Something extraordinary is coming to Asheville this winter! The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville are elated to announce the arrival of Trolls: A Field Study. Visiting on their first North American excursion, these twelve interactive troll sculptures will explore the Arboretum, embarking on a curious journey to learn about humankind.

Produced by Imagine in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, these friendly and fanciful sculptures evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue as they study our small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina. Standing seven to nine feet tall and lovingly described by the artist as “Baby Trolls”, the creatures are crafted from materials like fallen branches, wooden pallets and twigs.

Through their observations, the trolls reveal a fresh perspective on what makes us human, sparking curiosity and laughter in visitors of all ages.

Only cost is the parking fee. No other admission fees.

Bullington Gardens will host its beloved Annual Holiday Greenery and Craft Sale on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville. This festive fundraiser offers visitors the opportunity to shop for fresh, locally sourced holiday greenery and unique handcrafted gifts while supporting Bullington Gardens’ mission of education, horticultural therapy, and community enrichment.
Fresh Fraser Firs & Wreaths. Fraser fir trees, freshly cut in the mountains of North Carolina, will be available in three sizes. Orders may be placed online through November 24 for convenient pickup on December 5 or 6. Visit www.bullingtongardens.org or call 828-698-6104 to order.

Holiday Shopping, Local Flair
The in-person sale will feature decorated wreaths and swags, locally grown holiday plants such as cyclamen, amaryllis, and poinsettias, plus an array of handcrafted, nature-inspired gifts made by Bullington’s own talented “elves.” Shoppers can choose from ornaments, textiles, botanical beauty products, and more — perfect for holiday giving.

A Celebration with Purpose
Come immerse yourself in the sights, scents, and sounds of the season at Bullington Gardens. Every purchase supports educational programs for children and adults, as well as horticultural therapy for individuals with special needs.
For more information, to place greenery orders, or to enter the raffle, visit www.bullingtongardens.org or call 828-698-6104.

Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre presents

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

The Blue Ridge Orchestra rings in the winter season with BRO Revels! 2025: A British Holiday—two festive performances featuring chamber and orchestral works by British composers Handel, Walton, Coleridge-Taylor, Holst, and more, followed by beloved holiday favorites performed by our full orchestra!

While our home at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Hall undergoes its 2-year renovation, we’re grateful to continue our partnership with UNCA students and the surrounding community. This temporary displacement gives us an exciting opportunity to expand our reach—bringing live orchestral music directly to audiences in Weaverville, Swannanoa, and communities across Western North Carolina. This season of giving, please consider supporting our mission to keep great orchestral performances accessible to all.

Details:

Saturday, December 6th, 2025, 3:00 pm
First Baptist Church of Weaverville
63 N Main St.
Weaverville, NC 28787

Sunday, December 7th, 2025, 3:00 pm
Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church
101 Chapel Ln.
Swannanoa, NC 28778

Tickets: $20 General Admission, $15 Students, Free 6 and under

Tuatha Dea combines primal rhythms, melodic and ethereal ballads, and screaming guitar riffs with an Appalachian/Celtic vibe. Born of a family drum circle, they deliver an authentic tribal and clannish feel that not only draws the audience into the music but also into the moment and clan as well. Their rhythmic groove and interaction naturally inspire audience participation, which has become a staple of their performances. From the beginning, the band has embraced its Celtic heritage and meshed the traditional music of Scotland and Ireland with its own bold blend of mainstream rock, mountain drumming, and Appalachian blues to produce a truly unique sound that has a universal appeal! Dubbed “The Eclectic Steam-Punk Partridge Family in Kilts and Corsets” and “The Appalachian Fae”, this band is REAL family!!!

Something extraordinary is coming to Asheville this winter! The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville are elated to announce the arrival of Trolls: A Field Study. Visiting on their first North American excursion, these twelve interactive troll sculptures will explore the Arboretum, embarking on a curious journey to learn about humankind.

Produced by Imagine in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, these friendly and fanciful sculptures evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue as they study our small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina. Standing seven to nine feet tall and lovingly described by the artist as “Baby Trolls”, the creatures are crafted from materials like fallen branches, wooden pallets and twigs.

Through their observations, the trolls reveal a fresh perspective on what makes us human, sparking curiosity and laughter in visitors of all ages.

Only cost is the parking fee. No other admission fees.

The Blue Ridge Orchestra rings in the winter season with BRO Revels! 2025: A British Holiday—two festive performances featuring chamber and orchestral works by British composers Handel, Walton, Coleridge-Taylor, Holst, and more, followed by beloved holiday favorites performed by our full orchestra!

While our home at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Hall undergoes its 2-year renovation, we’re grateful to continue our partnership with UNCA students and the surrounding community. This temporary displacement gives us an exciting opportunity to expand our reach—bringing live orchestral music directly to audiences in Weaverville, Swannanoa, and communities across Western North Carolina. This season of giving, please consider supporting our mission to keep great orchestral performances accessible to all.

Details:

Saturday, December 6th, 2025, 3:00 pm
First Baptist Church of Weaverville
63 N Main St.
Weaverville, NC 28787

Sunday, December 7th, 2025, 3:00 pm
Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church
101 Chapel Ln.
Swannanoa, NC 28778

Tickets: $20 General Admission, $15 Students, Free 6 and under

An Event to Remember: BYOT (Bring Your Own Tots)

The beloved indie classic “Napoleon Dynamite” was made almost 20 years ago. Since then much has changed; but the characters, as enduring as they are endearing, stay in our hearts.

Appealing to the inner-teenager in each of us, the story, and more importantly the dialogue, makes “Napoleon Dynamite” one of the most quoted movies of our time.

Napoleon Dynamite makes us laugh – and laugh hard – over and over again.

This unique evening includes a full screening of “Napoleon Dynamite” followed by a lively, freewheeling, interactive experience with fan-favorite cast members; Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico).

Something extraordinary is coming to Asheville this winter! The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville are elated to announce the arrival of Trolls: A Field Study. Visiting on their first North American excursion, these twelve interactive troll sculptures will explore the Arboretum, embarking on a curious journey to learn about humankind.

Produced by Imagine in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, these friendly and fanciful sculptures evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue as they study our small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina. Standing seven to nine feet tall and lovingly described by the artist as “Baby Trolls”, the creatures are crafted from materials like fallen branches, wooden pallets and twigs.

Through their observations, the trolls reveal a fresh perspective on what makes us human, sparking curiosity and laughter in visitors of all ages.

Only cost is the parking fee. No other admission fees.

Something extraordinary is coming to Asheville this winter! The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville are elated to announce the arrival of Trolls: A Field Study. Visiting on their first North American excursion, these twelve interactive troll sculptures will explore the Arboretum, embarking on a curious journey to learn about humankind.

Produced by Imagine in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, these friendly and fanciful sculptures evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue as they study our small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina. Standing seven to nine feet tall and lovingly described by the artist as “Baby Trolls”, the creatures are crafted from materials like fallen branches, wooden pallets and twigs.

Through their observations, the trolls reveal a fresh perspective on what makes us human, sparking curiosity and laughter in visitors of all ages.

Only cost is the parking fee. No other admission fees.

A powerhouse of blues is stepping into the spotlight—this week’s Nothing But Blues Jam welcomes the legendary Mac Arnold for a night you’ll be talking about long after the last note fades.

This electrifying event happens every Tuesday night! Bill and Peggy will rotate as hosts, generally every other week, and will kick off the evening with a set of Blues tunes starting at 7:30 PM. After their set, it’s your time to shine! We’ll have an open jam session where you can bring your instrument or your voice and perform up to three songs. Don’t worry about bringing a backline; the house band has got you covered. (You will need your own guitar, bass, harmonicas, or sticks.) Musicians and singers can sign up at the event, and we strongly encourage everyone to stick to the Blues genre to keep the vibe

Something extraordinary is coming to Asheville this winter! The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville are elated to announce the arrival of Trolls: A Field Study. Visiting on their first North American excursion, these twelve interactive troll sculptures will explore the Arboretum, embarking on a curious journey to learn about humankind.

Produced by Imagine in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, these friendly and fanciful sculptures evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue as they study our small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina. Standing seven to nine feet tall and lovingly described by the artist as “Baby Trolls”, the creatures are crafted from materials like fallen branches, wooden pallets and twigs.

Through their observations, the trolls reveal a fresh perspective on what makes us human, sparking curiosity and laughter in visitors of all ages.

Only cost is the parking fee. No other admission fees.

What happens when a room full of humans walk on stage with no script… and only Love guiding the moment? Come witness the magic of a Spirited Improv Performance.

A Spirited Improv performance is unlike anything you’ve ever witnessed. More than entertainment, Spirited Improv is an enlivening emergent experience of collective creativity. It’s an improvisational showcase of the human spirit at play with invitations into music-making, dance, singing, acting, costumed silliness, story-telling, and ritual that deeply nourish the heart and soul. It offers a warm, playful, and safe container where laughter, tears, and connection flow freely.

Imagine entering a space where performers have no script, no plan, just a deep trust in Love, in each other, and in the creative aliveness of the moment. As an audience member, you are not just a passive witness; rather, you are part of the alchemy. You are invited to release judgment and practice radical acceptance of yourself and each human in the room, creating an encouraging play space for all. Whether you choose to simply offer your loving presence, share a prompt, tell a story, or step onto stage, you’re woven into the collective experience. What unfolds is spontaneous and sacred, hilarious and healing, shaped by the energy of Love in the room guiding it all.

Past audience member said, “Your spiritual improv was like going to a restaurant for the first time, and having one of the best meals of my life. I LOVED IT and was so grateful to have that unique experience of connection and healing.”

Something extraordinary is coming to Asheville this winter! The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville are elated to announce the arrival of Trolls: A Field Study. Visiting on their first North American excursion, these twelve interactive troll sculptures will explore the Arboretum, embarking on a curious journey to learn about humankind.

Produced by Imagine in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, these friendly and fanciful sculptures evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue as they study our small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina. Standing seven to nine feet tall and lovingly described by the artist as “Baby Trolls”, the creatures are crafted from materials like fallen branches, wooden pallets and twigs.

Through their observations, the trolls reveal a fresh perspective on what makes us human, sparking curiosity and laughter in visitors of all ages.

Only cost is the parking fee. No other admission fees.

By Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten
Presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)

December 11-21, 2025

Thursday, 12/11 at 7:30 (pay what you can available 11/27)
Fridays at 7:30
Saturday at 3 pm
Sundays at 3 pm

Director: Abigail Dover Thomas

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes
Rating: PG due to adult content and mild language.

Four days before Christmas in Tinsel, Texas, a colorful parade of eccentric guests arrive at the Snowflake Inn and deck the halls with holiday hilarity. Trina, the harried yet upbeat innkeeper of this B&B, has more than she can handle coping with these nuttier-than-a-fruitcake lodgers. Hoyt and his sister, Donna Jo, make the mistake of trying to end a thirty-year feud between their curmudgeonly aunts, Ennis and Della, with sidesplitting results. Ainsley and Lenora, self-involved actors from a lower-than-low-budget touring production of A Christmas Carol, descend on the Inn to fulfill a promise, leaving comedic chaos in their wake. Add to this Yuletide mayhem an ill-advised romantic rendezvous between Mrs. Claus and one of Santa’s elves. This demanding guest refuses to leave, not to mention a tipsy housekeeper, and it will take more than a kiss under the mistletoe to keep Trina’s spirits merry and bright. But a spur-of-the-moment Christmas Eve wedding that brings together the fabulous Futrelle sisters—Honey Raye, Twink, Frankie, and Rhonda Lynn—and their best friend, Raynerd, takes a surprising and delightful turn that leads to a laugh-’till-your-sides-ache climax, changing all their lives forever.

Join us for our Annual Holiday Concert, a celebration of the season filled with choral harmonies, candlelight, and joy. Listening to choral music by candlelight is an experience that feels suspended between sound and silence, light and shadow. The soft flicker of candles transforms the space. The usual sharpness of electric light is gone, replaced by something softer and timeless.