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.

Sunday, September 29, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Sep 29 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Harp Festival
Sep 29 all-day
YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly

Harpists and their companions, along with performers and vendors from 20
States, Canada and the UK, will gather for at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly from
September 26 – 29, 2024 for The Harp Gathering. Participants will enjoy
workshops, concerts, jam sessions, delicious meals and fellowship.

The public is welcome to attend any of the three concerts in the Blue Ridge
Assembly Chapel, which will be Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM, and the
concert Sunday morning at 11:30 am also features the Harp Ensemble Experience
performance. Tickets will be available at the door and are $20.00 for each concert.
For those shopping for harps, gifts, jewelry, music and accessories; a free-
admission, first-class vendor hall will also be featured.
Denise and Michael Grupp-Verbon, of Toledo, Ohio direct the Harp Gathering.

For more information: www.HarpGathering.com , or call: 419-478-4177.

Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Sep 29 @ 10:00 am
Eliada Home- Parc Building

Eliada’s 2024 Fall Festival & Corn Maze will be open from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, October 27th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm | Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm | Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm

Come out and bring the family, friends, and neighbors too. Come out to enjoy the following events and have a great time.

Corn Cannons
Spider Climber
Custom Corn Maze
Lawn Games
Hay Rides
Pumpkins for purchase of all shapes and sizes!
Food Trucks and so much MORE! See you there!

100% of the proceeds benefit the children at Eliada! Not only does your ticket purchase come with access to family-friendly fun, but it directly aids in the growth and success of Eliada’s kids!

Women to the Front Music Festival
Sep 29 @ 12:30 pm
Salvage Station

The third annual Women to the Front (WTF) music festival will take place September 29th at Salvage Station with a full day of music featuring a lineup of over 50 local women musicians, as well as vendors featuring women-owned businesses, nonprofits that support women, and women-owned food trucks.

Organizers have planned an unforgettable experience with a diverse lineup of styles including jazz, blues, neo-soul, punk, funk, world, and more.

Artists include local favorites Queen Bee and the Honey Lovers, Ménage, The Hope Griffin Trio, Ovadya, The Maggie Valley Band, Kathryn O’Shea and many more. The WTF Funk Project will be headlining the event. Formed during the 1st annual event in 2022, this project features a rotating cast of women. This year the band features Whitney Mongé, Emily Musolino, Rebekah Todd, Rachel Waterhouse, McKinney, Polly Panic and more. The lineup was curated by festival co-founder, Melissa McKinney.  The Festival officially begins Sunday at 12:30 p.m. with two stages and will end around Midnight.

Tickets and information can be found at https://salvagestation.com/events/wtf-music-festival/

Tickets are $20 Presale and $15 for students ($25 at the door on the day of show, still $15 for students).

Sep 29 @ 7:00 pm
Weaverville Community Center

Weaverville Writers Workshop will host an evening of readings by area authors at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville.
Readings will consist of fiction excerpts, poetry and memoir by group members and other writers. Asheville area poets are expected to participate as well.
Admission is free, but donations toward event expenses are welcome.
Weaverville Writers Workshop consists of published and unpublished writers of novels, biography, poetry, short stories and memoirs.
For more information, email Sandy at [email protected].

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Dark City Poets Society Workshop Circle
Oct 1 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Dark City Poets Society is a completely free poetry group that is open to writers of all ages and experience levels.
Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6:00-7:30 pm on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) feedback group.
FREE. Meets in the garden weather permitting.

Friday, October 4, 2024
Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Oct 4 @ 10:00 am
Eliada Home- Parc Building

Eliada’s 2024 Fall Festival & Corn Maze will be open from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, October 27th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm | Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm | Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm

Come out and bring the family, friends, and neighbors too. Come out to enjoy the following events and have a great time.

Corn Cannons
Spider Climber
Custom Corn Maze
Lawn Games
Hay Rides
Pumpkins for purchase of all shapes and sizes!
Food Trucks and so much MORE! See you there!

100% of the proceeds benefit the children at Eliada! Not only does your ticket purchase come with access to family-friendly fun, but it directly aids in the growth and success of Eliada’s kids!

Saturday, October 5, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Oct 5 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Oct 5 @ 10:00 am
Eliada Home- Parc Building

Eliada’s 2024 Fall Festival & Corn Maze will be open from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, October 27th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm | Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm | Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm

Come out and bring the family, friends, and neighbors too. Come out to enjoy the following events and have a great time.

Corn Cannons
Spider Climber
Custom Corn Maze
Lawn Games
Hay Rides
Pumpkins for purchase of all shapes and sizes!
Food Trucks and so much MORE! See you there!

100% of the proceeds benefit the children at Eliada! Not only does your ticket purchase come with access to family-friendly fun, but it directly aids in the growth and success of Eliada’s kids!

InterBeing Festival
Oct 5 @ 10:00 am
Samasati Sanctuary

Most festivals are about the music, the food and the fun… the InterBeing Festival includes all of that, but the focus is on meaning and connection. Individuals from all walks of life are invited to gather, elevate the spirit, relate with others, and explore the power of community.

Through a rich array of interactive workshops, engaging discussions, artistic performances and group ritual, participants will embark on a journey of discovery and connection. Whether singing in a song circle, being part of a cacao ceremony, creating art on the spot or dancing to the rhythm of world music, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and engage with.

The festival will feature an inspiring lineup of speakers, activists and artists; performers include musical headliner Alexander Caruso, along with Adama Dembele, Billy Jonas, and One Heart Band, all of whom are known for catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics.

The festival theme this year is Community: Refuge in a Changing World. To that end, our featured session will be the Community Leaders Roundtable, bringing together community support organizations to be in dialog with each other for the first time, sharing their values, their vision, their challenges and solutions.

The festival is a fundraiser for Beloved Asheville, our scrappy local nonprofit that serves those most in need.

Asheville Oktoberfest
Oct 5 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Pack Square Pavilion

Asheville Oktoberfest
October 5th, 2024
VIP: 1pm-2pm early entry
General Admission: 2-6pm
Pack Square Pavilion

A spin off of the German Oktoberfest, the Asheville Oktoberfest will feature 20+ breweries and craft beverage makers. There will also be the Aloft Hotel Festival Games, hosted by Asheville Sports and Social Club, local food vendors, and music by Lagerhosen!

-VIP tickets will include early access to festival (1pm-2pm), VIP tent with food and full pints, unlimited beverages, and entry into Aloft Festival Games.
-GA tickets will include entry from 2-6pm, unlimited beverages, and entry into Aloft Festival Games.
-DD/non-drinking tickets include entry into the event and N/A beverages.

more to be announced!

Interested in becoming a sponsor or Vendor?
email [email protected] for more information.

Sunday, October 6, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Oct 6 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Oct 6 @ 10:00 am
Eliada Home- Parc Building

Eliada’s 2024 Fall Festival & Corn Maze will be open from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, October 27th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm | Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm | Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm

Come out and bring the family, friends, and neighbors too. Come out to enjoy the following events and have a great time.

Corn Cannons
Spider Climber
Custom Corn Maze
Lawn Games
Hay Rides
Pumpkins for purchase of all shapes and sizes!
Food Trucks and so much MORE! See you there!

100% of the proceeds benefit the children at Eliada! Not only does your ticket purchase come with access to family-friendly fun, but it directly aids in the growth and success of Eliada’s kids!

Asheville VeganFest 2024
Oct 6 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Pack Square Park

We’re excited to bring a VeganFest back to Asheville in 2024 and hope you’ll support our FREE festival by donating to our fundraiser.
We’re bringing a very FUN Family Fun Zone, shopping, DJ and Emcee, and lots of incredible vegan food, and more to Pack Square Park for our Fall Edition!! You don’t want to miss this fun event. Mark your calendars and get your tickets, swag bags, VIP, VIP PLUS, and/or merch ahead of the festival.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024
TBR Tuesdays! Book Club at Black Mountain Public Library
Oct 8 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

We’ll be discussing The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Light refreshments are served. Those who consume food and beverage do so at their own risk.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Pack Library Book Club
Oct 9 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Pack Memorial Library

The Pack Library Book Club is a book discussion group that meets the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30AM  at the library. We read and discuss a variety of book genres. The book for January 2024 is “Solito” by Javier Zamora.

Newcomers are always welcome! If you have any questions about book club, you can email [email protected] .

Friday, October 11, 2024
The Campfireball
Oct 11 all-day
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

The Campfireball is a ‘reverse-storytelling’ show about the audience. Instead of asking folks to sit and passively watch a storyteller, The Campfireball explores various ways of coaxing the people in the audience to share their stories with one another. At the intersection of intimacy and absurdity, this unique 90 minute immersive experience encourages people to surprise themselves, drop their guards, and, by the end, to have told a brand new larger, interwoven story of all of us in the room together.

Developed over two years at the master’s in Storytelling program at East Tennessee State University, The Campfireball has something to to connect with every kind of audience member. Participation is never mandatory, it’s just as much fun to sit back and watch the stories unfold as it is to share, after all, what is a story without someone to listen? No two events are alike, and none will ever be repeated.

Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Oct 11 @ 10:00 am
Eliada Home- Parc Building

Eliada’s 2024 Fall Festival & Corn Maze will be open from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, October 27th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm | Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm | Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm

Come out and bring the family, friends, and neighbors too. Come out to enjoy the following events and have a great time.

Corn Cannons
Spider Climber
Custom Corn Maze
Lawn Games
Hay Rides
Pumpkins for purchase of all shapes and sizes!
Food Trucks and so much MORE! See you there!

100% of the proceeds benefit the children at Eliada! Not only does your ticket purchase come with access to family-friendly fun, but it directly aids in the growth and success of Eliada’s kids!

Saturday, October 12, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Oct 12 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Oct 12 @ 10:00 am
Eliada Home- Parc Building

Eliada’s 2024 Fall Festival & Corn Maze will be open from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, October 27th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm | Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm | Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm

Come out and bring the family, friends, and neighbors too. Come out to enjoy the following events and have a great time.

Corn Cannons
Spider Climber
Custom Corn Maze
Lawn Games
Hay Rides
Pumpkins for purchase of all shapes and sizes!
Food Trucks and so much MORE! See you there!

100% of the proceeds benefit the children at Eliada! Not only does your ticket purchase come with access to family-friendly fun, but it directly aids in the growth and success of Eliada’s kids!

Sunday, October 13, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Oct 13 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Oct 13 @ 10:00 am
Eliada Home- Parc Building

Eliada’s 2024 Fall Festival & Corn Maze will be open from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, October 27th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm | Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm | Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm

Come out and bring the family, friends, and neighbors too. Come out to enjoy the following events and have a great time.

Corn Cannons
Spider Climber
Custom Corn Maze
Lawn Games
Hay Rides
Pumpkins for purchase of all shapes and sizes!
Food Trucks and so much MORE! See you there!

100% of the proceeds benefit the children at Eliada! Not only does your ticket purchase come with access to family-friendly fun, but it directly aids in the growth and success of Eliada’s kids!

Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Community Outreach and Recreational Experiences
Oct 15 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Bent Creek Community Park

CORE Programming

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is proud to offer Community Outreach and Recreational Experiences (CORE) programming, which consists of free and engaging activities geared towards youth ages 5-15. CORE travels to parks and community centers around Buncombe County. The program takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dark City Poets Society Open Mic Night at Oak & Grist
Oct 15 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Oak & Grist Distilling Company

Share a poem or just listen. $1 from every classic cocktail sold will go the the Friends of the Black Mountain Library.

Friday, October 18, 2024
Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Oct 18 @ 10:00 am
Eliada Home- Parc Building

Eliada’s 2024 Fall Festival & Corn Maze will be open from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, October 27th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm | Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm | Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm

Come out and bring the family, friends, and neighbors too. Come out to enjoy the following events and have a great time.

Corn Cannons
Spider Climber
Custom Corn Maze
Lawn Games
Hay Rides
Pumpkins for purchase of all shapes and sizes!
Food Trucks and so much MORE! See you there!

100% of the proceeds benefit the children at Eliada! Not only does your ticket purchase come with access to family-friendly fun, but it directly aids in the growth and success of Eliada’s kids!

Saturday, October 19, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Oct 19 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Sandburg Home Tour Free Days
Oct 19 all-day
Carl Sandburg Home Historic Site
  • On several days throughout the year, tours of the Sandburg Home are free! Advance reservations are not available for tour free days. Tickets will be available first come, first serve on the day of, from the Visitor Center/Park Store in the Sandburg Home.
  • Saturday, March 23, 2024 (First Saturday of local school spring break)
  • Saturday, June 15, 2024 (Sandburgs’ wedding anniversary)
  • Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, 2024 Weekend closest to Carl Sandburg Home NHS October 17, 1968, Anniversary)
Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Oct 19 @ 10:00 am
Eliada Home- Parc Building

Eliada’s 2024 Fall Festival & Corn Maze will be open from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, October 27th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm | Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm | Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm

Come out and bring the family, friends, and neighbors too. Come out to enjoy the following events and have a great time.

Corn Cannons
Spider Climber
Custom Corn Maze
Lawn Games
Hay Rides
Pumpkins for purchase of all shapes and sizes!
Food Trucks and so much MORE! See you there!

100% of the proceeds benefit the children at Eliada! Not only does your ticket purchase come with access to family-friendly fun, but it directly aids in the growth and success of Eliada’s kids!

Sunday, October 20, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Oct 20 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Sandburg Home Tour Free Days
Oct 20 all-day
Carl Sandburg Home Historic Site
  • On several days throughout the year, tours of the Sandburg Home are free! Advance reservations are not available for tour free days. Tickets will be available first come, first serve on the day of, from the Visitor Center/Park Store in the Sandburg Home.
  • Saturday, March 23, 2024 (First Saturday of local school spring break)
  • Saturday, June 15, 2024 (Sandburgs’ wedding anniversary)
  • Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, 2024 Weekend closest to Carl Sandburg Home NHS October 17, 1968, Anniversary)