What’s Happening in Asheville & WNC: November 12-15

Thursday, November 12 

Asheville:   Christmas at Biltmore. Biltmore House glows with hand-decorated trees, garlands, and thousands of ornaments. Candlelight Christmas Evenings add choirs, live music, and a front lawn lit with luminaries. 

• Tickets start at $105 per adult; children under 9 free with an adult. 
• Prices vary by date Runs through January 10, 2027. Daytime house tours before 5 pm; Candlelight Evenings after dark 
• Biltmore, 1 Lodge Street

Asheville:    Dorrance Dance. The New York tap company led by MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance closes its two-night run at the Wortham Center in downtown Asheville. 

• $25–$75 
• 8 pm 
• Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Avenue

Friday, November 13 

Asheville:   Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum, Opening Night. Stroll through more than one million lights in this year’s “Nature Revered” show, with glowing mushrooms, giant dragonflies, the 50-foot Tree of Light, and the Quilt Garden set to holiday music. 

• Ticketed event; check their website. Prices vary by date Nightly, 6–10 pm (last entry 9 pm), through January 3, 2027 
• The North Carolina Arboretum, 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way 

Bryson City, Swain County:    Smoky Mountain Christmas Lights. Drive through giant LED arches and holiday displays at the Great Smoky Mountains Event Park. Proceeds support local nonprofits. 

• $20 for cars and family vans; $40 for activity vans and limousines 
• 6–10 pm, rain or shine (runs through January 2, 2027 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day) 
• Great Smoky Mountains Event Park, 1130 Hyatt Creek Road

Asheville:   Wolf Howl Tour at WNC Nature Center. Walk to the red and gray wolf habitats after dark and learn how North America’s wolves live and survive. For adults and teens 13 and up; anyone under 18 must come with an adult. 

• $35–$40 
• Check website for times (rain date November 14) 
• WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road 

Mill Spring, Polk County:   Winterfest Light Show at Tryon International. Drive through a 2-mile Christmas light show synchronized to music. 

• Ticketed event; check their website 
• Opens Friday, runs nightly through December 23. Check website for times
• Tryon International, 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring 

Saturday, November 14 

Asheville:   “Top of Their Game” Opening Reception at Grovewood Gallery. See handcrafted board games, puzzles, and tabletop art by makers from across the country, all for sale. The gallery sits in Grovewood Village beside the Omni Grove Park Inn. 

• Free admission and parking 
•  2–5 pm (exhibit on view daily, 10 am–5 pm, through December 31)
• Grovewood Gallery, 111 Grovewood Road 

Tryon, Polk County:   Annual Handcrafted Holiday Market. Shop handmade pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, and holiday ornaments from regional artists and instructors. The work rotates each week. 

• Free 
• Opens Saturday, November 14, open weekly through December 18. Check website for times 
• Tryon Arts & Crafts School, 373 Harmon Field Road 

Brevard, Transylvania County:   Aluminum Tree & Ornament Museum (ATOM). Step into mid-century holiday fun with vintage aluminum trees, 400+ Shiny Brite ornaments, and color-wheel light shows in this year’s Fun and Fabulous Fifties display. 

• Free (donations accepted)
• Opens Saturday, November 14. Thereafter, open Thursday–Saturday, noon–4 pm, through January 16, 2027 
• Transylvania Heritage Museum, 189 West Main Street 

Sunday, November 15 

Asheville:   RADFest, Final Day. Wrap up the weekend in the River Arts District with open studios, live music, food, and art demos. 

• Free 
• 10 am–5 pm (first day is Saturday)
• Studios and galleries across the River Arts District 

Mitchell and Yancey Counties:   Toe River Arts Fall Studio Tour, Final Day. Today is your last chance this fall to visit artists in their mountain studios. 

• Free
• Check website for times 
• Pick up maps at Toe River Arts Kokol Gallery, 269 Oak Avenue, Spruce Pine 

Bryson City, Swain County:    THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Wear your pajamas for a 1.25-hour train ride to the “North Pole,” with hot chocolate and a visit from Santa, who gives each child a silver sleigh bell. 

• Ticketed event; check website for options
• Ride begin between 1 and 5 pm (runs through January 3, 2027) 
• Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot; parking at 45 Mitchell Street