Frah Ra Ra Ra Ra – Ra Ra Ra Ra!
It’s that time of year again for over eating, over spending, nostalgic Christmas movies and tacky sweaters. Ever feel like the holidays come around so fast each year you find yourself drowning in the stress of the season rather than partaking in it? Well, luckily we live in the magical city of Asheville, NC where we can dip out of our everyday routines and escape to a holiday date night.
Whether it’s The Grove Park Inn, MG Road’s ‘Miracle on Wall Street’ or the North Carolina Arboretum Winter Lights, anyone can get through this overwhelming time of year. Our little city is immersed with rich history dating back several hundred years and one of my favorite ways to immerse myself in that history is to pack up and have date night at one of our famous hotels.
Date night at the Grove Park Inn
Grab a mug of hot chocolate with house-made marshmallows and stroll through more than 150 entries in the National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn. Afterwards, take a load off in the Great Hall with giant fireplaces and rockers.
Gingerbread house display runs November 25 – January 4, 2019
FREE
Self-Parking: $20
Day Valet Parking: $25
Omni Grove Park Inn
290 Macon Ave
Asheville, NC 28804
(1-800) 438-5800
Christmas at the Biltmore
There’s something special about stepping back in time during the holiday season and no one does “1890” better than the Biltmore. Behold the magic of Biltmore at Christmas! See the 55 ft spruce tree decorated with 55,000 lights on the front lawn, along with 60 other decorated trees in the home. The house is illuminated with candles and lights, along with Antler Hill Village, the Gardens and the Winery.
Candlelight Christmas Evenings tour is $85/adult, $42.50/youth (FREE for kids under 9)
November 3, 2018 – January 5, 2019
Christmas Daytime Celebration tour is $65 – $80/adult,
Youth ages 10-16 are 50% off the adult daytime admission price
November 3, 2018 – January 6, 2019
Biltmore
1 Lodge St
Asheville, NC 28803
Downtown Lights
The Arboretum is hosting a new display in downtown Asheville. The light display, Winter Lights Downtown, is centered around the Vance Monument and Hoss Haley Fountain in the heart of the city. Large trees are lit up in Pack Square with seven seasonal colors on rotation that make for a great show while shopping and dining downtown.
FREE
Date idea – Begin with Holiday Cocktails and snacks at Sovereign Remedies then warm up with a ‘To Go’ Hot Chocolate from the famous French Broad Chocolate Lounge before a brisk walk over to see winter lights centered around the Vance Monument and Pack Square. Snuggle on a bench under the bright, glowing lights displayed all over the heart of the city.
Live From WVL Radio Theatre: It’s A Wonderful Life
Put on by NC Stage Company is Live From WVL Radio Theatre: It’s A Wonderful Life. This new adaptation of the most nostalgic Christmas film in history is set in a radio theatre on a cold, winter snowy night. The actual voice actors for the radio are struggling to make it into the studio in such treacherous conditions, so a small cast of theatre employees take over to keep the show alive. Grab your date and watch it happen live!
Tickets $17 – $36, Students $10
Showtimes:
November 29 – December 23
Wednesday – Saturday: 7:30pm
Sunday: 2pm
NC Stage Company
15 Stage Lane
Asheville NC 28801
(828) 239-0263
The Twelve Dates of Christmas
Visit the NC Stage Company for The Twelve Dates of Christmas. Perfect for a ‘Girls Night Out,” this holiday production -many of us single, dating people can relate to. A story of love and loss just in the knick of time for the holidays. Go see this heartwarming, one woman show – a modern, hysterical alternative to the conventional holiday feature.
Discretionary Content: Adult Language.
Tickets: $17 – $34
Showtimes:
December 12 – 30
Wednesday – Saturday: 7:30pm
Sunday Matinee: 2pm
NC Stage Company
15 Stage Lane
Asheville NC 28801
(828) 239-0263
Christmas Spectacular at Flat Rock Playhouse
Experience the songs and festivities with an original revue that combines singing, dancing, and humor with all the traditional scenes in A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas. Audiences will be transported through the times of Charles Dickens, Santa’s Toy Shop and the Blue Ridge Mountains all while hearing your favorite holiday classics including The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Joy to the World, Sleigh Ride and White Christmas. Come celebrate the holidays – Vagabond style!
Tickets: $15 – $50
Showtimes:
November 25 – December 22: 8pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
2661 Greenville Hwy
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 693-0731
Box Office hours: M-F, 10am – 5pm
34th Annual Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular
Want to enjoy something a little more adult-festive? Asheville’s favorite, raunchy, screwball holiday comedy from The Magnetic Theatre returns this December with the 38th Annual Bernstein Family Christmas Spectacular! See what new debaucherous sketches the Bernstein writing team has come up with for this annual local favorite.
Tickets: $25/person
Showtimes:
November 29 – December 1, 6 – 8 and 13 – 15, 7:30pm
The Magnetic Theatre
375 Depot St
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 239-9250
MG Road
Located along Asheville’s historic Wall Street is the Best Bar in America. Well, kinda. Though the title was self given, many locals would agree that MG Road is one of Asheville’s most beloved bars. And for good reason. Miracle on Wall St., a seasonal Christmas Pop Up Bar, is bringing Asheville holiday cheer with a creative craft cocktail menu sure to make any Grinch smile.
When: Friday, November 23rd, through New Year’s Eve, Monday December 31st, 2018.
After December 31, Miracle will all be gone but MG Road Lounge will remain with the usual amazing cocktails!
Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum
A walking tour featuring over 500,000 energy-efficient LED lights through out the gardens. Hot Cocoa and snacks available for purchase. May we suggest Nachos and beer cheese at Bent Creek Bistro? Yes, please! Open nightly November 16 thru December 31, 6 – 10pm. Be sure to upgrade your experience with the 3-D glasses, available at the visitor center.
Adults: $18
Child: $12
Children 4 and under: FREE
NC Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 665-2492
Lake Julian Festival of Lights
Lake Julian is illuminated with a drive-thru light show for their annual Lake Julian Festival of Lights event. Visitors enjoying the lights will also be supporting a good cause, with 20% of ticket sales going to Buncombe County Special Olympics. The season kicks off on December 1st where visitors can walk through the park to see the lights. The remainder of the light festival will be drive -thru.
Walk through light show: December 1, 6 – 9pm: $5 adult, children FREE
Drive-thru light show: December 2 – 23, 6 – 9pm: $10 per vehicle ($8 In Advance), $20 for large vans, motor coaches and buses.
Lake Julian Park
406 Overlook Road Extension
Arden, NC 28704
Deck the Trees in Black Mountain
In nearby beautiful Black Mountain, The historic Monte Vista Hotel comes alive with twinkling lights and decorated Christmas trees. The Monte Vista Hotel celebrates with their annual Deck The Trees event with twinkling lights, live music, drinks specials, decorated trees and so much more at the historic hotel.
Holiday Tree Tour:
Friday, November 30 – Sunday, January 6, 2019
FREE
Monte Vista Hotel
308 W State St
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Winter Lights Holiday Tour
Want a festive ride to the Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum? This ticketed event offers visitors the chance to enjoy a holly, jolly ride from Asheville and Hendersonville to Winter Lights courtesy of The Trolley Company. Upon arrival, tour guests will receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and access to the Winter Lights exhibit.
Locations:
Pick up: 5:30pm
Drop off: 8:30pm
Asheville: Renaissance Hotel
Hendersonville: Cascades Mountain Resort
Tickets: $29.50 (children 4 and under are FREE)
The Trolley Company
(828) 606-8606
Big Free Christmas and Holiday Tasting
Sample top shelf wines, along with other treats at Table Wine
Saturday, December 15, 2 – 5pm
Free
Table Wine
1550 Hendersonville Road
Suite #102
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 505-8588
Holiday Spectacular Pop Up Shop
Find a gift for everyone on your list this holiday season at the Holiday Spectacular Pop Up Shop! Shop the festive 14-day pop up shop featuring some of the area’s best in handmade and vintage. Showcasing curated goods from over 125 local and indie makers, designers and vintage wares including clothing, jewelry, decor, greeting cards and more. For a full list of vendors, see Show and Tell Pop Up Shop. Event is held at The Asheville Masonic Temple.
FREE Entry November 30 – December 19
Everyday 10am – 8pm
Holiday Spectacular Pop Up Shop
The Asheville Masonic Temple
87 Broadway St
Asheville, NC 28801
Jingle Bell Trolley Ride
Craggy Mountain Line is running its 8th Annual Jingle Bell Trolley Ride for the Holiday season! Enjoy a trolley ride, hot cocoa and a visit from Santa!
Adults $12, children 10 and under are free or Reserve the whole train for $300. Christmas Party!
December 8 – 22
Craggy Mountain Line Railroad
111 Woodfin Ave
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 808-4877
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