Celebrate the Season with Asheville’s 2026 Holly Jolly Holidays Event Guide

Posted on by Christo Bubenik
family at asheville holiday event

As winter wonder moves to the North Carolina mountains, Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) has plenty of festive celebrations to make the 2026 holiday season merry and bright for the young and young-at-heart during Holly Jolly Holidays in November and December. Space is limited, so advance registration is strongly recommended even if an event is free.

November 17-21  |  December 1-6  |  December 7-13  |  December 14-20  |  December 21-31

November 17-21, 2026

parade float with cardboard cutout of dolly party and adults wearing blonde wigs  Therapeutic Recreation Adult Crafting: Grateful Collages – Nov. 17, 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)
FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities
Celebrate gratitude by combining mixed media, nature-inspired elements, and personal touches into a unique collage artwork to take home.

Mountain Pie High Baking Contest – Nov. 19, 12:30-3 p.m.
Grove Street Community Center (36 Grove St.)
FREE | All ages
Bring your best holiday pie to see if your unique taste, texture, and originality stand out to the judges. Submit pies by noon to be part of the fun!

Burton Street Friendsgiving – Nov. 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton St.)
FREE | All ages
Gather friends and family to share a free potluck meal, good company, and what you’re most thankful for. Advance registration required.

80th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade – Nov. 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Downtown Asheville
FREE | All ages
Join the City of Asheville in partnership with Asheville Downtown Association for a day of mountain spirit, creative community floats, and festive costumes brought to life by local groups and organizations under this year’s theme: A Vintage Holiday. Look out for the APR float and take holiday cheer to the next level by volunteering to help create this treasured tradition (to volunteer, reach out to info@ashevilledowntown.org)!

Community Thanksgiving Potluck – Nov. 21, 1-4 p.m.
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center (121 Shiloh Rd.)
FREE | All ages
Celebrate the season of gratitude and fellowship with a shared meal where everyone brings their favorite Thanksgiving dish. Advance registration required.

December 1-6, 2026

adults assembling wreathsTherapeutic Recreation Adult Crafting: Painting Snow Scenes – Dec. 2, 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)
FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities
Capture the quiet beauty of winter with brushstrokes that bring paint glowing light, serene shadows, and snow-covered landscapes. Advance registration required

Gingerbread House Competition – Dec. 4, 5:30-7 p.m.
Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton St.)
FREE | All ages
Join for a fun-filled night of building where teams compete to create the best gingerbread house and win prizes!

Wreath Decorating for Adults – Dec. 4, 6-7:30 p.m.
Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Dr.)
$5 | Ages 18+
Create a festive holiday wreath using seasonal greenery and decorations in a cozy environment with hands-on instruction.

Holiday Free Store – Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center (285 Livingston St.)
FREE | All ages
‘Tis the season for sharing what we have in abundance, coming together to build community, and lightening the financial burden for someone who may need or want a gently-loved treasure. Volunteer, donate, and “shop” clothing, shoes, home goods, toys, books, electronics, sporting goods, and more for personal use or gifts. Sign up to help with sorting and operations.

December 7-13, 2026

santa pointing to the crowdCalls from Santa – Dec. 7, 10 a.m-12 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m.
FREE | Ages 3-6
Ensure all good little children in your life receive a personal call from the North Pole. Sign up and one of Santa’s helpers will schedule a call.

Therapeutic Recreation Adult Crafting: Ornaments – Dec. 8, 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)
FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities
Create new heirloom ornaments from a variety of materials perfect to hang on trees year after year. Advance registration required.

Therapeutic Recreation Adult Movement: Snowball Fight – Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Dr.)
FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities
It’s all about strategy and the duck, dive, and dodge in this silly snowball sight using dodgeballs. Advance registration required.

Oakley Community Closet – Dec. 9, 1-2 p.m.
Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)
FREE | All ages
Shop and swap clothes, shoes, and toys at this monthly market that brings new life to gently-loved treasures. Please call (828) 232-4529 to coordinate donation drop-offs.

Holiday Family Paint Night – Dec. 10, 6-7:30 p.m.
Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center (285 Livingston St.)
$5 per family | All ages
Share a creative evening as family and take home a holiday masterpiece full of sentiment. Advance registration required.  

Therapeutic Recreation After Dark: Candlelight Stroll – Dec. 11, 5:30-9 p.m.
Meet at Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)
$5 | Ages 14+
Join other teens and adults with disabilities on a road trip to Weaverville to enjoy a full night of festivities at the annual Candlelight Stroll and Winter Wonderland. Advance registration required.

Candy Cane Flashlight Hunt – Dec. 11, 5:30-7 p.m.
Murphy-Oakley Park (749 Fairview Rd.)
FREE | All ages
Fuel up on hot chocolate and search for candy canes and merry treasures – in the dark! Bring your own flashlight or headlamp. Another hunt takes place on Dec. 16 in Malvern Hills Park.

A Morning at Santa’s Workshop – Dec. 12, 9-11 a.m.
Stephens-Lee Community Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.)
$5 per child | Ages 2-10 with adult
Decorate cookies, craft ornaments, create reindeer food, and write letters to Santa on a festive morning filled with holiday cheer and a chance to take memorable photos with the jolly old man himself!

Drop & Swap – Dec. 11, 5:30-7 p.m.
Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton St.)
FREE | All ages
Refresh your closet or bookshelf – or grab unique gifts – without spending a dime! Bring gently-used clothing, books, and home goods to exchange with neighbors. Swap, shop, and leave with something new-to-you. Advance registration required.

Holiday Bingo & Festive Fun – Dec. 12, 12-2 p.m.
Burton Street Community Center (134 Burton St.)
FREE | All ages
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at festive Holiday Bingo. Advance registration required.

Holiday Vendor Festival – Dec. 12 and Dec. 13, 1-5 p.m.
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center (121 Shiloh Rd.)
FREE | All ages
Give gifts everyone will talk about well into 2027 with a two-day extravaganza packed with local makers and artisans. Registration is $60 for a booth and $100 for food trucks. Admission is free for shoppers and attendees.

December 14-20, 2026

parent taking picture of child in an elf cutoutTherapeutic Recreation Adult Crafting: Holiday Cookies – Dec. 15, 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)
FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities
Decorate delicious holiday cookies perfect for enjoying in the final magical weeks of the year. Advance registration required.

Jingle Bell Toddler Party – Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Stephens-Lee Community Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.)
$5 per child | Ages 4 and under with adult
Jingle bells, reindeer magic, and a snowball toss are part of the celebration in the magical Castle on the Hill packed with inflatables, interactive toys, activity stations, festive refreshments, and a snowball fight!

Therapeutic Recreation Adult Movement: Hockey – Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Tempie Avery Montford Community Center (34 Pearson Dr.)
FREE | Ages 17+ with disabilities
Get active on the gym floor with the ultimate cold-weather sport adapted to accommodate all skill levels. Advance registration required.

Candy Cane Flashlight Hunt – Dec. 16, 5:30-7 p.m.
Murphy-Oakley Park (749 Fairview Rd.)
FREE | All ages
Fuel up on hot chocolate and search for candy canes and merry treasures – in the dark! Bring your own flashlight or headlamp. Another hunt takes place on Dec. 11 in Murphy-Oakley Park.

Therapeutic Recreation Club Connect: Light Up Ornaments – Dec. 17, 4-6 p.m.
Murphy-Oakley Community Center (749 Fairview Rd.)
$5 | Ages 6-22 with disabilities
Make friends and get crafty on an artistic adventure into the world of illuminated ornaments. Advance registration required.

Home for the Holidays – Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Grove Street Community Center (36 Grove St.)
FREE | Ages 18+
Share holiday cheer, festive food, and spirited fun with friends old and new. Bring a wrapped gift to participate in the gift exchange.

December 21-31, 2026

kid balancing on an inflatable ballAPR Holiday Camp – Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 29-31, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

$40 for first child, $30 for each additional child

Spend winter break at APR Holiday Camp featuring games, crafts, sports, arts, and every kind of festive fun! Advance registration required.

Explore, Connect, Discover All Year

These are just a few of the many programs, activities, and special events taking place in Asheville parks and community centers every month! Programs fill up fast and many require advance registration, so it’s worth spending some time planning which activities and events to attend. Use these resources to discover additional opportunities: