The Main Stage Theatre at HART
Directed by Erin McCarson

Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself at Higbee’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking; Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more. A Christmas Story is destined to become a theatrical holiday perennial.

For the last 20 years, this beloved local holiday tradition has ushered in the winter season with a world-class display of folk, drawing in more fans each year. This season, Solstice welcomes a charismatic mix of new and returning artists to perform a seasonal variety show of Celtic, American-roots and world-influenced music — a multifaceted reflection of Appalachian heritage to spread wholesome holiday cheer.

The 2022 line-up welcomes back Robin Bullock, Josh Goforth, Natalya Weinstein & John Miller as Zoe & Cloyd, Phil Jamison, E.J. Jones, and host Doug Orr. New to the celebration this season are storyteller Becky Stone and writer and singer Gina Cornejo.

This heartwarming Broadway-style show will brighten your holiday season. Don’t miss this year’s event featuring performers from western North Carolina and special guest artists performing many of your seasonal favorites. The dazzling performances include dance, live music, and comedy.

On Sundays, December 4 and 18, 2022, visit Asheville Outlets from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for FREE pet photos with Santa by TapSnap Phototainment. Located in the Food Court. Visitors receive one FREE 4” by 6” photo and digital download of a single image (while supplies last). For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

Truman Capote’s beloved short story, A Christmas Memory, will once again be performed as a one-man show by actor and theologian E.R. Haire, Jr. at The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness.

Four shows are set, beginning on Friday, December 16th at 7:30pm. The rest of the schedule includes Saturday, December 17th at 7:30pm, Sunday, December 18th at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. The performances will be held in the Wilderness Room of the Parish House, across Rutledge Drive from the church building at 1895 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock.

This is the 20th year Dr. Haire has performed the story from Los Angeles to Edinburgh, Scotland with many stops in between.

“This story has become a big part of my life and I never really realized it until returning to perform it at home. It brings the story’s poignant message full circle,” said Dr. Haire.

Book by: Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin; Music by: Matthew Sklar; Lyrics by: Chad Beguelin; Directed by: Jeff Catanese

December 2 – December 18, 2022

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30pm, and Thursday December 15 at 7:30 pm

Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to live joyfully in community as he finds and shares his true identity. Elf The Musical is full of cheer with bright costumes, jolly dancing, and show-stopping songs. This heartwarming holiday tale dazzles and delights all ages!

Accessibility:

All performances: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating available.

Saturday, Dec 17, 2022: ASL-Interpreted Performance

A battle so epic, it could only be shown in the dumbest way possible!

Acclaimed local playwright and director Rodney Smith has offered to take the usual holiday fare and turn it on its head by adapting this campy and (unintentionally) funny film from the 1960s for our stage. I’d explain the plot, but there’s not much to it outside the title.

Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just looking for an alternative to Christmas schmaltz, you’re going to laugh and cheer at the bumbling Kinmar, Voldar, Dropo and the sexy Mrs. Candi Clause. And isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

Edvard Tchivzhel, conductor
Rachel York, soprano
Jamarcus Gaston, host
Dancers of the International Ballet

This December, the music and tradition return! Gather family and friends for all your yuletide favorites and some special surprises.

This December, let the Greenville Symphony take you on a journey through NYC led by conductor Edvard Tchivzhel and host Jamarcus Gaston. Feel the holiday spirit from Broadway to Rockefeller Center with festive favorites and special surprises, featuring soprano Rachel York and Dancers of the International Ballet.

Book and Lyrics by Jim Christian
Music by Kenneth Plain

DIRECTED BY CHANDLER SMITH

FIVE CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS

It’s 1954, and five best friends – all named Carol – as they prepare for their annual holiday performance at the local high school on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, egos, miscommunication, and a power outage turn their quest for perfection into a madcap misadventure that somehow manages to salvage their camaraderie and the spirit of the holidays. Bursting with wonderful new songs and lush arrangements of Christmas classics, this riotous romp is heartwarming and absolutely hilarious.

JINGLEJACKS

Four Canadian lumberjacks, isolated in a cabin, are living out their dreams of becoming internet sensations with their Christmas webcast featuring favorite holiday songs sung in the style of barbershop, classical, hip-hop, smooth jazz, rap, glee club, rock, and many more. And just like every pop star wannabe, they hold contests, sell merchandise, and send shout outs to their loyal fans, “The Jackals.” Through it all, their warmth, charm, and quirkiness provide a big ol’ holiday bear hug loaded with traditional song favorites and fresh new melodies.

For one weekend only, we’ll be remounting last year’s production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley! Set two years after Pride & Prejudice, this story centers bookish middle sister Mary as the heroine. As members of the family gather to celebrate Christmas together at Pemberley Estate, a newcomer sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly even love.

While Miss Bennet depicts the Darcys’ Christmas gathering on the ground floor of Pemberley, The Wickhams takes audiences to the downstairs servants’ quarters for that same celebration. Mrs. Reynolds, a no-nonsense housekeeper; Cassie, an eager new maid; and Brian, an inventive footman, are bustling with preparations for holiday guests. But their work is interrupted by the midnight arrival of an unexpected (and uninvited) guest who creates tension in the household, both upstairs and down. The Wickhams is a charming holiday tale that explores the confines of class and the generosity of forgiveness.

Onstage we have Trinity Smith-Keel, Hanni Muerdter, Emily Tucker, Lauren Otis, Mandy Bean, Zak Hamrick, Jason Williams, Aaron Ybarra, Dana Gillihan, Gabby Bailey, and Desmond Williams.

PLEASE NOTE:

ALL PATRONS must wear an N95 or comparable type face mask that covers nose and mouth at all times when inside the theater, except when actively drinking a beverage. Due to the size of the space, social distancing while seated will not be possible, so mask wearing will be strictly enforced.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is back in 2022! The 1¼ hour round-trip passenger excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.

Weather

We encourage guests to plan ahead and stay apprised of the latest weather developments. Cancellations of a POLAR EXPRESS departure because of inclement weather are very rare. If you’re staying in the Gatlinburg/Sevierville, Tennessee area, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service announces road closures and openings on Twitter, or call (865) 436-1200 extension 631 for a recorded message. In such case Highway 441 is closed through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Interstate 40 typically remains open. Use 45 Mitchell Street, Bryson City, North Carolina 28713 as your destination to find an alternate route.

This holiday season, visit Tryon Resort’s Winterfest Village to find festive fun for the entire family. Meet Santa and your favorite Who-ville characters with your Winterfest Village ticket, or come enjoy free live music and character interactions in Legends Plaza. There is something to get every member of the family in the holiday spirit!

Biltmore House glows with candlelight and firelight during this nighttime tour, changing the daytime visit’s mood and experience. Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Biltmore House allows guests to step back in time with an experience reminiscent of the Vanderbilt’s first Christmas spent in Biltmore House in 1895. Musicians stationed throughout the house perform seasonal favorites. Setting the scene is a 55-foot Norway spruce encircled by illuminated evergreens and shrubs sparkling in the center of the front lawn.

A holiday tradition for many mountain families returns to Lake Julian Park (37 Lake Julian Rd. in Arden) in December. Festival of Lights continues with all its illuminated magic and more, as the annual event now finds itself on a mission.

Festival of Lights is a fun, inexpensive way to celebrate the season and make memories. As the original – and longest running – drive-thru holiday light show in the area, is excited to once again turn on the tradition of making spirits bright.

Mark your calendars, Lake Julian Festival of Lights will thrill visitors of all ages, nightly from 6-9 p.m. from Dec. 2-23, with two special walk-thru nights on Dec. 2 & 3. The festival thrives from its connection to the community; twenty percent of proceeds are donated to Special Olympics Buncombe County, while the remaining income is reinvested to enhance the festival for the following year.

Get your tickets for the Walk-Thru Nights

Get your tickets for the Drive-Thru Nights

Visitors can expect the drive circling Lake Julian Park to transform into a magical journey with tunnels of dazzling animated and stationary light displays. Watch the lights twinkle over the lake and listen to your own favorite holiday music while taking in the sights.

Vehicle entry for the Festival of Lights is $10 per passenger vehicle, $25 for large vans, and $50 for motor coaches and buses.

Inclement weather note: December can be month for inclement weather in Buncombe County. Make sure to stay up to date with all the latest information by signing up for alerts and notifications from Buncombe County. Text bcalert to 99411.

A holiday tradition for many mountain families returns to Lake Julian Park (37 Lake Julian Rd. in Arden) in December. Festival of Lights continues with all its illuminated magic and more, as the annual event now finds itself on a mission.

Festival of Lights is a fun, inexpensive way to celebrate the season and make memories. As the original – and longest running – drive-thru holiday light show in the area, is excited to once again turn on the tradition of making spirits bright.

Mark your calendars, Lake Julian Festival of Lights will thrill visitors of all ages, nightly from 6-9 p.m. from Dec. 2-23, with two special walk-thru nights on Dec. 2 & 3. The festival thrives from its connection to the community; twenty percent of proceeds are donated to Special Olympics Buncombe County, while the remaining income is reinvested to enhance the festival for the following year.

Visitors can expect the drive circling Lake Julian Park to transform into a magical journey with tunnels of dazzling animated and stationary light displays. Watch the lights twinkle over the lake and listen to your own favorite holiday music while taking in the sights.

Vehicle entry for the Festival of Lights is $10 per passenger vehicle, $25 for large vans, and $50 for motor coaches and buses. Stay tuned for more information.

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis. Reservations are highly recommended.

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise.

  The Lights!

This year’s show features over a million lights and mixes enchanting new displays with old favorites like the 50ft tree and Quilt Garden. Winter Lights is a walk-through light show with countless opportunities for photos. Use our hashtag #NCWinterLights22 to share the magic!

View the photo gallery here. 

   Live performances

Live performances are scheduled nightly at the Education Center, near Bent Creek Bistro. View the music schedule here.

  Rocky Cove Railroad*

During Winter Lights, our beloved g-scale model train offers nightly service to the North Pole. All aboard!

  Storytime at Woodland Cove

Visit the Education Center for a whimsical window display that follows a young bear’s journey to discover new habitats. This is an educational exhibit that will delight the whole family.

  Gift Shops

Still have a bit of shopping to do for the holidays? our Connections Gallery Gift Shop in the Baker Visitor Center and Winter Lights Shop in the Education Center are open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily, and from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. nightly, during Winter Lights.

  S’mores and Firepits*

If the winter nights turn a bit chilly, cozy up to the fire pits and heaters throughout the gardens.

S’mores kits are available for purchase at the Bent Creek Bistro, where there’s an especially large fire pit for all your marshmallow-roasting needs!

 Wishing Trees

A favorite Winter Lights tradition, the Wishing Trees return this year in a new location! Look for them near Rocky Cove Railroad, and make sure to leave a wish for the coming year.

  Eat and Drink**

Looking for something to warm you up while you stroll? Cocoa, beer, and wine are available at both the Cocoa Shack and Bent Creek Bistro.

View the menu for Bent Creek Bistro

Bent Creek Bistro Hours: Full menu: 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Snacks: 9:30-10:00 p.m.

*The Rocky Cove Railroad and the fire pits cannot run in certain weather conditions, and may be closed without notice.

**Alcohol purchased on-site may only be consumed in the event area and is not permitted in the parking lot or on the trails. Outside alcohol is prohibited at all times, on all parts of the property. This includes the parking lot and trails.

Celebrate the Wonder of Winter with a live-action immersive story-walk on an outdoor trail complete with live characters, lights, music, and a blustery guest; Jack Frost. The Winter Wonder Walk follows the pages of the storybook of Winterland- full of holiday magic for all ages! Guests will set out on a quest through the kingdom of Winterland to find Jack Frost and stop a terrible blizzard while meeting many wonderful characters along the way.
Presented by Mellow Mushroom and created by Asheville Plays, Winter Wonder Walk is hosted by the Adventure Center of Asheville for the 2nd year.
Families can also enjoy a holiday market, a kids’ play area, and a warm festival tent buzzing with local vendors, tasty concessions, and activities for the whole family.Don’t miss out on the Treetops Adventure Park Glow Trail, which will be available for guests age 4 years or older! Climb on two of our AERIAL trails while they are illuminated with thousands of colorful twinkle and laser lights.This is available with a combo pass only!
Doors and festivities open at 5:30 each night.
The Winter Wonder Walk and Glow Trail will open at 6 pm, with the last entrance to the Winter Wonder Walk to be at 8:30.
This event supports our entire community by raising money for meals for Manna Foodbank with our Memories Making Meals program.
Every ticket purchased donates 4 meals!
IT IS A PERFECT WAY TO CELEBRATE THE WINTER SEASON WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
Tickets are $18, 3 and under FREE!
Dec 9-10-11-15-16-17-18

• We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.
• Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign (11/30 – 12/20): Whole Foods shoppers are invited to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. Whole Foods will also match a donation to MANNA when a customer buys a locally made product.

12/18 Asheville Pizza & Brewing
What: Asheville’s Premier Standup Feature & Open Mic comedy
When: Sunday, December 18, 6:30pm
Where: Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., Theater 2
675 Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville (onsite parking)
Tickets: $14
Comedy open mic. [signup at the door to get 3-5m. Free entry for performing comics, free pizza at comics table]
Hosted by Mario Trevizo featuring Moira Goree, Art Sturtevant and Jason Webb

Remember the days when TV was actually GOOD? And remember all those great Christmas music spectaculars hosted by Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and so many others? GUESS WHAT?!?!

RUSS WILSON AND HIS FAMOUS ORCHESTRA are presenting that same great musical entertainment at the Isis Restaurant and Music Hall on December 18th in their 10th Annual Holiday Extravaganza “HAVE YOURSELF A SWINGIN’ LITTLE CHRISTMAS!”

Along with Russ and His All Star Orchestra will be Wendy Jones and an array of special guests bringing a healthy dose of holiday cheer to you. Fun for the entire family. This is THE musical event of the season.

Make your reservations now. Get a good seat – they will go fast.

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis Music Hall. Reservations are highly recommended.

General Admission Tickets are available on line :: Call the venue for Reserved Seating Tickets and Dinner Reservations at 828-575-2737

Main Floor Reserved Tickets are available with dinner reservations only :::: There is a $20 minimum in food and beverage purchases per person with your dinner reservation :::: These are the only main floor tickets available :::: You MUST call venue to make a dinner reservation & purchase your tickets :::: General Admission Tickets are available for the Balcony only :: There is no dinner service for balcony seating.

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY

J RODDY WALSTON

Ring the bells of yuletide hell yeahs! The King of Eggnog No No’s (aka J Roddy Walston) is back with his 2nd annual ‘Christmas to the Bone’ tour! Come and bear witness to new Christmas songs that could only come from natural born strange rangers like J Roddy Walston and the Tennessee Tinsel…. Old classic Christmas songs done at full volume? That’s a big ole holiday yes too!!!   ….but wait there’s more, stick around for an encore that some would call the gift that keeps on giving for fans of J Roddy and his catalog of certified rock and roll bangers!!!! Merry dang Christmas to the Bone America!

12.01 PULP Featuring Katie Hughes plus Comedy Open Mic
What: Stand up Comedy at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge
When: Thursday 12.01.22. 8p-10p, doors at 7:30p
Where: The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $15 (available at door or The Orange Peel Website)
Katie Hughes is an Atlanta-based comedian and writer who Creative Loafing Atlanta named Critics’ Choice Best Comedian & Readers’ Choice Best Celebrity of 2019. Her album “Queen of the Castle” debuted at #1 on iTunes. Katie can be heard frequently on SiriusXM and seen on HBOmax and [adult swim].
Comedy open mic. [signup at the door to get 3-5m. Free entry for performing comics, free snacks at comics table]
Hosted by Cody Hughes.
Katie Hughes Videos:


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