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.
Directed by Clay Hopper
HOLIDAY | ORIGINAL MUSIC | FRESH TAKE ON A CLASSIC
This two man adaptation is a fast-paced and imaginative production that combines Dickens’ brilliant original text with both traditional and unexpected Christmas music, along with old-fashioned Foley-style sound effects. These dynamic performers beautifully impart this epic, timeless story of discovery of the heart, appealing to both adults and children in a fresh way.
Performances of A Christmas Carol: A Play with Music will be held on the days and times listed below. The lobby and concessions area will open one hour prior to showtime. Concessions may be taken into the theatre for your enjoyment during the performance.
December 11 – December 21, 2025
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Friday December 12 at 7:30pm
Friday December 19, 2pm AND 7:30pm
Sundays at 2pm
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)
2025 THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (GSMR)
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, NC
Directed by Clay Hopper
HOLIDAY | ORIGINAL MUSIC | FRESH TAKE ON A CLASSIC
This two man adaptation is a fast-paced and imaginative production that combines Dickens’ brilliant original text with both traditional and unexpected Christmas music, along with old-fashioned Foley-style sound effects. These dynamic performers beautifully impart this epic, timeless story of discovery of the heart, appealing to both adults and children in a fresh way.
Performances of A Christmas Carol: A Play with Music will be held on the days and times listed below. The lobby and concessions area will open one hour prior to showtime. Concessions may be taken into the theatre for your enjoyment during the performance.
December 11 – December 21, 2025
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Friday December 12 at 7:30pm
Friday December 19, 2pm AND 7:30pm
Sundays at 2pm
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)
Mark your calendars — December 5, 2025, through January 5, 2026 — the beloved Deck the Trees holiday tradition is back, bigger and brighter than ever!
Now celebrating 15 years, Deck the Trees will once again bring holiday wonder to Black Mountain and Swannanoa, all for a great cause. This cherished fundraiser benefits the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry (SVCM) Fuel Fund, which helps neighbors in need to keep their homes warm during winter.
This year’s theme, “Christmas in Music & Song,” will inspire more than 50 beautifully decorated trees across town. You’ll find many of them at Peri Social House, Tyson Furniture Company, and White Horse Black Mountain, plus dozens of other local businesses decked out for the season.
How It Works:
From December 5 to January 5, you can vote for your favorite tree(s) by donating $1 per vote. Vote as many times as you’d like. Every dollar goes directly to the SVCM Fuel Fund. Voting is easy:
-Scan the QR code at each tree to donate online
-Or drop cash or checks in the donation box next to the tree
(Online donations encouraged.)
Can’t Visit in Person?
A full list of locations — plus photos of every tree — will be posted soon on the SVCM Deck the Trees website so you can vote from anywhere.
Follow the Festivities:
Stay updated on this year’s dazzling displays and special moments by following SVCM on Facebook (facebook.com/svcmcares) and Instagram (@svcmwnc).
This holiday season, let your heart and your votes warm homes across our valley!
Step into the magic of the season at the Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards – the destination for ice skating in Asheville, NC. Glide across our real, outdoor ice rink, surrounded by twinkling lights, festive music and holiday vibes.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, a festive date night or a weekend adventure, we have something for everyone to enjoy including holiday-inspired craft cocktails and hot chocolate, festive photo ops, a winter market and weekly theme nights.
Don’t miss your chance to create unforgettable memories this holiday season.
Admission to Asheville Yards is FREE to all non-skaters, all season long.
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.
Nov. 28-Dec. 23 • Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt
Downtown Hendersonville
Peppermint Bear takes you on a fun-filled bear hunt in downtown Hendersonville in search of her lost cubs. Hint: the cubs are hiding in downtown businesses.
Once you have found a lost cub in at least 12 of 28 participating businesses and the shopkeeper has punched your brochure, you are eligible to win scavenger hunt prizes. To enter, submit an image of your brochure via our online entry form by scanning the provided QR code by Dec. 23. Find out how it works here.
Peppermint Bear Scavenger Hunt brochures will be available at the Hendersonville Welcome Center, located at 201 South Main Street, starting Nov. 28
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.
Biltmore’s next exhibition is an unforgettable exploration of the culture of ancient Egypt, the time of Tutankhamun, the search for and thrilling discovery of his tomb, and the treasures found within.
The event hailed as the world’s most complete Tutankhamun exhibition becomes all the more fascinating in its Biltmore presentation—this is the only experience that reveals the historical connections between the monumental discovery and the Vanderbilt-Cecil family.
This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition premieres March 21 in Amherst at Deerpark®. Reserve your admission tickets and special admission-inclusive overnight packages today.
Something extraordinary is coming to Asheville this winter! The North Carolina Arboretum and Explore Asheville are elated to announce the arrival of Trolls: A Field Study. Visiting on their first North American excursion, these twelve interactive troll sculptures will explore the Arboretum, embarking on a curious journey to learn about humankind.
Produced by Imagine in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo, these friendly and fanciful sculptures evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue as they study our small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina. Standing seven to nine feet tall and lovingly described by the artist as “Baby Trolls”, the creatures are crafted from materials like fallen branches, wooden pallets and twigs.
Through their observations, the trolls reveal a fresh perspective on what makes us human, sparking curiosity and laughter in visitors of all ages.
Only cost is the parking fee. No other admission fees.
From wine and whiskey cups to flasks and goblets, the 7th Annual Vessels of Merriment exhibition at Grovewood Gallery will showcase an inspired collection of handcrafted drinking vessels by 16 potters from across the country. This ceramic invitational opens with a festive reception on Saturday, November 15, from 2 to 5 p.m. — free and open to the public. The exhibition will remain on view through December 31, 2025. Sponsored by Metro Wines.
Asheville is renowned for its locally crafted beers, ciders, and spirits — and there’s no better way to enjoy your favorite drink than from a beautifully handmade vessel. A cherished tradition among staff and visitors alike, Vessels of Merriment celebrates ceramic vessels designed for sipping, serving, and savoring beloved libations. Each piece reflects the passion, skill, and heart of the artists who bring them to life, inviting you to appreciate not just the drink, but the craft behind the cup.
All artwork will be available for purchase, offering the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.
Featured Artists: Anja Bartels, Camille Morin, CJ Niehaus, Covington Pottery, Hsieh Clay SF, Jessica Brandl, Judy Brater, Kate Marotz, Lisa Gluckin, Molly Lithgo, Native House Ceramic Co., Phil Haralam, Ruth Hesse, Silver Run Ceramics, Stephanie DeArmond, and Taylor Robenalt.
Grovewood Village offers free on-site parking; however, parking is relatively limited, and carpooling is always encouraged.
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.
10:30 am weekdays only at 3346 Haywood Rd., Hendersonville
Guided tours of the decorated 1880 farmhouse, one of the oldest brick structures in Henderson County. Experience what Christmastime was like in the late 1800s and early 1900s at this restored farm owned and operated by the local school system.
This is a ticketed event and reservations are recommended. Drop-ins accommodated if space allows. Self-guided tours are available from 1-3 p.m. weekdays.
**Show up at Ignite Jewelry Studios anytime between 11am and 3pm to make your charms!
This is the perfect way to spend a part of your day while visiting our downtown Asheville metalsmithing studio and gallery. Come stamp and hammer a charm to your liking! Choose from more than 60 styles of metal stamps and a variety of jewelers hammers to complete your charm. You will start with a rectangular brass base, (or upgrade to sterling silver in a variety of shapes and styles) then choose your silver accent piece, and finally a gemstone of choice. After a quick demo by the instructor you can spend the next 45 minutes to complete your masterpiece.
You can also choose a copper ornament to stamp on this day!
Our magnetic tumbler will polish your piece to perfection and you have an option of some finishing patinas as well. Upgrade to earrings, make additional pendants for friends etc.
$45 Base Price includes a brass charm and base metal chain or 1 copper ornament with thread loop. (Some silver upgrades available for additional cost and additional pieces may be purchased to make gifts, extras, etc!)
This is family friendly, kid friendly ages 5 and up (but the littles will need help with the hammering), and a great rainy day or indoor activity in downtown Asheville!
Lasting Legacies shines a spotlight on the architectural work of Richard Sharp Smith, Albert Heath Carrier, and Douglas D. Ellington, highlighting the contributions of two of the city’s most prominent architectural firms to Asheville’s built environment and artistic spirit in the early decades of the 20th century. Alongside the featured architectural materials, the exhibition showcases the parallel revival of craft and decorative arts in Western North Carolina, showing how artistic dialogues crossed genres and found expression in everyday life. This exhibition has received major support from The Ellington Family, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Leigh Ann Hamon & Bruce Johnson.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.
In medieval Europe, a bestiary—or “book of beasts”—was a popular type of handwritten, illustrated manuscript whose stories and images taught Christian lessons. Animals in the bestiary were associated with particular human traits and behaviors, making abstract moral lessons easier to communicate to a mostly illiterate public. While the books themselves were rare and precious, their thought-provoking tales and vivid imagery were a familiar part of everyday life in the Middle Ages (500–1500 CE). Tapestries, metalwork, jewelry, sculptures, sermons, and popular storytelling all incorporated motifs from the bestiary.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.
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.
This DIY workshop is the perfect way to spend a part of your day while visiting downtown Asheville. Come stamp a copper ornament, or earrings to your liking! Choose from more than 50 styles of metal stamps and a variety of jewelers hammers to complete your charm. After a quick demo by the instructor you can take up to 1 hour to complete your masterpiece.
We’ll hand polish it at the end so you leave with a lovely keepsake for yourself or a gift!
This is a “drop-in” workshop so come anytime from 11-3 to create your piece!
$45 /person with option to purchase additional pieces
Happens on the following Dates:
Dec 18, 2025, Dec 19, 2025, Dec 20, 2025, Dec 23, 2025, Dec 24, 2025
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center revives its visual art program after Helene with this second in open exhibition series, featuring 25+ local artists showing multiple perspectives & styles. Art media for this show may include ceramic, stained glass, painting, drawing, photography, collage, printmaking, ceramic, enamel, fiber arts, digital media, and mixed media.
Show runs Dec. 13, 2025 – Feb. 20, 2026
Open daily 12-4pm, or by appointment.
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!
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
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
The Omni Grove Park Inn invites guests to experience the 33rd Annual National Gingerbread House Competition, showcasing over 45 extraordinary edible creations from bakers of all ages. Entries will be displayed throughout the resort from November 18, 2025, to January 4, 2026. The competition, held on November 17, offers more than $40,000 in cash and prizes. While judging is closed to the public, the public is welcome to view the displays after 6 p.m. on Sundays and anytime Monday through Thursday, excluding certain holidays and dates. Free but there is a parking fee.
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.”
Directed by Clay Hopper
HOLIDAY | ORIGINAL MUSIC | FRESH TAKE ON A CLASSIC
This two man adaptation is a fast-paced and imaginative production that combines Dickens’ brilliant original text with both traditional and unexpected Christmas music, along with old-fashioned Foley-style sound effects. These dynamic performers beautifully impart this epic, timeless story of discovery of the heart, appealing to both adults and children in a fresh way.
Performances of A Christmas Carol: A Play with Music will be held on the days and times listed below. The lobby and concessions area will open one hour prior to showtime. Concessions may be taken into the theatre for your enjoyment during the performance.
December 11 – December 21, 2025
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Friday December 12 at 7:30pm
Friday December 19, 2pm AND 7:30pm
Sundays at 2pm
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)
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
Four days before Christmas in Tinsel, Texas, a colorful parade of eccentric guests arrive at the Snowflake Inn and deck the halls with holiday hilarity. Trina, the harried yet upbeat innkeeper of this B&B, has more than she can handle coping with these nuttier-than-a-fruitcake lodgers. Hoyt and his sister, Donna Jo, make the mistake of trying to end a thirty-year feud between their curmudgeonly aunts, Ennis and Della, with sidesplitting results. Ainsley and Lenora, self-involved actors from a lower-than-low-budget touring production of A Christmas Carol, descend on the Inn to fulfill a promise, leaving comedic chaos in their wake. Add to this Yuletide mayhem an ill-advised romantic rendezvous between Mrs. Claus and one of Santa’s elves. This demanding guest refuses to leave, not to mention a tipsy housekeeper, and it will take more than a kiss under the mistletoe to keep Trina’s spirits merry and bright. But a spur-of-the-moment Christmas Eve wedding that brings together the fabulous Futrelle sisters—Honey Raye, Twink, Frankie, and Rhonda Lynn—and their best friend, Raynerd, takes a surprising and delightful turn that leads to a laugh-’till-your-sides-ache climax, changing all their lives forever.
Thursday, 12/11 at 7:30 (pay what you can available 11/27)
Fridays at 7:30
Saturday at 3 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Director: Abigail Dover Thomas
Approximate Run Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes
Rating: PG due to adult content and mild language.
This two-day wrestling tournament will field teams across the region competing on eight mats on the floor of the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville in Downtown Asheville. This is an individual tournament, double elimination format with wrestle backs to 6th place. This event is hosted by the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville and the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission in conjunction with our local high schools.
We will have a Girls Invitational Division this year. Because this is a new division, it is important to get the girls registered early. We are excited about this new division and the promotion of girls wrestling.