How to Spend the Holidays in Asheville

Ever notice how some cities just get the holidays? They don’t just throw up a few lights and call it festive – they go all in. Asheville is one of those places. Maybe it’s the mountain setting that makes everything feel a bit more magical, or maybe locals just refuse to do anything halfway. Either way, if you’re looking for a place where the holidays actually live up to the hype, you’ve found it.

So why not spend the winter holidays in the mountains, surrounded by a million twinkling lights, sipping hot chocolate while giant trolls peek at you from the forest. (Yes, really. Keep reading.)

Here’s how to make the most of the Christmas season in Asheville.

Christmas at Biltmore: Holiday Grandeur That Actually Delivers

Look, we get it, “America’s largest private residence” might sound like the kind of thing that’s impressive on paper but disappointing in person. Except the Biltmore Estate isn’t that. When George Vanderbilt’s 250-room château gets dressed for the holidays, it’s the kind of spectacle that makes you understand why people plan trips around it.

The estate goes big for Christmas at Biltmore, running from November 1 through January 4, 2026. We’re talking about more than 100 hand-decorated Christmas trees throughout the property, including a 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall that requires about 50 staff members just to move and secure. Add 25,000+ ornaments, 1.5 miles of fresh garland, 2,000 poinsettias, and hundreds of wreaths, and you get a holiday display that puts your neighbor’s inflatable yard decorations to shame.

Daytime admission starts around $90-$130, depending on when you visit (weekdays cost less), and includes access to the house, gardens, and Antler Hill Village. The Candlelight Christmas Evenings experience runs from 5:30 p.m. to midnight and requires separate tickets. During these evening visits, you’ll tour the mansion by candlelight with live musicians and choirs performing throughout – basically, you’re stepping back to Christmas 1895 when the Vanderbilts first celebrated the season here. Book well in advance because prime dates sell out, especially around Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas week.

The estate sits at 1 Lodge Street in Asheville, and you can spend an entire day (or two) exploring everything from the Conservatory’s blooming displays to the dozen shops scattered across the property.

 Pro tip: Arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and prepare to walk. This isn’t a quick stop – it’s an experience.

Thomas Dambo’s Trolls Take Over the NC Arboretum

Here’s something you probably didn’t expect to find in Asheville: twelve seven-to-nine-foot-tall trolls scattered throughout the forest, studying humans like we’re the curious ones. Danish artist Thomas Dambo creates these whimsical sculptures from reclaimed materials – fallen branches, wooden pallets, twigs – and they’ve taken up residence at the North Carolina Arboretum for their U.S. premiere.

Trolls: A Field Study runs from November 15, 2025, through February 17, 2026, and admission is included in the standard Arboretum parking fee of $20 per vehicle. Six trolls hang out in the gardens (wheelchair accessible), while another six explore the trails. You’ll get a treasure map to track them down, which turns your visit into a woodland scavenger hunt. Each troll has its own personality, led by their fearless leader, Taks. The whole thing feels like stumbling into a fairy tale, except this one’s built from recycled materials and comes with a side of environmental awareness.

The Arboretum is located at 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, about 10 miles south of downtown Asheville off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the holiday season. Six of the trolls will also appear as special guests during Winter Lights, so you can visit them twice – once during the day and again when they’re glowing at night.

Winter Lights: A Million Reasons to Visit After Dark

Speaking of Winter Lights – if you only do one holiday activity in Asheville, this might be the one. The North Carolina Arboretum transforms into a walk-through wonderland with over one million LED lights illuminating the gardens. Now in its 12th year, this has become Asheville’s brightest holiday tradition (literally).

Winter Lights runs nightly from November 15, 2025 through January 4, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are sold per vehicle (not per person), with prices ranging from $45 for weekday visits to $85 for peak holiday dates. The 50-foot Tree of Light is the star of the show, along with the illuminated Quilt Garden that syncs to holiday music. You’ll also find nature-themed displays featuring glowing woodland creatures, interactive features for kids, and the Rocky Cove Railroad running its route to the “North Pole.”

The whole experience takes about 90 minutes to walk through, and there are food and drink stations scattered throughout where you can grab hot chocolate or snacks. The Education Center features a storytelling window display that follows a baby bear’s journey through different habitats. And remember those trolls from earlier? Six of them will be glowing among the lights, adding an extra layer of magic to the display.

Book tickets in advance – weekends and holidays sell out fast. The event happens rain or shine, so dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Ice Skating at Asheville Yards: Downtown Winter Fun

Want to glide across real ice in the heart of downtown Asheville? The new Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards gives you exactly that experience. This outdoor rink opened November 26, 2025 and runs daily through January 19, 2026 (closed Christmas Day).

Skating sessions last 75 minutes and cost $15 on weekdays, $20 on weekends and holidays. That price includes skate rentals, which means you just show up and go. The rink is located at 75 Coxe Avenue, right in the thick of downtown. Non-skaters get free admission, so your friends who prefer to watch (or take photos) won’t have to pay.

The rink operates from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and during the extended holiday season (December 20 through January 4). Special theme nights happen weekly: Locals Skate on Tuesdays, Old-Time Christmas Concerts on Wednesdays, and Holiday Movie Nights on Thursdays. There’s hot chocolate, holiday decorations, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments if that’s your thing.

Buy tickets online in advance because capacity is limited. The rink can also be reserved for birthday parties and private events if you want to take things up a notch.

National Gingerbread House Competition: Edible Art at Its Finest

Every year since 1992, pastry artists, culinary professionals, and enthusiastic hobbyists have competed to create the most impressive gingerbread houses at the Omni Grove Park Inn. After being cancelled in 2024 due to Hurricane Helene, the competition returns for 2025, and trust us – these aren’t your average cookie houses.

The competition takes place on November 17, 2025, but you won’t see that part (judging is closed to the public). What you will see is every single entry displayed throughout the historic inn from November 18, 2025 through January 4, 2026. These creations range from rustic cabins to candy-encrusted castles, all built entirely from edible materials and made of at least 75% gingerbread.

Non-guests can view the display after 6 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday through Thursday, based on parking availability. The display is closed to non-guests on certain dates: November 27, December 7, December 23-26, and December 30-January 1. Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for resort guests and dining reservations only.

Parking runs $30 for self-park or $40 for valet. Since 2013, the inn has donated a portion of parking proceeds to local nonprofits, totaling over $1.1 million. While you’re there, take in the Great Hall with its massive stone fireplaces (big enough to hold 12-foot logs), decorated trees, and cozy rocking chairs. Grab some house-made hot chocolate and settle in for a proper holiday experience.

Can’t make it to Asheville? The inn posts highlights during their “12 Days of Gingerbread” on Facebook and Instagram from December 1-12, so you can still get your gingerbread fix from home.

Make River Row Suites Your Holiday Home Base

The holidays in Asheville pack in more magic than most cities manage all year. Between Biltmore’s candlelit elegance, trolls peeking from the forest, a million twinkling lights, downtown ice skating, and gingerbread artistry that belongs in a museum, you’ll want a comfortable place to retreat after all that festive adventure.

River Row Suites sits right in the heart of the River Arts District, putting you minutes from downtown and perfectly positioned for all these holiday activities. Our spacious studio suites feature full kitchens (perfect for storing all those holiday treats), king-size beds, and room for the whole family – including pets. With free parking and flexible check-in, we take the stress out of holiday travel so you can focus on making memories.

Ready to experience Asheville’s holiday magic? Book your stay at River Row Suites and discover why this mountain town does the holidays better than anywhere else.