Christmas at Biltmore

America’s largest private residence is never more captivating than during the holidays, when folks can enjoy the estate’s Candlelight Christmas Evenings. This nighttime tour inside the estate features the incandescent glow of 50+ ornately decorated trees, lights, candles, and more and is available for viewing through Sun., Jan. 9, 2022. Pssst: Don’t forget to stroll through Antler Hill Village.

Festival of Lights at Lake Julian

This driving-only tour includes 50 animated and stationary light displays circling Lake Julian Park. The season kicks off with the "walk through night," on Wed., Dec. 1 — the only night you can walk see the lights on foot. Best of all? 20% of proceeds go to Buncombe County Special Olympics.

Omni Grove Park Inn

Looking for something a bit more luxe? Head to the Omni Grove Park Inn, where you’ll find dozens of decorated trees along the Inn’s halls. Better still, you can peep the display of the National Gingerbread House Competition’s entries on view through Sun., Jan. 2, 2022.

Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland

Less than an hour away in Tryon, you’ll find Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland, a drive-thru experience featuring two miles of animated lights synchronized to holiday music. Catch it now through Sun., Jan. 2, 2022.

Winter Lights, The North Carolina Arboretum

Wanna see hundreds of thousands of colorful, twinkling lights over fun + whimsical exhibits? Then don’t miss this local tradition, which runs through Sat., Jan. 1, 2022. It returns to its original walk-through format for 2021 and also brings back the 50-ft lighted tree and rainbow-dappled unicorns from last year. Pro Tip: Don’t miss the hot chocolate station with homemade marshmallows.

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EVENTS

Today

Freshen Up Showcase | Mon., Nov. 29 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Asheville Club, 20 Haywood St. | Donation | Laugh away the Monday blues with local comics.

Tuesday

Community Blood Drive with The Blood Connection | Tues., Nov. 30 | 3-8 p.m. | Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd. | Free | Each blood donor receives a $20 Visa gift card. 🩸
Aquanet: Goth Night | Tues., Nov. 30 | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St. | Free | A night of traditional goth music. 🕸
Squirrel Nut Zippers Holiday Caravan | Tues., Nov. 30 | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | $25 | Bring proof of vaccination to see this American swing + jazz band perform. 🎤
Skills for Bridging the Divide | Tues., Nov. 30 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn and practice skills necessary for productive political conversations.

Wednesday

Smart Series: Purpose-Driven Marketing | Wed., Dec. 1 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | $15 | Learn how corporations are connected to their communities through social impact, educating, and more.
Miss Tess | Wed., Dec. 1 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Weinhaus, 86 Patton Ave. | $13 | Bring proof of vaccination to this night of vintage blues, country, and jazz. 🎵
An Evening With The Steel Wheels | Wed., Dec. 1 | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | Bring proof of vaccination to listen to this rock and folk band. 🎸
Julyan Davis presents A History of Saints | Wed., Dec. 1 | 5 p.m. | Blue Spiral, 38 Biltmore Ave. | Free | RSVP to this meet and greet followed by a reading from the author’s debut novel. 📚
Day With(out) Art | Wed., Dec. 1-Sun., Dec. 5 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Free-$15 | 2 South Pack Sq. | View the new documentary ENDURING CARE + installations including local tales of life with HIV, and Félix González-Torres’s interactive candy installation.*

Friday

Premier & Emporium Auctions | Fri., Dec. 3-Sat., Dec. 4 | 9 a.m.-5 a.m. | Brunk Auctions, 117 Tunnel Rd. | Free | Bid on items from Estate of the Artists James McBey and Marguerite McBey, William Merritt Chase, Cartier, Tiffany & Co. Platinum + more.*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

WHAT WONDERS DOES DECEMBER HOLD?

NEWS NOTES

Weather

47º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain

Cause

The Ingles Magical Christmas Toy Drive begins Thurs., Dec. 2 from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. at Ingles (151 Smokey Park Hwy). Donations are being accepted for new, unwrapped toys or monetary gifts through Dec. 4 which will benefit the Eblen Charities' Saint Nicholas Project. 🎁 (WLOS)

Edu

The NC Community College System is giving the state’s 2020 high school graduates the opportunity to attend community college tuition-free. Beginning in the 2022 spring semester, full-time students who meet the Longleaf Commitment Grant guidelines will have the chance to receive up to $2,800 a year for two years. (WCTI)

Number

$500. The current minimum weekly salary for Class-A minor league baseball players. The 2021 minimum yearly salary for MLB players is $570,500. Due to pandemic restrictions, the Astros became the first major league team to pay for furnished apartments for their minor league players — including our Asheville Tourists. ⚾ (Mountain Xpress)

Try This

From Cúrate to Biscuit Head... Asheville is known for its beloved food + beer scene. Whether you still haven’t been out to eat since the pandemic, or have a loved one craving some AVL cuisine, check out these local cookbooks from some of our most popular restaurants + chefs. 🥘 (Asheville Citizen Times)

Featured Deal

Today is the final day to earn triple the points on every dollar at The 6AM Shop. Sign up for 6AM Rewards with the same email you’re using to read this now, then see all the ways to earn + redeem points on products designed by local creatives.

The Buy

Shop local and enjoy 20% off from Jack Foster this Cyber Monday. Choose from a selection of local hats (Asheville, Greenville, and Columbia styles), coasters, Apple Watch straps + more. They also take custom order requests.*
Are you looking for the perfect local holiday gift? Sauna House is offering 25% off all product bundles plus free shipping over $50 (local pickup is also available). You can shop mineral salt soaks, organic soy candles, body oils, gift cards + more. Supply is limited, so preorders are encouraged.*

📸 @wncfarmersmarket

During this season of giving, you can find MANNA FoodBank’s donation boxes around the WNC Farmers Market. Bring any non-perishable food item and drop it in one of the bins. 🥫

DYK: MANNA can provide one meal for every 1.2 pounds of food donated, and four meals for every $1 donated? Learn more about hosting your own food drive this season through MANNA here.

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