Culture

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Culture
14 experiential gifts to give this year
Whether you need something for the creatives or the adrenaline seekers, here’s a guide to gifting unique experiences this holiday season.
November 30, 2023 04:36 PM
 · 
Grace Powers
AVLtoday wrapped graphic
Culture
AVLtoday’s 2023 Wrapped
We took a page from Spotify’s book and ranked your favorite AVLtoday content from this year.
November 30, 2023
 · 
Grace Powers
A watercolor patterned present image with orange florals.
Retail
Gift Guide: Our Editors’ picks for the 2023 holiday season
See what Editors Molly and Grace are shopping this year.
November 30, 2023
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
Three fashion pieces by Lee Alexander McQueen on display in front of black background
Sponsored
Try This: See “Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous” at the CMA
This must-see exhibition features pieces from McQueen’s most celebrated fashion collections along with photographer Ann Ray’s intimate, behind-the-scenes photographs, taken over the course of their 13-year friendship.
Sponsored by
Winter Lights at the Gardens at the North Carolina Arboretum
Sponsored
Try This: Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Prepare to be enchanted by the glowing gardens, sweet treats, and family-friendly festivities.
Sponsored by
Gingerbread house on competition table at Omni Grove Park Inn Gingerbread Competition
Culture
Behind the gingerbread scenes
From icing triage to a harrowing cart ride, entries for the Omni Grove Park Inn’s Gingerbread Competition embark on a journey before the big display.
November 21, 2023
 · 
Molly Wilson
Christmas tree at Biltmore Estate
Sponsored
Try This: Christmas at Biltmore® as an Annual Passholder
Experience the magic of the season and the estate’s abundant Christmas cheer with a limited-time offer on Annual Passes.
Sponsored by
Actors break an hourglass in A Biltmore Christmas
Culture
Don’t forget to tune in for “A Biltmore Christmas”
This Sunday, you’ve got another chance to see an Asheville landmark on screen and revel in some lighthearted holiday cheer.
November 21, 2023
 · 
Molly Wilson
The Golden Pineapple decorated with holiday decor
Culture
Get into the holiday spirits with these pop-up bars around Asheville
Enjoy some fa-la-la-la-libations at these three locations.
November 20, 2023
 · 
Grace Powers
Asheville at dusk
Entertainment
Choose your own adventure results: AVLtoday edition
You chose how AVLtoday City Editor Grace spent her day in Asheville — from where she ate to how she spent her free time.
November 20, 2023
 · 
Grace Powers
Screen Shot 2018-08-22 at 2.35.54 PM
Live
Asheville’s most iconic landmarks
Consider these our Hollywood signs.
November 19, 2023
 · 
Travis Meier
Asheville-historic-downtown-avltoday-@justintclark
Culture
6 things to do with your Thanksgiving visitors
Keep your out-of-towners entertained and give yourself an excuse to explore our city.
November 15, 2023
 · 
Molly Wilson
AVLtoday_biltmore_christmas_decorations
Culture
Eat, drink + be merry with our Asheville holiday preview
Take this list and check it twice — there’s plenty of festive local spirit to get you in a holiday mood.
November 9, 2023
 · 
Molly Wilson
cinnamon buns at dogwood cottage baking classes
Food
Sweet new skills at these local baking classes
Whether pastries or breads, cupcakes or cookies — turn to the experts, and you’ll get the treats down in no time.
November 8, 2023
 · 
Molly Wilson
asheville_skyline
Culture
Choose your own adventure: AVLtoday edition
Help choose how AVLtoday City Editor Grace will spend her day in Asheville — from where she eats to how she enjoys her free time.
November 8, 2023
 · 
Grace Powers
Bryan Terrell Clark poses for a headshot against a brown background.
Sponsored
“Hamilton” star performs with Asheville Symphony
Sponsored by
Bookshelves in Malaprop regional fiction section
Play
Locally written books in Asheville
From fiction and nature guides to young adults and memoir, these are the books you have to read — or weep.
November 3, 2023
 · 
Brook Bolen
Yellow and orange sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains
Entertainment
Try your hand at AVLtoday’s October crossword puzzle
Test your knowledge with a crossword puzzle of news we’ve shared this past month.
November 2, 2023
 · 
Grace Powers
A plane, couch, and book icon against a snowflake background.
Culture
The Anti-Gift Guide: 50 ways to slow down, treat yourself, and break tradition this holiday season
Rip up your gift list — it’s time to rethink the holidays.
November 2, 2023
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
A speaker at the AVLtoday storytelling open mic
Events
Watch a few of our favorite moments from the AVLtoday storytelling open mic
The community came out to celebrate pride in place and share their love of Asheville in story form.
November 1, 2023
 · 
Molly Wilson
Metallic watercolor presents and stars with the text "unwrap carefully curated gift guides this season"
Retail
2023 Holiday Gift Guide: 51 gifts you can buy right now
Shop the most popular gifts of the 2023 holiday season, plus gifts that support small businesses and the best holiday wrapping paper to tie it all up in.
November 1, 2023
State of the Arts Brunch
Arts
ArtsAVL gives an update on Asheville’s creative economy at the State of the Arts Brunch
The organization checked in on our city’s creative health by the numbers.
October 31, 2023
 · 
Grace Powers
performance of the asheville symphony
Events
Plan ahead for November in Asheville
Now that the holiday season is just beginning and the temperatures are dropping, there are plenty of events + happenings to fill your local schedule.
October 30, 2023
 · 
Molly Wilson
Katie Button posing in front of The White House.
Culture
Chef Katie Button shares her experience cooking at the White House State Dinner
We talked to Button to learn about the planning, execution, and her takeaways from the event.
October 29, 2023
 · 
Grace Powers
AVLtoday pumpkin contest finalists
Culture
See the winning pumpkin from our 2023 jack-o-lantern contest
Your votes are in for your favorite pumpkin — drumroll, please.
October 27, 2023
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
highland brewing barrel room asheville
Events
Tell us a tale at AVLtoday’s storytelling open mic
Join us for an evening of story sharing and community (not to mention a few drinks) as we celebrate what makes us proud of Asheville.
October 26, 2023
 · 
Molly Wilson
pickles from alie rae's pimento cheese in asheville nc
Festivals
Stirring up at the WNC Fermenting Festival
Get a taste of the practice + its products during this festival in Marshall.
October 24, 2023
 · 
Molly Wilson
crowds at all day darling asheville outdoor patio
Play
30+ outdoor dining spots in Asheville
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Asheville’s many beautiful patios.
October 22, 2023
 · 
London Gibson
bridge pisgah national forest
Culture
Asked: Where would you film a scary movie in Asheville?
Imagine a horror movie set in the Land of the Sky — where would the hauntings happen, the slasher strike, or the final hero end up?
October 20, 2023
 · 
Haley Bartlett
First Nations performers at LEAF global arts festival black mountain
Culture
Connecting cultures at the LEAF Global Arts Festival
Join the four-day celebration of creativity, culture, and coming together.
October 18, 2023
 · 
Molly Wilson
SouthernHighlandCraftGuild_AVL_10.17.23.gif
Sponsored
Locally-made: 76th annual craft fair happens this weekend
Sponsored by
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