Cherokee Visitor Center Hosts Holiday Homecoming

December 21   Holiday Homecoming   at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee NC.  This annual holiday event is an old-fashioned Christmas celebration in the Smokies with traditional music, holiday crafts, and cider and cookies. The event takes place from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Last Chance to see the National Gingerbread House Competition and Display

Now through January 2   The National Gingerbread House Competition and Display   Contestants from across the country bring their architectural masterpieces to The Grove Park Inn for display over the holidays. Delight in the imagination shown in these sugar-and-spice creations, strolling through the competition is a sure way to be swept up in the holiday spirit.

There is no admission charge to view the entries to the National Gingerbread House Competition. In addition to the gingerbread overload, see the beautiful holiday displays throughout and warm by the giant fireplaces in the grand lobby. Pick up a map in the lobby to find the various areas where the entries are displayed.

Visit Waynesville Galleries during a Night Before Christmas

December 10    A Night Before Christmas  Come share this holiday tradition downtown. Live music, and caroling, Santa Claus, old-fashioned wagon rides, storytelling, poetry, hundreds of luminaries and more! Shops, galleries, and restaurants remain open until 9 PM. Historic Downtown Waynesville NC

Blowing Rock Art and History (BRAHM) Celebrates the Holidays

December 11, 2 PM - 4 PM at the BRAHM, 159 Chestnut Street (corner of Chestnut and Main)
Blowing Rock, NC -  BRAHM celebrates the holidays with a community Open House with FREE Admission to the Museum and light seasonal refreshments, including stolen from Stick Boy Bread Company.

A Gingerbread House Workshop ($10/$9 for members) will begin at 2:30 in the Education Center. Houses will be no-bake with a graham cracker base and all materials will be provided. Pre-registration for the workshop is required by December 8. For more information or to register, call (828) 295-9099 ext. 3006 or e-mail lou@blowingrockmuseum.org.

John C Campbell offers Holiday Events throughout December

December is a non-stop celebration at the John C Campbell Folk School and everyone is invited to be part of it! Enjoy  free concerts, dances, parties, and activities:

Come learn to make inexpensive and tasteful wreaths and garlands from fresh greenery.

Enjoy the energetic performances of the Morris, Garland, and Rapper Sword dancers.

Be entertained by a local ladies' barbershop chorus.

Bring the kids to a party where they'll make crafts and meet Santa.

View the complete list of the free holiday activities.

Chimney Rock Park Naturalist Series - Handmade Holidays

Dec 18, Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock NC. Taking our cues from the natural world, participants will make a beautiful handmade craft just in time for the holiday season.



Click here to register online now. Pre-registration is preferred. Day-of registrations will be accepted, but guests should call the Ticket Plaza at (828) 625-9281 to confirm the event is proceeding as scheduled.

Cost:

$35 for Adults, $30 for Annual Passholders, $25 for ages 6-15, $15 for Grady’s Kids Club Members (includes Park admission for the day).

Annual Christmas in the Mountains Arts and Crafts Show in Robbinsville NC

Christmas in the Mountains Arts & Crafts Show is this Saturday, December 11 from 10am to 5pm. The Stecoah Artisans Guild and the Stecoah Gallery are hosting the second Annual Christmas in the Mountains Arts and Crafts Show. This indoor show will feature local artisan booths in a festive holiday atmosphere. A children's crafts room for ages 4 and up will be staffed beginning at 11am so the little ones can be entertained while you shop. Santa will be here too!

Shop the Gallery Monday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm and choose from hundreds of handcrafted items from over 125 local and regional artists. The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 121 Schoolhouse Road Stecoah (Robbinsville), NC.

Guild Artist Holiday SHow at The Folk Art Center

Dec 14 from 10 AM to 4PM the Folk Art Center hosts the Southern Highland's Craft Guild's Holiday Sale. Next weekend will be a great time to visit the Folk Art Center. Meet Guild members and do some serious Christmas shopping, receive awesome discounts, and support mountain artists and the local economy. Happy Holidays from the Southern Highland Craft Guild!


The Folk Art center is located at MP 382 Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC.

The 12 Days of Christmas at The Echo Gallery

The Twelve Days of Christmas

submitted by The Echo Gallery,  8 Town Square Blvd, Suite 160  Asheville, NC

Echo Gallery at Biltmore Park invites you to join us for an Artist Reception to celebrate the holidays and our December exhibit of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, by Leo Monahan. The Artist Reception will take place on Friday, December 10 from 5 to 8pm. The exhibit consists of twelve original paper sculptures that were created as illustrations for the book "The Twelve Days of Christmas", which is also on display.

Leo will also give a talk and demonstration of his incredible work on Wednesday, December 15, from 6:00 - 7:00pm.

In addition, Echo Gallery proudly presents the work of fine artists and craftspeople from around the Asheville area. When you visit, you'll also find work that includes functional and decorative ceramics and tile, decorative and wearable textiles, jewelry, ornaments, furniture, sculpture, paintings, encaustics, pencil drawings, plush toys, accessories, and more.

Don't forget! Biltmore Park has it all: Dinner...movies... shopping... and art! Come and spend the evening with us. (Please help us spread the word - - invite your friends by forwarding this email!) Directions from Asheville:
• South on I-26 to Long Shoals Road Exit 37
• Turn left at end of ramp
• Left past McDonalds (second light) onto Schenck Parkway
• 3/4 around the traffic circle onto Town Square Blvd
• Echo Gallery is on the right: Suite 160