When the mountain air turns cool and the Blue Ridge begins to glow, Asheville leans into the season.
From a million lights strung through gardens to gingerbread built by hand and traditions that have run for generations, the holidays here are an invitation to gather, wander, and move to the beat of your own drum.
This guide covers events and happenings from November through December 2026. If your travel falls outside that window, you'll find what you're looking for in our seasonal event roundups for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
What are the holidays like at Biltmore?
Christmas at Biltmore runs Nov. 6, 2026 through early January 2027. Welcome the season where holiday tradition lights up every corner of the 8,000-acre grounds George Vanderbilt built. This one dates back more than 130 years, and it still feels new every winter.
Two experiences bring the season to life:
- Christmas at Biltmore Daytime Celebration (Nov. 6, 2026 – Jan. 10, 2027) | Wander Biltmore House and grounds among more than 100 hand-decorated trees, thousands of ornaments, holiday lights, candles, garlands, and nearly 2,000 live poinsettias. The centerpiece is a 35-foot Fraser fir raised by hand in the Banquet Hall.
- Candlelight Christmas Evenings (Nov. 6, 2026 – Jan. 9, 2027) | After dark, the house glows with candlelight, firelight, live music, and a 55-foot Norway spruce sparkling on the front lawn. Antler Hill Village and the Winery shine with their own draping lights.
*Candlelight Christmas Evenings require a separate ticket and are available by reservation only.
Read more in our full guide: Christmas at Biltmore
Where can you see the National Gingerbread House Competition?
The National Gingerbread House Competition is on public display at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa from Nov. 17, 2026 through Jan. 3, 2027, with free viewing for non-guests on select evenings and weekdays. One of Asheville's most colorful traditions returns for its 34th year with hundreds of edible works of art built by makers of every age.
- Public Viewing: Nov. 17, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 | Non-guests can view the display after 6 p.m. on Sundays, or anytime Monday through Thursday during resort hours (parking permitting). Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for resort guests and dining reservations.
- Closed to the public: Nov. 26 and Dec. 6, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, plus Jan. 1.
- Entries: Creations must be at least 75% gingerbread and entirely edible, judged across Child, Youth, Teen, and Adult categories.
- Virtual fun: The "12 Days of Gingerbread" typically showcases entries Dec. 1–12 on the Omni Grove Park Inn's Facebook and Instagram channels.
Read more in our full guide: The National Gingerbread House Competition
Where can you see holiday lights near Asheville?
Asheville glows from mid-November through early January, with three standout displays: Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum, the Lake Julian Festival of Lights drive-through in Arden, and the Winter Wonder Walk at the Adventure Center of Asheville.
- Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum | Asheville's brightest holiday tradition returns for its 13th year, with more than one million lights along a one-mile walk through the gardens, live music, and cocoa and s'mores at the Cocoa Shacks. Beloved favorites like the 50-foot Tree of Light and the illuminated Quilt Garden anchor the show, with new nature-themed displays throughout. Running Nov. 13, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027; tickets on sale Oct. 1, 2026, at noon, sold per vehicle. Read more: Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum
- Lake Julian Festival of Lights (Arden) | A nostalgic drive-through loop through Lake Julian Park, where animated displays and glowing tunnels reflect across the water while holiday music plays on your car radio. Running nightly Dec. 2–23, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m., $10 per vehicle.
- Winter Wonder Walk at the Adventure Center of Asheville | An immersive outdoor storybook experience where families follow a live-action quest through the kingdom of Winterland, complete with costumed characters, thousands of twinkling lights, a holiday market, crafts, and cozy bonfires. Combo passes add illuminated aerial glow trails. Select nights: Nov. 27 (Black Friday), Dec. 4–5, and Dec. 11–13, 2026.
Where can you gather in Asheville for the holidays?
Downtown fills with free and family-friendly happenings from late November on, including outdoor skating at Asheville Yards, the Asheville Holiday Parade, the Grove Arcade Tree Lighting Block Party, The Big Crafty indie market, and a month of celebration in Historic Biltmore Village.
- Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards
November 20, 2026 – January 18, 2027
Step into the magic of the season at this downtown winter tradition. The Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards brings outdoor skating, twinkling lights, festive music, and cozy mountain vibes to downtown. Non-skaters can enjoy free entry to a lively Winter Wonderland featuring a weekly holiday market, art installations, themed skate nights, weekly holiday movies, and seasonal treats like hot chocolate and holiday cocktails. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. - Asheville Holiday Parade
November 21, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Downtown Asheville's beloved Holiday Parade returns to the heart of the city for a festive celebration of the season, bringing together community groups, schools, nonprofits, and spectators of all ages. Entries showcase their holiday spirit with decorated floats, vehicles, costumes, and performances, filling downtown with creativity, music, and cheer. It's the city at its most drawn-together, the whole community turning out in step to kick off the season. - Grove Arcade Holiday Tree Lighting Block Party
Nov. 28, 2026
Join this free, family-friendly celebration featuring live jazz, Asheville Ballet performances, street entertainment, and an outdoor holiday market. - The Big Crafty at ExploreAsheville.com Arena
December 5–6, 2026
Asheville's beloved indie craft fair returns for its holiday edition, filling the arena with handmade work from more than 100 local and regional makers, plus food, drink, and live music. It's a colorful reminder that here, if you stand out, you fit right in, and a perfect place to find something made by hand for everyone on your list. - It's A Wonderful Village in Historic Biltmore Village
2026 Dates TBD
Historic Biltmore Village turns on its full holiday charm all December long, with twinkling lights strung along its historic streets and a month of ways to shop local, gather, and celebrate. The season winds through Black Friday and Small Business Weekend shopping, a Dickens Christmas in the Village complete with costumed carolers and roving entertainers, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a kids-take-over day of crafts and games, and a month of holiday dishes and seasonal cocktails at Village restaurants.
How do Asheville's surrounding mountain towns celebrate the season?
The nearby towns of Weaverville and Black Mountain hold their own tree lightings, strolls, and parades in early December.
- Weaverville Candlelight Stroll
December 11, 2026, from 6–9 p.m.
Enjoy a cherished annual community event with holiday shopping, storytelling, music, kids' crafts, and the lighting of the Weaverville tree on Main Street at 6 p.m. - Black Mountain Holly Jolly Celebration & Parade
December 4, 2026
Experience a festive evening with luminaries, food vendors, carolers, and a parade through downtown Black Mountain.
Where can families meet Santa near Asheville?
You can meet Santa around Asheville throughout December, including his famous rappel down Chimney Rock on Dec. 5 and a pajama-friendly storytime with an Appalachian Santa at Montgomery Sky Farm on Dec. 20.
- Santa on the Chimney at Chimney Rock State Park
December 5, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Santa has a big job practicing for Christmas Eve, and where better than one of the world's largest natural chimneys? For its 29th year, watch Santa rappel down the 315-foot Chimney Rock with help from the crew at Fox Mountain Guides, then pose for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hike with an elf, make holiday crafts, meet the park's live animal ambassadors, and take in live music. Included with park admission. - Storytime with Appalachian Santa at Montgomery Sky Farm
December 20, 2026, from 7–9 p.m.
Bring your family in your favorite holiday attire (pajamas strongly encouraged) to enjoy a Christmas story with Santa, a chocolate charcuterie board, warm refreshments, and cookies. Each child will receive a special gift from Santa. Earlier in the season, the farm also hosts its 8th annual Gingerbread Decorating with Appalachian Santa on December 13, where each child decorates their own gingerbread house alongside refreshments and a meet-and-greet with Santa. Jingle Bell Trolley at Craggy Mountain Line
2026 Dates TBD
Climb aboard an open-air trolley for a roughly 25-minute, two-mile round-trip ride down the mountain and back along the historic Craggy Mountain Line, just north of downtown Asheville. The depot is dressed up in a 1940s-era Christmas theme, with classic carols and elves bustling between beautifully restored railcars. Kids visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus for a gift and a photo, then warm up with hot cocoa and cookies. Bundle up, since the trolley rides in the open mountain air.THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Select dates, November through December 2026
Worth the drive west to Bryson City, about an hour and 15 minutes from Asheville, the officially licensed Polar Express Train Ride brings the classic story to life on a roughly 75-minute round-trip from the Bryson City Depot to the "North Pole" and back. Set to the movie soundtrack, chefs serve hot cocoa and a treat while the story is read aloud, and Santa boards to hand each child the first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell.
What holiday tours can you take around Asheville?
Two festive rides run through the season: LaZoom's 90-minute comedy bus tour and the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley.
- LaZoom Hey Asheville Holiday Tour
2026 Dates TBD
Hop aboard LaZoom's purple bus for a 90-minute guided comedy tour of Asheville's history, infused with holiday cheer and a 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing. - Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour
November 13 - December 30, 2026
The Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley tour is a fun and festive celebration of the season. Enjoy stories of local lore and holiday traditions and then join in with our on-board musician singing classic carols and the songs of Christmas.
Where can you hear live music and toast the season?
Asheville's music and beverage scenes keep the season lively with the annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam and the return of Highland Brewing's Cold Mountain Winter Ale.
- Warren Haynes Presents The Christmas Jam
2026 Date TBD
Curated and presented by Grammy Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, producer and revered guitarist Warren Haynes, the Christmas Jam is a one-of-a-kind music marathon. - Cold Mountain Release Weekend at Highland Brewing
2026 Dates TBD
Celebrate the return of Cold Mountain Winter Ale with exclusive beer releases, and an incredible local-only lineup of musicians and performing artists.
What holiday concerts and shows are on in Asheville?
From nationally touring acts to beloved local traditions, Asheville's stages stay lively all season with concerts, comedy, dance, and holiday theater. Here's what's on the calendar so far for November and December 2026. New shows are still being added, so check the venues for the latest.
November Highlights
November 2, 2026: Yung Gravy: The Joyrider Tour at The Orange Peel
November 2, 2026: The Moth Asheville GrandSLAM at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
November 2, 2026: Asheville Symphony ALT ASO: Jazz and Pop at Highland Brewing
November 3, 2026: Hawthorne Heights (20th anniversary of If Only You Were Lonely) at The Orange Peel
November 5, 2026: The Sister Moon Project at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
November 5, 2026: honestav at The Orange Peel
November 6, 2026: Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute at The Orange Peel
November 6–8, 2026: Paperhand Puppet Project: The Wild Wisdom of the World at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
November 7, 2026: The Record Company at The Orange Peel
November 11, 2026: Stephen Lynch: The Me Tour at The Orange Peel
November 11–12, 2026: Dorrance Dance at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
November 12, 2026: Grateful Shred at The Orange Peel
November 13, 2026: Hudson Westbrook: The Hits Me Tour at ExploreAsheville.com Arena
November 13, 2026: Dallas Brass at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
November 14, 2026: Zack Fox (DJ Set) at The Orange Peel
November 14, 2026: Asheville Symphony Masterworks 3: Double Take at First Baptist Church of Asheville (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
November 15, 2026: A Magical Cirque Christmas at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
November 15, 2026: Randy Feltface: Gimmick at The Orange Peel
November 17, 2026: Asheville Symphony Solo Piano Showcase with Inna Faliks at First Baptist Church of Asheville
November 19, 2026: Hiss Golden Messenger at The Orange Peel
November 20, 2026: King Buffalo with L.A. Witch at Grey Eagle Music Hall
November 20, 2026: Die Spitz at The Orange Peel
November 22, 2026: Kristin Key at The Orange Peel
November 28, 2026: Fireside Collective's Family Jamboree at The Orange Peel
December Highlights
December 1, 2026: Asheville Symphony ALT ASO: Broadway & Great American Songbook at The Orange Peel
December 2–20, 2026: Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol at NC Stage
December 4, 2026: Southern Culture on the Skids at Grey Eagle Music Hall
December 4–5, 2026: The Comedy Zone: Andy Woodhull at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
December 4–20, 2026: Frozen at Asheville Community Theatre
December 5, 2026: The Lemon Twigs at Grey Eagle Music Hall
December 7, 2026: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
December 10, 2026: Matthew West: Come Home for Christmas at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
December 10, 2026: Turnover at The Orange Peel
December 11–13, 2026: The Asheville Ballet's The Nutcracker at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
December 12, 2026: Atsuko Okatsuka: The Big Bowl Tour at The Orange Peel
December 15, 2026: The Christmas YARN Ball at Grey Eagle Music Hall
December 16, 2026: Daily Bread at The Orange Peel
December 18, 2026: Grahame Lesh & Friends at The Orange Peel
December 19, 2026: Asheville Symphony Handel's Messiah at First Baptist Church of Asheville (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
December 19, 2026: Emancipator: Chrysalis Tour at The Orange Peel
December 20, 2026: A Swannanoa Solstice at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
