Part 1: The Final Holiday Rush (Dec 16 – Dec 24)
This week features the last opportunities to catch major stage productions and pre-Christmas light spectacles.
Major Light Spectacles & Attractions
Christmas at Biltmore (Asheville):
Experience the full Daytime and Candlelight Evenings schedule.
Note: The Estate is open for Daytime Tours on Christmas Day (closes early).
Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum (Asheville):
The popular walk-through light display runs nightly, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Bryson City):
The themed train ride to the North Pole continues daily through the end of the year.
National Gingerbread House Competition (Asheville):
The incredible display at The Omni Grove Park Inn is viewable daily.
Final Theatre & Performance Dates
A Christmas Carol: A Play with Music (Asheville):
Location: NC Stage (downtown Asheville).
Final Date: Sunday, December 21.
"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" (Waynesville):
Location: HART Theatre (Haywood Co.).
Final Date: Sunday, December 21.
Vienna Light Orchestra Christmas Tour (Asheville):
Location: Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville.
Date: Friday, December 19.
Appalachian Christmas Concerts (Boone):
Location: Appalachian Theatre (Watauga Co.).
Key Dates: Concerts on Friday, December 19 (Darin & Brooke Aldridge), and Saturday, December 20 (Chosen Road).
Part 2: Post-Christmas Entertainment Peak (Dec 25 – Dec 28)
The days immediately following Christmas are one of WNC’s busiest tourist periods. These attractions are available and highly recommended for families and visitors.
Open on Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec 25)
The Biltmore Estate: Open for Daytime Tours Only (closes early).
Winter Lights at the N.C. Arboretum: Open for evening admission.
National Gingerbread House Competition: Display is open for viewing.
Outdoor Recreation: Hiking in National Forests (like Pisgah and DuPont State Recreational Area) is accessible.
Weekend Activities (Dec 26 – Dec 28)
Winter Sports (High Country: Watauga/Avery Counties):
Ski and tubing resorts like Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain will be fully operational, offering skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.
Ongoing Major Attractions:
The Biltmore Estate and The N.C. Arboretum resume their full holiday schedules on December 26.
The POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride continues in Bryson City.
Ice Skating:
The outdoor Holiday Ice Rink at Asheville Yards continues daily operations through early January.
Town Deep Dive: Cherokee Winterfest & Lights
Enchanted Island of Lights:
Dates: Runs nightly through early January.
Details: The island lights up for a beautiful post-dinner light tour.
2025 Winterfest – Ice Skating and Food Truck Rodeo:
Key Dates: Friday, December 26, and Saturday, December 27.
Details: Features outdoor ice skating and local food trucks.
Town Deep Dive: Blowing Rock Post-Holiday
Tweetsie Christmas Continues:
Dates: Open on Friday, December 26, and Saturday, December 27.
Details: The train, light display, and amusement rides are open (Mr. and Mrs. Gingerbread will be available for photos).
Winter Hiking:
Location: Trails at Moses Cone Memorial Park (Blue Ridge Parkway).
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