Best Holiday Activities and Festivals In Asheville

November 26, 2018

Looking for fun and unique ways to celebrate the holiday season? We’ve collected some of the best holiday activities from sparkling light displays to festive Christmas events unique to Asheville, North Carolina.

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings  (Nov 3 – Jan 5)

Create an evening to remember with warm candlelight, firelight, live music from choirs and musicians, and the extravagant holiday decor of the Biltmore House. You will be greeted with a 55-ft. Norway spruce decorated with thousands of lights and hundreds of hand-lit luminaires on the front lawn. See elaborate hand-decorated trees including the amazing 35-ft. live Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall, thousands of poinsettias, hundreds of wreaths and sprays, and miles of garland.

Daytime tours are self-guided but it is recommended to make a reservation for a timed entry. Candlelight Evenings require a separate ticket for entry from daytime admission. Advance reservations are required. Our tickets at The Lion and the Rose include the daytime visit with next day free. Tickets can also be upgraded to the Candlelight Christmas Evenings ticket for an additional fee. All tickets include self-guided tours of Biltmore House and gardens, Antler Hill Village, and the Winery for a complimentary wine tasting.

The Estate is open every day, including Thanksgiving, Christmas (9 AM-2 PM) and New Year’s Days. The house is open 9 AM-5 PM for daytime tours. Candlelight tours begin at 5:30 PM.

Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum  (Nov 16 – Dec 31)

Asheville’s brightest holiday tradition with over a half-a-million lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. Walk through an outdoor winter wonderland. Enjoy unique displays and landscapes composed of more than half-a-million holiday lights. Listen to the sounds of your favorite holiday tunes or enjoy a cup of holiday-inspired cocoa, cider or beer. Proceeds generated from Winter Lights help support the Arboretum’s educational programs, exhibits and year-round.

Enjoy special discounts on Winter Lights on certain days. Tuesdays are Friends & Family Discount Night. November 26 – 29 is Arboretum Discount Week. Thursdays – Saturdays offer an option for the “Winter Lights Holiday Tour” which includes round-trip transportation in festively decorated buses to the Arboretum, entry into Winter Lights and a free cup of hot chocolate.

Old fashioned Dickens Christmas Festival  (Nov 30 and Dec  1)

The historic district of Biltmore Village in Asheville transforms into an old fashioned village reminiscent of the days of Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol. The Dickens in the Village festival is an immersive holiday experience. It features performances by strolling carolers, actors and musicians dressed in Dickensian era costumes. As you stroll the brick-lined streets of the Village, pick up freshly roasted chestnuts or hop on a horse-drawn carriage ride. There will be 20 live entertainment acts strolling through the Village, a craft market, Old Time Photo Booth, kids crafts and the Mugs of Merriment, a Christmas beverage competition.

Santa on the Chimney  ( Dec 1 and Dec 8, 11am-2pm )

Only near Asheville can you see Santa prepare for his Christmas deliveries rappelling down one of the world’s largest chimneys! Make your list and bring it to Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy live holiday music, hot cocoa, cookies and kids’ activities. Meet Park animal educators, and more at Chimney Rock State Park.

Annual Gingerbread House Competition display at Grove Park     (Nov 25 – Jan 4)

Guests not staying at the resort can view the gingerbread house display after 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. Or anytime Monday through Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays.

Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour  (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Nov 23 – Dec 29th at 7pm)

A fun and festive celebration of the season. It features the sights and sounds of the holidays with stories of local holiday traditions and singing of classic Christmas carols. Departs from The Olde World Christmas Shoppe in Biltmore Village.

Craggy Mountain Jingle Bell trolley ride

Be transported back in time to a 1940’s themed tradition Christmas depot. Train cars are decked out in lights bustling with elves, lively Christmas critters and classical Christmas music. The Jingle Bell trolley takes you down the mountain and up again along the historic Craggy Mountain Line Railroad. Enjoy free refreshments such as cookies and hot cocoa and visit with Santa in his very own trolley.  Trolley rides offered on November 24th, December 1st, December 8th, December 13th, December 14th, December 15th, December 20th, December 21st, and December 22nd.

Snowman in a hat and scarf stands in front of a snow-covered house with lit windows.

Top 10 Winter Activities in Asheville

By odysys_admin • December 15, 2025
Biltmore Estate There is never a bad time to visit the iconic Biltmore Estate but winter brings a yuletide oasis. Now through January 4, 2026, you can experience the beauty of thousands of lights, over 100 Christmas trees, fragrant wreaths, and sparkling garland. The winter season of January through March also brings lower prices and less crowds. Explore Beer City USA The local craft brewing scene has exploded and Asheville has been voted Beer City USA four years in a row, Asheville takes extreme pride in being home to over 20 local craft brewers. Whether you take a Brews cruise or a DIY tour on the Asheville Ale Trail, a brewery hopping exploration is the perfect way to keep warm and enjoy a cold, winter weekend. Foodie Experiences Find out why Asheville ranks first in the South Atlantic region in the RewardExpert’s Best American Foodie Towns . With hundreds of restaurants and farm fresh eateries, you will not be disappointed by the choices of restaurants. Take a guided eating tour with a professional foodie to sample and taste some of Asheville’s best restaurants. Asheville Restaurant Weeks (January 20-26, 2026 and February 17-23, 2026) Try some new restaurants or revisit favorites. Get the lowest prices of the year, with a prix fix menu at $15-$35/person. With dozens of choices, there’s something for all appetites! Asheville has been touted by many as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in America. Hiking Less crowds means quieter hikes. It is a great time to hit the trails! Discover peace and solitude with expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a cool, clear day. Dupont State Forest offers several hikes from easy to difficult. It is famous for being one of “The Hunger Games” film locations. Chimney Rock offers breathtaking views of the gorge after climbing up the chimney. Pisgah National Forest offers the opportunity of seeing a frozen waterfall at Daniel Ridge Falls. Sharpen your photography skills Choose a half-day or full-day photo tours with our friends, Chris & Bonnie at Asheville Photo Tours. Explore some of the most photogenic but lesser-known locations in the Blue Ridge and Asheville areas. Take an art class Tap into your creative side with some of the talented, local artists. Day and weekend workshops include oil painting, acrylics, watercolor, inks, bookbinding, and pottery. Live music Asheville has been called “One of America’s Greatest Music Cities”. There is a vibrant music scene with live music of all genres from bluegrass to rock. Experience some of the very best in live music and find out why The Orange Peel has been called the country’s premiere Live Music Hall and Concert Venue. The Orange Peel offers state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment rarely found in a club of its size. Other fun venues include The Grey Eagle and Asheville Music Hall. Pamper yourself There is nothing quite like a luxurious foot soak in a hand-hammered copper bowl. Enjoy a fragrant, rejuvenating, and moisturizing sole to soul experience at Wake Foot Sanctuary. A signature massage can be added on for an extra splurge. Indulge in a romantic getaway Snuggle up with your loved one next to one of our cozy fireplaces with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine at The Lion and the Rose
Road beneath an arched stone bridge covered in vines and surrounded by trees.

Haunted Asheville

By odysys_admin • October 30, 2025
We are lucky to have great friends that grew up in Asheville. They have told us about some interesting local hauntings and strange experiences. With Halloween around the corner, we thought this was the right time to share some of these ghost stories and legends of paranormal activity.
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