Christmas and New Years are just around the corner! If you’re coming to enjoy any portion of the holidays at Bear Lake Reserve, we can’t wait to celebrate with you and your family. We have tons of holiday activities and events planned all throughout the season, but here are a few we’re especially excited for!
Santa Visits Bear Lake Reserve – December 17th and 23rd
Santa?! WE KNOW HIM!! So well, in fact, that you and your family have TWO opportunities to meet Santa at Bear Lake Reserve this holiday season! Join us at the Mill Pond Pavilion on December 17th at 2 pm to write a letter to Santa, take pictures with him, and decorate some Christmas cookies. Then, on the 23rd, he’ll be at the Kids Christmas Party at the Lake Club. Join us then from 4pm-5pm to visit Santa, make crafts, and create Christmas cards!
Fireworks in Downtown Sylva – December 17th
Christmas is synonymous with beautiful light displays, and the mountain town of Sylva pays homage every year with a free Holiday Fireworks show. This year’s show is on Friday, December 17th and can be viewed from anywhere on Main and Mill Street. Join us at the Greeter’s Cottage at 5:45 pm to catch one of our sprinter vans into town! We’ll be enjoying the Home for the Holidays Concert near the steps of the famous Courthouse at 6 pm before the fireworks display kicks off at 7:30.
Photo: Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
Ice Skating – December 27th to January 2nd
While I dream of the day Mill Pond properly freezes over so I can play pond hockey on it, Bear Lake Reserve is bringing the next best thing. Our synthetic “ice” rink will be open for skating from December 27th to January 2nd. If you’ve never been ice skating before or are inexperienced, you may find the synthetic rink more forgiving and easier to safely glide to a stop on than a true sheet of ice. So don’t be afraid to enjoy one of winter’s greatest activities with us!
Hot Sauce Concert at The Lake Club – December 31st
The true highlight of our New Year’s Eve celebration at the Lake Club is a performance from the energetic cover/party band Hot Sauce. Their impressive song list, which you can view here, spans multiple decades and genres, from classic rock to new pop hits. Get there at 8 pm so you don’t miss the chance to dance to your favorite song!
Photo: EastCoast Entertainment
The Polar Plunge – January 1st
Polar plunges have become a tradition across the world in which willing participants jump into a very cold body of water, either to celebrate or to raise money and/or awareness for an important cause. Bear Lake Reserve’s Polar Plunge takes place each year on New Year’s Day not only in celebration of the New Year, but to support the Mainspring Conservation Trust. Last year, thousands of dollars were raised to help protect and conserve nature and wildlife in Western NC as more than 30 people jumped in. Join us this year as we hope to do it even bigger!
