Things to do in Asheville
Things to do in Asheville, newest first: events, festivals, parks and family days out, with dates, times and the organizer's own link.
Top story
Winter Lights Asheville 2026: dates, $45 to $75 car tickets
Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum runs Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $45, $60 or $75 a car by night; peak nights sell out.
Plan your weekend
Things to do
Things to do in Asheville this month: October 2026
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.
Fourth of July
Asheville Fourth of July fireworks 2026
Asheville's 2026 Independence Day Block Party filled the South Slope from noon July 4, with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The 2027 details will be added when announced.
Halloween
Trick-or-treat hours in Asheville 2026
Asheville sets no official trick-or-treat hours; Halloween is Saturday, Oct. 31. City trunk-or-treat 6-8 p.m. at Shiloh, candy grab 4 p.m. at Stephens-Lee.
Greenways
Parks and trails in Asheville: greenways, dog parks, hours
Asheville has about 9 miles of city greenway. Some riverfront parks are still closed after Helene; temporary dog parks are open. Parks: 828-259-5800.
Holiday parade
Asheville Christmas parade and tree lighting 2026
The 80th Asheville Christmas parade is 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, downtown, themed A Vintage Holiday. Last year's route, road closings and parking.
Fall
Fall festivals and pumpkin patches in Asheville 2026
Eliada's 8-acre corn maze and fall festival in West Asheville, the family Haunted Trail on Oct. weekends, the city's Festival of Frights and pumpkin composting Nov. 7.
Halloween
Halloween events in Asheville 2026
Halloween 2026 in Asheville: the Haunted Trail Oct. 22-25 and 29-30, a dog festival Oct. 25, Grove Arcade trick-or-treat and the Wicked Spooky 5K Oct. 31.
Dogs
Dog-friendly Asheville: dog parks, patios, trails and leash rules
Asheville's open dog park at Riverbend Park, the 8-foot leash rule, the $10 dog license, and dog-friendly grounds at Biltmore, the Arboretum and Highland Brewing.
Kids
Kids' activities in Asheville: museums, story times, splash pad
Things to do with kids in Asheville: library story times, the science and art museums, the WNC Nature Center, Splasheville, city play days and rainy-day picks.
River Arts District
A guide to Asheville's River Arts District: studios, hours, parking
Asheville's River Arts District: more than 550 artists, prime hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., free parking, Second Saturday strolls and RADfest on Nov. 14-15, 2026.
Free
Free things to do in Asheville: trails, art, music and markets
Free things to do in Asheville: the 30-station Urban Trail, greenways, the Blue Ridge Parkway, River Arts District strolls, Splasheville and free city events.
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands in Asheville: dates, tickets
The October Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands ran Oct. 15-18, 2026, in downtown Asheville. The next fair is in July 2027; the guild has not posted dates.
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville: dates, tickets
Asheville's Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, held since 1928, ran July 30 to Aug. 1, 2026. The 2027 festival will be the 100th; dates are not out yet.
Latest stories
Things to do
Things to do in Asheville this weekend, Oct. 16 to 18
The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands all weekend, the symphony's Nightfall concerts and a free costume swap Saturday, then the Boo Dash 5K on Sunday.
Christmas
Christmas at Biltmore 2026: Candlelight dates and tickets
Christmas at Biltmore runs Nov. 3, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027. Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets start at $135; no evening tours Nov. 17, Nov. 26 or Dec. 24.
WNC Nature Center
WNC Nature Center keeps national zoo accreditation
The WNC Nature Center has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for a sixth time. It is one of eight in North Carolina to hold the standard.