Regional Events & Travel Updates

Welcome back to the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Updated November 3, 2025

Welcome back to the Blue Ridge Mountains!
There’s nothing like the peace of returning to a place that moves your soul. Our beloved mountains are calling—ready to share their cool streams, shaded forests, and rich local culture once again.

We’re thrilled to welcome you back to Western North Carolina, where businesses are open, trails are waiting, and unforgettable experiences await.

Scroll below for the latest happenings and events as of November 3, 2025, and start planning your next mountain adventure.

Top Five Reasons People Travel to Asheville:

Biltmore Estate - OPEN! Fall at the Biltmore Estate and Historic Biltmore Village 2025.
Blue Ridge Parkway - OPEN.
The Arts - River Arts District - OPEN.
Historic Biltmore Village - Shops and restaurants are starting to OPEN! Review their Facebook page for updated information.
NC Arboretum - OPEN!

Updates by Area

By Area / City / Town

Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:

Asheville - OPEN! See Explore Asheville to verify specific locations

Black Mountain - OPEN! See Visit Black Mountain and their Facebook page for updates.

Brevard - OPEN! See Explore Brevard to verify specific locations

Bryson City - OPEN! See Explore Bryson City to verify specific locations

Hendersonville - OPEN! See Visit Henderson to verify specific locations

Highlands / Cashiers - OPEN! See the Highlands Chamber of Commerce to verify specific locations
Sylva / Cullowhee - OPEN! See Discover Jackson County to verify specific locations

Waynesville - OPEN! See Visit Haywood to verify specific locations

Mars Hill - OPEN! See the Madison County Chamber website

Spruce Pine - OPEN! See the Town of Spruce Pine website.

Marshall (Madison County) - NOW OPEN and welcoming visitors!

Lake Lure - NOW OPEN!

Chimney Rock State Park - NOW OPEN!

Photo: Chimney Rock State Park, via Facebook.

Outdoor Activities

For specific WNC trail status & updates for outdoor recreation areas, please refer to the US Forest Service website here.

For all state park closures, go here.

Asheville

Asheville is OPEN - See more current updates on Visit Asheville Travel Update.
NC Arboretum OPEN.
North Asheville Beaver Lake - OPEN Bird Sanctuary + Nature Walk.
Bent Creek Forest - OPEN Asheville near the NC Arboretum.
City Parks - Some are OPEN, see current updates on the Buncombe County website.

Black Mountain

Black Mountain is OPEN - Please click on Black Mountain Recovery or Visit Black Mountain for more information about town specifics.

Brevard

Brevard, NC is OPEN.
For specific outdoor adventure information and things to do in Brevard, go to Explore Brevard.
These outdoor recreation sites below are considered OPEN for outdoor adventure:
- Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, more info: Pisgah Ranger Station.
- Pink Beds Trail - OPEN, only accessible through Brevard, NC
- Cradle of Forestry - OPEN, Updates are on their Facebook page
- Bracken Preserve in Brevard - OPEN
- Estatoe Trail (Hike/bike path near Downtown Brevard) - OPEN
Dupont State Forest - OPEN

Bryson City

Bryson City is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Explore Bryson City for more information about town specifics.

Hendersonville

Hendersonville is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Visit Henderson for more information about town specifics.

Waynesville

Waynesville is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Visit Haywood for more information about town specifics.

Weaverville

Weaverville is OPEN to visitors - Town of Weaverville - Travel Updates
For all Weaverville Recreation - Learn more here
Nature Trail from Main Street - OPEN
Lake Louise - Walking Trail - OPEN

Biltmore Estate at Christmas

Biltmore Estate

Exhibits:

Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures

Now - January 2026

Buy Tickets

Biltmore Estate Event List

Explore the Biltmore Estate Grounds & Established Itineraries

Ticket & Pricing Information

Biltmore Estate Helene Response

Candlelight Christmas at the Biltmore Estate

November 1 - January 4.

Buy Tickets

NC Arboretum

Ticket Information: Click Here.

Exhibits & Events

Recommended: Group Visits & Guided Walks

Gardens

Hours, Directions & Pricing

Events:

"Trolls: A Field Study" by Danish artist Thomas Dambo will make its U.S. premiere at the Arboretum from November 15, 2025, to February 17, 2026, marking the first time this internationally acclaimed traveling exhibition has been displayed in North America.

"Winter Lights" is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise.

November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026

Purchase Tickets

Photo credit: Thomas Dambo

NC Arboretum

Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:

Asheville

Please see the most updated list on the Asheville Independent Restaurants website.

Another resources is Explore Asheville and AVL Today.

Brevard

See restaurant updates here, Explore Brevard

Black Mountain

See restaurant updates here, Visit Black Mountain

Bryson City

See restaurant updates here, Explore Bryson City

Hendersonville

See restaurant updates here, Visit Hendersonville

Waynesville

See restaurant updates here, Visit Haywood

Weaverville

See restaurant updates here, Town of Weaverville

Photo: at Blue Mountain Pizza in Weaverville, by Kara Dahlberg

Retail & Holiday Shopping

Retail Therapy

These RETAIL areas and links are OPEN for businesses. Please use the links to verify specific businesses' status or contact businesses directly for each area is providing their own timeline. Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:

Asheville

Black Mountain

Brevard

Bryson City

Hendersonville

Weaverville

Waynesville

Photo credit: Holiday tree lighting & shopping at the historic Grove Arcade, Downtown Asheville.

Events & Top Attractions

November EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS

Top event recommendations from us at the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:

November 2025

Nov. 1 - 2, Art Safari in Weaverville
Nov. 6-9, The Asheville Sessions - The 100th Anniversary of the Asheville Sessions isn’t just a concert series. It’s a city‑wide celebration. From intimate free gatherings to performances by national touring artists, this is your once-in-a-century chance to be part of music history.
Nov. 6-10, 2025, Cold Mountain Release Weekend at Highland Brewing - Celebrate the return of Cold Mountain Winter Ale with exclusive beer releases and a local-only lineup of musicians
Nov. 15 - Feb 17, 2026, Trolls: A Field Study by Thomas Dambo - North Carolina Arboretum. More details.
Nov 15 - Jan 4, 2026, Winter Lights at North Carolina Arboretum - Features troll sculptures as part of the display
Nov 28 - Dec 24, 2025, LaZoom Hey Asheville Holiday Tour - 90-minute guided comedy tour of Asheville's history with holiday cheer and a 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing

Weekly Markets:

North Asheville Tailgate Market (Saturdays 8am-12pm at UNCA)
RAD Art Market Saturdays (River Arts District, 10am-5pm)
Highland Meadow Market at Highland Brewing (Sundays 1-6pm)
WNC Farmers Market (open 7 days a week, 8am-5pm year-round)

First Friday Events:

Downtown Asheville Gallery Walk (first Friday of each month, 5-8pm)
Second Saturday:
River Arts District Second Saturday Art Stroll (monthly event)

Events & Top Attractions

December EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS

Top event recommendations from us at the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:

December 2025:

Dec. 1 A Hawaiian Christmas at Wortham Center
Dec. 3 “Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy” at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Dec. 5 - 6 The Nutcracker and the Mouse King Wortham Center
Dec 5–21 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Asheville Community Theatre
Dec 9 NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Dec 11–21 A Christmas Carol: A Play with Music NC Stage
Dec 19 Vienna Light Orchestra Christmas Tour
Dec 21 A Swannanoa Solstice Diane Wortham Center
Dec 31 The Avett Brothers Harrah's Cherokee Arena.
Dec 6–7 The Big Crafty Harrah's Cherokee Arena: A beloved holiday craft fair.
Dec 18 - Dec 21, 2025 Festival of Lights at Deerwoode Reserve, Brevard

Black Mountain

Dec 6, 4 PM Black Mountain Christmas Parade: Annual parade at 4 p.m., featuring a “Christmas in Music and Song” theme, festive floats, and a single Santa Claus.
Early December Holly Jolly Christmas Market and tree lighting in Town Square with live music, crafts, and storytelling.
First weekend of December Circle of Lights at Lake Tomahawk: The lake and park are illuminated with thousands of lights, creating a magical winter ambiance.

Brevard

Dec 6 Heart of Brevard’s Light Up the Night: A beloved tree lighting event featuring festive downtown displays and celebrations.
Nov 28 – Dec 31 Holiday Windows Competition: Downtown merchants decorate shop windows for the season.
Dec 18–21, 5–8:30 p.m. Festival of Lights at Deerwoode Reserve: Walking tour with decorated cabins, treats, hayrides, and visits with Santa; admission $5, kids under 5 free.

Weaverville

Dec. 12, 6 PM Candlelight Stroll down Main Street Downtown

Waynesville

Dec. 13, 6 PM A Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration

The Arts

Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:

Asheville - For the entire vibrant art scene in Asheville, go to Explore Asheville

Downtown Asheville:
- Asheville Art Museum - Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am-6 pm (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
- Visit the Historic Grove Arcade Downtown Asheville
- The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
River Arts District
B&B Innkeeper Recommendations:
- Custom Art Tours with Sherry Masters - Let Sherry be your personal tour guide to our area art galleries and studios

Black Mountain

B&B Innkeeper Recommendations:
- Black Mountain Center for the Arts
Downtown Black Mountain:
- Galleries & Studios

Brevard

Downtown Brevard:
- Art Galleries
Brevard Area Studios and Galleries

Bryson City

Explore the Craft and Art of Bryson City:
- Explore Bryson City

Hendersonville

Downtown Hendersonville
- Hendersonville Galleries, Bearfootin’ Art Walk and more…
- The Perry N. Rudnick Art & Nature Trail - Whimsical outdoor art created by well-known artists combines with nature along this quiet one-mile pathway with interpretive signage and an array of regional plant species.

Weaverville