For the best Christmas lights in Asheville and those quaint nearby mountain towns, Tom and I love Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum, Christmas at Biltmore, and Forest City’s Christmas Lights event. Keep reading for our local reviews, and discover where else to see decorations and holiday lights across Western North Carolina.
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✨ Know Before You Go: Asheville’s holiday light displays typically begin early/mid-November and last until around Christmas or New Year’s Day. Check the daily and weekly weather forecast. We’ve had mild Decembers as well as much colder ones. If not layers, you might need a warm coat, hat, and gloves for outside events. Buy advanced tickets online, where possible.
📸 All photos are our own, and be sure to read our full winter in Asheville guide. You might also like these area attractions and indoor recommendations. 💙 Christine
Best Places To See Christmas Lights In Asheville
Sip peppermint hot chocolate while strolling through nature-themed light displays. Warm up by the fire in George Vanderbilt’s library. Attend holiday parades and drive-thru winter wonderlands. Walk Downtown Asheville and nearby historic shopping centers. These are our favorite Christmas light displays, what we love, and what we think you should know before going. We have individual guides for each, too!
Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum
For the best Christmas lights in Asheville for both adults without kids and for families, Tom and I most recommend The North Carolina Arboretum’s Winter Lights event. We go every year.
What To Expect & Look For At Winter Lights
Sip seasonal drinks while strolling through enchanted gardens adorned with whimsical displays like garden gnomes, flowers, butterflies, birds, narwhals, and unicorns. Walk through a giant caterpillar, like you are Alice in Wonderland. Enjoy live holiday music at the Bent Creek Bistro, make s’mores by a fire pit, and witness mesmerizing dancing lights with the NC Arboretum’s famously huge Christmas tree and Quilt Garden. If you love nature, this event is 100% for you.
I buy ornaments at the pop-up holiday shop; I have a Blue Ridge Mountain-themed Christmas tree in my home office. And, don’t forget to make a wish on the wishing tree. Read our full guide to get the most out of Winter Lights.
Winter Lights Address & Ticket Information
The North Carolina Arboretum | Winter Lights tickets | 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806
See One Of Our Favorite Years At Winter Lights
Lake Julian Festival Of Lights
Best for families with young children, the Lake Julian Festival of Lights is a drive-through event – typically starting with a two-day walk-through option – with around 50 light displays over the water, including festive trees around Lake Julian.
What To Expect
Enjoy the magical glow of Christmas lights from your car while listening to holiday music during this 10-minute experience. Purchase popcorn along the way. While we’ve done drive-thru light events elsewhere, for just adults, the event is slightly underwhelming and short.
Lake Julian Festival of Lights Address
Lake Julian Park | 37 Lake Julian Road, Arden, North Carolina, 28704
From special events and gingerbread houses to church services, plan your Christmas in Asheville.
Christmas At Biltmore Estate
No one decorates better for Christmas than Biltmore Estate. Tom and I have been annual passholders since moving here, and their holiday events are magical. Picture Martha Stewart descending upon historic Biltmore House, tossing Christmas decorations into the air.
Two Ways To Celebrate Christmas At Biltmore
Choose between Christmas Daytime Celebrations and Candlelight Christmas Evenings. Admire over 100 decorated trees, 10,000 ornaments, and 100,000 lights across the Estate, including Antler Hill Village.
Romantic Candlelight Christmas Evenings – my pick – feature 65 blazing fireplaces and live music in common areas. Afterward, indulge in on-site Biltmore Estate dining at Stable Cafe or Cedric’s Tavern. We have an entire guide for how best to plan your Christmas on the estate.
Biltmore Address & Ticketing Information
Biltmore Estate | Biltmore Christmas tickets | 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803
The Omni Grove Park Inn
In November and December, The Omni Grove Park Inn hosts their famous National Gingerbread House Competition, featuring a hot chocolate stand, unique gingerbread displays, and gorgeous holiday decorations, including lights and Christmas trees. It’s one of our “must” winter traditions.
How Best To Enjoy The Grove Park Inn For The Holidays
Sit by the blazing floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces, and catch a vibrant Blue Ridge Mountain sunset from Sunset Terrace. Tom and I always eat at Edison; we make advanced reservations on OpenTable. Grab a coffee from their Marketplace and dip into their cute shops. If you are visiting Asheville from farther away, consider overnighting at this luxury hotel. It’s got quite the “wow” factor.
Grove Park Inn Address
The Omni Grove Park Inn | Gingerbread Information | 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Relive The Grove Park Inn’s Gingerbread House & Holiday Experience with Us
More Decorations & Holiday Lights in Asheville
If you enjoy holiday decorations, visits with Santa Claus, and more, here are just a few more places to explore:
- Downtown Asheville and the historic Grove Arcade
- Biltmore Park Town Square
- Asheville Mall
- Historic Montford Neighborhood
Biggest Holiday Events & Christmas Light Displays Near Asheville
Of course, it’s not Christmas in the North Carolina Mountains without mentioning a few more holiday events. These cities and towns are one to two hours away and make great mini-day trips from Asheville. Tom and I just love Asheville’s surrounding mountain towns for dining, shopping, and overnighting.
Winterfest at Tryon International
About an hour away, head to Winterfest at Tryon International. Drive through two miles of holiday light displays that dance to music. New in 2025, they also have a walk-through Light Show. Winterfest features ice skating, a Christmas market, breakfast with Santa, and live performances.
Tryon International | Winterfest | 25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring, NC 28756
Forest City Christmas
Forest City has been voted the #1 Christmas town in Western North Carolina for years. It’s about a one-hour and 15-minute drive from Asheville.
What To Expect During A Forest City Christmas
Their Hometown Holiday Festivities feature a lighting ceremony, hayrides, ice skating, carriage rides, and a Christmas parade. Main Street has a mailbox for Santa, and POPS is home to the famous Christmas ornament, perfect for photo opportunities. Consider going all out with matching family outfits.
Our Quick Insider Tip
If you wish to beat the crowds and don’t want any extra ticketed festivities, we suggest going on a Sunday night, stopping at Hillman Beer in Old Fort on the way there for dinner.
Forest City Christmas | Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043
Tour Forest City’s Light Show With Us
More Magical Christmas Mountain Towns Near Asheville
Bryson City’s Great Smoky Mountains Railroad also hosts a special The Polar Express Train Ride.
⛰️ Tom and I also recommend visiting sweet mountain towns like Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Hendersonville, Weaverville, and Black Mountain, filled with decorations and special events. All have terrific shops, too, perfect for those holiday gifts.
Before You Go, Plan Your Holidays Across Asheville
🥾 Asheville-Area winter hiking trails we love
🌲 Pick out your WNC Christmas tree at these farms
What local events and light displays get you in the holiday spirit? Let us know in the comments.