Asheville – It seems like finding Christmas events has been getting harder and harder, but suddenly there are lights and fun everywhere. Maybe Hallmark is having an effect and bringing back the Christmas spirit; whatever it is, people are really getting into celebrating.
Have you ever found out after the fact that you missed a really great holiday event? Me too, and it’s frustrating, so we are compiling a whole list of Christmas events, markets, and concerts all in one place. Can we list them all? No, wonderfully, there are too many. We can, however, give you a broad view of events and where to go for more information.
Hendersonville
Hendersonville has brought back the “Home for the Holidays” celebration in 2023, and it is jam-packed with fun things to do and see. Due to inclement weather, they have moved the Old Fashioned Christmas to December 8th. Like in a Hallmark movie, you will experience stores, boutiques and galleries, with extended hours, serving holiday treats, carolers strolling the sidewalks, Santa visiting with kids on the courthouse plaza, and carriage rides taking place along the serpentine Main Street. Santa takes time to meet with all the good little children and get their holiday wish list under the lights of Hendersonville’s 35-foot town Christmas tree.
You can also enjoy a Candlelight Christmas at the Historic Johnson Farm on the 8th and 9th; holiday train rides on Main Street on the 16th, with photo opportunities in a Christmas sleigh; photos with holiday llamas from Ellaberry Llama Farm; holiday craft vendors; educational displays for children; face painting; and a pop-up market with fresh baked goods and treats from Mountain Fresh Orchards; Flat Rock Playhouse is having their Christmas show; and there is a Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt where you can help Peppermint find her lost cubs and win prizes.
Take in the more than 50,000 twinkling lights that adorn the Marked Tree Vineyard, where you will be treated to a holiday landscape that includes five commissioned, lighted art installations, and Henderson County’s largest oak tree, “Otto,” dressed in more than 6,000 lights! Carolers will sing on Saturdays.
Go to https://visithendersonvillenc.org/home-for-the-holidays for more detailed information and dates.
The 3rd annual Hope for the Holidays Jingle Jog is happening on December 16th! This 5K/Fun Run is to bring our community together to raise awareness about substance misuse and serve those who need support in their recovery journey. Suzanne English, Community Outreach & Development Coordinator for Hope Coalition, shared, “As the community continues to rally behind us, we know we can help people understand [better] the dangers of vaping, unknown substances, and addiction and that there is always a path to recovery. By empowering our youth and our adults in Henderson County through the resources Hope Coalition can offer, we build a resilient future where substance misuse is replaced with hope and healing.” https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/event/2023-jingle-jog-5k?delta=0
December 8th and 9th
This coming weekend has a wealth of things to do and markets to see. December 9th offers the Warren Hayes Christmas Jam featuring Slash & Myles Kennedy, Gov’t Mule, Billy F GIbbons, Clutch, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, American Babies Trio ft. Tom Hamilton & Tim Hamilton & Joe Russo, Karina Rykman, plus special guests George Porter Jr., John Medeski, Bill Evans, and more to help raise funds for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and BeLoved Asheville. Fans who purchase tickets to the Christmas Jam livestream will get access to stream The Pre-Jam on December 8th live from The Orange Peel, featuring Warren Haynes & Friends and more!
Weaverville is hosting its 19th Annual Candlelight Stroll on the 8th, with the tree lighting at 6:00 p.m. There will be storytelling, music, gifts, kid’s crafts, a shuttle service to town, a scavenger hunt with holiday characters hidden throughout Main Street, caroling, and Santa!
The Grovewood Gallery is hosting a Sip and Shop on the 8th and 9th. Honey & the Hive is hosting their 5th annual Winter Market with local vendors and artisans on December 9th from 3 to 7.
Uncommon Market is excited to host a 2-day Holiday Market on Saturday, December 9th, and Sunday, December 10th, at the Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center at 16 Fernihurst Drive. Uncommon Market is Asheville’s largest curated market in its 9th season of gathering quality curators of antiques, vintage décor, art, jewelry, home furnishings, plants and beyond.
Guidon Brewing is holding its 5th annual Christmas Market. Bring the family for local vendors, Santa, live music with Sunlight Drive, a cookie contest, and Glühwein to help you get into the Christmas spirit.
Old Timey Christmas for the Family
Step back in time to a Norman Rockwell Christmas scene during “A Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration” in downtown Waynesville from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. Hundreds of luminaries will line the sidewalk of Main Street, which will be closed to traffic to make way for strollers soaking up the festive ambiance. Horse-drawn wagon rides will clippity-clop up and down the street, while holiday tunes from live musicians fill the air. Meanwhile, kids will have a chance to share their Christmas lists with Santa Claus.
Fletcher Parks and Recreation presents their annual Christmas in the Park. On Friday, December 8th, there will be lighting of the Christmas tree along with ice skating opportunities. On Saturday, December 9, there will be more activities, including ice skating, music, Santa pictures, and visits with vendors!
West Asheville Baptist Church is presenting What A Glorious Night, a musical drama, on both the 9th and 10th.
Trivia and Paint and Sip Parties
Also of interest are the Holiday Trivia at Ginger’s Revenge on December 9th, a holiday concert at Haywood Community College, and four separate paint and sip holiday parties. Bold Rock Brewing will have a paint party on the 11th, 12 Bones Brewing on the 12th, Boojum Brewing on the 13th, and Sweeten Creek Brewing on the 14th.
Some events require tickets or a fee; check the websites for details. If you are on Facebook, you can search “Events” to find these events and more. Let’s make the season merry and bright.