During the late fall and festive holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, Asheville and the surrounding mountain small towns have many great events, festivals, and celebrations. Below are our favorites. Also, see our Holiday Things to Do for ideas for your vacation during November and December. And don't forget our guide to Unique Gifts from Asheville and WNC.
Top Holiday Events, November & December
Christmas at Biltmore
The biggest event of the holiday season. See America's largest home decked out in festive finery. Candlelight Evenings are especially magical. See our extensive guide with tips, photos and details…
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Bryson City
Book now for this holiday ride to the North Pole on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Offered by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, the train is on a mission to pick up Santa. People of all ages…
Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular, Bryson City
Head to Bryson City, NC for the Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular this holiday season! The Great Smoky Mountains Event Park (formerly Inspiration Park) will dazzle you with all-new giant… More Information
Western North Carolina Pottery Festival
Meet 40+ master potters from across the country at this premier juried art event. Watch them in action and buy amazing creations that you will treasure for a lifetime.
Tryon Beer Fest
A festive time with outdoor oyster roast, games, live music, and a great selection of craft beers and ciders. Downtown Tryon. Noon-6 PM. Tickets capped at 1,000.
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Winterfest & Christmas Light Show @ Tryon
Drive through an extravagant, 2-mile Christmas light show, synchronized to music at Tryon International. Open every night of the week. Check website for prices.
Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Stroll through more than one million lights in "Nature Revered," with glowing mushrooms, giant dragonflies, the 50-foot Tree of Light, and the Quilt Garden set to holiday music. RomanticAsheville.com is a proud sponsor. November 13–January 3.
Toe River Fall Studio Tour
The Fall Studio Tour lets you explore 80+ artist studios and galleries across Mitchell and Yancey counties. Drive scenic country roads, meet artists in their creative spaces, and discover diverse…
Handcrafted Games by Master Makers, Exhibit
Discover handcrafted board games, puzzles, and tabletop art at Grovewood Gallery's "Top of Their Game" exhibition, November 14-December 31, 2026. Opening reception November 14, 2-5 PM. Free admission and parking. Located beside Omni Grove Park Inn.
National Gingerbread Competition
The Omni Grove Park Inn and Spa will host the 2026 National Gingerbread House Competition this fall. The public can view it Nov. 17, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Non-guests can visit after 6 pm on Sundays…
Marshall Handmade Market
This year, the Marshall Handmade Market returns to Marshall High Studios on Blannahassett Island in the French Broad River. The market hosts some of the best makers in the region. It will be a… More Information
A Mountain Christmas Trail of Lights
Enjoy 15 miles of twinkling lights and displays through the small towns of Spruce Pine and Bakersville! While enjoying your drive, stop and enjoy the many holiday happenings held in these small… More Information
Forest City Hometown Holiday Lights
See the million lights that create a magical Main Street in our Forest City with many events throughout, including carriage rides. Lighting ceremony on Thanksgiving Day.
Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
This year is the 10th Anniversary Special, with shows at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets start at $60, with child pricing for ages 17 and under. Box office: 828-693-0731.
Grove Arcade Tree Lighting
Enjoy a curated holiday block party, with local street performers, vendors, and splendid holiday decorations. This family-friendly community event features an appearance by Santa. Held annually on… More Information
Small Town Christmas, Banner Elk
A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk brings three days of festive events to this charming high-elevation mountain village the first full weekend of December. Most events are an easy walk from… More Information
Holiday Sip & Shop, Grovewood Gallery
Shop small at Grovewood Gallery's free Holiday Sip & Shop, December 4–5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with handmade gifts, 10% off merchandise, artist demos, and drinks from Metro Wines.
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Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries
Experience the magic as the charming village is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter, and song! Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider…
Small Town Christmas, Rutherfordton
Held the first Saturday in December with many events along Main Street throughout the day. Shop sidewalk vendors at the Christmas Market from 1-5 PM and stroll by the storefront windows featuring… More Information
The Big Crafty, Holidays Edition
Local's favorite art & craft show with 180+ hand-selected local artists. Local food & beer too. Inside the ExploreAsheville.com Arena in downtown Asheville (87 Haywood St).
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Christmas in the Mountains at Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center
Christmas in the Mountains, held the first Saturday in December each year is an indoor arts and crafts show and sale just in time for holiday giving. The tiny community of Stecoah (near Robbinsville, in Graham County) consistently offers amazing art, craft, and entertainment.
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Guild Holiday Makers Sale at the Folk Art Center
Get great deals on amazing art directly from the artists, offering over-runs, discontinued stock, and studio seconds in a festive atmosphere. And don't miss the special exhibits and main store at… More Information
Candlelight Stroll, Weaverville
Main Street Weaverville is illuminated for this festive evening with music, entertainment, Santa, kid activities, carolers, refreshments, horse carriage rides, and more. Also stroll through local… More Information
The Asheville Ballet - The Nutcracker
North Carolina's oldest professional ballet company presents the full-length Nutcracker December Dec. 11–13, 2026, at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. Follow Clara's magical journey… More Information
New Year's Eve Celebration at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. This year's theme is "Midnight in Havana at Grove Park," inspired by 1950s Cuba. There are two dinner options. Both end at Havana After Dark in the Grand Ballroom, with a… More Information
Past Events
Enrich the Lives of the Animals at Grandfather Mountain
Make the holidays special for Grandfather Mountain's resident animals by gifting enrichment items from their wish list. These animals are native species that cannot survive in the wild, so their… More Information
Aluminum Tree & Ornament Museum (ATOM) Exhibit, Brevard
This quirky exhibit in downtown Brevard features dozens of vintage aluminum Christmas trees and more than 400 Shiny Brite ornaments and tree toppers inside the Transylvania Heritage Museum. A fun trip back in time! Open Thurs. through Sat., 12 pm - 4 pm. Free admission.
New Year's Eve Celebration at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa
Celebrate with a memorable buffet dinner in the Blue Ridge Dining Room of this historic Asheville resort. Guests can also opt to attend the ticketed Mystical Masquerade the Grand Ballroom with a… More Information
Marion Christmas Celebrations & Neon New Year's Eve
Marion celebrates big for a small town. Free festivities include a MerryPop local art market on December 13, the family-friendly Ugly Christmas Sweater Party on December 18, and the all-ages… More Information
Brevard Philharmonic presents Christmastime in Brevard
Let the sounds of a symphony lift your spirits. Brevard Philharmonic will perform Christmastime in Brevard with special artists Jennifer D'Agostino and Michael Roemer. Don’t miss this well-loved…
Warren Haynes' 33rd annual Christmas Jam
Warren Haynes' 33rd annual Christmas Jam returns Saturday, December 13 to Asheville's ExploreAsheville.com Arena. This year's lineup features Stone Temple Pilots, MJ Lenderman & The Wind,… More Information
Balsam Range Art of Music Festival
A two-day festival at Lake Junaluska featuring top bluegrass and acoustic musicians, with Balsam Range and more. Workshops throughout the day. Single concert tickets and weekend packages.… More Information
River Arts District Art Market
The River Arts District (RAD) Art Market invites you shop artwork made by hundreds of working artists displaced by Hurricane Helene. Includes food trucks and family-friendly activities. Located in the parking lot of Pine Gate Renewables, 130 Roberts Street, Asheville. 10 am-5 pm each Saturday in November, 2025.
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Spruce Pine Southern Christmas Show
This Arts & Craft event showcases a 3-D winter wonderland scene and holiday decorations in two large exhibit halls featuring over 60 local artists and crafters selling handmade jewelry,… More Information
RAD Fest 2025
Celebrate art and resilience throughout the River Arts District. Explore open studios and galleries featuring 500+ working artists, plus 100 displaced creators now back to making and exhibiting their work. Enjoy live music, DJs, art demonstrations, food trucks, and family-friendly activities—all free!
More InformationMore Ashevile Holiday Events and Activities 2026
Cold Mountain Release Weekend, Highland Brewing Nov. 13–15, 2026 Highland celebrates the return of its Cold Mountain Winter Ale with special releases and live local music.
Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour Nov. 13–Dec. 30, 2026 Ride through Asheville with holiday stories, local lore, and a live musician leading carols on board.
Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards Nov. 20, 2026–Jan. 18, 2027 Skate under the lights downtown. If you're not skating, the Winter Wonderland area is free, with a weekly holiday market, movie nights, and hot drinks.
Asheville Holiday Parade Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, 11 am Downtown kicks off the season with its 80th annual parade, themed "A Vintage Holiday." Shop windows across downtown get decorated in the same theme. The parade goes on rain or shine.
Winter Wonder Walk, Adventure Center of Asheville Nov. 27, Dec. 4–5, and Dec. 11–13, 2026 Families follow a story-based quest past costumed characters and twinkling lights, with crafts, bonfires, and a holiday market along the way.
Lake Julian Festival of Lights, Arden Dec. 2–23, 2026, 6–9 pm A drive-through lights display at Lake Julian Park. Tune your radio to holiday music as you go. Cost is $10 per car.
Holly Jolly Celebration & Parade, Black Mountain Dec. 4, 2026 An evening parade through downtown Black Mountain, with luminaries, carolers, and food vendors.
Santa on the Chimney, Chimney Rock State Park Dec. 5, 2026, 11 am–2 pm For the 29th year, Santa rappels down the 315-foot Chimney Rock. Stay for photos, crafts, and live music. It's included with park admission.
Warren Haynes Presents The Christmas Jam Dec. 12, 2026 Grammy winner Warren Haynes hosts his annual all-star music marathon.
Handel's Messiah, Asheville Symphony Dec. 19, 2026, 2 PM and 8 PM, at First Baptist Church of Asheville.
A Swannanoa Solstice Dec. 20, 2026, at the Wortham Center.
