ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Downtown Asheville will glow this winter as seasonal lighting returns and expands in three city parks as part of the “Winter in Downtown” campaign.
Beginning Nov. 22, Pack Square Plaza, Pritchard Park and Triangle Park will be adorned with warm, sparkling lights through March 2026, creating a festive atmosphere while enhancing safety and visibility.
“These parks are essential shared spaces in the heart of the city,” said Hayden Plemmons, executive director of the Asheville Downtown Improvement District and the Asheville Downtown Association. “Soft, ambient lighting during the winter months brings joy, supports perception of safety and helps downtown feel inviting.”
Bryant Korzeniewski, a board member with the Asheville Downtown Association Foundation, said the installation represents a return and an expansion of holiday lighting downtown.
“More of Downtown gets to feel the love of this investment in enhancing our public spaces,” he said.
Local business leads installation
A local, woman-owned business, Winter Star Lights, was selected through a public request for proposals to handle the installation and seasonal maintenance.
“At Winter Star Lights, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring joy to our own town through holiday lighting,” said owner Jess Averette. “Lighting our parks gives us the chance to do what we love. This partnership reflects our belief that light can create connection, comfort and celebration.”
The lighting will feature warm white lights in key tree canopies, designed to enhance visibility while preserving the parks’ natural character. ADID ambassadors will monitor the lights daily throughout the season.
“Having ambassadors in the district every day means the lights — and downtown as a whole — are cared for and supported,” Plemmons said.
Part of Winter in Downtown celebration
The lighting is one element of the broader Winter in Downtown campaign, which also includes:
- Asheville Holiday Parade
- Winter in Downtown pole banners
- Winter Windows Contest
- Shop Small, Win Big local shopping campaign
About the organizations
The Asheville Downtown Association Foundation supports placemaking and educational programs that enrich downtown life, from public art and beautification to community gatherings. The Asheville Downtown Improvement District provides enhanced cleaning, maintenance, and public-space stewardship to create a vibrant, inclusive downtown.
