A Guide To Asheville’s Holiday Events and Markets
The holiday season in Asheville is such a special time. It’s chilly out, hot chocolate is abundant and Christmas lights are all around. There are also a ton of fun markets, events and other holiday-themed activities that are great for the whole family.
This post shares so many fun things to do in Asheville for the holidays in 2025. We also have a guide to winter in Asheville with additional ideas on how to spend the cold winter months here.
What You’ll Find In This Article
Popular Holiday Events in Asheville
The holiday season in Asheville is marked by a calendar full of local favorite traditions and timeless magic. Take a peek at what’s in store for the 2025 season, including the Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum and the return of the beloved Grove Park Inn Gingerbread Competition.
Winter Lights At The Arboretum
November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Bundle up and head to the NC Arboretum for the evening to enjoy a spectacular outdoor light display featuring over one million lights. Their 50-foot tree is lit up, and lights in the Quilt Garden are timed to holiday music.
The Rocky Cove Railroad model trains run during Winter Lights. There’s a special Polar Express one on the track! They also have hot chocolate booths, live music, fire pits and heaters. Smore’s kits are available for purchase and Santa is often wandering around.
About the Winter Lights
Quick Details: An open-air walk-through light show held annually at the Arboretum. You’ll find amazing light displays, live performances, lights timed to music and the Rocky Cove Railroad runs each evening.
Location: The NC Arboretum (100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way | South Asheville)
Cost: Price varies based on when you purchase your tickets and the types of tickets purchased. Prices range from $45 (value night) to $75 (flex tickets) for cars. Tickets are on a per vehicle basis.
Dates: November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Additional Notes: Winter Lights is rain or shine and you will need to purchase your tickets in advance. If you are worried about the weather, get a flex ticket. Tickets are date and time-specific.
Winter Wonder Walk
November 28-29 and December 5-6, 12-14 2025
The Winter Wonder Walk is an immersive experience created by Asheville Plays and is held at the Adventure Center of Asheville.
Escape into an outdoor holiday land where live characters guide you through an immersive story walk. Stick around to enjoy some food, hot chocolate and family fun in the warm festival tent.
The Holiday Aerial Glow Trail is also open during these evenings. This is an elevated aerial trail of swinging bridges, cable walks, beam walks, tunnels and other challenges for ages 4 and up.
About Winter Wonder Walk
Quick Details: A live-action immersive story-walk on an outdoor trail. Expect live characters, tons of lights and happiness all around!
Location: The Adventure Center of Asheville
Cost: $20 general admission (kids age3 and under are free.) $1 of every ticket is donated to support MANNA Food Bank.
Dates: November 29 & 30, December 6, 7, 13 and 14, 2024
Additional Notes: There is a warm festival tent on site with local vendors, concessions and activities.
Biltmore’s Candlelight Christmas Evenings
November 1 – January 4, 2026
Christmas at The Biltmore House is like no other. There are twinkle lights and trees everywhere, with candles and fireplaces guiding the way. It is so much fun to imagine what Christmas was really like in the house for the Vanderbilt family.
Though it’s somewhat costly to enter, it makes for an extraordinary evening. To keep costs down, you can opt for a daytime ticket at a reduced rate.
If you have an annual membership, you’ll still have to buy a separate Candlelight ticket. However, you will get a member discount.
About Biltmore’s Candlelight Christmas Evenings
Quick Details: Tour America’s Largest Home® when it is at its best during Christmas. You’ll truly feel the magic of the season in the flawlessly decorated Biltmore House. There’s a soft glow from candles and twinkle lights everywhere you turn.
Location: The Biltmore Estate
Cost: Tickets start at $150.
Dates: November 1 – January 4, 2026
Additional Notes: Antler Hill Village is also decked out for Christmas at the Biltmore. Tickets include entry to the gardens and Antler Hill Village in addition to a tour of the house.
Lake Julian Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights at Lake Julian is the longest-running drive-thru holiday light show in the area. It’s an especially great activity when it’s cold out because you can stay bundled up in your car while still getting in the holiday spirit.
Not only can you drive through the light show, but they also have two nights at the beginning of the month where you can walk through instead.
About Lake Julian Festival of Lights
Quick Details: A drive-thru Christmas light show held nightly in South Asheville, NC near Biltmore Park.
Location: Lake Julian Park (37 Lake Julian Rd) | South Asheville
Cost: Cars are $10 each, large cars are $25 and buses are $50. The two walk-thru nights (December 1 and 2) are $4 per person while kids under 16 are admitted for free.
Dates: December 1 – 23, 2025
Additional Notes: 20% of proceeds are donated to Special Olympics Buncombe County and the remainder is reinvested in the show for the following year.
National Gingerbread House Competition
There is no better way to get in the Christmas spirit than a visit to the Omni Grove Park Inn when the gingerbread houses are on display. This years marks the 32nd annual event.
Expect beautiful, elaborate displays and even a life-size 10′ x 10′ Great Gingerbread House serving up hot chocolate.
Competitors from all over and of all ages compete for the grand prize. The houses have to be at least 75% edible, but sky is the limit as far as designs go. You will be amazed at what these artists come up with!
About the gingerbread house competition
Quick Details: An annual event held during the holiday season at the Omni Grove Hotel. Competition winners are selected in November and the gingerbread houses remain up through the season.
Location: The Omni Grove Park Inn (290 Macon Ave | North Asheville)
Dates: November 18, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Holiday performances, ballets and musicals in Asheville
While there are a few holiday performances scheduled this year, several other long-time favorites were canceled for the 2024 season. This includes the beloved Elf The Musical and the Vienna Light Orchestra.
Asheville Ballet presents The Nutcracker
December 12-14, 2025
A classical version of the hit holiday ballet The Nutcracker. Their Nutcracker performance has been beloved by Asheville for over half a century. Expect new choreography for several dances this year, as well as scenes you know and love from previous performances.
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Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents The Nutcracker
December 18-20, 2025
Enjoy this full length performance of The Nutcracker the week before Christmas featuring professional and pre-professional dancers from the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville.
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Nutcracker and the Mouse King
December 5-6 , 2025
Expect the unexpected at this version of The Nutcracker presented by Asheville Contemporary Dance Theater. The story told is based on the original and “darker” version of The Nutcracker written in 1816 by German author E.T.A. Hoffmann.
Buy TicketsAsheville Holiday Markets
Check everyone off your list with these local holiday markets in Asheville. It’s the perfect way to shop locally and support our makers, bakers, farmers and fellow citizens.
Santa in the Square and Holiday Market
December 6, 2025
Come check out Biltmore Park’s Holiday Market and visit Santa in the heart of Biltmore Park Town Square. There will be lots of vendors selling food, gifts and even Christmas trees!
More InfoThe Big Crafty
December 6 & 7, 2025
The Big Crafty is an amazing event held semi-annually in downtown Asheville at Harrah’s Cherokee Center. It features local artists and makers. It’s such a fun way to feel a part of the community and support the local creatives (many of which are women!)
More InfoUncommon Holiday Market
December 6 & 7, 2025
See what the Uncommon Holiday Market has to offer this year with unique finds from around the region. The Uncommon Holiday Market will be held at Haywood Park Hotel.
More InfoNorth Asheville Tailgate Market Holiday Bazaar
November 29, December 6, 13, & 20, 2025
The Holiday Bazaar hosted by the North Asheville Tailgate Market is such a great way to get in the spirit and be a part of the community. Shop handmade goods, local products and Christmas crafts at this holiday-theme farmers market.
More InfoFamily-Fun Holiday Activities in Asheville
Below is a list of fun holiday activities in Asheville for the whole family. You’ll find everything from a visits with Santa, a showing of A Christmas Story and a ride on a magical trolley.
Visit A Christmas Tree Farm
Mid-November to December 2025
There are several Christmas tree farms near Asheville that make for the perfect holiday outing. Many of the local Christmas tree farms have fun events like hayrides, holiday markets, Santa visits and hot chocolate.
Christmas Tree Farms
Santa At The Biltmore Estate
Weekends In November & December
Don’t miss Santa at The Biltmore Estate! This event is also known as “Santa at the Bandstand.” He’ll be greeting kids of all ages in the months of November and December. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas at the Biltmore with your younger ones.
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Grove Arcade Christmas Tree Lighting
November 30, 2025
Another magical place to find Santa in Asheville is at the Grove Arcade’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 30, 2025. Not only will Santa himself be there, but you’ll also enjoy holiday music, dance performances, refreshments and caroling.
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Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour
November 17 – December 30, 2025
The Gray Line trolley hosts a holiday trolley complete with classic carols and a lit-up trolley.
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