Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

The Asheville Dream Center is thrilled to present its annual Summer Bash Backpack Giveaway  on Saturday, July 26, 2025  — an unforgettable day focused on equipping students and uniting the city. Get ready for one of the biggest and most impactful community events of the year!

The event’s goal is to provide 4,000 students across Asheville and surrounding areas with fully stocked backpacks and essential school supplies. But it’s more than a giveaway — it’s a city-wide celebration of education, families, and community.

This year’s event includes:

Free backpacks filled with school supplies

Free haircuts and clothing for kids

Giant water slides and bounce houses

Face painting, games, and interactive zones

Free treats and delicious food

Community resources and vendors

“This is about more than supplies — it’s about creating momentum and confidence as kids head into a new school year,” said Michelle Coleman, Founder of the Asheville Dream Center. “We want families to feel supported and seen, and our community to feel connected.”

Extension Master Gardener volunteers will staff the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your gardening question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline

⮕Call 828-255-5522
⮕Email questions and photos to [email protected]
⮕Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March (starts March 10) – October (ends October 23)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Extension Master Gardener volunteers will staff the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your gardening question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline

⮕Call 828-255-5522
⮕Email questions and photos to [email protected]
⮕Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March (starts March 10) – October (ends October 23)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Docents and Presenters: Extension Master Gardener volunteers working in the garden.

Program Description: On the last Wednesday of the month from May to October you can join a more formal tour and be led through the gardens by a master gardener docent as you watch the other gardeners caring for the plants. See beautiful and interesting plants, delicious vegetables, native plants for beauty and pollinator interest.
The tours start at 10:00 a.m. and should last approximately an hour. The tours will begin outside the front door of the Buncombe County Extension Office.

Wear appropriate attire (hat, sunglasses and sturdy shoes and bring some water) as this event will be held outside. In the event of steady rain in West Asheville, the workday and the tour will be canceled.

The tour is free and registration is not necessary.
If you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

NOTE: The Learning Garden is open for informal visits Monday through Friday throughout the year, but if you visit on a Wednesday, during the growing season, you can meet the Master Gardeners working in the gardens and ask questions about the plants and their care. We invite you to visit often, observe the gardens, and ask questions as the Master Gardeners tend the gardens through the growing season. If you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

Come end the FOL year on a high note and welcome new members with a night to remember! Don’t miss the library party of the year! Free music by the Possum Creek Band along with light refreshments provided by the Friends of the Black Mountain Library.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Extension Master Gardener volunteers will staff the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your gardening question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline

⮕Call 828-255-5522
⮕Email questions and photos to [email protected]
⮕Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March (starts March 10) – October (ends October 23)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Food Truck Opens at 7pm (food available for purchase)

Movie Starts At Dusk (appox 8pm)

Questions? Call us at 828-697-4884 or email us at [email protected]

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

The WNC Nature Center continues roaring back to life with one of Asheville’s favorite summer traditions — Brews and Bears!

Starting Friday, May 9, from 5:30–8:00 p.m., this after-hours event invites guests to enjoy the Nature Center in the cool evening hours with live music, local food, and plenty of local brews and beverages.

The Brews and Bears Summer Series will take place on the second Friday of each month through August, and each event features a unique lineup of food trucks, musicians, and animal education programs—so no two nights are the same!

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.