The show is sure to illuminate the evening. | Photo via Biltmore
Beginning in late March, the Biltmore House itself will become the canvas for Luminere, a new outdoor evening art experience that projects scenes from the estate’s landscape and legacy onto the facade of the house and the gardens.
In its 130-year history, this immersive, outdoor installation is the first of its kind for the Biltmore. As the sun goes down, guests will embark on a self-guided tour of the Biltmore House, the Italian Garden, the Pergola, the Shrub Garden, the Walled Garden, and the Conservatory.
Luminere will put historical moments in the spotlight. | Photos via Biltmore
Each area will display digital projections of milestones in the estate’s history and the Vanderbilt’s lives. Plus, the scene will be set to an original musical score composed by Julian Grefe featuring the Asheville Symphony. See a preview of the light show in the trailer for Luminere.
“It’s very special in the sense that you’re experiencing history while standing in front of it,” said Ricardo Rivera, the creative director and founder of Klip Collective and the mind behind the experience.
John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival | Saturday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 5 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown | $10+ | Celebrate Appalachia at the 49th Annual Fall Festival with 230 craft vendors, 29 food vendors, music, dance, demos, and hands-on activities as the Folk School kicks off its 100th Anniversary.*
Images courtesy Firelight Images and VISIO Real Estate Photography
Fall foliage is nearly here — which means annual visitors are close behind.
Asheville is more of a national hotspot than ever before (named one of 2025’s top 52 destinations by the New York Times), and vacation rentals are one of the most reliable ways to tap into that steady tourism.
Here are six nearby cabins that are already equipped for short and long-term hosting, including:
Starting today, Sept. 17, crews will start blasting for the French Broad River Pump Station Project — expect short traffic stops during each blast. The Wilma Dykeman Greenway will close with a detour for about four months, and the southbound lane of Lyman Street will see periodic closures for equipment staging.
Watch
“Good Morning America” is heading back to Asheville tomorrow, Sept. 18, for a live broadcast from the Biltmore Estate. From 7 to 9 a.m., correspondent Janai Norman will shine a national spotlight on Asheville’s recovery, nearly one year after Helene. The set will be closed, so you’ll have to tune in. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Concert
Billy Strings announced a winter 2026 tour, including four dates at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. You can sign up for presale access now for the February 10,11,13, and 14 dates. ICYMI, Billy Strings played six shows last winter, bringing nearly $16 million in spending to the area.
Read
Poet Laureate of Greenville, SC and Kennedy Center Teaching Artist, Glenis Redmond, will be at Malaprop’s Bookstore tonight, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. for a reading. She will share from her new book, “Over Yonder,” a collection of poems inspired by her visits to state parks. RSVP to attend or watch virtually.
Eat
Food is back at Ben’s Tune Up. Tiger Bay Cafe has taken over the kitchen at the sake brewery, serving dressed-up pub grub, like fully loaded fries — see them in all their golden glory.
Real Estate
Laurel Wood Apartments will soon see a 54-unit expansion and 50-unit renovation, totaling $26.4 million. Work on the affordable complex for senior citizens is expected to wrap up in the fall of next year. (WLOS)
Biz
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, the Asheville Business Summit will unite entrepreneurs, agencies, artists, and tradespeople at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts for a day filled with keynotes, panels, and breakouts that are all about innovation. Get down to business and grab a ticket.
Announced
Meet: AVLtoday’s Best. From pet-friendly places to fitness centers, we’re asking for your insight on the top-tier spots AVL has to offer. Nominate your favorite businesses now through Friday, Oct. 3.
Job
Ready to kickstart your career in digital media sales remotely? We’re looking for a Sales Coordinator to fuel our fast-paced sales team, with a competitive salary, premium benefits, unlimited PTO, and real growth opportunities to boot. Apply to join our team.
Try This
Insurify makes it easy to find your perfect car insurance policy. Compare real-time quotes from 100+ insurers, choose your policy, and get same-day coverage in a few clicks.*
Finance
Ever imagine investing in an industry disruptor like Uber or Venmo in the early days? Well, this private company earned backing from some of its earliest investors. And until tomorrow at midnight, you can invest too.†‡*
Category
Events
It’s almost flannel season
Take your pick of the patch. | Photo via Grandad’s Apples
From pumpkin patches and corn mazes to apple picking and Halloween bashes, fall is one of our favorite seasons in the 828. Get ready to come alive — or play dead at a haunted house — with this guide to 20+ must-do events this fall.
Fall festivals
Harvest Festival and Fall Plant Sale | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | WNC Farmers Market | Free+ | Get everything you need for fall planting and treat yourself to some seasonal treats and artisanal crafts.
Orchards + pumpkin patches
Grandad’s Apples
This well-known spot is home to a market, store, pumpkin patch, and lots of family activities (the apple cannon, corn maze, and cow train opened Labor Day weekend).
Haunted happenings
Haunted Trail | Friday, Oct. 3-Sunday, Oct. 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Adventure Center of Asheville | $20+ | Walk the family-friendly haunted trail with live actors, spooky sounds + a little comedy, then stop by the aerial Glow Trail or Pirates Cove.
The Halloween scene
The Pink Lady Party | Thursday, Oct. 30 | 7-10 p.m. | The Omni Grove Park Inn | $103 | Don your best costume and dance the frights away with a themed cocktail in hand.
ASTR the Label’s scarf tie sleeveless sweater, newly added to Nordstrom. Look effortlessly put together as you go from morning meetings to after-work drinks in a top that perfectly transitions from summer to fall.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Speaking of all the fall things, this weekend brings a fun opportunity to taste local fall flavors. Head to Spicewalla at the Grove Arcade this Saturday, Sept. 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. for a taste of the Hi-Wire collab 10W-40 Pumpkin Spicewalla Latte Imperial Stout and Asheville Tea Co.'s Pumpkin Pie Chai. What’s even sweeter is that while you’re there, you can enter a raffle to win even more seasonal goodies from Spicewalla and other local brands.
‡This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving the ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public.
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