Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Greenville’s best holiday tradition. Be sure to stop by Santa’s Village and the Enchanted Deer Forest for extra holiday magic! Kids 2 and under are free!
Step into the magic of Santa’s Village, where holiday cheer meets hands-on fun for the whole family. Feed and interact with gentle miniature horses, camels, Watusi cattle, pigs, sheep, alpacas, goats, waterfowl, antelope, and more—and don’t forget to purchase animal food to treat the many residents. Cuddle with bunnies, have your photo taken with a baby kangaroo, snap pictures with Santa in his animal barn, and visit the Grinch at his festive Grinch House.
Savor fresh coffee and pastries at Santa’s Sweet Delights, or enjoy hot cocoa, drinks, snacks, and food from our concession stand. Visit the souvenir shop for fun, colorful, and festive items, and leave your mark on the “feel good” graffiti board. Warm up by a crackling fire pit or the grand bonfire, roast marshmallows and s’mores, and steal a kiss under the mistletoe tree. Pose inside the giant lighted present, then find a picnic table to relax and take it all in.
Santa’s Village is more than a visit, it’s a memory in the making.
2 South Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801
Every Third Thursday, the Museum comes alive with an evening filled with music, tours, art making, special cocktails in their rooftop café, and more!
This month features music in the Atrium with the Altamont Jazz Ensemble, a tour of the Lasting Legacies exhibition with Asheville architect Bruce Johnson, and a special, seasonal Makerspace creating unique holiday cards and journals.
The Altamont Jazz Group is Asheville-based quintet playing timeless jazz standards with a twist—featuring Steve Johnson on keyboards, John Reaume on double bass, Jeremy Ward on tenor saxophone, Glenn Brothers on violin, and Mike Figura on drums.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cost: Free for Members or included with Museum admission
Get set to experience an incredible night as Thievery Corporation dominates The Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina, on Thursday, December 18, 2025! This famous venue, celebrated as one of Rolling Stone’s Top 5 Rock Clubs in the US, guarantees an epic vibe for this outstanding show.
The lively duo, famous for their alluring mix of electronic, dub and world music, are on their 2025 North American Tour, bringing fresh tracks from their recent album alongside classic hits like “The Mirror Conspiracy” and “Lebanese Blonde.”
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover Christmas inspired music at Asheville Masonic Temple under the gentle glow of candlelight.
General Info
Venue: Asheville Masonic Temple
Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show and close 5 minutes prior to the start. Late arrivals will not be permitted
Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Accessibility: this venue is ADA compliant
View the FAQs for this event here
Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (+30 people), click here
Check out all the Candlelight concerts in Asheville
To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here
Tentative Program
Holiday Medley – Various
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
“The First Noël”
“Deck the Halls”
“O Holy Night” – Adolphe Adam
“Ma’oz Tzur” – Traditional Hanukkah Song
“The Snow is Dancing” – Claude Debussy
“The Seasons, Op. 37a” – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
I. January. “By the Hearth”
XII. December. “Christmas”
“The Skaters’ Waltz, Op. 183 (Les Patineurs)” – Émile Waldteufel
“Greensleeves (What Child is This)” – Traditional
Holiday Medley
“Joy to the World”
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
“Away in a Manger”
“The Nutcracker, Op. 71” – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Miniature Overture
Act I, Scene II: No. 2, “March”
Act II: No. 12d, Divertissement. “Trepak, Russian Dance”
Act II: No. 13, “Waltz of the Flowers”
Act II: No. 14c, Pas de Deux. Variation II, “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”
Performers
Opal String Quartet
Seating Map
PAN HARMONIA: Yuletide!
Now an annual tradition, Kate Steinbeck and Jessica Schaeffer bring the soothing, light-filled sounds of flute and harp to the darkest days of the year. Enjoy a blend of traditional carols and lesser-known works; we also celebrate founder Kate Steinbeck’s birthday this day!
with Kate Steinbeck Flute and Jessica Schaeffer Harp
Friday, December 19, 12 pm · St. Matthias Church, Asheville
Friday, December 19, 4 pm · East Asheville Library
As ever, PAN HARMONIA offers Donation-based, Pay-as-You-Can Community
Concerts. All are welcome!
panharmonia.org
828.242.1077
PAN HARMONIA: Yuletide!
Now an annual tradition, Kate Steinbeck and Jessica Schaeffer bring the soothing, light-filled sounds of flute and harp to the darkest days of the year. Enjoy a blend of traditional carols and lesser-known works; we also celebrate founder Kate Steinbeck’s birthday this day!
with Kate Steinbeck Flute and Jessica Schaeffer Harp
Friday, December 19, 12 pm · St. Matthias Church, Asheville
Friday, December 19, 4 pm · East Asheville Library
As ever, PAN HARMONIA offers Donation-based, Pay-as-You-Can Community
Concerts. All are welcome!
panharmonia.org
828.242.1077
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Coldplay & Imagine Dragons at Asheville Masonic Temple under the gentle glow of candlelight.
General Info
Venue: Asheville Masonic Temple
Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show and close 5 minutes prior to the start. Late arrivals will not be permitted
Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Accessibility: please contact us for more information on accessibility
View the FAQs for this event here
Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (+30 people), click here
Check out all the Candlelight concerts in Asheville
To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here
Tentative Program
Coldplay – Clocks
Coldplay – Something Just Like This
Imagine Dragons – Radioactive
Coldplay – Adventure of a Lifetime
Coldplay – Fix You
Imagine Dragons – Natural
Imagine Dragons – Next to Me
Coldplay – The Scientist
Imagine Dragons – Follow You
Imagine Dragons – Bad Liar
Coldplay – Viva la Vida
Imagine Dragons – Believer
Coldplay – Sky Full of Stars
Coldplay – My Universe
Blue Ridge Betty’s Holiday Party!
Holiday Attire Encouraged
WNCW New tunes at 2 “We love discovering new regional acts here, and the latest is this band out of Asheville, with this debut recorded in Weaverville. Singer/songwriter Lindsey Wall, who also plays fiddle and mandolin, has this to say about their debut: “This album captures a period of time filled with uncertainty, longing, and hope. After Hurricane Helene ravaged our community in Western NC, feelings that I never confronted before came bubbling to the surface. I coped by writing songs.”
Check out their album Firefly on Spotify
Celebrate the holiday season with the might and emotional weight of Handel’s iconic Messiah. One of our biggest performances of the season, the Asheville Symphony Chorus shares the stage with four incredible soloists and your Asheville Symphony.
Darko Butorac, conductor
Jessica Beebe, soprano
Clifton Massey, countertenor
Jacob Perry, tenor
Kenneth Overton, bass
Asheville Symphony Chorus
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Christmas Carols on Strings at Asheville Masonic Temple under the gentle glow of candlelight.
General Info
Venue: Asheville Masonic Temple
Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show and close 5 minutes prior to the start. Late arrivals will not be permitted
Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Accessibility: this venue is ADA compliant
View the FAQs for this event here
Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (+30 people), click here
Check out all the Candlelight concerts in Asheville
To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here
Tentative Program
12 Days of Christmas
Angels from the Realms of Glory
Angels We Have Heard On High
Away in a Manger
Carol of the Bells
Deck the Halls
Ding Dong! Merrily on High
Do You Hear What I Hear
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Good King Wenceslas
Greensleeves (What Child Is This)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Joy to the World
O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Silent Night
The First Noël
Performers
Opal String Quartet
Seating Map
Wortham Presents A Swannanoa Solstice
Sun, Dec 21 • 2 pm & 7 pm
Celebrate the season at the beloved local tradition that has captivated audiences for over 20 years! Experience a dynamic mix of new and returning artists, bringing you a festive variety of Celtic, American roots, and world-influenced music. This winter, join a heartwarming tribute to Appalachian culture, filled with holiday cheer.
Featured artists:
John Doyle & Mick McAuley
Becky Stone, emcee
Zoe & Cloyd
Josh Goforth
EJ Jones & the Piper Jones Band
Elizabeth McCorvey
Sun, Dec 21 • 2 pm & 7 pm
Celebrate the season at the beloved local tradition that has captivated audiences for over 20 years! Experience a dynamic mix of new and returning artists, bringing you a festive variety of Celtic, American roots, and world-influenced music. This winter, join a heartwarming tribute to Appalachian culture, filled with holiday cheer.
Featured artists:
John Doyle & Mick McAuley
Becky Stone, emcee
Zoe & Cloyd
Josh Goforth
EJ Jones & the Piper Jones Band
Elizabeth McCorvey
Spotlight on A Swannanoa Solstice:
John Doyle was a founding member of the Irish-American supergroup Solas where Mick McAuley became a long-standing member of the band
Elizabeth McCorvey—a musician and mental health therapist—is making her A Swannanoa Solstice debut
Emcee Becky Stone has performed various Chautauqua characters including Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and Josephine Baker
🌟 Winter Solstice Sound Bath 🌟
Join me in celebrating the Winter Solstice with a deeply restorative Sound Bath! ❄️✨
This sacred turning point invites renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. It’s a beautiful time to release what no longer serves you and welcome new beginnings. 🌙🌅
🕯️During the meditation, you’ll experience the energies of the stars and the gentle warmth of the rising sun as its healing rays bathe your body in peace and renewal. 🌞💫
🧘♀️ What to Bring:
A mat, blanket, and pillow for comfort — you’ll be lying down for the session.
Wear warm, flexible, and cozy clothing.
💰 Sliding Scale $10-20
📍 Location: Center for Spiritual Living Asheville (Education Building, upstairs)
🕘 Arrive at 12:45 PM to choose your space — doors close promptly at 1:00 PM.
🚗 Parking: Accessible parking is available in the upper lot off S. Bear Creek Rd (between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd). A boardwalk walkway connects the lot to the building entrance.
(📍 See map in comments)
✨ Come rest, renew, and realign with the returning Light. ✨
Experience the magic of the holidays with the Constellations Orchestra and Dr. Bill Bares as they interpret the iconic melodies of Vince Guaraldi that capture the nostalgic spirit of the season with the warmth and wonder of Christmas, bringing Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang to life through music. Get your tickets now to make this a part of your holiday celebration!
Experience the magic of the holidays with the Constellations Orchestra and Dr. Bill Bares as they interpret the iconic melodies of Vince Guaraldi that capture the nostalgic spirit of the season with the warmth and wonder of Christmas, bringing Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang to life through music. Get your tickets now to make this a part of your holiday celebration!
The day after Christmas, we’re keeping the celebration rolling with Anne Coombs and Company Funk!—the powerhouse, female-centric ensemble formerly known as Company Swing. Get ready to peel back the wrapping paper and reveal a night stacked with funk-a-licious grooves, soaring vocals, and the kind of infectious energy that’ll have you moving and grooving from the first beat to the last.
Bringing a fresh, dynamic spin to funk classics from the late ’60s to today, Company Funk! showcases the exceptional talents of seasoned musicians who know how to light up a stage. Their chemistry is electric, their rhythms tight, and their sound unmistakably their own. With vibrant presence and impeccable musicianship, they turn every show into an immersive, high-vibe experience.
If you love funk, blues, swing, or just great music played with passion, this is the show you don’t want to miss. Come unwrap the funk—and keep the holiday spirit going strong!
New Year’s Eve party starts at 7:30 pm with 3WB playing and will end after midnight with house music. 3WB is a multi piece band with a horn section. One of the NC’s most entertaining and unique bands. 3WB mixes a tight rhythm section, soulful horn arrangements, vocal harmonies, artistic solos to entertain you, playing a mix of Rock and Roll, Blues, Funk, and Soul.
🌟 Begin Your New Year in Sacred Intention + Self-Love 🌟
Step into 2025 by nourishing your spirit and opening your heart through the healing vibrations of a Serenity Sound Bath. Allow the frequencies to wash over you, realign your energy, and awaken the peaceful wisdom within. ✨💖🌙
Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour sacred sound immersion, where crystal tones and soothing vibrations gently clear what no longer serves you and invite harmony, clarity, and divine connection. 🎶💜✨
Experience the stillness. Feel the light within. Return home to yourself.
🧺 What to Bring:
A yoga mat, pillow, and/or blanket for comfort as you rest on the floor. Come in warm, cozy, flexible clothing that supports deep relaxation. 🧘♀️💫
📍 Location:
Upstairs in the Education Building at the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville.
Arrive beginning at 12:45 PM to choose your space. Doors will close promptly at 1:00 PM to honor the sacred container we create together. 🔔✨
💰 Sliding Scale: $10–$20
Accessible parking is available in the upper parking lot off S. Bear Creek Rd. A boardwalk walkway leads directly to the entrance. 🚗💫
✨ Give your soul the gift of presence.
✨ Let the sound gently reset your energy.
✨ Step into the New Year aligned, open, and renewed.
Mara Johnson and the Carolina Tumbleweed Band deliver a rich blend of blues, soul, and heartfelt storytelling, wrapped in vibrant instrumentation. Mara’s vocals—warm, expressive, and finely honed—draw listeners into every lyric, while David “Tumbleweed” Robbins’ fiery saxophone brings an edge of raw energy and artistry. Together they create performances that are both intimate and electrifying, rooted in authenticity and groove.
ASHEVILLE JUNIOR THEATER PRESENTS
The Lion King JR.
Saturday & Sunday, Jan 10 & 11 • 2 pm & 6 pm
From the company that brought you Frozen JR., Shrek JR., and The Wizard of Oz: Bluegrass Style! comes our most breathtaking production yet—The Lion King JR.!
Join us on an unforgettable journey to the PrideLands in this professional-caliber musical event that’s perfect for audiences of all ages. With soaring vocals, eye-popping costumes, and powerful performances, this show will wow audiences of all ages.
Follow Simba’s epic adventure as he discovers his courage, faces his destiny, and rises to become king—all set to the timeless songs you know and love, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “He Lives in You,” and “Hakuna Matata.” Along the way, you’ll meet beloved characters like wise Rafiki, brave Nala, the hilarious Timon and Pumbaa, and the villainous Scar in a heartwarming and action-packed story about friendship, responsibility, identity, and the enduring power of the Circle of Life.
This is not just a junior theater production—it’s a full-scale theatrical experience.
Our shows are unparalleled in Asheville. With jaw-dropping costumes, professional staging, and the kind of heart you can only find at Asheville Junior Theater, The Lion King JR. is a must-see.
Tickets WILL sell out.
Don’t miss your chance to see why Asheville families return to our shows again and again.
The Circle of Life is calling—get your tickets today and experience the magic! Run time is approximately 75 minutes.
Wortham Presents The Slocan Ramblers
Fri, Jan 16 • 8 pm
With raw emotion, tight harmonies, and impeccable musicianship, The Slocan Ramblers will light up the stage and lift your spirits. Their latest album Up the Hill and Through the Fog transforms hardship into hope with a powerful, joyful soundtrack. Say hello to your new favorite band.
“This fearless, fleet-fingered string band is adventurously advancing the high lonesome sound of bluegrass to great acclaim.” —The Bluegrass Situation
Fri, Jan 16 • 8 pm
With raw emotion, tight harmonies, and impeccable musicianship, The Slocan Ramblers will light up the stage and lift your spirits. Their latest album Up the Hill and Through the Fog transforms hardship into hope with a powerful, joyful soundtrack. Say hello to your new favorite band.
“This fearless, fleet-fingered string band is adventurously advancing the high lonesome sound of bluegrass to great acclaim.” —The Bluegrass Situation
Spotlight on The Slocan Ramblers:
Made their acclaimed Grand Ole Opry debut in 2023
2020 International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Band of the Year
Based in Canada, they are a Juno Award nominee for Queen City Jubilee
Known for blistering live shows and genre-defying bluegrass innovation
Up the Hill and Through the Fog hailed as their strongest album yet
A Lecture Demonstration Series for the Curious, the New, and the Devotee
Sun, Jan 18 • 3 pm | 60 Minutes
In the 1940s, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk took jazz to thrilling new heights. The tempos got faster, the harmonies bolder, and the rhythms more complex. Dancers sat down and leaned in to listen. It’s challenging. It’s beautiful. It’s music that asks you to catch up—and rewards you when you do.
Jazz Is for Everyone is a series of five one-hour sessions exploring jazz music. Come to one or join them all—each session stands on its own and welcomes listeners at any level.
What You’ll Experience:
Guided listening
Live music demonstrations
Stories that connect the music to people, places, and intent
A space for questions, curiosity, and shared discovery
Jeremy Walker launched Jazz Is for Everyone in 2004 at his Brilliant Corners Jazz Club, with Wynton Marsalis serving as Artistic Advisor. The program was developed as an Educational Affiliate with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Since then, Walker’s been writing, composing, performing, producing, and speaking about why this music still matters.
The first 2026 concert from the Friends of Music & the Arts Series at the
Episcopal church of St. John in the Wilderness will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, January 18 in the
historic church, 1895 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock.
Lucy Owen Hoyt, lyric soprano and Charles Frost, Organist and Conductor, will bring together their
love of music in a program celebrating African American composers and spirituals. The two knew
each other a few years back while attending Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey but
this is their first concert performance together.
Their shared artistry promises an inspiring afternoon of powerful music rooted in faith and tradition.
The music concert is free and open to the public, but donations are encouraged to fund the
ongoing series. Reservations are not necessary.
Free parking and accessible parking are available. For more information call the church office at
828-693-9783 or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.
AmiciMusic, the award-winning chamber music organization based in Asheville, returns to the Asheville Art Museum on Thursday, January 22 at 6:30pm with another thrilling chamber music program entitled “JEWISH JAZZ.” This program features clarinetist Seth Kibel from Baltimore along with pianist and Artistic Director Daniel Weiser as they perform and tell the fascinating story about the interconnections between early American Jazz and Klezmer-style music. Those two styles of music came into direct contact in New York City in the early part of the 20th century when the Great Migration of blacks from the South converged with the large influx of Jews escaping pogroms from Eastern Europe. The program features some inspiring Klezmer-style music by Jacob Weinberg and Bela Kovacs as well as some toe-tapping Jazz by Benny Goodman and George Gershwin, including a fantastic arrangement of his “Rhapsody in Blue.” For more info about the program, please visit: https://www.amicimusic.org/concert/jewish-jazz-5-2-2-2/.
From the haunting sounds of “Breathe” to the timeless “Time” and the profound “Money,” this is your chance to hear The Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety, performed live in its original form. With meticulous attention to detail and a passion for perfection, The Black Jacket Symphony delivers an immersive, one-of-a-kind tribute to Pink Floyd that will leave you awestruck.
Don’t miss your chance to experience this legendary album in a whole new way!
Direct from Off-Broadway and London’s West End, the internationally acclaimed A Taste of Ireland Company returns with its flagship production —‘A Taste of Ireland—The Irish Music & Dance Sensation’— touring the USA in 2026. Laugh, cry, and jig into the night with a production that is Celtic, for this generation.
Performed by former World Irish dance champions, and featuring dancers from Lord of the Dance, Riverdance, and the recent West End cast of Éireann, ‘A Taste of Ireland’ brings the spirit and energy of modern Ireland to life with a pint of Irish wit. Watch world-class performers blend melodic folk mash-ups, live jaw-dropping acapella tap battles, and heartfelt storytelling in a live celebration of Irish music and dance.
**Please note: musical instruments are subject to change from performance to performance
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Hans Zimmer at Central United Methodist Church of Asheville under the gentle glow of candlelight.
General Info
Venue: Central United Methodist Church of Asheville
Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show and close 5 minutes prior to the start. Late arrivals will not be permitted
Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Accessibility: ADA compliant
View the FAQs for this event here
Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (+30 people), click here
Check out all the Candlelight concerts in Asheville
To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here
Tentative Program
Time – Inception
This Land – The Lion King
Zooster’s Breakout – Madagascar
Supermarine – Dunkirk
Honor – The Pacific
A Dark Knight – The Dark Knight
Wonder Woman Suite
Gladiator Suite
Cornfield Chase – Interstellar
Dune Suite
Discombobulate – Sherlock Holmes
Pirates of the Caribbean Suite
Performers
String Quartet – Listeso
Wortham Presents
Special Event: LP & The Vinyl – From Blues to Beatles to Bowie
A Benefit for Arts for All Kids
Fri, Feb 6 • 7 pm
Sit center stage and step into the spotlight. Join us on the Diana Wortham Theatre stage for an unforgettable evening where every note played helps open doors to the arts for WNC students.
Enjoy intimate on-stage seating, light bites and drinks, a silent auction, and a soul-stirring performance by LP & the Vinyl. Order your tickets today—seating is limited.
Arts for All Kids opens doors to the performing arts for students across Western North Carolina through scholarships and creative opportunities—empowering students to explore, imagine, and connect both on stage and beyond.
A Benefit for Arts for All Kids
Fri, Feb 6 • 7 pm
Sit center stage and step into the spotlight. Join us on the Diana Wortham Theatre stage for an unforgettable evening where every note played helps open doors to the arts for WNC students.
Enjoy intimate on-stage seating, light bites and drinks, a silent auction, and a soul-stirring performance by LP & the Vinyl. Order your tickets today—seating is limited.
Arts for All Kids opens doors to the performing arts for students across Western North Carolina through scholarships and creative opportunities—empowering students to explore, imagine, and connect both on stage and beyond.
