Asheville & Mars Hill Holiday Guide 2026

A holiday getaway near Asheville

Make Mars Hill Haven your home base for a Blue Ridge holiday. From the cabin, you can plan a festive day in Asheville, visit Christmas at Biltmore or Winter Lights, then return to Mars Hill to unwind in the private hot tub or game room. The four-bedroom cabin sleeps up to 10 guests.

Holiday schedules and ticket availability can change. Confirm current details with each event organizer before you travel, and reserve popular experiences early.

Check dates and rates at Mars Hill Haven or book your stay directly.

2026 holiday events near Mars Hill

• Christmas at Biltmore — November 3, 2026 to January 10, 2027. Explore the estate's daytime Christmas experience; Candlelight Christmas Evenings are a separate ticketed experience with their own dates and availability. See Biltmore Christmas details and check official ticket options.
• Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum — November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Walk a mile-long garden trail illuminated with more than one million lights. Timed tickets are required. View Winter Lights dates and ticket information.
• Asheville Holiday Parade — November 21, 2026, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. A downtown seasonal tradition with marching bands, floats and community groups. Check the organizer's page for route and day-of updates. See Asheville holiday event details.
• Grove Arcade Holiday Tree Lighting Block Party — November 28, 2026. Visit downtown Asheville for the tree lighting and holiday block party. Confirm timing and event updates before heading out. Check the current event listing.
• Asheville Holiday Ice Rink — November 20, 2026 to January 18, 2027. Add an outdoor skating stop to a downtown day. Check the event listing for operating hours, tickets and weather updates. Review Asheville holiday activities.

Event dates, hours, admission and access policies are set by the organizers and may change. Please verify before making plans.

Mars Hill University graduation — December 11, 2026

Mars Hill University's 2026 fall commencement is scheduled for Friday, December 11 at 3 p.m. in Moore Auditorium. Families coming for graduation can stay together in a four-bedroom home about 30 minutes from Asheville, with room for up to 10 guests.

Confirm commencement details with Mars Hill University and see our Mars Hill University graduation lodging guide.

A comfortable place to come back to

Mars Hill Haven offers three king bedrooms, a bunk room, a private hot tub and a game room for families and groups. It is near Hatley Pointe and about 30 minutes from Asheville. Whether you are visiting for a holiday event or a university celebration, check the calendar for current availability and rates before booking.

See available dates · Reserve directly with Mars Hill Haven · Read our Biltmore day-trip guide