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.
November 28 – December 21
It’s like a big, warm holiday HUG! The tradition everyone loves continues with the same great holiday cheer to put you in the Christmas spirit. All new renditions of your holiday favorites will help you get those sleigh bells jinglin,’ and chestnuts roasting! There is truly no better way to kick off your holiday season. So, hurry on over with your family, friends, and loved ones to share in the joy and excitement of this seasonal spectacular that will have you feeling merry and bright!
Event Times: 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Ticket Prices: $60 / $70 / $80
Child Pricing Available (17 & under)
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
December 5 – 21, 2025
Thursdays, Fridays, & Select Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM
December 5 – 21, 2025
Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM
Based on the animated television special – Adapted by Robert Penola, Music & Lyrics by Johnny Marks
Sponsored by: Mast General Store
The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage! Join Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and all your favorite characters as they come to life in this heartwarming holiday musical. Featuring iconic songs like “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “The Most Wonderful Day of the Year,” this show celebrates the 61st anniversary of the cherished Christmas special. Perfect for the whole family!
Run Time: 90 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available for all Mainstage performances.
Content Awareness: This show is suitable for all audiences.
Bullington Gardens will host its beloved Annual Holiday Greenery and Craft Sale on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville. This festive fundraiser offers visitors the opportunity to shop for fresh, locally sourced holiday greenery and unique handcrafted gifts while supporting Bullington Gardens’ mission of education, horticultural therapy, and community enrichment.
Fresh Fraser Firs & Wreaths. Fraser fir trees, freshly cut in the mountains of North Carolina, will be available in three sizes. Orders may be placed online through November 24 for convenient pickup on December 5 or 6. Visit www.bullingtongardens.org or call 828-698-6104 to order.
Holiday Shopping, Local Flair
The in-person sale will feature decorated wreaths and swags, locally grown holiday plants such as cyclamen, amaryllis, and poinsettias, plus an array of handcrafted, nature-inspired gifts made by Bullington’s own talented “elves.” Shoppers can choose from ornaments, textiles, botanical beauty products, and more — perfect for holiday giving.
A Celebration with Purpose
Come immerse yourself in the sights, scents, and sounds of the season at Bullington Gardens. Every purchase supports educational programs for children and adults, as well as horticultural therapy for individuals with special needs.
For more information, to place greenery orders, or to enter the raffle, visit www.bullingtongardens.org or call 828-698-6104.
This is a great opportunity for shoppers to look locally for unique gifts and holiday decorations, as well as to stock their pantries with feast-worthy baked goods and seasonal food items.
Join us on Saturday, December 6, from 9am to 3pm, for the 32nd Annual Rugby Middle School Craft Fair. A favorite every year, this fair boasts many vendors and activities for the children. Parking and admission is free.
9:00 am-3:00 pm, 221 S. Church Street, Hendersonville
The Christmas Bazaar packs J&D Produce with a dazzling array of gifts and décor. A highlight are handmade wreaths that can be embellished with multiple options at the “wreath bar.” Also popular are fresh yule logs adorned with local greenery and the garden club’s signature paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs in festive pots from rustic to sophisticated. New this year are a limited number of fresh greenery-made reindeer suitable for indoors or outdoors. As always, the bazaar provides delicious baked goods, jams and homemade treats. This rain-or-shine event is a long-time favorite for holiday shoppers.
Grovewood Gallery proudly presents Artful Living: The Spirit of the Craftsman Style, a group exhibition celebrating the enduring influence of the American Arts and Crafts movement. On view from October 18 through December 31, 2025, this curated showcase brings together the work of four contemporary makers who honor traditional craftsmanship while offering fresh perspectives on timeless forms.
Featured artists include ceramicist Leslie Green Guilbault, a Roycroft Artisan whose pottery blends nature, myth, and metallic luster; blacksmith Paul Garrett, known for his handcrafted metalwork and luminous mica lamps inspired by early 20th-century design; furniture maker Timothy Livingston, whose heirloom-quality pieces reflect a deep reverence for honest materials and joinery; and painter Shawn Krueger, a Roycroft Master Artisan whose landscapes echo the quiet mood and tonal beauty of historic plein air work.
Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre presents
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
Friday, Dec 5 2025 • 7:30 pm
Saturday, Dec 6 2025 • 2 pm & 7:30 pm
School Show! – Friday, Dec 5 • 10:00 am
Call the box office for tickets: 828-257-4530, ext. 1.
A wonderful way to kick off the holiday season!
Expect the brilliantly unexpected from Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre’s 13th annual performance of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. ACDT has surprised audiences over the years with their original production of the Nutcracker. Though the Nutcracker is one of the world’s most famous ballets, when performed by ACDT you can guarantee it is something you haven’t seen before. Their version couldn’t be further from Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet. It is based on the the original story written in 1816 by German author E.T.A. Hoffman.
“I always want to go back to the original story,” artistic co-director Collard says. “The characters and the story are always so much more interesting. Take, for example the King and Queen of Sausages, who have surprised and delighted audiences with their humor, and the party guests wrapped in gorgeous costumes dancing a wild and wonderful polka. And then there is the famous Mouse King with his lovely wife and their numerous children creating havoc all over the ballet, and the wild, psychedelic ride that is the World of Sweets.”
PLEASE NOTE: Wortham Center for the Performing Arts’ Box Office is the ONLY official ticketing provider for events at the Wortham Center’s venues: Diana Wortham Theatre, Tina McGuire Theatre and Henry LaBrun Studio. Beware of third-party ticketing scams.
Celebrate the season in style at our annual Holiday Sip & Shop event at Grovewood Gallery! Enjoy 10% off gallery items (excludes wind sculptures), live artist demonstrations, and festive beverages courtesy of Metro Wines (Charlotte St.)—all in a warm, art-filled setting.
Skip the big-box bustle and explore a thoughtfully curated collection of American-made art and fine craft. From hand-thrown pottery and artisan jewelry to wooden utensils, blown glass, and cozy woven goods, every item in our 9,000-square-foot gallery is crafted with care in small studios across the U.S.
Whether you’re shopping for loved ones or treating yourself, this event offers a relaxed and meaningful way to find the perfect gift.
The Elves Have Been Busy!
They’ve transformed Carolina Ace Hardware into a breathtaking Winter Wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and a touch of North Pole magic! Come meet Santa Claus himself and take your own holiday photos in the magical Christmas display in the Garden Center.
While you’re here, warm up with hot cocoa and spiced cider, nibble on a Christmas cookie, and treat yourself to a candy cane and other sweet surprises — all courtesy of the Ace elves!
Bring the whole family, pets included, and step into the spirit of the season — laughter, lights, and holiday cheer are waiting for you!
Carolina Ace Hardware — 911 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC
• Free Treats • Holiday Magic
Women of the Pacific Northwest celebrates the voices, visions and material mastery of female artists working today, with roots from this rich and progressive region. Through the execution of disparate media from bronze, steel, glass, tin, plaster, mylar, printmaking, hair nets, cloth, rubber, wax to paint, these artists have achieved inventive, creative practices originating from critical, generative, inquisition of natural, social or subliminal forces. This exhibition highlights a group of female artists working in diverse media creating art that explores connections to place, whether sociological, environmental or spiritual, in a region supportive of equality, ecology and enterprise. These artists are among today’s pioneers, interpreting universality through personal observation and inventing poetic, transcendent works inspiring greater, pluralistic understanding, connecting us to one another and to the world around us.
Featured artists:
Victoria Adams, Drie Chapek, Jaq Chartier, Susan Dory, Betsy Ebys, Ann Gardner, Emily Gherard, Estuko Ichikawa, Lisa Jarrett, Brenda Mallory, Wendy Red Star, Katy Stone, Susan Zoccola, Marie Watt, and Julie Speidel.
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center revives its visual art program with a new open exhibition series, featuring 25 local artists showing multiple perspectives & styles. Art media for this show includes stained glass, painting, drawing, photography, collage, printmaking, ceramic, enamel, quilt making, digital media, and mixed media. Featured artists are: CY AMRICH, JOHN BAUMANN, HAROLD BLACK, CONNIE BOSTIC, TAYLOR BRANDENBURG, MARGARET CURTIS, ALBERT DE LORENZO, OĞUZ ERDUR, BRADLEE HICKS, TOM JOHANSON, TL LANGE, MARK LIDKE, JANET LINK, RANDALL MARKS, HELEN MCCARTHY, CHRISTINE MERRICK, CYNTHIA POTTER, ADAM ROSE, CARLOS STEWARD, ZEN SUTHERLAND, TACH, TEKLA, MELISSA TERREZZA, JOSH TRIPOLI, and YANG YU. “Raw + Unfiltered” runs from October 4 to December 6, 2025.
Flood Gallery is open daily 12 – 4pm
Located off I-240 Exit 8, River Ridge Business Ctr, Suite 1200, 802 Fairview Rd, Asheville 28803 (behind Sun Soo Martial Arts, next to Hot Yoga Asheville / Asheville Dance Theater)
Check out our weekly events: Poetry Mondays 6:30pm • Open Mic Thursdays 6pm • Foreign Film Fridays 7pm
Included with admission
Capture that classic Christmas moment you and your children will never outgrow. Afterward, explore all that Antler Hill Village has to offer: ice cream at The Creamery, friendly animals at our Farmyard, plus Pisgah Playground, shops, restaurants, and an award-winning Winery.
Dates available:
November 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 28-30
December 6-7, 13-14, 17-24
The Blue Ridge Orchestra rings in the winter season with BRO Revels! 2025: A British Holiday—two festive performances featuring chamber and orchestral works by British composers Handel, Walton, Coleridge-Taylor, Holst, and more, followed by beloved holiday favorites performed by our full orchestra!
While our home at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Hall undergoes its 2-year renovation, we’re grateful to continue our partnership with UNCA students and the surrounding community. This temporary displacement gives us an exciting opportunity to expand our reach—bringing live orchestral music directly to audiences in Weaverville, Swannanoa, and communities across Western North Carolina. This season of giving, please consider supporting our mission to keep great orchestral performances accessible to all.
Details:
Saturday, December 6th, 2025, 3:00 pm
First Baptist Church of Weaverville
63 N Main St.
Weaverville, NC 28787
Sunday, December 7th, 2025, 3:00 pm
Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church
101 Chapel Ln.
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Tickets: $20 General Admission, $15 Students, Free 6 and under
Gather your family and friends Saturday, December 6, 2025, for a magical day in the heart of South Asheville where the holiday spirit truly comes alive. Biltmore Park Town Square can’t wait to welcome the community to this very special holiday tradition.
At the Town Square Green right in front of Reuter Family YMCA, children will have the unforgettable opportunity to meet Santa Claus, share their Christmas wishes, and pose for keepsake photos that will be treasured for years to come. Santa will be joined by Mrs. Claus and merry elves, all excited to greet families and spread holiday cheer. Children can even stop by the North Pole Express Station to write and send their very own letter to Santa, adding even more magic to magic to the day.
Visits with Santa will be surrounded by an array of family-friendly entertainment as the Town Square transforms into a holiday wonderland with whimsical stilt walkers, face painting, carolers, hot cocoa, festive treats, and so much more.
Along Town Square Boulevard, explore the Holiday Market with a vibrant selection of local vendors offering everything from artisan and crafts products to delicious seasonal foods and baked goods, jewelry, and handcrafted wooden toys. Whether you’re shopping for unique presents, savoring holiday flavors, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, the market is the perfect place to celebrate local makers and traditions among the warm glow of holiday lights. You can even take home a fresh-cut locally grown Christmas Tree – just in time for the season!
This cherished tradition brings the entire community together for a day of wonder, joy, and connection. Come be part of the magic at Biltmore Park Town Square and celebrate the holidays in true festive style!
Market Hours: 3-7PM
Where: Town Square Blvd
Visits with Santa: 3-6PM
Where: Town Square Green in front of Reuter Family YMCA
🎉 Calling All Young Entrepreneurs! 🍅
We’re thrilled to join with the Winter Wonder Walk for a one-of-a-kind Children’s Entrepreneur Market!
🌟 Got a kid with a big idea? Whether it’s homemade crafts, baked goods, lemonade stands, or creative services—this is their chance to shine!
🍅 Visit kids markets.com
Sign up your child’s booth 🌽
Explore upcoming children’s markets 🎨
Support young local entrepreneurs 💼
Join us at the Winter Wonder Walk where the season is brought to life like never before. Wander an outdoor trail and literally step inside the pages of a magical winter story. It’s a one-of-a-kind winter adventure you won’t want to miss being a part of.
Join us at the Winter Wonder Walk where the season is brought to life like never before. Wander an outdoor trail and literally step inside the pages of a magical winter story. It’s a one-of-a-kind winter adventure you won’t want to miss being a part of.
Come support young entrepreneurs (ages 5–17) as they showcase their talents, sell their products, and learn the ropes of business firsthand at the Winter Wonder Walk! As part of the Winter Wonder Walk you will be transported into the magical world of Winterland, where the pages will come to life with live-action immersive story-walk on an outdoor trail.
📣 Interested in participating?
Young entrepreneurs can register at: https://kidsmarkets.com/
Follow us on Facebook @ChildrenEntrepreneursNorthCarolina for updates, sneak peeks, and more!
✨ Why You’ll Love It:
💡 Educational & Inspiring – Kids learn valuable skills in leadership, creativity, money management, and marketing.
🎨 Hands-On Fun –Family-Friendly Fun
🛍️ One-of-a-Kind Shopping – Support the next generation of business leaders and take home unique, kid-made treasures.
🛡️ Safe & Supervised – A welcoming, secure environment for kids and families.
Hendersonville’s Christmas Parade is a must-see holiday experience, a ribbon of festive floats and marching bands illuminating Main Street. Local businesses and organizations get into the holiday spirit as they try to out-do each other with creatively decorated and lighted vehicles and floats.The event, hosted by the Hendersonville Merchants and Business Association, is capped by an appearance by the big man in red himself, Santa Claus.
November 28 – December 21
It’s like a big, warm holiday HUG! The tradition everyone loves continues with the same great holiday cheer to put you in the Christmas spirit. All new renditions of your holiday favorites will help you get those sleigh bells jinglin,’ and chestnuts roasting! There is truly no better way to kick off your holiday season. So, hurry on over with your family, friends, and loved ones to share in the joy and excitement of this seasonal spectacular that will have you feeling merry and bright!
Event Times: 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Ticket Prices: $60 / $70 / $80
Child Pricing Available (17 & under)
Open Art Call for exhibit “The Power of Voice”
Submission drop-off date: Saturday, Dec. 6 OR Sunday, Dec. 7, 11am – 5pm.
Group show featuring 25+ artists inspired by the title’s theme, “The Power of Voice”, to include various media, styles, and interpretations. If interested in submitting, see guidelines below. Art MUST be submitted during the time & day allotted. Opening Reception will take place at the Flood Gallery on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 3-7pm. Show runs Dec. 13, 2025 – Feb. 20, 2026.
• No entry fee!
• Artists of all perspectives, styles, & media
• Theme for inspiration & own interpretation: “The Power of Voice”
• Limit 2 works per Artist
• ~25 Artist limit; first come, first hung!
• Artwork must be framed and ready to hang/display.
• Artwork should be for sale. Flood Gallery retains 35%, so price accordingly.
• Label each artwork with name, title, medium, price, and artist bio/statement.
• Labels can be downloaded from our Facebook page, or filled out during art submission.
• Labeled artwork must be hand-delivered to Flood Gallery on Sat-Sun, Dec. 6-7, 11am – 5pm.
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center
802 Fairview Rd. Suite 1200, Asheville, NC 28803
(Located off I-240 Exit 8, River Ridge Business Center, behind Sun Soo Martial Arts,
next to Hot Yoga Asheville & Asheville Dance Theater)
Follow us on Facebook for updates!
Holiday Variety Show benefitting Working Wheels!
Every December since 2012, Pan Harmonia’s Shining Light Project has produced a benefit concert to raise funds for a local, non-profit organization. This year, our beneficiary is Working Wheels, which provides affordable, reliable transportation to local families in need.
featuring
Amy Brucksch and Andy Jurik Guitars · Kate Steinbeck Flute
Michaela Wright Soprano · Chandler Peveto Piano
Asheville Flute Choir · AC Reynolds High School Flute Quartet
Blue Ridge Classical Guitar Orchestra plus others!
Sunday, December 7, 3 pm · First Presbyterian Church of Asheville
For those who can’t make the event but would like to contribute, here’s the portal:
As ever, PAN HARMONIA offers Donation-based, Pay-as-You-Can Community Concerts. All are welcome!
panharmonia.org
828.242.1077
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
December 5 – 21, 2025
Thursdays, Fridays, & Select Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM
December 5 – 21, 2025
Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM
Based on the animated television special – Adapted by Robert Penola, Music & Lyrics by Johnny Marks
Sponsored by: Mast General Store
The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage! Join Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and all your favorite characters as they come to life in this heartwarming holiday musical. Featuring iconic songs like “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “The Most Wonderful Day of the Year,” this show celebrates the 61st anniversary of the cherished Christmas special. Perfect for the whole family!
Run Time: 90 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available for all Mainstage performances.
Content Awareness: This show is suitable for all audiences.
Grovewood Gallery proudly presents Artful Living: The Spirit of the Craftsman Style, a group exhibition celebrating the enduring influence of the American Arts and Crafts movement. On view from October 18 through December 31, 2025, this curated showcase brings together the work of four contemporary makers who honor traditional craftsmanship while offering fresh perspectives on timeless forms.
Featured artists include ceramicist Leslie Green Guilbault, a Roycroft Artisan whose pottery blends nature, myth, and metallic luster; blacksmith Paul Garrett, known for his handcrafted metalwork and luminous mica lamps inspired by early 20th-century design; furniture maker Timothy Livingston, whose heirloom-quality pieces reflect a deep reverence for honest materials and joinery; and painter Shawn Krueger, a Roycroft Master Artisan whose landscapes echo the quiet mood and tonal beauty of historic plein air work.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Come celebrate & shop with us at our 11th annual Holiday Market. We’ll have vintage Christmas, art, plants, jewelry, homemade toys and gifts for those on your list.
The market will be held downtown at the beautiful Battery Park Hall, adjacent to the Haywood Park Hotel, 46 Haywood Street. Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 10 am – 4 pm.
Admission is FREE! Park in metered street parking or in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center or Wall Street Parking Decks. Sunday metered parking is FREE.
Adoptable puppies with Mountain Pet Rescue will be here.
This is an INDOOR market and service dogs only are allowed.
Food & coffee onsite.
Submission Guidelines:
• No entry fee!
• Artists of all perspectives, styles, & media
• Theme for inspiration & own interpretation: “The Power of Voice”
• Limit 2 works per Artist
• ~25 Artist limit; first come, first hung!
• Artwork must be framed and ready to hang/display.
• Artwork should be for sale. Flood Gallery retains 35%, so price accordingly.
• Label each artwork with name, title, medium, price, and artist bio/statement.
• Labeled artwork must be hand-delivered to Flood Gallery on Sunday, Dec. 7, 11am – 5pm ONLY.
Opening Reception: Sat, Dec. 13, 6-9pm
Show runs Dec. 13, 2025 – Feb. 20, 2026
802 Fairview Rd. Suite 1200, Asheville, NC 28803
828-273-3332 • floodgallery.org • follow us on Facebook for updates!
Located off I-240 Exit 8, River Ridge Business Center, behind Sun Soo Martial Arts,
next to Hot Yoga Asheville & Asheville Dance Theater)
Women of the Pacific Northwest celebrates the voices, visions and material mastery of female artists working today, with roots from this rich and progressive region. Through the execution of disparate media from bronze, steel, glass, tin, plaster, mylar, printmaking, hair nets, cloth, rubber, wax to paint, these artists have achieved inventive, creative practices originating from critical, generative, inquisition of natural, social or subliminal forces. This exhibition highlights a group of female artists working in diverse media creating art that explores connections to place, whether sociological, environmental or spiritual, in a region supportive of equality, ecology and enterprise. These artists are among today’s pioneers, interpreting universality through personal observation and inventing poetic, transcendent works inspiring greater, pluralistic understanding, connecting us to one another and to the world around us.
Featured artists:
Victoria Adams, Drie Chapek, Jaq Chartier, Susan Dory, Betsy Ebys, Ann Gardner, Emily Gherard, Estuko Ichikawa, Lisa Jarrett, Brenda Mallory, Wendy Red Star, Katy Stone, Susan Zoccola, Marie Watt, and Julie Speidel.
1:00-5:00 pm, Throughout Hendersonville
The annual Holiday Tour of Inns & Cookie Caper is a beloved tradition in Hendersonville that embodies the warmth and spirit of the Christmas season. This self-driving tour takes you to six historic inns decorated in holiday splendor, with each host going all out to serve the tastiest cookies. Ticket sales benefit the local historic preservation commission.
Tickets ($20 adults/$10 children) may be purchased at the Hendersonville Welcome Center at 201 South Main St. in Hendersonville beginning Friday, Oct. 31. (Cash or check only). Visitors may line up tickets by contacting Sam Hayes at (828) 341-7081
Included with admission
Capture that classic Christmas moment you and your children will never outgrow. Afterward, explore all that Antler Hill Village has to offer: ice cream at The Creamery, friendly animals at our Farmyard, plus Pisgah Playground, shops, restaurants, and an award-winning Winery.
Dates available:
November 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 28-30
December 6-7, 13-14, 17-24
When the Holidays Hurt: The holidays can be difficult in this season of sparkling lights, festive songs and, in our communal efforts to maintain a sense of joy, it can be hard to find a quiet place that acknowledges both our collective grief and our personal struggles.
Please join UU Asheville’s Pastoral Care Team on December 7, 2024, at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary at 1 Edwin Place, Asheville, for an annual service that includes music, readings, quiet reflection, and healing ritual. All are welcome.