Spell out your love for The Big Crafty. | Photo by The Big Crafty
‘Tis the season for lights, holiday markets, and festive shows. Our December Plan Ahead is here to make sure you and your family don’t miss a thing.
Go holiday shopping
The Big Crafty | Saturday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 7 | 12-6 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | $0+ | One of Asheville’s biggest art markets is back, welcoming 180 artists selling everything from baskets and beanies to prints and pottery.
Show & Tell’s Holly Jolly Night Market | Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 5-9 p.m. | The Orange Peel | Free | The music venue will transform into a magical marketplace filled with handmade goods, bevs, and tunes from DJ Molly Parti.
Have fun holiday shopping at the Holly Jolly Night Market. | Photo via Show & Tell
Catch a show
“Napoleon Dynamite” Live! | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium | $59+ | See a full screening of the cult classic film, followed by an interactive Q&A with the cast. A Swannanoa Solstice | Sunday, Dec. 21 | 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $35+ | Musicians and storytellers come together for a heartwarming tribute to Appalachian culture, filled with holiday cheer.
Feel the holiday spirit all along Haywood Road with @onhaywood’s annual West Asheville Scavenger Hunt. Pick up a brochure from one of the 50 participating businesses and start supporting to earn stamps. Plus, shops will also be decking their halls for the West Asheville Holiday Decorating Contest.
Biz
South Asheville’s Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community plans to add 200 units, with completion expected by 2028. The $400 million expansion will add significant space and reduce the 1,600+ person-long waitlist. (Business North Carolina)
Announced
Biltmore Village’s “fancy McDonald’s” is coming back to life more than a year after Helene, welcoming back its grand piano. The fast food restaurant is expected to reopen by the end of the month. (WLOS)
Eat
In more Biltmore Village food news, Gemelli’s move into the former Andaaz location is coming along, set to open in early 2026. Let the Italian eatery take you down memory lane and look at the last 100 years of the building’s history.
Environment
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy transferred 1,060 acres across Haywood County to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The land expands Pisgah and Cold Mountain Game Lands and creates a key wildlife corridor near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, protecting water quality, habitats, and public access for recreation.
Featured
If you’ve explored the Biltmore Estate, you’ve already completed the best bucket-list item in NC, according to Reader’s Digest. But why stop there? See the top activities in each state, then head to Asheville Regional Airport to start exploring.
Seasonal
There’s plenty of festive fun this week at The Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards. Tune in to live music and a holiday market tonight, Dec. 3 + “Elf” on the big screen rink-side or from the ice tomorrow, Dec. 4. Bonus: Admission to Asheville Yards is free for all non-skaters.
Home
When was the last time you had your home’s well inspected? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to call MB Haynes: The local, employee-owned company now offers well pump pulling services.*
Health
Meet Horizon IX, an innovative hearing aid that a leading audiologist calls “nothing short of a miracle.” With dual processors for sharper speech and less noise, it offers a nearly invisible design for all-day comfort. Try it at no risk for 45 days and experience effortless hearing for the holidays.*
Stat
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Health
This FDA-registered vibrator is recommended by doctors because it boosts arousal and supports natural lubrication, thanks to its bendable shape designed to stimulate all the right spots. Even better? Save 35% + an extra 15% with code H4PPY15.*
Event Spotlight
We’re rollin’ out
One half of this celeb duo will visit next week. | Photo by Santo Spirits
The Mayor of Flavortown himself will touch down in the Land of the Sky next week. On Wednesday, Dec. 10, Guy Fieri will be at the New Leicester Highway ABC Store to promote his and friend Sammy Hagar’s tequila brand, Santo Spirits.
Stop by next week at 5 p.m. to snap a pic with the Food Network star and get a signed bottle of tequila. While we’re not sure how long he’ll stick around, we know where we’d send the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” host for a good meal.
The Buy
Three viral products that are actually worth paying attention to:
☕ A JavaSok — aka an insulated neoprene sleeve for your favorite iced drinks. The widely popular product is an Amazon bestseller + one of the top gifts of the season. Bonus: Discover Soks for cans, water bottles, ice cream pints, and more.
🥘 The StoveShelf — as seen in Business Insider and Food & Wine. It’s a high-quality magnetic attachment for your stovetop that stores frequently used items like spices, condiments, and cooking oils.
🐻 Something that’s on every teenager’s holiday wishlist: the viral Starbucks Bearista bear cup. If you couldn’t get your hands on the original (they sold out within minutes), we found the perfect look-alike on Amazon.
I’ve taken a craftier route this year with holiday decorations, making tons of paper chains and paper stars. But since my decorating style is decidedly “more is more,” I have to know where the best local spots for decorations are. Have a fav? Reply to this email to let me know.
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