Holiday performances

Light displays

Photo via Grove Arcade

New Year’s Eve

• Cookie Drive | Friday, Dec. 9 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Kenilworth Center, 4 Chiles Ave., Asheville | Free | Bake or buy four dozen cookies for Loving Food Resources’ Annual Cookie Drive — you can also drop off goods at the Loving Food Resource Lobby.
• Shitter’s Full-Pop-Up Run/Walk | Friday, Dec. 9 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Biltmore Park Town Square, 1 Town Square Blvd., Asheville | Free | Join this group for for a full moon run or walk through Biltmore Park to admire holiday lights.
• Taste of NC | Friday, Dec. 9 | 6-8 p.m. | The Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway St., Asheville | $35 | Sample a variety of North Carolina wines paired with bites from Tar Heel restaurants, caterers, and food trucks.
• VICARIO Cocoa Inferno arrives | Now-Saturday, Dec. 24 | 12-5 p.m. | VICARIO Tasting Room, Micro-Distillery, and Farm, 800 Old Jones Rd., Greer | $15 | Visit the VICARIO Farm and Distillery and experience our award winning liqueurs and gin (by appointment only Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).*

• Winterfest | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Salt Spa of Asheville and Himalayan Salt Cave Sanctuary, 473 Hendersonville Rd., Ste. B, Asheville | Enjoy refreshments while shopping for locally made wares, including jewelry, wood art, and candles.
• Moonlight Makers Mega Huge Warehouse Clearance Sale | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Moonlight Makers, 47 Rankin Ave., Asheville | Free | Check out Moonlight Makers for deep discounts on shirts, dish towels, tote bags, and coasters.
• Holiday Lights at Burton Street | Saturday, Dec. 10 | 6-9 p.m. | Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St., Asheville | Free | Enjoy a festive, illuminated evening stroll with hot chocolate and other treats.
• Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert | Saturday, Dec. 10-Sunday, Dec. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Ave., Asheville | Free | Enjoy this festive and fun annual holiday performance from the Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus.

• Winter Flow | Sunday, Dec. 11, Sunday, Dec. 18 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15 | Build heat in the body and release excess kapha at this winter yoga class.
• Santa Paws | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 2-5 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing, 2A Huntsman Pl., Asheville | Free | Support the Asheville Humane Society by getting photos made with Santa at this family-friendly event.
• Rakim | Sunday, Dec. 11 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $32 | Prepare to be dazzled by one of the genre’s most influential and skilled MCs and one half of pioneering rap duo Erik B. and Rakim.

• 66º | Showers | 54% chance of rain

• Rhubarb is launching a new monthly event series to celebrate and build community while promoting local business. It kicks off Thursday, Dec. 15 with the Home for the Holiday Showcase from 6-9 p.m. The inaugural event will feature everything folks need for their own fêtes. Get tickets.

• Here’s something to taco ’bout. Taco Boy will open its doors on Tuesday, Dec. 20 in the former Zia Taqueria space at 521 Haywood Rd. Diners can expect a variety of tacos with heirloom corn tortillas + Mexican-inspired dishes, including quesadillas, soups, salads, and appetizers. See its hours of operation. 🌮 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
• A new smoothie and juice bar is coming to town. Immortal Juice Company, which specializes in cold pressed juices made from organic, regionally sourced, and seasonal produce, plans to open up shop soon. That’s all we currently know, but we’llshare more info when we get it. 🍏

• Calling all nature-loving bakers. The Great National Park Service Bake Off takes place Monday, Dec. 12. Folks are invited to create a baked good inspired by your favorite park and share photos and how it relates to the Parkway. Get more info. 🥐

• Looking for a drink for your holiday gathering? Cultivated Cocktails has shared its recipe for a holiday sip: The Clausmopolitan. Inspired by Santa, the libation features vodka, orange liqueur, spiced cranberry syrup, lime juice, and orange + fig bitters for a balanced, fruit-forward drink.🍸
• Looking for your next weekend adventure? Take a trip to Greer, SC to sip and savor award-winning liqueurs and gin at Vicario Spirits. Guests can sample their way through their award winning liqueurs, made with top quality ingredients from Vicario’s sustainable farm.*

• What sweet little things about Asheville make you love it? Whether it’s your favorite mountaintop or the way the sun catches the downtown skyline, we want to know. We can’t wait to hear from y’all. ❤️

• Wanna gift outside the box this year? Opt for an experiential gift from Uncommon Goods. From monthly gift subscriptions (like this Game of the Month Subscription) to hands-on classes taught by expert instructors (like a Raindrop Cake Class or Paint Your Pet Class), there’s something for everyone on your list.*

• Peep this $1,100,000 pad before it’s off the market. This private, beautifully-maintained Montreat home sits on three landscaped lots and is a 5-minute drive to Black Mountain. Features include a living room with a stone fireplace + vaulted ceilings, a separate two-car garage with finished space, and more. 👀 *