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.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Ten to Try: Trails | Preview Screening + Virtual Discussion
Aug 29 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
online
As part of North Carolina’s Year of the Trail celebration, please join us for a preview screening of new original special, Ten to Try: Trails. This half-hour special will offer ten trail recommendations from outdoor enthusiasts and experts from across the state. The series was produced in partnership with the Great Trails State Coalition and with generous support from the SECU Foundation.
Following the screening you are invited to participate in a virtual discussion and audience Q+A with local hikers and outdoor enthusiasts featured in the series. The conversation will be led by James Mieczkowski, content development producer, PBS North Carolina.
This is a FREE virtual event, but registration is required. The link to join the event can be found in your Eventbrite confirmation. It will also be included in event reminders sent via email a few days prior to the event.
To reserve your seat(s), please register via Eventbrite, or contact PBS North Carolina engagement events manager, Karen Nowak @[email protected].
To learn more about this and other upcoming events, visit pbsnc.org/events
Friday, September 1, 2023
Napoleon Dynamite: Film + Conversation with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries
Sep 1 @ 7:30 pm
Appalachian Theatre of the High Country

Event is BYOT (Bring Your Own Tots) The beloved indie classic “Napoleon Dynamite” was made almost almost 20 years ago. Since then much has changed; but the characters, as enduring as they are endearing, stay in our hearts.

Appealing to the inner-teenager in each of us, the story, and more importantly the dialogue, makes “Napoleon Dynamite” one of the most quoted movies of our time.

Napoleon Dynamite makes us laugh – and laugh hard – over and over again.

This unique evening includes a full screening of “Napoleon Dynamite” followed by a lively, freewheeling, moderated discussion with fan-favorite cast members; Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro), and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico).

Saturday, September 2, 2023
Teen Dungeons + Dragons with Raj
Sep 2 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library
 

Calling all adventurous teens! Join us for Dungeons & Dragons at Pack Memorial Library!

All players aged 13-17 are eligible.

This program is free, but you do need to register.

Email Raj at [email protected] to sign up.

Sunday, September 3, 2023
Sundays Traditional Game Day
Sep 3 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

The Perspective Café is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Grab your friends and join us each Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the Perspective Café to play an assortment of board and card games. You can even bring your own favorite games from home to share with new friends.

The Perspective Café will be offering special snacks and cocktails to savor while you play and make a memorable afternoon! Enjoy the galleries and then head up to the rooftop.

Monday, September 4, 2023
Weekly Ping Pong Tournament
Sep 4 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sovereign Kava

Asheville’s best ping-pong players join Asheville’s worst table-tennis players at Sovereign Kava every Thursday at 7 p.m. to battle for glory and a $50 bar tab. No charge.
Whether you learned to play in the basement as a kid, or in a prison as a young adult, or in a rehab facility as an older adult, this is the tournament for you.
Located just down the hill on the Asheville-side of Mission Hospital, we are convenient walking distance to medical help after you get your heart broken on our Butterfly table.
Bring your paddle or borrow one of ours. Open to all skill levels and clothing styles. Beginners welcome. Hell, we’re ALL rusty after not playing during the Pandemic so don’t let that stop you.
Our table-tennis table is open for play 7 days a week, noon to 11 p.m. unless there’s a music event.
Here’s a link to a video from our 2019 table tennis tourney:
https://youtu.be/w_1EFEzx9sA

Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Ping-Pong Tuesday Tournament
Sep 5 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Shakedown Kava Lounge

Players of all skill levels gather at Shakedown Kava Lounge (Hendersonville’s kava
bar) every Tuesday for the kava bar’s weekly Table Tennis Tournament, Games to 11, best of 3, double elimination, paddles
included, winner receives eternal glory and a $25 bar tab, Entry is free.

Sunday, September 10, 2023
Sundays Traditional Game Day
Sep 10 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

The Perspective Café is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Grab your friends and join us each Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the Perspective Café to play an assortment of board and card games. You can even bring your own favorite games from home to share with new friends.

The Perspective Café will be offering special snacks and cocktails to savor while you play and make a memorable afternoon! Enjoy the galleries and then head up to the rooftop.

Monday, September 11, 2023
Weekly Ping Pong Tournament
Sep 11 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sovereign Kava

Asheville’s best ping-pong players join Asheville’s worst table-tennis players at Sovereign Kava every Thursday at 7 p.m. to battle for glory and a $50 bar tab. No charge.
Whether you learned to play in the basement as a kid, or in a prison as a young adult, or in a rehab facility as an older adult, this is the tournament for you.
Located just down the hill on the Asheville-side of Mission Hospital, we are convenient walking distance to medical help after you get your heart broken on our Butterfly table.
Bring your paddle or borrow one of ours. Open to all skill levels and clothing styles. Beginners welcome. Hell, we’re ALL rusty after not playing during the Pandemic so don’t let that stop you.
Our table-tennis table is open for play 7 days a week, noon to 11 p.m. unless there’s a music event.
Here’s a link to a video from our 2019 table tennis tourney:
https://youtu.be/w_1EFEzx9sA

“Music Movie Mondays”: Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd
Sep 11 @ 7:00 pm
Grail Moviehouse

Have You Got It Yet?
The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd
For Immediate Release: A new documentary explores the mystery of
what happened to the founder and leader of one of rock music/s most
legendary bands. A special September 11 one-night screening as part
of the Music Movie Mondays series at Grail Moviehouse will be hosted
by Asheville speaker, author, music journalist and Pink Floyd authority
Bill Kopp.
When Pink Floyd released their debut single, 1967’s “Arnold Layne,” it
marked the beginning of a momentous chapter in music. The song
showcased not only the psychedelic quality of the four-man group from
Cambridge and London, but the songwriting prowess and unique vision of the
band’s leader, Syd Barrett.
Guitarist and front man Roger Keith “Syd” Barrett was a promising artist,
creating unique songs that both captured the zeitgeist of the burgeoning
psychedelic movement and captured a particular kind of English whimsy, informed as much by poetry and fantasy as by
LSD. The band’s first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn featured a bounty of songs that displayed Barrett’s unique
and inimitable musical vision.
But little more than nine months after that album’s release, Barrett was gone from the group he had founded. Save for two
erratic and deeply idiosyncratic solo albums and a handful of unfinished recordings, that would be the last the world would
hear from the uniquely creative songwriter and musician. Completely leaving music behind, he went on to live a quiet life
in Cambridge, finally passing away in 2006, nearly 40 years after leaving (or being dismissed from) Pink Floyd.
What happened? Did Syd suffer a mental breakdown? Did he succumb to the effects of too many LSD trips? Did he
simply want to step out of the machinery of the music business? Or is the real story some combination of all of those
things and more? Until now, Syd’s life has been the subject of speculation and conjecture. But with the cooperation of
Barrett’s family and former band mates, director Roddy Bogawa explores the fascinating mystery that is the life and music
of Syd Barrett.
Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd is a new authorized documentary that digs deep into
the mystery that is Syd Barrett. As part of the Music Movie Mondays series, Grail Moviehouse in Asheville hosts a special
one-night-only showing of the film. Presented by Asheville-based speaker, author and music journalist Bill Kopp (author of
Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon) the evening will include a screening of the film
followed by an interactive discussion.

Hosted by author, speaker and music journalist Bill Kopp,
the evening will feature a screening of the film followed by
an interactive discussion. Have You Got It Yet? is the latest
in Grail Moviehouse’s popular series, Music Movie
Mondays.

“Going to the movies has always been a kind of communal experience,” says Kopp, host of
Music Movie Mondays. “Especially in this post-lockdown era, the opportunity to not only watch
a film but then to discuss it with others is something even more special. And music-related
films lend themselves remarkably well to this shared, interactive experience.”
Music Movie Mondays is sponsored by AshevilleFM. Hosted by Asheville-based author and music journalist Bill Kopp,
Grail Moviehouse presents a special screening of Have You Got It Yet? on Monday, Sep. 11 @ 7 pm. Sponsored by
AshevilleFM, the evening will feature a brief introduction. Then we’ll watch the film together; afterward, we’ll engage in a
moderated discussion.
The one-night-only screening of Have you Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd is the latest in the
ongoing popular series of Music Movie Mondays at Grail Moviehouse. Every month, we’ll watch and discuss new
releases, classics and cult favorites.

Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Ping-Pong Tuesday Tournament
Sep 12 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Shakedown Kava Lounge

Players of all skill levels gather at Shakedown Kava Lounge (Hendersonville’s kava
bar) every Tuesday for the kava bar’s weekly Table Tennis Tournament, Games to 11, best of 3, double elimination, paddles
included, winner receives eternal glory and a $25 bar tab, Entry is free.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023
“Wednesday Bowling” Come have fun and be LEBOWSKI
Sep 13 @ 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
AMF STAR BOWLING LANES

$8.00 for 3 games and shoes and 20% off on food.

Come socialize and get to know your group members. We will be enjoying our lives. “To enjoy is to be happy, To be happy is doing what makes you smile/laugh.” Come have fun. Please be on time so we all can have fun and enjoy our lives.

My EYLA Family, it about time to give back to our community. the temperature is changing, and nights are getting colder. If you have any old coats, sweaters, hoodies, and winter hats please bring them to this Wednesday’s Event. We will have time and date where some members may want to volunteer and hand out coats or any articles of clothing to homeless people downtown Asheville. Thank YOU!!

Sunday, September 17, 2023
Sundays Traditional Game Day
Sep 17 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

The Perspective Café is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Grab your friends and join us each Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the Perspective Café to play an assortment of board and card games. You can even bring your own favorite games from home to share with new friends.

The Perspective Café will be offering special snacks and cocktails to savor while you play and make a memorable afternoon! Enjoy the galleries and then head up to the rooftop.

Monday, September 18, 2023
Weekly Ping Pong Tournament
Sep 18 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sovereign Kava

Asheville’s best ping-pong players join Asheville’s worst table-tennis players at Sovereign Kava every Thursday at 7 p.m. to battle for glory and a $50 bar tab. No charge.
Whether you learned to play in the basement as a kid, or in a prison as a young adult, or in a rehab facility as an older adult, this is the tournament for you.
Located just down the hill on the Asheville-side of Mission Hospital, we are convenient walking distance to medical help after you get your heart broken on our Butterfly table.
Bring your paddle or borrow one of ours. Open to all skill levels and clothing styles. Beginners welcome. Hell, we’re ALL rusty after not playing during the Pandemic so don’t let that stop you.
Our table-tennis table is open for play 7 days a week, noon to 11 p.m. unless there’s a music event.
Here’s a link to a video from our 2019 table tennis tourney:
https://youtu.be/w_1EFEzx9sA

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Ping-Pong Tuesday Tournament
Sep 19 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Shakedown Kava Lounge

Players of all skill levels gather at Shakedown Kava Lounge (Hendersonville’s kava
bar) every Tuesday for the kava bar’s weekly Table Tennis Tournament, Games to 11, best of 3, double elimination, paddles
included, winner receives eternal glory and a $25 bar tab, Entry is free.

Sunday, September 24, 2023
7th Annual Filthy Franklin Mud Run
Sep 24 all-day
The Franklin School of Innovation

Yes, the Mud Run is back on! With the modulars now gone we have a huge open field to make this race bigger, better and muddier than ever!

Get your old(est) running shoes out and prepare to get seriously muddy! The Filthy Franklin Mud Run happens Sunday, Sept. 24th. Our course is guaranteed to steal at least a few shoes before the day is done!

The races will be a timed trial start and there will be crazy obstacles and lots of mud!! Teen and adult races are approximately 2 miles, children 10 and under run just under a mile. Of course, the army crawl and mud trench will be part of this again, as well as other various challenging obstacles!

The Mud Run raises funds for Bolts Athletics. It helps fund equipment, uniforms and facilities. It is planned and created by Community Council members and student-athletes. OH YEAHHH!

You must register by Sept. 8th to receive a free t-shirt. After the deadline, T-shirts can be purchased the day of the event for $20. Limited quantities will be available.

You can register and purchase tickets at: https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/events/57309-7th-annual-filthy-franklin-mud-run

Join the event on our Facebook here – https://fb.me/e/2LRlwcEPl

We will have race day registration as well!

Kids Race at 2:30pm

Adult Race at 3:00pm

Teen Race at 3:30pm

The event is free to attend, but to race registration is $25 for Kids and $40 for Adults & Teens.

Sundays Traditional Game Day
Sep 24 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

The Perspective Café is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Grab your friends and join us each Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the Perspective Café to play an assortment of board and card games. You can even bring your own favorite games from home to share with new friends.

The Perspective Café will be offering special snacks and cocktails to savor while you play and make a memorable afternoon! Enjoy the galleries and then head up to the rooftop.

Monday, September 25, 2023
Weekly Ping Pong Tournament
Sep 25 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sovereign Kava

Asheville’s best ping-pong players join Asheville’s worst table-tennis players at Sovereign Kava every Thursday at 7 p.m. to battle for glory and a $50 bar tab. No charge.
Whether you learned to play in the basement as a kid, or in a prison as a young adult, or in a rehab facility as an older adult, this is the tournament for you.
Located just down the hill on the Asheville-side of Mission Hospital, we are convenient walking distance to medical help after you get your heart broken on our Butterfly table.
Bring your paddle or borrow one of ours. Open to all skill levels and clothing styles. Beginners welcome. Hell, we’re ALL rusty after not playing during the Pandemic so don’t let that stop you.
Our table-tennis table is open for play 7 days a week, noon to 11 p.m. unless there’s a music event.
Here’s a link to a video from our 2019 table tennis tourney:
https://youtu.be/w_1EFEzx9sA

Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Ping-Pong Tuesday Tournament
Sep 26 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Shakedown Kava Lounge

Players of all skill levels gather at Shakedown Kava Lounge (Hendersonville’s kava
bar) every Tuesday for the kava bar’s weekly Table Tennis Tournament, Games to 11, best of 3, double elimination, paddles
included, winner receives eternal glory and a $25 bar tab, Entry is free.

Sunday, October 1, 2023
Sundays Traditional Game Day
Oct 1 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

The Perspective Café is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Grab your friends and join us each Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the Perspective Café to play an assortment of board and card games. You can even bring your own favorite games from home to share with new friends.

The Perspective Café will be offering special snacks and cocktails to savor while you play and make a memorable afternoon! Enjoy the galleries and then head up to the rooftop.

Monday, October 2, 2023
Esports Day Camp
Oct 2 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
XP League Asheville

School is out for a teacher’s work day, so bring your child (age 7-17) to our esports day camp from 8am-4pm – bring their own lunch. Only $70 for the day. (18 spots available)

Community Reparations Summit Free Film: Black in Asheville
Oct 2 @ 5:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Mullen & James Humanities Hall

Join the Community Reparations Commission, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County Government, and UNC Asheville’s Department of Education and Africana Studies program for a Community Reparations Summit.

Monday, October 2nd: Screening of Black in Asheville, followed by a Q&A with the Filmmaker, Todd Gragg. Hosted at the Mullen & James Humanities Hall, UNC Asheville from 5:00 – 8:30 pm. Locally black-owned food trucks will be available to attendees from 5:00-6:15 pm. Not all food trucks accept card payments, so please remember to bring some cash if you’re interested in food at this event. Doors open at 5:45 pm. Parking is available at no charge.

Thursday, October 5th: Screening of The Big Payback. Hosted at the Mullen & James Humanities Hall, UNC Asheville from 5:00 – 8:15 pm. Locally black-owned food trucks will be available to attendees from 5:00-6:15 pm. Not all food trucks accept card payments, so please remember to bring some cash if you’re interested in food at this event. Doors open at 5:45 pm. Parking is available at no charge.

Saturday, October 7th: The Community Reparations Summit program features attorney George Fatheree who helped return Bruce’s Beach, a property in Manhattan Beach (California), to the Black family who owned and lost it in the 1920s. Summit attendees will hear updates from the Community Reparations Commission’s Impact Focus Areas and in turn, provide feedback on their proposed recommendations. Attendance is limited, and registration is required. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to attendees, and parking is available at no charge. The Summit will be hosted at the Sherrill Center and Kimmel Arena, UNC Asheville Campus from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Doors open at 9:00 am.

Weekly Ping Pong Tournament
Oct 2 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sovereign Kava

Asheville’s best ping-pong players join Asheville’s worst table-tennis players at Sovereign Kava every Thursday at 7 p.m. to battle for glory and a $50 bar tab. No charge.
Whether you learned to play in the basement as a kid, or in a prison as a young adult, or in a rehab facility as an older adult, this is the tournament for you.
Located just down the hill on the Asheville-side of Mission Hospital, we are convenient walking distance to medical help after you get your heart broken on our Butterfly table.
Bring your paddle or borrow one of ours. Open to all skill levels and clothing styles. Beginners welcome. Hell, we’re ALL rusty after not playing during the Pandemic so don’t let that stop you.
Our table-tennis table is open for play 7 days a week, noon to 11 p.m. unless there’s a music event.
Here’s a link to a video from our 2019 table tennis tourney:
https://youtu.be/w_1EFEzx9sA

Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Esports Day Camp
Oct 3 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
XP League Asheville

School is out for a teacher’s work day, so bring your child (age 7-17) to our esports day camp from 8am-4pm – bring their own lunch. Only $70 for the day. (18 spots available)

MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival
Oct 3 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Join other film lovers who will unite in over 500 venues worldwide to view and judge the work of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world at the MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival. MANHATTAN SHORT is the only film festival of its kind. The Final selections screen simultaneously across the world during a one-week period, where attendees vote for Best Film and Best Actor awards at each participating venue. Every short film selected will automatically become qualified for the Oscars of 2024.

This is a free event, but tickets are required and tickets will be limited in number. To receive your tickets please visit the Pack Memorial Library service desk, phone 828-250-4700, or email [email protected].  Light refreshments will be provided. Films are appropriate for ages 14 and up.

Ping-Pong Tuesday Tournament
Oct 3 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Shakedown Kava Lounge

Players of all skill levels gather at Shakedown Kava Lounge (Hendersonville’s kava
bar) every Tuesday for the kava bar’s weekly Table Tennis Tournament, Games to 11, best of 3, double elimination, paddles
included, winner receives eternal glory and a $25 bar tab, Entry is free.

Thursday, October 5, 2023
Community Reparations Summit Free Film: “The Big Payback”
Oct 5 @ 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Mullen & James Humanities Hall

Join the Community Reparations Commission, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County Government, and UNC Asheville’s Department of Education and Africana Studies program for a Community Reparations Summit.

Monday, October 2nd: Screening of Black in Asheville, followed by a Q&A with the Filmmaker, Todd Gragg. Hosted at the Mullen & James Humanities Hall, UNC Asheville from 5:00 – 8:30 pm. Locally black-owned food trucks will be available to attendees from 5:00-6:15 pm. Not all food trucks accept card payments, so please remember to bring some cash if you’re interested in food at this event. Doors open at 5:45 pm. Parking is available at no charge.

Thursday, October 5th: Screening of The Big Payback. Hosted at the Mullen & James Humanities Hall, UNC Asheville from 5:00 – 8:15 pm. Locally black-owned food trucks will be available to attendees from 5:00-6:15 pm. Not all food trucks accept card payments, so please remember to bring some cash if you’re interested in food at this event. Doors open at 5:45 pm. Parking is available at no charge.

Saturday, October 7th: The Community Reparations Summit program features attorney George Fatheree who helped return Bruce’s Beach, a property in Manhattan Beach (California), to the Black family who owned and lost it in the 1920s. Summit attendees will hear updates from the Community Reparations Commission’s Impact Focus Areas and in turn, provide feedback on their proposed recommendations. Attendance is limited, and registration is required. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to attendees, and parking is available at no charge. The Summit will be hosted at the Sherrill Center and Kimmel Arena, UNC Asheville Campus from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Doors open at 9:00 am.

International Fly Fishing Film Festival
Oct 5 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4), the world’s leading fly-fishing film event, is a curated collection of stories showcasing the pursuit of wild spaces and peaceful places where fish seem most willing, the water appears in its purest form and our community connects. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Trout Unlimited

Friday, October 6, 2023
Parent’s Night Out
Oct 6 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
XP League Asheville

Do you want to have a date night or just some quiet time at home? Drop off your kids with us anytime between 5-10pm for a fun night of video games and a variety of board games!

Sunday, October 8, 2023
Tryon International Film Festival
Oct 8 all-day
Tryon Theatre

Tryon International Film Festival (TRIFF) is in its 9th year of offering an amazing array of film screenings of productions from around the globe, education offerings and events in Tryon, NC. This year TRIFF will also offer passes to its first Media Arts & Education Day on October 6 for middle and high school-age youth and has expanded its Education Institute on October 7 & 8.

Sundays Traditional Game Day
Oct 8 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

The Perspective Café is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Grab your friends and join us each Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the Perspective Café to play an assortment of board and card games. You can even bring your own favorite games from home to share with new friends.

The Perspective Café will be offering special snacks and cocktails to savor while you play and make a memorable afternoon! Enjoy the galleries and then head up to the rooftop.