Things To Do in Asheville & WNC for New Year's 2025

Kick off the New Year with the fun only found in Asheville and western North Carolina!

Asheville Area New Year's Eve 2025 & New Year's Day 2026

• Performances: There are several live music shows on New Year's Eve in Asheville. Our pick for all ages is Billy Jonas Band's New Year's Eve Family Concert. Welcome the new year at 1 PM on December 31 with the Billy Jonas Band at Grey Eagle Music Hall. This all-ages seated afternoon show brings fun for the whole family. Doors open at noon. Tickets $13.56-$16.95. Presented by The Grey Eagle and Worthwhile Sounds.
• Board Game Party at Well Played Board Game Cafe in downtown Asheville. Ring in 2026 with games, friends, and bubbly. Starting at 10 PM, your $50 ticket includes unlimited game play, a champagne or sparkling juice toast at midnight, your choice of appetizer or dessert, and a board game to take home as a memento of the evening. 162 Coxe Avenue, #101.
• Asheville Restaurants: Many are open late on New Year's Eve and feature a lively bar. Make reservations ASAP! Jerusalem Garden and Tupelo Honey, two favorite downtown restaurants, are taking reservations for New Year's Eve.
• Beer Pubs: Plenty of pubs, breweries, and bars to celebrate with local brews! Many are within walking distance with outdoor space in downtown Asheville. Highland Brewing's East Asheville location is kid-friendly. Open until 9 pm on NYE.
• Omni Grove Park Inn: New Year's Eve Heritage Plated Dinner: Dinner begins at 7 PM and includes a five-course French menu and live music in the Heritage Ballroom. After dinner, join the Grand Ballroom masquerade after-party with live bands and silent DJ lounge. Elegant cocktail attire encouraged. Masks provided. Reservations for dinner are required.
• Omni Grove Park Inn: New Year's Blue Ridge Buffet Dinner: 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 live band and special guest performers. Masquerade masks provided. Reservations for the buffet are required.
• Posana: New Year's Eve Prix Fix:  Celebrate New Year's Eve with Posana's four-course prix fixe menu at their downtown Asheville or Biltmore Village locations. $120 per person, wine pairings available for $60. Reservations required. Call 828.505.3969 or book online.
• NYE Jazz Jubilee at Fitz and the Wolfe: Ring in 2026 with live jazz in The Palm Room at Fitz and the Wolfe. The evening features two seatings. The first begins at 5:30 pm and wraps up by 9 pm. It includes vintage speakeasy ambiance, a signature Fitz 75 cocktail, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and bubbly for a toast. The second seating, at 9:30 pm, wraps at 1 am. Both options include live music. Cost: $30-$75 per person. Find details and purchase tickets online.
• Wine & Cocktails: Hang out with your sweetie at The Montford Rooftop Bar in Asheville, open both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
• Harrah's Cherokee Casino: Enjoy live entertainment at multiple locations. Make reservations on their website.
• Cataloochee Ski Area: Enjoy New Year's Eve or New Year's Day at the Maggie Valley ski resort, west of Asheville. Advanced reservations highly recommended!

Stay in Style: Be pampered in one of the fabulous bed and breakfast inns in and around Asheville. Or getaway in a cozy cabin or vacation rental, or highly-reviewed hotel. It's a busy weekend in Asheville, so plan ahead!

Winter Lights at NC Arboretum: Walk through the big light display! Open both New Year's Eve and New Year's nights. Read all about Winter Lights.

Biltmore: Biltmore 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). Also, buy admission tickets well in advance since those dates will probably sell out. Better yet, get an annual pass. See our Christmas at Biltmore Guide.

Ski: Area ski resorts will be open all weekend, weather permitting.

Get Outdoors: Start work on that New Year's resolution to get outside and move more! Join a fun run. Our pick for 2025 is the New Year's Resolution Run in Downtown Asheville. The 12th annual New Year's Resolution Run on January 1 offers both a 5K and a 10K route through downtown streets. All finishing participants receive a medal. Register by December 7 for a free sweatshirt. Chip-timing, age-group cash prizes, and a post-race party in Pack Square are included.

Take a winter hike and enjoy views through leafless trees, cool temperatures, and a few fellow hikers. See our First Day Hikes guide to ranger-guided hikes on New Year's Day. See our hiking guide for top picks for trails to tackle on your own. 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 Year's Day, including DuPont State State Forest and Gorges State Park).

Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge: Ring in 2026 from a mile high at Grandfather Mountain's "Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge" on January 1! This rare before-hours event lets you witness the first sunrise of 2026 from the iconic Mile High Swinging Bridge. Gates open at 6:30 AM for the 7:38 AM sunrise, with complimentary hot beverages and doughnuts to warm you. Tickets include full-day park access—leave after sunrise and return later at no charge. Limited to 150 guests. Tickets go on sale November 4 at 10 AM. Book your spot!

Shop: There are plenty of shopping options to find after-holiday deals. Browse shops in Downtown Asheville (free parking on New Year's Eve & Day). For more great local shops with unique gifts, explore the cool small towns in our mountains.

LaZoom Comedy Bus Tours: Take the zany tour on the big purple bus. Make reservations in advance and choose a tour that suits your mood and the ages of those you'll be bringing with you. Read more about LaZoom Tours.

See our Asheville Holidays Guide for more things to do!