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.

Monday, January 4, 2021
Meet Biblioboard, Buncombe Library’s Newest Digital Resource
Jan 4 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
online w/ Buncombe County Libraries

Create, share, and discover with Buncombe County Public Library’s newest resource, Biblioboard.

BiblioBoard Library is an easy-to-use platform of high-quality digital content. Biblioboard offers books, articles, documents, images, audios, and videos. BiblioBoard Library is host to content from traditional publishers, indie authors, cultural institutions, and local thought leaders. Users can access BiblioBoard Library through the library’s website or on the device of their choice.

Some features of Biblioboard:

  • No waitlists or holds
  • Streaming audio and video are available on a wide variety of topics
  • Check out curated collections of the best indie authors.
  • Available for desktop, iOS, and Android devices

Local authors can submit their work for inclusion in the library catalog or publish books with Press Books. You can submit and share your work locally or nationally.

Interested? Check it out, and access Biblioboard today by clicking here.

Mel Chin’s Wake Sculpture
Jan 4 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Downtown Asheville

Wake, Mel Chin’s giant animatronic sculpture, installed in New York City’s Times Square last summer, will be on view in Asheville through March 15, 2021, at 44 Collier Avenue. Chin, a WNC based conceptual artist, was named a MacArthur Fellow in September 2019.

Wake was commissioned as part of Mel Chin: All Over the Place, a multi-site survey of his works from across many decades that took place in several New York City locations. A collaborative group, led by UNC Asheville’s STEAM Studio and The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, formed to plan and raise funds for the sculpture to be seen locally.

Wake – 60 feet long, 34 feet wide and 24 feet high, conceived and designed by the artist – was engineered, sculpted and fabricated by an interdisciplinary team of UNC Asheville students, faculty, staff and community artists led by Chin. The sculpture is interactive and features decks and places to sit and contemplate.

Wake evokes the hull of a shipwreck crossed with the skeletal remains of a marine mammal. The structure is linked with a carved, 21-foot-tall animatronic sculpture, accurately derived from a figurehead of the opera star Jenny Lind that was once mounted on the 19th century clipper ship, USS Nightingale. Jenny Lind moves subtly as she breathes and scans the sky.

Visitors can experience Wake daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 44 Collier Avenue. For more details and a schedule of programming, visit ashevillearts.com.

Monte Vista Hotel: Deck The Trees
Jan 4 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monte Vista Hotel

Deck The Trees is a fun and festive December Holiday Happening in Black Mountain. This event is a fundraiser for the Fuel Fund of the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries. Trees decorated in the theme And A Star Appeared will be displayed in the Monte Vista Hotel and many businesses throughout Black Mountain. Trees may be voted on by placing cash/check in the box corresponding to your favorite tree. All money collected goes directly to the Fuel Fund. For more information about Deck The Trees and to support your favorite tree(s) contact svcmblackmountain.org.

Gallerie Bazaar: a gift show
Jan 4 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Art Garden AVL

We’re turning the gallery into a bazaar for the holidays! The gallery will be filled with affordable and giftable original art and prints from a wide array of local artist and craftspeople. We’ll be donating 10% of gallery bazaar sales to MANNA food bank in Asheville. It’s been a rough year; come find a sweet little piece of art to brighten someone’s holiday, and support local artists when you do.
Show Dates: Nov 14 – Jan 4.
Gallery Hours: 11-5 pm.
(closed Wednesdays)
Featured artists tba very soon ~ there’s still time to participate if you’d like to submit some artwork~ send us a message!
cover art: “Earth Rhythm” by @Annie Kyla Bennett Art
Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore
Jan 4 @ 5:00 pm
Biltmore

Candlelight, firelight and live music bring holiday warmth to Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor during these nighttime tours. Candlelight Christmas Evenings include a self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens, Antler Hill Village and Biltmore Winery. Evening guests can also take advantage of Antler Hill Village & Winery to enjoy free wine tastings.

Tickets may be purchased at www.biltmore.com or by phone (800-411-3812).

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Jan 4 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

Candlelight Christmas at Biltmore
Jan 4 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Biltmore

Marilynn will be playing Christmas music in various locations in Biltmore House over the next several weeks. If you’re planning on coming to Biltmore for Candlelight Christmas, try to come on one of the evenings that I will be playing. Hope to see you there!

North Carolina to Enter Modified Stay at Home Order
Jan 4 @ 10:00 pm – Jan 5 @ 5:00 am
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday, December 8th that North Carolina will begin a Modified Stay at Home Order in response to a rapid increase in North Carolina’s key COVID-19 trends. The Order requires people to stay at home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am, and takes effect Friday, December 11th. The Order is set to remain in place until January 8, 2021.
The Order requires restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, and more to close at 10 pm. Travel to and from work, to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services, or to take care of a family member is exempted from the order. FAQs on the order can be found HERE.
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Greenworks: 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville + Buncombe County
Jan 5 all-day
Asheville NC

Alternate text

Covid-Friendly Clean-Up Stations: #AVLquaranclean

We’ve learned a lot about adapting this year. Back in March, we canceled all of our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. But it didn’t stop you from working to make Asheville cleaner and safer.

So we amped up our Cleanup Supply Station program, fully stocking existing locations and adding on 2 new stations, for a total of 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville & Buncombe County. We threw in our catchy #AVLquaranclean hashtag on top, and you did the rest!

Since March, 132 volunteers used these stations 36 times to collect over 2,700 pounds of litter from creeks and roads on their own time!! We are also incredibly grateful to Mountain Xpress for donating newspaper stands to be repurposed into these supply stations, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County Government for supporting cleanups, and to Mast General Store and Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts for hosting our newest stations.

These stations remain stocked and ready for your quarantine pod’s next outing. Remember to sign out supplies, report the trash back to us afterwards, and return supplies for cleaning and reuse! Read more at https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/latest…/avlquaranclean and contact [email protected] for more information or to schedule supply pick up for larger groups.

Henderson County Public Schools to Operate Under Plan C Beginning January 7th
Jan 5 all-day
Henderson County Public Schools

The Henderson County Board of Public Education voted on Monday, January 4th that Henderson County Public Schools will resume under Plan C when they return from winter break on January 7th. Plan C is the fully remote learning model. February 1st is the goal date for a return to in-person learning.

Face coverings are required for children 5 years and older in HCPS Child Care facilities, per Sept. 4, 2020 guidance from NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education.

UNDER PLAN C (UPDATED 1/5/21):

During Plan C, HCPS will offer its all-day (“Summer PLUS”) Plan C Child Care Services at five school locations to the public, prioritizing care for children of Healthcare Workers, Frontline First Responders, and Essential Workers.

Registration for a full week of care is required for all new and existing families, at $125 per week (The weekly charge for care January 7-8 will be $50.00).* Day-to-day registration is not available.

Hours of daily operation are from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack will be provided. Payments must be made online at K12PaymentCenter.com.

Registration

Families may register for Child Care Services by the week at Fletcher, Hendersonville, Hillandale, Mills River, and Sugarloaf elementary schools, using the school-specific Google Forms below. There will be a maximum enrollment at each site. If the requested school site is full, please select another one for care.

Fletcher Elementary

Hendersonville Elementary

Hillandale Elementary

Mills River Elementary

Sugarloaf Elementary

* DSS vouchers for child care are also accepted; for more information on the Child Care Subsidy Program, visit the Henderson County DSS website or call (828) 697-5500.

Child Nutrition Services

Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) will continue providing reliable student meals during implementation of the “Return to Learn” Plan C fully remote model.

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, HCPS will provide grab-and-go pickup meals at no cost to children ages 2-18 at 15 school sites on school days during implementation of Plan C. The “Meals On the Bus” routes will begin rolling the following week.

Grab-and-Go Meals

Under Plan C, Grab-and-Go meal pickup options will continue at designated school sites listed in the“Child Nutrition Services on Plan C” document. This listing is published online at www.HCPSNC.org/rtl-auxiliary and will be updated as the situation changes.

Meals On the Bus

Under Plan C, the “Meals On the Bus” routes will resume the week of Jan. 11, 2021. The route schedules will be communicated to families and updated in the “Child Nutrition Services on Plan C” document.

January is National Blood Donor Month
Jan 5 all-day
The Blood Connection various locations

Amid the arrival of the long awaited COVID-19 vaccine, the demand for a well-known treatment for those battling the virus, convalescent plasma, has skyrocketed.

The Blood Connection (TBC), a non-profit community blood center, has seen the demand for this life-saving product triple in the past few months because of its effectiveness.
However, the need for convalescent plasma continues to far outrun the supply.
The release of the COVID-19 vaccine has created a challenge for TBC, as it reduces the number
of people who are eligible to give convalescent plasma. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA)
has recommended that donors who have received the vaccine should not donate convalescent
plasma but can donate whole blood (a regular blood donation). To give convalescent plasma,
donors must be symptom free for at least 14 days and must have proof of a positive COVID-19
test or positive COVID-19 antibody test.

Visit web site or call to schedule your donation appointment:
Hendersonville
825 Spartanburg Highway
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Greenville
435 Woodruff Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607

Spartanburg
270 N. Grove Medical Park Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Asheville
225 Airport Rd.
Arden, NC 28704

Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Jan 5 all-day
Online
Pardee UNC Health Care recently shared CDC guidance on who should get tested for COVID.
Considerations for Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
  • People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Click here for a Coronavirus Self-Checker
  • People who have had close contact (link to help you determine your risk) (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, links to local or state ​health departments.
Not everyone needs to be tested. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.
Christmas at Biltmore Daytime Celebration
Jan 5 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Biltmore

Buy tickets online to save up to $8 per admission. Check website for hours of operation.
Treat yourself to the beloved estate tradition known as Christmas at Biltmore, when America’s Largest Home®, Antler Hill Village, and the entire estate are at their most enchanting.
A daytime visit to Biltmore is a feast for the senses, featuring wreaths, garlands, and the sparkle of thousands of ornaments, from Biltmore House to Antler Hill Village!
Christmas at Connemara Thanksgiving to January 6
Jan 5 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Carl Sandburg House

The house will be decorated in the simple style of the Sandburg’s with poinsettias and a traditionally decorated Christmas tree throughout December until January 6th, 2021.

Free Online Courses: More Than 100 Languages Now Available
Jan 5 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
online w/ Buncombe County Libraries

Planning a trip to Italy to celebrate a special anniversary? Have a child in school that needs extra practice in a foreign language? Just want to brush up that language you studied for four years in school, but somehow can’t seem to remember at all? We’ve got you covered.

Buncombe County Public Libraries now offers Transparent Language Online free to all library cardholders. Whether you’re starting at the very beginning or you’re an intermediate learner looking to enhance your vocabulary, Transparent Language Online can help. With over 110 languages to choose from, including English for non-native speakers, there is something for every learner. With mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, learners can enjoy the freedom to learn at home, in the library, or on the go.

Transparent Languages includes learning for kids of all ages. KidSpeak introduces children to English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese. The program teaches words and phrases suitable for learners’ age, needs, and interests. More than 40 activities, puzzles, and songs guide young learners through the basics, along with a cartoon friend who speaks the language.

Transparent Language will be available on NC LIVE beginning Jan. 1, 2021. For all library services, your ID is your library card number and your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number. Contact your library with any questions.

Meet Biblioboard, Buncombe Library’s Newest Digital Resource
Jan 5 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
online w/ Buncombe County Libraries

Create, share, and discover with Buncombe County Public Library’s newest resource, Biblioboard.

BiblioBoard Library is an easy-to-use platform of high-quality digital content. Biblioboard offers books, articles, documents, images, audios, and videos. BiblioBoard Library is host to content from traditional publishers, indie authors, cultural institutions, and local thought leaders. Users can access BiblioBoard Library through the library’s website or on the device of their choice.

Some features of Biblioboard:

  • No waitlists or holds
  • Streaming audio and video are available on a wide variety of topics
  • Check out curated collections of the best indie authors.
  • Available for desktop, iOS, and Android devices

Local authors can submit their work for inclusion in the library catalog or publish books with Press Books. You can submit and share your work locally or nationally.

Interested? Check it out, and access Biblioboard today by clicking here.

Mel Chin’s Wake Sculpture
Jan 5 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Downtown Asheville

Wake, Mel Chin’s giant animatronic sculpture, installed in New York City’s Times Square last summer, will be on view in Asheville through March 15, 2021, at 44 Collier Avenue. Chin, a WNC based conceptual artist, was named a MacArthur Fellow in September 2019.

Wake was commissioned as part of Mel Chin: All Over the Place, a multi-site survey of his works from across many decades that took place in several New York City locations. A collaborative group, led by UNC Asheville’s STEAM Studio and The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, formed to plan and raise funds for the sculpture to be seen locally.

Wake – 60 feet long, 34 feet wide and 24 feet high, conceived and designed by the artist – was engineered, sculpted and fabricated by an interdisciplinary team of UNC Asheville students, faculty, staff and community artists led by Chin. The sculpture is interactive and features decks and places to sit and contemplate.

Wake evokes the hull of a shipwreck crossed with the skeletal remains of a marine mammal. The structure is linked with a carved, 21-foot-tall animatronic sculpture, accurately derived from a figurehead of the opera star Jenny Lind that was once mounted on the 19th century clipper ship, USS Nightingale. Jenny Lind moves subtly as she breathes and scans the sky.

Visitors can experience Wake daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 44 Collier Avenue. For more details and a schedule of programming, visit ashevillearts.com.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore
Jan 5 @ 5:00 pm
Biltmore

Candlelight, firelight and live music bring holiday warmth to Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor during these nighttime tours. Candlelight Christmas Evenings include a self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens, Antler Hill Village and Biltmore Winery. Evening guests can also take advantage of Antler Hill Village & Winery to enjoy free wine tastings.

Tickets may be purchased at www.biltmore.com or by phone (800-411-3812).

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Jan 5 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

North Carolina to Enter Modified Stay at Home Order
Jan 5 @ 10:00 pm – Jan 6 @ 5:00 am
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday, December 8th that North Carolina will begin a Modified Stay at Home Order in response to a rapid increase in North Carolina’s key COVID-19 trends. The Order requires people to stay at home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am, and takes effect Friday, December 11th. The Order is set to remain in place until January 8, 2021.
The Order requires restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, and more to close at 10 pm. Travel to and from work, to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services, or to take care of a family member is exempted from the order. FAQs on the order can be found HERE.
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Greenworks: 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville + Buncombe County
Jan 6 all-day
Asheville NC

Alternate text

Covid-Friendly Clean-Up Stations: #AVLquaranclean

We’ve learned a lot about adapting this year. Back in March, we canceled all of our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. But it didn’t stop you from working to make Asheville cleaner and safer.

So we amped up our Cleanup Supply Station program, fully stocking existing locations and adding on 2 new stations, for a total of 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville & Buncombe County. We threw in our catchy #AVLquaranclean hashtag on top, and you did the rest!

Since March, 132 volunteers used these stations 36 times to collect over 2,700 pounds of litter from creeks and roads on their own time!! We are also incredibly grateful to Mountain Xpress for donating newspaper stands to be repurposed into these supply stations, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County Government for supporting cleanups, and to Mast General Store and Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts for hosting our newest stations.

These stations remain stocked and ready for your quarantine pod’s next outing. Remember to sign out supplies, report the trash back to us afterwards, and return supplies for cleaning and reuse! Read more at https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/latest…/avlquaranclean and contact [email protected] for more information or to schedule supply pick up for larger groups.

Henderson County Public Schools to Operate Under Plan C Beginning January 7th
Jan 6 all-day
Henderson County Public Schools

The Henderson County Board of Public Education voted on Monday, January 4th that Henderson County Public Schools will resume under Plan C when they return from winter break on January 7th. Plan C is the fully remote learning model. February 1st is the goal date for a return to in-person learning.

Face coverings are required for children 5 years and older in HCPS Child Care facilities, per Sept. 4, 2020 guidance from NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education.

UNDER PLAN C (UPDATED 1/5/21):

During Plan C, HCPS will offer its all-day (“Summer PLUS”) Plan C Child Care Services at five school locations to the public, prioritizing care for children of Healthcare Workers, Frontline First Responders, and Essential Workers.

Registration for a full week of care is required for all new and existing families, at $125 per week (The weekly charge for care January 7-8 will be $50.00).* Day-to-day registration is not available.

Hours of daily operation are from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack will be provided. Payments must be made online at K12PaymentCenter.com.

Registration

Families may register for Child Care Services by the week at Fletcher, Hendersonville, Hillandale, Mills River, and Sugarloaf elementary schools, using the school-specific Google Forms below. There will be a maximum enrollment at each site. If the requested school site is full, please select another one for care.

Fletcher Elementary

Hendersonville Elementary

Hillandale Elementary

Mills River Elementary

Sugarloaf Elementary

* DSS vouchers for child care are also accepted; for more information on the Child Care Subsidy Program, visit the Henderson County DSS website or call (828) 697-5500.

Child Nutrition Services

Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) will continue providing reliable student meals during implementation of the “Return to Learn” Plan C fully remote model.

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, HCPS will provide grab-and-go pickup meals at no cost to children ages 2-18 at 15 school sites on school days during implementation of Plan C. The “Meals On the Bus” routes will begin rolling the following week.

Grab-and-Go Meals

Under Plan C, Grab-and-Go meal pickup options will continue at designated school sites listed in the“Child Nutrition Services on Plan C” document. This listing is published online at www.HCPSNC.org/rtl-auxiliary and will be updated as the situation changes.

Meals On the Bus

Under Plan C, the “Meals On the Bus” routes will resume the week of Jan. 11, 2021. The route schedules will be communicated to families and updated in the “Child Nutrition Services on Plan C” document.

January is National Blood Donor Month
Jan 6 all-day
The Blood Connection various locations

Amid the arrival of the long awaited COVID-19 vaccine, the demand for a well-known treatment for those battling the virus, convalescent plasma, has skyrocketed.

The Blood Connection (TBC), a non-profit community blood center, has seen the demand for this life-saving product triple in the past few months because of its effectiveness.
However, the need for convalescent plasma continues to far outrun the supply.
The release of the COVID-19 vaccine has created a challenge for TBC, as it reduces the number
of people who are eligible to give convalescent plasma. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA)
has recommended that donors who have received the vaccine should not donate convalescent
plasma but can donate whole blood (a regular blood donation). To give convalescent plasma,
donors must be symptom free for at least 14 days and must have proof of a positive COVID-19
test or positive COVID-19 antibody test.

Visit web site or call to schedule your donation appointment:
Hendersonville
825 Spartanburg Highway
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Greenville
435 Woodruff Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607

Spartanburg
270 N. Grove Medical Park Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Asheville
225 Airport Rd.
Arden, NC 28704

Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Jan 6 all-day
Online
Pardee UNC Health Care recently shared CDC guidance on who should get tested for COVID.
Considerations for Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
  • People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Click here for a Coronavirus Self-Checker
  • People who have had close contact (link to help you determine your risk) (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, links to local or state ​health departments.
Not everyone needs to be tested. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.
Public Input on Asheville City Noise Ordinance Plan
Jan 6 all-day
Online

The project logo Noise Ordinance

The City of Asheville’s proposed noise ordinance aims to protect quality of life for all residents by establishing practical, fair and clear noise criteria and enforcement and mitigation protocols. The proposed ordinance recognizes that most residents, businesses and institutions are conscientious good neighbors who act considerately everyday. The proposed ordinance aims to serve as a practical tool for protecting public peace and enjoyment of public and private space in Asheville as the city continues to grow.

City staff anticipate the following tentative schedule for noise ordinance finalization (subject to change):

Nov. 18 – Dec. 4, 2020:  Release draft noise ordinance for public comment

Jan. 26, 2021 (est.):        Present final proposed noise ordinance and public comments to the Public Safety Committee

Feb. 9, 2021 (est.):         Present final proposed noise ordinance to City Council

July 1, 2021:                    Proposed effective date for updated noise ordinance and Noise Control program

Christmas at Biltmore Daytime Celebration
Jan 6 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Biltmore

Buy tickets online to save up to $8 per admission. Check website for hours of operation.
Treat yourself to the beloved estate tradition known as Christmas at Biltmore, when America’s Largest Home®, Antler Hill Village, and the entire estate are at their most enchanting.
A daytime visit to Biltmore is a feast for the senses, featuring wreaths, garlands, and the sparkle of thousands of ornaments, from Biltmore House to Antler Hill Village!
Christmas at Connemara Thanksgiving to January 6
Jan 6 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Carl Sandburg House

The house will be decorated in the simple style of the Sandburg’s with poinsettias and a traditionally decorated Christmas tree throughout December until January 6th, 2021.

Free Online Courses: More Than 100 Languages Now Available
Jan 6 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
online w/ Buncombe County Libraries

Planning a trip to Italy to celebrate a special anniversary? Have a child in school that needs extra practice in a foreign language? Just want to brush up that language you studied for four years in school, but somehow can’t seem to remember at all? We’ve got you covered.

Buncombe County Public Libraries now offers Transparent Language Online free to all library cardholders. Whether you’re starting at the very beginning or you’re an intermediate learner looking to enhance your vocabulary, Transparent Language Online can help. With over 110 languages to choose from, including English for non-native speakers, there is something for every learner. With mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, learners can enjoy the freedom to learn at home, in the library, or on the go.

Transparent Languages includes learning for kids of all ages. KidSpeak introduces children to English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese. The program teaches words and phrases suitable for learners’ age, needs, and interests. More than 40 activities, puzzles, and songs guide young learners through the basics, along with a cartoon friend who speaks the language.

Transparent Language will be available on NC LIVE beginning Jan. 1, 2021. For all library services, your ID is your library card number and your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number. Contact your library with any questions.

Meet Biblioboard, Buncombe Library’s Newest Digital Resource
Jan 6 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
online w/ Buncombe County Libraries

Create, share, and discover with Buncombe County Public Library’s newest resource, Biblioboard.

BiblioBoard Library is an easy-to-use platform of high-quality digital content. Biblioboard offers books, articles, documents, images, audios, and videos. BiblioBoard Library is host to content from traditional publishers, indie authors, cultural institutions, and local thought leaders. Users can access BiblioBoard Library through the library’s website or on the device of their choice.

Some features of Biblioboard:

  • No waitlists or holds
  • Streaming audio and video are available on a wide variety of topics
  • Check out curated collections of the best indie authors.
  • Available for desktop, iOS, and Android devices

Local authors can submit their work for inclusion in the library catalog or publish books with Press Books. You can submit and share your work locally or nationally.

Interested? Check it out, and access Biblioboard today by clicking here.

Mel Chin’s Wake Sculpture
Jan 6 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Downtown Asheville

Wake, Mel Chin’s giant animatronic sculpture, installed in New York City’s Times Square last summer, will be on view in Asheville through March 15, 2021, at 44 Collier Avenue. Chin, a WNC based conceptual artist, was named a MacArthur Fellow in September 2019.

Wake was commissioned as part of Mel Chin: All Over the Place, a multi-site survey of his works from across many decades that took place in several New York City locations. A collaborative group, led by UNC Asheville’s STEAM Studio and The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, formed to plan and raise funds for the sculpture to be seen locally.

Wake – 60 feet long, 34 feet wide and 24 feet high, conceived and designed by the artist – was engineered, sculpted and fabricated by an interdisciplinary team of UNC Asheville students, faculty, staff and community artists led by Chin. The sculpture is interactive and features decks and places to sit and contemplate.

Wake evokes the hull of a shipwreck crossed with the skeletal remains of a marine mammal. The structure is linked with a carved, 21-foot-tall animatronic sculpture, accurately derived from a figurehead of the opera star Jenny Lind that was once mounted on the 19th century clipper ship, USS Nightingale. Jenny Lind moves subtly as she breathes and scans the sky.

Visitors can experience Wake daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 44 Collier Avenue. For more details and a schedule of programming, visit ashevillearts.com.