Outdoors
3 weeks ago
Hikes of WNC: Catawba Falls River Trail

We celebrate the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, tomorrow, so here is a breezy, nearby hike to enjoy. The Catawba Falls River Trail, located just outside of Old Fort, N.C., is an easily accessible route that starts off nice and flat before climaxing with an impressive waterfall – and a massive staircase, to match.

Music
3 weeks ago
Trousdale, Turnstile, Tyler Childers: The best albums of 2025

828newsNOW and our friends at the Asheville Media Group, including DJs for Mix 96.5, 98.1 The River and La Pantera 97.3, are proud to present a list of our favorite albums of the year.

Arts & Culture
3 weeks ago
Highlights from the Grove Park Inn Gingerbread House Competition

The annual National Gingerbread House Competition has returned to the Omni Grove Park Inn for another year of stellar sugary sculptures. The gingerbread houses are on display for free at the Grove Park Inn, where they will remain until Jan. 4, 2026.

Arts & Culture
3 weeks ago
Things to do in Asheville & WNC: Dec. 19-21

Looking for weekend plans? From winter solstice celebrations to a Grinch brunch to a town-wide bar crawl, we have you covered.

Entertainment
3 weeks ago
White Horse kicks off family movie series with ‘Frozen,’ ‘The Princess Bride’

White Horse Black Mountain, a nonprofit music venue located in the heart of Black Mountain, N.C., has launched a new family movie series called “Sunday Funday Movie Features.”

Business
3 weeks ago
‘Big Fish,’ small pond: New indie bookstore blooms in Weaverville

Lindsay Johnson has wanted to open a bookstore since she was five years old. With Willbloom Books, a pop-up bookstore based in Weaverville, N.C., her wish has come true.

Food & Drink
3 weeks ago
Fork & Dagger: Lost in the language? Jargon speaks fluently in flavor

Despite its intimidating name, this West Asheville restaurant delivers a cozy vibe, inventive cocktails and memorable plates

Music
3 weeks ago
Coverfest V: 12 local bands to perform their favorite covers at AMS benefit

Next month, The Grey Eagle will host the fifth annual Coverfest, a musical fundraiser for Asheville Middle School’s 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. 

Entertainment
3 weeks ago
Threequel ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is a lukewarm rehash – 828reviewsNOW

When “Avatar: The Way of Water” was released in 2022, it had been 13 years since James Cameron’s revolutionary sci-fi epic first hit the scene. “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” meanwhile, comes soaring into cinemas this weekend just three years after its predecessor, and this time, it feels a little less special. Read our full review.

Arts & Culture
4 weeks ago
Rob Reiner dies at 78: Tribute to the ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ director

On Dec. 14, 2025, acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Reiner, 68, were found dead in their Los Angeles home. Though details are still emerging about the manner of their death, one thing is certain: the world is a better place for their time on it.