To support local nonprofits during this holiday season, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County has compiled a list of volunteer and donation opportunities happening in our community in November and December.

If you are searching for ways to give to folks in need, by making a donation or giving some of your time to help out, please visit: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, and we will get back to you with more information. Our response email will include a link which will give you access to a list with a variety of options you can choose from. Since new opportunities are being added every day, we encourage you to frequently check the list, especially if you did not find what you are looking for at the time.

We appreciate you and all that you do for our community. Please keep it up, especially for this holiday season.

Participating Organizations:

• ABCCM South
• Asheville High School/SILSA
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Erwin Middle School
• Montmorenci United Methodist Church
• United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

*Note, this list will grow as new opportunities come in! 

In order to receive details about these opportunities, simply

1. Click the blue “respond” button above. visit this site: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe
2. After responding, you will receive a confirmation email with more information and a link to access the list of opportunities. 
3. Remember, this list will be updated frequently, so make sure to check back frequently!

Home for the Holidays at Marked Tree is an annual Holiday Event in Henderson County for the entire Month of December. The month-long event kicks off each year on the day after Thanksgiving with the lighting of OTTO, rumored to Western NC’s largest Oak Tree! Otto was dressed in 2022 with over 6K lights! A modern lit holiday landscape drive-thru begins that night! Daily during December, guests can drive or hike around the property enjoying lighted vignettes around the landscape – in the meadow, the pines, the winery shed, Otto, and the Ghost House.
Starting on November 24th, Marked Tree will bring holiday cheer with weekly Holiday music performed by local musicians, carolers, and the Hendersonville Symphony. Holiday music will happen from 4:30pm-6:30pm on 11/24, 11/25, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16, and 12/23. For more information on who is preforming each night, visit their website, www.markedtreevineyard.com. Also, while you are enjoying the Holiday lights and music, stop by Marked Tree to pick up your Holiday Gift baskets- everyone loves the gift of wine!

Twirl and glide into the holidays with the Ice Skating Rink in the renowned Tryon Stadium! Whether you’re holding hands with a special someone, skating side by side with friends, or helping a child take their first wobbly steps on the ice, the experience is sure to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Twirl and glide into the holidays with the Ice Skating Rink in the renowned Tryon Stadium! Themed skates, live music and more will make each experience special.

Reservations include one hour of skating time, with skate rentals included. Outside skates are permitted as well. Open to ages 4 and up. Reserve skating time slots in advance online, or purchase at the gate as available.

Miracle on Main Street will take over Chimney Rock Smokehouse from November 24 to December 31st. Featuring craft cocktails, tons of decor, award winning bbq, and weekly events. This place will make even the Grinch smile.

Daily | November 17-January 1

Load up your vehicle with friends and family and take a cruise through the fan-favorite Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland Drive-Thru Light Show! Featuring hundreds of thousands of dazzling lights dancing to the tune of holiday classics on your car radio, this immersive experience has become a holiday tradition for many. Tickets are per carload, available online or at the gate.

the biggest holiday icons await you in the Winterfest Village! People of all ages can
snap a photo, share a laugh, and make memories with famous Christmas characters. From face painting and carousel rides to shops
and more, Winterfest Village holds magic around every corner, for all ages. Some items ticketed.

From now until January 2, more than 40 beautiful Christmas trees will be on display at shops and businesses throughout the Swannanoa Valley, as part of the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry (SVCM) ‘Deck the Trees’ fundraiser. The largest display will be at the Monte Vista Hotel, 308 West State Street, in Black Mountain. The trees have been creatively decorated by individuals, organizations and businesses in the community, around this year’s theme, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Each tree has a collection box beside it, and you can “vote” for your favorite trees by placing money or a check in the box.

All proceeds from Deck the Trees benefit the SVCM Fuel Fund. With the rising cost of electricity, oil, natural gas, propane and wood, many of our neighbors can’t afford to heat their homes during the cold winter months, and the Fuel Fund is there to help. Since its inception in 2011, Deck the Trees has raised more than $250,000 for the fuel fund. Participating in this annual fundraiser is a way to give back to the community, while enjoying a beautiful holiday display.

To visit the trees in person, look for a Deck the Trees logo in the windows of participating stores and businesses. You can also download a list of tree locations, or see photos of the trees and vote online, at svcmblackmountain.org/deckthetrees.

Spread Joy this Holiday Season: Support a YWCA Family Through Angel Tree.

Our Virtual Angel tree is up for this holiday season. This gift tree provides our broader YWCA community a path to join us as we aim to support our program participants and their families with a holiday season full of love and support. If you would like to support a family this holiday season please click here or email Holly Olsen, Director of Women’s Empowerment to get the details of how you can fulfill a family’s holiday wish.

Programs Served by the Angel Tree:

• MotherLove
  YWCA’s MotherLove program supports pregnant and parenting teens throughout Buncombe County. Our goals are to help young parents to stay in school and graduate, access higher education and vocational training, develop the skills and knowledge needed to become strong parents and delay another teen pregnancy.

• Getting Ahead In a Just Getting By World
  YWCA’s Getting Ahead program aims to provide financial empowerment for low-income women of all ages and backgrounds to make choices that positively impact themselves, their families, and their community.

• Early Learning Program
  YWCA’s Early Learning Program provides 5-star childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Our experienced and compassionate teachers not only provide exceptional care for little ones, but also prepare young children to succeed cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. We prioritize families using childcare vouchers or caring for children in the foster care system.

• Empowerment Childcare
  The YWCA provides up to 12 hours of free childcare per week for parents who are in transition, continuing their education, accessing social services, or looking for employment. ECC works closely with the Family Justice Center, Buncombe County Health and Human Services, A-B Tech, Green Opportunities, and Mary Benson House.

Immerse Yourself in the Magic

Included with admission—Bask in the glow of a glittering cascade of lights illuminating trees, buildings, and the pathways that connect the unique shops, restaurants, and Winery in Antler Hill Village. Experience this must-see part of the Christmas at Biltmore tradition, which includes festive displays adorning Ciao! From Italy and our relaxing Winery, where complimentary tastings await.

Christmas Daytime Celebration

Candlelight Christmas Evenings

This holiday season, local Asheville Chef Jacob Sessoms’ Golden Hour at The Radical has an array of festive offerings, including merry and bright sips and eats on Christmas Day, a prix-fixe Christmas Day feast of festive delights, New Year’s Eve specials like a 1.5-pound Wood Grilled Whole Lobster and more! Please see below for details, here for photos, and let me know if you have any questions. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

– Christmas Eve, Sun., Dec. 24, 4-9pm – Let Golden Hour do the cooking this Christmas Eve! The restaurant invites guests to spend the evening with them and order off their regular menu with merry and bright favorites like whole Sunburst trout with Lee’s rice & vierge and Braised Lamb Shank with winter roots & beans.

– Christmas Day, Mon. Dec. 25, 1-6pm – This Christmas, Golden Hour invites guests to a feast of festive delights for their nearest and dearest with a family-style, prix-fixe menu for $85 per person (beverage, tax and gratuity not included).

– New Year’s Eve, Dec., 31, Reservations accepted from 5-11pm – Say hello to 2024 in golden style with dinner at Golden Hour plus a champagne toast, a DJ and more. The restaurant will be serving its regular menu as well as three festive additions to ring in the new year:

1.5-pound Wood Grilled Whole Lobster with charred meyer lemon butter & fresh herbs. $75

½ oz. Caviar Prunier Osetra (France) Johnny Cake Blini with crème fraiche & herb and shallot salad. $100

24 oz. Bone in Ribeye for two with chimichurri, Chop sauce, golden mash & mushrooms. $110

– New Year’s Day, Jan., 1, noon-4pm – A new year and a special brunch to kick it off! Guests are invited to celebrate 2024 with a special sneak peak of Golden Hour’s forthcoming brunch menu, available from noon-4pm.

Evenings, across the county
The best thing about being in a small town during the holiday season is that everyone joins in on bringing the holiday cheer! This year, homes and businesses across the county are festively decorated, and welcome visitors to view their holiday displays. Follow the trail for a fun evening with your loved ones, driving to view the best lights the area has to offer. There is no competition here, just a bunch of people who love this time of year! This self-guided tour is free, a suggested route will be available here on December 1st. (Please note, many of the Downtown Hendersonville locations are best viewed by foot. Additionally, some displays may be up beyond December 26th.)

Any and all local homes and businesses are invited to register to be on this year’s trail (registration closes 11/30). Register here.

To support local nonprofits during this holiday season, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County has compiled a list of volunteer and donation opportunities happening in our community in November and December.

If you are searching for ways to give to folks in need, by making a donation or giving some of your time to help out, please visit: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, and we will get back to you with more information. Our response email will include a link which will give you access to a list with a variety of options you can choose from. Since new opportunities are being added every day, we encourage you to frequently check the list, especially if you did not find what you are looking for at the time.

We appreciate you and all that you do for our community. Please keep it up, especially for this holiday season.

Participating Organizations:

• ABCCM South
• Asheville High School/SILSA
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Erwin Middle School
• Montmorenci United Methodist Church
• United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

*Note, this list will grow as new opportunities come in! 

In order to receive details about these opportunities, simply

1. Click the blue “respond” button above. visit this site: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe
2. After responding, you will receive a confirmation email with more information and a link to access the list of opportunities. 
3. Remember, this list will be updated frequently, so make sure to check back frequently!

Twirl and glide into the holidays with the Ice Skating Rink in the renowned Tryon Stadium! Whether you’re holding hands with a special someone, skating side by side with friends, or helping a child take their first wobbly steps on the ice, the experience is sure to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Twirl and glide into the holidays with the Ice Skating Rink in the renowned Tryon Stadium! Themed skates, live music and more will make each experience special.

Reservations include one hour of skating time, with skate rentals included. Outside skates are permitted as well. Open to ages 4 and up. Reserve skating time slots in advance online, or purchase at the gate as available.

Miracle on Main Street will take over Chimney Rock Smokehouse from November 24 to December 31st. Featuring craft cocktails, tons of decor, award winning bbq, and weekly events. This place will make even the Grinch smile.

Daily | November 17-January 1

Load up your vehicle with friends and family and take a cruise through the fan-favorite Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland Drive-Thru Light Show! Featuring hundreds of thousands of dazzling lights dancing to the tune of holiday classics on your car radio, this immersive experience has become a holiday tradition for many. Tickets are per carload, available online or at the gate.

From now until January 2, more than 40 beautiful Christmas trees will be on display at shops and businesses throughout the Swannanoa Valley, as part of the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry (SVCM) ‘Deck the Trees’ fundraiser. The largest display will be at the Monte Vista Hotel, 308 West State Street, in Black Mountain. The trees have been creatively decorated by individuals, organizations and businesses in the community, around this year’s theme, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Each tree has a collection box beside it, and you can “vote” for your favorite trees by placing money or a check in the box.

All proceeds from Deck the Trees benefit the SVCM Fuel Fund. With the rising cost of electricity, oil, natural gas, propane and wood, many of our neighbors can’t afford to heat their homes during the cold winter months, and the Fuel Fund is there to help. Since its inception in 2011, Deck the Trees has raised more than $250,000 for the fuel fund. Participating in this annual fundraiser is a way to give back to the community, while enjoying a beautiful holiday display.

To visit the trees in person, look for a Deck the Trees logo in the windows of participating stores and businesses. You can also download a list of tree locations, or see photos of the trees and vote online, at svcmblackmountain.org/deckthetrees.