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Welcome back to the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Updated January 6, 2026
Welcome 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.
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We’re thrilled to welcome you back to Western North Carolina, where businesses are open, trails are waiting, and unforgettable experiences await.
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Scroll below for the latest happenings and events as of January 6, 2026, and start planning your next mountain adventure.
Top Five Reasons People Travel to Asheville:
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Biltmore Estate - OPEN!
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Blue Ridge Parkway - OPEN.
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The Arts - River Arts District - OPEN.
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Historic Biltmore Village - Shops and restaurants are OPEN! Review their Facebook page for updated information.
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NC Arboretum - OPEN!​​​
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!
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Outdoor Activities
For specific WNC trail status & updates for outdoor recreation areas, please refer to the US Forest Service website here.
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For all state park closures, go here.
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Asheville
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Asheville is OPEN - See more current updates on Visit Asheville Travel Update.
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NC Arboretum OPEN.
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North Asheville Beaver Lake - OPEN Bird Sanctuary + Nature Walk.
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Bent Creek Forest - OPEN Asheville near the NC Arboretum.
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City Parks - Some are OPEN, see current updates on the Buncombe County website.
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Black Mountain
Black Mountain is OPEN - Please click on Black Mountain Recovery or Visit Black Mountain for more information about town specifics.
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Brevard
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For specific outdoor adventure information and things to do in Brevard, go to Explore Brevard.
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These outdoor recreation sites below are considered OPEN for outdoor adventure:
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Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, more info: Pisgah Ranger Station.
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Pink Beds Trail - OPEN, only accessible through Brevard, NC
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Cradle of Forestry - OPEN, Updates are on their Facebook page
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Bracken Preserve in Brevard - OPEN
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Estatoe Trail (Hike/bike path near Downtown Brevard) - OPEN
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Dupont State Forest - OPEN
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Bryson City
Bryson City is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Explore Bryson City for more information about town specifics.
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Hendersonville
Hendersonville is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Visit Henderson for more information about town specifics.
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Waynesville
Waynesville is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Visit Haywood for more information about town specifics.
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Weaverville
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Weaverville is OPEN to visitors - Town of Weaverville - Travel Updates
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For all Weaverville Recreation - Learn more here
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Nature Trail from Main Street - OPEN
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Lake Louise - Walking Trail​ - OPEN​​
Biltmore Estate
​​Exhibits:
Coming Spring 2026 - Opens March 26th (select nights)
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​Explore the Biltmore Estate Grounds & Established Itineraries
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Biltmore Estate Helene Response
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NC Arboretum
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Ticket Information: Click Here.​
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Recommended: Group Visits & Guided Walks
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​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.​​
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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.
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Another resource is Explore Asheville and AVL Today.
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Brevard
See restaurant updates here, Explore Brevard
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Black Mountain
See restaurant updates here. Visit Black Mountain​
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Bryson City
See restaurant updates here. Explore Bryson City
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Hendersonville
See restaurant updates here. Visit Hendersonville
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Waynesville
See restaurant updates here, Visit Haywood
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Weaverville
See restaurant updates here, Town of Weaverville
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Retail Therapy
These RETAIL areas and links are OPEN for businesses.
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Asheville
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Black Mountain
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Brevard
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Bryson City
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Hendersonville
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Weaverville
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Events & Top Attractions
January EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS
Top event recommendations from us at the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:
January 2026​​​​​​​​​​
Asheville​ & Black Mountain
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Through January 4: Winter Lights at North Carolina Arboretum (Nov 15 - Jan 4, 6pm-9pm, $45-$75) - featuring Thomas Dambo's Troll Sculptures
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Through Feb 17, 2026 Thomas Dambo Trolls on display at the North Carolina Arboretum
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Through January 5: Deck the Trees (Black Mountain & Swannanoa holiday tradition)
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Asheville Art Museum - Lasting Legacies exhibition (architectural work of Richard Sharp Smith, Albert Heath Carrier, and Douglas D. Ellington)
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Through January 4: 2025 National Gingerbread Houses on Display (Historic Grove Park) - FREE​
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Through January 19: Asheville Yards Ice Skating. Get Tickets.
Haywood County - Waynesville
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Thursday, Jan 30: Cool Jazz Concert at HART Theatre / Torch Run at Cataloochee Ski Area (10:30 pm)
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Friday, Jan 31: Ice Block Party & Ice Stroll in Downtown Waynesville (businesses open late, ice sculptures)
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Saturday, Feb 1: Ice Extravaganza in Maggie Valley (live ice carving demos, ice games, vendors)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Events & Top Attractions
February EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS
Top event recommendations from us at the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:​​​
Asheville
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The Winter Ramble: A Celebration of Traditional American Mountain Music - February 27-March 1
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Asheville Train Show: February 20-21 at Western NC Agricultural Center
- Asheville Train Show: February 20-21 at Western NC Agricultural Center
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Biltmore Estate: Winter Orchid Display (through March)
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Flood Gallery Fine Art Center Exhibition - Through February 20, 2026 (Features 25+ local artists)
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Thomas Dambo's Trolls at NC Arboretum - Through February 17, 2026 (Interactive troll sculptures throughout gardens)
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King Tut Exhibition - Continuing through February at Biltmore Estate (1,000 replicas of burial treasures)
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Asheville Restaurant Week - February 17 - 23, Celebrating Asheville's great food scene
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Bluegrass First Class Festival - Weekend event featuring national and regional bluegrass performers
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Billy Strings - February 10-11 & 13-14, 2026 at ExploreAsheville.com Arena (4 nights!)
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Pete Yorn - February 7, 2026 at The Orange Peel (25th Anniversary of musicforthemorningafter Solo Acoustic)
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Dar Williams - February 13, 2026 at Wortham Center
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Solas - February 14, 2026, at Wortham Center (Valentine's Day Celtic music)
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Waynesville
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HAYWOOD ICE FEST WEEKEND: January 29 - February 1, Maggie Valley Fairgrounds
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Visit Haywood for a full list of local happenings in February​​​
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Hendersonville
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​The Winter Ramble: A Celebration of Traditional American Mountain Music February 27 - March 1
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Jackson Park Bird Outing - 8:00-10:00 AM - FREE. Valentine's Day
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Wedding Festival: WNC Bridal Show - February 7, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM at Western NC Agricultural Center (FREE-$55)
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Claywood Wine & Whiskey Valentine's Coursing Dinner: February 25, 6:00-8:00 PM ($150)
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Wine + Whiskey Coursing Dinner: February 25, 6:00-8:00 PM ($150)
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For full list and more details, Visit Hendersonville​​​
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
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Downtown Asheville: ​
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Asheville Art Museum - Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am-6 pm (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
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B&B Innkeeper Recommendations:​
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Custom Art Tours with Sherry Masters - Let Sherry be your personal tour guide to our area art galleries and studios​​
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Black Mountain
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B&B Innkeeper Recommendations:​
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Downtown Black Mountain:​​
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Brevard
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Bryson City
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Explore the Craft and Art of Bryson City:
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Hendersonville
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Downtown Hendersonville
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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.
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Weaverville
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Innkeeper Recommendations:​​
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Main Street Weaverville & Beyond:
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Waynesville
Downtown Waynesville:
Yellow House Recommendations - Waynesville Galleries
Haywood Arts Council & Gallery​​​
Photo: Asheville Art Museum
Getting Here
By Air
The Asheville Regional Airport is open and operating.
By Car
The latest road openings and closures can be found at DriveNC.gov.
ALL ARE OPEN! Highways and Interstates.​
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