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.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 10 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

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.

Think Tank Tuesdays Trivia Night
Dec 10 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillman Beer

Hillman Beer’s Trivia Night is on Tuesdays from 7pm-9pm! Get ready to drink some beer, test your wit, and have some fun!

Details:
– Please arrive at 6:30pm
– Max 6 people per team
– First place gets a $50 Hillman Beer Gift Card!

Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Reduced Price Growler Fill Wednesdays
Dec 11 @ 9:00 pm – Dec 12 @ 3:00 am
plēb urban winery

Select a wine on draft and fill a plēb urban winery 500mL or 1L growler for a reduced price (see menu for availability and pricing). Growler purchase is separate. Carry out only.

https://www.facebook.com/events/859748727719594/?event_time_id=859748904386243

Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 11 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

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.

Thursday, December 12, 2019
The 2020 AIR Passport: Asheville Independent Restaurant Association
Dec 12 all-day
Asheville’s Independent Restaurant Association

The AIR Passport is your buy-one-get-one (BOGO)* ticket to some of Buncombe County’s highly acclaimed independent restaurants. Visit an old favorite or try a new member of the area’s vibrant independent restaurant community. AIR Passports make great gifts, but they go fast.

The AIR Passport offers BOGO from 60 area eateries with discounts up to $15 per participating restaurants. All proceeds from the AIR Passport go to benefit the ongoing efforts of AIR to keep Asheville’s food scene eclectic and authentic.

“It is one of our largest fundraisers of the year,” Anderson said.  “We are able to use these funds throughout the year for educational classes,  events and other opportunities for our members and their staff.”

Participating restaurants in the 2020 AIR Passport:

828 Pizzeria North Ducker Tea Room Rosabees
828 Pizzeria South Early Girl DT Rosetta’s
AUX Bar Early Girl West Roux
Baked Pie North Early Girl North Rustic Grape
Baked Pie South Farm Burger Sante
The Barrelhouse French Broad Choc Sawhorse
Bhramari The Glass Onion The Social Lounge
The Bier Garden The Grey Eagle Strada
Black Bear BBQ Hemingway’s Cuba Sunny Point
The Blackbird Isa’s Bistro Tupelo Honey DT
Blue Dream Curry Jack of the Wood Tupelo Honey South
Bouchon Karen Donatelli Daphne-Twisted Laurel
Button & Co Bagels The Laughing Seed Twisted Laurel West
Buxton Hall Little Jumbo Ultimate Ice Cream N
The Cantina The Lobster Trap Ultimate Ice Cream E
Chai Pani Luella’s North Vinnie’s Italian
Chestnut Luella’s South Well Played
Chupacabra The Native Social White Labs
Collaboratory Pack’s Tavern White Duck Taco DT
Copper Crown The Oysterhouse White Duck Taco RAD
The Corner Kitchen The Red Stag Grill White Duck Taco South
Creekside Taphouse RendezVous
Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

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.

Mistletoe & Merlot: A Holiday Craft Market
Dec 12 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Radius Chiropractic

One of our goals in this community is to support other small, local businesses. This Holiday season we are excited to host Mistletoe & Merlot, A Holiday Craft Market designed to showcase makers, artist and craftspeople of Asheville.

This is a community event open to all of your family and friends. Come and enjoy FREE wine and food, while browsing items from local vendors. Need to cross some things off your Christmas list? This will be a one stop shop for all of your gift-giving needs.

We are excited to host:

Sweet Abode Artisan Soaps, Asheville Bag Lady, Mommabear Hoodies, Art by Pam Granger Gale, Art by Julie Armbruster, Jewelry by Designed to Dream, Poetry Prints by Morgan Holmes, Stones and Rocks by Carolyn Johnson, Winter wear by Coroin, Pottery from Batton Clayworks and candles and body care by Sage and Sunflowers.

And, don’t miss the raffle, where will be gifting items from each vendor throughout the night!

The Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour
Dec 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Departs From: Olde World Christmas Shoppe
  • Hop on board the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley for a fun and festive celebration of the season featuring the sights and soundsof the holidays!

 

  • This seasonal favorite features an entertaining blend of holiday storytelling and traditional Christmas caroling. Enjoy stories of local lore and holiday traditions, then join-in with our on-board musician singing classic carols and songs of Christmas. And all the while the Holly Jolly Trolley is rolling past festive holiday decorations in downtown Asheville, Biltmore Village and the Montford and Grove Park neighborhoods.
Friday, December 13, 2019
The 2020 AIR Passport: Asheville Independent Restaurant Association
Dec 13 all-day
Asheville’s Independent Restaurant Association

The AIR Passport is your buy-one-get-one (BOGO)* ticket to some of Buncombe County’s highly acclaimed independent restaurants. Visit an old favorite or try a new member of the area’s vibrant independent restaurant community. AIR Passports make great gifts, but they go fast.

The AIR Passport offers BOGO from 60 area eateries with discounts up to $15 per participating restaurants. All proceeds from the AIR Passport go to benefit the ongoing efforts of AIR to keep Asheville’s food scene eclectic and authentic.

“It is one of our largest fundraisers of the year,” Anderson said.  “We are able to use these funds throughout the year for educational classes,  events and other opportunities for our members and their staff.”

Participating restaurants in the 2020 AIR Passport:

828 Pizzeria North Ducker Tea Room Rosabees
828 Pizzeria South Early Girl DT Rosetta’s
AUX Bar Early Girl West Roux
Baked Pie North Early Girl North Rustic Grape
Baked Pie South Farm Burger Sante
The Barrelhouse French Broad Choc Sawhorse
Bhramari The Glass Onion The Social Lounge
The Bier Garden The Grey Eagle Strada
Black Bear BBQ Hemingway’s Cuba Sunny Point
The Blackbird Isa’s Bistro Tupelo Honey DT
Blue Dream Curry Jack of the Wood Tupelo Honey South
Bouchon Karen Donatelli Daphne-Twisted Laurel
Button & Co Bagels The Laughing Seed Twisted Laurel West
Buxton Hall Little Jumbo Ultimate Ice Cream N
The Cantina The Lobster Trap Ultimate Ice Cream E
Chai Pani Luella’s North Vinnie’s Italian
Chestnut Luella’s South Well Played
Chupacabra The Native Social White Labs
Collaboratory Pack’s Tavern White Duck Taco DT
Copper Crown The Oysterhouse White Duck Taco RAD
The Corner Kitchen The Red Stag Grill White Duck Taco South
Creekside Taphouse RendezVous
Midnight Summit Release Party
Dec 13 @ 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Highland Brewing Company

Midnight Summit returns! Best enjoined by a roaring fire, this vanilla milk stout perfectly melds together creamy notes of vanilla, chocolate, and coffee.

Get your first taste of this seasonal brew at our Taproom release party!
As with all our seasonal releases, a dollar from every pint of Midnight Summit sold will go to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, one our Community Partners.

 

Montford Park Player’s A Christmas Carol
Dec 13 @ 5:00 pm
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre

Photo of two actors dressed up as characters from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Get ready for a Moppet Holiday!
Scrooge and all of the Spirts of Christmas are back, and the Moppets got ’em!
Now that The Montford Moppets, Asheville’s ONLY Continuing Shakespeare Summer Camp, is year-round, they are returning for the second straight year to bring you their delightful take on Dickens’ holiday classic.
And, for the second-year in a row, A Christmas Carol will be a Moppet affair.
Dynamic duo Ashleigh and Skyler Goff have asked the Teens their hot takes on the famous story, and what they’ve come up with will surely delight kids and their grown-ups alike.
Shows will be presented Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5pm from December 13th through the 22nd, with a special showing on Monday the 23rd.
The Saturday performances will be preceded (starting at 3pm) by Montford Park Players’ Holiday Festival, featuring local food vendors and crafters, delicious baked goods, and many other surprises for the whole family.

Please note, that all of these festivities will be held on the grounds of the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre and are outdoors. Although MPP will provide patio heaters, we ask that you dress very warmly and bring any items or drinks that will help your entire day be filled with warmth.

18th Annual Enter the Earth Xmas Party
Dec 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Enter the Earth

You’re invited to Enter the Earth’s 18th Annual Christmas party on Friday, Dec 13, 2019. Join us from 6-8pm at the Enter the Earth gallery in the Grove Arcade for nibbles and drinks and to kick off the raffle with all proceeds donated to LEAF Community Arts.

At 9pm we will head over to the Asheville Music Hall for a night of funk with George Porter Jr. featuring Joe Marcinek and the Josh Blake Trio. We also welcome local musicians to jam! Showtime is 9:30pm. There will be an online silent auction starting a week before the event. Keep an eye out for some AMAZING items to fulfill your holiday gift list and support LEAF as we enter our 25th year!  All proceeds from this event will also benefit LEAF Community Arts.

Friday, December 13th, 2019
6pm-8pm: FREE Pre-party at Enter the Earth

Grove Arcade
1 Page Ave Suite 125
Asheville, NC 28801

9pm-2am: ETE’s 18th Annual Xmas Party
Asheville Music Hall
31 Patton Ave
Asheville, NC 28801

Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 13 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

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.

The Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour
Dec 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Departs From: Olde World Christmas Shoppe
  • Hop on board the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley for a fun and festive celebration of the season featuring the sights and soundsof the holidays!

 

  • This seasonal favorite features an entertaining blend of holiday storytelling and traditional Christmas caroling. Enjoy stories of local lore and holiday traditions, then join-in with our on-board musician singing classic carols and songs of Christmas. And all the while the Holly Jolly Trolley is rolling past festive holiday decorations in downtown Asheville, Biltmore Village and the Montford and Grove Park neighborhoods.
Saturday, December 14, 2019
The 2020 AIR Passport: Asheville Independent Restaurant Association
Dec 14 all-day
Asheville’s Independent Restaurant Association

The AIR Passport is your buy-one-get-one (BOGO)* ticket to some of Buncombe County’s highly acclaimed independent restaurants. Visit an old favorite or try a new member of the area’s vibrant independent restaurant community. AIR Passports make great gifts, but they go fast.

The AIR Passport offers BOGO from 60 area eateries with discounts up to $15 per participating restaurants. All proceeds from the AIR Passport go to benefit the ongoing efforts of AIR to keep Asheville’s food scene eclectic and authentic.

“It is one of our largest fundraisers of the year,” Anderson said.  “We are able to use these funds throughout the year for educational classes,  events and other opportunities for our members and their staff.”

Participating restaurants in the 2020 AIR Passport:

828 Pizzeria North Ducker Tea Room Rosabees
828 Pizzeria South Early Girl DT Rosetta’s
AUX Bar Early Girl West Roux
Baked Pie North Early Girl North Rustic Grape
Baked Pie South Farm Burger Sante
The Barrelhouse French Broad Choc Sawhorse
Bhramari The Glass Onion The Social Lounge
The Bier Garden The Grey Eagle Strada
Black Bear BBQ Hemingway’s Cuba Sunny Point
The Blackbird Isa’s Bistro Tupelo Honey DT
Blue Dream Curry Jack of the Wood Tupelo Honey South
Bouchon Karen Donatelli Daphne-Twisted Laurel
Button & Co Bagels The Laughing Seed Twisted Laurel West
Buxton Hall Little Jumbo Ultimate Ice Cream N
The Cantina The Lobster Trap Ultimate Ice Cream E
Chai Pani Luella’s North Vinnie’s Italian
Chestnut Luella’s South Well Played
Chupacabra The Native Social White Labs
Collaboratory Pack’s Tavern White Duck Taco DT
Copper Crown The Oysterhouse White Duck Taco RAD
The Corner Kitchen The Red Stag Grill White Duck Taco South
Creekside Taphouse RendezVous
Asheville Outlets Presents Breakfast With Santa
Dec 14 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Asheville Outlets

Come in your favorite PJ’s to Asheville Outlets (ShopAshevilleOutlets.com) Saturday, December 14th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and join us for a jolly morning of games, holiday arts & crafts, entertainment, and a delicious breakfast. Following breakfast, families can visit Santa for FREE photos and take home a photo memory of their visit! Breakfast with Santa is for children 12 and under please. RSVP is required. To RSVP, please visit: www.eventbrite.com/o/asheville-outlets-28015804399. Located inside Food Court.

Breakfast With Santa
Dec 14 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Asheville Outlets

Breakfast With Santa

December 14, 2019 – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. inside Food Court

Come in your favorite PJ’s and join us for a jolly morning of games, holiday arts & crafts, entertainment, and a delicious breakfast. Following, families can visit Santa for FREE photos and take home a photo memory of their visit! Breakfast with Santa is for children 12 and under please. RSVP is required.

Richmond Hill Habitat Restoration Workday
Dec 14 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Richmond Hill Park

Join us and help restore native plant communities by controlling non-native invasive plants at Richmond Hill Park. This is the City of Asheville’s only forested park and is home to many special native plant and animal species! Volunteers help to stop the spread of harmful non-native invasive species and return native species to the unique park.

Close-toed shoes, long sleeves and pants are required. We will provide work gloves and eye protection, but you’re welcome to bring your own. Please also bring any water or snacks you may need and dress warmly!

Be the Change Festival
Dec 14 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Asheville Middle School

Get ready for the Be The Change Festival hosted by SaulPaul from America’s Got Talent on Saturday December 14th from 11AM-3PM! Join us at this free family festival for interactive exhibits, live musical performances, fun games, delicious food, DJs and more! We will be giving away $5,000 in gift cards, multiple 40″-50″ flat screen TVs, and a free gift to the first 300 people who register and attend. Enjoy fun times and free food at Asheville Middle School on 211 S. French Broad Ave in Ashevill, NC!

Photos with Santa Paws & Vegan Holiday Dessert Contest
Dec 14 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Southern Appalachian Brewery

Get your photo with Santa Paws at Southern Appalachian from 2pm-4pm on Saturday, December 14! Photos are available for donation to BRHS.

Enter the holiday vegan dessert contest for the chance to become the best vegan baker of them all! More details coming soon!

Montford Park Player’s A Christmas Carol
Dec 14 @ 5:00 pm
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre

Photo of two actors dressed up as characters from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Get ready for a Moppet Holiday!
Scrooge and all of the Spirts of Christmas are back, and the Moppets got ’em!
Now that The Montford Moppets, Asheville’s ONLY Continuing Shakespeare Summer Camp, is year-round, they are returning for the second straight year to bring you their delightful take on Dickens’ holiday classic.
And, for the second-year in a row, A Christmas Carol will be a Moppet affair.
Dynamic duo Ashleigh and Skyler Goff have asked the Teens their hot takes on the famous story, and what they’ve come up with will surely delight kids and their grown-ups alike.
Shows will be presented Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5pm from December 13th through the 22nd, with a special showing on Monday the 23rd.
The Saturday performances will be preceded (starting at 3pm) by Montford Park Players’ Holiday Festival, featuring local food vendors and crafters, delicious baked goods, and many other surprises for the whole family.

Please note, that all of these festivities will be held on the grounds of the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre and are outdoors. Although MPP will provide patio heaters, we ask that you dress very warmly and bring any items or drinks that will help your entire day be filled with warmth.

Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 14 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

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.

The Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour
Dec 14 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Departs From: Olde World Christmas Shoppe
  • Hop on board the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley for a fun and festive celebration of the season featuring the sights and soundsof the holidays!

 

  • This seasonal favorite features an entertaining blend of holiday storytelling and traditional Christmas caroling. Enjoy stories of local lore and holiday traditions, then join-in with our on-board musician singing classic carols and songs of Christmas. And all the while the Holly Jolly Trolley is rolling past festive holiday decorations in downtown Asheville, Biltmore Village and the Montford and Grove Park neighborhoods.
Sunday, December 15, 2019
The 2020 AIR Passport: Asheville Independent Restaurant Association
Dec 15 all-day
Asheville’s Independent Restaurant Association

The AIR Passport is your buy-one-get-one (BOGO)* ticket to some of Buncombe County’s highly acclaimed independent restaurants. Visit an old favorite or try a new member of the area’s vibrant independent restaurant community. AIR Passports make great gifts, but they go fast.

The AIR Passport offers BOGO from 60 area eateries with discounts up to $15 per participating restaurants. All proceeds from the AIR Passport go to benefit the ongoing efforts of AIR to keep Asheville’s food scene eclectic and authentic.

“It is one of our largest fundraisers of the year,” Anderson said.  “We are able to use these funds throughout the year for educational classes,  events and other opportunities for our members and their staff.”

Participating restaurants in the 2020 AIR Passport:

828 Pizzeria North Ducker Tea Room Rosabees
828 Pizzeria South Early Girl DT Rosetta’s
AUX Bar Early Girl West Roux
Baked Pie North Early Girl North Rustic Grape
Baked Pie South Farm Burger Sante
The Barrelhouse French Broad Choc Sawhorse
Bhramari The Glass Onion The Social Lounge
The Bier Garden The Grey Eagle Strada
Black Bear BBQ Hemingway’s Cuba Sunny Point
The Blackbird Isa’s Bistro Tupelo Honey DT
Blue Dream Curry Jack of the Wood Tupelo Honey South
Bouchon Karen Donatelli Daphne-Twisted Laurel
Button & Co Bagels The Laughing Seed Twisted Laurel West
Buxton Hall Little Jumbo Ultimate Ice Cream N
The Cantina The Lobster Trap Ultimate Ice Cream E
Chai Pani Luella’s North Vinnie’s Italian
Chestnut Luella’s South Well Played
Chupacabra The Native Social White Labs
Collaboratory Pack’s Tavern White Duck Taco DT
Copper Crown The Oysterhouse White Duck Taco RAD
The Corner Kitchen The Red Stag Grill White Duck Taco South
Creekside Taphouse RendezVous
WNC Nature Center: Behind the Scenes!
Dec 15 @ 1:15 pm – 3:00 pm
WNC Nature Center

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the “STAFF ONLY” doors at the Nature Center?

Now’s your chance to find out! Areas visited on the Wild Walk may* include the Small Mammal habitat, the Predator area, and the Animal Kitchen. Don’t miss out on this amazing up-close encounter with some of your favorite wildlife!

Join us for this one of a kind behind-the-scenes tour! Tour lasts from 1:20 to 3:00pm.

Register online, in person at the Friends office, or by calling 828-259-8092.

Montford Park Player’s A Christmas Carol
Dec 15 @ 5:00 pm
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre

Photo of two actors dressed up as characters from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Get ready for a Moppet Holiday!
Scrooge and all of the Spirts of Christmas are back, and the Moppets got ’em!
Now that The Montford Moppets, Asheville’s ONLY Continuing Shakespeare Summer Camp, is year-round, they are returning for the second straight year to bring you their delightful take on Dickens’ holiday classic.
And, for the second-year in a row, A Christmas Carol will be a Moppet affair.
Dynamic duo Ashleigh and Skyler Goff have asked the Teens their hot takes on the famous story, and what they’ve come up with will surely delight kids and their grown-ups alike.
Shows will be presented Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5pm from December 13th through the 22nd, with a special showing on Monday the 23rd.
The Saturday performances will be preceded (starting at 3pm) by Montford Park Players’ Holiday Festival, featuring local food vendors and crafters, delicious baked goods, and many other surprises for the whole family.

Please note, that all of these festivities will be held on the grounds of the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre and are outdoors. Although MPP will provide patio heaters, we ask that you dress very warmly and bring any items or drinks that will help your entire day be filled with warmth.

Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 15 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

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.

Monday, December 16, 2019
Makin’ a Difference Monday
Dec 16 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Oskar Blues Brewery

We’ll be at the Tasty Weasel Taproom at Oskar Blues Brewery for Makin’ a Difference Monday on December 16th from 5:30-8 pm. Oskar Blues, Brevard is donating 10% of their taproom sales to Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders so please come support Oskar Blues supporting CRC for ED!

Join the conversation about food, body image, and exercise issues, enjoy a delicious pint and… make a difference with us!

Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders is the only nonprofit in NC supporting individuals, families, and professionals concerned with disordered eating and recovery from eating disorders. For more information about CRC for ED: www.crcfored.com

Oskar Blues works hard to be a positive fixture in the community and that starts with building up others and supporting causes that are meaningful. Makin’ a Difference Monday allows OB to give others the spotlight… to bring awareness and support to nonprofit organizations like CRC for ED. Oskar Blues is excited to feature our organization in December and hopes to help rally support and attention for the work we are doing. https://www.oskarblues.com/location/brevard-nc-oskar-blues-taproom/

Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 16 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

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.

The Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour
Dec 16 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Departs From: Olde World Christmas Shoppe
  • Hop on board the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley for a fun and festive celebration of the season featuring the sights and soundsof the holidays!

 

  • This seasonal favorite features an entertaining blend of holiday storytelling and traditional Christmas caroling. Enjoy stories of local lore and holiday traditions, then join-in with our on-board musician singing classic carols and songs of Christmas. And all the while the Holly Jolly Trolley is rolling past festive holiday decorations in downtown Asheville, Biltmore Village and the Montford and Grove Park neighborhoods.