Calendar of Events

Now back and better than ever, it’s Villain Arts’ Sixth Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival!! Come to Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville for 3 exciting days offering live entertainment, unique vendors, and most importantly: nonstop tattooing. This event pulls artists from across the country (and a few from around the world) and unites them together in the spirit of self-expression and individuality. Whether you’re in the market for your first tattoo or your thirty-first, with hundreds of tattoo artists to choose from, you’re sure to leave with something amazing. Too young for real tattoos but still want to come to the show? There are stickers galore, vendors offering fun services, and even temporary tattoos. Also, admission is free for children 12 and under, (and for adults, starts at $20 for a 1-day pass, or $40 for a 3-day pass.)

If tattoos aren’t your thing, take in the full schedule of live entertainment on offer this weekend, including a contortionist archer, sideshow, circus acts, and even stunning suspension! Browse the vendors selling everything from clothing and jewelry to oddities and more. Or, enter contests with your new or existing tattoos to compete for a trophy!

There’s so much to take in throughout all 3 days of fun, so mark your calendars now and get ready for an energetic weekend celebrating art in all its forms at the Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival!

King Lear is a tragic tale of a king who divides his kingdom between his daughters, sparking betrayal, madness, and ruin. As Lear grapples with his decisions, he is betrayed by two of his daughters, while the loyalty of his youngest, Cordelia, leads to heartbreak and tragedy. Shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 each night by the Montford Park Players. And always FREE! No Sunday performances for the last weekend of each show.

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.

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.

King Lear is a tragic tale of a king who divides his kingdom between his daughters, sparking betrayal, madness, and ruin. As Lear grapples with his decisions, he is betrayed by two of his daughters, while the loyalty of his youngest, Cordelia, leads to heartbreak and tragedy. Shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 each night by the Montford Park Players. And always FREE! No Sunday performances for the last weekend of each show.

Voted the Best Haunt in the Carolinas, Known as the premier haunt of the Carolina’s, Lake Hickory Haunts is a one of a kind haunted theme park; featuring a large body of water, surrounded by 13 unique full-scale haunted attractions. Within these attractions, you will discover awe-inspiring immersive environments, multi-dimensional special FX, over 100 live characters, breathtaking scares, and much more!

Happens on the following Dates:
Sep 12, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Sep 13, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Sep 19, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Sep 20, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Sep 26, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Sep 27, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 3, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 4, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 10, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 11, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 12, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 17, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 18, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 19, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 23, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 24, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 25, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 26, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 30, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 31, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Nov 1, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Nov 2, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT

ASAP’s 2025 Farm Tour will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21, noon to 5 p.m. Participating farms will be announced in late June or early July. One pass is good for all passengers in a single vehicle at all farms, both days. Passes are $35 before Sept. 20 and $45 on Sept 20-21.

ASAP’s annual Farm Tour is a chance to experience how food is grown and raised through guided tours, demonstrations, and tastings. The Farm Tour showcases the diversity of working farms in Western North Carolina, including vegetables, livestock, vineyards, orchards, flowers, fiber, and more! This is a family-friendly event and a great outing for visitors of all ages, abilities, and interests. All are welcome.

ASAP’s 2025 Farm Tour is a critical prices of hurricane recovery as it helps the local food economy rebound, strengthens the relationships between farmers and consumers, and encourages tourism from outside of Asheville. Join ASAP in sustaining our farming community.

King Lear is a tragic tale of a king who divides his kingdom between his daughters, sparking betrayal, madness, and ruin. As Lear grapples with his decisions, he is betrayed by two of his daughters, while the loyalty of his youngest, Cordelia, leads to heartbreak and tragedy. Shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 each night by the Montford Park Players. And always FREE! No Sunday performances for the last weekend of each show.

Voted the Best Haunt in the Carolinas, Known as the premier haunt of the Carolina’s, Lake Hickory Haunts is a one of a kind haunted theme park; featuring a large body of water, surrounded by 13 unique full-scale haunted attractions. Within these attractions, you will discover awe-inspiring immersive environments, multi-dimensional special FX, over 100 live characters, breathtaking scares, and much more!

Happens on the following Dates:
Sep 12, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Sep 13, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Sep 19, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Sep 20, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Sep 26, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Sep 27, 2025, 7:30pm to 10:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 3, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 4, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 10, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 11, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 12, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 17, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 18, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 19, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 23, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 24, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 25, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 26, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 30, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Oct 31, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Nov 1, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT
Nov 2, 2025, 7:00pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT

ASAP’s 2025 Farm Tour will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21, noon to 5 p.m. Participating farms will be announced in late June or early July. One pass is good for all passengers in a single vehicle at all farms, both days. Passes are $35 before Sept. 20 and $45 on Sept 20-21.

ASAP’s annual Farm Tour is a chance to experience how food is grown and raised through guided tours, demonstrations, and tastings. The Farm Tour showcases the diversity of working farms in Western North Carolina, including vegetables, livestock, vineyards, orchards, flowers, fiber, and more! This is a family-friendly event and a great outing for visitors of all ages, abilities, and interests. All are welcome.

ASAP’s 2025 Farm Tour is a critical prices of hurricane recovery as it helps the local food economy rebound, strengthens the relationships between farmers and consumers, and encourages tourism from outside of Asheville. Join ASAP in sustaining our farming community.

King Lear is a tragic tale of a king who divides his kingdom between his daughters, sparking betrayal, madness, and ruin. As Lear grapples with his decisions, he is betrayed by two of his daughters, while the loyalty of his youngest, Cordelia, leads to heartbreak and tragedy. Shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 each night by the Montford Park Players. And always FREE! No Sunday performances for the last weekend of each show.

Tours on the last Wednesday of the month, May through October: May 28, June 25, July 30, August 27, September 24, October 29
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This is an in-person program, held at The Learning Garden. Visit and Learn!

Visit informally Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (no docents or tours)

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.