Asheville’s Holiday Season Brings Mountain Magic and Festive Fun

As winter surprise strikes to the North Carolina mountains, Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) has loads of festive celebrations to make the 2025 vacation season merry and brilliant for the younger and young-at-heart throughout Holly Jolly Holidays in November and December. Space is restricted, so advance registration is strongly advisable even when an occasion is free.

November 15-22  |  December 1-7  |  December 8-14  |  December 15-21  |  December 22-January 2

November 15-22

Warmth & Wags – November 15, 12-3pm 

Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center (285 Livingston St.)

FREE | All ages

Find a cuddly year-round companion and share the vacation spirit with Mountain Pet Rescue’s array of adoptable canine able to fill your life with pleasure and wagging tails, from playful puppies to mild seniors.

Grove Street Pie Contest – November 20, 2-4pm

Grove Street Community Center (36 Grove St.)

FREE | All ages

Bring your greatest vacation pie to see in case your distinctive style, texture, and originality stand out to the judges. Submit pies by midday to be a part of the enjoyable!

Burton Street Friendsgiving – November 22, 11am-1pm

Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton St.)

FREE | All ages

Gather family and friends to share a free potluck meal, good firm, and what you’re most grateful for. Advance registration required.

Asheville Holiday Parade – November 22, 11am-2pm

Pack Square Park and Pritchard Park (Downtown Asheville)

FREE | All ages

Join the City of Asheville in partnership with Asheville Downtown Association for a day of festive mountain spirit, inventive group floats, and costumes dropped at life by native teams and organizations below this yr’s theme: Toyshop Whimsy. Look out for the APR float and take vacation cheer to the following degree by volunteering to assist create this treasured custom (to volunteer, attain out to [email protected])!

Community Thanksgiving Potluck – November 22, 1-4pm

Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center (121 Shiloh Rd.)

FREE | All ages

Celebrate the season of gratitude and fellowship with a shared meal the place everybody brings their favourite Thanksgiving dish. Advance registration required.

December 1-7

Therapeutic Recreation Adult Crafting: Snow Making – December 2, 10-11am and 11am-12pm

Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)

FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities

Experience the magic of creating snow with easy, secure components. Advance registration required.

Therapeutic Recreation Adult Movement: Snowball Fight – December 3, 10-12pm

Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Dr.)

FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities

It’s all about technique and the duck, dive, and dodge on this foolish snowball sight utilizing dodgeballs. Advance registration required.

Candy Cane Flashlight Hunt – December 3, 5:30-7pm

Jake Rusher Park (160 Sycamore Dr., Arden)

FREE | Ages 5-18 with grownup

Search for sweet canes and merry treasures – in the dead of night! Bring your individual flashlight or headlamp. Another hunt takes place on December 18 in Carrier Park.

Day Trips: National Gingerbread House Competition – December 4, 10am-2pm

Meet at Harvest House Community Center (205 Kenilworth Rd.)

FREE | Ages 18+

Welcome again this beloved custom that celebrates energy, creativity, and unwavering vacation spirit as Omni Grove Park Inn’s halls showcase heartfelt craftsmanship of the gingerbread group. Advance registration required.

Grinch’s Whoville Holiday Bash – December 5, 6-9pm

Grove Street Community Center (36 Grove St.)

$5 | Ages 4-12 with grownup

Whether you’re a Grinch or a Who, really feel your coronary heart develop three sizes at this celebration that includes a scavenger hunt, crafts, video games, sizzling cocoa, prizes, and a Cindy Lou Who hair station. Don’t overlook to put on your greatest Grinch-inspired outfit!

Holiday Lights & Cozy Movie Night – December 5, 6:30-9pm

Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton St.)

FREE | All ages

Take a stroll below festive lights and revel in a film on the large display screen with popcorn and vacation refreshments.

December 8-14

12 Days of Magic: Week 1 – December 8-12, 2-4pm

Grove Street Community Center (36 Grove St.)

FREE | Ages 18+

Unwrap a brand new vacation shock every day to have a good time the magic and surprise of the season.

• December 8: Name That Tune: Holiday Songs Edition
• December 9: Snowy Window Art
• December 10: Holiday Card Making
• December 11: Gingerbread House Decorating
• December 12: Holiday Trivia

Calls from Santa – December 8, 5-6:30pm

FREE | Ages 3-6

Ensure all good little youngsters in your life obtain a private name from the North Pole. Sign up and one in all Santa’s helpers will schedule a name.

Therapeutic Recreation Adult Crafting: Cinnamon Ornaments – December 9, 10-11am and 11am-12pm

Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)

FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities

Create new heirloom ornaments from cinnamon and applesauce good to hold on bushes yr after yr. Advance registration required.

Therapeutic Recreation Adult Movement: Winter Olympics – December 10, 10-12pm

Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Dr.)

FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities

Discover the enjoyable of winter sports activities with stations impressed by in style ice and snow Olympic disciplines tailored for people with disabilities. Advance registration required.

Oakley Community Closet – December 10, 1-2pm

Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)

FREE | All ages

Shop and swap garments, footwear, and toys at this month-to-month market that brings new life to gently-loved treasures. Please name (828) 232-4529 to coordinate donation drop-offs.

Holiday Luncheon and Bingo – December 11, 12-3pm

Harvest House Community Center (205 Kenilworth Rd.)

$5 | Ages 18+

Enjoy a selection of conventional Italian vacation meals like lasagna al forno (meat and veggie kinds), spaghetti, grilled greens, and loads of cookies and desserts earlier than taking a seasonal spin on everybody’s favourite recreation! Optional: Bring a canned good for donation to Loving Food Resources. Advanced registration required.

Youth Gingerbread House Building – December 12, 5:30-7pm

Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Dr.)

$5 | Ages 7-11 with grownup

Sweet and festive is the secret at this gingerbread home making manufacturing unit the place youngsters design and embellish vacation dream homes with colourful candies and icing.

Ginger Bread House Contest – December 12, 6-7:30pm

Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton St.)

FREE | All ages

Join for a fun-filled night time of constructing the place groups compete to create one of the best gingerbread home and win prizes!

Breakfast with Santa – December 13, 9-10:30am and 10:30am-12pm

Stephens-Lee Community Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.)

$10 | Ages 2-9 with grownup

A vacation custom for native households, Mrs. Claus hosts a particular breakfast with video games, crafts, and a go to from her jolly husband. Advance registration required.

Santa’s Volleyball Slama Jama – December 13, 10am-4pm

Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Dr.)

$50 per workforce | Ages 18+

Serve up your vacation spirit at Santa’s official volleyball event that includes intense, top-tier workforce motion and the possibility to win fabulous prizes. Costumes inspired! Advance registration required.

Holiday Free Store – December 13, 10am-6pm

Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center (285 Livingston St.)

FREE | All ages

‘Tis the season for sharing what we’ve in abundance, coming collectively to construct group resilience, and lightening the monetary burden for somebody who may have or need an merchandise. Volunteer, donate, and “shop” clothes, footwear, house items, toys, books, electronics, sporting items, and extra for private use or presents. Sign up to help with sorting and operations.

Holiday Bingo & Festive Fun – December 13, 12-2pm

Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton St.)

FREE | All ages, advance registration required

Celebrate probably the most fantastic time of the yr at festive Holiday Bingo.

December 15-21

12 Days of Magic: Week 2 – December 15-19, 2-4pm

Grove Street Community Center (36 Grove St.)

FREE | Ages 18+

Unwrap a brand new vacation shock every day to have a good time the magic and surprise of the season.

• December 15: Ornament Making
• December 16: Holiday Show and Tell
• December 17: Cookie Exchange
• December 18: Holiday Minute to Win It
• December 19: Christmas Carol Karaoke 

Toddler Discovery Time: Winter Wonderland – December 16, 10-10:45am

Stephens-Lee Community Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.)

$5 | Ages 2.5-5 with grownup

The health club turns right into a winter playground of toys, craft and science stations, and vacation actions to encourage toddlers’ creativity and creativeness.

Therapeutic Recreation Adult Crafting: Cookie Decorating – December 16, 10-11am and 11am-12pm

Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)

FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities

Decorate scrumptious vacation cookies good for having fun with within the remaining magical weeks of the yr. Advance registration required.

Jingle Bell Toddler Party – December 17, 10am-12pm

Stephens-Lee Community Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.)

$5 | Ages 4 and below with grownup

Jingle bells, reindeer magic, and a snowball toss are a part of the celebration within the magical Castle on the Hill filled with inflatables, toys, exercise stations, and festive refreshments.

Therapeutic Recreation Adult Movement: Igloos – December 17, 10-12pm

Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Dr.)

FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities

Explore indoor snow huts designed to imitate outside shelters historically utilized by native peoples within the snowy Central Arctic and Greenland. Advance registration required.

Candy Cane Flashlight Hunt – December 18, 5:30-7pm

Carrier Park (220 Amboy Rd.)

FREE | Ages 5-18

Search for sweet canes and merry treasures – in the dead of night! Bring your individual flashlight or headlamp. Another hunt takes place on December 3 in Jake Rusher Park.

Grinch’s Grub – December 21, 2-4:30pm

Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Dr.)

$5 | All ages

Celebrate the primary day of winter with vacation cheer (and perhaps a contact of inexperienced) at a whimsical Grinch-themed indoor picnic and film viewing impressed by the beloved Dr. Seuss traditional a couple of cranky, solitary creature who realizes that Christmas shouldn’t be all about cash and presents.

December 22-January 2

12 Days of Magic: Week 3 – December 22-23, 2-4pm

Grove Street Community Center (36 Grove St.)

FREE | Ages 18+

Unwrap a brand new vacation shock every day to have a good time the magic and surprise of the season.

• December 22: Holiday Movie & Hot Chocolate 
• December 23: Gift Exchange

Holiday Camp – December 22-23, December 29-31, and January 2, 8:30am-6pm

$40 for first little one, $30 for every further little one | Registration opens November 1

Spend winter break at APR Holiday Camp that includes video games, crafts, sports activities, arts, and each form of festive enjoyable! Advance registration required.

• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center: Ages 6-12
• Tempie Avery Montford Community Center: Ages 5-13
• Therapeutic Recreation: Ages 6-21, please overview eligibility standards previous to registration

Kids’ New Years Eve Party – January 2, 6-7:30pm

$5 | Ages 5-10 with grownup

Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Dr.)

Kick off the brand new yr with new vibes at a festive celebration filled with actions to welcome new potentialities and alternatives with open arms.

Explore, Connect, Discover All Year

These occasions are only a pattern of the APR motion! APR’s present Program Guide is obtainable in English and en español. Programs replenish quick and lots of require advance registration, so it’s value spending a while planning which actions and occasions to attend. Use these assets to find further alternatives: