Calendar of Events

Ingles Magical Christmas Toy Drive begins Thursday., Dec. 1 from 5 a.m.-7 p.m. at Ingles (151 Smokey Park Hwy.), and continues through Dec. 2 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and Dec. 3 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Donations are for new, unwrapped toys, books, and clothing.

Immerse yourself in a Winter Wonderland with Santa and his elves and of course, Santa’s reindeer at Carolina Ace Hardware. Bring the whole family and take your Christmas pictures in the magical Christmas display in the Garden Center. Free to the public. Bring your cameras.

Don your ugliest sweater, lace up your running shoes, and join us at the Riveter for the third installment of this festive 5k/10k event!

The Riveter will be serving up plenty of post-race activities (and beverages) again this year, so it’s sure to become one of your favorite holiday traditions. This scenic 5k/10k race winds through rolling hills and country roads right outside the Riveter and Sierra Nevada Brewing.

The French Broad River Garden Club Foundation presents its 95th Annual Holiday Greens Market. This one-of-a-kind, historic event features unique, handcrafted works by regional artists including wreaths, centerpieces, pottery, ornaments, jewelery and many more items. It is a unique experience offering many options for holiday gift-giving and home decorating.

Join us for a two day hand made craft extravaganza! Our talented volunteers (Elves) have been busy creating unique holiday decor perfect for holiday gifts or to treat yourself.

The FBRGCF’s 95th Annual Holiday Greens Market is a historic event featuring unique, handcrafted works by regional artists including wreaths, centerpieces pottery, ornaments, jewelry, decorations, baked goods and many more items. This one-of-kind experience offers many options for holiday gift-giving and home decorating, marking the beginning of the holiday season. Proceeds from the sale support local horticultural and conservation scholarships and projects.

Join us for a two day hand made craft extravaganza! Our talented volunteers (Elves) have been busy creating unique holiday decor perfect for holiday gifts or to treat yourself.

Come get your Christmas décor and gifts from the annual Land O’ Sky
Garden Club Christmas Bazaar, which includes all handmade, original and all-natural items, including pre-made wreaths, a
decorate your own wreath bar, gifts, greenery, Christmas aprons, vintage gift tags, yule logs, pine boughs, baked goods, jellies
and much more

Come see the creations and winner of the annual Gingerbread Cookie Contest, contestants of every age are included in this Hendersonville tradition, this year’s theme is “historic designs.

Come enjoy selfies with The Grinch at Asheville Outlets on Friday, November 25, and Saturdays, December 3 and 17, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located in the Food Court. The event is free, but we ask that you donate a new, unwrapped toy to Western North Carolina Toys for Tots.

The Ballet Conservatory of Asheville will visit Pack Library on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m. to give us a special preview of their upcoming performance of The Nutcracker.

This festive presentation will include dance performances and demonstrations, readings of The Nutcracker story, and best of all, an opportunity to dance with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Come take a selfie with a real ballerina!

We will also feature Nutcracker books, movies, and music available for checkout with your library card. No registration is required, this a free holiday program, and all ages are welcome.

Kick off the Holidays with some merriment and good times at Souther Williams
Vineyard’s 1st Annual Wassailing Celebration, a fun day in the tasting room that will include the trimming of the Souther Williams
Tree, caroling, an ugly sweater contest and a collection for Safelight – a local organization that helps survivors of domestic abuse.

Located in the Food Court at the Santa set. Visitors receive one FREE 4” by 6” photo and digital download of a single image (while supplies last). For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

The Big Crafty is a hand-to-heart celebration of creative exuberance at the heart of Asheville, NC. We believe in supporting creative venturers by crafting warm communities of creative practice.

The State Farm
Insurance ink rink will be open from 1pm-4pm, live Christmas
music will be performed by the Veritas Christian Academy and
the Last Full Measure from 1pm -3pm. Advent Health Centra Care
holiday vendor village will be open from 1pm -4pm, and Santa
Claus will be visiting with children from 1pm-4pm. The Grinch will
be stopping by at 4pm, and Mayor Preston Blakely will read the
Night before Christmas story at 4:30pm. This is a free community
event thanks to sponsorship by Mills River Dental and Blue Ridge
Orthodontics, Advent Health Centra Care, State Farm Insurance,
Agent Tabitha Hamlin of Fletcher.

Take part in this annual small town holiday tradition. There will be floats, performers, and a visit from Santa Claus.

Easel Rider is excited to roll up to Devil’s Foot Beverage Co. New tasting room location The Mule! For fun holiday ornament making!! We love our friends at Devil’s Foot, crafting, Our town and you! See you Next Saturday 12/3 at The Mule #LEAFLove to one of LEAF’s awesome sponsor partners!

A European inspired production that brings all of Clara’s adventures and excitement home to Greenville. Continuing the reinvented holiday classic, this production highlights Victorian societal expectations and prosperity while Clara and her beloved Nutcracker dance their way through the cherished landmarks and stunning scenery of Greenville and into the hearts of the audience.

The libretto is adapted from E.T. A. Hoffmann’s classic story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Choreographed by Hernan Justo, the refreshed ballet is based on the original Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov ballet.

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

Save The Date! Holiday Magic Returns to The Town Square The Holiday Tree Lighting at Biltmore Park Town Square will take place Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 from 2:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Experience holiday magic with kid-friendly activities and crafts, music, stiltwalkers, hula-hooping elves, a wandering magician, photobooth, and of course, visits with Santa! Sip hot cocoa while strolling the boulevard at this free annual event! Stay tuned for more details by following Biltmore Town Square on Facebook and Instagram.

Asheville Humane Society and some of our most loyal supporters are joining forces to convince Santa to take some much needed time off before the busy season to come down and spend some time with pet families in our area. Santa will be taking pictures with pets, kids, families, friends, and anyone interested, in order to raise money for the pets in need in Buncombe County. Participating in this event gets you a professionally taken/edited digital photo of your pet (etc.) with Santa, a keepsake Polaroid photo, one on one time with Santa, and entries to win giveaway prizes from our supporting venues. Support AHS by participating in this heartwarming, family centered event series! Special appearances by The Grinch at several locations! Join Santa at the Ginger’s Revenge Riverside Tasting Room to sample the flavors of the season! The brewers over at Ginger’s Revenge are always cooking up new seasonal flare and they have something special in store for Santa!

HSO will celebrate the holidays in traditional style – this year with two performances! Featuring music from the Nutcracker and Fledermaus, traditional carols, Sleigh Ride, and a few surprises along the way, join us as we mark the season!

Showtimes 3 PM and 7:30 PM

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.

Join in the holiday cheer at this annual event in Black Mountain, which features over 100 entries, 50 floats, vehicles and performers, as well as Santa Claus!

Black Mountain hosts an annual Christmas parade through downtown the first Saturday in December. The parade starts at 4 p.m. at Flat Creek Road on State Street and goes to Craigmont Road.

The magic and charm of Historic Biltmore Village, filled with dickens carolers and lit with holiday lights after dark, is truly unparalleled. As in years past, a fully decorated 15+ foot Christmas Tree will be lit on the Village Green (adjacent to the intersection of Boston Way/Kitchin Place/Biltmore Plaza). We invite everyone to come and visit, warm their heart, and get into the holiday spirit.

Experience the enchantment, complete your holiday shopping and dine in seasonal splendor during the Biltmore Village “A Dickens Christmas” and begin your own holiday season tradition.

Dates & Schedule

FRIDAY (Dec. 2):

• 5 – 8 PM Roving acts/entertainment throughout the village and on stage at Village Green.

• 4 – 7 PM Christmas Market & Carnival Games for Kids (NEW AND HEAVILY DECORATED), including food vendors and live music (Spartina Parking Lot).

• 6:30: Santa will appear at the Christmas Market area and lead folks to tree lighting.

SATURDAY (Dec. 3):

• 11 AM – 6 PM Roving acts/entertainment throughout the village and on stage at Village Green.

• 1 – 6 PM: Christmas Market (NEW), including food vendors and live music (Spartina Parking Lot).

• 1 – 6 PM: Merchants hosting various holiday attractions.