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, October 31, 2019
Grateful Area Music Experience Pisgah Brewing Co.
Oct 31 @ 8:00 pm
Pisgah Brewing Company

Halloween night!  Local all-star line up performing Grateful Dead show 10/31/1990 from Wembley Arena in London England.  ?Come on out!


G.A.M.E. (Grateful Asheville Music Experience) features an all-star line up of Asheville artists celebrating the music of the Grateful Dead and JGB with special guests and collaborations that bring you some of the best musical moments in the Asheville scene.  Hosted by Spiro Nicolopoulos of the Paper Crowns.

Haunted House and Monster Mash!
Oct 31 @ 8:00 pm
Fleetwood's

We are transforming the already spooky cool Fleetwood’s Rock-n-Roll Wedding Chapel into a very scary Haunted House! Come get spooked for the entire week before Halloween with a Monster Mash Dance Party on Halloween Eve!

Thursday Night Flicks Beetlejuice Aloft Asheville Downtown
Oct 31 @ 8:00 pm
Aloft Asheville Downtown

Join us on Thursday, October 31 at 8 p.m. for a night full of tricks and treats! Spend your evening watching Beetlejuice while enjoying festive drinks and small bite specials. Come dressed to impressed in your spookiest costume and receive and 25% off food. We’ll see you there!

Party FOUL 10/31 – Halloween! The Odditorium
Oct 31 @ 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
The Odditorium

Party FOUL 10/31 - Halloween!

Party FOUL is Asheville’s #1 weekly drag show, started and hosted by Priscilla Chambers of Dragula season 3Come celebrate the best night of the year with some debaucherous drag, drinks, and special guests! Don’t forget your costume!

Featuring a photobooth by Schuylar Shayne Photography

PERFORMANCES BY:

  • D’Knighten Day & Jackson Rimsday from Atlanta
  • GAMistress RiversIda Carolina
  • Kitty Bubbles
  • Amelia Apathy
  • EE Cumming

$10 Cover
Doors 9pm
Show 10:30pm
18+

Sierra Nevada Hazy Halloween presents: Rocky Horror Picture Show
Oct 31 @ 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sierra Nevada

High Gravity at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Mills River, North Carolina

Doors: 9:00PM

Costume Contest Winner Announced: 9:50PM

Film & Performance Begins: 10:00PM

Tickets

General Admission: $10.00 ($13 at the door)

Prop kits available for purchase onsite.

Beer & Snacks available for purchase. Hazy Little Thing IPA on special.

This event is STRICTLY 21+. Valid ID with Admission Ticket will be necessary to enter.

We’re making this Halloween a Hazy one.

Join us for a wild classic: Rocky Horror Picture Show. Dress your best, prepare for absurdity, and cheer on the live shadow cast from Unexpected Pleasures Performance Troupe—acting out the entire film as it’s screened behind them!

In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O’Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”

Travers Brothership Halloween (Primus/Zappa) +April B & the Cool
Oct 31 @ 9:30 pm – 2:00 am
Asheville Music Hall

Image may contain: 6 people, people smiling, people standing and text

Genre: Soul/Funk/Rock/Jam

Halloween Hometown Throwdown! Local favorites Travers Brothership and  April B. & The Cool will be joining forces for a special night of music on 10/31 at Asheville Music Hall. The Brothership will be performing 2-Sets including the debut of their new Primus/Zappa set.

The Official Brew Pump Halloween After-Party!
Oct 31 @ 10:00 pm – 2:00 am
Alleycat

 

Alley Cat for White Truck Door.jpg

This year the festivities will continue just down the road from the Brew Pump at Alleycat Social Club.

More great music to keep you dancing all night long featuring:

Rainjer Rick
Freakuency Union
Oneiric
Rob Breax

Parking is available behind the venue.

Friday, November 1, 2019
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Nov 1 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Christmas at Biltmore adds a touch of Downton Abbey
Nov 2 all-day
Biltmore

Known for its monumental scale of traditional holiday décor and dazzling lights, this year Biltmore’s annual Christmas at Biltmore celebration will offer even more than ever before.

 

A yuletide feast for the senses, Christmas at Biltmore begins Nov. 1, 2019. One week later, on Nov. 8, the estate will welcome Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, an immersive experience that celebrates the global hit television series and new feature film.

Biltmore House aglow with five dozen Christmas trees

Biltmore House interiors will shine with the sparkle of more than 50 hand-decorated Christmas trees, ribbons and garlands measured by the mile, and thousands of lights. A majestic 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall is the home’s holiday centerpiece. For the first time, hand-decorated Christmas trees will be displayed on the balcony that wraps around the home’s two-story Library.

 

Candlelight Christmas Evenings

During Candlelight Christmas Evenings, candlelight, firelight, and live music will create a magical environment that elevates seasonal celebrations inside Biltmore House. A 55-foot Norway Spruce on the home’s front lawn lit with 55,000 lights will greet guests as they arrive to enter Biltmore House.

 

The warm welcome continues at Antler Hill Village & Winery with a constellation of holiday lights leading to the Winery and estate restaurants. A towering tree of lights will illuminate the Village Green, with a sea of lighted grapevine spheres nestled in the landscaping. Lights cascading from the trees that surround the bonfire area near Antler Hill Barn will offer a unique touch to the experience.

 

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition will feature interactive elements that connect fans to their favorite characters, fashions, locations, and historic events of the era. Showcased in two estate locations, the exhibition pairs seamlessly with the real-life story of the Vanderbilt family at Biltmore. Amherst at Deerpark will host multimedia presentations and some of the series’ most recognizable sets—including Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and the gossip-fueled servants’ quarters. At The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village, a gallery of more than 50 costumes from the series will be on view.

The exhibition will run through April 7, 2020. Access to Downton Abbey: The Exhibition is included with daytime admission, Candlelight Christmas Evenings admission, or an overnight stay that includes daytime admission.

 

Christmas at Biltmore 2019 Event Calendar

  • Christmas at Biltmore daytime experience – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
  • Candlelight Christmas Evenings nighttime experience – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 4, 2020 
  • Illumination of Antler Hill Village – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 4, 2020, 5:30 p.m. to midnight
  • Downton Abbey: The Exhibition at Biltmore’s Amherst and the Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village – Nov. 8, 2019, through April 7, 2020
  • A Gardener’s Place How-to Seminar: “Illuminated Holiday Tablescapes” – daily Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.
  • Conservatory’s annual seasonal display – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
  • Complimentary wine tasting at Biltmore Winery. Winery specialty tours available with additional price and reservations required – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
  • Bonfires in Antler Hill Village with s’mores kits available for purchase at The Creamery – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 3, 2020, select dates, 3 to 10 p.m.
  • Roving Holiday Carolers in Antler Hill Village – select dates
  • Candlelight Winery Tour with a look into the winemaking process and tasting with light cheese pairing. Additional price and reservations required.
  • Visits with Santa at the bandstand in Antler Hill Village – select dates
  • The Inn on Biltmore Estate’s Annual Gingerbread House Tea – additional price and reservations required – Dec. 14 through 22, 2019, select dates, 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Festive holiday meals prepared by award-winning chefs served in all of the estate’s restaurants – ongoing
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Nov 2 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Christmas at Biltmore adds a touch of Downton Abbey
Nov 3 all-day
Biltmore

Known for its monumental scale of traditional holiday décor and dazzling lights, this year Biltmore’s annual Christmas at Biltmore celebration will offer even more than ever before.

 

A yuletide feast for the senses, Christmas at Biltmore begins Nov. 1, 2019. One week later, on Nov. 8, the estate will welcome Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, an immersive experience that celebrates the global hit television series and new feature film.

Biltmore House aglow with five dozen Christmas trees

Biltmore House interiors will shine with the sparkle of more than 50 hand-decorated Christmas trees, ribbons and garlands measured by the mile, and thousands of lights. A majestic 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall is the home’s holiday centerpiece. For the first time, hand-decorated Christmas trees will be displayed on the balcony that wraps around the home’s two-story Library.

 

Candlelight Christmas Evenings

During Candlelight Christmas Evenings, candlelight, firelight, and live music will create a magical environment that elevates seasonal celebrations inside Biltmore House. A 55-foot Norway Spruce on the home’s front lawn lit with 55,000 lights will greet guests as they arrive to enter Biltmore House.

 

The warm welcome continues at Antler Hill Village & Winery with a constellation of holiday lights leading to the Winery and estate restaurants. A towering tree of lights will illuminate the Village Green, with a sea of lighted grapevine spheres nestled in the landscaping. Lights cascading from the trees that surround the bonfire area near Antler Hill Barn will offer a unique touch to the experience.

 

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition will feature interactive elements that connect fans to their favorite characters, fashions, locations, and historic events of the era. Showcased in two estate locations, the exhibition pairs seamlessly with the real-life story of the Vanderbilt family at Biltmore. Amherst at Deerpark will host multimedia presentations and some of the series’ most recognizable sets—including Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and the gossip-fueled servants’ quarters. At The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village, a gallery of more than 50 costumes from the series will be on view.

The exhibition will run through April 7, 2020. Access to Downton Abbey: The Exhibition is included with daytime admission, Candlelight Christmas Evenings admission, or an overnight stay that includes daytime admission.

 

Christmas at Biltmore 2019 Event Calendar

  • Christmas at Biltmore daytime experience – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
  • Candlelight Christmas Evenings nighttime experience – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 4, 2020 
  • Illumination of Antler Hill Village – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 4, 2020, 5:30 p.m. to midnight
  • Downton Abbey: The Exhibition at Biltmore’s Amherst and the Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village – Nov. 8, 2019, through April 7, 2020
  • A Gardener’s Place How-to Seminar: “Illuminated Holiday Tablescapes” – daily Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.
  • Conservatory’s annual seasonal display – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
  • Complimentary wine tasting at Biltmore Winery. Winery specialty tours available with additional price and reservations required – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
  • Bonfires in Antler Hill Village with s’mores kits available for purchase at The Creamery – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 3, 2020, select dates, 3 to 10 p.m.
  • Roving Holiday Carolers in Antler Hill Village – select dates
  • Candlelight Winery Tour with a look into the winemaking process and tasting with light cheese pairing. Additional price and reservations required.
  • Visits with Santa at the bandstand in Antler Hill Village – select dates
  • The Inn on Biltmore Estate’s Annual Gingerbread House Tea – additional price and reservations required – Dec. 14 through 22, 2019, select dates, 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Festive holiday meals prepared by award-winning chefs served in all of the estate’s restaurants – ongoing
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Nov 3 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Smash Don’t Trash
Nov 3 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
New Belgium Brewing

Image

Smash Don’t Trash is back for its 2nd year in Asheville! Bring out those rotten pumpkins for a smashing good time!

Get Out: Haunted House
Nov 3 @ 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm
YMI Cultural Center

Starting Thursday October 24 at 5pm, Bring your family & friends to join you as you make your way in…and hopefully out of the scariest experience you’ve ever had. Think you can get out? Get your tickets and find out!

Monday, November 4, 2019
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Nov 4 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Nov 5 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Nov 6 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale
Nov 6 all-day
online

Image

Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale: Reserve your locally-harvested 22” Fraser Fir wreath for $25. Call the Girls on the Run office at 828-713-4290 for more information. Wreaths will also be available for purchase at the Girls on the Run 5K.

Friday, November 8th: Shop at the new Athleta store in Biltmore Park anytime on Friday. A percentage of sales will be donated to GOTR.

 

Tuesday, November 19th: Shop at the Asheville Outlets Vineyard Vines store on the 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The store will donate 20% of sales to GOTR.

Thursday, November 7, 2019
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Nov 7 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale
Nov 7 all-day
online

Image

Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale: Reserve your locally-harvested 22” Fraser Fir wreath for $25. Call the Girls on the Run office at 828-713-4290 for more information. Wreaths will also be available for purchase at the Girls on the Run 5K.

Friday, November 8th: Shop at the new Athleta store in Biltmore Park anytime on Friday. A percentage of sales will be donated to GOTR.

 

Tuesday, November 19th: Shop at the Asheville Outlets Vineyard Vines store on the 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The store will donate 20% of sales to GOTR.

Friday, November 8, 2019
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Nov 8 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale
Nov 8 all-day
online

Image

Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale: Reserve your locally-harvested 22” Fraser Fir wreath for $25. Call the Girls on the Run office at 828-713-4290 for more information. Wreaths will also be available for purchase at the Girls on the Run 5K.

Friday, November 8th: Shop at the new Athleta store in Biltmore Park anytime on Friday. A percentage of sales will be donated to GOTR.

 

Tuesday, November 19th: Shop at the Asheville Outlets Vineyard Vines store on the 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The store will donate 20% of sales to GOTR.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Nov 8 @ 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
Bryson City Depot

About This Trip

Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! 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 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.

Asheville Outlets Pet Photo with Santa
Nov 8 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Asheville Outlets

December 1, 8 & 15, 2019 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. inside Food Court

Bring your furry friend to meet Santa and capture the moment with a FREE photo package, courtesy of Asheville Outlets. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue will be on-site to share information on fostering, adopting, or volunteering this holiday season. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Nov 8 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Bryson City Depot

About This Trip

Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! 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 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Nov 8 @ 8:15 pm – 9:30 pm
Bryson City Depot

About This Trip

Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! 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 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.

Saturday, November 9, 2019
Christmas at Biltmore adds a touch of Downton Abbey
Nov 9 all-day
Biltmore

Known for its monumental scale of traditional holiday décor and dazzling lights, this year Biltmore’s annual Christmas at Biltmore celebration will offer even more than ever before.

 

A yuletide feast for the senses, Christmas at Biltmore begins Nov. 1, 2019. One week later, on Nov. 8, the estate will welcome Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, an immersive experience that celebrates the global hit television series and new feature film.

Biltmore House aglow with five dozen Christmas trees

Biltmore House interiors will shine with the sparkle of more than 50 hand-decorated Christmas trees, ribbons and garlands measured by the mile, and thousands of lights. A majestic 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall is the home’s holiday centerpiece. For the first time, hand-decorated Christmas trees will be displayed on the balcony that wraps around the home’s two-story Library.

 

Candlelight Christmas Evenings

During Candlelight Christmas Evenings, candlelight, firelight, and live music will create a magical environment that elevates seasonal celebrations inside Biltmore House. A 55-foot Norway Spruce on the home’s front lawn lit with 55,000 lights will greet guests as they arrive to enter Biltmore House.

 

The warm welcome continues at Antler Hill Village & Winery with a constellation of holiday lights leading to the Winery and estate restaurants. A towering tree of lights will illuminate the Village Green, with a sea of lighted grapevine spheres nestled in the landscaping. Lights cascading from the trees that surround the bonfire area near Antler Hill Barn will offer a unique touch to the experience.

 

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition will feature interactive elements that connect fans to their favorite characters, fashions, locations, and historic events of the era. Showcased in two estate locations, the exhibition pairs seamlessly with the real-life story of the Vanderbilt family at Biltmore. Amherst at Deerpark will host multimedia presentations and some of the series’ most recognizable sets—including Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and the gossip-fueled servants’ quarters. At The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village, a gallery of more than 50 costumes from the series will be on view.

The exhibition will run through April 7, 2020. Access to Downton Abbey: The Exhibition is included with daytime admission, Candlelight Christmas Evenings admission, or an overnight stay that includes daytime admission.

 

Christmas at Biltmore 2019 Event Calendar

  • Christmas at Biltmore daytime experience – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
  • Candlelight Christmas Evenings nighttime experience – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 4, 2020 
  • Illumination of Antler Hill Village – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 4, 2020, 5:30 p.m. to midnight
  • Downton Abbey: The Exhibition at Biltmore’s Amherst and the Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village – Nov. 8, 2019, through April 7, 2020
  • A Gardener’s Place How-to Seminar: “Illuminated Holiday Tablescapes” – daily Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.
  • Conservatory’s annual seasonal display – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
  • Complimentary wine tasting at Biltmore Winery. Winery specialty tours available with additional price and reservations required – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
  • Bonfires in Antler Hill Village with s’mores kits available for purchase at The Creamery – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 3, 2020, select dates, 3 to 10 p.m.
  • Roving Holiday Carolers in Antler Hill Village – select dates
  • Candlelight Winery Tour with a look into the winemaking process and tasting with light cheese pairing. Additional price and reservations required.
  • Visits with Santa at the bandstand in Antler Hill Village – select dates
  • The Inn on Biltmore Estate’s Annual Gingerbread House Tea – additional price and reservations required – Dec. 14 through 22, 2019, select dates, 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Festive holiday meals prepared by award-winning chefs served in all of the estate’s restaurants – ongoing
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Nov 9 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale
Nov 9 all-day
online

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Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale: Reserve your locally-harvested 22” Fraser Fir wreath for $25. Call the Girls on the Run office at 828-713-4290 for more information. Wreaths will also be available for purchase at the Girls on the Run 5K.

Friday, November 8th: Shop at the new Athleta store in Biltmore Park anytime on Friday. A percentage of sales will be donated to GOTR.

 

Tuesday, November 19th: Shop at the Asheville Outlets Vineyard Vines store on the 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The store will donate 20% of sales to GOTR.

15th Annual Fairview Craft and Gift Fair
Nov 9 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fairview Community Center

15th Annual Fairview Craft and Gift Fair

Forty-five crafters of handmade arts come together to help you get started on your holiday shopping. Wide variety of crafts and gifts in all price ranges. Lunch and refreshments will be available.