January 2023: Check out our WNC Parent events calendar and listing of things to do
Find weekly updates and highlights online at wncparent.com. Send your organization’s family events to chris@worthyplace.com.
Sunday, Jan. 1
A First Day Hike is at Chimney Rock Park. For details, visit chimneyrockpark.com.
The New Year’s Resolution Run 5K and 10K start at 10 a.m. in downtown Asheville. For details and registration, visit idaph.net/resolution-run.
Tuesday, Jan. 3
Family Story Time is at 10 a.m. at the Etowah Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Preschool Story Time is at 10:30 a.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
LEGO Club for grades K – 5 is 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the Pack Memorial Library. Call 828-250-4700 or email library@buncombecounty.org.
Teen Creative Writing Club is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Wednesday, Jan. 4
Toddler Time is at 10:30 a.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Tiny Tots Yoga is at 11 a.m. at the Swannanoa Library. Call 828-250-6486 or email swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.
Four O’Clock Club for grades K – 5 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Thursday, Jan. 5
LEGO Club is at 3:30 p.m. at the Fletcher Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Teen Advisory Board meets at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Friday, Jan. 6
Little Explorers Club is at 9 a.m. at the Asheville Museum of Science. For details and registration, visit ashevillescience.org.
Pre-K Story Craft for ages 3 – 5 is at 11 a.m. at the Leicester Library. Call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.
Monday, Jan. 9
PAWS for Reading is at 3:30 p.m. at the Mills River Library and at 4 p.m. at the Etowah Library. Sign-up to read to a therapy dog. To register, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Tuesday, Jan. 10
Messy Mornings: Let’s Paint is at 11 a.m. at Montford Community Center. Dress prepared for you and your little one to get messy. Ages 3 – 5 with a parent or guardian. The cost is $5 per class. Register online at avlparks.com.
Wednesday, Jan. 11
Baby Gym for ages 4 – 18 months is at 11 a.m. at the Leicester Library. Call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.
Four O’Clock Club for grades K – 5 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Today’s ecoEXPLORE program is about ornithology. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Friday, Jan. 13
Yoga for Kids for ages 3 – 8 is at 2 p.m. at the Leicester Library. Call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.
Winter wonderland evening viewing is at PARI – Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. Overnight options are offered. For details, visit pari.edu/events/winter-wonderland-evening-viewing.
Saturday, Jan. 14
PAWS for Reading is at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Sign-up to read to a therapy dog. To register, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
MakerSpace is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Asheville Art Museum. Free for members or included with admission. Registration is not required. Drop in and get creative while experimenting with different art materials, tools, and techniques related to a work of art. All ages and abilities are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For details, visit ashevilleart.org.
Saturday Board Game Afternoon is 2 – 4:45 p.m. at the Swannanoa Library. Call 828-250-6486 or email swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.
Asheville Junior Theater Presents “Peter Pan Jr.” at 6 p.m. at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. Visit worthamarts.org.
Sunday, Jan. 15
Asheville Junior Theater Presents “Peter Pan Jr.” at 2 p.m. at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. Visit worthamarts.org.
Monday, Jan. 16
The 23rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast is at 8 a.m. at Blue Ridge Community College’s Education and Development Center. The featured speaker will be James E. Ford, Executive Director of CREED (The Center for Racial Equity in Education. Tickets are $15 each for adults and $5 each for children and may be purchased at the door. For details, visit visithendersonvillenc.org.
Tuesday, Jan. 17
Messy Mornings: Slime Time is at 11 a.m. at Montford Community Center. Dress prepared for you and your little one to get messy. Ages 3 – 5 with a parent or guardian. The cost is $5 per class. Register online at avlparks.com.
Learn about animals of Appalachia with Chimney Rock Park at 11 a.m. at the Mills River Library. To register, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Family Book Club: Of a Feather is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Wednesday, Jan. 18
Tiny Tots Yoga is at 11 a.m. at the Swannanoa Library. Call 828-250-6486 or email swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.
Space Lander Mission with Zaniac is at 3:45 p.m. at the Green River Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Four O’Clock Club: Snow Globes for grades K – 5 is at 4 p.m. the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
ecoExplore: Birding for Kids, an educational program with the North Carolina Arboretum, is at 4 p.m. at the Weaverville Library. Grades K – 5. Visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library or call 828-250-6482.
Thursday, Jan. 19
Tykes on Bikes for ages 3 – 5 starts today at the Stephens-Lee Center. Registration is required. The cost is $25 per session. For details, visit avlparks.com.
Friday, Jan. 20
Pre-K Story Craft for ages 3 – 5 is at 11 a.m. at the Leicester Library. Call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.
Saturday, Jan. 21
PAWS for Reading is at 10 a.m. at the Fletcher Library. Sign-up to read to a therapy dog. To register, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Monday, Jan. 23
Predator or Prey with Zaniac is at 4 p.m. at the Etowah Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Tuesday, Jan. 24
Messy Mornings: Marshmallow Dance Art is at 11 a.m. at Montford Community Center. Dress prepared for you and your little one to get messy. Ages 3 – 5 with a parent or guardian. The cost is $5 per class. Register online at avlparks.com.
Meet Officer Dinnall at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Wednesday, Jan. 25
Baby Gym for ages 4 – 18 months is at 11 a.m. at the Leicester Library. Call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.
YMCA Mobile Market is at the Enka Candler Library noon – 1 p.m. Bring grocery bags and get fresh food. Distributions are free. The market provides fresh produce paired with healthy recipes and more. Visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library or call 828-250-4758.
Four O’Clock Club for grades K – 5 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Today, build a snowman with craft supplies. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Friday, Jan. 27
LEGO time is 3:30 – 5 p.m. at the Leicester Library. Drop in or stay for the entire time. LEGOS and snacks are provided. This program is free and no registration is needed. For details, call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.
Saturday, Jan. 28
Naturalist Niche: Winter Birding is 9 – 11 a.m. at Chimney Rock Park. For details and registration, visit chimneyrockpark.com/event/naturalist-niche-winter-birding-2.
Tuesday, Jan. 31
Ozobots: Learn Color Codes at 3:30 p.m. at the Edneyville Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Winter Reflections with Buncombe County environmental educators is at 4 p.m. at the Swannanoa Library. Activities include a story, songs, and shelter building.
This event will include some time outdoors, but may be moved inside if weather does not allow. Call 828-250-6486 or email swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.
GET READY FOR BABY
Mission Health offers prenatal classes, including a childbirth and hospital orientation class and a breastfeeding class. For details and registration, visit missionhealth.org/services-treatments/maternity-care/labor-delivery-mission.
Homegrown Families offers a variety of childbirth and prenatal classes. Learn more and register at ashevillehomegrownfamilies.com.
Prenatal Classes and a mom group are offered by Haywood Regional Medical Center. Call 828-552-8440 or visit myhaywoodregional.com/events.
ENJOY STORY TIME, FAMILY FUN AND MORE
The Omni Grove Park Inn's 30th National Gingerbread House display continues through Jan. 2. For details, visit omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park.
Christmas at Biltmore Estate includes daytime celebrations through Jan. 8 and Candlelight Christmas Evenings through Jan. 7. For tickets and details, visit biltmore.com.
Weekly Art + Design Classes for grades K – 5 are at Roots and Wings in January. Sessions are once a week for 4 weeks from 4 – 5:15 p.m. For details, visit rootsandwingsarts.com/elementary-creators.
A winter special for residents of Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, Madison, Haywood, and McDowell Counties is offered Fridays – Sundays in January and February at Adventure Center of Asheville when the center is open. Use code AVLVIP for 50 percent off the Treetops Adventure Park and Kid Zip. ID is required at check in. Ages 4 and older. Reservations are suggested. Visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/asheville-adventure-specials.
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn is offered this winter in-person and in an online format for ages birth – 5 years and their parents/caregivers in Buncombe County. KPL in-person is a once-a-week, 90-minute adult-child group that features a mix of free play, outdoor play (where available), and group activities/circle time. It is free and open to children ages birth – 5 years who reside in Buncombe County and who are not enrolled in licensed child care. The online version is a weekly emailed lesson, with a complimentary activity/craft bag with materials that support the lessons. There are currently spaces in two preschool groups for ages 3 – 5: 9 a.m. Mondays at Hominy Valley Elementary School and Fridays at Leicester Elementary. Registration is required and begins Jan. 2 by email (marna.holland@acsgmail.net) or phone (828-350-2904). To register for the online version, email marna.holland@acsgmail.net. The online program will start mid-January and run through May. For toddlers, a weekly emailed online version is available, along with a complimentary activity/craft bag. To register, email grace.ragaller@acsgmail.net. This program will begin mid-January and run through May.
Winter Classes are offered Jan. 14 – March 4 at Asheville Community Theatre. Classes include “Journey to Imagination” for ages 5 – 7, “Youth Improv” for ages 8 – 12, and “Teen Improv” for ages 13 and older. Winter classes for adults include Improv 1 and 2 and run Jan. 30 – March 10. For details, visit ashevilletheatre.org/education/youththeatre.
Auditions for “Bright Star” are Jan. 23 – 24 at Asheville Community Theatre. Auditions are open to all in the community. No previous experience is required. For details, visit ashevilletheatre.org/get-involved/audition.
Hands On! Children’s Museum offers free admission to families who present their adult WIC card. Zoom passes from the Hendersonville Library have limited day passes as well. For details, visit handsonwnc.org.
In-person story times are offered at Buncombe County Libraries. Get full details at buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/services/story-times.aspx.
Baby Story Time – ages 4 – 18 months:Oakley/South Asheville Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.Leicester Library – Saturday at 10:30 a.m.Weaverville Library – Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
Toddler Story Time – ages 18 months – 3 years: North Asheville Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.Fairview Library and Leicester Library – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.Enka-Candler Library – Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
Preschool Story Time – ages 3 – 5 years: East Asheville Library and West Asheville Library – Saturday at 10:30 a.m.Swannanoa Library – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.Fairview Library – Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.Black Mountain Library and Weaverville Library – Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.Pack Memorial Library – Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
Hora Del Cuento/Story TimeSkyland/South Buncombe Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.Oakley/South Asheville Library – Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn 5 years old, creating a home library of up to 60 books and instilling a love of books and reading. For details and registration, visit imaginationlibrary.com.
Regular programming resumes Jan. 1 at Henderson County Library locations. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.
Kolo Bike Park – $10 Sunday Fundays are Sundays through March 26. Rentals are available for an extra charge. Call 828-225-2921for conditions. Visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park.
Biltmore Gardens Railway – Wonders of the World is open through Jan. 8 at Biltmore Estate. See handcrafted, botanical model train displays. For tickets and up-to-date health and safety policies, visit biltmore.com.
Discounts for Winter Sports Adventures – In January and February, use code WINTER for 20 percent off the Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, Asheville Zipline Tours and KidZip. Reservations are suggested. Visit adventureavl.com or call 877-247-5539.
Homeschool group field trip discounts are offered Fridays in January and February at Adventure Center of Asheville. Choose one or more adventure activities for ages 4 and older, including Asheville Treetops Adventure Park (ages 4+), KidZip (ages 4 – 10), Kolo Bike Park (all ages who can ride a mountain bike) with optional STEM NC/SC curriculum programs, wilderness skills programs and team bonding facilitated group games. Reservations are required. Visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/groups/home-school-discount-days.
Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius is open through Feb. 20 at Biltmore Estate. For tickets and up-to-date health and safety policies, visit biltmore.com.
Zoom D&D with Raj for teens is 3 – 6 p.m. Saturdays through the Buncombe County Library. Sign-up is required. Email Raj at raj.bowers-racine@buncombecounty.org to request attendance.
Kindermusik for ages birth – 5 is offered at We Rock the Spectrum. For details, visit kindermusik.com/studio/58207.
SUPPORT AND CONNECTION
Perinatal Loss Support Group – Homegrown Families Perinatal Bereavement Parent Support Group is for families who have experienced the loss of a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn death. For details, visit ashevillehomegrownfamilies.com.
The Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) is an evidence-based program that gives parents confidence and in turn, helps them raise confident children. Local parents and caregivers have access to this free, positive parenting course online. Access Triple P resources at triplepwnc.com or triplep-parenting.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Check out our WNC Parent January events calendar for some things to do
