Fidget toy pen | $16.99 | A great stocking stuffer, this chromatic, magnetic pen can be stacked into various shapes when it’s not in use as a writing tool or stylus.
Bullet journal pens + 2026 planner | $13.99 + $24.99 | Pair an 18-pack of rainbow pens with a 2026 Happy Planner for creative, aesthetic organization.
Electric sauté pan | $36.99 | A TikTok trending item, this electric mini hot pot is perfect for whipping up noodles, oatmeal, eggs, and stir fries, dorm room-style.
Gifts for young people
Local pick:Chard Hair Clip | $24 | This cute and quirky hair clip from Clad is a welcome addition to any hairdo.
LED dry erase board | $26.99 | Bring coloring time to a whole new level with this magic board that makes any drawing look like a neon sign.
Light-up football | $34.99 | Backyard football is now possible at night, thanks to this LED light-up football.
Trekking poles | $29.99 | Hikers will love these lightweight and durable trekking poles that can tackle multiple types of terrain.
Portable solar lights | $80 | Upgrade their campsite setup with these lights that easily switch from ground illumination to string lights.
Local pick:Dine-O-Mite Camp Kitchen | Black Friday sale: $249.95 $149.97 | This portable camp kitchen simplifies gourmet cooking while adventurers enjoy the great outdoors.*
12 trolls are hiding among The NC Arboretum’s gardens and trails — can you find them all? | Photos by AVLtoday
In case you missed it, The North Carolina Arboretum is the new home of Trolls: A Field Study, the latest installation of Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s world-famous troll sculptures.
We visited the trolls on opening day to discover all 12 of the seven-to-nine-foot sculptures. When we arrived, we picked up a map at the visitor’s center to help us find each troll hidden among the gardens + trails. View our Reel to follow along on our visit, and get helpful tips for planning your troll-hunting expedition.
The trolls are all made from reclaimed wood + recycled materials. Each has its own name, personality, and lore: get to know them all here.
Visit the Arboretum through Tuesday, Feb. 17, to meet the trolls (included in the Arb’s regular parking fee), and mark them as found on Dambo’s worldwide Troll Map once you discover them all.
Psst: You can also view the trolls at night during Winter Lights.
Opening today: The Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards (downtown’s first outdoor rink). This winter wonderland includes festive lights, hot cocoa, holiday cocktails, and plenty of very merry fun. Plus, admission to AVL Yards is free for non-skaters all season.*
Environment
The Asheville Fire Department will perform a controlled burn on city-owned property near Aston Park in early December to maintain healthy meadow and pollinator habitats. An exact date will be chosen based on weather and residents will receive an AVL Alert 48 hours before the burn takes place.
Drink
Add one more holiday pop-up bar to your list — the Palm Room at Fitz and the Wolfe will transform into The Cool Yule Club on Fridays and Saturdays from Friday, Nov. 28 through Saturday, Dec. 27. The retro lounge will have cocktails, treats, and honky tonk holiday tunes.
Seasonal
Pack Square Plaza, Pritchard Park, and Triangle Park are now all aglow with holiday lights. The lights are part of the Asheville Downtown Association’s Winter in Downtown campaign and will be up through March, not just for the holidays but for “an added sense of comfort and safety for all who live, work, and visit Downtown.”
Civic
City and county government offices will be closed this Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. ICYMI, Buncombe County’s recent food drive for MANNA FoodBank collected more than 13,700 pounds of food that will be distributed to families this holiday season.
Outdoors
This summer, the Pisgah Conservancy invited the public to submit names for the new 20-mile loop connecting Pisgah National Forest, Bracken Preserve, and the City of Brevard. The review committee has spoken, and the official name is — drumroll please — the Pisgah Passage, submitted by Brevard resident Maria Whitehead.
Cause
Land of Sky Regional Council’s Ombudsman Program is collecting holiday donations for long-term care facilities in the area. Bring items like dolls, word search books, holiday crafts, and potted plants to the New Leicester Highway office by Monday, Dec. 12.
Seasonal
We know it’s still November, but we’re starting our countdown to 2026 early with a special deal available only on ourbusiness promo portal. For a limited time, get 26% off all Newsletter Text Ads and Email Banner Ads with code COUNTDOWNTO2026 at checkout.
You can upgrade your bath or shower in as little as one day with Jacuzzi. Fact. Transform your outdated bathroom into a modern sanctuary — now with zero installation cost and no payments + interest for up to one year. Learn more.‡*
Category
Development
Cue the encore
The buildings boast some of Asheville’s favorite murals. | Photo by AVLtoday
Salvage Station is making a comeback. After its property was set to be acquired by the NCDOT for the I-26 Connector, and Helene subsequently devastated the venue, the team worked fervently on a relocation plan. Now, Salvage Station has announced its new home in the River Arts District.
The new digs are at the former Asheville Waste Paper Co. on Riverside Drive, home to some of the city’s favorite murals, including Jerkface’s Homer and Bender mashup. At a whopping 13.5 acres, it’s nearly double the size of the original venue — and owners explain that the bigger build means more jobs and opportunity for economic revitalization in the RAD.
“We’re not just rebuilding a venue — we’re rebuilding momentum, rebuilding livelihoods, and helping keep the lights shining bright in the River Arts District,” the owners shared in a social media post.
Salvage Station staff didn’t share a timeline, but said the first phase will be cleaning up the site and prepping to build the year-round venue.
The Buy
Knock knock. Who’s there? Surprise … It’s Black Friday savings here a few days early. Don’t wait to shop at the end of the week — check out these three deals now:
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.
“A picture is worth a thousand words,” as the old adage goes. That means Time Magazine’s best 100 photos of the year could fill an encyclopedia. If you’ve taken a photo of Asheville that you love this year, reply to this email and send it in — we’d love to share your best snaps.
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‡ With purchase and installation of any complete bath/shower system from participating third-party Jacuzzi Bath Remodel dealer in your area (“Dealer”). Offer and options will vary by Dealer/location. Not combinable with other offers. Add’l terms apply. Subject to change. Expires 12/28/25. †Financing offer available through third-party lenders under terms of applicable loan program. No interest for 12 months if paid in full within 12 months. Interest will be charged to you from purchase date if purchase balance is not paid in full within 12 months. Subject to credit approval—not all buyers will qualify. Add’l terms apply. See or call Dealer for details.
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