Lights, Music, and Holiday Hustle: Asheville's Christmas Eve Happenings

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for Wednesday, December 24. Holiday week is in full swing across the mountains, and Asheville is leaning all the way into the lights, the music, and a little bit of last minute hustle before Christmas Day. If you are out on the roads early, expect lighter commuter traffic but heavier flow near shopping centers and grocery stores as folks make their final holiday runs. City Hall and most Asheville city offices are closed today through Friday for the holiday, so if you need permits, in person payments, or nonemergency services, you will want to plan for next week. Buncombe County is also adjusting operations, with the county landfill and transfer station closing early at 1 p.m., so contractors and anyone hauling trash or debris will want to get there this morning rather than this afternoon. If you are looking for something beautiful to do once the sun goes down, Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum is open tonight from 6 to 10 p.m. The open air walk through show features more than a million lights, that 50 foot animated tree, the quilt garden, and this year, a cast of giant wooden trolls tucked into the paths and overlooks. You do need timed tickets in advance, but if you can snag a spot, it is one of the most magical walks in town. Biltmore is staying busy with daytime Christmas tours and evening candlelight visits, and downtown is buzzing with visitors drifting between galleries, breweries, and buskers squeezing in one more rendition of holiday standards. Over at Grovewood Gallery by the Omni Grove Park Inn, the Artful Living exhibition continues, celebrating the spirit of craftsman style and regional makers, a perfect calm counterpoint to the shopping rush. Tonight, if you want to dance off some holiday stress, One World Brewing West on Haywood Road hosts Latin Night Wednesday, starting at 8:30 and running right up to midnight, with DJs, dancing, and a welcoming West Asheville crowd. Many local congregations, including Trinity Episcopal and churches throughout town, will hold Christmas Eve services late this afternoon and evening, so expect a little extra traffic and pedestrians around church corridors just after dark. This has been Asheville Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.