Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Friday, December 6, 2024
M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Holiday Gem Show 2024
Dec 6 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Land of the Sky Event Venue

Come see us Dec. 6-8 at our Holiday Gem Show! You’ll find everything from affordable treasures to the finest gems, minerals, and jewelry in the Southeast.
Admission is free and this is a fun family friendly event. Food and drink are available daily.
There’s something for everyone, from seasoned rockhounds to new collectors and jewelry lovers. You can visit over 35 locally and nationally known vendors. Our vendors enjoy sharing their expert knowledge and have top quality treasures that make great gifts.
Shop for everything you need for your rock collecting hobby: all kinds of rocks, gems, and crystals, WNC and US gemstones, minerals directly from the rockhound who collected them, sterling silver gemstone jewelry, cabochons and faceted gems, lapidary equipment, slabs, and faceting material, moldavite, tektites, meteorites, trinitite, unusual mineral specimens, polished stones, gemstone animal carvings, and so much more!
The Mountain Area Gem & Mineral Association
M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Holiday Gem Show 2024 hours:
December 6: 9 AM-6 PM
December 7: 9 AM-6 PM
December 8: 10 AM-4 PM
Location:
Land of the Sky Event Venue
39 Spring Cove Rd
Swannanoa, NC
28778
We host the M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Gem Show 4 times a year and this is an event that you can keep coming back to!

NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
Dec 6 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

Holiday Fair & Kringle Village
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

Enjoy a uniquely elevated holiday experience created by the partnership of Greenville Convention Center’s Annual Holiday Fair and Rotary Club of Greenville’s Kringle Holiday Village.

Holiday Fair & Kringle Village will delight locals and draw visitors to the Upstate for three days of holiday fun December 5-7, 2024, at the Greenville Convention Center.

Greenville Convention Center will transform into a Winter Wonderland featuring a massive vendor market, roving performers, a European Bier Garden, the North Pole children’s play area, Santa’s Workshop, The Enchanted Tea Party, Little Miss Kringle Pageant, holiday movie night, snowball fights, main stage entertainment, the Grand Carousel, visits with Santa and more!

Holiday Pop Up Shop
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Center for Craft

Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.

We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.

WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily

WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801

Winter Lights
Dec 6 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 7, 2024
M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Holiday Gem Show 2024
Dec 7 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Land of the Sky Event Venue

Come see us Dec. 6-8 at our Holiday Gem Show! You’ll find everything from affordable treasures to the finest gems, minerals, and jewelry in the Southeast.
Admission is free and this is a fun family friendly event. Food and drink are available daily.
There’s something for everyone, from seasoned rockhounds to new collectors and jewelry lovers. You can visit over 35 locally and nationally known vendors. Our vendors enjoy sharing their expert knowledge and have top quality treasures that make great gifts.
Shop for everything you need for your rock collecting hobby: all kinds of rocks, gems, and crystals, WNC and US gemstones, minerals directly from the rockhound who collected them, sterling silver gemstone jewelry, cabochons and faceted gems, lapidary equipment, slabs, and faceting material, moldavite, tektites, meteorites, trinitite, unusual mineral specimens, polished stones, gemstone animal carvings, and so much more!
The Mountain Area Gem & Mineral Association
M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Holiday Gem Show 2024 hours:
December 6: 9 AM-6 PM
December 7: 9 AM-6 PM
December 8: 10 AM-4 PM
Location:
Land of the Sky Event Venue
39 Spring Cove Rd
Swannanoa, NC
28778
We host the M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Gem Show 4 times a year and this is an event that you can keep coming back to!

NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
Dec 7 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

Holiday Fair & Kringle Village
Dec 7 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

Enjoy a uniquely elevated holiday experience created by the partnership of Greenville Convention Center’s Annual Holiday Fair and Rotary Club of Greenville’s Kringle Holiday Village.

Holiday Fair & Kringle Village will delight locals and draw visitors to the Upstate for three days of holiday fun December 5-7, 2024, at the Greenville Convention Center.

Greenville Convention Center will transform into a Winter Wonderland featuring a massive vendor market, roving performers, a European Bier Garden, the North Pole children’s play area, Santa’s Workshop, The Enchanted Tea Party, Little Miss Kringle Pageant, holiday movie night, snowball fights, main stage entertainment, the Grand Carousel, visits with Santa and more!

Holiday Pop Up Shop
Dec 7 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Center for Craft

Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.

We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.

WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily

WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801

Uncommon Holiday Market
Dec 7 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Come celebrate our 10th anniversary with us and support local artists & antique vendors that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The market will be held at the beautiful Haywood Park Hotel Event Space, 46 Haywood Street, from 10 am – 4 pm both days.

Admission is FREE! Park on the street or in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center or Wall Street Parking Decks.

Adoptable puppies with Mountain Pet Rescue. This is an INDOOR market and service dogs only are allowed.

Food & coffee onsite

The Big Crafty
Dec 7 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

The Big Crafty — a hand-to-heart celebration of creative exuberance — returns on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, noon-6 p.m. daily at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena in downtown Asheville. $10 entry on Saturday, free to enter on Sunday.

Now, perhaps more than ever, The Big Crafty believes in supporting creative venturers. As Western North Carolina’s creative community recovers from Hurricane Helene, The Big Crafty offers a space for makers to sell their work and for fans of unique art and craft to support those makers … while also snapping up memorable and meaningful holiday gifts.

Shop for ceramics, prints, jewelry, woodwork and more, while also celebrating the vibrant and resurgent creative community of WNC.

Winter Lights
Dec 7 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 8, 2024
DIY River + Road Cleanups
Dec 8 all-day
Asheville Area

Whenever you want!

 

Supplies available at

2 Sulphur Springs Road

If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776.

Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request).

Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information.

Need to know

Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup.

M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Holiday Gem Show 2024
Dec 8 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Land of the Sky Event Venue

Come see us Dec. 6-8 at our Holiday Gem Show! You’ll find everything from affordable treasures to the finest gems, minerals, and jewelry in the Southeast.
Admission is free and this is a fun family friendly event. Food and drink are available daily.
There’s something for everyone, from seasoned rockhounds to new collectors and jewelry lovers. You can visit over 35 locally and nationally known vendors. Our vendors enjoy sharing their expert knowledge and have top quality treasures that make great gifts.
Shop for everything you need for your rock collecting hobby: all kinds of rocks, gems, and crystals, WNC and US gemstones, minerals directly from the rockhound who collected them, sterling silver gemstone jewelry, cabochons and faceted gems, lapidary equipment, slabs, and faceting material, moldavite, tektites, meteorites, trinitite, unusual mineral specimens, polished stones, gemstone animal carvings, and so much more!
The Mountain Area Gem & Mineral Association
M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Holiday Gem Show 2024 hours:
December 6: 9 AM-6 PM
December 7: 9 AM-6 PM
December 8: 10 AM-4 PM
Location:
Land of the Sky Event Venue
39 Spring Cove Rd
Swannanoa, NC
28778
We host the M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Gem Show 4 times a year and this is an event that you can keep coming back to!

NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
Dec 8 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

Holiday Pop Up Shop
Dec 8 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Center for Craft

Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.

We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.

WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily

WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801

Uncommon Holiday Market
Dec 8 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Come celebrate our 10th anniversary with us and support local artists & antique vendors that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The market will be held at the beautiful Haywood Park Hotel Event Space, 46 Haywood Street, from 10 am – 4 pm both days.

Admission is FREE! Park on the street or in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center or Wall Street Parking Decks.

Adoptable puppies with Mountain Pet Rescue. This is an INDOOR market and service dogs only are allowed.

Food & coffee onsite

The Big Crafty
Dec 8 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

The Big Crafty — a hand-to-heart celebration of creative exuberance — returns on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, noon-6 p.m. daily at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena in downtown Asheville. $10 entry on Saturday, free to enter on Sunday.

Now, perhaps more than ever, The Big Crafty believes in supporting creative venturers. As Western North Carolina’s creative community recovers from Hurricane Helene, The Big Crafty offers a space for makers to sell their work and for fans of unique art and craft to support those makers … while also snapping up memorable and meaningful holiday gifts.

Shop for ceramics, prints, jewelry, woodwork and more, while also celebrating the vibrant and resurgent creative community of WNC.

Winter Lights
Dec 8 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Monday, December 9, 2024
DIY River + Road Cleanups
Dec 9 all-day
Asheville Area

Whenever you want!

 

Supplies available at

2 Sulphur Springs Road

If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776.

Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request).

Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information.

Need to know

Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup.

NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
Dec 9 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

Holiday Pop Up Shop
Dec 9 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Center for Craft

Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.

We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.

WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily

WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801

Winter Lights
Dec 9 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024
NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
Dec 10 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

Holiday Pop Up Shop
Dec 10 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Center for Craft

Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.

We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.

WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily

WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801

Winter Lights
Dec 10 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024
DIY River + Road Cleanups
Dec 11 all-day
Asheville Area

Whenever you want!

 

Supplies available at

2 Sulphur Springs Road

If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776.

Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request).

Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information.

Need to know

Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup.

NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
Dec 11 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

Holiday Pop Up Shop
Dec 11 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Center for Craft

Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.

We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.

WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily

WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801

Winter Lights
Dec 11 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.