Plan your Christmas in Asheville with our local guide, including where to see holiday lights, top events, where to eat and stay, tree farms, church services, and more.
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Tom and I have spent every Christmas in Asheville since moving here, and we have quite a few holiday traditions. I most enjoy Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum and seeing the gingerbread houses, followed by lunch at Edison, at The Omni Grove Park Inn. Plan your full Asheville winter getaway with our additional guide. All photos are our own. 💙 Christine
Best Christmas Events In Asheville
Asheville hosts unforgettable seasonal events and festivals. Just a few to add to your Christmas itinerary include:
- Christmas at Biltmore – Attend Biltmore’s Daytime Celebrations or Candlelight Christmas Evenings when fireplaces, candles, and lights shimmer throughout Biltmore House, America’s largest home. It’s cozy and romantic with live music in common rooms. Purchase tickets here.
- The Omni Grove Park Inn’s National Gingerbread House Competition (& more!) – See fun gingerbread house displays as part of their annual competition; Tom and I go every year, and we promise, these aren’t your average gingerbread houses. They also host Santa visits and holiday movies that you can read about here.
- Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum – Walk through the gorgeously lit botanical gardens filled with lights that dance to music while eating cookies and drinking a warm beverage. Purchase tickets here.
- The Polar Express Train Ride – Hop aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a 1-hour train ride departing at Bryson City Depot. Drink hot chocolate while listening to a reading of The Polar Express.
- Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley – Great for the entire family, hop on the trolley for holiday storytelling and Christmas caroling.
Where To See Christmas Lights Across Western North Carolina
Along with Winter Lights (mentioned above), a few more places to see holiday lights include:
- Downtown Asheville & the Grove Arcade
- Asheville’s Historic Montford neighborhood
- Lake Julian’s Festival of Lights
- Winterfest at Tryon International
- Forest City Christmas
Top Christmas Tree Farms Near Asheville
Whether you want to select your Christmas tree or cut it down, these are the most popular Asheville Christmas tree farms. Many are around Maggie Valley and Cherokee:
- Sandy Hollar Tree Farm (Leicester; 40-minute drive) – Find Choose & Cut trees, wreaths, hayrides, and a Christmas store.
- Mehaffey Tree Farm (Waynesville; 40-minute drive) – Family-run since 1984, this Choose & Cut tree farm is open on limited weekends.
- Linville Falls Winery Red Barn Tree Farm (Newland; 1 hour and 10 minutes) – Pick your own tree for a staff member to cut. Or, grab a pre-cut tree. This is also a scenic winery near Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls.
- Smoky Mountain Tree Farm (Waynesville; 40 minutes) – With Christmas tree rental cabins, find trees, wreaths, and garlands. They may sell out.
- Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm (Waynesville; 40 minutes) – In operation since 1982, select your tree and they will cut it for you. Leashed dogs are allowed in some areas.
Outdoor Winter Activities
Be sure to add these outdoor winter activities to your Asheville Christmas itinerary:
- Winter Hiking – While parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway will start to close for weather, there are still plenty of great winter hiking trails around Asheville. Head to Grandfather Mountain, Bearwallow Mountain, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Trombatore Trail, Lover’s Leap, The NC Arboretum, and Chimney Rock. Exert extreme caution as trails grow more dangerous in the winter.
- Waterfall Hiking/Spying- Transylvania County is known as the “land of waterfalls.” See waterfalls like Looking Glass Falls (a drive-up waterfall that may freeze in the winter), DuPont State Forest, Moore Cove Falls, Rainbow Falls, Daniel Ridge Falls, and Mingo Falls. The Pisgah National Forest is full of great waterfalls and hiking trails.
- Skiing, Snowboarding, & Snowtubing – For popular winter sports destinations, check out Beech Mountain Resort, Sugar Mountain Resort, Appalachian Ski Mountain, and Cataloochee Ski Area.
- Outdoor Pop-Up Ice Skating Near Asheville – If you are looking for Asheville day trips, Knoxville’s Holidays On Ice is loads of fun. You can also ice skate in Forest City and Greenville, SC.
- Visiting Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas towns (& more!) – Find even more of the best day trips in our nearby mountain cities and towns guide. Tom and I also recommend visiting Banner Elk and Blowing Rock. We love catching events in Greenville, SC, too, including concerts at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and shows at the Peace Center. Greenville, SC, also has a small Christmas market outside of the Grand Boho.
Where To Shop For Gifts In Asheville
I have a helpful Asheville shopping guide filled with my favorite stores, boutiques, and more. However, if you need a few quick ideas, head to:
- River Arts District (artist studios and shops) – One of our favorite Asheville neighborhoods, this is Asheville’s hipster art district (and recovering from Helene). I love Marquee, a European-style, local decor and art market filled with endless local artists. I’ve recently purchased earrings and a terrarium.
- Downtown Asheville & Grove Arcade – The specialty stores are endless. Take a peek inside Mast General Store, Charmed Asheville, Lexington Glassworks, and Moonlight Makers. Don’t miss the Asheville new and used bookstores like Malaprops, DB&N, and Battery Park Book Exchange. Head to Woolworth Walk for even more highly curated artist stalls.
- Tanger Outlets – Explore 75 top retail and manufacturer outlets. Although we don’t necessarily think these are the cheapest-priced outlets, you’ll find everything you need. You could also head over to the Asheville Mall, which is really nice and eerily quiet.
- Biltmore Village – Located near Biltmore Estate and also making a Helene comeback, find restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques.
Where To Eat On Christmas Eve & Day
These are restaurants that are typically open around Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. However, please double-check all restaurants for hours, special menus, and reservations. Make reservations as soon as you can. While I update our guides, holiday information is subject to change.
Where to eat in Asheville for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:
- Omni Grove Park Inn restaurants: Edison, Blue Ridge, and Vue 1913
- Biltmore Estate restaurants with a ticket, an annual pass, or an overnight hotel reservation
- Many other hotel-attached restaurants, including District 42, Hemingway’s Cuba, Bargello, and Red Stag Grill
- Restaurants usually open on Christmas Eve: Curate, Vinnie’s, 12 Bones, Chai Pani, and Glass Onion
For Christmas week and December in Asheville, don’t miss these unforgettable and delicious restaurants for all budgets and cuisine preferences.
Christmas Church Services
Don’t miss the beautiful churches in Asheville for Christmas services:
- First Baptist Church (Downtown Asheville) – Carols, candlelight, and Communion
- Central United Methodist Church (Downtown Asheville) – Three Christmas Eve services
- Basilica Of Saint Lawrence Catholic Church (Downtown Asheville)
Where To Stay In Asheville For The Holidays
Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts book up quickly in Asheville during peak holiday seasons. Make your reservations ASAP. Just a few places to consider:
- Blind Tiger Asheville – A boutique, historic hotel full of charm in a gorgeous North Asheville area neighborhood close to downtown.
- Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate – The perfect stay if you are spending Christmas at Biltmore. This hotel is located in Antler Hill Village with restaurants on-site, as well as nearby (Cedric’s Tavern is great!).
- Aloft Asheville Downtown – A trendy property with views located in the heart of Downtown Asheville with plenty of nearby shopping, restaurants, and breweries.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Area – Near the Asheville Outlets and NC Arboretum, this is a budget-friendly property with easy access to Biltmore Estate, Downtown Asheville, The NC Arboretum, and more.