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.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is pleased to welcome regional school choral groups and local musicians to the airport as part of our annual Sounds of the Holidays program. The musicians and students will perform festive music for the enjoyment of those arriving and departing from AVL this holiday season.
Following is a schedule of choral performances: Thursday, December 15
11:20am East McDowell Middle School Chorus
Friday, December 16
12:45pm Erwin Combined Choirs
Following is a schedule of Music in the Airport performances:
Mike Anderson
Mondays in December 10:30am
Thursday December 15 5:30pm
Phil Okrend
Thursdays in December 11:00am
Saturday December 15 5:30pm
Joseph Olschner
Fridays in December 10:00am and 2:00pm
Saturdays in December at 11am
Bill Cozzens-Bryant
Tuesdays in December 11:00am
Wednesdays in December 10:30am
Jenna Jaffe
Sunday December 18 11:30am
Saturday December 24 2:00PM
Sunday December 25 10:00am
Each tree, uniquely decorated around the theme: A Black Mountain Christmas, will be created by businesses, organizations, or individuals to help raise funds for the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund. Come join us! Share in the Christmas spirit and support your favorite tree by donating with cash, check, or on-line at svcmblackmountain.org.
see the beautiful holiday decorations and lights. Plus find lots of great gifts at the many local shops and businesses
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is back in 2022! The 1¼ hour round-trip passenger excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.
Weather
We encourage guests to plan ahead and stay apprised of the latest weather developments. Cancellations of a POLAR EXPRESS departure because of inclement weather are very rare. If you’re staying in the Gatlinburg/Sevierville, Tennessee area, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service announces road closures and openings on Twitter, or call (865) 436-1200 extension 631 for a recorded message. In such case Highway 441 is closed through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Interstate 40 typically remains open. Use 45 Mitchell Street, Bryson City, North Carolina 28713 as your destination to find an alternate route.
Step back into Hollywood’s Golden Era! The package includes two tickets to the New Year’s Eve Heritage Glitz & Glam Dinner, entertainment from a live Rat Pack-era band, two nights of accommodations, two tickets to the Omni Grove Park Inn’s Sunday night Comedy Show, and two admission wristbands to the New Year’s Eve Party.
- Luxurious accommodations
- Two tickets to our Glitz & Glam New Year’s Eve Dinner
- Two admission wrist bands to the New Year’s Eve Party, All That Glitters Is Grove Park
- Two admission tickets to the Comedy show on 1/1
- Daily Breakfast Buffet in the Blue Ridge per day, per registered adult
- Overnight valet or garage self-parking, one vehicle per room, per night
*Classic cocktail attire encouraged.
All events are available for registered guests 21+ and each guest must hold a valid ticket/wristband.
Say Goodnight To Hunger
Stay with Omni. Help End Hunger in America.
When you stay at Omni, we’ll make a donation to Feeding America.
New Year’s Eve Apple Rise Family Celebration, 5-7pm, The New Year’s Eve Apple Rise is the 4th Annual New Year’s Eve
celebration at the Historic Courthouse, with a family-friendly countdown to the Greenwich Mean Time (London) midnight (7 PM
local time), hot cocoa will be given out while supplies last, a DJ will play the top hits of the year, warming stations, crafts, games
available.
A family-friendly celebration to ring in 2023. Hendersonville pays homage to its status as North Carolina’s Apple Capital by raising a giant apple on the plaza of the Historic Courthouse.
The free event features New Year’s Eve swag giveaways, a DJ dance party, hot cocoa, games and craft vendors. All leading up to the apple rise countdown at 7 p.m. Perfect for families with young children or those who wish to enjoy an early, alcohol-free celebration.
JOIN US FOR NYE 2023
Biltmore House glows with candlelight and firelight during this nighttime tour, changing the daytime visit’s mood and experience. Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Biltmore House allows guests to step back in time with an experience reminiscent of the Vanderbilt’s first Christmas spent in Biltmore House in 1895. Musicians stationed throughout the house perform seasonal favorites. Setting the scene is a 55-foot Norway spruce encircled by illuminated evergreens and shrubs sparkling in the center of the front lawn.
Enjoy a five-course dinner by Avenue M chef Andrew McLeod with Kermit Lynch wine pairings by Advanced Sommelier Nick Demos. One seating only. Space is limited.
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.
The Lights!
This year’s show features over a million lights and mixes enchanting new displays with old favorites like the 50ft tree and Quilt Garden. Winter Lights is a walk-through light show with countless opportunities for photos. Use our hashtag #NCWinterLights22 to share the magic!
Live performances
Live performances are scheduled nightly at the Education Center, near Bent Creek Bistro. View the music schedule here.
Rocky Cove Railroad*
During Winter Lights, our beloved g-scale model train offers nightly service to the North Pole. All aboard!
Storytime at Woodland Cove
Visit the Education Center for a whimsical window display that follows a young bear’s journey to discover new habitats. This is an educational exhibit that will delight the whole family.
Gift Shops
Still have a bit of shopping to do for the holidays? our Connections Gallery Gift Shop in the Baker Visitor Center and Winter Lights Shop in the Education Center are open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily, and from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. nightly, during Winter Lights.
S’mores and Firepits*
If the winter nights turn a bit chilly, cozy up to the fire pits and heaters throughout the gardens.
S’mores kits are available for purchase at the Bent Creek Bistro, where there’s an especially large fire pit for all your marshmallow-roasting needs!
Wishing Trees
A favorite Winter Lights tradition, the Wishing Trees return this year in a new location! Look for them near Rocky Cove Railroad, and make sure to leave a wish for the coming year.
Eat and Drink**
Looking for something to warm you up while you stroll? Cocoa, beer, and wine are available at both the Cocoa Shack and Bent Creek Bistro.
View the menu for Bent Creek Bistro
Bent Creek Bistro Hours: Full menu: 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Snacks: 9:30-10:00 p.m.
*The Rocky Cove Railroad and the fire pits cannot run in certain weather conditions, and may be closed without notice.
**Alcohol purchased on-site may only be consumed in the event area and is not permitted in the parking lot or on the trails. Outside alcohol is prohibited at all times, on all parts of the property. This includes the parking lot and trails.
Bring in 2023 with the one of the area’s most successful modern rock bands. Dance the night away to your favorite tunes, and stick around for the FREE champagne toast, and INCLUDED Buffet! 21+ ONLY Tickets are $20 – Champagne Toast & Food Included with your ticket. Free parking onsite.
We are having a BOTTLE RIOT DISCO BALL and you are invited! Ring in 2023 with us by going back in time to Studio 54 disco fabulosity with live DJs to get everyone on the dance floor!
Go into 2023 laughing with Caleb Synan!
Caleb Synan is one of the hottest young comics in the country. (Funny AND good looking!) His unique background as a preacher’s kid from a small southern town gives him the ability to relate to any and every crowd — even though he’s a big old millennial who lives in LA. Want proof? He’s performed on CONAN (twice!), Last Comic Standing (once!), Bill Burr’s stand up show “The Ringers” on Comedy Central, and his first Comedy Central special “30” in 2022 (You can watch it on YouTube!)
He’s also entertained our troops in South Korea and Japan. What a guy! It’s no wonder he won the title of “Wittiest” in Franklin County High School’s 2009 Yearbook. He even wrote this bio himself. And he’ll have a margarita with you if you play your cards right.
featuring Jenny Jennings
ages 21+ (must have ID with you)
Bring your own skates and roll bounce with us to your favorite soundtrack at the Carrier Park Skate Rink.
THIS IS THE ONE PARTY YOU DONT WANT TO MISS!!
Bring in 2023 at the historic GROVE HOUSE
- ONE Combined EPIC NYE Bash
- THREE Dance Floors, FOUR DJ’s, THREE Balloon Drops
- SIX Bar Tend Stations
- Balloon drops over ALL THREE dance floors, stuffed with OVER $1000 in Cash & Prizes!!!
- Complimentary party favors
(hats, tiaras, noisemakers, horns, leis, etc.)
Purchase tickets in advance or at the door
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5666838%3Cbr
Darko Butorac, conductor
Mikki Sodergren, vocalist
Jonathan Christopher, vocalist
It’s Bond, James Bond, and your Asheville Symphony! Ring in the New Year with powerhouse vocalists backed by your Symphony and dreams of martinis (shaken, not stirred), Aston Martins, custom watches from Q, and the beloved MI6 agent. With hits from Bond movie favorites like Goldfinger, Skyfall, and more, start the new year in style by unleashing your inner Bond (or Bond girl).
Join us in welcoming 2023 on South Slope at Catawba Brewing! Performance by world famous DJ Jut Rut. Kicking off at 8pm and partying down till closing time.
Step back a century and join us for a speakeasy-style soirée in the heart of downtown Asheville. Live music and entertainment, 1920s style decor, and surprises throughout the evening. We’ll see you on the dance floor!
TICKETS: Can be found here on Eventbrite. Print at home or save to your phone (QR code must be visible). No tickets or refunds will be issued at the door.
DRESS CODE: 1920s-style dress is encouraged (but not required)
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
- Tickets are $65 per person
- 2nd floor of Grove Arcade will be open for visitors to explore
- Music and Entertainment to be announced soon!
- Cash/card bar
- Coat check
- Free WiFi
- Beware of ticket scammers
A ENTERTAINING AND HILARIOUS NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION:
What people are saying about Sandy and Richard Riccardi:
“Musical Genius” ~ NY Magazine
“Brilliant” ~ The London Evening Standard
“Parody we never knew we needed”~ NowThis Politics
“Together, Sandy and Richard Riccardi made one hell of a rib-tickling and satisfying cabaret night out.” ~Peter Leavy, Cabaret Scenes Magazine
December 31, it’s a New Year’s Evening of comedy cabaret with Sandy and Richard Riccardi, and jazzy standards by guitarist Tim Doyle and his combo in-between! Sandy and Richard have taken their all-comedy, politically snarkastic show all over the country, having racked up over 100 million views on social media for their original blend of San Francisco sophistication and “Fizzy Fun” (Baltimore Cabaret Scenes Magazine).
Randy Rainbow is their secret love child but won’t admit it. Scream with laughter and tap your toes to their sparkling cabaret songs describing their cracked and bushwhacked road to marital bliss, social consciousness and menopause.
…….New songs, New jokes and old favorites!
—————————-
Tim Doyle is a 23-year veteran of the guitar and holds degrees from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and Indiana State University. He has worked as a professional performer and music educator in Austin, Texas, and throughout the Midwest for the past fifteen years. Tim is also an active composer, and recorded and produced a CD of original compositions for guitar in 2009.
Tim also developed and directed the summer Jazz camps and the annual resident Rock Camp for the ISU Community School of the Arts. Tim has also served as a bandleader and member of several local and touring groups, including The Leonard Washingtons and Lunes Domingo.
The celebration begins at 9pm and the party goes on til midnight.
PLUS All guests will receive FREE champagne for a midnight toast to ring in the New Year.
Sandy and Richard are huge favorites here at White Horse and we are thrilled to have them on board to help ring in the New Year with Joy and Laughter.
Buy Your Tickets Early !!!!!!
————————–
TICKET PRICES:
$30 (includes the free champagne and 3 hours of entertainment)
(Tickets purchased in Advance of the day of the show are on sale for only $28)
Go into 2023 laughing with Caleb Synan!
Caleb Synan is one of the hottest young comics in the country. (Funny AND good looking!) His unique background as a preacher’s kid from a small southern town gives him the ability to relate to any and every crowd — even though he’s a big old millennial who lives in LA. Want proof? He’s performed on CONAN (twice!), Last Comic Standing (once!), Bill Burr’s stand up show “The Ringers” on Comedy Central, and his first Comedy Central special “30” in 2022 (You can watch it on YouTube!)
He’s also entertained our troops in South Korea and Japan. What a guy! It’s no wonder he won the title of “Wittiest” in Franklin County High School’s 2009 Yearbook. He even wrote this bio himself. And he’ll have a margarita with you if you play your cards right.
featuring Jenny Jennings
ages 21+ (must have ID with you)
Tickets $18 advance, $22 day of
Come bring in the New Year with your VK family! Campfire starts at dark and DJ GruntWerk will be spinning live beats through the New Year starting at 10PM!
New York City drops a ball, Atlanta drops a peach, and Miami drops an orange. In Asheville, we drop a keg! Ring in the New Year as we welcome 2023 with our Annual New Year’s Eve Keg Drop Celebration at Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park in South Asheville, NC.
The Keg Drop Celebration is free to attend and ample parking is available for guests.
The Buncombe County Health Promotions Team requests feedback from residents to help inform strategies to improve our health priorities. Over the summer, Buncombe County’s latest Community Health Assessment was released. With the help of key informant surveys, community listening sessions, and existing data, the following health conditions were selected as a focus priority for the next three years: Birth Outcomes, Mental Health and Substance Misuse, and Chronic Conditions (Heart Disease and Diabetes).
We are now requesting community input to inform strategic planning for the upcoming Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The survey results will be used to determine how and what our community can do to address and improve Buncombe County’s health priorities. Let your voice be heard by taking the One Key Question Survey! All responses are anonymous.
We need participation from residents of Buncombe County to help us create a healthier community for everyone. Your response to the One Key Question Survey is essential to make Buncombe County a better place to call home.
So here’s the One Key Question:
What is the most important thing for you and your family’s health and well-being?
Once you are finished answering our survey, spend a few minutes exploring the many functions of the page. You can track responses from other locals, read about our assessment process, and learn how we use your answers to create community change. Be sure to check the page regularly to stay current on our new surveys, meeting schedules, process updates, and more.
|
||
|
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
WHAT THEY DO: We permanently protect and steward our region’s most beloved natural areas. When you support local land and water conservation, you ensure our lands, our water, our wildlife and our farms will be there for future generations. SAHC is committed to creating and supporting equitable, healthy and thriving communities for everyone in our region.
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
The 30th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition will be held in-person at The Omni Grove Park Inn on Monday, November 21, 2022 with an Awards Ceremony following in the Grand Ballroom. Competition judging will be conducted in-person and is closed to the public. The competition’s esteemed panel of judges, including Chef Carla Hall, will announce a winner on November 21st at the Resort. All entries will be on display at The Omni Grove Park Inn (290 Macon Ave., Asheville) throughout the holiday season.
The official 2022 Gingerbread display begins on Monday, November 28, 2022 and will continue through Monday, January 2, 2023. Guests not staying at the Resort are invited to view the display after 6:00 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday through Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays and the following dates: December 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and January 1. All Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for registered resort guests and those that have confirmed dining reservations. Display access is subject to hotel capacity, including pedestrian traffic. Please note that only Registered Resort Pets will be permitted. No outside pets will be allowed.
HOLIDAY PARKING PROGRAM
Since the inception of the Holiday Parking Partner program in 2013, we have been honored to contribute over $680,000 to not-for-profit partners in Western North Carolina. During the Fall & Holiday season, there is no complimentary parking on property. Starting Saturday, October 1st, guests can drive up to the main entrance at The Omni Grove Park Inn and be assisted by a valet for $35 for day guests and $30 for overnight guests. Self-parking for day guests is $25 and $20 for overnight guests. A portion of the parking proceeds is donated to the community in support of local not-for-profit organizations.
Each tree, uniquely decorated around the theme: A Black Mountain Christmas, will be created by businesses, organizations, or individuals to help raise funds for the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund. Come join us! Share in the Christmas spirit and support your favorite tree by donating with cash, check, or on-line at svcmblackmountain.org.
The 9th Annual Resolution Run 5K and 10K races through the streets of Downtown Asheville, NC on New Year’s Day, at a reasonable 10:00 am. Leave 2022 and let’s start 2023 off with a nice refreshing “leave it all behind” experience through downtown Asheville. This race welcomes families and participants of all ages to come run or crawl their way to completing their FIRST New Year’s Resolution! Bring warm layers of clothes, tie up your running shoes, and get ready to ‘run into’ 2023!