Kick off the New Year 2019 with the fun only found in Asheville and western North Carolina! Here are our top things to do, including the best celebrations and things to do all weekend.
New Year's Eve Parties & Events 2018 (We will post 2019 events in October, but many of the below are annual traditions)
- Top Small Town Pick: Marion's NYE Celebration on their Main Street includes a lighted "golden nugget" dropping into a 10-foot giant donut that everyone can sample after midnight! Read all about it!
- 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.
- Asheville Restaurants: Many are open late on New Year's Eve and feature a lively bar. Make reservations ASAP!
- Beer Pubs: Plenty of pubs, breweries and bars to celebrate with local brews! Many are within walking distance in downtown Asheville.
- Wine & Cocktails: Hang out with your sweetie at a downtown Asheville wine or cocktail bar.
- The Omni Grove Park Inn: Many options! You don't have to stay overnight to enjoy their restaurants (go to their Web site). Blue Ridge Dining Room will feature the big New Year's Eve Buffet ($52/adult) and a New Year's Day "Good Luck" Buffet ($44/adult). A very special 5-course dinner in Vue 1913 ($90/person) or a 3-course menu at Edison $48/person. Their 2-night New Year's Eve Weekend Celebration package includes room, Comedy Show on 12/30, dinner music show, and the big New Year's Eve party. $1560/couple. See package details on their Web site.
- Inn on Biltmore Estate: Bring in 2018 in style with elegance and luxury at the four-star hotel with their New Year's Eve Celebration Package. Toast with Biltmore sparkling wine below a fireworks display. The package includes two nights (Dec 30 & 31), breakfast buffet, four-course dinner (or black tie gala), estate admission with free shuttle service, and much more! Rates from $2,100. Go to their Web site.
- Harrah's Cherokee Casino has live entertainment at multiple locations.
- Pack’s Tavern New Year’s Eve Buffet and Countdown in downtown Asheville with a buffet 6:30-9 PM ($60/person for buffet & party) and party 9 PM-1 AM ($10/person).
- Tryon Intl Equestrian Center has a grand buffet and dance party (cocktail attire) with nice deals on overnight package in their inn or cabin ($250-$325/couple).
- Grove House: 36th New Year's Eve Bash with three clubs (Club Eleven, Scandals & Boiler Room) for one price. Dancing on three floors, six bars, 5 DJs, balloon drops with prizes, party favors, heavy hors d'oeuvres. Very mixed and diverse crowd - including LGBTQ. Best progressive dance club downtown. 8 PM-3 AM. $35/person ($30/person advance tickets). 11 Grove Street
- Jack of the Wood: Band Sirius.B Absurdist Gypsy Folk Funk Punk at a lively English pub, starting at 9 PM. $10/person. 95 Patton Ave, downtown.
- Mountain Magnolia Inn: This historic inn in Hot Springs has a great New Year's Celebration with a 3-course dinner for two, dancing, live music, champagne toast and New Year's Day mimosa brunch. $200/couple plus room.
- Montford Rooftop Bar: NYE Party on the rooftop bar atop the Hyatt Place Hotel in downtown Asheville. $75/person includes two drinks, small plate and midnight toast. Limited tickets, buy ASAP.
- Social Lounge: Dinner & drinks until 2 AM. 29 Broadway downtown.
- Strada: Celebrate An Authentic Italian Tradition, Feast of the 7 Fishes, 4-11 PM on New Year's Eve. Open New Year's Day 4-9:30 PM. Downtown at 27 Broadway.
- Twisted Laurel: 3-course dinner (7 PM) followed by live music 9-12:30, plus champagne toast and breakfast buffet at midnight. $95/adult. Call 828.552.3240 to reserve. 130 College St, downtown Asheville
- Orange Peel: Concert with Langhorne Slim and special guests, show at 9 PM. $25/advance, $30/door
- Season’s at Highland Lake Inn: New Year's Eve 4-course dinner, 5-9 PM, $80/person. New Year's Day buffet 11:30 AM-2 :30 PM, $25.95/adult. Flat Rock.
- AC Hotel: Rock & Rye Bash at Capella Rooftop Bar downtown Asheville includes cocktail, midnight toast, tapas 9-11, DJ and big band music. $40/person. Limited tickets. Buy online. (Releasing more tickets at 3 PM on 12/31)
- Beech Mountain Ski Resort: New Year's Eve with live music, games, ice skating, dancing, and fun after a day of skiing and snowboarding. Adult party starts at 7:30 at Beech Tree Bar with live music and dancing. Fireworks too! $10-$25/person.
- Rumbling Bald Resort: Stay the weekend on Lake Lure and enjoy their big New Year's Eve party ($49/person) at Legends.
- Asheville Symphony Orchestra concert "Orff’s Carmina Burana" at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium downtown 7:30 PM, $24-$75/person. After-party with 40s jazz band, hors d'oeuvres, midnight toast, $125/person. Call 828-254-7046 or go to www.ashevillesymphony.org.
Stay in Style: Be pampered in one of the fabulous bed and breakfast inns in and around Asheville. Or get away in a cozy cabin or vacation rental or highly-reviewed hotel.
Winter Lights at NC Arboretum: Stroll through the wonderland in the gardens. Open both New Year's Eve and New Year's nights. Read all about Winter Lights.
Biltmore Estate: Biltmore Estate is open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. See America's largest home decked out in festive finery! Restaurants are open (make dining reservations in advance). See our Christmas at Biltmore Guide.
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).
Ski: Area ski resorts will be open all weekend, weather permitting.
First Day Hikes: The North Carolina's state parks system will offer free guided First Day Hikes on January 1, the perfect chance to begin the New Year with exercise and a reconnection with nature. Read about First Day Hikes near Asheville.
Shop: There's plenty of shopping options to find after holiday deals. Browse shops in Downtown Asheville (free parking on New Year's Eve & Day). The Asheville Outlets are open both December 31 and January 1. For more great local shops with unique gifts, explore the cool small towns in our mountains.
LaZoom Comedy Bus Tours: What a fun outing with friends and family! Take the zany tour on the big purple bus. Make reservations in advance. Read more about LaZoom Tours.
New Year’s Polar Plunge: Take the plunge into chilly water at Lake Lure on January 1 and freeze for a reason – to support local charities. Read more about the Polar Plunge.
