Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready Asheville. From light displays and holiday performances to festive parties, winter is where AVL thrives.

Gather the family and friends and celebrate what makes the holiday season special with this guide featuring 30 winter events happening between December and February.

Holiday performances

Caroling By Gaslight | Through Saturday, Dec. 17 | Thursdays, Fridays + Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Sundays, 4 p.m. | The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St. | $25 | This devious retelling of the Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol" shows just how good Ebenezer Scrooge is compared to his neighbors.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians | Through Friday, Dec. 24 | Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m. | Attic Salt Theatre Company, 20 Commerce St. | $20 | Follow the hijinks that result when the leader of Mars kidnaps Santa Claus to give Martian children their own Christmas.

Light displays

Shadrick’s Christmas Wonderland | Through Sunday, Jan. 1 | 6-10 p.m. | Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Blvd., Tryon | $35-$75 | Illuminate the season with this drive-thru event that features two miles of festive lights synced up to music.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings | Through Saturday, Jan. 7 | Time varies| Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St. | $119-$424 | Be dazzled by America's largest private residence — decked out in thousands of ornaments amidst the soft glow of candles, fireplaces, and twinkle lights.

It's glitz and glam galore at Grove Arcade's Roaring Twenties Celebration. | Photo via Grove Arcade

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve Intention Setting Practice with Richard Fabio | Saturday, Dec. 31| 7-9 p.m.| Asheville Yoga Center, 62 Orange St.| $30 | All experience levels are welcome at this event, which will utilize yoga to help connect us with needs and resolutions for 2023.

New Year’s Day

January events

Asheville Hot Chocolate Races | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 7:30 a.m. | 125 Hill St. | $20-$55 | Proceeds from Asheville’s flattest 10K — which offers a 5K option, a Marshmallow Dash for teeny participants, and a 1K Hill Climb for older kids — benefit Isaac Dickson Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization.

NOLA meets AVL at the annual Asheville Mardi Gras celebration. | Photo via Asheville Mardi Gras

February events