Winter wonderland - Top things to do in WNC this week – Dec. 8
Holiday events are everywhere this weekend. Don’t miss your favorites! In addition to this list, WNC Parent’s full monthly calendar plus a loaded holiday events listing are available to keep you on track. Find those events, plus holiday gift guides for toys, babies and new moms, and top picks from local shops, all at wncparent.com.
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.
“The Nutcracker” featuring the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University. For details, visit arts.wcu.edu/nutcracker-23. For tickets, visit arts.wcu.edu/tickets.
Christmas at Biltmore – Visit with Santa 1 – 5 p.m. Dec. 9 – 10. 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.
A Critter Checkup is 10 a.m. – noon Dec. 9 at WNC Nature Center. Sign up for a vet checkup for your child and their favorite stuffed animal. Vet techs and veterinarians will be present to examine stuffies and issue a special health certificate. Children, parents, and plushies are then free to explore the WNC Nature Center. Tickets are $10 – $15. For details, visit wildwnc.org/events.
Breakfast with Santa is at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at the Stephens Lee Recreation Center. Registration is required. For details and registration, visit ashevillenc.gov/department/parks-recreation.
Mountain Biking 101 Clinic for ages 15 and older is 1 – 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Kolo Bike Park. The clinic will cover the basic operation of your bike, braking, shifting gears, what to check before going on a ride, basic positioning, and learning some fundamental maneuvers to build your skills, followed by practice on the trails and features at Kolo Bike Park. The cost is $75 each ($100 each if bike rental needed). Reservations are required. Visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park or call 828-225-2921.
Jingle Bell Jamboree is at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Asheville Community Theatre. For details and tickets, visit ashevilletheatre.org.
The 26th Annual Santa on the Chimney event is Dec. 9 at Chimney Rock State Park. Santa will rappel down the Chimney each hour on the hour from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Between trips down the Chimney, Santa will meet up with Mrs. Claus and take a break to pose for photos with attendees. Santa's elves will lead a hike to Hickory Nut Falls for explorers of all ages. Live animal ambassadors and their naturalist counterparts will make appearances on the Outcroppings Deck. Breakfast with the Elves is 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Old Rock Café. For details, visit chimneyrockpark.com/event/26th-annual-santa-on-the-chimney.
Cookies with the Clauses at Beech Mountain is 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Dec. 9 at the 4 Seasons Hotel, 608 Beech Mountain Parkway. The event is free. Santa and Mrs. Claus will host visitors in the lobby and serve cookies. Visit beechmtn.com/event/cookies-with-the-claus.
Merry Market with Santa is Dec. 9 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.
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.
“Christmas at Biltmore” continues through Jan. 7, 2024. 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.
The Omni Grove Park Inn's National Gingerbread House display begins Nov. 27 and 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.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Winter wonderland - Top things to do in WNC this week – Dec. 8
