Asheville Holiday Parade, Volleyball Championships, and City Council Updates - Asheville Local Frequency

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for Thursday, November 20. Asheville is in full celebration mode as the city gears up for the big comeback of the Asheville Holiday Parade this Saturday after last year’s cancellation. The 2025 parade starts at 11 a.m. on November 22, but early risers can kick off the day with the ever-popular Onesie One-Miler at 10:30 a.m.—so break out your most outrageous pajama ensemble if you want to join the fun. Expect street closures throughout downtown starting at 8 a.m., with the main parade route stretching from Biltmore and Hilliard up to Patton Avenue and ending at French Broad. After the parade, South Slope will transform into an Elf Hunt playground for the kids from 1 to 4 p.m., with festive photos with Santa available at Asheville Yards between 2 and 4. Downtown is sure to be bustling this evening and through the weekend, as Asheville hosts the Ingles Southern Conference Volleyball Championships for the first time as a neutral-site event at Harrah’s Cherokee Center. The action begins today and runs through Sunday with VIP courtside and general admission tickets available, so if you’re a fan of high-energy collegiate volleyball, now’s your chance to cheer on the region’s best. This comes alongside big news for Asheville’s sports scene: city officials just inked a deal extending the city’s hosting of the SoCon basketball championships for another decade, bringing long-term economic and tourism wins for everyone local. On the government beat, Asheville City Council made headlines by vetoing a hotly debated Haw Creek rezoning plan that would have added dozens of new homes and a floodplain bridge. The decision follows major neighborhood pushback, leaving housing advocates frustrated about delays in addressing Asheville’s ever-present affordability challenge. Meanwhile, the council released a joint statement this week with county commissioners, reaffirming that local law enforcement does not participate in federal immigration enforcement activities and urging everyone—especially immigrant communities—to know their rights and stand together. For a change of pace, the North Carolina Arboretum continues to host the interactive exhibit Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact in the Baker Exhibit Hall, running through early January. It’s an engaging way for families to explore the science of snow and climate change. Tonight, stop by the Community Engagement Market at 40 Coxe Avenue for food, health services, and resources, or drop by the Senior Opportunity Center for exercise, games, and fellowship if you’re looking for social connection. Ticket-holders can catch a performance of The Shark is Broken, an acclaimed comedy at Asheville Community Theatre, delving into the hilarity and drama behind the scenes of the original Jaws movie. With the holiday season getting underway, keep an eye out for the Lake Julian Festival of Lights Walk-Through Night coming up next week and ice skating at Highlands opening today This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.