JingleFest in Downtown Asheville

November 17   Downtown JingleFest   An afternoon of free fun and entertainment from 1 - 4 PM at Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville. Get an autograph from an Olympic athlete, get a close look at Window World’s custom silver St. Jude Dream Bike, enjoy a special performance by Asheville High School’s Marching Band, and be entertained by dance troupes from the Parade, jugglers, singers and more.

Once Santa makes his way through the Parade, he and Mrs. Claus will be at JingleFest so all the boys and girls can tell Santa what they want for Christmas. There will be a bounce house and other inflatables to keep the young kids busy while they’re waiting, too. Plus hot cider and goodies, and some good old-fashioned caroling.

The Smith-McDowell House Museum Celebrates 19th Century Carolina Christmas

November 14 -January 2  19th Century Carolina Christmas  Celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way at The Smith-McDowell House Museum. The museum's time-line of authentically decorated period rooms showcase the evolution of Christmas celebrations and decorations.

This yearly exhibit, began in 1981, is a tradition for many regional families and tour groups. The mansion and local history museum will again be authentically decorated with fresh trees, garlands, ornaments and toys of the Victorian Period. Seven period rooms will be decked out with gold, silver and glassware from the Museum's permanent collections.

Christmas at the Grove Park

December 23 - 27  ASHEVILLE  NC. A Grove Park Christmas  Christmas buffets, live holiday music, festive decorations, the National Gingerbread House Competition display and our historic ambiance (think roaring fires and carols) combine to make a wonderful family Christmas. Activities include visits from Major Bear and Santa Claus, history tours, a scavenger hunt, caroling around the fireplace, a yule log lighting ceremony and much more! http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/

Holiday Season Shopping in West Asheville

Dec 12, noon - 8PM, Downtown West Asheville NC. Over 50 West Asheville businesses will be participating in great deals for holiday shoppers. The event includes sales and specials, music, demonstrations, craft booths, artists' market, gift basket raffle, carrolling and more. Website: http://www.shopwestasheville.com

North Carolina Symphony Holiday Concert

Dec 10, 8PM-9:30PM, UNC Asheville - Lipinsky Auditorium, One University Heights, Asheville NC. Make your season bright with this festive Holiday Pops concert! The North Carolina Symphony ushers in a joyful time of year with favorite carols and a sing-along. Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony is a vital and honored component of our state’s cultural life, presenting 175 concerts annually. This  Holiday Pops Concert  features soprano Rozlyn Sorrell. For details and tickets:  http://www.unca.edu/culturalarts/NCSymphony/index.htm

14th Annual Christmas Guitar Concert

Dec 11, 8PM-10:30PM, Jubliee! 46 Wall Street, Asheville NC. Guitarists Ed Gerhard and Bill Mize join together for their Fourteenth Annual Christmas Guitar Concert.  Tickets are $18.00 and are available at Malaprops and Jubilee!  Ed Gerhard's music has touched concert audiences all over the world, from sold out tours of Japan to festivals in Italy, and venues across the US. Acoustic Guitar Magazine writes "...his recordings and live performances have established him as one of the most exciting of the guitarist-composers." Call (828) 252-5335 for info or visit: http://www.jubileecommunity.org/

North Asheville Tailgate Market - Holiday Edition

Dec 12, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM,  UNC Asheville, One University Heights, Asheville NC. Get your Christmas Tree and Wreathes at Tailgate, the area's oldest farmers' market in it's 29th year of operation with over 40 vendors selling locally produced goods. Gift baskets with Tailgate Goodies Available:  vegetables, fruits, greens, baked goods, local meats, herbs, honey, relishes, crafts and more. http://www.northashevilletailgatemarket.org/

Ring in the Holidays

Dec 13, 4PM-6PM, Central United Methodist Church, Church Street, Asheville NC. The powerful voices and remarkable music of The Asheville Choral Society presents "Ring in the Holidays!" at Central United Methodist Church, led by music director Lenora Thom. The choir will be accompanied by an orchestra, with songs to include all the beloved carols of the season with a candlelight procession.For more info ro tickets: http://www.ashevillechoralsociety.org/

"Major Bear's Holiday Party" at Grove Park Inn

Dec 6, 2PM-4PM, Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville NC. Share some holiday cheer with friends and family as Major Bear hosts a party! Create an ornament for your tree, get your face painted, and do the hokey-pokey with the bear himself. And don't forget about the food! Holiday stations will provide themed food sure to satisfy both kids and adults. Read more...

Stories of Gingerbread Tour

Nov 23 - Jan 3, 10:00 AM-04:00 PM, Monday-Thursday, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville  NC.  "Stories of Gingerbread" Guided Tours begin. Go behind the scenes and to the front of the lines with our newest addition to the world of gingerbread!  Guides will share stories about the artists and their houses, details about the construction of unusual entries, and a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of the judging, competition and display itself.  These specialty tours are available Monday-Saturday throughout the display period.  $10 Adults; $5 Children (12 & under).  For more information or to reserve a tour space, please call 800-438-0050, ext. #4094.  Website: http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/

Christmas Concert in Asheville

Nov 20, 7:30PM-9:30PM, Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville  NC.  Music for the Holiday Season performed by stars of the Asheville Lyric Opera and some of western North Carolina's finest musicians. The Downtown Association and the City of Asheville are proud to present the first ever Christmas Concert by The Asheville Lyric Opera to kick off the holiday season. On the eve of the holiday parade, the Christmas Concert will start at 8pm at the Diana Wortham Theater. Featuring the most beloved Christmas solos and choral arrangements, the concert will be sure to lift your holiday spirits. Performers will include the Mars Hill College Jazz Band, Bervard College Chamber Choir, Celebration Children's Singers, Soundings High School Ensemble, and featured soloists from Asheville Lyric Opera. The concert benefits Hearts with Hands charity organization and their campaign for disadvantaged youth in our community.Website: http://www.ashevillelyric.org/

63rd Asheville Holiday Parade.

Nov 21, 11AM. This year's Parade theme is "Our Appalachian Holidays" with singer/songwriters/storytellers David Holt and Laura Boosinger as co-Grand Marshals. The Express Personnel Clydesdale horses will headlining the Parade this year as well. Co-sponsored by The City of Asheville and the Asheville Merchants Corporation.

Website: http://www.ashevilleparade.org/

(If you can't be at the parade, watch it Thanksgiving or Christmas morning on WLOS-Channel 13)

Gingerbread House Competition and Display in Asheville

Nov 18 - Jan 3, The Grove Park Inn, Asheville NC.   National Gingerbread House Competition and Display  Experience the enchantment of gingerbread. Contestants from across the country will bring their culinary masterpieces this holiday season for display. The Competition and judging will take place on Nov. 16, 2009 and the gingerbread houses will be on display afterward. Community Viewing is Monday-Thursday only.
Resort Guests may view the display at anytime. Stories of Gingerbread" Guided Tours go behind the scenes and to the front of the lines with our newest addition to the world of gingerbread! These specialty tours are available Monday-Saturday throughout the display period. $10 Adults; $5 Children (12 & under).

Christmas Victorian Style in Asheville

Now through Jan 3, Smith-McDowell House Museum, Asheville NC. Celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way. The Smith-McDowell House Museum's time-line of authentically decorated period rooms showcase the evolution of Christmas celebrations and decorations.