Heads up:We’re taking next week off. AVLweekend will be back in your inbox on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Happy holidays, AVL.
Hi Asheville. Brook here, and I’m both gobsmacked and tickled that Christmas weekend — and all its glittering, festive merriment — has nearly arrived. Whether you’re hosting guests or laying low, there’s still plenty of enjoyment to be had. Check out these 10 fun events taking place Friday, Dec. 23-Sunday, Dec. 25.
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Friday, Dec. 23
Swinging into Christmas | Friday, Dec. 23 | 6 p.m. | Highland Brewing Downtown, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville | Free | Enjoy original jazz and holiday favorites upstairs in the mezzanine at Highland Brewing Downtown.
Hail Santa Holiday Drag Show | Friday, Dec. 23 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | The Getaway River Bar, 790 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $5 | Celebrate the season with rock and punk holiday tunes, plus a drag extravaganza.
Don’t Tell Comedy | Friday, Dec. 23 | 10-11:45 p.m. | Gigi Gigi’s Underground, 122-002 College St., Asheville | $25 | See secret comedians at this show where you can buy drinks and bring outside food.
A Jazz Piano Christmas with the Bill Bares Trio | Friday, Dec. 23 | 10-11:45 p.m. | The Main Stage, 743 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $20 | Welcome Christmas Eve with selections from Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Saturday, Dec. 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Dinner | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 5-9 p.m. | Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W. State St., Black Mountain | $60 | Make a reservation to attend this intimate Christmas Eve dinner, which features four courses of gourmet dishes like deviled egg spread, mushroom toast, braised venison, and shrimp + grits.
Fancy Marie Christmas Honky Tonk | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 2-4 p.m. | Botanist and Barrel, 32 Broadway St., Asheville | Free | Make it a honky tonk holiday with local singer and songwriter Fancy Marie.
Christmas Eve Potluck Dinner & Caroling | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 5-9 p.m. | Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr. Ste. D, Asheville | Free | Bring a dish to share or just show up to revel in tunes, grub, and community.
Reverse Advent Calendar Food Drive 2022 | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Loving Food Resources, 123 Kenilworth Rd., Asheville | Free | Help make the holidays merry for the community by dropping off a box of donated foods.
A Very Cody Comedy Christmas | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 7-9 p.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St., Asheville | $15 | Enjoy laughs with Christmas enthusiast and local comedian Cody Hughes.
Sunday, Dec. 25
Christmas Day Breakfast & Brunch | Sunday, Dec. 25 | 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Red Stag Grill, 11 Boston Way, Asheville | $95 per person | Kick off Christmas with a festive holiday a la carte menu and complimentary mimosa.
The seasoning doesn’t fall far from the flavor tree. “Station Nation,” a new show hosted by Guy Fieri’s son, Hunter Fieri, explores the gas station cuisine revolution — and West Asheville’s The Brew Pump at 760 Haywood Rd. is featured. Check out a mouthwatering clip of the show.
Development
Developer Shangri-La Industries has officially broken ground on a permanent supportive housing shelter at the former Ramada Inn. The conversion project will create 113 units of housing for Asheville’s homeless population + has an anticipated occupancy date of August 2023. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Plan Ahead
Looking for fun New Year’s Eve plans? Check out this collection of end-of-year events from Mountain Xpress, which includes special dinners, soirees, and more. Personally, we’ve got our eyes on the cocktail-centric party at the Top of the Monk.
GREAT ESCAPES
Our guide to Cedar Key, Florida
Great Escapes: Our guide to Cedar Key, Florida
There’s not a lot of places to go for a swim in Cedar Key, but you can go for a dip at the City Park or enjoy a nighttime stroll. | Photo by 6AM City
North Florida’s Cedar Key is a tiny island the size of about two Ybor Citiesand has fewer than 900 permanent residents, but it pulls in thousands of visitors throughout the year for its amazing seafood, arts festivals, and fishing.
Why go? Nothing screams Old Florida quite like Cedar Key. Yes the island is home to incredible fishing and funky artists, but also reminds us of the beauty of slow, outdoorsy Florida living.
Outdoors: Book a ride with Tidewater Tours. The guides walk you through both the history of the area and the surrounding keys, and point out native wildlife along the way ($35).
Vrbo: A downtown cottage right in town (~$154/night)*
Bonus message from our partner: If you’re looking to book this trip, Scott’s Cheap Flights offers all the affordable flight hacks from your home airport. Sign up here.*
Need a gift that only takes a few mouse clicks? Gift three, six, or 12 months of an Audible Premium Plus membership. They’ll get one credit a month good for any title, plus instant access to thousands of books and podcasts inThe Plus Catalog. Hello, future book club. 📚*
Travel
How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*
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