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Seasonal sips to support
Hoppy holidays to you. | Photo via Wicked Weed
Prepare to sip and spread cheer while supporting a great cause with the 12 Bars of Christmas. From Friday, Nov. 28 through Wednesday, Dec. 31, visit one of the participating bars and make a $15 donation to MANNA FoodBank to score an official 12 Bars of Christmas Passport.
Each bar is decking the halls with its own unique holiday vibe — collect a stamp at every stop and work your way through the festive lineup.
Après Tiger (Easy Tiger)
Asheville Sleigh Club (Asheville Sports Club)
Blitzen’s Tune Up (Ben’s Tune Up)
Brrrly’s (Barley’s)
The Frostatorium (Wicked Weed Funkatorium)
Frosty Mountain Brewpub (Foggy Mountain Brewpub)
Let It Crow, Let It Crow, Let It Crowbar (Crowbar)
Santa’s Secret Vault (The Vault)
Santidote (Antidote Cocktail Lounge at Chemist)
WALKing In A Winter Wonderland (W.A.L.K.)
Who-ville Pub (Westville Pub)
The Yule (The Mule)
Once you collect all 12 stamps, you earn a special keepsake ornament.
The spirited celebration by Chemist Spirits, Devil’s Foot Beverage Company, and Wicked Weed Funkatorium is designed not only to help fight hunger across WNC, but to support local businesses still recovering from Helene.
Holiday Parade Viewing Party | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Wicked Weed Brewing | Free | Get front-row seats to the Asheville Holiday Parade at Wicked Weed Brewpub as you enjoy breakfast specials, a bloody mary bar, and hot toddies to warm your spirit, plus photos with Santa 12-2 p.m.*
The building is also home to the Asheville Museum of Science. | Photo via Whitney Commercial Real Estate Services
Real Estate
$8,475,000. That’s how much 1 Haywood St., aka The Collider, recently sold for — one of downtown Asheville’s largest 2025 property transactions. Hospitality company Bhuna Corporation bought the 104,000-square-foot building. According to a release, the corp is “committed to strengthening the property’s role as a center for science, nonprofit, co-working, and event uses.”
Holiday
There are more festivities surrounding the Asheville Holiday Parade tomorrow. Register to run in the Onesie One-Miler before the parade (or hit up Wicked Weed for a pre-party if that’s more your style) and participate in the South Slope Elf Hunt + grab a pic with Santa at Asheville Yards post-parade.
Shop
‘Tis the season for the 11th Annual Show & Tell Holiday Pop Up Shop. This year, Show & Tell transformed an Asheville Mall storefront into a festive destination for vintage and handmade goods from 120+ local vendors. The shop opens today, Nov. 21, near Bath & Body Works. Starting Friday, Nov. 28, it’ll be open daily through Christmas Eve.
Trending
According to the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, the opening weekend of Thomas Dambo’s “Trolls: A Field Study” brought the highest attendance in the NC Arboretum’s 40-year history. If you haven’t made plans to see the exhibit, consider this your sign to.
Featured
Asheville was named alongside destinations like Okinawa, Japan and Brisbane, Australia in Travel + Leisure’s list of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026. The Land of the Sky was named in the “Nature Lover’s” category and praised for an abundance of arts and outdoor activities.
Today Is
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Home
Your home’s electrical system works harder than you think as the cold weather sets in. Make sure you’re prepped for winter with this fall electrical checklist.*
‘Tis the sipping season. | Photo via The Tiki Easy Bar
But wait, there’s more — beyond the spots participating in the 12 Bars of Christmas,Santa has gifted Asheville with five more holiday pop-up bars to drink and be merry.
Miracle at Golden Pineapple
Bask in the glow of the colored lights while you try delicious seasonal cocktails in over-the-top drinkware — like the coffee and chai-spiced “Rudolph’s Replacement,” served in a festive dinosaur glass.
Sippin’ Santa at Tiki Easy
The city’s tropical speakeasy has gotten its annual holiday makeover, and its cocktail menu is just as festive. Drinks like the Sugar Plum Mai Tai are the perfect blend of jolly and beachy.
Humbug Hideout at Wicked Weed Brewpub
Head to the taproom’s downstairs bar for vibrant holiday decor and lights — plus, lots of special drinks to have you feeling merry and bright.
Rudolph’s Rooftop at Pillar Rooftop Bar
During the ticketed Great Hall Feast on Wednesday, Nov. 26, the bar will transform from the fantastical Wizard’s Landing into a North Pole-inspired oasis.
Lifetime language learning in Babbel’s biggest sale of the year, with access to all fourteen languages 65% off for Black Friday. Think: Bite-sized lessons, easy-to-grasp grammar, bingeable podcasts, and interactive speaking practice, all simple to fit into your everyday routine. Fuel your own curiosity or grab the 65% off deal as a holiday gift for a loved one.*
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
If you’re not into alcohol but still want to get in on the holiday fun, do not sleep on the NA options at these pop-ups. The “Designated Sledder” at Tiki Easy’s Sippin’ Santa is sounding pretty good to me with lime, coconut, pineapple, pandan syrup, and tonic water.
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