Happening this Weekend: Dec 4th-7th

Thursday, December 4

Brevard, Transylvania County: Browse beautiful locally made pottery while enjoying live music, pottery demonstrations, and hot apple cider served in pottery cups. Watch artisans at work and find unique ceramic treasures in a welcoming studio setting. Located 38 miles south of Asheville. 

• Free 10 am-5 pm
• Mud Dabbers, 3623 Greenville Hwy

Asheville, Downtown: Watch the holiday film Elf (rated PG) at Asheville's new downtown ice skating rink at The Yards. Part of the rink's weekly Thursday night movie series throughout the season. Skating is also available (see website for pricing) and holiday drinks are available.

• Free (movie) 6 to 8 pm
• Asheville Yards, 75 Coxe Avenue

Friday, December 5

Dillsboro, Jackson County: Explore glowing downtown streets illuminated by 2,500 candles and twinkling white lights at Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries. Carolers fill the air while shops offer complimentary cider and cocoa. Kids visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, families enjoy free horse and buggy rides, and live music creates festive cheer in this charming mountain town. 53 miles from Asheville. 

• Free
• Thursday-Friday, December 5-6, evening hours
• Downtown Dillsboro

Tryon, Polk County: During the Tryon Christmas Stroll and Tree Lighting you can explore local shops and restaurants while holiday music fills downtown streets. The plaza Christmas tree lights up at 5:45 pm. Kids enjoy cookies with Santa at The Depot Room and decorate gingerbread at Trade Street Diner with hot cocoa. 45 miles from Asheville.  

• Free
• Thursday, December 5, 5-8 pm
• Downtown Tryon

Waynesville, Haywood County: Join the world-famous J Creek Cloggers for high-energy audience-participation dancing. No experience needed—learn traditional Appalachian clogging, square dancing, barn dance, and line dancing. This dance team is a viral sensation. All ages; wear comfortable shoes. Located 32 miles west of Asheville.  

• Free 6:30-7:30 pm
• Folkmoot Center Auditorium, Waynesville

Saturday, December 6

Brevard, Transylvania County: Don your ugliest holiday sweater for the Ugly Sweater Run 5K & 10K along Brevard's greenways and neighborhood streets. The scenic, mostly flat course welcomes runners, walkers, families, strollers, and pets. Located 45 minutes south of Asheville.  

• $40 (price varies)
• Saturday, December 6
• 9-10:30 am
• Oskar Blues Brewery, 342 Mountain Industrial Drive

Chimney Rock, Rutherford County: Watch Santa practice for Christmas Eve by rappelling down Chimney Rock—one of the world's largest natural chimneys. Pose for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hike with an elf, make holiday crafts, meet live animal ambassadors, and enjoy live music. 60 miles from Asheville. 

• Reservations required
• $17 adults, $8 youth (5-15), free ages 4 and under
• Saturday, December 6, 11 am-2 pm (and again on December 13)
• Chimney Rock State Park Note: The only open route into Chimney Rock is NC 9 through Lake Lure.

Columbus, Polk County: Enjoy story time with Polk County Library, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos, and let little ones mail letters to Santa at Christmas at the Park. The tree lighting happens at 6 pm at Stearns Park. 42 miles from Asheville.  

• Free
• Saturday, December 6, 5-7 pm
• Stearns Park, 125 E. Mills Street, Columbus

Forest City, Rutherford County: Reserve your private horse-drawn carriage for a ride under the lights along historic Main Street. Carriages seat up to 4 adults or fewer adults plus children. Book online asap. 65 miles from Asheville.  

• Price varies (reserve online)
• Friday-Saturday, December 5-6, 6-8:45 pm
• Huntley Alley, 153 Park Square, Forest City

Brevard, Transylvania County: Celebrate with a Christmas Parade followed by downtown's Light Up the Night tree lighting celebration. Enjoy live music, performances, ice skating, hayrides, food trucks, and a merry makers market. Located 45 minutes south of Asheville.

• Free
• Saturday, December 6, start at 3 pm (parade)
• Downtown Brevard, 175 E. Main St.

Sunday, December 7

Asheville: Visit the trolls at The North Carolina Arboretum. Discover twelve whimsical seven-to-nine-foot baby troll sculptures by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Crafted from reclaimed materials. Each troll has its own personality and story. Use a treasure map to track them through gardens and trails. 

• Free after Arboretum parking fees (standard vehicle: $20 RVs, extra-long passenger vans: $60, free to members)
• Sunday, December 7, 8 am-5 pm, with the last entry at 4 pm
• The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way

Bryson City, Swain County: Drive through dazzling all-LED displays at Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular. See the Snowflake Express Train, 200 Orb Field, Santa's North Pole home, and Tree of Lights Tunnel. 62 miles from Asheville. 

• Purchase tickets in advance.
• $20 cars/vans, $40 activity vans (advance purchase recommended)
• Saturday-Sunday, December 7-8, 6-10 pm
• Great Smoky Mountains Event Park, 1130 Hyatt Creek Road, Bryson City