See this showstopper at Element Tree Essentials. | Photo by Jessica Menezes via @avlbba
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the Omni Grove Park Inn’s Annual National Gingerbread House Competition was canceled, but the resort is still supplying seasonal cheer with the Gingerbread Trail of Giving. Instead of a judged competition, 45+ bakers have their remarkable creations set up throughout Asheville, with several at the Omni Grove Park Inn, and the rest showcased at 28 local businesses.
Alongside each gingerbread house is a QR code that people can scan to donate to the Always Asheville Fund. Explore the Gingerbread Trail of Giving map to find the local businesses hosting these creative confections. We spotted some stellar gingerbread architecture at Horse + Hero and Element Tree Essentials.
Bonus: Along the trail, there are a couple of stops on and near Wall Street, where many shops are opening up their spaces to businesses displaced by Helene through Miracle on Wall Street. Find the full list of pop-up shops — plus, on Sundays through December, vendors will line the streets, DJs will be spinning tunes, and The Market Place will host oyster roasts.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 Handmade Holidays | Wednesday, Dec. 4-Monday, Dec. 9 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, Black Mountain | Free | Browse gifts from local artists, then stop by the Holly Jolly celebration for a sweet treat.
“All Is Calm” | Wednesday, Dec. 4-Sunday, Dec. 22 | Times vary | North Carolina Stage Company | $5+ | See the remarkable true story of ceasefire, camaraderie, and music in a time of war.
Thursday, Dec. 5 Holiday Market with Local Women Artisans | 5-8 p.m. | South Slope Acupuncture & Wellness | Free | Shop products from local artisans affected by Hurricane Helene — proceeds from raffles will go towards the WNC Tip it Forward relief fund.
Friday, Dec. 6 Haw Creek Forge Holiday Party | 4-7 p.m. | Haw Creek Forge | Free | The once-flooded studio is reopening to share its whimsical copper garden art rescued from the storm.
Winter Wonder Walk | Friday, Dec. 6-Saturday, Dec. 14 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Adventure Center of Asheville | $0+ | Be there for the opening night of this family-friendly, immersive walk filled with actors, lights, and holiday cheer.
Saturday, Dec. 7 Holiday Book Sale | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | East Asheville Library | $5+ | Fill up a provided bag with great reads to support the Friends of the East Asheville Library.
Paws & Stretch | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | RAD Brewing Co. | Free | Well-behaved pups can join you in this stretch workout, followed by a Polaroid photo shoot.
Sunday, Dec. 8 No Pay Noel: Free Art Supplies | 12-5 p.m. | Haywood Park Hotel | Free | If you want to make gifts this holiday season, art supplies, crafting items, fabrics, and more will be available to anyone who needs them.
Jazz Sundays | Sunday, Dec. 8 | 2-5 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge- Riverside Tasting Room | Free | Sip on a ginger beer and take in the sounds of this weekly open jazz jam hosted by Jason DeCristofaro.
The RAD’s Trackside Studios is reopening this Friday, Dec. 6 with a special holiday market. Through Sunday, Dec. 8 you can come out and support the artists, many of which lost their work. Stop by the Depot Street studio from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Watch
Next Wednesday, Dec. 11, Venture Asheville is hosting a telethon aiming to raise $1 million to help WNC businesses rebuild. Attend in person or watch on Facebook to see performances and interviews with business owners during this lively event hosted by Cayla Clark of Blind Date Live! and Jeffrey Kaplan of Venture Asheville.
Shop
Altamont Vintage’s three stores were lost to the storm, but you can support its recovery efforts this Sunday, Dec. 8. The vintage store is having a pop-up sale in the parking lot of La Zoom from 2 to 6 p.m. with tables set up for holiday shopping.
Biz
Sumaya K. Owens, CEO and Founder of Present Moment Media, is hosting a virtual small business workshop on Thursday, Dec. 12 to help recovering business owners create strategic marketing plans for 2025. Register for the event — you can also apply for a scholarship.
Sports
If you tuned in to Sunday night football, you may have noticed Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane repping two Asheville nonprofits on his sneakers. For the My Cause My Cleats campaign, Beane wore one shoe with a design for MANNA FoodBank and one for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Check out the kicks.
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Category
History
Put Asheville on the map
You can spot plenty of significance on the map. | Screenshot via Proxi
You’ve submitted your favorites, now it’s time for us to reveal the finalists for the AVLtoday historical marker contest. Check out the nominations, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite.
Carolina Bed & Breakfast
Reader Diana T. shared that the building now known as the Carolina Bed & Breakfast was the childhood home of David Webb, the iconic jewelry designer whose pieces were adored by stars from Elizabeth Taylor to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The cottage in the back of the property is said to have served as his first workshop.
Click the button below to read up on the two other finalists. Voting closes Wednesday, Dec. 11 — so be sure to vote for the historical location you’d love to see recognized for its significance.
Need stocking stuffers for everyone on your list? We’ve got you covered.
🎁 For the skincare aficionado: Laneige’s No. 1 bestselling lip mask in the candy cane flavor. 🎁 For those who eat, sleep, and breath organization: A mini label maker with creative functions and templates. 🎁 For the jewelry-obsessed: A stackable 18K gold plated necklace that you can customize with their initial. 🎁 For those who love to hit the trails: A classic knit beanie to keep their noggin warm while hiking. 🎁 For someone who’s always on the go: A magnetic portable charger that can charge up to four devices at once.
Big news for the folk fans. It was announced that singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov will perform with the Asheville Symphony in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium on Tuesday, March 18. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. — and even better, $1 from each ticket will benefit the Equal Plates Project.
