Biltmore a Highlight of the Holiday Season in the Mountains

Now - January 6, 2017   Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore    Explore Biltmore House during holiday evenings when candles and fireplaces fill the grand home with a warm glow, accenting delicate ornaments and priceless treasures with metallic shine and sparkle, and music warms the heart.

Your evening admission includes:  a Reserved evening visit of Biltmore House, Daytime access to Biltmore Gardens and Antler Hill Village & Winery on the same day or next day as your evening visit, Free parking.

Now - January 7, 2017    Christmas at Biltmore    The celebration that began on Christmas Eve in 1895 when George Vanderbilt introduced his family and friends to the newly completed Biltmore home, continues today.  This wonderful celebration allows all visitors to enjoy America's largest home decorated with dozens of Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, bows, and poinsettias, miles of evergreen garland, and thousands of ornaments.

 

Biltmore Tickets Online Specials:
Discounted tickets to Biltmore - Plan ahead and save,
Senior Savings, Military Discounts and more.
Save up to $20.00 off gate price.

The National Gingerbread House Competition and Display for 2015

2015 grand prize gingerbread house winner

November 18, 2015 - January 3, 2016   The National Gingerbread House Competition and Display  - Contestants from across the country bring their architectural masterpieces to The Grove Park Inn for display over the holidays. 



Be amazed at the imagination shown in these sugar-and-spice creations.  Strolling through the competition is a sure way to be swept up in the holiday spirit. There is no admission charge to view the entries to the National Gingerbread House Competition. 

In addition to the gingerbread overload, see the beautiful holiday displays throughout the Inn and warm yourself by the giant fireplaces in the grand lobby. Pick up a map in the lobby to find the various areas where the entries are displayed.


The Omni Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa - Renowned spa, scenic golf course,  sports complex with pool, tennis, racquetball, training.



Onsite restaurants, lounge, bars. A large variety of rooms and suites, varying stages of updates with many original Inn antiques.

See current BEST rates and SAVE with online booking   Current Rates ad low as $179 per night - BOOK NOW.

WNC Orchid Society Show this Weekend in Asheville

March 28 - 29   WNC Orchid Society Show   The WNC Orchid Society will host its annual show at The North Carolina Arboretum. The popular juried plant show will also feature award-winning orchid vendors, many of whom are nationally recognized growers and hybridizers. Rare and unusual plants, specialty lighting and orchid supplies will be available for purchase. Admission: Free with parking fee admission ($8 per vehicle). 

Asheville Hosts the Southern Conference Basketball Tournament

March 8 - 11  2013 Southern Conference Tournament   Downtown will be filled with 50,000+ basketball fans, all enjoying Asheville's shopping, dining and drinking during the course of the tournament. Men's and Women's games will be played at the Asheville Civic Center and UNC-Asheville arena. Visit website or call for game days/times.

Get a link for the Southern Conference Tournament, local lodging and restaurants on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

 

What to do in Asheville on Valentine's Day

What to do for Valentine's Weekend in Asheville: 

Bring your sweetie ( of the whole family - kids are FREE this month) to Biltmore for a romantic day at the best rates of the year with current winter discounts.  CLICK HERE for details and online purchase.

Take a One-Hour Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride  at 47% off ($125) - drift up to 2,000 feet above the tree line in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Limited time Groupon offer.

Enjoy a delicious streak dinner for HALF OFF  ($20) at The Fireplace Restaurant - Custom-grilled steaks and seafood such as grouper, oysters, and mahi-mahi are among the favorite choices.

Asheville Massage and Therapeutics   53% OFF ($35) licensed massage therapists knead away aches and stress with an integrated massage approach in a holistic healing center

Get Sweet Treats from Rachel's Delectables - Mini-Cheesecake Sampler or 10-Inch Classic or Gluten-Free Cheesecake. $10  (57% off)

Learn more about what to do in Asheville for Valentine's Weekend on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

What to do this weekend in Asheville

August 14-18    6th Annual Laugh Your Asheville OFF   One of the largest and most respected stand-up comedy events in the country. The event attracts top comedy producers and representatives that will be in attendance to scout the hottest new comedic talent.

August 17     A Movable Feast  at Biltmore   5:30 PM on the Biltmore Estate in the "Walled Garden" -  An evening of al fresco dining and wine brought to you by Estate Executive Chef Damien Cavicchi. The event begins with a cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and live music. The “Southern French Countryside” menu will be served at a feasting table located on a secluded vista in the Biltmore vineyards. Tickets are $185 per person and include tax and gratuity. In the event of rain, dinner will be held on August 19. For reservations, call (828) 257-5995

August 17   Downtown After 5  The Asheville Downtown Association brings together some of the best musicians in the area and throughout the Southeast.   The concert series features biodegradable food and beverage containers, staffed compost and recycling stations, a solar-powered main stage and a complimentary bike corral.

August 18     Biltmore Concert Series   Award-winning musicians perform on the South Terrace and on Biltmore's newest event venue - Diana at Biltmore, an intimate setting on the vista overlooking Biltmore House. This Concert: KC and the Sunshine Band  AND The Village People

August 18    Dog Day Afternoon Festival at Carrier Park   The event kicks off at 10:30 AM with a dog-friendly fun run sponsored by Dr. Kani Nicolls, around Carrier Park and will continue until 4 PM with two bands, dog contests including a Weiner Dog race, "Best Heinz 57", "Most Ear- resistible" and the Fastest Dog in Asheville Competition. The Companion Dog Training School will also host an agility course and offer training tips for dog owners.  The festival will feature a large cooling tent as well as doggie pools to keep both dogs and humans beat the heat

August 18   Shindig on the Green     Held outdoors at Pack Square Park in the heart of downtown Asheville, this FREE event  was voted the #1 Local Outdoor Concert in the Mountain Xpress "Best of WNC" survey for four years. Bring your instruments, your lawn chair or blanket, family and friends and join the fun eight summer Saturdays.

August 18    Ooh La La Curiosity Market   An outdoor market in Pritchard Park  featuring works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, and other curious delights, all beneath the colored canopies of large market umbrellas. In addition to the artists, the market will also feature live local music with up three musical acts performing each Saturday and will include everything from a solo saxophonist to folk, blues, acoustic, and jazz acts.

August 18-19     7th Annual Leicester Studio Tour  A free, self-guided studio tour including painting, prints, jewelry, pottery, fiber, brooms and more. To begin the tour, head northwest on Leicester Highway (NC 63) from Patton Avenue and follow the bright yellow signs to the studios, the first of which is only 15 minutes from downtown Asheville. Visitors can also take Newfound Road to Morgan Branch Rd. and follow the signs to the Wildberry Lodge, 135 Potato Branch Road in Leicester. Wildberry, the founding sponsor of the Leicester Artists organization and there will be samples of each of the artists' works to help tour participants plan out their visits. The tour also will feature food vendor stops, one located centrally on South Turkey Creek Road and the other at the intersection of Leicester Highway and North Turkey Creek.

Get links for these Asheville events and other local information on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville

August 2-4   85th Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival  The nation's longest running folk festival, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival showcases the top talent in traditional mountain music and dance during a three-evening festival at the wonderfully intimate Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place in Asheville NC.  Come enjoy performances by hundreds of the Southern Appalachians' best traditional mountain musicians and dancers and celebrate the treasured cultural heritage of Western North Carolina.

Since 1928, mountain fiddlers, banjo pickers, dulcimer sweepers, dancers, balladeers and others have come to enjoy themselves “along about sundown” the first weekend in August at the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. At the  2012 Festival,  performers  will take to the stage for the 85th time in downtown Asheville at 7 PM each evening.

Tickets are for sale on-line before the event.

Get a link for the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival and other Asheville information on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

July 8 The Big Crafty at the Asheville Art Museum Today

July 8  The Big Crafty returns to the Asheville Art Museum. The event celebrates and showcases the fine wares of over 100 independent indie crafters, artists and makers. The complete line up of participating artists is now available online. This is a free, family-friendly event.

In addition to the Craft Event, be sure to browse the Museum's many current exhibits. Stop by the Family Art pARTy from 1 PM to 4 PM offering Hands-on art activities for all ages.

Get a link for the Big Crafty and other Asheville events and attractions on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide

Asheville Downtown Art Walk this Weekend

June 1   Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk   Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running. 25 downtown venues participate with a complete Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

9th Annual Monford Music and Arts Festival Today in Asheville

May 19      9th Annual Monford Music and Arts Festival  The largest one day free music and arts festival in WNC. The event is held on two streets- Montford and Soco- with over 100 vendors of art, crafts, plants and food.  Two stages offer non stop entertainment from 20 groups and a children’s area. Located down from Asheville Visitors Center in Historic Montford with on street parking and bike corral. Held rain or shine.