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.

Thursday, December 31, 2020
ACT Rewind: Snowbound 2016
Dec 31 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Online w/ Asheville Community Theatre

Available for a 48 hour rental as Video on Demand
Rewind back in time! Experience the songs and stories from Snowbound, a holiday show from ACT’s 2016-17 season filmed in front of a large, live audience. This archival video was filmed as a keepsake that captures the look of the full stage – shared now with the permission of the playwright.
Say Goodbye 9 times! New Year’s Eve Party!
Dec 31 @ 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Getaway Tiki Bar

Join us at The Getaway Tiki Bar as we ring in the New Year with midnights around the world! Doors open at 12PM as we welcome 2021 in Bangkok!
In addition to saying goodbye to 2020 9 times, we will have several AMAZING drink specials!
🥂 Champagne of Beers, Miller High Life $1
🥂Avel Maria: Tequila, Aperol and Champagne $3
🥂The Spaghetti: Miller, Aperol, Lemon $3
🥂All other signature cocktails will be $5
🥂and more!
Come for the night or to ring in the New Year in your city of choice! Each hour until 8PM we will countdown with another city!
⏰ 12:00 PM Bangkok, Thailand
⏰ 1:00 PM Dhakam, Bangladesh
⏰ 2:00 PM Malé Atoll, Maldives
⏰ 3:00 PM Dubai, United Arab Emirates
⏰ 4:00 PM Antananarivo, Madagascar
⏰ 5:00 PM Helsinki, Finland
⏰ 6:00 PM Paris, France
⏰ 7:00 PM London, England
⏰ 8:00 PM Ittoqqortoomiit, Greenland
No Cover! Last call is 8:30PM!
Mask Required! Social distancing seating available with plenty of space for multiple parties.
Hickory Nut Gap Farm Holiday Special Get a Box, Give a Pound to MANNA
Dec 31 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Get a Box, Give a Pound
From now until Dec. 31st, when you shop our new shippable curated sampler boxes, we’ll donate a pound of grassfed beef or pastured pork to MANNA foodbank to support a family in need.

*Order by Sunday, December 20 to ensure Christmas delivery!

NEW Holiday Hours
While the Farm Store is still closed to the general public, you can shop HNG products online and pick them up at the Farm Store.

PICKUP HOURS EXTENDED
Open: Friday (12/18) – Wednesday (12/23) 1-4 PM
Closed: Thursday (12/24) – Wednesday (12/30)
Open: Thursday (12/31)
Closed: Friday (1/1)
Open: Saturday (1/2) – Sunday (1/3) 1-4 PM

Hickory Nut Gap Farm Holiday Sale
Dec 31 @ 4:04 pm – 5:04 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

HICKORY NUT GAP WILL DONATE A POUND OF OUR PASTURE RAISED MEATS TO FAMILIES IN NEED FOR EVERY SAMPLER BOX PURCHASED BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2020.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm
Biltmore

Candlelight, firelight and live music bring holiday warmth to Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor during these nighttime tours. Candlelight Christmas Evenings include a self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens, Antler Hill Village and Biltmore Winery. Evening guests can also take advantage of Antler Hill Village & Winery to enjoy free wine tastings.

Tickets may be purchased at www.biltmore.com or by phone (800-411-3812).

Forestry Camp New Years Eve
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Forestry Camp
Ring in the New Year at Camp and kiss 2020 goodbye. Join us this NYE with a four-course meal curated by our Executive Chef, JT DeBrie, a champagne toast, a Forestry Camp commemorative glass, and select bottle of Burial Beer. Tickets are available for 2 and 4 person tables and include a 2.5 hour table reservation. $100 per person.
If you are planning a cozy evening at home, we have you covered with a couple of curated NYE Home Pages of bubbles and charcuterie.
Camp New Year’s Experience tickets and our NYE Home Packages on sale now at shop.forestrycamp.com.
Live Music – Jon Cox Band
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Catawba Brewing Company - South Slope

Join us on NYE for some live music and food from Deli Llammma! The Jon Cox Band will have you boot scooting and bugging to all your favorite country and Southern rock covers.
Free Admission!
NYE with Dirty Dead at Asheville Music Hall
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Music Hall

THIS IS A SEATED SHOW // LIMITED CAPACITY SHOW to ring in 2021 with Dirty Dead!
____
Each ticket comes with two raffle tickets and champagne toast!
– – – –
TICKETS ON SALE NOW – tickets must be purchased BY TABLE (2-6 top tables available)
Rockin’ New Years Eve with Judaculla Blue
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sweeten Creek Brewing

Come kick this crazy year out with a bang! Judaculla Blue will be here jammin from 5-8! And we’ve got some crazy good food from Breedloves food truck! Oh yeah we’ve got some damn good beer too!

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Dec 31 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

A Party Foul New Years Eve at The Odditorium
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Odditorium

Thursday December 31 Outside at The Odditorium
**Weather Permitting** If cancelled, tickets will be refunded.
Party Foul Drag!!!
Doors 6 PM // Show 7 PM
Seated. Social Distant. Masks Required
$10
Note: No physical tickets will be mailed. Your name will be added to a list.
Candlelight Christmas at Biltmore
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Biltmore

Marilynn will be playing Christmas music in various locations in Biltmore House over the next several weeks. If you’re planning on coming to Biltmore for Candlelight Christmas, try to come on one of the evenings that I will be playing. Hope to see you there!

New Years Eve with the West King String Band
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

Party out 2020 at Jack of the Wood and the West King String Band! Original neo-grassy folk music with clever songwriting and hot pickin’ to roll into 2021. We’ll be having a New Years champagne toast alongside our friends in Dublin @ 7pm! Sláinte Y’all!

Shadrack’s Christmas lights show
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tryon Resort

The light show is also synchronized to music that plays on the radio station indicated at the entrance to the show.

The drive-thru light show is about 30 minutes long, and there are two ticket options for purchase which covers vehicles of up to eight people

  • Dec. 10-13: Rudolph
  • Dec. 17-20: The Grinch
  • Dec. 21-24: The Nativity
Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park Early New Year’s Eve Keg Drop
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm
Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park

This year has looked mighty different for us all, but we still want to ring it out with one of our time honored traditions: The Annual Keg Drop! Join us at Biltmore Park at 6pm on New Year’s Eve (midnight in Belgium!) as we say “See Ya!” to 2020 with our festive golden keg drop. We’ll be tapping our Must Love Coconut IPA with mini party kegs available to go for you to continue your festivities at home!

Endings, Beginnings A New Year’s Eve Candlelight Vigil of Release + Renewal
Dec 31 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Facebook Live

A New Year’s Eve Candlelight Vigil of Release & Renewal
As the year comes to an end, let us gather to purify the past year’s negativities through chanting the Vajrasattva purification mantra. With the lighting of every candle we renew our commitment to creating a better world for all.
Come in for a minute, a few mantras, or the whole service. A New Year’s Eve Candlelight Vigil of Release & Renewal
As the year comes to an end, let us gather virtually (on Zoom & Facebook live) to purify the past year’s negativities through chanting the Vajrasattva purification mantra. With the lighting of every candle we renew our commitment to creating a better world for all.
Come in for a minute, a few mantras, or the whole service.
New Years Eve with The John Henrys
Dec 31 @ 7:00 pm
Isis Music Hall

Seated Concert with Dinner – reservations highly recommended. Please call the venue for tickets and reservations. 828-575-2737

The John Henrys have been entertaining loyal, local audiences as the house band at 5 Walnut Winebar in downtown Asheville every Tuesday night for ten years . The band features Jon Corbin and Hank Bones on guitars, Taylor Pierson on piano, Kevin Kehrberg on bass, Lyndsay Pruett on violin and Russ Wilson on Vocals. Specializing in a mixture of Gypsy Jazz, Standards (Great American Songbook), Swing, Country and originals the group makes fun, happy music on the fly. This performance is not to be missed!

Come enjoy New Years Eve with an evening of live music, food and drinks to celebrate the END of 2020. Reservations are highly recommended.

Friday, January 1, 2021
Asheville Regional Airport: Special “virtual” surprise with Santa Selfie Station
Jan 1 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport
Asheville Regional Airport — Art Gallery (Media is invited at any time to visit the display – the Art Gallery is located in the main lobby of the public area of the terminal.)
A “magic” TV, in the Art Gallery window, brings passengers special messages (and safety reminders) from Santa and an invitation to come into the gallery to take a selfie. Travelers are able to stand with a virtual Santa who poses for pictures in a “COVID-friendly” way.
The holidays look much different this year because of COVID-19, especially during air travel. The airport team wanted to offer some holiday cheer and something unique for its guests. This festive, virtual display is a way to bring a smile to passengers’ faces (behind their masks) to help brighten their travel experience, in a safe and responsible manner.
VISUALS:
  • Virtual Santa, asking travelers to pose for a “selfie”
  • Virtual Santa, offering different poses: Masked Santa; Santa in sunglasses; Santa with arms outstretched; Santa posing for a back-to-back photo
  • Travelers interacting with the display
The Big Crafty Online
Jan 1 all-day
Online

Our weekend.

For the first time in more than a decade, we won’t be sharing hugs with you all, and we’re really missing it.
But we’ll still be admiring the year’s creative harvest and we hope you will, too!
Our artists have responded to the extraordinary circumstances of this year with creative zeal, and we hope you’ll enjoy checking in with them via our list of artists.
We will also be sharing some of our favorite work and gift ideas via Instagram and Facebook this weekend and throughout the holidays.
Treat yourself. Treat your fam. Know that your support is needed and appreciated.
Also…know that next year we will be hugging you extra tight.
Til then, stay well, keep your fires burning, and take extra good care of one another ❉❊❤❊❉

AHNA Annual Holiday Pet Food and Supply Drive
Jan 1 @ 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Animal Hospital of North Asheville

“Warm Hearts * Full Bellies” Holiday Pet Food and Supply Drive
Join us this Holiday Season to help pets in need in our community. During “Warm Hearts * Full Bellies,” AHNA will be collecting donations of wet or dry pet food, much-needed supplies, and monetary donations for the Asheville Humane Society (AHS) and Meals on Wheels of Buncombe County.
Starting Friday, November 27th, and lasting through Saturday, January 2nd, we will be offering several different ways to donate to help these amazing organizations. Due to how the threat of COVID-19 has affected our community, we have made some changes to our annual holiday food drive. We have kept safety in mind.
Donations Accepted:
We will be collecting wet or dry cat or dog food, small animal/rabbit food, cockatiel/parakeet bird food, cleaning supplies, pet supplies (toys, blankets, and more), along with monetary donations at AHNA.
DROP OFF:
We will have a donation bin on our patio at AHNA for donated items. Items can be dropped off during regular business hours (M-F 7:30am-6:00pm, and Sat 8am-5pm).
ONLINE:
Starting in December, we will be offering online donation collections through Amazon wishlist and direct donations to the organizations. Supplies can be ordered online and delivered to AHNA. We will distribute the donations after the first of the year to the Asheville Humane Society and Meals on Wheels.
Direct Donations:
Asheville Humane Society: https://www.ashevillehumane.org/donation-drive
To show our appreciation, Animal Hospital of North Asheville has partnered with Science Diet Pet Food to donate an extra pound of food for every pound (up to 2,000 pounds) of pet food donated during our Holiday Pet Food Drive.
Please, if you want to donate by check, it must be written to the organization of your choice (not to Animal Hospital of North Asheville).
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for fun weekly events, information about these wonderful organizations, and photos of animals your donations will be helping.
Winter Wonderland at Grove Arcade
Jan 1 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Grove Arcade

Grove Arcade is thrilled to announce the return of its annual Winter Wonderland holiday celebration.

The Arcade has transformed into a wreath-bedecked showcase for Asheville’s finest local craftspeople and retailers. Smells of pine and holly will greet visitors as they tour—at a proper social distance!—Asheville’s stunning art deco gem to discover one-of-a-kind, handcrafted local gifts, enjoy holiday-themed beverages and dining specials, and winter-y feels within the warm Grove Arcade halls. Specially curated Christmas standards and the most extravagant holiday decorations in town will transport visitors to a truly unforgettable winter paradise.

We will be hosting a local MANNA Food Bank Drive! Drop-off barrels will be placed around several areas of the Arcade to be collected and distributed by MANNA to help during these uncertain times.

For the enjoyment and safety of everyone, Grove Arcade will be taking appropriate COVID-19 precautions during Winter Wonderland. All visitors and employees will be required to follow the CDC’s health recommendations, including social distancing and mask wearing.

Enjoy a safe and jolly visit to Grove Arcade’s Winter Wonderland! And from all of us at Grove Arcade, Happy Holidays!

Christmas at Biltmore Daytime Celebration
Jan 1 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Biltmore

Buy tickets online to save up to $8 per admission. Check website for hours of operation.
Treat yourself to the beloved estate tradition known as Christmas at Biltmore, when America’s Largest Home®, Antler Hill Village, and the entire estate are at their most enchanting.
A daytime visit to Biltmore is a feast for the senses, featuring wreaths, garlands, and the sparkle of thousands of ornaments, from Biltmore House to Antler Hill Village!
Christmas at Connemara Thanksgiving to January 6
Jan 1 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Carl Sandburg House

The house will be decorated in the simple style of the Sandburg’s with poinsettias and a traditionally decorated Christmas tree throughout December until January 6th, 2021.

Monte Vista Hotel: Deck The Trees
Jan 1 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monte Vista Hotel

Deck The Trees is a fun and festive December Holiday Happening in Black Mountain. This event is a fundraiser for the Fuel Fund of the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries. Trees decorated in the theme And A Star Appeared will be displayed in the Monte Vista Hotel and many businesses throughout Black Mountain. Trees may be voted on by placing cash/check in the box corresponding to your favorite tree. All money collected goes directly to the Fuel Fund. For more information about Deck The Trees and to support your favorite tree(s) contact svcmblackmountain.org.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore
Jan 1 @ 5:00 pm
Biltmore

Candlelight, firelight and live music bring holiday warmth to Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor during these nighttime tours. Candlelight Christmas Evenings include a self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens, Antler Hill Village and Biltmore Winery. Evening guests can also take advantage of Antler Hill Village & Winery to enjoy free wine tastings.

Tickets may be purchased at www.biltmore.com or by phone (800-411-3812).

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Jan 1 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

Shadrack’s Christmas lights show
Jan 1 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tryon Resort

The light show is also synchronized to music that plays on the radio station indicated at the entrance to the show.

The drive-thru light show is about 30 minutes long, and there are two ticket options for purchase which covers vehicles of up to eight people

  • Dec. 10-13: Rudolph
  • Dec. 17-20: The Grinch
  • Dec. 21-24: The Nativity
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Asheville Regional Airport: Special “virtual” surprise with Santa Selfie Station
Jan 2 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport
Asheville Regional Airport — Art Gallery (Media is invited at any time to visit the display – the Art Gallery is located in the main lobby of the public area of the terminal.)
A “magic” TV, in the Art Gallery window, brings passengers special messages (and safety reminders) from Santa and an invitation to come into the gallery to take a selfie. Travelers are able to stand with a virtual Santa who poses for pictures in a “COVID-friendly” way.
The holidays look much different this year because of COVID-19, especially during air travel. The airport team wanted to offer some holiday cheer and something unique for its guests. This festive, virtual display is a way to bring a smile to passengers’ faces (behind their masks) to help brighten their travel experience, in a safe and responsible manner.
VISUALS:
  • Virtual Santa, asking travelers to pose for a “selfie”
  • Virtual Santa, offering different poses: Masked Santa; Santa in sunglasses; Santa with arms outstretched; Santa posing for a back-to-back photo
  • Travelers interacting with the display
AHNA Annual Holiday Pet Food and Supply Drive
Jan 2 @ 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Animal Hospital of North Asheville

“Warm Hearts * Full Bellies” Holiday Pet Food and Supply Drive
Join us this Holiday Season to help pets in need in our community. During “Warm Hearts * Full Bellies,” AHNA will be collecting donations of wet or dry pet food, much-needed supplies, and monetary donations for the Asheville Humane Society (AHS) and Meals on Wheels of Buncombe County.
Starting Friday, November 27th, and lasting through Saturday, January 2nd, we will be offering several different ways to donate to help these amazing organizations. Due to how the threat of COVID-19 has affected our community, we have made some changes to our annual holiday food drive. We have kept safety in mind.
Donations Accepted:
We will be collecting wet or dry cat or dog food, small animal/rabbit food, cockatiel/parakeet bird food, cleaning supplies, pet supplies (toys, blankets, and more), along with monetary donations at AHNA.
DROP OFF:
We will have a donation bin on our patio at AHNA for donated items. Items can be dropped off during regular business hours (M-F 7:30am-6:00pm, and Sat 8am-5pm).
ONLINE:
Starting in December, we will be offering online donation collections through Amazon wishlist and direct donations to the organizations. Supplies can be ordered online and delivered to AHNA. We will distribute the donations after the first of the year to the Asheville Humane Society and Meals on Wheels.
Direct Donations:
Asheville Humane Society: https://www.ashevillehumane.org/donation-drive
To show our appreciation, Animal Hospital of North Asheville has partnered with Science Diet Pet Food to donate an extra pound of food for every pound (up to 2,000 pounds) of pet food donated during our Holiday Pet Food Drive.
Please, if you want to donate by check, it must be written to the organization of your choice (not to Animal Hospital of North Asheville).
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for fun weekly events, information about these wonderful organizations, and photos of animals your donations will be helping.
Winter Wonderland at Grove Arcade
Jan 2 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Grove Arcade

Grove Arcade is thrilled to announce the return of its annual Winter Wonderland holiday celebration.

The Arcade has transformed into a wreath-bedecked showcase for Asheville’s finest local craftspeople and retailers. Smells of pine and holly will greet visitors as they tour—at a proper social distance!—Asheville’s stunning art deco gem to discover one-of-a-kind, handcrafted local gifts, enjoy holiday-themed beverages and dining specials, and winter-y feels within the warm Grove Arcade halls. Specially curated Christmas standards and the most extravagant holiday decorations in town will transport visitors to a truly unforgettable winter paradise.

We will be hosting a local MANNA Food Bank Drive! Drop-off barrels will be placed around several areas of the Arcade to be collected and distributed by MANNA to help during these uncertain times.

For the enjoyment and safety of everyone, Grove Arcade will be taking appropriate COVID-19 precautions during Winter Wonderland. All visitors and employees will be required to follow the CDC’s health recommendations, including social distancing and mask wearing.

Enjoy a safe and jolly visit to Grove Arcade’s Winter Wonderland! And from all of us at Grove Arcade, Happy Holidays!