You don’t have to go far to find a picture-perfect Fraser fir. | Photo via @barefootfarmgirlnc
Time to deck the halls — and if you’re looking for a showstopper of a tree to fill your living room, you won’t have to look far.
About 22% of the real trees in the US are grown in our neck of the woods. More than 30,000 acres of land in WNC are dedicated to growing Christmas trees, with the No. 1 species by far being the WNC native Fraser fir. These regionally grown trees are the most popular in the US, ranking the NC Christmas tree industry second in the nation in number of trees harvested and cash receipts.
Use the interactive map below to find a spot to choose and cut your own tree or pick it up from a festive lot — all are within about an hour’s drive.
A holiday adventure awaits. | Proxi Map by AVLtoday
If you want to go even further out of town to find the perfect tree, let the NC Christmas Tree Association’s index of farms and retail lots guide your journey.
Have Yourself a Swingin’ Little Christmas | 7:30-10 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company | $30+ | Russ Wilson and His Famous Orchestra bring back classic holiday TV magic with this show full of family fun + festive cheer.*
Modern homes, mountain views, and urban convenience
Presented by Greystar
From riverfront strolls to resort-style amenities, these Asheville communities combine comfort, style, and unbeatable locations. | Photos provided by Greystar
Discover three distinctive Asheville communities offering modern living surrounded by mountain charm. Each property features thoughtful design, upscale amenities, and vibrant locations ideal for work, leisure, and everyday comfort.
Featured communities:
Chorus Asheville: Stylish residences with resort-style amenities in a centrally located setting.
River Blue: Contemporary living along the French Broad River with scenic walking access and urban convenience.
Hominy at River Blue: A boutique, nature-inspired community offering tranquility near Asheville’s dynamic culture.
Potential New Boyfriend is the Best New NC Bar, taking home the honor in this year’s Eater Carolinas Awards. The ice cream, wine, and listening bar is celebrating its first birthday this week with a lineup of three new sundaes. We’ll take one of each, please.
Environment
Buncombe County Commissioners approved a nearly $800,000 engineering and design contract to stabilize Swannanoa’s Grovemont neighborhood and mitigate future landslides. During Helene, the neighborhood sustained nine landslides stretching nearly 2.4 miles. FEMA funding will cover the project cost, beginning early next year and lasting ~10 months.
Outdoors
The city’s 2025 Bicycle & Pedestrian Count and Greenway User Survey report is out. Volunteers collected data at 24 sites, documenting helmet use, gender breakdowns, and noting that at least 20% of bikes counted were e-bikes. Surveys show frequent greenway use, walking as the top mode, higher spending at Reed Creek, and calls for more restrooms and water.
Civic
By 2027, civilians could be investigating fender benders on behalf of the Asheville Police Department. Through the program, non-sworn citizens would complete a four-week training to examine minor crashes and perform traffic control for special events to ease APD staffing strain. An $800,000 funding request will be submitted this month. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Weather
Brace for a freezing Friday. With a cold front pushing through later this week, the National Weather Service expects WNC to see light snow on Thursday night that could mix with freezing rain come Friday morning.
Featured Home
Sitting on a corner double lot in Black Mountain (yes, the backyard is enormous), this adorable, historic 1960s gem is ready to become someone’s dream home.*
Seasonal
Asheville Parks & Recreation’s Holly Jolly Holidays festival brings dozens of festive events to our city all month long. Sign up for Breakfast with Santa, gingerbread house building, a holiday volleyball tournament, scavenger hunts, and more fun activities for all ages.*
Finance
This just in: 6% is the new 2%. This card is every reward-seeker’s dream, offering up to 6% cash back in categories you’ll actually use. Bonus: You can get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers into 2027. Learn more and apply.*
Shop
If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about? Wait until you see number six.*
Editor’s Pick
Shop (local) ‘til you drop
The gifting possibilities are endless. | Photo by Lisa S. (from our 2023 Picture of the Year contest)
Make your holiday shopping list and check it twice. There are endless reasons to shop local, but this season, there are some extra special perks.
Through Sunday, Dec. 21, the Asheville Downtown Association is hosting the “Shop Small, Win Big” contest — spend $25+ at a downtown small biz and upload a photo of your receipt to this website. Then, each week a drawing his held and one shopper and the retailer will each earn $500.
Plus, on Friday, Dec. 12, when the sun goes down, the shopping starts. More than 30 downtown shops will stay open until 9 p.m. for Late Night Asheville, a festive evening filled with live music and light refreshments designed to help support local businesses.
Piccolina, the new Italian spot in the RAD’s Aura Arts building, is adding weekend dinner to the menu. During the day, you can find scrumptious Neapolitan pizzas and sandwiches, but now on Saturday and Sunday nights, a four-course prix fixe awaits.
For $65, enjoy a seasonal antipasto or soup, handmade pasta, a protein entree, and a housemade dessert. Time to make a resy.
Discover clever, useful tech that solves everyday problems in this guide to 2025’s coolest gadgets. We’re talking a small but mighty home security upgrade, a power bank the size of a credit card, and more.
In late October, I stumbled upon Piccolina’s first dinner service and had the best penne vodka of my life, and I’m not exaggerating in the slightest. So if you don’t go ahead and make your reservation, I will.
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