Name: Holiday Tree Lighting Block Party
Start: 2026-11-28T17:00:00.000-05:00
End: 2026-11-28T21:00:00.000-05:00
Location: Grove Arcade Shops

Downtown kicks off the season on Saturday, November 28, 5pm to 9pm. Expect live jazz, Asheville Ballet performances, street entertainment and an outdoor holiday market under the big lighted tree. It is free and family friendly. Bring your list and shop local while you are there.

Grove Arcade is Asheville’s original mall, a historic destination for shopping, dining, and lifestyle experiences in the center of downtown. Built in 1929 by Asheville visionary E.W. Grove, this restored neo-Gothic landmark fills an entire city block and is home to dozens of locally owned boutiques, specialty shops, art galleries, and top-rated restaurants. 

The Arcade’s interior corridor features high ceilings, natural light, and beautiful architectural details, while Restaurant Row on Page Avenue serves everything from fine dining and wine bars to casual lunch spots. The exterior hosts the seasonal Portico Market, showcasing local farm and craft products.

Locals dig Grove Arcade for its diverse mix of independent shops, tight-knit community energy, and blend of Asheville history with modern flair. It’s a favorite for unusual gifts, jewelry, fashion, art, antiques, and artisan eats. The building’s history and design make it worth a walk-through even for non-shoppers, and the lively outdoor market brings new discoveries every weekend.

Grove Arcade Shops

Looking for shopping in Asheville? These local stores, galleries and boutiques are worth the trip, downtown and across town. [Instant Karma](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1501-instant-karma-asheville) sells hippie gifts at two shops, one on Lexington Avenue downtown and one on Haywood Road in West Asheville. Downtown, [Static Age Records](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4065-static-age-records) sells records and hosts shows on Lexington, [Blue Spiral 1](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1479-blue-spiral-1) fills three floors with contemporary art on Biltmore Avenue, and [VaVaVooom](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/974-vavavooom) is a woman-owned lingerie boutique on Broadway. In Biltmore Village, [New Morning Gallery](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1480-new-morning-gallery) shows more than 500 American craft artists. North Asheville's Merrimon Avenue has [Jus' Running](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1014-jus-running), [Asheville Raven & Crone](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1253-asheville-raven-crone) and [Asheville Pet Supply](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1016-asheville-pet-supply). [Orbit DVD](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/969-orbit-dvd) is an independent movie and game store in West Asheville. Out east, the [Antique Tobacco Barn](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1391-antique-tobacco-barn) packs more than 75 vendors into 77,000 square feet, and the [Southern Highland Craft Guild](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/656-southern-highland-craft-guild) sells Appalachian handcraft at its Blue Ridge Parkway shop. South of town, [Boutique Royale](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2644-boutique-royale-lingerie-gifts) carries lingerie and gifts on Sweeten Creek Road, and [Signs for Hope Marketplace](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2487-signs-for-hope-marketplace) in Fairview gives every dollar to a local nonprofit. Black Mountain's [Old Town District](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4063-old-town-district) is a walkable afternoon of shops and galleries. Every shop below has hours, photos and directions.

Holiday Tree Lighting Block Party

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