• December Live Series: Jessie Meltz | Friday, Dec. 8 | 1-5 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | Free with admission | The harpist will provide an eclectic music experience in the Perspective Café and in the WNC Glass exhibition.
• Bruce YarnSteen | Friday, Dec. 8 | 7 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $15-$20 | Raise your voice + pull on your dancing shoes for an extended set of The Boss’ classics, plus hits from Yarn and Sol Driven Train.
• A Dickens’ Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts | Friday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., Black Mountain | $20 | Settle in while the classic story is turned on its head when a traveling troupe encounters mayhem and madness during its production.

• Uncommon Holiday Market | Saturday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 10 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr., Asheville | Free | Get out your shopping bags for this annual gathering of makers + curators of antiques and vintage.
• SantaCon 2023 | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 1-8 p.m. | Participating venues around Asheville | $8.99-$10.99 | Grab your Santa hat, polish your boots, and prepare to embark on a jolly adventure of festive drinks, music, and a community of other Clauses.
• Gluten-Free Comedy | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge - Riverside Tasting Room, 829 Riverside Dr., Ste. 100,, Asheville | $15-$18 | Enjoy an evening of local + national comedians for the laugh-tose intolerant (yes, we know that’s not the same thing as gluten intolerant).

• “Upward” Film Premiere | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 4-10 p.m. | Restoration Asheville, 68 Patton Ave., Asheville | $15-$25 | Join the Asheville premiere of the documentary following Reid Woolsey on a journey to break a world record and hit 500,000 vertical feet in one month.
• Writer’s Workshop | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 6-9 p.m. | The Nerd Dungeon, 505 New Leicester Hwy., Asheville | Free | Get some constructive criticism on your writing — from fiction to poetry, plays to DnD campaigns.
• The Deviled Eggs Cajun Cabaret | Sunday, Dec. 10, Sunday, Dec. 17 | 6-11 p.m. | Fleetwoods, 496 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Grab a bite of Cajun food while you laugh along to dark comedic cabaret music by The Deviled Eggs.

• If you’ve got visitors in town in need of entertainment or you just want to see our city from a new point of view, spend your weekend trying out one of the 20+ tours here in Asheville. Learn local history, see incredible art, sample culinary offerings, and lots more.

• In search of holiday decor inspo or just love some historical digs? Well the Montford Holiday Tour of Homes is back for its 25th year this Saturday, Dec. 9. The self-guided tour will showcase local residences as well as two bed + breakfasts and entertainment from the Montford Park Players. Find tickets.

• Break out your Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle and pay homage to a holiday classic at The Whale Outpost’s Yule Shoot Your Eye Out Pajama Party this Saturday, Dec. 9. Don your PJs for a screening of “A Christmas Story,” seasonal beers, Triple Dog Dare Ya Dogs from Food Fight, and more.

• It may seem a little early to be thinking about champagne toasts and midnight countdowns, but these tickets go fast. We can help you start planning your New Year’s Eve — whether you’re in the mood for a party, you want to ring in the new year with a little music, or you’re already thinking about wellness resolutions.

Why go?

• Choo, choo — the sound of the Tweetsie Railroad echoes through the hills as it takes you around the Wild West Theme Park.

Act like a local:

• Food: Get your Southern food fix at Dan’l Boone Inn, which has been serving homecooked meals for over 50 years. The Boone staple regularly makes Southern Living’s lists of “best country cooking restaurants.”

Where to stay

• Vrbo: Bright Boone Home, stay just a short walk to downtown and the Daniel Boone Native Gardens. (~$197/night)*