Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Enter the Advent Season with this 24-hour retreat facilitated by Jeannie Dubose. Whether you are in the midst of a sunny stretch or a blue patch, come explore how “Making Room for Joy” can draw you closer to God. We will reflect on the theological context for this topic, as well as addressing how part of accessing our delight includes a willingness to acknowledge our losses. In addition, we will engage music, images, poetry, scripture, and interactive questions — all as portals for awakening, as John O’Donohue says, “to what your heart would love to say.”
Jeannie DuBose is an award-winning author, illustrator, and spiritual director. As an experienced facilitator and retreat leader, Jeannie works with a variety of institutions and groups, including churches, schools, prisons, and wellness centers. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, she received a masters in counseling psychology from Georgia State University, a certificate in spiritual formation from Columbia Theological Seminary, and is an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church, USA.
Jeannie and her husband raised their three children in Atlanta where she worked at Trinity Presbyterian Church as the Director of Spiritual Formation; they currently make their home in Montreat, NC. Jeannie has written and illustrated two memoirs: The Mother Daughter Dance and Tending the Fire: The Story of a Marriage. To learn more about Jeannie’s work, visit www.jeanniedubose.org.
https://www.facebook.com/events/457262801772838/
WALKOUTS @ 10AM
MARCH & STRIKE @ 11AM
Additional details to be announced soon!
REGISTER HERE for updates: bit.ly/avlstrikedec
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With the consequences of climate change becoming ever more clear and dire with each passing day, a new powerful wave of the climate movement has been swelling up over the last couple of years. Young people around the world have been rising up to defend our future, and have been going on strike – every week, all over the planet – for months. In the September
Named for two years by Explore Asheville as one of the top 5 events in the Swannanoa Valley at Christmas, you are invited to come experience 25 Christmas trees that bring joy to the whole community. The public is invited to view the trees and then vote with money for their favorite tree. Every cent raised through Deck The Trees goes to the Fuel Fund for Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry. Be a part of creating something beautiful that also gives back to the community. Prizes are awarded for the tree that raises the most money and for the tree that most represents the theme.
Calendar of Events:
Dec. 6, 2019 – Jan. 6, 2020
Visit Deck The Trees from 10 AM to 9 PM
Dec. 9, 4:30 – 7:00 PM
Photos and a Visit with Santa Claus
$15.00 per photo
Dec. 10, 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Deck The Tree Christmas Tea with Highland Farms
January 6, 2020 6:00 to 8:00
A Final Celebration
-Which tree most represents the theme?
-Which tree raised the most money for the Fuel Fund for Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry?
Capture photos of your friends and family members enjoying the vivid hues of fall and enter them into our photo contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
No additional costs to enter.
The first-place winner will receive an overnight getaway to Hickory Nut Gorge with a stay at the Historic 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa, two passes to the Park, brunch for two at the Historic 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa and two tickets for a tour with Lake Lure Boat Tours.
The contest’s second-place winner will receive two passes to the Park, lunch for two at the Old Rock Cafe and two tickets for a tour with Lake Lure Boat Tours.
Chimney Rock’s Facebook followers will select the People’s Choice Award winner. Followers will have a week to like and share their favorite photo from an album of Winter Photo Contest entries posted on the Park’s Facebook page at facebook.com/chimneyrockparknc. The People’s Choice Award Winner will receive two passes to the Park, lunch for two at Old Rock Cafe and their photo will be featured on the Park’s Facebook page.
Shutterbugs interested in capturing Mother Nature’s wintry beauty can do so by entering Friday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the Park’s winter hours.
All entries must be submitted to [email protected] or to the Parks’ Facebook page through Facebook messenger.
https://www.facebook.com/events/354841472011965/?event_time_id=354841555345290
Show & Tell Pop Up Shop is back this holiday season in one of our favorite Asheville venues, The Asheville Social Hall! Shop our 3-week pop up shop featuring some of the area’s best in handmade and vintage. We’ve curated goods featuring over 125 independent vendors of handmade and vintage goods including clothing, jewelry, decor, greeting cards, and more. HOLIDAY POP UP SHOP November 29 – December 21.Open 10am-8pm daily. Asheville Social Hall, 81 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801. For more details and a full list of vendors visit: https://www.showandtellpopupshop.com/
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling all the way to Asheville Mall! Santa Claus is on his way to Asheville, and we’re celebrating his arrival on Saturday, November 16. Your little elves-in-training are invited to visit Santa at Center Court, near Barnes & Noble and ULTA, to share their Christmas lists and holiday wishes.
Santa will be available from November 16th to December 24th, when he begins his holiday trek around the world. Your elves-in-training can visit with Santa Monday through Saturday from 10am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm, and 6pm to 9pm; and Sundays from noon to 3pm and 4pm to 6pm.
November 16 through December 24, 2019
11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday, Sundays, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. inside Food Court
FREE Santa Photos are back! From November 16th through December 24th, every family who visits Santa will receive two FREE 4”x6” Santa photo prints and a digital download of a single image. Additional photos and Christmas merchandise are available for purchase. FREE Santa Photo is located inside the Food Court and is sponsored by N.C. Arboretum Winter Lights.
Since 2010 master scientific glass blower, Jason Probstein has been presenting live glassblowing demonstrations here at our art gallery.
And once again we are proud to announce that Jason will be blowing his unique Christmas ornaments and glass artworks here at Mountain Made gallery from now to December 23rd, 2019.
Jason will be demonstrating Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. He will also be blowing glass every Sunday from Noon to 2:00 PM.
We invite you come by Mountain Made for a fun, family-friendly event
Join us at Open Hearts Art Center for our Holiday Pop-Up Market! Shop local at the opening party on November 30th from noon to 5PM, and enjoy Hi-Wire Brewing beer, treats, and live music, along with make ‘n take ornaments. If you can’t make it for our opening day, the market will run through December 20th from 10AM to 4PM, and we’ll feature ceramics, cards, gifts, original art, and a 50% off sale on selected items each day. Give the gift of original, local art this holiday season! Open Hearts Art Center is a supportive studio and gallery dedicated to representing and empowering adults with varied abilities to connect to and reach their full potential through the arts. Our website: www.openheartsartcenter.orgarts.people.empowerment
We love participating in the arts, culture & holiday spirit that will fill the streets of Biltmore Village. On Friday December 6th, while waiting for the tree lighting, stop by our gallery to shop for holiday gifts, enjoy hot cider, cookies, and meet artist Pei Ling Becker as she makes festive origami ornaments. More refreshments and demonstrations on Saturday, December 7th! Bill & Dawn Apelian will be carving Old World Santas dressed in Victorian clothing.
Holiday and Gift Books Available for Sale
Friday, Dec. 6, 3-6
Saturday, Dec. 7, 11-4
The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!
A minimum $25 parking charge will be in effect for all overnight and drive on guests (one charge per standard sized vehicle, based on availability.)
The winning creations will be on display Wednesday, November 20, 2019 – January 4, 2020. As a means to preserve the overall guest experience, The Omni Grove Park Inn invites guests that are not staying overnight at the resort to view the display after 3:00 pm on Sundays or anytime Monday through Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays and the following dates: November 27, 28, December 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 and January 1, 2020. Public viewing on December 26 will open at 1:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays are reserved exclusively for guests staying overnight at the resort. Display access is subject to hotel capacity, including pedestrian traffic. Please note that only registered resort pets are permitted on property. No outside pets will be allowed.
Friday, December 6th stop by anytime from 5-8pm…
Boojum Brewing Company will be at XYZ Spirits!
NO Charge and OPEN to the PUBLIC MUST BE 21!
https://www.facebook.com/events/2241966175834440/
FREE DEAD FRIDAYS @ The One Stop
– feat. members of Phuncle Sam acoustic
Join us at The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall every Friday at 5:30PM for our FREE Acoustic Grateful Dead series Featuring members of Phuncle Sam and great drink and food specials.
https://www.facebook.com/events/244820139590703/?event_time_id=244820302924020
Shop local this holiday season! Come support the Refinery’s many artists at this year’s Holiday Market. 
Art MoB Studios & Marketplace will be participating in Hendersonville’s Olde Fashioned Christmas celebration on Friday, December 6, from 5 pm to 8 pm. Stores and galleries In the village stay open late for holiday shopping and entertainment. Dressed as vintage-inspired Christmas characters from the 1800s, Art MoB members will stroll Main Street and pass out candy canes and invitations to come in from the winter chill.
Art MoB will display a tree decorated exclusively with ornaments handmade by artists, and there will also be an array of gingerbread houses designed and created by children ages 5–12. For those who want to come in from the cold, Art MoB will also host demonstrations during Olde Fashioned Christmas and serving up delicious hot cocoa and offering holiday treats.
Art MoB is located at 124 4th Avenue East in Hendersonville. Winter hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 1–4 p.m. on Sunday.
About This Trip
Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip 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.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.
Join us for hot cider, homemade cookies and heartwarming music as we remember departed loved ones through the Tree of Lights and Luminary Memorial Ceremony, Free, The ceremony will take place at First Citizens Bank (the corner of 6th and Main Streets), and then the Tree of Lights will be moved to and remain on display at the Hospice Home Store (215 North Main Street) through the holidays.
Celebrate the holiday season as Tweetsie Railroad transforms into a winter wonderland for Tweetsie Christmas! Enjoy a nighttime train ride among thousands of dazzling lights, meet Santa in his Gingerbread House, larger than life snowglobes to play in, a live Christmas show, and more!
Tickets are for a specific date and train ride time. A limited number of guests are admitted nightly, so advance tickets are strongly recommended. Adults: $44, Children (age 3-12): $38, Children 2 and under: Free
Stop by and enjoy a holiday treat with the Visitor Center’s friendly staff and volunteers. The Visitor Center is open in conjunction with Olde Fashioned Hendersonville Christmas.
Tickets are $1 each. Tickets are non-refundable.
Bouncy House: 1 ticket per session
Bucking Horse: 3 tickets per ride
Carriage Rides: 5 tickets/child (15 or younger) or 10 tickets per adult
Carousel Rides: FREE!
Face Painting: 3 tickets per painting
Petting Zoo Admission: 1 ticket; Pet Food: 2 tickets
Pony Rides: 5 tickets per ride
S’mores: 4 tickets per kit
The Grinch’s Whoville Village: 1 ticket per person
SANTA’S HOUSE: Free Admission
5 tickets/digital photo or 10 tickets/print framed photo
(cash/debit/credit also accepted at Santa House)
ALL ACCESS NIGHT PASS: $20 per person
Good for unlimited ticketed activities from 5pm-10pm good for one Winterfest night; does not include Santa’s House photo
Click here to see EVERYTHING happening at Tryon Resort this holiday season!
Come join the Henderson County Historic Courthouse staff and volunteers for Ye Olde Cashioned Christmas on Friday, December 6 from 5-8pm! There will be a large selection of local books, Henderson County-opoly games and local brass ornaments, including Hendersonville High School, Historic Stepp Mill, the Historic Depot and Historic Courthouse all for sale. Get into the Christmas spirit by listening to carols performed by the Hendersonville High School Bearcat Brass, and enjoy refreshments and hot apple cider!
Come enjoy the holiday lights at Lake Julian Park.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland presented by Ingles
Tryon Resort is thrilled to be the newest location on the Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland circuit. This two-mile journey weaves through hundreds of thousands of animated Christmas lights coordinated to music for an estimated 30 minutes of holiday enchantment. The Wonderland also features giant, custom-built displays of Santa and his pals on vacation in the mountains, hang gliding, rock climbing, ice fishing, lounging around the campfire, and more. This playful portion of the show is sure to please everyone, young to old.
The tour finishes in Tryon Resort’s Winterfest Village filled with more fun for the whole family. The tour is $25 per carload with additional pricing for group vans and buses available. Tickets are available online in advance or at the exhibit entrance, and discount tickets are available at any Ingles location. Tours are self-driven and open from 6pm-10pm seven days a week beginning November 15, 2019 and ending on January 5, 2020.
Choir and orchestra concert of popular carols and new Christmas songs.
Showtimes: Friday & Sunday at 6pm, Saturday at 3pm
Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. Open nightly November 22, 2019 – January 4, 2020, from 6 to 10 p.m. Walk through an outdoor winter wonderland and see the Arboretum’s gardens and landscapes dressed in more than half-a-million holiday lights. Listen to the sounds of your favorite holiday tunes or enjoy a cup of holiday-inspired cocoa, cider or beer.
$18-$8. See website for tickets and specials.
Specials
Friends & Family Discount Night – Tuesdays
Tickets are reduced to $15 for adults and $10 for children. Arboretum members receive an additional $2 off each ticket. (Excludes Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve.)
Available on Thursdays through Saturdays only, this special ticketed event offers visitors the chance to enjoy a holly, jolly ride from downtown Asheville or Biltmore Village to Winter Lights courtesy of The Trolley Company. Upon arrival, guests will receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and access to the Winter Lights. Pick-up is at 6:00 p.m. from the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville and 6:15 p.m. from the DoubleTree Hotel in Biltmore Village. Guests will be dropped back off at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 per person (children 4 & under are free) and can be purchased through The Trolley Company’s website here. (Note: Arboretum member discounts do not apply for this tour). For additional questions, please call Eva Ritchey at The Trolley Company at 828.606.8606.
About This Trip
Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip 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.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.