AVLtoday intern Jordan Puckett is an Asheville native, recent University of Tennessee graduate + lover of all things outdoors, brews + eats.
Seasons greetings, Asheville. ❄️To help you get the most out of the most wonderful time of the year, we’ve compiled our Asheville winter bucket list, complete with 30+ events and activities to try. So jingle all the way through this list to make sure you don’t miss anything. ☃️
👟 Activities
Take pictures of the local plant life at the Asheville Botanical Garden
Take time to stroll through the Asheville Botanical Garden near UNC Asheville for viewing local plants + trees – even in the winter. The multi-trail garden is perfect for family photos. Protip: Snap your shot at their beautiful bridge above the river.
Run a race
Get out + movin’ with a race, whether it’s a 5K or more. Check out Santa’s Showdown 5K + more in our Dec. Plan Ahead calendar .
Evade obstacles in the treetops at Adventure Center Asheville
Illuminated trails + obstacles are tons of fun for kids (and kids at heart) aged four and older at the Holiday Twilight in the Treetops event.
Soak + relax in the warm mineral water of nature’s very own hot springs , just up the road in the aptly-named Hot Springs .
💡 Where to see lights
Festival of Lights | Tues., Dec. 1-Wed., Dec. 23 | Lake Julian Park, 406 Overlook Rd., Arden | $10+ | A driving-only tour of dazzling lights circling Lake Julian Park.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland | Tues., Dec. 1-Sun., Jan. 3 | Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring | $35 | Drive-thru lights with performances from holiday characters like The Grinch, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer + more.
Winter Lights | Fri., Nov. 20-Sun., Jan. 10 | The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way | $20 per vehicle | Due to the pandemic, the Winter Lights have been transformed into a drive-thru show that features unique exhibits covered in dreamy lights.
Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore | Fri., Nov. 6-Sun., Jan. 9 | 1 Lodge Street | $114+ | This event starts with a magical tour of the Biltmore House, featuring live music + choirs. The grounds feature a 55-foot tree with 45,000 lights.
🎄 Local tree farms
Mehaffey Tree Farm | Fri., Dec. 4-Sun., Dec. 6 | 24 Corner Drive, Waynesville
Check out their selection Fraser firs at their choose + cut, pet-friendly farm with your furry friend. Offering trees up to 10 feet in size.
Sandy Hollar Farms | Fri., Dec.4-Sun., Dec. 6 | 63 Sandy Hollar Lane, Leicester
Wagon rides, fresh wreaths + garlands are just a few of the things you can find along with your tree. This choose + cut farm is a family favorite for our intern, Jordan.
Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm | 1373 Dellwood Rd., Waynesville
Although the choose + cut farm is sold out for 2020, you can still find one of their fresh cut trees at their retail lot near Lake Junaluska.
Smoky Mountain Tree Farm | Until Thurs., Dec. 24 | 756 Hemphill Rd., Waynesville
Check out their fraser fir in all sizes, wreaths, garland + pre-cut trees until Christmas Eve or until they run out.
🎟️ Winter holiday markets
ASAP Holiday Farmers Market | Sat., Dec. 5, 12, 19 | Fernihurst Dr. | Free
Shop for locally-made gifts like art, jewelry, dried flowers + wreaths, soap, body care, CBD products, gourmet specialty foods + more.
Holiday Market | Sat., Dec. 5- Sun., Dec. 6 | Uncommon Market, 1 Foundy St. | $3
Shop from over 80 small businesses + check off your gift list for the holiday season.
Holiday Open Air Market | Fri., Dec. 11-Sat., Dec. 12 | 20 Integrity Dr. Woodfin | Free
Check out a variety of craftsmen, potters, bakers + more at Gateway Church’s market.
Mingle + Jingle: Holiday Craft Market | Sat., Dec. 12 | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | Free
Holiday tunes, handmade goods + more at this outdoor event.
Holiday Craft Market | Sat., Dec. 12 | Fleetwoods, 496 Haywood Rd. | Free
Sip champagne + shop at multiple vendors with amazing handcrafted art, unique crafts + jewelry.
Holiday Vendor Market | Sun., Dec. 13 | Mills River Community Center, 120 School House Rd., Mills River | Free
See a variety of vendors + local craftsmen and find everything from handmade items to unique toys for children.
Last Minute Holiday Market | Sun., Dec. 20 | The Regeneration Station, 26A Glendale Ave. | Free
With over 70 vendors, snatch that perfect last-minute gift for your loved ones.
🎭 Plays + virtual events
A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas | Mon., Nov. 30-Sun., Dec. 20 | Virtual | $50
This year, experience the magic + merriment of ringing in the holidays with this local favorite Christmas show in your home.
The National Gingerbread House Competition | Dec. | Virtual
The fan favorite 28th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition is in a virtual format this holiday season. Check out the Omni Grove Park Inn’s gingerbread activities, online classes + more here .
Holiday Gallery Tour | Wed., Dec. 2- Tues., Dec. 15 | Virtual | $55
Meet + learn from local artists from Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center , Blue Spiral 1 , Center for Craft , LEAF Global , Momentum Gallery , Penland Gallery , Pink Dog Creative , River Arts District Artists , Southern Highland Craft Guild + Tracey Morgan Gallery . Viewings are via Zoom, daily from 5-6 p.m.
☕ Food + drinks
The Golden Snowflake from Earthling Coffee
Grab your coffee fix before snuggling up fireside with this toasted caramel blizzard of white mocha + vanilla.
Peppermint Eggnog from Whirly Bird
With notes of chocolate peppermint bark + full fat eggnog.
Peppermint Bark from the French Broad Chocolate Lounge
This fan favorite is back in time for you to snag stocking stuffers + maybe just a few for yourself.
Mini-Pies from Malvern Hills Bakery
Already missing those Thanksgiving pies + looking for something to hold you over until Christmas? These mini-pies are perfect for the job.
❤️ Donating
Adopt an angel with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program + bring the joy of Christmas to a local child in need or start a virtual Red Kettle fundraiser.
Help out our homeless community by donating blankets, jackets + more to groups like BeLoved Asheville + Homeward Bound WNC .
Check out the Annual Holiday Pet Food + Supply Drive by Animal Hospital of North Asheville . They will be collecting wet or dry pet food, supplies, + monetary donations for the Asheville Humane Society + Meals on Wheels of Asheville & Buncombe County .
Help save a life by donating blood at one of the American Red Cross’ Blood Drives .
Bring the joy of the holidays to children by donating Toys For Tots or volunteer with Santa Pal + help stock their store with Christmas gifts for everyone.
Volunteer with or donate to Manna FoodBank + help feed local families in need for the holiday season.
Donate a book to local students during the United Way’s Holiday Book Drive by purchasing online or in store at Barnes + Noble . The books come from a diverse suggested reading list suited for children of many ages.
See our full roundup for more ways to give back to the community this holiday season.
❄️ Skiing, snowboarding + everything in between
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing | Open Fri., Dec. 18 | 5865 Willow Rd., Hendersonville | $30
Moonshine Mountain has over 500 feet of snowy mountain fun for kids + adults of all ages. Group discounts are available.
Zip + Slip Snow Tubing | Open Thurs., Dec. 17 | 10725 US Hwy 23 N., Mars Hill | $30
Three snow tubing lanes of pure fun, with a nighttime tube available until 9 p.m.
Cataloochee Ski Area | Peak Season, Sat., Dec. 12-Sat., Mar. 6 | 1080 Ski Lodge Rd., Maggie Valley | Prices Vary
Shred the slopes + view beautiful mountain scenery. Check out their packages, rates + offers here .
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort | Open Soon | 578 Valley View Circle, Mars Hill | Prices Vary
Ski, snow tube, snowboard + more in the beautiful Mars Hill mountains.
🍾 NYE events
Ring in the New Year + set your 2021 intentions
with Richard Fabio of Asheville Yoga Center.
All levels are welcome to join this live Zoom session to reflect on the year + plan your intentions for the upcoming one.