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• Chocolate Making and Tasting Class | Tuesday, Nov. 14-Tuesday, Nov. 28 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Conjure Craft Chocolate, 16 Glenn Willow Dr., Unit 36, Arden | $75 | Satisfy your sweet tooth and expand your knowledge on the small-batch chocolate-making process — plus, you get to take home four bars.
• Tap into ASL | Tuesday, Nov. 14, Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | Free | Get instruction on American Sign Language then practice your skills with fun activities.

• Craft Research Talks: Community, Tradition, and Culture | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | UNC Asheville Lipinsky Hall, 300 Library Ln., Asheville | Free | In conjunction with the exhibition “Preservers, Innovators, and Rescuers of Culture in Chiapas,” this talk will feature artists Han Sifuentes and Alvaro Sahagun Nuño.
• No-Cry Pumpkin Pie | Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | WNC FoodWorks, 570 Brevard Rd., Unit 9, Asheville | $30 | Love the taste but can’t stand the process? This class will guide you through two easy, dough-free pumpkin pies.

• Western North Carolina Toys for Tots | Thursday, Nov. 16-Saturday, Nov. 18 | Times vary | Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd., Asheville | Free | The annual drive will collect monetary donations or new, unwrapped toys for local families in need.
• Pitchgiving: Asheville Pitch Party | Thursday, Nov. 16 | 6-9 p.m. | Hatch Innovation Hub, 45 S. French Broad Ave., #180, Asheville | Free | This no-pressure night offers an open mic for startup ideas — even if you don’t have a pitch, join for free pizza and support the local entrepreneurial community.

• Murder at the Masquerade | Friday, Nov. 17 | 7 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $30 | If you’re dying to get away with murder, sign up to get your role and become a part of the action.

• Every night: A two-mile, drive-through light show with dancing lights synchronized to the music in your car
• Weekends, plus Dec. 26-30: Winterfest Village, where kiddos can meet interactive holiday characters — like The Grinch and little Cindy Lou Who — and ice skate on a real ice rink (while parents can enjoy live music + last-minute holiday shopping)
• Select Saturdays: Breakfast with Santa, featuring a delicious brunch for the whole family, and an up-close and jolly Santa experience for the kids

• The City of Asheville’s Outdoor Dining Program is now accepting applications for 2024 permitting. Both businesses with existing sidewalk dining spaces and those wishing to add sidewalk dining must apply for a permit. Business owners can attend an information session or submit an application on the City’s Development Portal.

• Pucker up for the Sour Soirée. The Whale is celebrating and supporting Blue Ridge Pride with a party that will include special sour beers, festival merch, a gratitude jar + open mic, and a photo booth. Join the fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.

• If you’re looking forward to the annual Christmas Jam, then you might want to lend a hand before the jam. The concert’s beneficiary, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, is still looking for a few volunteers on Thursday, Dec. 7 to get the Christmas Jam House ready for the wall raising. See how to sign up.

• Support rescued farm animals with the ThanksLiving Vegan Potluck Benefit for Animal Haven of Asheville. This Saturday, Nov. 18 from 1 to 4 p.m., you can bring a $10 suggested donation, a vegan dish to share, your own plate + utensils, plus a few veggies for the animal crew. Get the details and RSVP.

• Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Dogwood Health Trust have launched the WNC Community Enhancement Program, which will provide grants to eligible organizations + public agencies for projects that improve appearance, infrastructure, or the pedestrian experience in downtowns or commercial corridors. See the application.

• Sugar plums, rodent royalty, and Christmas cheer are making their way to the Pack Memorial Library on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 10:30 a.m. The free “Nutcracker at the Library,” featuring dancers from the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville, will have live ballet performances, a chance to meet the ballerinas, nutcracker readings, and a few sweet treats.

• The Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre is gearing up for the holidays with its annual Christmas revue — which now offers pay-what-you-can tickets as a way to give back to the community. Settle in for the holiday spirit of “Christmas Time’s A Comin’” on Dec. 7-8 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.

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