Name: Winter Lights
Start: 2026-11-13T18:00:00.000-05:00
End: 2026-11-13T18:00:00.000-05:00
Location: The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights plays The North Carolina Arboretum on Friday, November 13 at 6:00 PM. Put it on the calendar now so you don't miss it.

Located within the scenic Pisgah National Forest just south of downtown Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum encompasses 434 acres of stunning cultivated gardens, hiking and biking trails, and outdoor discovery spaces. Easily accessible via the Blue Ridge Parkway and located at 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, the Arboretum is a premier destination for nature lovers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts. Key highlights include the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, National Native Azalea Repository, inspiring Quilt Garden, and multiple garden-themed trails representing native Appalachian flora. The Arboretum also features year-round rotating educational exhibits and programs, a visitor center with a gift shop showcasing regional crafts, and seasonally operated on-site dining. While admission is free, a parking fee applies to most vehicles. The Arboretum welcomes pedestrians, cyclists, and members with no charge. Accessibility features include wheelchair-friendly paths and complimentary wheelchairs available on-site.

Locals treasure the North Carolina Arboretum as a peaceful and beautiful retreat into nature with unparalleled botanical diversity. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained trails and the wealth of educational programs for all ages, including guided hikes, plant workshops, and kid-friendly discovery activities. The scenic views of the Southern Appalachian Mountains combined with captivating garden designs make it a favorite spot for photographers, artists, and outdoor fitness enthusiasts. Many locals also value the Arboretum’s commitment to conservation and sustainability, contributing to its status as a vital part of the Asheville community. The relaxed ambiance and plentiful amenities create the perfect blend of recreation and learning.

The North Carolina Arboretum

Asheville is surrounded by trails, rivers and parks, and a lot of it is close to town. [Asheville Parks & Recreation](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/3370-asheville-parks-recreation) runs more than 50 city parks, plus greenways and a 17,000 square foot skatepark downtown. In East Asheville, the [WNC Nature Center](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1066-wnc-nature-center) has black bears, wolves and river otters on 42 acres. [Jus' Running](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1014-jus-running) on Merrimon Avenue does walk-in shoe fittings and runs Tuesday track workouts. Along the river, the [French Broad River Greenway](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5329-french-broad-river-greenway) and the [Wilma Dykeman Greenway](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5330-wilma-dykeman-greenway) link West Asheville to the River Arts District, and [Asheville Canoe House](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2439-asheville-canoe-house) rents canoes at Hominy Creek River Park. [Richmond Hill Park](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5325-richmond-hill-park) has disc golf and mountain bike trails, the [Asheville Botanical Garden](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2409-asheville-botanical-garden) next to UNC Asheville is free, and [Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5324-beaver-lake-bird-sanctuary) has a boardwalk loop in North Asheville. [Liberty Bicycles](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/894-liberty-bicycles) has fixed and sold bikes since 1980, and the [Adventure Center of Asheville](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/639-adventure-center-of-asheville) runs ziplines five minutes from downtown. Farther out, [Craggy Gardens](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5318-craggy-gardens), [Max Patch](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5320-max-patch) and [Mount Mitchell State Park](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5319-mount-mitchell-state-park) make good day trips, and the [Hikes & Waterfalls guide](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/109-hikes-waterfalls-near-asheville-nc) has more. Every spot below has hours, photos and directions.

Outdoor Things to Do in Asheville, NC: Trails, Parks and Rivers

Asheville is a dog friendly town, and these breweries, restaurant patios, bars, shops and pet services welcome you and your dog. Many breweries allow leashed dogs, including [Highland Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/45-highland-brewing-company) and its meadow in East Asheville, [Wedge Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/69-wedge-brewing-co), [RAD Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2372-the-river-arts-district-brewing-company), [New Belgium](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4888-new-belgium-brewing) and [Ginger's Revenge](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1325-ginger-s-revenge) in the River Arts District, and [Archetype](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1243-archetype-brewing), [One World West](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/866-one-world-brewing-west) and [Westville Pub](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/118-westville-pub) on Haywood Road in West Asheville. Downtown, [Wicked Weed](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1133-wicked-weed-brewing)'s brewpub has two pet friendly patios, the [Funkatorium](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1134-the-funkatorium) is on the South Slope, and [Twisted Laurel](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/857-twisted-laurel-downtown-asheville-twisted-laurel-weaverville) and [Posana](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/34-posana) have dog friendly patios near Pack Square. Woodfin has [Zillicoah](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2015-zillicoah-beer-company), [Riverside Rhapsody](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2132-riverside-rhapsody-beer-company) and [Salt Face Mule](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2481-salt-face-mule-brewing-co) along the French Broad River. South of town, try [Sweeten Creek Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1329-sweeten-creek-brewing), [12 Bones Smokehouse](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2134-12-bones-smokehouse-and-brewing) in Arden, [Turgua](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1327-turgua-brewing-company) in Fairview, and [Sierra Nevada](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2361-sierra-nevada) and [Mills River Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2255-mills-river-brewing-co) in Mills River. Black Mountain has [Pisgah Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/886-pisgah-brewing-company) and [Lookout Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4658-lookout-brewing-company). For pet supplies and care, visit [Asheville Pet Supply](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1016-asheville-pet-supply) on Merrimon Avenue and [All Pets Animal Hospital](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2251-all-pets-animal-hospital) on Patton Avenue. Every listing below has hours, photos and directions.

Dog-Friendly Breweries, Bars and Shops in Asheville, NC

Looking for things to do with kids in Asheville? Find wildlife, hands-on museums, farm days, arcades, bowling and outdoor theater. In East Asheville, the [WNC Nature Center](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1066-wnc-nature-center) has black bears, red wolves, river otters and red pandas on Gashes Creek Road. Near downtown, the [Asheville Tourists](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1418-asheville-tourists-baseball) play minor league baseball at HomeTrust Park, long known as McCormick Field. Downtown, the [Asheville Art Museum](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2071-asheville-art-museum) on Pack Square has a makerspace where kids and grown-ups make art together, and [Asheville Community Theatre](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/997-asheville-community-theatre) on Walnut Street stages youth productions. In West Asheville, [Sky Lanes](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1044-sky-lanes-bar-grill-bowling) has been bowling on Patton Avenue since 1963, with bumpers and an arcade, and [Asheville Retrocade](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1217-asheville-retrocade) on Haywood Road is packed with vintage arcade games and pinball. South of town, [Claying Around](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1106-claying-around) on Hendersonville Road is a paint-your-own pottery studio, and [Sweeten Creek Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1329-sweeten-creek-brewing) has a big creekside lawn with cornhole and barbecue. Out in Fairview, [Hickory Nut Gap Farms](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/743-hickory-nut-gap-farms) runs hay rides and pony rides on fall weekends. Each summer, [Montford Park Players](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2252-montford-park-players) stage free outdoor Shakespeare in Montford. [Asheville Parks & Recreation](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/3370-asheville-parks-recreation) runs more than 50 parks with playgrounds, swimming, trails and community centers.

Winter Lights

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