Deck the Stacks – 4-6 p.m. Dec. 5
Join the Jackson County Public Library, anytime between the hours of 4-6 p.m. for their annual Deck the Stacks event! There will be crafts available for patrons to complete to decorate their own homes or our Children’s Department at Jackson County Public Library for the upcoming winter holidays! Get into the holiday spirit together with some festive decorating! More information at fontanalib.org/events.
Japanese calligraphy class with Ted Ohtani – 6 p.m. Dec. 5
Join the Jackson County Public Library for a Japanese calligraphy workshop. Ted Ohtani Sensei will go over the differences between the written Chinese and Japanese languages and how the Chinese characters were transformed into new Japanese letters: Katakana and Hiragana. He will also discuss the structures of Kanji to help with the calligraphy writing process. Next, people will practice writing with authentic calligraphic tools. Three traditional styles of Kanji (Kaisho, Gyõsho, and Sõsho) will be explained with practice writing some Katakana strokes and then applying them to write Kanji. Registration is required to attend this program. Please register by calling the Jackson County Public Library at 828-586-2016 or by emailing JCPL-Adults@fontanalib.org.
Sylva Shop and Stroll – 5 p.m. Dec. 5, 12 and 19
Thursday evenings leading up to Christmas Sylva will be open for late shopping. See Santa Paws and Smoky Mountain High School carolers roaming around downtown. Join the Sylva Art and Design Committe at the Undercut on Mill Street for kids Christmas crafts from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Select Merchants Staying Open Late. Search event on Facebook for more information.
Open Mic – 7-8 p.m. Dec. 5
Every Thursday at The Junction Pub.
The Nutcracker featuring the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville – 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7
Join Bardo Arts Center for a magically festive, full-length version of The Nutcracker featuring professional classical dancers and the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s celebrated pre-professional company. Doors will open 30 minutes before the show begins. Get your tickets and more information at arts.wcu.edu/tickets.
Lights & Luminaries Celebration – 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6
Illuminate your Holiday Season in Dillsboro, NC. The Lights and Luminaries Celebration transforms Dillsboro into a classic winter wonderland! Experience the charm of historic town as it comes alive with thousands of glowing luminaries, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the holiday season.
Edyn Wellness Christmas Social, featuring Polar Express Theme – 5-7 p.m. Dec. 6
A Christmas Social featuring the Polar Express! Bring the kids, wear pajamas and enjoy hot cocoa, appetizers, Christmas games and old-fashioned fun! Bring your best pie for a pie tasting contest with a $50 grand prize!
Holiday piano concert – 1 p.m. Dec. 7
A holiday-themed piano concert at the Jackson County Library. The concert will be in the Community Room of the library. Pianist and WCU Music professor, Leonidas Lagrimas will lead the concert of classical holiday piano music with sing-along caroling encouraged. Free hot cocoa and cider will be available during the performance. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the library at 828-586-2016.
WATR 2024 Annual Celebration and Fundraiser Party – 4 p.m. Dec. 7
Celebrate WATR’s past, present and future! The event kicks off at 4 p.m. with a WATR presentation “Looking Back & Moving Forward,” silent auction and catered dinner. The live music starts at 6:30 p.m. from Positive Mental Attitude. Come support community stewardship and protection of the Tuckasegee River Watershed! Buy tickets online in advance to help plan the catered dinner. More information at https://protectourwaters-wnc.org/watr-2024-fundraiser.
Shane Meade: An acoustic brunch – 12:30-2:30 p.m. Dec. 8
Quirky Birds Treehouse presents an acoustic brunch with Shane Meade. Good food, good folks and good vibes. Spread the word and join the fun!
Basic Dungeons and Dragons with the Creative Writing Club – 6-8 p.m. Dec. 9
For everyone interested in learning Dungeons and Dragons, writing characters and other parts of playing. Meet in room 214 at the University Center.
Music bingo with Ambitious Entertainment – 7 p.m. Dec. 9
Test your bingo skills and music knowledge at Lazy Hiker Brewing with this fun, high energy take on a classic game! Always free to play and win house cash!
ARTrageous – 4 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17
Let’s get creative together! Join the Jackson County Public Library as we learn, explore and get a little bit messy making art. More information at https://fontanalib.org/events.
Susan Pepper: Traditional Song from Appalachia – 6 p.m. Dec. 10
The Jackson County Public Library will host a free concert. Ballad singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Susan Pepper, will perform songs from her new album, Where the Islands Overflow: Traditional Song from Appalachia. Oxford American calls her “a seasoned singer” with a “celestial upper range.” She is featured in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area’s Traditional Artist Directory. More information at https://fontanalib.org/events.
Sylva Stitchers Group – 6 p.m. Dec. 12
Like to knit, crochet, or do other needle crafts? All are welcome to join this group to learn, work on your latest project or help a beginner develop their skills. At 6 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday of the month in The Story Time Room on the first floor of Jackson County Public Library. Stitchers 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Free and open to the public. All programs are co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Library.
Trivia Night at Lazy Hiker – 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 17 and 24
Gather your team or play by yourself! Test your knowledge every Tuesday at Lazy Hiker’s Trivia Night! Free to play! Different categories every week!
Make a Joyful Noise: Drum circle – 12 p.m. Dec. 15
Join Mary Ferrick in a new ministry – with drums! Together, they will play percussion as a form of relaxation, mediation, connection and joy! All ages are welcome! No experience necessary! Drums will be provided! Located at 516 Parris Branch Road.
Adult Craft Corner: Make a keepsake book ornament – 10 a.m. Dec. 17
Back by popular demand, make a keepsake book ornament featuring your childhood favorites, your 2024 reading list, book club favorites and anything you’d like. Upon signing up, a link will be sent to a form to enter your 10 titles and authors. We will assemble the miniature books together and put them in our ornaments. Must be 16 years old or older to participate. The book ornament program will be in the conference room. Titles and authors must be sent by Thursday, Dec. 5. Registration required. Call the library at (828) 586-2016 or email JCPL-Adults@fontanalib.org to register.
Reindeer Games & Book Exchange Family Night – 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19
Start the season of giving by bringing a gently used book to trade and then be ready to rise to the challenge of our holiday-themed games! Before leaving, select a new-to-you book to bring home and enjoy! There will be fun family-friendly challenges along with yummy snacks! Event at Jackson County Public Library.
Yuletide Holiday Market – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 21
Come out and shop locally for the holidays! Support small businesses and give unique, thoughtful gifts to loved ones during the holiday season in downtown Sylva at Bridge Park.
Paint and Take – 12-8 p.m. Dec. 28
Come in and paint a figurine! Feel free to bring a figurine of choice. Contact Tolgard Games for more information at (828) 226-9615.
Call for Entry: 57th Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition – Entry deadline Jan. 21
WCU’s Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition is one of the longest-running Catamount art traditions. This exhibition is an extraordinary opportunity for WCU undergraduate students to share their artwork with a larger public and enhance their skills in presenting artwork in a professional gallery setting. Entries are reviewed by an outside art professional who selects the works for exhibition at the WCU Fine Art Museum. Selected works will be on display at the museum from Feb. 18 to March 21, 2025. An awards ceremony will be held at the WCU Fine Art Museum 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2025. More information and application at https://www.wcu.edu/bardo-arts-center/blog/posts/57th-annual-juried.aspx.
Rockin’ New Year’s Noon – 10:30 a.m. Dec. 31
Ring in the new year by counting down to noon in the Jackson County Public Library with crafts, games and snacks! The whole family can experience the excitement of the countdown without staying up late.
NYE Throwback Prom at Lazy Hiker Brewing – 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31
Come dressed in prom attire from the 1990s and 2000s and dance the night away to some throwback tunes brought to you by Ambitious Entertainment’s DJ Mox! Enjoy a champagne toast at midnight and vote for your favorite royal couple!
