Selecting a tree from one of the best NC Christmas tree farms is a memorable tradition for many Tar Heel state families and children. Examining every bough for perfection in the crisp winter air while sipping a cup of hot chocolate is an experience every child should have. Your family adventure is made even merrier and brighter as some of the best NC Christmas tree farms go the extra mile. You’ll find winter hayrides, carriage rides, train rides, and even professional photographers ready to capture a photo of your family with Santa.
NC Christmas Tree Farms in the Mountains
The ever-popular evergreen — the Fraser Fir — is native to the North Carolina mountains. That’s why some of the best NC Christmas tree farms are in the scenic frost-capped hills of western NC.
Tom Sawyer’s Christmas Tree Farm and Elf Village (Lake Glenville, NC)
Can you imagine anything more magical for your young children than taking home a Christmas tree from a bona fide elf village? Tom Sawyer’s Christmas Tree Farm offers precisely that. Hills, ponds, and Fraser Firs stretch across this 80-acre farm speckled with elf-sized cabins. On weekends in November and December, your family will enjoy horse and carriage rides and a visit with the big man in red himself: Santa Claus! Features include:
- Choose ‘n Cut Christmas trees
- Elf Village
- Santa Claus
- Horse and carriage rides
- Scenic views
- Gift shop
- Dogs OK on leash
Go ahead and make your reservation now — Tom Sawyer's is one of the NC Christmas tree farms only open during select dates in November and December.
Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm (Waynesville, NC)
The Boyd Mountain Farm has been in the Boyd family for over 100 years. That means they’ve got quality down to a science. If you’re looking for a selection from of the most picturesque NC Christmas tree farms for this year’s cards, you’ll find it here. Make a weekend out of it by staying at one of Boyd Mountain’s seven hand-hewn log cabins. With 150 acres of mountain trails and Christmas trees, you’ll make your children’s holiday season memorable. Features include:
- Choose and cut Christmas trees
- Choose and they cut and tie to your vehicle
- Santa Claus on weekends in November
- Vacation rental cabins
- Wreaths
- Free refreshments at the hospitality tent
The 2024 Choose ‘n Cut is one of the most popular NC Christmas tree farms and available the following dates:
- November 21st, (Opening day), Nov. 22-24
- November 26 to December 1
- December 3-8
- Santa Dates November 23, 24, 29, 30 and December 1
NC Christmas Tree Farms in the Piedmont
Situated between the massive NC Christmas tree farms of the mountains and the cedar and cypress farms of the coast, families in the piedmont have their pick of the litter without having to travel very far.
Kids love to sample the seasonal treats at nearby Christmas Tree Farms. With a little coaching, you might even get them to try something new!
Boyce Farms (Raleigh, NC)
It's Christmas time in the city! You don’t have to leave the capital to get a fresh and fragrant tree. In addition to pre-cut Fraser Firs from the North Carolina mountains, Boyce Farms lets visitors choose and cut from beautiful a selection of Raleigh-grown white pines, Leyland cypresses, and Carolina Sapphire Arizona cypress trees. Features include:
- Precut Christmas trees
- Choose and cut
- Wreaths and roping available for purchase
- Flocking services for Fraser Firs (flocking is the process of adding a white coating to resemble snow)
Boyce Farms is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 PM and weekends 9 AM to 7 PM.
Dean’s Farm Market (Wilson, NC)
Self-acclaimed as “some of the best Agritourism NC has to offer,” and easily one of the most fun NC Christmas tree farms, Dean’s Farm Market is much more than a store to buy a Christmas tree. It’s a family farm with activities for all ages, summer camps, fresh produce and a farm-to-table kitchen. As the hayrides die down and the holidays gear up, you’ll find that Dean’s is chock full of Christmas spirit. Keep an eye on their Events Calendar for kids’ activities and wreath making classes. Features include:
- Precut Christmas trees
- Wreath making classes
- Host a party at this venue
- More events to be announced
Noble’s Christmas Tree Farm (Kinston, NC)
For those of you looking to get down to business, Noble’s Christmas Tree Farm is one of the best choose and cut NC Christmas tree farms in this part of the state. Fill your holiday with the refreshing and nostalgic scent of White Pine, Blue Cedar or Leyland Cypress Christmas trees and wreaths. Features include:
- Choose and cut Christmas trees
- Made-to-order wreaths and garland
Noble's is one of the NC Christmas tree farms that tends to open the day after Thanksgiving, and it is best to go early, as trees tend to run out quickly at Noble’s.
Helms Christmas Tree Farm (Vale, NC)
Helms is one of the eminently popular NC Christmas tree farms in the Charlotte area. Charlotte-area families, add this to your Christmas adventure list, because the farm always features entertaining kid's activities, like train rides, wagon rides and Santa visits! Cut your own tree, buy from the lot, or have the staff dig up a tree — ball & bag — for planting at home. Although its elevation is too low to grow the Frasier Fir, Helms stocks fresh cut Frasier Firs from nearby farms. Features include:
- Multiple varieties of trees
- Cut your own
- Ball & bag (a live tree for replanting)
- Train rides
- Wagon rides
- Santa visits
Helms generally opens the week before Thanksgiving — check their website for up-to-date availability and selections..
NC Christmas Tree Farms on the Coast
Fraser Firs don’t grow on the coast, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a live Christmas tree to fill your beach house with a fresh pine scent. Here are the best NC Christmas tree farms and retailers on the coast of NC.
Give the kids the special task of finding an ornament to help them remember this family adventure for years to come. Many Christmas tree farms have markets where you can shop for locally-made crafts, tree trimmings and ornaments.
Barr Evergreens Christmas Tree Lot (Wilmington, NC)
Barr Evergreens grows all their gorgeous Fraser Firs on the Barr Family Farm in the mountains of North Carolina. Every year, they cut and transport the finest Christmas trees to retailers all over North Carolina, including Wilmington (where tree growing isn’t easy). Find the perfect pre-cut tree at their brand new (as of 2023) lot, located at 37 Covil Avenue. Just be sure you get there before they sell out! Features include:
- Precut Christmas trees
- Wreaths and garland
Check Barr Evergreens' Facebook page for details about their 2024 opening dates.
Booth’s Christmas Tree Farms (Conway, SC)
While it’s not technically in North Carolina, Booth’s grows beautiful Christmas trees on their family-owned and operated 50-acre farm just south of the border. Though they don’t grow in South Carolina, Fraser Firs are brought to Booth’s from North Carolina farms in the mountains. Expect exceptional beauty at Booth’s. With a professional photographer on site during these dates and hayrides starting on Thanksgiving Day, there are plenty of memory-making opportunities here. Features include:
- Choose and cut Christmas trees
- Precut Christmas trees
- Scheduled deliveries and home set-up for an additional fee
- Winter hayrides on the weekends
- Professional photographer on certain dates (check website above for updates)
Check Booth's Facebook for 2024 opening dates.
Justice Farms (Jacksonville, NC)
One of the smallest NC Christmas tree farms, the 10-acre family farm, Justice Farms offers choose and cut red cedar, Leyland cypresses, and white pines. If you must have a classic Fraser Fir, you can grab a pre-cut North Carolina-grown tree at Justice, too. Visit Santa’s shop for all your decorating needs. Features include:
- Choose and cut Christmas trees
- Precut Christmas trees
- Live wreaths and garlands
Justice Farms will start selling Christmas trees on Thanksgiving Day in 2024.
Did we leave out one of the most epic NC Christmas tree farms you've ever attended? Let us know your family tradition by tagging us on Instagram @carolinatravelr.
