For the artsy ones

• Let your favorite creatives express themselves through a medium like pottery, glassblowing, or photography with a class at a local studio.
• A membership to the Asheville Art Museum is a gift that keeps on giving, with a year of unlimited general admission and added benefits based on membership level.
• Perfecting baked goods is certainly an art — give your favorite amateur chef a chance to pursue their pastry skills with a local baking class.

For the wellness gurus

• Keep the zen vibes flowing with a monthly membership to one of Asheville’s yoga studios.
• Turn up the heat and help your loved ones sweat the stress away with a session at spots like Sauna House or the newly opened Drip Nordic Sauna.
• Book a guided forest bathing experience from Asheville Wellness Tours for someone who cherishes the chance to relax and recharge.

For the adventurers

• For someone who wants to see our city from a new perspective (and isn’t afraid of heights) a hot air balloon ride from Asheville Balloon Company would do the trick.
• Whether it’s rock climbing or white water rafting, there are plenty of ways to get your adrenaline pumping on a journey with Asheville Adventure Company.
• Let the professionals teach the art of angling in a fly fishing class from Southern Appalachian Anglers.

• Winter Glow Holiday Market | Friday, Dec. 1 | 4-7 p.m. | The Big Room at Pink Dog Creative, 91 Holbrook Rd., Asheville | Free | Explore artist studios filled with handmade ornaments, stocking stuffers, prints, jewelry, and more — plus, enjoy treats, beverages, and interactive art activities.
• Movie Night | Friday, Dec. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | plēb urban winery, 289 Lyman St., Asheville | Free | Grab food from Gourmand + a glass of wine before settling in for a showing of “Sleepless in Seattle.”

• Goat Yoga on the Farm | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 10:30-12:30 a.m. | Franny’s Farm, 22 Franny’s Farm Rd., Leicester | $39 | Find your flow and de-stress with a few adorable goat guests — just as ridiculous and delightful as it sounds.
• Shred-A-Thon | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Next to Dairy Queen, 2310 Hendersonville Rd., Arden | $10 per bag | Shred old receipts, bills, and documents + donate old eyeglasses and hearing aids to support the Lions Club of Greater Asheville.

• Holiday Spectacular Drag Brunch | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 2 p.m. | Ella Asheville, 81 Broadway St., Ste. 101, Asheville | $35 | Watch the performers sleigh the holiday season with lip-syncing and dance routines while you enjoy a catered meal from The Sweet Monkey — proceeds benefit Loving Food Resources.
• Walking Team Scavenger Hunt | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 2-3 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | $12-$20 | The treasure map will guide you all around downtown as you follow clues and solve puzzles to find the grand prize.

• Chocolate Making and Tasting Class | Monday, Dec. 4 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Conjure Craft Chocolate, 16 Glenn Willow Dr., Unit 36, Arden | $75 | Walk step-by-step through the chocolate-making process and make four bars to take home.

• 3rd Annual Wizards of Mixology - Themed Cocktail & Culinary Competition | Tuesday, Dec. 5 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Cultivated Cocktails Distillery & Tavern, 161 Charlotte Hwy., Ste. A, Asheville | $50 | Four local restaurants + bars will represent each house from your favorite magical school, providing a special food and drink pairing.

• The City of Asheville Fire and Police Departments will cut the ribbon on the new Broadway Public Safety Station on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. The community is invited to attend and tour the station. Plus, a playable harp will be installed in 2024, designed by artists Nick Geurts and Alex Irvine.

• It’s never too cold for ice cream. Grove Arcade has welcomed its newest addition to the building, AppalachCream. The family-owned and operated shop is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. with a selection of decadent flavors like red velvet and cappuccino, plus a variety of vegan options.

• Leveller Brewing’s foamy pours got national attention in a recent article from The Washington Post. Leveller is one of the breweries making the traditional, European style of beer popular stateside with Czech Lukr taps and beer engines. Sip on one of the brews at 25 N. Main St. in Weaverville.

• Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority has approved $100,000 in grants for community events through the Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund. Downtown After 5, Blue Ridge Pride, and Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands are among the 25 recipients of the funding.

• The Botanical Gardens at Asheville and Bee City USA-Asheville are giving you a chance to make a positive impact on local pollinators. Starting in January, you can enroll in one year of monthly classes to be certified as a Pollinator Advocate. See what the buzz is about by checking out the class list.

• The State Board of Elections is seeking public comment on three temporary proposed rules for election observers. The rules regard the process for challenging an observer, appealing the removal of an observer, and requiring observers to wear identification tags. Find details on each of the rules, and submit feedback by Wednesday, Dec. 20.

• Hammers and anvils, fiddlers and whittlers, crafts, cooking, music and more beckon from the John C. Campbell Folk School, now offering week-long and weekend 2024 classes. Retreat to 270 idyllic acres dotted with historic structures, and learn from world-class instructors in this one-of-a-kind + hands-on experience.*

• Did you know the NC Arboretum relies on private sources for 75% of its funding? Support this community gem on its mission to connect people with the natural world by contributing to the ONE Fund this season. Through Dec. 31, any donation will be matched in full.*

• Not many jobs come with a $2,000 hiring bonus + ownership in the company. But thanks to MB HAYNES’ Employee Stock Ownership Plan, those perks (and more) come standard for a number of open positions. Details + applications this way.*

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