While fall is my all-time favorite season, don’t underestimate spending a gorgeous winter in the NC Mountains. A few of my favorite things to do in Asheville in December include holiday events like Winter Lights and The Omni Grove Park Inn’s National Gingerbread House Competition. Then, discover what to do in AVL past the holidays, including winter hiking trails and sipping hot chocolate in cozy cafes.
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As Asheville locals since 2019, Tom and I love the standout seasons in Western North Carolina, especially as New England natives moving up from Florida. With its festive mountain towns, Christmas in AVL is magical. Whether you are visiting Asheville in December or March, use this guide to start planning your winter activities. 📸 All photos are our own. 💙 Christine of Uncorked Asheville
📆 Mark Your Calendar With The Best December Events In Asheville
With so much to do, it can be hard to choose, especially if you are planning for the entire family. We have an entire events calendar dedicated to the area’s great festivals and events. If you are in a rush or want to bookmark a few activities, start with these:
- November 3, 2026 to January 10, 2027: Christmas at Biltmore in Asheville, NC (note that Candlelight Christmas Evenings end Jan. 9th)
- November 6, 2026 to December 31, 2026: The Polar Express Train Ride in Bryson City, NC
- November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027: Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC
- November 16, 2026 – January 3, 2027: National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn
- December 2 – 23, 2026: Lake Julian Festival of Lights in Arden, NC
- December 4 – 6, 2026: A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk, NC
- December 5 & 12, 2026: Santa on the Chimney at Chimney Rock
- December 5 – 6, 2026: The Big Crafty at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Downtown Asheville
- December 11, 2026: Candlelight Stroll in Weaverville, NC (read our guide to exploring Weaverville)
Plan Your Magical Adventure: Our Free Asheville Guide + Bucket List
🎄Our Top 3 Things To Do In Asheville This December
As residents, Tom and I have our annual winter traditions, including Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum, Christmas at Biltmore, and The Omni Grove Park Inn’s National Gingerbread House Competition. See why you should attend and what to expect.
Stroll through The NC Arboretum’s gardens decorated with nature-themed holiday lights at Winter Lights
Seeing holiday lights is a must, no matter where we live. Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum is one of our favorite annual winter events. We go every year. Read our complete Winter Lights guide for details and photos across the years. A sneak peek across years with our insider tips:
🍄 Why Go: What Makes Winter Lights Unique 🎄
Walk through holiday and nature-themed gardens at night while sipping peppermint hot chocolate and local craft beer, paired with a sugary cookie. Take photos with the lighted caterpillar and in rainbow tunnels, passing by dancing lights, garden gnomes, narwhals, unicorns, flowers, deer, and birds. They change displays each year.
Let’s not forget that gorgeously lit tree as the Quilt Garden backdrop. Shop for holiday ornaments and roast s’mores. Buy your tickets on their website here. ✨ Pay per vehicle rather than person.
Get inspired with the most holiday decorations in Asheville: Christmas at Biltmore
As passholders, Tom and I enjoy Biltmore Estate for its safe trails, delicious dining, winery, and special events. Get in the holiday spirit with decorations that rival Martha Stewart’s: Christmas at Biltmore is stunning. We have an entire Biltmore Christmas guide filled with details and photos across the years.
🎄 Our Top Recommendations For Christmas At Biltmore Estate ✨
I love Candlelight Christmas Evenings for its blazing fireplaces, glowing lights, and live music, followed by a 3-course dinner at Stable Cafe. Stay overnight at the Village Hotel (we have!), and grab drinks at the Library Lounge. Don’t forget holiday shopping and souvenirs at their unique stores next to Biltmore House and at Antler Hill Village.
If you visit for Daytime Celebrations, eat lunch at Cedric’s Tavern. ✨ Daytime Celebrations are budget-friendlier for passholders. Buy your tickets on their website here.
🏰 Read all of our Biltmore Estate Guides 🐶
🎟️ Make the most of your ticket price with our Biltmore list of things to do
🍽️ See where we love to eat at Biltmore Estate
🎟️ Enhance your trip with these cool Biltmore facts
🧸 Bringing the family? See if Biltmore really is kid-friendly
🎟️ Discover why annual passes are worth it for us
📝 Read more about additional tour add-ons
🏠 Witness the coolest gingerbread “houses” around at The Omni Grove Park Inn
Another reason I look forward to November and December in Asheville: The Omni Grove Park Inn’s Annual National Gingerbread House Competition. Like Winter Lights, Tom and I attend every year, and we have an entire gingerbread event guide with our favorite shops, restaurants, and displays across the years. Book a luxury overnight today.
🏠 How To Make The Most Of The National Gingerbread House Competition 🎅🏼
As Asheville residents, Tom and I head to the Grove Park Inn on a weekday during their public viewing times, making advance lunch reservations at Edison for those stunning Blue Ridge Mountain views, seasonal craft cocktails, and delicious handhelds and charcuterie.
After viewing creative gingerbread displays, sit in rocking chairs in front of the blazing fireplaces, grab hot chocolate at their gingerbread pop-up stand, and shop at their terrific on-site boutiques. I have purchased winter apparel (one of my favorite winter coats), Christmas tree ornaments, and souvenirs. Learn more about The Omni Grove Park Inn and its events on their website.
🥾 More December & Winter Planning Guides
Not just visiting for the lights and decorations? Here are a few more ways to plan your time in Asheville.
Great December Through March Hiking Trails
The Blue Ridge Mountains have terrific hiking trails. While parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway close for weather, we have a list of winter hikes around Asheville you can still enjoy. Read more about WNC’s waterfalls, too.
🥾 Our quick picks for the best winter trails near Asheville
- Daniel Ridge Falls/Loop – Hike the longer loop or out-and-back to a gorgeous waterfall. Hardcore mountain bikers also covet these trails.
- Grandfather Mountain – Purchase online tickets to access this nature reserve filled with trails, animals, and the mile-high “swinging” bridge.
- Moore Cove Falls – Located in the Pisgah National Forest, this is a short and moderately easy waterfall hike. Don’t miss nearby Looking Glass Falls, which freezes in the winter.
- Bent Creek Experimental Forest Trails – Bent Creek is a local spot connected to one part of The North Carolina Arboretum. There are a plethora of trails varying in length and difficulty. These trails are great for mountain bikers.
- Bearwallow Mountain – A scenic picnic spot in the spring and an easy-to-moderate Asheville winter hike, take one of two trails to the top with the cows. One trail leads you through the forest, while the other is a gravel road.
- Trombatore Trail to Blue Ridge Pastures – Across from Bearwallow, this is a longer, harder trail which ends with beautiful but limited views of the mountains.
- The NC Arboretum – Along with Winter Lights, The NC Arboretum is perfect for nature-spying, hiking, and biking trails. Pay for parking unless you have a membership.
- Lover’s Leap – When the ground is dry and safe, head to Hot Springs for this incredibly steep and terrifying incline. Those views are worth it! Lover’s Leap also connects to the Appalachian Trail. Grab food and visit the brewery for their Helene comeback.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – One of America’s most popular parks, if this is your first time here, start with the Oconaluftee River Trail and Visitor Center, which has an outdoor museum, welcome center, shop, trails, and facilities. Tom and I have so much to explore here.
More Indoor Activities In Asheville This December
We have an entire guide featuring top indoor activities to enjoy across Asheville. Just a few places Tom and I recommend:
- Head to a museum like the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (BMCM+AC), or the Asheville Art Museum.
- Warm up with a latte or hot chocolate at a great coffee shop like French Broad Chocolate, Old Europe Pastries, Retro Coffee, Dripolator, Pollen, and AllGood.
- Relax with a visit to Wake Foot Sanctuary or the Asheville Salt Cave.
Where To Eat In Asheville This December & Beyond
It’s no secret that Tom and I are major foodies. Asheville has incredible restaurants. Just a few places we enjoy, especially in the winter:
- For steaming bowls of Pho and ramen, we love Wild Ginger, Mizu, and Pho Real.
- For romantic date night dining, head to Luminosa, Zambra, Leo’s House of Thirst, or Bone & Broth.
- In the winter, I love anything with a pub or tavern feel, including Tall John’s, Post 25 Kitchen & Lounge, Red Stag Grill (or drinks at the bar), Corner Kitchen (cottage-y), and Edison at the Grove Park Inn.
Below, let us know how you intend to spend winter in Asheville. 💙 Christine of Uncorked Asheville
Headed to Asheville next weekend due to having to continue to postpone international travel. Honestly I was a little worried but this guide gave me lots of comfort. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much, Nina. I hope that you have a wonderful trip to Asheville. Besides the mostly closed Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking will be great if the weather holds out. Many of the restaurants are open for takeout, delivery, and some indoor and outdoor dining, too. Nothing beats catching a frozen waterfall, either. Chimney Rock is a fantastic area to visit in the winter without the crowds.
I feel like Asheville is great all seasons! A Christmas there sounds perfectly cozy. I’d love to do everything you’ve written about! We once did a snowy hike one Christmas in NH. It was fun! Wish I could transport myself back to that time.
Looking glass Falls sounds so cool. I’d love to go there and then can we go to a spot with a fireplace and some wine or seasonal cocktails? Or gluhwein!! Perfection!
You seriously make me love Asheville.
It really is! We had a gorgeous fall this year, too. I think my favorite Asheville winter activity is going to the Grove Park Inn for cocktails and sitting in front of their giant fireplaces.