Asheville into November: a greenway sound sculpture Oct. 20, Día de Muertos Oct. 24, Halloween events, Christmas at Biltmore Nov. 3 and the parade Nov. 21.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Rebuilt on the first of each month. Events come from Asheville Parks and Recreation and the City of Asheville; times and prices are as the organizer lists them. Parks and Recreation: 828-259-5800.

October in Asheville is the city’s Festival of Frights, a month of Halloween parties, crafts and candy hunts at community centers, plus fall programs in the parks. Many programs need advance registration through the city’s program search and fill fast. Children under 14 must come with an adult at the all-ages events.

Plan ahead

The week of Oct. 19

  • Sound sculpture unveiling, 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, where the Reed Creek Greenway meets Catawba Street in north Asheville. The playable public artwork by Nick Geurts and Alex Irvine carries ceramic tiles made by residents at community workshops in 2023 and 2025, the city said.
  • A Small Town Murder Mystery, 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, Harvest House Center, 205 Kenilworth Road. $5, ages 18 and up.
  • Finding Fall Fungi, Friday, Oct. 23, an outdoor program. Details.
  • Día de Muertos, 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Stephens-Lee Center. Free: traditional crafts, food, music, face painting and an ofrenda.

The week of Oct. 26

  • Art in the Park, Monday, Oct. 26. Details.
  • Five Day Boo Bash, 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 26-30, Grove Street Center, 36 Grove St. Free, ages 18 and up: Halloween bingo, scary sensory boxes and an escape room.
  • Pumpkin Power Carving, 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 27, Harvest House Center. $10, ages 18 and up.
  • Kooky Spooky Toddler Fun, 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 28, Stephens-Lee Center. $5, ages 2 to 5 with an adult, with a costume parade.
  • Horror Movie Trivia, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, Tempie Avery Montford Center, 34 Pearson Drive. $5, ages 18 and up.
  • Halloween Creepy Climb, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, Tempie Avery Montford Center. $7, ages 6 to 12 with an adult: costumes, candy and the indoor climbing wall.

Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31

Time Event Where Cost
4 to 5:30 p.m. Drive Thru Candy Grab Stephens-Lee Center Free
6 to 8 p.m. Halloween Bingo Burton Street Center, 134 Burton St. Free
6 to 8 p.m. Trunk or Treat Fest, ages 12 and under Linwood Crump Shiloh Center, 121 Shiloh Road Free

November, to Thanksgiving week

  • Christmas at Biltmore opens Tuesday, Nov. 3, and runs to Jan. 10, 2027; Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets start at $135. Dates, prices and parking: our Christmas at Biltmore page.
  • Take Back Jack, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, New Belgium Brewing, 21 Craven St. Free pumpkin composting drop-off from the City of Asheville.
  • Winter Lights opens Friday, Nov. 13, at The North Carolina Arboretum and runs to Jan. 3, 2027. Tickets are $45 to $75 a car, by night; peak dates sell out. Prices, the date calendar and the trolley: our Winter Lights page.
  • Choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms near Asheville open from Nov. 14; dates and hours by farm in our Christmas tree farms page.
  • RADfest 2026, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14-15, the River Arts District’s art and music festival. River Arts District Artists.
  • Grove Park Inn gingerbread houses go on show Tuesday, Nov. 17; viewing times are in our holiday lights and Christmas events guide.
  • Town Square Tree Lighting and Holiday Market, 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, Biltmore Park Town Square. Free. Biltmore Park.
  • Asheville Holiday Parade, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, downtown. The 2026 route has not been announced; see our parade page and the Asheville Downtown Association.
  • Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26: the Turkey Trot and what is open in our Thanksgiving guide.

Every week

  • Toddler Spooky Crafting, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays in October, Tempie Avery Montford Center. $5, ages 2 to 5 with an adult.
  • Peaking Up the Parkway, fall leaf-viewing trips on Mondays, and Walking the Great Lakes of WNC on Mondays and Wednesdays, for older adults. Details.
  • The Western North Carolina Nature Center, the city’s wildlife park, has again been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, its sixth accreditation since 1999, the city announced Oct. 8. Hours and tickets are on wildwnc.org.

Before you go

Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville remain closed after Tropical Storm Helene; check the parkway’s road status page before a leaf-viewing drive, and see our road closures guide.

More: fall festivals and pumpkin patches, Nutcracker and holiday shows and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

What is happening in Asheville in October 2026?

Asheville Parks and Recreation’s Festival of Frights runs through Oct. 31, with a free Día de Muertos celebration Oct. 24 and a Trunk or Treat Fest on Halloween night. The city unveils a playable sound sculpture on the Reed Creek Greenway Oct. 20. Christmas at Biltmore opens Nov. 3 and the Asheville Holiday Parade is Saturday, Nov. 21.

Where is trunk-or-treat in Asheville this year?

Asheville Parks and Recreation holds a free Trunk or Treat Fest from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Linwood Crump Shiloh Center, 121 Shiloh Road, for children 12 and under with an adult.

Are there free Halloween events in Asheville?

Yes. Día de Muertos Oct. 24, the Drive Thru Candy Grab and Halloween Bingo on Oct. 31 and the Trunk or Treat Fest are all free, according to the city.

How do I sign up for Asheville Parks and Recreation programs?

Search and register online through the city’s recreation registration site, linked from the Parks and Recreation program guide. Many programs need advance registration and fill quickly.