Things to do this weekend 12/09 - 12/11

Annual Downtown Asheville Holiday Window Display

• December 01, 2011 - December 31, 2011
• Location: Downtown Asheville
• Address: Downtown Asheville, Asheville, NC 28801
• Admission: Free
• Contact: Asheville Downtown Association
• Phone: 828-251-9973 

 The Asheville Downtown Association's Holiday Windows Competition creates a wonderful FREE event for people visiting downtown... a Holiday Windows Walking Tour. Just pick a street and get ready to "ooh" and "ah" at the creative and festive windows through the month of December. 

Blue Ridge Orchestra Holiday Concert

• December 11, 2011 - December 11, 2011
• Location: Folk Art Center
• Address: Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 382, Asheville, NC 28805
• Times: 4:00pm
• Admission: $15 adults; $5 studetns. Available at the Wine Guy.
• Phone: 828-254-6500

A tradition with all your favorites including sleigh rides by Mozart, Prokofiev, and Leroy Anderson and a special appearance by Connell Sanderson, bagpipes.

The 16th Annual Montford Home Tour

• December 10, 2011 - December 10, 2011
• Location: Montford Historic District
• Address: Montford Historic District, Asheville, NC 28801
• Times: 1:00 - 5:00pm
• Admission: Tickets may be purchased from the Visitors Center Gift Shop and on line starting December 1
• Phone: 828-280-1576

 Begin the holiday season with the 16th Annual Montford Home Tour. Explore Asheville's oldest, most historic neighborhood comprised of Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Greek Revival and Dutch Colonial homes built in the 1890's to 1920's.  A variety of these residences will be open for tour during this special one day event.  Enjoy roving Shakespearian actors, courtesy of The Montford Park Players and feast on homemade baked goods from the kitchens of Montford residents.  The Montford Community is located just north of the Asheville Chamber Visitor's Center. 

Wine Tasting at Studio 375 Depot

• December 10, 2011 - December 10, 2011
• Location: Studio 375 Depot
• Address: 375 Depot Street, River Arts District, Asheville, NC 28801
• Times: 4:00 - 7:00pm
• Phone: 828-707-4553

The River Arts District's Studio 375 Depot is hosting a raffle and wine tasting as a benefit for Manna FoodBank. The studio's artists as well as several area businesses have donated art and items for several gift baskets to be raffled off for just $5 a ticket. Plus, guests who bring non-perishable food items for Manna will receive additional tickets. Just some of the items in the raffle gift baskets include jewelry from Earthspeak Metal Arts, an original painting by Michael Allen Campbell, Love Asheville Go Local T-shirt, pottery, photo notecards from Vagabond Vistas and more great stuff. The Wine Studio of Asheville will bring along four wines great for holiday gatherings and gifts, and The Colorful Palate Catering's delicious snacks are sure to delight taste buds.The event also coincides with the region-wide Second Saturday Initiative, Collect Art Asheville. Artists and art organizations throughout Western North Carolina open their doors and host openings, events, classes and workshops on the second weekend of each month.  Studio 375 artists include: Ada Lea Birnie, Alice Scott, Cynthia Lee, Desert Moon Designs, David Simchock, Duane Dunston, Earthspeak Metal Arts, Fran Welch, Hobie's Porch Chair Caning, Julie Merrill, Mackenzie King, Michael Allen Campbell, Planet Art Picture Framing & Gallery, Sheryl Baker, Penny Clark, Smoking Turtle Pottery and Vagabond Vistas.

Winter Wonderland at the Grove Arcade

• November 19, 2011 - January 02, 2012
• Location: Grove Arcade
• Address: 1 Page Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
• Admission: Free
• Phone: 828-252-7799

Make the Grove Arcade a part of your holiday plans.  With wonderful local restaurants and independently-owned galleries and shops, you can enjoy the holidays and downtown Asheville while getting your shopping done.  For the sixth year, the Arcade is partnering with the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa to display entries from the National Gingerbread House Competition.  The houses are on view Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. 

Santa on the Chimney!

• December 03, 2011 - December 10, 2011
• Location: Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
• Address: 431 Main Street, Chimney Rock, NC 28720
• Times: 11am-2pm
• Admission: No additional cost with paid Park admission
• Phone: 800-277-9611

Santa practices on 315-foot Chimney Rock before climbing down millions of much shorter chimneys all around the world on Christmas Eve. USA Today named Chimney Rock one of the top 10 places to catch up with Santa--come and see why! Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, free hot cocoa, cookies and kids' activities and meet live critters. Annual Passholders are invited to a special holiday sale with 25% off their total retail purchase both days at Cliff Dwellers Gifts, which will be providing entertainment, artist demonstrations and refreshments.

19th Century Carolina Christmas

• November 16, 2011 - January 01, 2012
• Location: Smith-McDowell House Museum
• Address: 283 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801
• Contact Info: (828) 253-9231

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.

A Christmas Carol Presented by the Montford Park Players

• December 08, 2011 - December 18, 2011
• Location: The Masonic Temple
• Address: 88 Broadway, Asheville, NC 28801
• Admission: Visit website or call for ticket pricing.

The 35th presentation of Charles Dickens' classic tale of greed and redemption, performed by the Montford Park Players!

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings

• November 11, 2011 - December 31, 2011
• Location: Biltmore
• Address: One Lodge Street, Asheville, NC 28803
• Admission: A special ticket is required. Visit website for details.
• Contact Info: 800-411-3812 or 828-225-1333 

As daylight fades into dusk, candlelight and firelight accent Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor, accented by live entertainment and outside illuminations.Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets are available by reservation only, and include an evening self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens and Biltmore Winery. Advance reservations are required.

Christmas at Connemara

• December 10, 2011 - December 10, 2011
• Location: Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
• Address: 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock, NC 28731
• Admission: Free
• Contact Info: 828-693-4178 or carl_administration@nps.gov 

Musicians and storytellers will perform traditional holiday stories and music. Hot cider and cookies will be served. This free festive celebration will honor Carl Sandburg and the family holiday tradition of music. Young visitors will find many opportunities for participation in storytelling and sing-a-longs too. The house will be decorated in the simple style of the Sandburgs with poinsettias and a traditionally decorated Christmas tree throughout December.

Home for the Holidays

• December 05, 2011 - December 22, 2011
• Location: Flat Rock Playhouse
• Address: 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731
• Admission: $34
• Contact Info: Box Office, 828-693-0731 

A fun-filled, high-spirited send up of the yuletide season.   Presented in a two-act concert format, this personable celebration promises to tickle the funny bone and warm the heart.  You can expect a new look on some old holiday standards peppered with a handpicked selection of new material by contemporary composers and lyricists.  Throw in an audience participation number, a few historical carols with a twist,  a novelty number or two reflecting our current views of the holiday, and a few old fashioned favorites, and you can be rest assured that this warm hearted show will not disappoint those looking to laugh and recall Christmases past with  happy memories. 

Lighting of the Green

• December 06, 2011 - December 22, 2011
• Location: AB-Tech
• Admission: Free
• Contact Info: Susan Haldane, Special Events CoordinatorA-B Tech Foundation828-254-1921, ext. 7567 

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College will host its second annual "Lighting of the Green" December 2 - 22, 2011. Experience the wonder of the holiday season at Fernihurst, an 1870s mansion once the center of social activity for the elite township of Victoria. The house will be open to the public from 6:00 - 8:00pm on December 6, 9, 13, 16, and 20 with entertainment and light refreshments. Outside lights at Fernihurst and Sunnicrest will be on each evening from December 2 - 22.

Plaid Tidings

• November 30, 2011 - December 22, 2011
• Location: Flat Rock Playhouse
• Address: 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731
• Admission: $40
•  Contact Info: Main box office: (828) 693-0731 

Music and Lyrics by Various Artists?The holidays have never sounded so good! After two hugely successful productions of Forever Plaid, our boys are back to do their Christmas Special. The Forever Plaid sequel is a show for the whole family. Christmas with your favorite four Plaids will feature pop songs from the 50's along with Christmas standards that have all been "Plaid-erized,"

The Polar Express at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

• November 04, 2011 - December 24, 2011
• Location: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
• Address: 226 Everett Street, Bryson City, NC 28713
• Admission: Multiple levels of tickets are available. Check website or call for ticketing.
• Contact Info: 1-800-872-4681  

Get into the Christmas Spirit by enjoying a 1 hour and 15 minute round-trip journey to the "North Pole" Read along with the magical story and meet Santa himself! Guests will receive warm cocoa and special treats. First Class Upgrade for The Polar Express™ will receive warm cocoa in a POLAR EXPRESS souvenir mug and other treats, all served up in our premium first class seating coaches. Ride The Polar Express™ Christmas Eve Limited for an unforgettable evening and recieve a special Christmas souvenir.

Weaverville Candlelight Christmas Stroll

• December 09, 2011 - December 09, 2011
• Location: Downtown Weaverville
• Address: Main Street, Weaverville, NC
• Admission: Free

Enjoy the warmth and spirit of the holiday season at the 8th Annual Candlelight Stroll in downtown Weaverville. The Weaverville Business Association will once again sponsor this event, which provides a charming small-town Christmas atmosphere to residents and visitors.

National Gingerbread House Competition & Display

• November 16, 2011 - January 01, 2012
• Location: Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
• Address: 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804
• Admission: Free Community Viewing Days are Monday-Thursday only.
• Contact Info: (800) 438-5800 

Contestants from across the country will bring their culinary masterpieces to The Grove Park Inn this holiday season. Delight in the imagination shown in these sugar-and-spice creations, strolling through the competition display is a sure way to be swept up in the holiday spirit.