Photo courtesy of Asheville Downtown Association
Redefine the (Winter) Weekends with Art Happenings in Asheville and Buncombe County
The Asheville area sparkles in the winter with twinkling lights and a vibrant calendar of art experiences. There’s something for everyone, including holiday markets and performances, wandering galleries filled with seasonal exhibitions, and creating your own festive masterpiece in a guided workshop.
Use our guide to plan your perfect lineup of cultural experiences this season across Downtown Asheville, the River Arts District, Black Mountain, and Weaverville.
DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE
Winter Festivals & Markets
The Big Crafty
Harrah’s Cherokee Center | Saturday–Sunday, December 7–8, 12:00–6:00 PM | $10 Saturday, Free Sunday
This beloved local art and craft show features 150+ hand-selected local artists, along with local food and beer. Voted Best Arts/Crafts Fair for 16 years running, The Big Crafty offers one of the season’s best opportunities to shop for unique, handmade gifts from Asheville’s creative community.
HOLiDAY BiZARRE hosted by Push Skate Shop & Gallery
Push Skate Shop & Gallery | Opening reception Thursday, December 11, 6:00–10:00 PM; Show runs through January 11 during regular gallery hours | Free
Push Skate Shop & Gallery’s “weirdest group art show of the year” features all-local Asheville artists exploring winter, holiday, sci-fi, horror, rock & roll, and psychedelic themes. Expect paintings, collages, ink drawings, sculptures, and gig posters. Opening reception features live music by Jamie Hendrickson.
Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards
Asheville Yards | Now–January 19, 2026 | Pay-as-you-go
Glide into the magic of the season at Asheville’s newest winter tradition, featuring outdoor skating, twinkling lights, and festive music. Plus, even non-skaters can enjoy free entry to a Winter Wonderland with a holiday market, art installations, themed skate nights, and seasonal treats.
Yule Tide Pride – Holiday Market Convention
AB Tech Conference Center | Saturday, December 13 | Sliding scale donations ($1 students/kids, $2 adults suggested)
Asheville Phoenix Fire’s 1st Annual Yule Tide Pride brings Pride into the festive season. Get your holiday gifts, enjoy local live music, coffee shop treats, connect with resources, take a holiday photo, and celebrate community.
Winter Gallery Exhibitions
Holiday Sip & Shop
Grovewood Gallery, Historic Grovewood Village | Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, 11 AM – 5 PM | Free
Skip the big-box bustle and explore a thoughtfully curated collection of American-made art and fine craft at Grovewood Gallery’s annual Holiday Sip & Shop. Enjoy special gallery discounts, live artist demonstrations, and festive beverages courtesy of Metro Wines—all in a warm, art-filled setting.
Special Winter Events & Performances
Cirque de la Symphonie
Harrah’s Cherokee Center | Thursday, December 4, 2025, 7:00 PM | Ticketed
The Asheville Symphony combines forces with the incredible Cirque de la Symphonie for a family-friendly, holiday-themed performance featuring favorite tunes from Tchaikovsky, John Williams, Brahms, and many more. While you’re listening, acrobats perform gravity-defying feats, tumbling through the air and across the stage.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | December 5–28, 2025 | Adult $36.50, Youth $18
The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage. Join all your favorite characters as they come to life in this heartwarming holiday musical. This show is perfect for the whole family, with accessible performances including ASL interpretation.
The Asheville Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Harrah’s Cherokee Center | Thursday, December 12 – Sunday, December 14 | Ticketed
Join The Asheville Ballet for a spectacular professional production of the full original Nutcracker ballet. Featured artists include Marcelo Martinez as the Snow King, guest artists Helen Cho, Hannah Wineinger, and Jonas Godwin.
A Christmas Carol: A Play with Music
NC Stage Company | December 11–21, 2025 | Sliding scale $10–$45
This dynamic two-man adaptation combines Dickens’ brilliant original text with traditional and unexpected Christmas music, along with old-fashioned Foley-style sound effects. Attend for a fast-paced and imaginative production that appeals to the whole family.
Handel’s Messiah
First Baptist Church | Saturday, December 20, 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM | Ticketed
Celebrate the holiday season with iconic Handel’s Messiah. One of the Asheville Symphony’s biggest performances of the season, it features the Asheville Symphony Chorus, four incredible soloists, and conductor Darko Butorac.
Moppets Present: A Christmas Carol
Zelda Dearest Hotel | Saturday, December 20 (3 shows) & Sunday, December 21 (2 shows) | Ticketed
Join for a walk through the beautiful Zelda Dearest hotel in downtown Asheville and follow Scrooge through his ghostly encounters with the spirits of Christmas. Tickets for each showing are very limited due to small spaces.
A Swannanoa Solstice
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | Sunday, December 21, 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM | Ticketed
For two decades and counting, the beloved local holiday tradition A Swannanoa Solstice has brought warmth and light to winter days. Experience a comforting blend of global folk traditions from diverse, multidisciplinary artists, and world-influenced music with a heartwarming tribute to Appalachian culture.
Hands-On Winter Workshops
Mason Jar Snow Globes – Gather Craft Club
Periscope Bar, S&W Building | Thursday, December 4, 5:30–7:30 PM | $25
Create your own mini winter wonderland scenes in mason jars. Choose from a variety of winter and holiday figurines and faux greenery, mix your own combination of glitter, and watch the snow swirl. Make two snow globes total, plus enjoy a live DJ set. Materials fee includes everything needed.
Holiday Luminary Workshop
The Show & Tell Holiday Pop-Up Shop | Wednesday, December 17, 4-7 PM | Pay what you can (starting at $10)
Design your very own festive, one-of-a-kind mini tabletop lanterns using recycled, upcycled, and uniquely sourced materials. These lanterns will illuminate your home with warmth and character. All can participate; no one turned away for lack of funds.
RIVER ARTS DISTRICT
Winter Markets & Events
Holiday Market at Trackside Studios
River Arts District | December 13 & 14 10:00 AM–5:30 PM | Free
Sixty local artists showcase fine art, ornaments, cards, and more at this second annual Holiday Market. Shop local while enjoying hot apple cider and holiday snacks as artists create throughout the day.
Ornament Tree
Trackside Studios | Through December 31 | Free
Check out our 10-foot tall wire ornament tree for Dala horses painted by Deborah Anderson, origami-paper wooden eggs crafted by Li Newton, and wood-burned ornaments by Chalkley Matlack. Smile as you look for Kim Coon’s whimsical bears and Santas and Tani Reeves’ trolls. Alec Shalda’s clay candy canes are ready for hanging on a tree. Look for the shimmering of metal in Lisa Underwood’s coiled ornaments and Julie Bell’s wire wreathes. Natural scenes abound with Zoe Schumaker’s painted, winter scenes by Melissa Kucin, and snowmen and snow-covered trees by Kimberly Smith. For sports fans, Mike Floyd’s baseballs are a perfect gift. More artists are adding ornaments daily!
Workshops & Classes
Making Holiday Cards
Trackside Studios, 375 Depot Street | Saturday, December 7 | $80
Make beautiful and fun holiday cards worthy of framing for your family and friends. Up to four cards depending on your speed and experience. We will heavily lean on paper collages embellished with pens, markers or acrylics.
Metal Ornaments!
Torched | December 6, 4 PM | $55
Join this engaging one-hour workshop to explore the art of working with copper and brass to design and craft beautiful, personalized ornaments. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a complete beginner, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to delve into metalworking. All ages welcome; anyone under age 9 must work directly with an adult.
BLACK MOUNTAIN
Winter Holiday Events
Holly Jolly Celebration
Downtown Black Mountain | Friday, December 5, 5:00 PM, Saturday December 6 All Day | Free
Holly Jolly Celebration in downtown Black Mountain is a festive annual event that brings holiday cheer with twinkling lights, carolers, and holiday-themed activities for all ages. Local shops stay open late for holiday shopping with seasonal treats and live music.
Holiday Pottery Market at Black Mountain Center for the Arts
Black Mountain Center for the Arts | December 5–6 (Holly Jolly weekend) | Free admission
During the Holly Jolly weekend, BMCA hosts a special pottery market alongside a ceramic arts gallery exhibition. This festive market is part of BMCA’s broader December arts season and offers a perfect opportunity to find unique holiday gifts.
The Carolina Celtic Christmas Show
White Horse Black Mountain | Monday, December 8, 7:30 PM | Ticketed
The award-winning Celtic duo of guitarist Robin Bullock and harpist Sue Richards present The Carolina Celtic Christmas Show. Expect Celtic-flavored takes on many holiday favorites along with lesser-known carols and wassails from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and beyond.
Tales of Chanukah
Black Mountain Center for the Arts | Sunday, December 14, 2:00 PM | $15
Join three storytellers as they share tales of Chanukah—the Festival of Lights. These varied stories will warm your hearts and uplift your spirits regardless of your religious background, celebrating this season of love and light.
Christmas in Appalachia at BMCA
Black Mountain Center for the Arts | December 19, 20, 21| $15 adults, $10 youth (ages 6–17)
Appalachian and holiday music and storytelling, audience participation, and sing-alongs are all on tap for Christmas in Appalachia: A singin’, strummin’, family show. Join acclaimed old-time musician Travis Stuart, actor/storyteller John Hall, and friends as they share stories and songs about Appalachian Christmas traditions.
Workshops & Classes
NC Glass Center Classes
NC Glass Center, Black Mountain | Ongoing | Varies; Registration required
The NC Glass Center’s Black Mountain location offers a variety of glassmaking classes throughout the winter, from one-day workshops to multi-week sessions. Create your own drinking glasses, bowls, ornaments, and more in the Flame Shop or Hot Shop. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike.
WEAVERVILLE
Winter Events
Make a Gorgeous Holiday Centerpiece at Reems Creek Nursery
Reems Creek Nursery, Weaverville | Saturday, December 6, 10:30 AM – 12 PM | $65
Learn how to make a stunning holiday centerpiece out of real, seasonally available greenery and flowers. Local floral designer Rachel Brownlee will guide you step-by-step through creating your own beautiful holiday centerpiece to take home. The class fee includes instruction, all greenery, flowers, embellishments, and container.
Weaverville Holiday Parade
Downtown Weaverville | Saturday, December 6, 11:00 AM | Free
Weaverville’s annual Holiday Parade kicks off from the SECU parking lot on N. Main Street. The parade includes floats, performances, and a special visit from Santa Claus.
Christmas Storytime by the Fire
Vance Birthplace, 911 Reems Creek Road | Saturday, December 20, 9:00 AM – 12 PM | Free
Celebrate the holiday season with festive storybooks read around the historic hearth fire at Vance Birthplace. This free program includes three readings of winter and holiday-themed picture books at 9, 10, and 11 AM. Plus, enjoy candle dipping and hot cider all day. Drop in anytime.
Candlelight Stroll
Downtown Weaverville | Friday, December 12, 5:00 – 8:00 PM | Free
This festive evening event brings the community together with holiday cheer along Main Street, organized by the Weaverville Business Association.
For more winter arts events in Asheville and Buncombe County, browse ArtsAVL’s events page.