New Year's Eve in Asheville 2026: The Avett Brothers at the downtown arena Dec. 31, the Grove Park Inn party and the Resolution Run 5K and 10K on Jan. 1.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from each organizer’s own page and the City of Asheville holiday schedule, linked below. City of Asheville customer service: 828-251-1122.

New Year’s Eve is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026. The biggest night out announced so far is The Avett Brothers at the downtown arena. The Omni Grove Park Inn has its New Year’s Eve party, the holiday light shows are still running, and New Year’s Day opens with the Resolution Run from Pack Square. More venues post their plans in November and December; this page adds them as they do.

What this means for you

  • Avett Brothers tickets are on sale now through the arena’s box office.
  • Running on Jan. 1: register for the Resolution Run before Dec. 6 for a free sweatshirt.
  • Trash pickup is not affected by the New Year’s Day closure; brush pickup is limited Dec. 21 to Jan. 1.

New Year’s Eve concerts and parties

The Avett Brothers, ExploreAsheville.com Arena. The band returns to Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, 87 Haywood St., on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, with special guests Mountain Grass Unit and Homeboy Sandman. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m., according to the arena’s event page, which also carries the bag and food rules.

Midnight in Havana at Grove Park. The Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., has announced a 1950s Cuba-themed New Year’s Eve. Guests choose a buffet dinner in the Blue Ridge restaurant or a five-course plated dinner in the Heritage Ballroom, and both lead into an after-party with a live band, cocktails and a midnight countdown in the Grand Ballroom. Elegant cocktail attire is encouraged. Details and reservations are on the hotel’s New Year’s page.

Clubs, breweries and music rooms. Asheville’s music venues and breweries usually post their Dec. 31 shows in November. None beyond the two above had a 2026 New Year’s Eve event on its own calendar when we checked. Our live music and nightlife guide lists the venues with addresses and links to their calendars.

Restaurants. Restaurants announce New Year’s Eve menus a few weeks ahead. We list them here only once a restaurant posts the menu on its own website.

Still running over New Year’s

  • Winter Lights, the walk-through light show at the North Carolina Arboretum, runs through Jan. 3, 2027, according to the arboretum.
  • Christmas at Biltmore and its Candlelight Christmas Evenings continue into January.
  • Dates, tickets and the rest of the season are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page.

Fireworks

The City of Asheville has not announced a public New Year’s Eve fireworks show for 2026, and none appears on its events calendar. The city’s big fireworks night is the Fourth of July: see Fourth of July fireworks.

New Year’s Day: the Resolution Run

The 13th annual New Year’s Resolution Run, presented by Hunter Subaru, starts at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, in Pack Square Park, according to iDaph Events.

  • Courses: the 5K heads north into Montford; the 10K goes on into the Grove Park area. Both finish down Spruce Street and back into Pack Square. Most streets stay open to traffic.
  • Cutoff: noon for both distances.
  • Extras: a free event sweatshirt for anyone who registers before Dec. 6 ($25 after), a finisher medal for every participant and lower prices for children 12 and under.
  • Bad weather: the organizer lists a backup date of Saturday, Jan. 16.
  • Registration: on Race Roster. The race date and course are subject to permit approval.

What is open and closed

Service Thursday, Dec. 31 Friday, Jan. 1, 2027
Trash and recycling Regular schedule Regular schedule
Brush collection Limited (Dec. 21 to Jan. 1) Limited
City offices Open Closed
Police, fire and 911 Normal, 24 hours Normal, 24 hours

The trash and office rows come from the city’s 2026 holiday collection schedule, which says the New Year’s Day closure does not affect sanitation routes. The city has not yet posted its 2026 notice for buses and recreation. In its notice for last winter, the city:

  • ran Asheville Rides Transit on a holiday schedule on New Year’s Day (ART: 828-253-5691);
  • closed community center buildings and administrative offices on Jan. 1;
  • kept parks and greenways open on their regular 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. hours, except areas still closed after Helene.

Holiday trash details for the whole season are on our trash and recycling page.

Frequently asked questions

What is happening in Asheville on New Year’s Eve 2026?

The Avett Brothers play the ExploreAsheville.com Arena at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026, with doors at 7 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m. The Omni Grove Park Inn holds its Midnight in Havana party the same night.

Does Asheville have New Year’s Eve fireworks?

The City of Asheville has not announced a public New Year’s Eve fireworks show. This page will add one if the city or an organizer announces it.

When is the Asheville Resolution Run?

The 13th annual New Year’s Resolution Run is Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, at 10 a.m. from Pack Square, with 5K and 10K courses and a noon cutoff. Register before Dec. 6 for a free event sweatshirt.

Is there trash pickup on New Year’s Day in Asheville?

Yes. The city’s 2026 holiday schedule says the New Year’s Day closure on Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, does not affect sanitation routes. Brush collection is limited from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1.

Do Asheville buses run on New Year’s Day?

In past years Asheville Rides Transit has run a holiday schedule on New Year’s Day. Check with ART at 828-253-5691 for 2027.