A Drumbeat to Spring
Signature Events Inspiring Visitation this Winter
Explore Asheville is working with partners for our community’s revival this winter. We understand businesses have many decisions to weigh as we enter the first quarter of 2025 and have been working collaboratively to secure a calendar full of joyful events set to inspire residents, visitors, and large groups to be part of the comeback for Asheville with heart during the winter shoulder season. Please use this calendar to plan your winter staffing and promotions
JANUARY:
- January 3–5 | Best of Our State Magazine | 624 attendees | Our Stage magazine comes to life through an immersive weekend of culture, music, and storytelling at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn
- January 8 | Brian Regan Live Benefit Show | Acclaimed comedian takes the stage at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in a special WNC benefit show
- January 9–12 | The Gala 2025: Women’s Gymnastics Competition | 8,000 attendees | Premier Southeast gymnastics tournaments showcasing rising talents across all skill levels
- January 17–19 | She Can Fly Invitational Tour with Shilese Jones: Women’s Gymnastics Competition | 4,000 attendees | Six-time world medalist Shilese Jones hosts a gymnastics competition featuring next-generation athletes
- January 21–27 | Asheville Restaurant Week | A two-week culinary celebration highlighting the local food scene with exclusive menus and special deals
FEBRUARY:
- February 2 | Stars Servin’ Up Love – A Celebrity Tennis Benefit for Western NC | 5,000 attendees | Fun-filled and meaningful day of entertaining tennis and giving back to the WNC community
- February 6–8 and 14–16 | Billy Strings Sold Out Concerts | 18,600 attendees | Six sold-out performances over two weekends by Billy Strings, with a percentage of every ticket sold donated to local nonprofits
- February 9–15 | Stout Week | A celebration of dark delights and community resilience taking place in several local breweries throughout the Asheville area and Buncombe County
- February 18–23 | Asheville Restaurant Week | Second week of the city’s culinary celebration featuring chef specialties and dining deals
- February 21–22 | 9 Panel Cheer Competition | 8,000 attendees | Family-focused competition fostering positive sportsmanship and team spirit
- February 22 | The Love of Craft – A WNC Winter Arts, Craft Beverage, and Craft Mac & Cheese Festival | A vibrant winter celebration showcasing WNC’s finest artistry, flavors, and community spirit
MARCH:
- March 7–10 | SoCon Basketball Championships | 30,000 attendees | First annual SoCon week in Asheville, inviting Southern Conference student-athletes, staff, families, and fans for a week of conference championship games
- March 7–8 | SoCon Wrestling Championships | An exciting weekend of college wrestling showcasing some of the best wrestling talents in the Southern Conference
- March 13 | Taste of Asheville | 650 attendees |
- March 14–16 | Ignite Dance Competition | 3,400 attendees | Dance competition focused on building community between dancers and studios
- March 19 | Asheville Symphony Orchestra with Gregory Alan Isakov | 2,000 attendees | Grammy-nominated musician Gregory Alan Isakov stops in Asheville on his special headline tour, featuring full symphony orchestras in each city
- March 21–23 | Waves Dance Competition | 4,000 attendees | Educational dance event celebrating artistic expression and technical excellence
- March 28–30 | Tri-State Dance Competition | 2,000 attendees | Regional competition offering constructive critique in a positive forum
Download and print this graphic to share with your employees and clients here.
HELP US GROW ASHEVILLE WINTER PROGRAMMING
- Submit Your Events: If you have an upcoming event, please submit it to the Explore Asheville calendar.
- Share with Our Content Team: Share a press release, photos, and exciting details with our content and PR teams at news@exploreasheville.com for us to promote on your behalf!
- Apply for the 2025 Festivals & Cultural Events Fund or an Event Sponsorship: Grants of up to $5,000 will be available for local cultural events and festivals that celebrate the Asheville and Buncombe County communities starting in January through the 2025 Festivals & Cultural Event Support Fund. Explore Asheville’s Event Sponsorship program offers year-round financial support for events and special projects that demonstrate an ability to enhance the local tourism industry of Buncombe County.