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How to Celebrate Christmas in Asheville, NC
There’s no denying - Asheville certainly knows how to celebrate the Christmas season! A visit to Asheville will put you in the perfect holiday spirit with its light displays, caroling, gingerbread house competitions, and more! Here are my recommendations for how to celebrate Christmas in Asheville, NC.
Winter Wonderland at Grove Arcade
Constructed in 1928 to be America’s first indoor shopping mall, Grove Arcade is a historic architectural landmark with ornate design, Gothic characters, and intricate motifs. True to its founder E.W. Grove’s vision in 1922, Grove Arcade is an epicenter in downtown Asheville, attracting locals and visitors alike.
From mid-November through December, Grove Arcade is turned into a winter wonderland with festive events like a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a tree lighting ceremony, and holiday glass blowing demonstrations.
After shopping, admiring the architecture, and experiencing some holiday magic, stop for a bite to eat along Restaurant Row (e.g. Asheville Proper, Carmel’s Kitchen & Bar) or peruse a book while sipping some champagne at Battery Park Champagne Bar (used bookstore and champagne bar).
Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum is an impressive display of over 500,000 LED lights. Guest favorites include a 50-foot animated tree and the Quilt Garden. Allow about 2 hours to walk around this light display. Stop at one of the hot-cocoa stands or pick up a S’mores kit at The Bent Creek Bistro onsite.
Pricing for admission depends on the day of your visit as well as your car size. Tickets start at $30 and are date-specific, timed, and sold per vehicle, not per person. This pricing model allows the Arboretum to take care of check-in at the gatehouse.
Lights in Downtown Asheville
Though it won’t take too much time walking through these parks, you can enjoy the ambiance a little longer by grabbing some hot chocolate at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge (near Pack Square) or by dining at Jerusalem Garden (near Pritchard Park).
Dickens in the Village Festival at Biltmore Village
Biltmore Village is a shopping and dining destination in Asheville, just outside Biltmore Estate and 2 miles from Downtown. During the Dickens in the Village Festival, the brick-lined streets turn into a quaint Victorian town. This festival is an immersive holiday event with performances from more than two dozen carolers, actors, and musicians, all dressed in costumes that would be in fashion during Dickens’ lifetime.
The event kicks off with a tree-lighting ceremony then carries on for the next day. Make sure to pick up a warm nutty snack from the chestnut roaster!
The National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn
Gingerbread enthusiasts from across the country are encouraged to enter and dream up gingerbread creations for the chance to win cash, prizes and titles. The panel of judges is composed of nationally renowned food, arts, and media professionals.
Guests of the Omni as well as outside visitors can view the competition entries on display from late November through early January. Omni guests have longer viewing privileges with exclusive access to the display on Fridays and Saturdays. Access to the gingerbread house display is free however parking is not complimentary.
Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore Estate
For the holiday season, Biltmore Estate offers Candlelight Christmas Evenings, a special opportunity to view the mansion in all its holiday splendor at night when the fireplaces are burning and the trees are lit. A majestic Norway spruce and pathway luminaries greet you as you pull up to the exquisite estate.
After touring the house, you can head over to Antler Hill Village to see even more lights, ornaments, and holiday decorations.
'Holiday' Hey Asheville Tour with LaZoom
Get an extra dose of holiday cheer on their ‘Holiday’ Hey Asheville Tour. It’s a 90-minute guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville with colorful, quirky characters. Learn about Asheville’s history and hidden gems while getting into the holiday spirit. Prices are $39 per person and include a stop at Green Man Mansion. Beer and wine can be purchased from LaZoom or at the brewery stop.
>>> Interested in Asheville breweries? <<<
>>> Check out this guide on the best breweries in Asheville, NC! <<<
Santa on Chimney Rock
See him scale the 315-foot rock. Breakfast with the Elves will be available in the morning at Old Rock Café in Chimney Rock Village.
Also during this celebration, you can enjoy live holiday music, hot cocoa, cookies, and meet live park animal ambassadors. Admission to the park is $17 for a 1-day adult ticket.
Wan to read more? Read my list of unique things to do in Asheville.
Ready for some Christmas magic in Asheville, NC this year? Which activity will you do first? Let me know in the comments below!
author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
