Mid-month reset - Top things to do in WNC this week - Dec. 15

Chris Worthy
·5 min read

Whew! December is flying by, but there are still plenty of opportunities for family fun, especially as the holiday break approaches. At wncparent.com, find much more to do, along with a local shopping guide, the annual gift guides from the National Parenting Products Awards, new children’s books, new products for families, holiday events and more!

Day camp and overnight camp providers, don’t miss your free listing in WNC Parent’s camp guide, coming in February. Submit your listings by Jan. 3 at forms.gle/H9QuRtE9sqCjjGcQA.

Does your organization or business offer family-friendly events? Let us know! Stay in touch on social media @wncparent and get your events on our calendar by emailing chris@worthyplace.com.

“Elf the Musical” continues through Dec. 23 at Asheville Community Theatre.  For details and tickets, visit ashevilletheatre.org.

Christmas at Biltmore – Visit with Santa 1 – 5 p.m. Dec. 16 – 17 and Dec. 19 – 23 at Antler Hill Village at Biltmore Estate. For event details and tickets, visit biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/christmas.

Santa Jim
Santa Jim

Winter Lights continues through Dec. 31 at the North Carolina Arboretum. Winter Lights is a walk-through light show that also features story times, food for purchase, the “Polar Express”-themed Rocky Cove Railroad and more. For tickets and details, visit ncarboretum.org.

A young attendee enjoys the holiday light displays with more than one million lights illuminating the gardens of The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, N.C.
A young attendee enjoys the holiday light displays with more than one million lights illuminating the gardens of The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, N.C.

“Christmas at Biltmore” continues through Jan. 7. For event details and tickets, visit biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/christmas. Naturalist Talks: Deer are at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday in December at Biltmore Estate’s Antler Hill Village’s historic Horse Barn. No reservation required. No minimum age required. Parent or guardian must accompany guests under age 18. To participate in this activity, guest must have a daytime ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass, or a stay at one of the estate’s overnight properties. Visit biltmore.com/things-to-do/activities/outdoors/naturalist.

November Calendar Upstate Parent
November Calendar Upstate Parent

The Omni Grove Park Inn's National Gingerbread House display continues through Jan. 2. Guests not staying at the resort are invited to view the display after 4 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday – Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays and the following dates: Dec. 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and Jan. 1. All Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for registered resort guests and those with confirmed dining reservations. For details, visit omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park.

Winter Wonder Walk is Dec. 15 – 16 and Dec. 27 – 30 at the Adventure Center of Asheville. Celebrate the Wonder of Winter with a live-action immersive story-walk on an outdoor trail complete with live characters, lights, and a blustery guest, Jack Frost. The Winter Wonder Walk follows the pages of the storybook of Winterland – full of holiday magic for all ages. The event also includes a holiday market with locally made gifts, a kids’ play area, and a warm festival tent with local vendors, concessions, and activities for the whole family. Treetops Adventure Park Glow Trail will also be available for guests ages 4 years or older. Climb on two aerial trails while they are illuminated with thousands of colorful lights. This is available with a combo pass only. Events begin at 6 p.m. The Winter Wonder Walk opens at 6:30 p.m., with the last entrance to the Winter Wonder Walk at 8:30 p.m. This event raises money for meals for Manna Foodbank with the Adventure Center’s Memories Making Meals program. Every ticket purchased donates $1 or four meals. For tickets and details, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/winter-wonder-walks-2.

Jingle Bell Toddler Party is 10 a.m. – noon Dec. 15 at the Stephens Lee Recreation Center. Registration is required. The cost is $5 each. Ages 2 – 5 with an adult. For details, visit ashevillenc.gov/department/parks-recreation.

Hora Del Cuento/Story Time is at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15at the Skyland/South Buncombe Library. Call 828-250-6488 or email skyland.library@buncombecounty.org.

View the Geminids Meteor Shower Dec. 15 at PARI – Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. Overnight cabin and camping packages are also available. For details and registration information, visit pari.edu.

“Every Christmas Story Ever Told” is presented through Dec. 17 at Hendersonville Theatre. The performance is rated PG due to mild language and details about Santa. This is a fast, furious, and slightly irreverent look at holiday traditions. For tickets, visit hendersonvilletheatre.org.

Merry Market with Santa is Dec. 16 at Nantahala Outdoor Center. Shop handcrafted treasures made by local artisans. Santa will also make an appearance. For details, visit noc.com/events/merry-market-with-santa.

A Night Before Christmas is Dec. 16 in downtown Waynesville. Hundreds of luminaries will line the sidewalks, trees will be decorated with twinkling balls and lamp posts will be wrapped in red ribbon and garland. During this annual holiday tradition, there will be carolers, live music and old-fashioned wagon rides. Visitors can discover handcrafted goods from downtown shops, explore local art galleries and savor culinary delights from the many eateries. Visit downtownwaynesville.com.

Holly Jolly Train Rides with a pop-up market from Mountain Fresh Orchards are on Main Street in Hendersonville Dec. 16. For more information about Hendersonville’s Home for the Holidays, call 828-693-9708 or visit VisitHendersonvilleNC.org/home-for-the-holidays.

“Elf the Musical Jr.” – Student Matinee is presented at 9 a.m. and noon Dec. 19 at Asheville Community Theatre. For details and tickets, visit ashevilletheatre.org.

Holiday Gift Making for Kids is at 10 a.m. Dec. 19 at the Stephens Lee Recreation Center. Ages 6 – 9. $10 each. For details and registration, visit ashevillenc.gov/department/parks-recreation.

Read with Flora the Golden Retriever 4 – 5 p.m. Dec. 19 at the East Asheville Library. All participants must register and sign a waiver to take part. Call the library at 828-250-4738 or e-mail eastasheville.library@buncombecounty.org for more information.

YMCA Mobile Market is noon – 1 p.m. at the Enka-Candler Library (828-250-4758) and 2 – 3 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Leicester Library (828-250-6480). Bring grocery bags and get fresh food. Distributions are free. The market provides fresh produce paired with healthy recipes and more. Visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Mid-month reset - Top things to do in WNC this week - Dec. 15