The 29th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition™ – the largest in the world – will be held at the resort on Monday, November 22, 2021. This year, the Competition will be a combination of aspects from The 2020 National Gingerbread House Competition™, while bringing back the in-person events that make this experience so special to the competitors, Gingerbread enthusiasts, and the hotel. It is our mission to ensure that the Competition’s legacy built on design, innovation and tradition continues for future generations.

Like last year, the Competition will conduct the first round of judging virtually. This will enable documentation of the creation process, enhance the first round of the judging experience, and ensure the competition will continue safely, even if unforeseen circumstances were to arise. The first round is meant to give the judges a visual idea of the creation by showcasing a framework and different portions of the piece that highlight the story behind it- even if your final product is not yet completed. More details on this below.

The second round of judging will be done in-person at the hotel in the Grand Ballroom as in years past. The Omni Grove Park Inn is thrilled to once again display all Gingerbread entries at the Resort for public viewing to celebrate the hard work and dedication that goes into these edible works of art. All Gingerbread entries will be reviewed in-person during the second round to ensure the integrity of the Gingerbread creation physically meets the criteria.

For those who may not travel this season, the hotel will continue, “The 12 Days of Gingerbread” by releasing one of the Top 12 finalists, per day, on the hotel’s Facebook (@omnigroveparkinn) and Instagram (@omnigrovepark) channels from December 1 – 12, 2021 to spark Ginger-love for all during the happiest season of the year! This provides an in-person and virtual way for all to enjoy.

The winning creations will be on display Sunday, November 28, 2021 – Sunday, January 2, 2022. The Omni Grove Park Inn invites guests not staying at the Resort to view the display after 3:00 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday through Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays and the following dates: December 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 and January 1. Public viewing on December 26 and January 2 will reopen after 3:00 p.m. Please note that only Registered Resort Pets will be permitted. No outside pets will be allowed.

This is the 14th year of the free elaborate Christmas display that is
open to the public to bring the family, pets and your own camera and take your holiday pictures in a beautiful Christmas setting,

Join Citizen Vinyl for a Holiday Pop Up shop with local vendors including:

@loomimports (home goods/decor)
@hummingbirdcandles (candles)
@twindenimco (apparel)
@jennypickens616 (art)
@codaavl (vinyl records + art)
+ more!

Food and beverages from @sessionavl

Deck The Trees presents: A Black Mountain Christmas, December 2, 2021 – January 3, 2022 Come experience the charm of Black Mountain and get in the Christmas spirit. You will discover 35 (and possibly more) beautifully decorated Christmas trees situated at the Monte Vista Hotel and in stores and businesses throughout Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley area.

Each tree, uniquely decorated around the theme: A Black Mountain Christmas, will be created by businesses, organizations, or individuals to help raise funds for the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund. Come join us! Share in the Christmas spirit and support your favorite tree by donating with cash, check, or on-line at svcmblackmountain.org.

Come celebrate the season at our first Winter Wonderland! Our D Space Gallery, will be adorned with glass ornaments, snowflakes, snowmen, candy canes, and whatever else Asheville area glassblowers dream up. Shop for holiday gifts or festive decor for your home while watching live glassblowing in our studio. Winter Wonderland will be open during our normal gallery hours. The opening of this show coincides with River Arts District Studio Stroll, so there will be plenty to do and see in the area. NCGC is a non-profit glassblowing studio and gallery. Your purchases help to support local artists and our mission of education, exploration, and collaboration in all forms of glass.

You can find our beautiful holiday decorations all over the Grove Arcade; from swinging lights to hanging snowflakes, your eyes will never have a dull moment! Nostalgic holiday music will be resonating through our halls, bouncing off the walls of our merchant’s stores and all of their holiday specials. The holiday season is here at the Grove Arcade! Come by to enjoy the timeless feelings of the holidays, family and home.

Join us any day this season for the most beautiful holiday decorations in Asheville. Featuring weekly events, indoor snow, seasonal promotions, and a percentage of all sales donated to local non-profits.

Noir Collective AVL located in the historic Black business district, referred to as The Block, is a Black-owned boutique shop and art gallery featuring Black entrepreneurs. Noir Collective AVL is a community network of wellness warriors, creative activists, and social justice visionaries, cultural keepers and peace makers. We believe that in order to achieve collective liberation, our community needs to focus on opening greater opportunities for access, especially economically, that has been historically denied to African Americans and other people of color. Noir Collective AVL supports Black Liberation through Arts, Culture, and Kinship by featuring the wares of local and regional artists, designers and craftspeople. Our mission is simple, Bringing Black back to the Block.

Entrepreneurs will have products and information on hand:

Jewelry. Original Art. Tea. Shea Butter. Prints. Black Soap. Cards. Books.

& Featured services:

Realty. Exercise & Fitness. Landscaping. Catering. Heritage Tours and more.

We have open spots for Makers and Creatives!

Let art turn your child’s holiday into an adventure to remember! Students in grades 1–4 are invited to join our educators for one or both afternoons of art-filled fun. Students spend their time in the Museum’s Education Center creating art of all kinds.

Please note:

• Space is limited to small groups; pre-registration is required.

Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1

Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.

We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.

You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.

We hope you will join us this holiday season!

Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.

The 29th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition™ – the largest in the world – will be held at the resort on Monday, November 22, 2021. This year, the Competition will be a combination of aspects from The 2020 National Gingerbread House Competition™, while bringing back the in-person events that make this experience so special to the competitors, Gingerbread enthusiasts, and the hotel. It is our mission to ensure that the Competition’s legacy built on design, innovation and tradition continues for future generations.

Like last year, the Competition will conduct the first round of judging virtually. This will enable documentation of the creation process, enhance the first round of the judging experience, and ensure the competition will continue safely, even if unforeseen circumstances were to arise. The first round is meant to give the judges a visual idea of the creation by showcasing a framework and different portions of the piece that highlight the story behind it- even if your final product is not yet completed. More details on this below.

The second round of judging will be done in-person at the hotel in the Grand Ballroom as in years past. The Omni Grove Park Inn is thrilled to once again display all Gingerbread entries at the Resort for public viewing to celebrate the hard work and dedication that goes into these edible works of art. All Gingerbread entries will be reviewed in-person during the second round to ensure the integrity of the Gingerbread creation physically meets the criteria.

For those who may not travel this season, the hotel will continue, “The 12 Days of Gingerbread” by releasing one of the Top 12 finalists, per day, on the hotel’s Facebook (@omnigroveparkinn) and Instagram (@omnigrovepark) channels from December 1 – 12, 2021 to spark Ginger-love for all during the happiest season of the year! This provides an in-person and virtual way for all to enjoy.

The winning creations will be on display Sunday, November 28, 2021 – Sunday, January 2, 2022. The Omni Grove Park Inn invites guests not staying at the Resort to view the display after 3:00 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday through Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays and the following dates: December 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 and January 1. Public viewing on December 26 and January 2 will reopen after 3:00 p.m. Please note that only Registered Resort Pets will be permitted. No outside pets will be allowed.

Join Citizen Vinyl for a Holiday Pop Up shop with local vendors including:

@loomimports (home goods/decor)
@hummingbirdcandles (candles)
@twindenimco (apparel)
@jennypickens616 (art)
@codaavl (vinyl records + art)
+ more!

Food and beverages from @sessionavl

Deck The Trees presents: A Black Mountain Christmas, December 2, 2021 – January 3, 2022 Come experience the charm of Black Mountain and get in the Christmas spirit. You will discover 35 (and possibly more) beautifully decorated Christmas trees situated at the Monte Vista Hotel and in stores and businesses throughout Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley area.

Each tree, uniquely decorated around the theme: A Black Mountain Christmas, will be created by businesses, organizations, or individuals to help raise funds for the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund. Come join us! Share in the Christmas spirit and support your favorite tree by donating with cash, check, or on-line at svcmblackmountain.org.