According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, the Asheville Buncombe County community began February 2026 with the Winter Lantern Festival at Pack Square Park, which featured light displays, live music, and a local artisan market. The festival ran through February 14 and drew over 5,000 attendees. Concurrently, the Buncombe County Recreation Center launched free community ice skating sessions and family-friendly workshops focused on winter wellness and local history, according to the Asheville Citi