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.

Sunday, December 23, 2018
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Dec 23 all-day

All Aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS! This memorable journey will take you on an incredible journey! Believe the magic this Holiday season!

Over 88,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2017 and we hope to see you in 2018! The 1¼ hour round-trip 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.

THE POLAR EXPRESS begins November 9, 2018, and operates through December 31, 2018.

AshevilleFairyHair.com at Maisie Twenty Kids Boutique
Dec 23 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Maisie Twenty Kids Boutique

Come get your Fairy Hair Sparkles!
Sing up below!

Chimney Rockin’ with Daniel Sage!
Dec 23 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room & Bistro

Come out to Chimney Rock to enjoy the Fabulous Food, Wonderful Wines and Rockin’ talent of Daniel Sage!

https://www.facebook.com/events/563829534058941/

Smoke on the Mountain: Sanders Family Christmas
Dec 23 @ 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre

Come spend the holidays with your favorite SART family; THE SANDERS FAMILY! Jennifer O’Rear, Joshua Robinette Whitt, Natalie Brouwer Wilson, Lyn Nihart, Pem Price Tomaselli Brad Curtioff are back in this hysterical show. Timothy Wilds and Allen Law law are joining the Sanders Family this year and you don’t want to miss all the new funny moments!

Sanders Family Christmas is the sequel to Connie Ray and Alan Bailey’s wildly successful bluegrass gospel musical Smoke on the Mountain. It’s December 24, 1941, and America is going to war. So is Dennis Sanders, of the Sanders Family Singers. Join Pastor Mervin Oglethorpe and the rest of the Sanders family as they send Dennis off with hilarious and touching stories and twenty-five Southern Gospel Christmas favorites.

https://www.facebook.com/events/329224851172923/

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 23 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tweetsie Christmas
Dec 23 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Open 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Advance Tickets Required. Enjoy the wonder of the park dazzlingly lit for the holidays, with a nighttime train and more.

A Centerpiece Jazz Christmas
Dec 23 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The Grind Cafe

The Annual Centerpiece Jazz Christmas Shows at the Grind Cafe will be on Dec. 21st & 23rd. The Friday Dec. 21 show will feature: Richard Shulman on piano and Adam Booker on bass – along with regulars Dave Reep on trumpet and Joseph Hasty on guitar/vocals with special guest Geoff Clapp on drums.
The Sunday Dec. 23rd show will feature the Page Brothers – Andy and Zack Page on guitar and bass. They will join Clapp, Hasty and Reep to round out the Quintet.
Holiday Jazz at it’s finest in the most intimate and festive atmosphere in Western North Carolina. Dinner specials along with fine wines and bottled craft beers will help ring in the Holidays!
$14 cover charge and reservations are a must!
These shows sell out in a hurry folks…

https://www.facebook.com/events/581339808972501/

Monday, December 24, 2018
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Dec 24 all-day

All Aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS! This memorable journey will take you on an incredible journey! Believe the magic this Holiday season!

Over 88,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2017 and we hope to see you in 2018! The 1¼ hour round-trip 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.

THE POLAR EXPRESS begins November 9, 2018, and operates through December 31, 2018.

Tweetsie Christmas
Dec 24 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Open 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Advance Tickets Required. Enjoy the wonder of the park dazzlingly lit for the holidays, with a nighttime train and more.

Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Tweetsie Christmas
Dec 25 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Open 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Advance Tickets Required. Enjoy the wonder of the park dazzlingly lit for the holidays, with a nighttime train and more.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Dec 26 all-day

All Aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS! This memorable journey will take you on an incredible journey! Believe the magic this Holiday season!

Over 88,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2017 and we hope to see you in 2018! The 1¼ hour round-trip 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.

THE POLAR EXPRESS begins November 9, 2018, and operates through December 31, 2018.

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 26 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tweetsie Christmas
Dec 26 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Open 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Advance Tickets Required. Enjoy the wonder of the park dazzlingly lit for the holidays, with a nighttime train and more.

Thursday, December 27, 2018
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Dec 27 all-day

All Aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS! This memorable journey will take you on an incredible journey! Believe the magic this Holiday season!

Over 88,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2017 and we hope to see you in 2018! The 1¼ hour round-trip 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.

THE POLAR EXPRESS begins November 9, 2018, and operates through December 31, 2018.

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 27 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tweetsie Christmas
Dec 27 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Open 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Advance Tickets Required. Enjoy the wonder of the park dazzlingly lit for the holidays, with a nighttime train and more.

Friday, December 28, 2018
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Dec 28 all-day

All Aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS! This memorable journey will take you on an incredible journey! Believe the magic this Holiday season!

Over 88,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2017 and we hope to see you in 2018! The 1¼ hour round-trip 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.

THE POLAR EXPRESS begins November 9, 2018, and operates through December 31, 2018.

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 28 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tweetsie Christmas
Dec 28 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Open 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Advance Tickets Required. Enjoy the wonder of the park dazzlingly lit for the holidays, with a nighttime train and more.

Saturday, December 29, 2018
Jangling Sparrows Duo Holiday Show
Dec 29 all-day
Isis Music Hall

(Asheville, NC) – Asheville’s Jangling Sparrows Duo bring their Roots-y Americana-flavored Rock to Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd., Saturday, December 29. Showtime: 7pm-9pm. Tickets: $10 (advance), $12. (door). Info: (828) 575-2737 or visit https://isiasheville.com/.

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Dec 29 all-day

All Aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS! This memorable journey will take you on an incredible journey! Believe the magic this Holiday season!

Over 88,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2017 and we hope to see you in 2018! The 1¼ hour round-trip 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.

THE POLAR EXPRESS begins November 9, 2018, and operates through December 31, 2018.

BA # 4 – Apple Pie Barleywine Release
Dec 29 @ 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Catawba Brewing Company

On December 29th we will unveil the biggest beer yet to emerge from our Barrel Program – BA #4 Apple Pie Barleywine. This delicious beer is an Apple Pie lovers dream come true! Aged for 32 months in bourbon barrels, it features additions of Carolina apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar and weighs a hefty 12% ABV.

AVAILABLE IN TASTING ROOMS ONLY

https://www.facebook.com/events/2572385022832996/

BA # 4 – Apple Pie Barleywine Release
Dec 29 @ 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Catawba Brewing Company

On December 29th we will unveil the biggest beer yet to emerge from our Barrel Program – BA #4 Apple Pie Barleywine. This delicious beer is an Apple Pie lovers dream come true! Aged for 32 months in bourbon barrels, it features additions of Carolina apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar and weighs a hefty 12% ABV.

AVAILABLE IN TASTING ROOMS ONLY

https://www.facebook.com/events/1096528970527959/

BA # 4 – Apple Pie Barleywine Release
Dec 29 @ 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Catawba Brewing Company

On December 29th we will unveil the biggest beer yet to emerge from our Barrel Program – BA #4 Apple Pie Barleywine. This delicious beer is an Apple Pie lovers dream come true! Aged for 32 months in bourbon barrels, it features additions of Carolina apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar and weighs a hefty 12% ABV.

AVAILABLE IN TASTING ROOMS ONLY

https://www.facebook.com/events/2232507833701476/

Carver & Carmody at Burntshirt!
Dec 29 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room & Bistro

Join Carver & Carmody in Chimney Rock for an afternoon of wine tasting and live music 2-5!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1128349187325456/

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 29 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tweetsie Christmas
Dec 29 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Open 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Advance Tickets Required. Enjoy the wonder of the park dazzlingly lit for the holidays, with a nighttime train and more.

Sunday, December 30, 2018
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride
Dec 30 all-day

All Aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS! This memorable journey will take you on an incredible journey! Believe the magic this Holiday season!

Over 88,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2017 and we hope to see you in 2018! The 1¼ hour round-trip 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.

THE POLAR EXPRESS begins November 9, 2018, and operates through December 31, 2018.

Yoga + Wine Tasting with Kimmie: Prince & Poppin’ Bubbly
Dec 30 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Community Tap

Ring in 2019 right with an hour yoga class + BUBBLES tasting! This will sell out – get your tickets now!

* Please note refunds can be accommodated up to 24 hours before the event. There will be a waiting list so please request a refund if you can’t make it so we can include someone else. Cheers + Namaste.

https://www.facebook.com/events/287403411899270/

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 30 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.