Season guide · Asheville · United States
Asheville in winter
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Folk Art Center, Asheville · Photo: Doug Coldwell, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Cold with occasional snow, parkway closures at elevation, Christmas at Biltmore and low prices outside the holidays. Expect highs up to 11°C (52°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F), with about 31 rainy days across December–February.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- -3°C (27°F) to 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 31
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
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Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C (48°F) | -3°C (27°F) | 11 | 10 h | 1/5 |
| February | 11°C (52°F) | -2°C (28°F) | 10 | 10.8 h | 1/5 |
| December | 10°C (50°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 10 | 9.8 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 10°C (50°F) against a yearly 20°C (68°F), and 31 of the year's roughly 127 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Christmas at Biltmore ends (usually early January)
- December: Christmas at Biltmore candlelight evenings (December)
Good choices for winter
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Architecture · Downtown Asheville
Grove Arcade
Look at the winged lions guarding the north entrance, then walk to Battery Park Book Exchange for a drink among the books.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Museum · Downtown Asheville
Asheville Art Museum
On Pack Square, the expanded Asheville Art Museum shows American art of the 20th and 21st centuries, with strong holdings of Black Mountain College artists, regional craft and studio glass.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Views
Historic site · Downtown Asheville
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Join a guided house tour, then visit Wolfe's grave in Riverside Cemetery in Montford.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Downtown Asheville
Asheville Museum of Science
This small, hands-on downtown museum focuses on the science of the Southern Appalachians, with a gem and mineral collection that reflects the region's mining history, dinosaur exhibits and interactive displays on weather and geology.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
Gallery · Blue Ridge Parkway
Folk Art Center
Ask about the day's craft demonstrations, and combine your visit with a short drive along the parkway.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Day trips in winter
- Carl Sandburg Home (About 35 minutes) — In Flat Rock, the farm called Connemara was the home of poet Carl Sandburg for his last 22 years.
- Brevard and DuPont State Recreational Forest (About 50 minutes) — Brevard is a small town known for its white squirrels and outdoor shops, and nearby DuPont State Recreational Forest has a series of waterfalls, including Triple Falls and High Falls, reached by short hikes.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers
- Shoes with good grip for icy pavements
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Asheville?
It is a trade-off: Cold with occasional snow, parkway closures at elevation, Christmas at Biltmore and low prices outside the holidays. The best months overall are May–June and September–October.
+What is the weather like in Asheville in winter?
Highs of up to 11°C (52°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F), with about 31 rainy days over the season.