Celebrate the holidays with ongoing traditions taking place around the city, including Christmas at Biltmore, he twinkling Winter Lights display at the North Carolina Arboretum, the 2018 National Gingerbread Competition Display at The Omni Grove Park Inn, the Lake Julian Festival of Lights and the Jingle Bell Trolley Train Ride.
Asheville offers so many ways to get into the holiday spirit. Learn more about this season’s festivities with our roundup of 8 ways Asheville sparkles for the holidays. Also, see your guide to the top 8 places to see the lights in Asheville!
Don't miss your chance to experience this joyful time of year! Use our easy-to-use search feature to check room availability and rates at Asheville area accommodations, and check events for any date by using our online events calendar search.
Here’s a look at what you can enjoy this weekend in and around Asheville:
Sunday (Dec. 16), 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Showings
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Downtown Asheville
The famous Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is returning to Asheville on the Dove of Peace Tour. Enjoy world-class artists, hand-painted sets and traditional holiday music.
Saturday (Dec. 15), 2-10 p.m.
Wild Wing Cafe, Downtown ASheville
Get your "ugly" sweater, find those tacky holiday pants, and get ready to jingle bell rock! Join a group of holiday revelers as they make their way to multiples stops around town. This ticketed event comes with a free t-shirt and koozie at registration. Professional photographers and DJ’s will be on site to capture the fun.
Now through Jan. 6, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
The Monte Vista Hotel, Black Mountain
See dozens of beautiful and unique hand-decorated Christmas trees at the historic Monte Vista Hotel. The theme of the display is, “There Are Angels Among Us.” You do not need to be an overnight guest of the hotel to enjoy the display. It is free to see the trees.
Dec. 12-19, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily
First Baptist Church, Asheville
This is the 4th annual display of more than 250 Nativity sets from 50 countries around the world. The exhibit is made possible by the collaboration of several churches. First Baptist Church in downtown Asheville (5 Oak Street) is the host. The event includes special guest lecture tours on both the art and the religious use of the Nativity, children's activities and special musical performances.
Show & Tell Holiday Pop Up Shop
Friday through Sunday (Dec. 14-16), 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Asheville Masonic Temple, Downtown Asheville
Featuring some of the area’s best in handmade and vintage, this pop up has curated goods from over 125 local & indie makers and designers. Shop vintage wares including clothing, jewelry, decor, greeting cards, and more.
2nd Annual Holiday popUP – Come SHOP!
Saturday (Dec. 15), Noon – 4 p.m.
The Mothlight, Asheville
Shop small from regional vendors, enjoy live music and win raffle prizes. This special holiday pop-up includes handcrafted gifts including body care, jewelry, pottery, home products, edibles and more.
Big Free Christmas and Holiday Tasting
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Table Wine, South Asheville
Visit Table Wine for their annual holiday tasting event featuring nine festive favorites. This sip and shop event is free, and comes with discounts so you can save money on festive bubbles and top-shelf wines.
Smoke on the Mountain: Sanders Family Christmas
Friday through Sunday (Dec. 14-16), 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. performances
Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, Mars Hill
The Sanders Family is back and better than ever. This year come and experience more jokes, more songs, more singing and more fun! This performance celebrates the holidays with faith, family and old-fashioned fun.
Maria Bamford
Friday (Dec. 14), 7 p.m.
The Orange Peel, Asheville
Enjoy a night of stand up comedy from Maria Bamford, known for her Netflix comedy series Lady Dynamite and the cult hit web series, The Maria Bamford Show. She also voices several characters for animated shows including BoJack Horseman, Puss in Boots, and Legend of Korra.
3rd Annual Very Jerry Xmas
Saturday (Dec. 15), 10 p.m.
Asheville Music Hall, Downtown Asheville
Join some of Asheville’s best musicians as they pay homage to the late great Jerry Garcia. Dance and groove to a long evening of late 80's and early 90's songs from the Jerry Garcia Band and Grateful Dead.
Yulefest
Saturday (Dec. 15), 8 p.m.
White Horse Black Mountain
Enjoy seasonal favorites, and yuletide music performed by Émigré, Saro Lynch-Thomason, Laurie Fisher, Connell Sanderson and others. This celebration of holiday music will feature fiddling, ballads, vocalists and bagpipes.
Asheville Community Band Holiday Concert
Sunday (Dec. 16), 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Lipinsky Hall, University of North Carolina Asheville
This symphonic winds concert will include family- friendly pieces that are staples of the holidays, such as Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson, Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Up On A Housetop and Chanukah Celebration.
A Christmas Pudding by David Birney
Friday through Sunday (Dec. 14 - 16), 7:30 p.m. (Fri – Sat) & 2 p.m. (Sun)
Black Mountain Center for the Arts
This theater performance is a Christmas celebration in song, story and poetry. Enjoy tales by Mark Twain, George Bernard Shaw, Shakespeare, Longfellow, Emily Dickinson and St. Luke, and hear traditional carols and holiday songs.
Live Holiday Glassblowing Demo
Friday - Saturday, Dec. 14-15, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mountain Made Gallery, Downtown Asheville
Since 2010, master scientific glass blower Jason Probstein has presented live glassblowing demonstrations at Mountain Made Gallery. This weekend he returns. Watch him create his unique Christmas ornaments and shop for glass pieces for your tree, or for gifts.
Art and Craft Workshop: Needle Felted Santa
Saturday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Purple Crayon, Asheville
Treat yourself to a "holi-date" with Santa! If you’re looking for a fun way to get into the season, and you’re interested in needle felting, this workshop is for you! In just a few hours, you’ll learn how to needle felt and walk away with a charming addition to your holiday décor!
Take advantage of the recent snowfall and hit the slopes for a weekend ski adventure. Wolf Ridge Ski Resort and Cataloochee Ski Area are open for the season and are blowing snow in addition to the fresh power that fell last week. Cataloochee’s night skiing and Tube World begin this Saturday, December 15.
Take advantage of the recent snowfall and hit the slopes for a weekend ski adventure. Wolf Ridge Ski Resort and Cataloochee Ski Are a are open for the season and are blowing snow in addition to the fresh power that just fell last week. … read more
With December here, feel the holiday magic in Asheville! There are so many ways you can celebrate the season this week. Enjoy the rich traditions taking place around the city, including ongoing events such as Christmas at Biltmore , the 2018 National … read more
With the beginning of December, the holidays in Asheville enter full swing! Three more Asheville light displays begin this weekend and Santa goes extreme at Chimney Rock to gear up for delivering presents around the world. Already underway are … read more
Thanksgiving weekend signals that the holidays are about to begin in Asheville in earnest. And, there’s a lot to be thankful for in Asheville this year with many great seasonal celebrations already underway and several other celebrations soon … read more
Discover why Asheville has been named one of the "Most Festive Cities in America" during the holidays as several favorite local traditions begin this weekend! Bring the kids to enjoy the opening weekend of twinkling light displays, listen … read more
Fall color has really come on strong in Asheville in the past few days. With such beautiful colors throughout the city, and just minutes away on the Blue Ridge Parkway, it's a great weekend for exploring local gardens and taking scenic drives. … read more
As fall color continues in Asheville and along the Blue Ridge Parkway , this weekend marks the beginning of the transition to the "Falliday" season. In other words, it's a uniquely special time to be in Asheville because you have the … read more
Halloween falls in the middle of the week (Wednesday of next week), but don’t worry: Asheville is prepared this weekend to kick off the party early! Put on your costume and head to Halloween-themed events throughout the city and we think … read more
Cooler fall-like temperatures are here! Experts say this cooler weather should help with the fall color transition . As you explore Asheville this weekend, plan your fall adventure with the fall leaf color forecast for 2018 and our guide to the top … read more
With cooler, fall-like temperatures expected this weekend, it's a great time to experience some of Asheville's favorite fall traditions. Big arts celebrations, cider and beer fests, and live music take center stage. Throw in a celebration … read more
Asheville is ready to welcome you to the mountains for the fall season! We're beginning to see the very first hints of fall in the highest elevations. As you explore Asheville this weekend, gear up for fall with the fall leaf color forecast for … read more
With fall officially underway, the calendar is full of events to help you celebrate the changing of the seasons! Our weekend guide is jam-packed this week with festivals celebrating everything from coffee to Greek culture, quilting to river … read more
This Saturday marks the official beginning of fall! Asheville is gearing up for an exciting fall season with fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway and throughout the mountains, and a great lineup of fall events . Check out our 5 things to know about … read more
Our thoughts are with those on the Carolina coast and throughout the Carolinas as Hurricane Florence prepares to make landfall. Asheville is about 300 miles from the coast and we do not expect to see the effects here until late this weekend. Some of … read more
It's a jam-packed weekend of excitement, adventure, culture, art and music! In one of our biggest weekend roundups yet, you'll find so many choices for experiencing Asheville in the coming days. As you explore Asheville this weekend, gear … read more
Labor Day weekend is your opportunity to end summer on a high note! Asheville is the perfect place to do just that. In town, and in neighboring communities, find big celebrations, live music performances and endless outdoor adventure for a fun and … read more
"There's so much to do!" It's a comment we see from our fans almost every week on social media when we post our round up of "Things to Do This Weekend." And, it's true! No matter when you visit Asheville, you can … read more
When you visit Asheville, make sure not to limit your adventures to the city center. Get out and explore! You’ll find surrounding communities such as Leicester and Fairview offer unique experiences and beautiful vistas. Leicester hosts its … read more
Nearby Asheville, you'll find many charming communities with a character and culture all their own. Among those neighboring communities is the beautiful town of Black Mountain , located just about 20 minutes from downtown Asheville. Readers of … read more
We begin a new month in Asheville with a big lineup of festivals and happenings! This weekend, enjoy some of Asheville's most beloved traditions such as the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival (now in its 91st year) and the Village Art and Craft … read more
Asheville has been long-known as a place for wellness, rejuvenation and relaxation. This weekend, the four-day Asheville Yoga Festival celebrates that local culture. In addition, Asheville's vibrant culinary, music, beer and arts scenes are … read more
Asheville is known as being one of the best towns in the country for American craft. In fact, after tens of thousands of votes were cast in 2018, Asheville was named one of America's Top 10 Towns for Craft Lovers ! This weekend, you can explore … read more
There's always something going on in Asheville and this weekend is no exception! Want great food? Head to an all-day food truck festival. Want to see and purchase great art and crafts? There's a festival this weekend just for you. And, if … read more
Summer is a great time to visit Asheville. Just ask Forbes Travel! This past week, Forbes Travel highlighted Asheville as a top place to travel this summer , giving many reasons as to why. Forbes writes that "no matter what you're looking … read more
Music provides a cultural beat in Asheville. What stands out most about the Asheville music scene is that there is not just one sound. The diversity of music styles that you can hear on a daily basis in Asheville easily rival that of cities much … read more
Check Hotel Rates
Search B&Bs or Cabins & Rentals
Search B&Bs or Cabins & Rentals
Search B&Bs or Cabins & Rentals
Sign up for your free Visitor Guide. Your Asheville story begins here.
