Win Winter Lights Tickets
The North Carolina Arboretum’s beloved walk-thru show is back to brighten the holiday season.
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Where can the best Christmas light displays in Asheville and the Western North Carolina mountains be seen? Here are our favorite places, including many new and expanded shows.
Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum returns Nov. 13, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027, with "Nature Revered." More than one million lights fill a one-mile walk through the gardens, with new nature-themed displays alongside favorites like the 50-foot Tree of Light and the Quilt Garden. Tickets are sold per vehicle. Buy early, since many nights sell out. RomanticAsheville.com is a proud sponsor. Read all about it.
2. Forest City: The biggest public, free Christmas light display glows with 1 million lights covering trees and draped across Main Street in this small town about 60 miles from Asheville. It's worth the drive! It begins on Thanksgiving night. Weekends bring horse-drawn carriages. Read more.
3. Bryson City: This small town is decked out with garland and holiday lights, with a 50-ft. Christmas tree in the town square. Browse galleries and shops, including the Chocolate Shoppe, and find a variety of restaurants and two breweries. Also, find nearby ice skating, freshly cut Christmas trees, and more. At the Visitor Center (255 Main St.) kids can enjoy cookies and hot cocoa while they write letters to Santa. Don't miss the Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular, a drive-through show at the Great Smoky Mountains Event Park, Nov. 6, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027. Tickets are sold online or at the gate, and it runs rain or shine. Go to their website for all Bryson City holiday happenings.
4. Biltmore House Candlelight Tour: An evening tour inside this famous castle glows with candles and lights of 100+ hand-decorated Christmas trees. On the front lawn is the biggest tree of them all, a 55-foot Norway spruce with 45,000 lights and surrounded by many smaller trees. Walk between the trees to be surrounded by lights. It's a great photo spot. Candlelight Christmas Evenings run Nov. 6, 2026–Jan. 9, 2027, and requires a separate ticket (not included in grounds admission tickets). Read about Christmas at Biltmore tours.
5. Antler Hill Village: Biltmore has expanded the outdoor light show covering trees and buildings at Antler Hill Village on Biltmore Estate. Home to the popular Winery, it's a great place to visit after your house tour. It's included with the estate admission. Read more about it.
6. Christmas Wonderland: Winterfest at Tryon International includes Winterfest Village with Santa, carousel and carriage rides, kid activities, s'mores, live music and performances. Don't miss the 2-mile drive-through light extravaganza, Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland Drive-Thru Light Show. Read more about it.
7. Montford Historic District: Our favorite neighborhood to look for decorated houses is just north of downtown Asheville. Drive Montford Avenue past several grand bed-and-breakfast inns (like Inn on Montford above). Read more about Montford.
8. Lake Julian Festival of Lights: A longtime local's favorite holiday tradition is this drive-through light show in a county park in Arden, just south of Asheville. Open nightly Dec. 2–23, 2026, 6–9 pm, $10 per vehicle. Read all about it.
9. Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards Skate downtown under twinkling lights, or walk the Winter Wonderland for free, with a weekly holiday market, art installations, and hot cocoa. Nov. 20, 2026–Jan. 18, 2027.
10. Winter Wonder Walk at the Adventure Center of Asheville Families follow costumed characters on a lantern-lit storybook quest, with thousands of lights, bonfires, and crafts. Combo passes add glowing aerial trails. Nov. 27, Dec. 4–5, and Dec. 11–13, 2026.
