It's snuggle season! The winter months of January and February are the most serene of the year in Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. So it's the perfect time for a North Carolina mountain romantic getaway, including a Valentine's trip. Surprising to some, it rarely snows in Asheville. Since the city is protected by the highest mountains in eastern America, snow is often kept about 20 miles away on the higher mountain peaks and ski areas. (Pic above: Winter Hike on Roan Mountain)
Top Asheville Winter Things to Do: January-February
Winter Getaway Packages: Since the winter months are the slowest months for inns, hotels, and cabin rentals, you will find the best deals of the year. See a big variety of Winter Packages and Specials. Book ahead for Valentine's Weekends, since they will be busier. See our top-rated B&Bs, cabins, and hotels.
Biltmore Specials: Enjoy the grand estate without the big crowds and get great deals on tickets and accommodations at two hotels. Read about winter outings and specials at Biltmore.
Spa Pampering: Be it a simple weekend of relaxation, a romantic couple’s getaway in the mountains, or a chance to improve your health, Asheville is the ultimate destination for spas and wellness. See our Top Asheville Spas. The photo above is the Spa at The Omni Grove Park Inn. Also, warm up in the 100-degree natural mineral waters in Hot Springs or a Salt Cave.
Ski & Snowboard: Beech Mountain is the highest town and ski area in the eastern USA, and they have tubing and great ski packages. Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley is an easy drive from Asheville. Banner Elk is our Top NC Ski Town. Plus, see other NC ski resorts near Asheville.
Foodie Favorites: Dine at farm-to-table restaurants, take a chocolate tour, and browse the WNC Farmers' Market, just to name a few. Plus, see our Top 12 Foodie Favorites.
Small-Town Getaways: Head to Jackson County and its cool small towns of Sylva, Dillsboro, and Cashiers for the perfect getaway for relaxation, exploration, and pampering. Find cozy cabins, fun breweries, spas, great restaurants, waterfalls, hikes, and more. See our Jackson County Winter Getaway Guide.
Beer Crawl: Asheville (a.k.a. Beer City, U.S.A) has an amazing selection of craft breweries and pubs. Sample 100+ local brews with our top picks for beer in the Asheville area. If wine is more to your liking, see our guide to Asheville Wine Bars.
Downtown Asheville: Browse through more than 200 shops, 30 art galleries, and a dozen antique stores. Savor local food at 70+ restaurants.
Art & Craft: With more than 100 galleries and even more artist studios, you will need plenty of time for exploring. In addition to the galleries in downtown, head to the Folk Art Center and the River Arts District. See our Gallery Guide.
Outdoors: Take a hike with great views due to leafless trees, cool temperatures and far less crowds, it may become your favorite time of the year to hit the trail. See our winter hiking guide for our top picks. And don't forget to find some of our spectacular waterfalls. See our Top 20 Winter Waterfalls to explore. Zipline and play in the trees at the Adventure Center near downtown Asheville.
Bonus: Valentine's Week - Take a photo tour of things to do with your sweetie.
Top Asheville NC Mountain Winter & Valentine Events
Chihuly at Biltmore
Enjoy a new experience of the artist’s iconic creations at Biltmore Estate. Presented in an intimate gallery setting, Chihuly at Biltmore includes pedestal works, drawings, and large-scale… read more
Enjoy a new experience of the artist’s iconic creations at Biltmore Estate. Presented in an intimate gallery setting, Chihuly at Biltmore includes pedestal works, drawings, and large-scale installations of chandeliers, towers, mille fiori, and neon.
Christmas at Biltmore
The biggest event of the holiday season. See America's largest home decked out in festive finery. Candlelight Evenings are especially magical. See our extensive guide with tips, photos and details.
The Big Crafty
Local's favorite art & craft show with 150 hand-selected local artists. Local food & beer too. Inside the Harrah's Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville (87 Haywood St).
Local's favorite art & craft show with 150 hand-selected local artists. Local food & beer too. Inside the Harrah's Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville (87 Haywood St).
Festival of Lights at Deerwoode Reserve, Brevard
Find yourself in the midst of cozy cabins and twinkling lights at Deerwoode Reserve’s Festival of Lights in Brevard. Stroll the property and enjoy hot chocolate, s’mores, crafts for kids, hayrides, and visits with Santa. Admission is $5.00 and all proceeds benefit The Family Place of Transylvania County.
5:00 pm - 8:30 pm each night
Past Events
Spring Events & Festivals: Top 40
Check out our calendar of the best festival and events in Asheville and western North Carolina in April and May.
Check out our calendar of the best festival and events in Asheville and western North Carolina in April and May.
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival
Local and national artists explore the edges of their work, collaborate across genres and bring innovative performances to culturally adventurous audiences. Includes dancers, installation artists… read more
Local and national artists explore the edges of their work, collaborate across genres and bring innovative performances to culturally adventurous audiences. Includes dancers, installation artists, theatre companies, Butoh dance, puppetry, modern dance, and performance art.
Organic Growers Conference
This annual Spring Conference at Mars Hill University includes 150+ practical, affordable, regionally-appropriate workshops on organic growing, homesteading, urban farming and rural living. Plus… read more
This annual Spring Conference at Mars Hill University includes 150+ practical, affordable, regionally-appropriate workshops on organic growing, homesteading, urban farming and rural living. Plus trade show, seed exchange, special guests and on-farm events.
Mardi Gras Murder Mystery
Enjoy a night of masquerade, a murder most foul, and delicious New Orleans cuisine at this interactive dinner theater experience in the Grand Ole Hall at Highland Lake Inn & Resort. 1920s… read more
Enjoy a night of masquerade, a murder most foul, and delicious New Orleans cuisine at this interactive dinner theater experience in the Grand Ole Hall at Highland Lake Inn & Resort. 1920s Mardi Gras costumes and masks are encouraged!
Winter Concert Weekend, Omni Grove Park Inn
Get ready to chase the winter blues away with a Winter Concert Weekend at Omni Grove Park Inn! On Friday, February 23, prepare for an evening brimming with infectious laughter during our comedy… read more
Get ready to chase the winter blues away with a Winter Concert Weekend at Omni Grove Park Inn! On Friday, February 23, prepare for an evening brimming with infectious laughter during our comedy show headlined by Jeff Allen, known for his appearances on America’s Got Talent, Netflix, Amazon, Dry Bar Comedy and more. Spend Saturday, February 24, rockin’ to legendary sounds from Monsters of Yacht…
Arts & Crafts Conference @ Grove Park Inn
Perfect for the passionate collector or those just interested in the Arts and Crafts design. The long-running weekend at Grove Park Inn includes lectures, small group discussions, exhibitions,… read more
Perfect for the passionate collector or those just interested in the Arts and Crafts design. The long-running weekend at Grove Park Inn includes lectures, small group discussions, exhibitions, books, a contemporary crafts show and the finest of the antiques shows.
Outhouse Races
Dozens of outhouses race to compete for the throne. Spectators come from throughout the southeast to line the course and cheer on those brave enough to see if the outhouse crashes and burns or… read more
Dozens of outhouses race to compete for the throne. Spectators come from throughout the southeast to line the course and cheer on those brave enough to see if the outhouse crashes and burns or sails across the finish line!
Valentine's Week
See our Top 20 Things to Do on Valentine's Day and Week in Asheville and the North Carolina mountains, with a photo tour of romantic getaway ideas.
See our Top 20 Things to Do on Valentine's Day and Week in Asheville and the North Carolina mountains, with a photo tour of romantic getaway ideas.
Candlelight Concert: Valentine's Day Special
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover the music of… read more
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Valentine's Day Special ft. "Romeo and Juliet" and more at Asheville Masonic Temple under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Mardi Gras Parade
Everyone is invited to participate in, or simply spectate this family-friendly spectacle. This fun parade in downtown Asheville is led by this year's King and Queen, with dancers, roller skaters,… read more
Everyone is invited to participate in, or simply spectate this family-friendly spectacle. This fun parade in downtown Asheville is led by this year's King and Queen, with dancers, roller skaters, drummers and krewes of colorful characters. 3 PM
For events throughout the year, see our list of seasonal calendars.
