The Asheville area has 8 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Asheville on November 3 to Winter Lights in Asheville, which runs through January 3. 1 of them is free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in North Carolina, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 8 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Asheville for 2026, in Asheville, Leicester, Brevard and Chimney Rock
- First: Candlelight Christmas Evenings, Asheville, November 3. Runs latest: Candlelight Christmas Evenings, Asheville, through January 9
- Free: Asheville Holiday Parade
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by city, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our North Carolina Christmas train rides page.
Asheville Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 8 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Asheville, Leicester, Brevard and Chimney Rock
- Season
- November 3, 2026 to January 9, 2027
- Free events
- 1
- Kinds of events
- holiday lights, Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday parade and holiday show
- Last checked
Plan your December
When each Asheville Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Asheville on November 3; the last runs to January 3. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Candlelight Christmas EveningsAsheville · Nov 3 to Jan 9
- Winter LightsAsheville · Nov 13 to Jan 3
- Asheville Holiday ParadeAsheville · Nov 21
- FrozenAsheville · Dec 4 to Dec 20
- 29th Annual Santa on the ChimneyChimney Rock · Dec 5 to Dec 12
- Festival of LightsBrevard · Dec 10 to Dec 13
- Gingerbread Decorating with Appalachian SantaLeicester · Dec 13
- Story Time with SantaLeicester · Dec 20
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Asheville? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Christmas events for kids in Asheville
4 confirmed events for kids in Asheville, soonest first.
Asheville: Candlelight Christmas Evenings
Holiday lightsBiltmore · Asheville
- Host
- Biltmore (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803
- When
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 to Saturday, January 9, 2027 (evenings)
- Cost
- Ticketed, price varies by ticket type
- Ages
- Kids of all ages
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Candlelight Christmas Evenings pairs an after dark tour of Biltmore House, lit by candles, fireplaces and twinkle lights, with live music from musicians in the Winter Garden. A large Norway spruce and path luminaries greet guests as they walk toward the house.
Outside, the Front Lawn has illuminated Christmas trees that children enjoy running among, and Antler Hill Village is decorated with lights, ornaments and displays. Every Candlelight ticket also includes daytime admission to the estate grounds, including Antler Hill Village and Winery, the gardens and shops. Several estate restaurants take reservations, which the estate recommends making ahead.
Parent tip: House tour tickets include a daytime grounds visit on the same day or the day after the evening. Book restaurant tables early.
See dates and details from Biltmore (opens in a new tab)Asheville: Winter Lights
Holiday lightsThe North Carolina Arboretum · Asheville
- Host
- The North Carolina Arboretum (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806
- When
- Friday, November 13, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027 (nightly walk-through light show; dates vary by ticket tier)
- Cost
- Per-car tickets in Value, Standard and Peak tiers; price varies by date
- Ages
- All ages
- Sign-up
- Recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Winter Lights turns the formal gardens at The North Carolina Arboretum into a glowing walk-through show. The page describes more than one million lights, a one-mile trail, live music from local performers, and festive treats such as cocoa and s'mores. New this year are displays like a forest floor carpeted with mushrooms, a path beneath lily pads, and giant dragonflies.
Guests arrive by car, and ticketing is per vehicle in three price tiers (Value, Standard and Peak) based on demand. Everyone in a standard car gets in for one price, and gate tickets cost extra. Plan on at least an hour to see the displays. Walking and biking in are not allowed, pets are not permitted, and children under 16 must stay with an adult the whole visit. It is an all-weather event unless the Arboretum closes for an emergency.
Parent tip: Buy advance tickets because peak dates sell out and gate tickets cost more. Allow at least an hour and dress warmly for the walk.
See dates and details from The North Carolina Arboretum (opens in a new tab)Asheville: Asheville Holiday Parade
Holiday paradeFreeAsheville Downtown Association · Asheville
- Host
- Asheville Downtown Association (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Downtown Asheville, Asheville, NC 28801
- When
- Saturday, November 21, 2026, 11 am to 2 pm
- Cost
- Free to watch
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Asheville Downtown Association says its holiday parade is returning to the heart of downtown on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 11 AM to 2 PM. The event brings together community groups, schools, nonprofits and local organizations for a celebration meant for spectators of all ages.
Parade entries are invited to show off their holiday spirit with decorated floats, vehicles, costumes and performances, so expect a mix of music and color rather than one big production. The organizers note that the route, schedule and other details will be announced closer to the event, so check the event page again before you go. Volunteers also help run the parade, and community groups can apply to take part.
Parent tip: The route was not yet posted when this page was checked, so look at the event page again the week of the parade before choosing a viewing spot.
See dates and details from Asheville Downtown Association (opens in a new tab)Asheville: Frozen
Holiday showAsheville Community Theatre · Asheville
- Host
- Asheville Community Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Asheville Community Theatre, ACT Mainstage, 35 E Walnut St, Asheville, NC 28801
- When
- Friday, December 4, 2026 to Sunday, December 20, 2026 (Thu, Fri, Sat 7:30 pm; Sat and Sun 2:30 pm; $25 ticket night Dec 17)
- Cost
- Tickets sold at the box office; $25 ticket night on Dec 17
- Ages
- Appropriate for all ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Asheville Community Theatre stages the musical Frozen from December 4 to 20, 2026, with evening shows Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 PM. The story follows sisters Anna and Elsa in the kingdom of Arendelle, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
The theatre lists the show as appropriate for all ages, with a running time of about two hours and fifteen minutes including one intermission. It warns that the show has loud noises and flashing lights. Special performances include a pay what you can night on December 10, a $25 ticket night on December 17, and ASL and descriptive audio shows. Accessible seating and listening devices are available for mainstage shows.
Parent tip: The show has loud noises and flashing lights. Weekend matinees at 2:30 pm are the easiest fit for younger children.
See dates and details from Asheville Community Theatre (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Leicester
2 confirmed events for kids in Leicester, soonest first.
Leicester: Gingerbread Decorating with Appalachian Santa
Santa visitMontgomery Sky Farm · Leicester
- Host
- Montgomery Sky Farm (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Montgomery Sky Farm, 340 Turkey Creek Rd, Leicester, NC 28748 (near Asheville)
- When
- Sunday, December 13, 2026, 6 to 7:30 pm
- Cost
- $25 per ticket
- Ages
- Families with children
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
This is the eighth year the farm has held its gingerbread house decorating night, planned for Sunday, December 13, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 PM. Kids decorate their own gingerbread house, get a visit with Appalachian Santa, and are served warm refreshments and light bites.
Families are asked to purchase one ticket per child, and each child ticket comes with a single gingerbread house. Adult tickets come without a house, and because space is limited, each child may bring at most two adults. Ticket sales cannot be refunded, and the money supports the farm's operations and the rescue it runs, Final Run Rescue. Guests need a reservation to visit, and no pets are allowed on the property.
Parent tip: Get a child ticket for each child, since an adult ticket has no gingerbread house with it. When checked on Nov 3, ticket options appeared sold out or unavailable, so verify before you plan around it.
See dates and details from Montgomery Sky Farm (opens in a new tab)Leicester: Story Time with Santa
Story time with SantaMontgomery Sky Farm · Leicester
- Host
- Montgomery Sky Farm (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Montgomery Sky Farm, 340 Turkey Creek Rd, Leicester, NC 28748 (near Asheville)
- When
- Sunday, December 20, 2026, 7 to 9 pm
- Cost
- $80 per child ticket; adult tickets separate
- Ages
- Whole family
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Story Time with Santa is a pajama-friendly evening on Sunday, December 20, 2026, billed as the farm's final Christmas event of the season and its fourth year. Families gather while Santa reads a Christmas story, and guests are invited to wear holiday attire.
Refreshments include a chocolate charcuterie board, warm seasonal drinks and plenty of cookies, and each child receives a gift from Santa to take home. Because of limited space, each child may bring at most two adults. Tickets are sold on the farm's website, one ticket per child plus adult tickets, and all tickets are nonrefundable. The farm is private and visits are by reservation only, and pets are not allowed on site.
Parent tip: Both ticket types showed as sold out or unavailable when checked on Nov 3, so confirm availability with the farm before planning. Tickets are nonrefundable.
See dates and details from Montgomery Sky Farm (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Brevard
1 confirmed event for kids in Brevard, soonest first.
Brevard: Festival of Lights
Santa and Mrs. ClausDeerwoode Reserve · Brevard
- Host
- Deerwoode Reserve (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Deerwoode Reserve, 395 Riversedge Rd, Brevard, NC 28712 (near Asheville)
- When
- Thu December 10, Fri December 11, Sat December 12 and Sun December 13, 2026
- Cost
- $8 per person, ages 3 and under free
- Ages
- Ages 3 and under free
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
This year's Festival of Lights uses a Storybook Christmas theme, turning the cabins and grounds at Deerwoode Reserve into scenes from well loved holiday stories. It is a fundraiser for The Family Place of Transylvania County.
Admission covers hot cocoa, cider and popcorn, roasting s'mores over fire pits, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the storybook village, a kids craft area, live music and photo spots. Families can also vote in a cabin decorating contest. A food truck sells meals, and raffle baskets are sold at the event. Admission is $8 per person, paid on site by cash or card, and children 3 and under get in free.
Parent tip: No registration is needed. Hours were not listed in the page text, so check the event page or the Facebook event before you drive.
See dates and details from Deerwoode Reserve (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Chimney Rock
1 confirmed event for kids in Chimney Rock, soonest first.
Chimney Rock: 29th Annual Santa on the Chimney
Santa and Mrs. ClausChimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park · Chimney Rock
- Host
- Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720 (near Asheville)
- When
- Sat December 5 and Sat December 12, 2026, 11 am to 2 pm
- Cost
- See park admission rates
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
At the 29th annual Santa on the Chimney, Santa rappels down the 315-foot Chimney Rock with help from Fox Mountain Guides while families watch from below. The event runs on two Saturdays, December 5 and December 12, 2026, from 11 am to 2 pm.
Besides the rappel, the park lists photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a hike with an elf, holiday crafts, live music and a chance to meet live animal ambassadors. The event page does not list a separate price, and the park charges admission for entry, so check the park's ticket page before you go and plan for mountain weather.
Parent tip: Dress for cold mountain weather and check the park's admission rates and hours before the drive.
See dates and details from Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park (opens in a new tab)Looking further afield? Our North Carolina Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, NC, Winston-Salem and Wilmington, NC. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonAsheville Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Asheville in 2026?
We confirmed 8 Christmas events for kids in Asheville for 2026 on each host’s own page: Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Asheville (November 3), Winter Lights in Asheville (November 13), Asheville Holiday Parade in Asheville (November 21), Frozen in Asheville (December 4), 29th Annual Santa on the Chimney in Chimney Rock (December 5), Festival of Lights in Brevard (December 10), Gingerbread Decorating with Appalachian Santa in Leicester (December 13) and Story Time with Santa in Leicester (December 20). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.
What Christmas events for kids are in Asheville, North Carolina?
For families in and around Asheville, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Candlelight Christmas Evenings (Evenings, Nov 3 to Jan 9, 2027, ticketed, price varies by ticket type); Winter Lights (Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, per-car tickets in value, standard and peak tiers; price varies by date); Asheville Holiday Parade (Sat, Nov 21, 11 am to 2 pm, free to watch); Frozen (Dec 4 to 20; Thu to Sat 7:30 pm, Sat and Sun 2:30 pm, tickets sold at the box office; $25 ticket night on dec 17). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Asheville section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Leicester, North Carolina?
For families in and around Leicester, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Gingerbread Decorating with Appalachian Santa (Sun, Dec 13, 6 to 7:30 pm, $25 per ticket); Story Time with Santa (Sun, Dec 20, 7 to 9 pm, $80 per child ticket; adult tickets separate). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Leicester section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Brevard, North Carolina?
For families in and around Brevard, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Festival of Lights (Thu, Dec 10 to Sun, Dec 13, $8 per person, ages 3 and under free). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Brevard section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Chimney Rock, North Carolina?
For families in and around Chimney Rock, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: 29th Annual Santa on the Chimney (Sat, Dec 5 and Sat, Dec 12, 11 am to 2 pm, see park admission rates). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Chimney Rock section of this page.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Asheville?
Yes. 1 of the 8 events here are free: Asheville Holiday Parade in Asheville. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Asheville this December?
Santa appears at 29th Annual Santa on the Chimney in Chimney Rock (December 5), Festival of Lights in Brevard (December 10), Gingerbread Decorating with Appalachian Santa in Leicester (December 13) and Story Time with Santa in Leicester (December 20). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Asheville?
Holiday story times on this page: Story Time with Santa in Leicester. Library story times are usually free; story times with a meal or show are ticketed.
Are there kids' Christmas events in Asheville on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?
Yes: Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Asheville (through January 9) and Winter Lights in Asheville (through January 3).
How much is Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Asheville?
Ticketed, price varies by ticket type. Candlelight Christmas Evenings is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 to Saturday, January 9, 2027 (evenings) at Biltmore Estate. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Winter Lights in Asheville?
Per-car tickets in Value, Standard and Peak tiers; price varies by date. Winter Lights is on Friday, November 13, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027 (nightly walk-through light show; dates vary by ticket tier) at The North Carolina Arboretum. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Asheville Holiday Parade in Asheville?
Free to watch. Asheville Holiday Parade is on Saturday, November 21, 2026, 11 am to 2 pm at Downtown Asheville. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Frozen in Asheville?
Tickets sold at the box office; $25 ticket night on Dec 17. Frozen is on Friday, December 4, 2026 to Sunday, December 20, 2026 (Thu, Fri, Sat 7:30 pm; Sat and Sun 2:30 pm; $25 ticket night Dec 17) at Asheville Community Theatre, ACT Mainstage. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is 29th Annual Santa on the Chimney in Chimney Rock?
See park admission rates. 29th Annual Santa on the Chimney is on Sat December 5 and Sat December 12, 2026, 11 am to 2 pm at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Festival of Lights in Brevard?
$8 per person, ages 3 and under free. Festival of Lights is on Thu December 10, Fri December 11, Sat December 12 and Sun December 13, 2026 at Deerwoode Reserve. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Gingerbread Decorating with Appalachian Santa in Leicester?
$25 per ticket. Gingerbread Decorating with Appalachian Santa is on Sunday, December 13, 2026, 6 to 7:30 pm at Montgomery Sky Farm. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Story Time with Santa in Leicester?
$80 per child ticket; adult tickets separate. Story Time with Santa is on Sunday, December 20, 2026, 7 to 9 pm at Montgomery Sky Farm. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Asheville?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Asheville Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 2, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
