Asheville Sparkles for the Holidays

In Asheville, the holidays unfold with a kind of effortless wonder — the glow of lanterns along historic streets, the hum of local musicians, the scent of something warm and sweet from a chef who knows your name. Here, creativity and comfort share the same table.

This year, Asheville’s holiday spirit is alive with both tradition and surprise. The National Gingerbread House Competition returns to the Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa, showcasing extraordinary creativity in dough, sugar, and imagination. Thomas Dambo’s "Trolls: A Fields Study" sculptures make their U.S. debut within Winter Lights at the Arboretum, joining glowing displays that thread through gardens and trails. And as always, Christmas at Biltmore lights up George Vanderbilt's sprawling estate with candles, ornaments, and holiday magic from November into January.