This Weekend in Asheville

Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour

Friday - Sunday December 20 - 22, various times
Gray Line Tours

Hop on the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley for a festive tour filled with holiday stories, caroling, and sparkling decorations in Asheville's charming neighborhoods. Book your seat now for this seasonal favorite!

12 Days of White Labs

Friday - Sunday December 20 - 22, 12 - 8 p.m.
White Labs Brewing Co - Asheville Kitchen & Tap

Enjoy daily festive surprises, your favorite dishes, and signature fermented beverages. This Friday, take part in a donation drive supporting Homeward Bound, to help spread holiday cheer!

Christmas Storytime by the Fire

Saturday, December 21, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Vance Birthplace - Weaverville

Celebrate the season at the Vance Birthplace with family-friendly holiday fun! Enjoy storytime by the hearth, candle-dipping, and festive treats like hot cider and cookies. Free and perfect for all ages—drop in anytime.

New Origin's Christmas at DSSOLVR

Saturday, December 21, 2 - 10 p.m.
DSSOLVR

Enjoy New Origin beers, festive cocktails, a pop-up toy drive with Boy Howdy Burgers, photos with Santa, and DJ Bru.Haus spinning holiday vibes.

Christmas Chef's Table

Saturday, December 21, 5 - 8 p.m.
Montgomery Sky Farm

Indulge in a magical holiday dining experience on a 50-acre working farm with Chefs Taylor Montgomery and Cat Beraud. Savor a seed-to-plate feast in a beautifully candlelit barn. Vegetarian options available. Reserve your spot today!

RECURRING EVENTS

Christmas at Biltmore

Friday - Sunday, December 20 - 22
Biltmore

Experience the magic of the season at Biltmore! Explore a holiday wonderland filled with fragrant wreaths, glittering garlands, and thousands of sparkling ornaments. By day, it dazzles; by night, it enchants during Candlelight Christmas Evenings—a beloved tradition for over 40 years. 

Winter Lights

Friday - Sunday, December 20 - 22, 6 – 10 p.m.
Winter Lights

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year's event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise.

Sippin' Santa

Friday - Sunday, December 20 - 22, various times
Tiki Easy Bar

Discover a tropical oasis hidden behind Hi-Wire Brewing's South Slope taproom. Yhe Sippin' Santa holiday pop-up is a limited-time event brings a tropical twist to the holiday season, inviting you to experience a vibrant and festive atmosphere, unique cocktails, and special seasonal events.

Gingerbread Trail of Giving

Saturday - Sunday, December 20 - 22, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Various Locations

This year, the annual gingerbread competition has been re-imagined for a post-Helene holiday season. This season, more than 45 gingerbread houses will be showcased at local businesses and the Omni Grove Park Inn, spreading hope and joy throughout the community along the Sugar and Spice Stroll.

Live Music, Comedy, Dance and Theatre

Friday, December 20:

• Yuletide with PAN HARMONIA at East Asheville Public Library, 4 p.m.
• Surreal Sirkus presents: The Green Egg with Toybox & Balm at BeBe Theatre, 7 p.m.
• All is Calm: the Christmas Truce of 1914 at NC Stage Company, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday Night Vibes with DJ Benjo at The Whale - South Slope, 7:30 p.m.
• A Christmas Carol at Attic Salt Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
• MJ Lenderman & The Wind at Orange Peel, 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 21:

• Surreal Sirkus presents: The Green Egg with Toybox & Balm at BeBe Theatre, 2 p.m.
• The Whale's SEVENth Anniversary at The Whale - West Asheville, 6 p.m.
• Surreal Sirkus presents: The Green Egg with Toybox & Balm at BeBe Theatre, 7 p.m.
• A Christmas Carol: a solo performance by Mark Cabus at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 7 p.m.
• All is Calm: the Christmas Truce of 1914 at NC Stage Company, 7:30 p.m.
• A Christmas Carol at Attic Salt Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
• Log's Electric Space Whistle at Vintage Kava, 8 p.m.
• Candlelight: Holiday Special at Asheville Masonic Temple, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 22: 

• Christmas Themed Trivia at Well Played Board Game Café, 10:30 a.m.
• A Christmas Carol: a solo performance by Mark Cabus at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 2 p.m.
• A Christmas Carol at Attic Salt Theatre, 2:30 p.m.
• Family Sunday Funday at The Whale - West Asheville, 5 p.m.
• Best Ever Karaoke at Fleetwood's, 6 p.m.
• A Swannanoa Solstice at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 7 p.m.
• The Many Moods of Christmas at First Baptist Church, 7 p.m.
• Toubab Krewe at Eulogy, 7 p.m.

Tailgate & Specialty Pop-Up Markets

Shop local at the Asheville area's numerous farmers, tailgate, and holiday markets. Here's a look at some of the markets you can visit this weekend:

• North Asheville Tailgate Market's 22nd Annual Holiday Bazaar at UNCA, Sat. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Rebuild RAD Local Market Series at Grey Eagle, Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Asheville City Market at North Market Street, Downtown Asheville, Sat. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Mingle and Jingle: Holiday Craft Market at The Grey Eagle, Sun. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Last-Chance Holiday Market & Solstice Party at Citizen Vinyl, Sat. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Junk-O-Rama Vintage Flea Market at Fleetwood's, Sun. 11 a.m.
• Miracle on Wall Street at multiple locations, Sun. 12 - 5 p.m.
• WNC Farmers Market at 570 Brevard Road, open 7 days a week, year-round, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

Visit an art studio or art exhibition 

Asheville is home to hundreds of artists, galleries and studios making creative expression a way of life here in the mountains. Here is a look at some of the current art exhibitions in the city:

• Ceramic Arts Students and Instructors Exhibit at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, through Dec. 20
• The Boys Will Get Hungry if They See Fruit at Tracey Morgan Gallery, through Dec. 21
• 60-Artist Exhibit at The Red House Gallery and Studios, through Dec. 28
• 6th Annual Vessels of Merriment at Grovewood Gallery, through Dec. 31
• The Art of Recovery at Pink Dog Creative, through Jan. 4
• Chihuly at Biltmore at Amhearst at Deerpark on Biltmore Estate through Jan. 5, 2025
• Exhibition: The Farm at Black Mountain College at Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, through Jan. 11, 2025
• Bill Viola: Moving Stillness: Mount Rainier at Asheville Art Museum, through Jan. 20, 2025
• Ginny Ruffner's Reforestation of the Imagination Exhibition at Asheville Art Museum, through Jan. 20, 2025
• The Totem: Celebrating Family, Spirit, and Culture at UpMarket Gallery through Jan. 31, 2025
• American Made at Asheville Art Museum, through Feb. 9, 2025
• Forces of Nature: Ceramics from the Hayes Collection at Asheville Art Museum, through Mar. 17, 2025
• Anti Form: Robert Morris' Earth Projects at Asheville Art Museum, through May 4, 2025

Packages and Deals

Save some money this weekend with these special offers from area attractions and accommodations.

• Get Free Tickets to Biltmore at Carolina Mornings Vacation Rentals
• 20% off your Holiday Visit to Asheville at Hilton Garden Inn Asheville South
• 10% OFF Escape Room Winter Fun at Fox-N-Otter Adventure Escapes