The New Year's weekend in Asheville is so much fun with lots of do. Here are our Top 10 things to do, including the best New Year's Eve parties and celebrations.
 1. Celebrate the Arrival of 2012: Check out these fun options to celebrate on New Year's Eve.
- Asheville Restaurants: Many are open late on New Year's Eve and feature a lively bar to celebrate the New Year. Make reservations ASAP! Check out the best Asheville Restaurants.
- Downtown Asheville: While there is no public outdoor event to welcome the new year, there will be plenty of indoor venues to celebrate - including many restaurants, clubs, pubs, live music venues, etc. If the weather is nice, the streets will be buzzing with lots of activity and fun street entertainers.
- Tressa's Downtown Jazz and Blues: Annual New Year's Eve Costume Ball! For this special night the club is done in black and gold. Beautiful New Year's Eve party favors, a balloon drop, and the official countdown ending with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. 7:30 PM until, 28 Broadway Asheville. Click here to visit their Web site.
- Pack's Tavern in downtown Asheville has a New Year's Eve buffet dinner menu upstairs in their Century Room ($35/person) that includes their Pack's Countdown to 2012 NYE Bash with DJs from Sound Extreme (including DJ Moto), hats, toppers, Champagne toast, and more. Party only tickets are $10. Click here to visit their Web site.
- Old Farmer's Ball New Year's Eve Contra Dance: This year's theme is Cowboys, Aliens, and Ninjas. Enjoy an evening of social dancing ideally suited for beings of different backgrounds to contra to the other-worldly, yet traditional, sounds of Perpetual eMotion. Bring your favorite dish to share. Appetizers and beverage will be available. Warren Wilson College. 8 PM until 12:30 AM. Click here to visit their Web site.
 New Year's Celebrations at Grove Park Inn: The New Year arrives with parties, dancing, champagne and party favors throughout the resort.
- Two options for free music entertainment (don't have to be a hotel guest to enjoy). From 9 PM-1 AM, The Business plays in the Great Hall Bar. Or dance and sing-along at the non-stop rock-n-roll party at Elaine's Dueling Piano Bar from 8 PM-1 AM (no cover, 21 & over).
- Two options for grand New Year's parties: Modern and party music from Big Blast and the Party Masters in the Grand Ballroom with cash bar & champagne toast at midnight OR Big Band melodies from the Doug Burns Band in the Heritage Ballroom with cash bar & champagne toast at midnight (black tie). Tickets are $60 per person for either party, advance purchase required.
- Special weekend New Years room packages start at $600 for a two night stay that include dinner and one of the big parties (call them to ask about one night options or room only rates).
- PLUS, they have a
New Year's Eve midnight breakfast buffet ($19/person) in the Blue Ridge Dining Room from Midnight-2 AM on January 1. Click here to visit their Web site
- Orange Peel Live Music: Music of Toubab Krewe, the vibrant Asheville-based instrumental powerhouse that creates a sonic Pangaea that lustily swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more. Show starts at 10 PM. Click here to visit their Web site.
- New Year's Eve Gala Package at Biltmore: Countdown to 2012 with a formal black-tie gala that includes a five-course gourmet dinner, fireworks, live entertainment, and private midnight reception. Their grand two-night (Dec 30 & 31) includes luxury accommodations at the Inn on Biltmore, Chef's breakfast buffet daily in The Dining Room, Black-Tie Gala Party, Estate daytime admission valid for the length of stay, audio guide to Biltmore House, complimentary estate shuttle service and more. Packages start at $2,058. Click here to visit their Web site.
- The Grey Eagle Live Music: New Years Eve with Acoustic Syndicate. Located near downtown Asheville, Grey Eagle is a mid-sized music hall & listening room. 9 PM until. $20 advance / $25 day of show. Click here to visit their Web site.
- Cinjades Danceclub: This downtown Asheville club plays the top pop, hip-hop and euro dance music. With over 4500 square feet of space, two full bars and a fully equipped dj booth, they can give 600 people a great time. Click here to visit their Web site.
- Season's Restaurant at Highland Lake Inn: New Year’s Eve 3-course dinner with Bruce Lang Trio performing. Spectacular Sunday Brunch on New Year's Day, 10:30 AM-2 PM. Click here to visit their Web site.
- Grove House Nightclub: Asheville's biggest gay bar, but a favorite of many straight couples for its high energy and great dance floor. It has three clubs for one price: Club Eleven, Scandals Nightclub and Boiler Room. DJ in all venues. Drag shows downstairs. Midnight balloon drop with prizes. 8 PM to 3 AM. Click to visit their Web site.
 Possum Drop: Even though this unique event is a two hour drive west of Asheville in Brasstown (near Murphy) in the fall southwestern corner of the state, we had to mention the "Lowering of the Opossum!" This annual "hillbilly" possum drop at a local convenience store features a living opossum in a plexiglass pyramid lowered from the roof of the store. The festivities include a contest with local men dressed as women to compete for the title "Miss Possom Queen" as well as bluegrass music, snacks and beverages. It's a non-alcoholic family event that's been featured in the New York Times and CBS News, starts at 8:45 PM.
2. Vacation Packages: See our holiday vacation packages page for the latest deals and specials.
3. Get Outdoors: Start work on that New Year's resolution to lose a few pounds and get in better shape! Take a winter hike and enjoy views through with leafless trees, cool temperatures, and few fellow hikers. See our hiking guide for top picks. All trails in the National Forests are open every day. And don't forget to find some of our spectacular waterfalls (most waterfalls are open on New Years Day, including DuPont State State Forest and Gorges State Park). Area ski resorts will be open all weekend. Or zip line on the new Asheville Canopy Tours near downtown, open everyday Dec 26-Jan 1.
4. Biltmore Estate: Biltmore Estate is open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. This is your last chance to see America's largest home decked out in festive finery! Restaurants are open (make dining reservations in advance). When you purchase tickets, inquire to see if your self-guided tour of Biltmore House requires a reservation (required on very busy days). See our Christmas at Biltmore Guide.
5. Shop: There's plenty shopping options on Friday and Saturday to find those special after holiday deals. Most locally-owned stores will be closed on New Year's Day. Browse through more than 200 shops, 30 art galleries and a dozen antique stores in Downtown Asheville. For more great local shops with unique gifts, explore the quaint downtowns of nearby Brevard, Hendersonville and Waynesville. Located across from the entrance to Biltmore Estate, Biltmore Village is home to more than 40 unique shops. Explore the River Arts District. The best area in Asheville to find antiques is the Biltmore Antiques District with 13 stores within a mile and a half of the Biltmore Estate. Included is the local long-time favorite, the Antique Tobacco Barn. See our Antique Shopping Guide.
6. LaZoom Comedy Bus Tours: What a fun outing with friends and family! Take the zany tour on the big purple bus. During their newest tour, you'll meet a real fruitcake, a traveling snowman and a turkey that simply defies explanation! The special Happy Jollidays Tour runs on Friday and several times on New Year's Eve. Make reservations in advance! Read more about LaZoom Tours.
7. Gingerbread Houses at Grove Park Inn: For a real treat, see the amazing display of gingerbread houses from the National Gingerbread House Competition at the famous Grove Park Inn Resort. (Read about their New Year's Eve celebrations above.) Overnight guests and restaurant guests at the resort can view the display at anytime. If you're not a guest, visit on Sunday-Thursday. It's free to tour the display and see the other elaborate decorations at the grand hotel. See our Gingerbread House Competition Guide.
8. New Year’s Polar Plunge: Take the plunge into Lake Lure and freeze for a reason – to support local charities. Read more about the Polar Plunge.
9. Hibernate: Recover from holiday stress with a tranquil stay in a cozy cabin, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. See our Cabins Guide for many options.
10. Pampering in Style: Get pampered in one of the fabulous bed and breakfast inns in and around Asheville. Find the perfect one for you: Asheville Large Bed & Breakfasts | Asheville Small Bed & Breakfasts
See our Top 10 Holiday Outings for more holiday events!
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