dinner with Santa will be hosted in The Ridge from 6-9pm on Friday evening, with just one seating offered. A delicious meal and time with the big man himself are sure to make the night unforgettable! Reservations are required in advance.
Ice Skating
Thursdays-Sundays, Assorted Times | November 24-January 1
Opening Friday, November 24th at 3pm, Ice Skating in Tryon Stadium will return with hourly time slots available for reservation online or walk-up as available. Skate rentals are included with each reservation, however personal skates are welcome. Skating is open to ages four and up. During Thanksgiving Weekend, it’ll be possible to ice skate while watching your favorite Christmas movies or while enjoying the Firefly Drone Show! Talk about an unforgettable holiday experience.
Friday: 11am - approximately 10pm
Saturday: 10am - approximately 10pm
Sunday: noon - approximately 9pm
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland Drive-Thru Light Show
Daily 6-10pm | November 17-January 1
Load up your vehicle with friends and family and take a cruise through the fan-favorite Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland Drive-Thru Light Show! Featuring hundreds of thousands of dazzling lights dancing to the tune of holiday classics on your car radio, this immersive experience has become a holiday tradition for many. Tickets are per carload, available online or at the gate.
Pro Tips & Parking:
Parking will be $10/car for Fridays-Saturdays 4-9pm starting Thanksgiving Weekend, with a portion of each parking fee going to a local nonprofit. FREE shuttles are available from all parking areas to Legends Plaza.
For the shortest wait times when viewing the Drive-Through Light Show, we recommend:
Choose a weekday to tour the lights and come back on the weekend for Winterfest Village fun!
Book your light show tickets online in advance for the smoothest entry process AND a discount.
Light show lines are always longest right at the beginning of the show - expect shorter lines after 7:30pm.
Light show lines are generally shorter on Fridays and Sundays compared to Saturdays.
The light show looks SPECTACULAR in the rain - and the lines tend to be short! Once you’ve toured the lights, come visit the General Store for a hot cocoa and other warm treats, or stop in one of our restaurants for a delicious dinner.
