This Weekend in Asheville

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, December 14, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Embassy Suites Downtown Asheville

Enjoy a full breakfast, a meet-and-greet with Santa, holiday music, and festive activities—all while supporting YMCA WNC.

Krampusnacht 2024

Saturday, December 14, 4 - 8 p.m.
TRVE Brewing Company

Celebrate the season with a dark twist at TRVE Brewing Company's inaugural KRAMPUSNACHT! Enjoy the release of The Eldritch Dark Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, festive Krampus holiday sweaters, and cozy seasonal cocktails.

This Could Get Ugly: Ugly Sweater and Karaoke

Saturday, December 14, 6 - 10 p.m.
The Whale - Outpost

Get into the holiday spirit at The Whale Outpost's festive celebration! Don your best Ugly Sweater for a chance to win a prize and sing your heart out with karaoke featuring Christmas classics and crowd favorites.

What's Shaking? Jingle Bell Jam

Sunday December 15, 2:30 - 5 p.m. 
The Mule

Join the holiday fun at The Mule with a festive music and dance party featuring the full What's Shaking? band, face painting, Chef Bailey's delicious food, and Butterpunk's sweet treats. Celebrate the season with music, friends, and plenty of cheer!

RECURRING EVENTS

Winter Wonder Walk

Friday - Saturday, December 13 - 14, 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Adventure Center of Asheville

Embark on the Winter Wonder Walk, an enchanting outdoor story-walk through Winterland, where you'll meet live characters, dazzling lights, and Jack Frost himself. Pair the adventure with the illuminated Glow Trail for an unforgettable family experience, then warm up in the holiday market with local gifts, kids' activities, and festive treats.

Christmas at Biltmore

Friday - Sunday, December 13 - 15
Biltmore

Experience the magic of the season at Biltmore! Explore a holiday wonderland filled with fragrant wreaths, glittering garlands, and thousands of sparkling ornaments. By day, it dazzles; by night, it enchants during Candlelight Christmas Evenings—a beloved tradition for over 40 years. 

Winter Lights

Friday - Sunday, December 13 - 15, 6 – 10 p.m.
Winter Lights

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year's event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise.

Sippin' Santa

Friday - Sunday, December 13 - 15 various times
Tiki Easy Bar

Discover a tropical oasis hidden behind Hi-Wire Brewing's South Slope taproom. Yhe Sippin' Santa holiday pop-up is a limited-time event brings a tropical twist to the holiday season, inviting you to experience a vibrant and festive atmosphere, unique cocktails, and special seasonal events.

Gingerbread Trail of Giving

Saturday - Sunday, December 13 - 15, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Various Locations

This year, the annual gingerbread competition has been re-imagined for a post-Helene holiday season. This season, more than 45 gingerbread houses will be showcased at local businesses and the Omni Grove Park Inn, spreading hope and joy throughout the community along the Sugar and Spice Stroll.

Live Music, Comedy, Dance and Theatre

Double Crown

Friday, December 13:

• Old Sap at The Whale - West Asheville, 7 p.m.
• Danny Knowles - The Whale: Outpost, 7 p.m.
• Asheville Ballet: The Nutcracker at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m.
• Scuttlebutt at LaZoom Room, 9 p.m.

Saturday, December 14:

• Asheville Ballet: The Nutcracker at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 2:30 p.m.
• Artist ReLEAF Concert at LEAF Global Arts, 4 p.m.
• Kellin Watson and Friends at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 7 p.m.
• The Emo Night Tour at Orange Peel, 7 p.m.
• Yule Faerie Masquerade Ball at Club Eleven, 7 p.m.
• Asheville Ballet: The Nutcracker at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 15: 

• Asheville Ballet: The Nutcracker at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 2:30 p.m.
• Asheville Community Band Christmas Concert at Asheville High School, 3:30 p.m.
• December Gathering of Harp and Story at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 5 p.m.
• Family Sunday Funday at The Whale - West Asheville, 5 p.m.
• Holiday Reader's Theatre at UU Congregation of Asheville, 6 p.m.
• The Emo Night Tour at Orange Peel, 7 p.m.
• Best Ever Karaoke at Fleetwood's, 6 p.m.

Tailgate & Specialty Pop-Up Markets

Shop local at the Asheville area's numerous farmers, tailgate, and holiday markets. Here's a look at some of the markets you can visit this weekend:

• North Asheville Tailgate Market's 22nd Annual Holiday Bazaar at UNCA, Sat. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Holiday Sale at Mount Pisgah Pottery, Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Rebuild RAD Local Market Series at Grey Eagle, Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Asheville City Market at North Market Street, Downtown Asheville, Sat. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Holiday Sale at Open Hearts Art Center, Sat. 1 - 6 p.m.
• Holiday Market at Vintage Kava, Sat. 1 - 6 p.m.
• Winterfest: Relax and Shop at The Salt Spa of Asheville, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Junk-O-Rama Vintage Flea Market at Fleetwood's, Sun. 11 a.m.
• Miracle on Wall Street at multiple locations, Sun. 12 - 5 p.m.
• WNC Farmers Market at 570 Brevard Road, open 7 days a week, year-round, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

Visit an art studio or art exhibition 

Asheville is home to hundreds of artists, galleries and studios making creative expression a way of life here in the mountains. Here is a look at some of the current art exhibitions in the city:

• Come Hell or High Water Studio Tour at Crucible Glassworks, Sat - Sun, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• The Boys Will Get Hungry if They See Fruit at Tracey Morgan Gallery, through Dec. 21
• California Minimalism at Bender Gallery, through Dec. 22
• 60-Artist Exhibit at The Red House Gallery and Studios, through Dec. 28
• Daily Craft Demonstrations at Folk Art Center through Dec. 31.
• 6th Annual Vessels of Merriment at Grovewood Gallery, through Dec. 31
• The Art of Recovery at Pink Dog Creative, through Jan. 4
• Chihuly at Biltmore at Amhearst at Deerpark on Biltmore Estate through Jan. 5, 2025
• Exhibition: The Farm at Black Mountain College at Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, through Jan. 11, 2025
• Bill Viola: Moving Stillness: Mount Rainier at Asheville Art Museum, through Jan. 20, 2025
• Ginny Ruffner's Reforestation of the Imagination Exhibition at Asheville Art Museum, through Jan. 20, 2025
• American Made at Asheville Art Museum, through Feb. 9, 2025
• Forces of Nature: Ceramics from the Hayes Collection at Asheville Art Museum, through Mar. 17, 2025
• Anti Form: Robert Morris' Earth Projects at Asheville Art Museum, through May 4, 2025

Packages and Deals

Save some money this weekend with these special offers from area attractions and accommodations.

• $5 Off Tarot Reading at Asheville Wellness Tours
• 10% Off of any Asheville Rental at Pop Rentals
• 20% off - Holiday Special at Hampton Inn Tunnel Rd.