From cookies with Santa to community center holiday parties, Asheville Parks & Recreation offers opportunities for communities to come together for seasonal events. Here’s a roundup.
Cookies with the Clauses
When/where: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Road.
Program: Fun, sweets and time with Santa will be a great way to get your family into the Holiday spirit. At Cookies with the Clauses children will enjoy decorating cookies, making crafts and visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring your camera for this great photo opportunity! Pre-registration required by Nov. 30. Sorry — walk-ins will not accepted.
How much: $5.
To sign up: Visit www.ashevillenc.gov/parks to register your child today! For more information, call 828-259-5800.
A Winter’s Tail
When/where: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. December 3 at the WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road.
Program: Come and join the holiday with crafts, garland creations, wildlife art, face painting, a holiday hay maze, animal encounters and educational programs. And, of course, Santa will be there from noon to 4 p.m.!
Admission: Regular rates apply; members of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center enter free.
Breakfast with Santa
When/where: Dec. 10 at the Stephens-Lee Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave. Two breakfast seatings will take place, at 9 and 10:30 a.m.
Program: Have breakfast with Santa and celebrate the holidays with a morning full of fun. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, a holiday-themed dance workshop, and make your very own ornament to take home. Designed for children ages 2-9 and their parents.
How much: $8 per person. Children must be accompanied by a paid adult.
To sign up: Space is limited to 50 people per seating and reservations are required. To register or for more information, visit www.ashevillenc.gov/parks or call 828-259-5800.
Holiday Parents Day Out
When/where: Noon-5 p.m. Dec. 17 the Montford Recreation Center, 34 Pearson Drive.
Program: Holiday shopping is in full swing! So be sure to make a list, check it twice and then bring your kids to the Montford Recreation Center for our special Holiday Parents Day Out. You’ll be free to put the final touches on your gift shopping while your kids are with us, having a great time with our fantastic staff. Pack water and a lunch, and we’ll provide a snack. Kids will have fun playing in the gym, doing holiday crafts and watching a holiday movie. For ages 5-12.
How much: $10. Pre-registration is required.
To sign up: Visit www.ashevillenc.gov/parks to register your child or call the Montford Center at 828-253-3714 for more info.
Community center holiday events
These events are free of charge:
- Shiloh Community Holiday Party: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Linwood Crump Shiloh Center, 121 Shiloh Road. Join us as for fellowship, a visit with Santa, gifts and a lot of fun, laughter and joy!
- Grant Southside Holiday Family Night: Begins at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St. Kids work on a holiday craft from 5:30 to 6 p.m., then staff will show the movie “Polar Express” at 6 p.m. A parent or guardian must remain with the child all the time.
- Holiday crafts for seniors: 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 20 at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave. Seniors, come for a fun mix of activities including crafts, cooking, walking, fitness center workouts, books, chair exercise and dancing.
Holiday Camp
When/where: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 27-30 at the Montford Recreation Center, 34 Pearson Drive, and Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave.
Program: Youths will enjoy games, activities, crafts, field trips, exercise and all kinds of holiday fun! This year’s fun will include a field trip to the bowling alley, a trip to Chucky Cheese, a movie at the Grant Center, dance party, inflatables, XBox/Wii contests, karaoke and a joke contest. Grab your friends and join in the fun. Parents should provide each child a lunch and a drink daily.
How much: $40 first child, $30 for each additional sibling
Child on school reduced lunch plan: $30 for first child, $20 for each additional sibling
Child on school free lunch program: $10 per child.
To sign up: Call 828-253-3714 (Montford) or 828-350-2058 (Stephens-Lee) or visit www.ashevillenc.gov/parks to register. Space is limited and all participants must pre-register and pay. There will be no refunds.