Holiday Activities in Asheville NC

Asheville is ready for this holiday season! Don’t miss out on the best time of the year in our beloved town. We’ve worked hard over the last year to rebuild, and it shows! We’ve gathered a few of our favorite happenings and compiled them here so you can experience the best of Asheville this holiday season.

Biltmore

The holidays have always been a big deal at Biltmore, and the estate is ready to “wow” you this season. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to visit the largest private home in the country, this is it!

Guests can choose to visit the house during the day and see it adorned with festive garland, numerous Christmas trees and decorations, and a general holiday spirit in every room. Or, choose to visit the house during Candlelight Christmas Evenings, when the fireplaces throughout the estate are lit, estate trees are illuminated, pathways are glowing with luminaries, and winter floral displays top the tables and the grounds. It’s a truly delightful sight and should not be missed. Reservations for evening visits are necessary and can be made on the Biltmore website.

While you’re there, be sure to take in Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures, featuring nearly 1,000 replicas of King Tut’s burial goods, exactly as they were found. Individual event and ticket packages with the Candlelight and daytime visits are available.

North Carolina Arboretum

The walking tour of Winter Lights returns to the North Carolina Arboretum gardens this month for the twelfth year. The light show, which features more than one million lights, celebrates forest and garden creatures and whimsy through Dec. 31. Highlights of the show include the Quilt Garden and a 50-foot lighted tree, as well as numerous other lighted displays. This year’s display is extra-special, as it’s happening as the Arboretum is featuring Trolls: A Field Study. Twelve interactive troll sculptures have been placed throughout the facility. Standing seven to nine feet tall, the creatures are crafted by Danish artist Thomas Dambo from materials like fallen branches, wooden pallets, and twigs.

Lake Julian Festival of Lights

View 50 animated light displays from the comfort of your car at this South Asheville annual event from Dec. 1 through the 23rd. Enjoy a strolling tour with s’mores on Dec. 1 and 2. Evening viewings start at 6 p.m., and drive-through viewing admission ranges from $10 to $50, depending on car size.

Polar Express Train

If you’re bringing the whole family to town, make sure to reserve your spot on the Polar Express Train. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad takes the train to the North Pole to visit Santa through Dec. 31. Enjoy hot chocolate and other treats as you listen to music from the movie soundtrack and sing carols on the ride back to the train depot. All the details you need—including links to make a reservation—can be found on the GSMR website.

National Gingerbread House Competition

The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa welcomes back the National Gingerbread House Competition after a hiatus last year. The official 2025 Gingerbread display continues through January 4, 2026. Visitors can view the display of creative gingerbread-made designs Monday through Thursday all day, and after 6 p.m. on Sundays.

LaZoom Hey Asheville Tour: Holiday Edition

From November 28 to December 24, enjoy a seasonal 90-minute guided comedy tour of Asheville on the purple LaZoom bus. The tour will be infused with holiday cheer and will make a stop at Green Man Brewing.

Winter Wonder Walk

Join the Adventure Center of Asheville for The Winter Wonder Walk, a fun and festive event for the whole family. Immerse yourself in outdoor live-action theater and get transported into the magical world of Winterland. The live-action, immersive story walk takes place on an outdoor trail with live characters, twinkling lights, and Asheville's largest snowball fight. After the walk, visitors are invited to a heated tent featuring hot chocolate, treats, games, crafts, and a holiday market featuring local artists and makers. Outside the tent, enjoy a bonfire with s’mores and a food truck.

Holiday Ice Rink

This year marks the inaugural Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards. Enjoy the outdoor ice rink surrounded by lights and holiday music, craft cocktails, hot chocolate, a winter market, photos, and weekly theme nights.

Ice skating admission includes skate rental & 75 minutes on the ice. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Join us in Asheville this holiday season and experience it for yourself. Our city's locally owned businesses (like The Residences at Biltmore), shops, and restaurants (like Azalea Bar & Kitchen) are grateful for and eager to welcome tourists back to town. We have plenty of three-bedroom suites with fireplaces, full kitchens, and living and dining rooms - enough room for the entire family.