Asheville Weekend Guide Jan. 16–18: Dance Festival, Markets, Family Fun

Asheville's weekend calendar Jan. 16–18 featured a mix of nightlife, family activities, and vendor markets that drew residents and visitors to multiple neighborhood venues. The centerpiece was the Asheville Winter Festival, a Bachata and salsa dance festival at Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville that ran Jan. 16–18 and offered more than 30 classes and workshops alongside socials and performances.

Smaller, community-focused events filled Saturday and Sunday. Plant Bingo with Sprout & Bloom met Jan. 17 at The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage, combining casual social gaming with local plant culture. The Whale West Asheville hosted a winter market on Jan. 17 that included vendor stalls, a DJ, and complimentary hot chocolate, creating an accessible afternoon option for families and shoppers. On Jan. 18 the Mt. Silver TCG Asheville Card Show took place at Asheville Mall, bringing collectors and hobby players to a suburban retail site.

These events are part of Asheville’s broader weekend economy, where hospitality, retail and cultural operators program steady attractions during the slower winter months. Venues such as the Crowne Plaza and neighborhood businesses benefited from concentrated foot traffic and cross-promotion between daytime markets and evening social events. Family-friendly programming and hobbyist gatherings also diversify attendance beyond the typical nightlife crowd, supporting broader community participation in local commerce and culture.

For local organizers and municipal partners, weekend programming highlights operational considerations tied to public safety, parking and transit, and small-business support. Concentrated events across several sites require coordination with venue operators and, when applicable, city services. They also present opportunities for small vendors to reach customers without the peak-season competition heavier summer weekends bring.

The mix of dance education, niche hobby gatherings and seasonal markets reflects how Asheville balances visitor appeal with neighborhood-scale experiences. Tickets and additional event details were available on the individual events’ pages, and many events emphasized local vendors and community-based organizers rather than national promoters.

What this means for Buncombe County residents is practical as well as cultural: winter weekend programming keeps dollars circulating in local businesses, provides free or low-cost options for families, and sustains the volunteer and fan networks that support niche scenes. Expect similar pockets of activity as organizers plan events through the winter and spring; check event pages for specific schedules and ticketing if you plan to step out to future programs.