As we wrap up our first full calendar year of 828newsNOW, we wanted to take a look back at the stories that mattered to our community most in 2025. From all of us on the 828newsNOW team, thank you for reading, sharing and supporting our local journalism. Here’s to continuing to tell your stories in 2026!
The Handcrafted Dambo Trolls are watching—and they want to learn about you at the North Carolina Arboretum’s Trolls: A Field Study.
The new year has arrived, and with it, another list of things to do in the Asheville area this weekend. Read our guide and discover ways to spend the first weekend of 2026.
After previously sharing they would close their doors at the end of 2025, Echo Mountain Recording has announced its echo hasn’t died out after all. The Asheville-based recording company will reopen their Church studio space on Feb. 1, 2026.
Pack Memorial Library has released lists of the six most frequently checked-out books, movies and music from 2025. The selections reflect a wide variety of taste among the Buncombe County library community.
The Acting Company, a New York-based and Tony Award-winning theater troupe, will perform productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Great Expectations” next month at the Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville.
2026 is almost here, which means it is time for our annual list of the best movies of the year.
The Asheville area boasts a vibrant live music scene with venues catering to a wide array of genres, performers and taste. Read our calendar of shows coming up later this month.
Looking for plans after the holidays? Check out our list of events this weekend, from a holiday tiki pop-up to family-friendly fun.
There is something irresistible about Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” especially as performed by Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman. “Song Sung Blue” understands this very well. Read our full review of the musical melodrama below.