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.

Saturday, December 9, 2023
Local Cloth Holiday Market 
Dec 9 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Local Cloth

 

 

Featuring handmade gifts, accessories, clothing and art, the Holiday Market is the perfect place to complete your holiday shopping list. There will be more than a dozen vendors inside and outside of Local Cloth! And you can meet an alpaca!  Bring your friends and family!

 

Uncommon Holiday Market
Dec 9 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center
The Uncommon Holiday Market is in its 9th season of gathering makers of art and handmade items as well as curators of antique & vintage finds.
The market will be held at the beautiful Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center from 10 am – 4 pm both days.
Admission is FREE this year so please be generous & give to our 501C3 partner Mountain Pet Rescue, a foster-based animal rescue serving cats and dogs in the Asheville area.
Parking is also FREE!
This is an INDOOR & OUTDOOR market and Service dogs only are allowed inside.
Food will be available both days from 11-3.
WNCSource’s Bargain Hendo Thrift Store closing sale
Dec 9 @ 10:00 am
Bargain Hendo Thrift Store

Bargain Hendo Thrift Store will be permanently closing its doors on December 13th.
• WNCSource operates the small thrift store which is located on the corner of King Street
and 2nd Avenue in Hendersonville.
• Bargain Hendo first opened in December of 2020 and was meant to support the programs
and services WNCSource provides in 4 western North Carolina Counties. Unfortunately,
low sales and competition from other local thrift stores has made the store less than
profitable.
• But don’t worry, starting Thursday, November 2nd, Bargain Hendo will be open
Wednesdays through Fridays 10AM to 4PM and Saturdays from 10AM to 2PM with some
incredible bargains and sales to clear the shelves.
• Bargain Hendo’s last day is December 13th

Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Dec 9 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Holiday Pop Up Shop + Open Studio
Dec 9 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
LOOM Imports Studio

Join us for a Holiday Pop Up Shop at Open Studio

Saturday, December 9th – 11-5
Sunday, December 10th – 11-5

115 Elk Mountain Road, North Asheville NC 28804

Shop pottery, art, vintage clothing, home goods, jewelry, teas, tinctures, gifts + more from:
@gennypopshop
@a13rattlesnakesandrainbows
@junopottery
@heilbronherbs
@loomimports
@yewocollective

RAD Second Saturday Live Art Party
Dec 9 @ 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Art Garden AVL in Riverview Station

Live art creation, demos, and more. Peer into the process of artists in their studios, working in ceramic, fiber, paint, and more. Featuring Art Garden studio artists, and occasional special guests.

Studios:

#314: Trish Salmon, hand-built ceramic sculpture

#324: Cynthia Llanes, landscape expressionism

#320 Canopy Suite:

320a: Emily Alley and Leviticus Moore, fiber sculpture and painting.

320b: Skwerl, painting and drawing

320c: UCB+Youth Arts Empowered, Cleaster Cotton and Tarah Singh, mixed media

320d: Jack Henry, painting and wheel-thrown ceramics

320e: Dillon Endico, oil painting, woodwork, murals

320f: Annie Kyla Bennett, Regenerative Nouveau. oil and mixed media

320g: Sierra the Moth Queen, apothecary and plant arts

320h: Alex Stilber, painting and mixed media

Christkindlmarkt: A Family Christmas Market
Dec 9 @ 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The Congregational Church, UCC in Tryon

Outdoor German-style Christkindlmarkt.
Artisans & Crafters. Food. Drink. Music. Santa Claus. Children’s crafts. Make your own s’mores. Outdoor games. Fun For All Ages.
Featuring: Haus Heidelberg Food Truck, Guidon Brewing Co., 30 vendors, & more

Vintage Market
Dec 9 @ 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
DSSOLVR

Saturday, December 9th between 1-6, we’re unleashing a blast from the past with a downright delightful Vintage Popup!

Saddle up for a journey through time as you peruse the delightful array of clothes and curiosities curated by Soft Cowboy Trading Co and Tangelo Vintage. From timeless duds that’ll have you looking dapper at the local watering hole to trinkets with tales as vast as the prairie.

So, mosey on down, take a sip, and indulge in a shopping spree that’ll make you Yeehaw

Honey + the Hive: 5th Annual Winter Market
Dec 9 @ 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Honey & the Hive

Honey & the Hive will present their Winter Market, taking place at 23 Merrimon Avenue on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 3 – 7 p.m., featuring small-scale local crafters, artisans, and artists.

The team at Honey & the Hive is proud to bring the Winter Market back for the fifth year. The 2023 Winter Market will be a one-day event featuring 15+ local vendors and artists with everything you need for gift shopping, including fermented foods, culinary goods, botanical art, foraging gear, herbal crafts, goat milk soaps, self-care products, and honey, of course! The market will be held at our storefront with vendors both indoors and outdoors, rain or shine.

The 5th Annual Market is free to attend. Customers who purchase from our vendors will be automatically entered into a chance to win a gift basket. Attendees are welcome to sample our infused honey and honey varietals from beekeepers around Western North Carolina.

“We live in an amazing place with many talented artisans and we believe strongly in supporting local businesses and producers. This market has grown and changed over the years to accommodate the needs of our community, and we look forward to a wonderful market day for our fifth year.” says staff member Amber Shehan.

—–

​​Honey & the Hive is a beekeeping supply, honey, and gift shop in Weaverville, North Carolina. We carry beekeeping supplies, offer classes on beekeeping, sell local honey, and make products from the hive, like propolis tincture, infused honey, and beeswax candles. More than just a store, we are a hive of like-minded people who love bees and pollinators and want to educate our community about how to help care for this valuable part of our ecosystem.

Vendors include: Fermenti, Sister of Mother Earth, Wise Earth Way, Larkspur Art, Toe River Threadworks, Of Sage and Stone, LeighAlan Skincare and Candle Co., Honey Badger Bakes, Tiny Sun Creations, GR Woodworking, Bold and Brash Bakery, Felt Good, Habibi Village, SAVOR Shrub Bitters, Deep Time, Appalachian Sacred Smoke

Sunday, December 10, 2023
M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Gem Show
Dec 10 all-day
Land of Sky Shrine Club

Come see over 22 vendors with everything from affordable treasures to the finest gems, minerals, and jewelry in the Southeast! The Mountain Area Gem & Mineral Association (MAGMA) will host our Christmas & Holiday gem show from December 8-10.

Our shows are open to the public, with free admission and food and drink available daily. The show is only a 10-minute drive from Asheville in Swannanoa, NC.

Christmas & Holiday Show hours:
Friday, December 8: 9AM- 6PM
Saturday, December 9: 9AM- 6PM
Sunday, December 10: 10AM- 5PM

This gem show is a fun family event where you can shop for minerals, crystals, and handcrafted jewelry from locally and nationally known vendors. Our vendors enjoy sharing their expert knowledge and you’re sure to learn new things and find some great gifts.

Entering the show is always free and once there, you’ll find prices range from affordable to very expensive. There’s truly a wide variety of treasures to see, from great deals to museum quality specimens! We have something for everyone, from seasoned rockhounds to new collectors and jewelry lovers.
The MAGMA Land of Sky Gem Show happens 4 times a year, with shows in March, June, September, and December, so this is an event that you can keep coming back to!

COLLECT Designer Market
Dec 10 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Rite of Passage

Jewelry artist Laura Wood and textile artist Libby O’Bryan, co-founder of the slow-fashion label Rite of Passage, have collaborated along with Erin Hawley, founder of Melona, to launch COLLECT, a curated designer market at Rite of Passage’s store in the River Arts District.

COLLECT features extraordinary gifts for the holidays by regional artists and makers not usually found in Asheville and handpicked for this reason. Participants include Megan Huntz, Anna Johnson, Vinx Apothecary, The Dustworks, Carrie George Leather, Elizabeth Suzann, Poem Crown, Jeffrey, Opie Way, State the Label, and Cicil Home — in addition to jewelry by Laura Wood Studios and clothing by Rite of Passage, designed by Giovanni Daina-Palermo.

“Laura [Wood], Erin [Hawley], and I wanted to create an alternative to the ‘pop-up’ or a larger fair — something curated, warm, and festive,” said O’Bryan of COLLECT. In addition to gifts, COLLECT will feature food and drink from Crocodile Wine, Roll Up Herbal Bar, Botanist & Barrel, and Nibbly Onigiri.

COLLECT opens on Friday, December 8, 5-7:00 pm. The event continues Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10, 11:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Rite of Passage is located next to Ultra Coffeebar at 240 Clingman Avenue Ext. in the River Arts District.

Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 10 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

Uncommon Holiday Market
Dec 10 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center
The Uncommon Holiday Market is in its 9th season of gathering makers of art and handmade items as well as curators of antique & vintage finds.
The market will be held at the beautiful Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center from 10 am – 4 pm both days.
Admission is FREE this year so please be generous & give to our 501C3 partner Mountain Pet Rescue, a foster-based animal rescue serving cats and dogs in the Asheville area.
Parking is also FREE!
This is an INDOOR & OUTDOOR market and Service dogs only are allowed inside.
Food will be available both days from 11-3.
Holiday Pop Up Shop + Open Studio
Dec 10 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
LOOM Imports Studio

Join us for a Holiday Pop Up Shop at Open Studio

Saturday, December 9th – 11-5
Sunday, December 10th – 11-5

115 Elk Mountain Road, North Asheville NC 28804

Shop pottery, art, vintage clothing, home goods, jewelry, teas, tinctures, gifts + more from:
@gennypopshop
@a13rattlesnakesandrainbows
@junopottery
@heilbronherbs
@loomimports
@yewocollective

Community Holiday Extravaganza
Dec 10 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Arthur R. Edington Center

Join us for the 2nd Annual Holiday Extravaganza, hosted by R2S, on Sunday, December 10th, from noon to 5 pm. We are excited to announce that Derrick Barnes, a critically acclaimed author of “Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut” (Agate), as well as three NY Times Bestsellers (“The King of Kindergarten”, “I Am Every Good Thing”, and “The Queen of Kindergarten”), will be joining us.

We will be celebrating the release of his newest book, “Santa’s Gotta Go!”, by giving out free copies! In addition to meeting the author, we have other exciting events planned such as holiday carnival games, hot cocoa bars, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, free food, and more!

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the holiday season with us!

REFRACTION ART MARKET
Dec 10 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Wedge Brewery at Foundation

Refraction Holiday Art Market Returns to Wedge Brewing
RAD community artists share their creative roots as Refraction market vendors
Asheville, NC, December 10, 2023: Refraction Art Market, a curated art market celebrating the vibrant artistic energy the Wedge was built upon will be returning to the Wedge at Foundation for its third year. The art showcased will represent a wide array of high quality work including ceramics, painting, printmaking, woodwork, jewelry, leather, glass and more. The event will run from 12-6 pm at the Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St.
Refraction cofounder Andrew Massey fondly remembers the days of walking down to the Wedge after a long day in the ceramics studio and having a beer alongside a plethora of other artists. The Wedge was the watering hole for the community from the get go, the place where you could count on sharing ideas and creative visions amongst a pool of equally passionate creators. While Asheville has grown, the Wedge and the River Arts District have still held that feeling of creative source, which is why Andrew and Amy are so passionate about bringing artists together for Refraction. Their mission is to ignite the creative energy that pulses at the heart of the RAD and create space for a multitude of talented artists to share their work and their love for this community.

URLs:
Facebook: https://go.evvnt.com/2083107-2?pid=10412
Instagram: https://go.evvnt.com/2083107-3?pid=10412

Writers at Home: Great Smokies Review Fall 2023 Celebration
Dec 10 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Story Parlor

The Great Smokies Writing Program presents “Writers at Home” celebrating the fall 2023 issue of “The Great Smokies Review” at the Story Parlor at 7:00 p.m. on December 10, 2023. The event is free and open to the public.

The following contributors will be featured and perform a reading:

Rebecca Beck

Ginny Callaway

Anne-Marie Dany

Hope Donnellan

Sondra Hall

Tom Meyer

Patrick Pickering

Doors open at 6:30 and seating is first come first served; there will be a chance after the readings for the audience and readers to mingle.

This will be the final event in the Great Smokies Writers at Home series for Fall 2023. The series, started by novelist and longtime former Program Director Tommy Hays, celebrates local and regional writers reading from their own work. Today, the series is hosted by Program Coordinator Jennifer McGaha.

The Great Smokies Writing Program is a joint effort between the UNC Asheville departments of English, Creative Writing, and the Asheville Graduate Center. The program offers opportunities for writers of all levels to join a supportive learning community in which their skills and talents can be explored, practiced, and forged under the careful eye of professional writers.

Monday, December 11, 2023
Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 11 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 12 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

Dark City Poet’s Society
Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 13 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

WNCSource’s Bargain Hendo Thrift Store closing sale
Dec 13 @ 10:00 am
Bargain Hendo Thrift Store

Bargain Hendo Thrift Store will be permanently closing its doors on December 13th.
• WNCSource operates the small thrift store which is located on the corner of King Street
and 2nd Avenue in Hendersonville.
• Bargain Hendo first opened in December of 2020 and was meant to support the programs
and services WNCSource provides in 4 western North Carolina Counties. Unfortunately,
low sales and competition from other local thrift stores has made the store less than
profitable.
• But don’t worry, starting Thursday, November 2nd, Bargain Hendo will be open
Wednesdays through Fridays 10AM to 4PM and Saturdays from 10AM to 2PM with some
incredible bargains and sales to clear the shelves.
• Bargain Hendo’s last day is December 13th

Pets and Plants
Dec 13 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
NC Arboretum

ONSITE | Wednesday, December 13, 1 – 3 p.m. | $30 Adult Non-Member (Arboretum member discount applies!) Pre-registration Required.

Cats and dogs are exposed to plants and plant materials in the garden, home environment and as part of their normal diet. Many plants, plant materials and horticultural products are safe for pet animals to consume or be exposed to but others are potentially hazardous. This class will focus on how plants and plant materials found in the garden or home may adversely affect pet animals. Phil Roudebush, a veterinarian, clinical nutritionist, small animal internist and extension master gardener volunteer, brings practical ideas about how to keep pets safe around plants and gardens.

Pre-register for this small-group experience through the form linked below and staff will  be in touch to finalize registration and payment.

Virtual Writer’s Workshop Darren Todd
Dec 13 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online

Darren Todd, will lead a virtual writing workshop titled “What if you fly? Weaving speculative elements into fiction.

The term speculative fiction has grown in usage, but what does it mean? Simply, it’s fiction that speculates or forecasts what might happen. The “if” in that scenario is up to the writer. Spec-fic (as it’s often called) isn’t beholden to a single genre. Certainly, dystopian novels fall under this category, but so could alternate history, science fiction, horror, or even drama. Many ideas can greatly benefit from introducing speculative elements, which give readers a heightened sense of curiosity, wonder, and even engages them to be a part of how the writer’s “what if” develops. Humans are natural problem solvers, and few things kick off that need to find answers like a solid “what if.”
For this workshop, we’ll delve into the rise of spec-fic, how it crosses genre, as well as flexing our speculative muscles with breakout exercises to be reviewed during the workshop.

This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Microsoft Teams for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop here!

Darren is a freelance book editor for Evolved Publications, and his short fiction has appeared in fifty publications over the years, including Chilling Tales for Dark NightsCosmic Horror Monthly, and The Stoneslide Corrective. His short story collection, The Ugly Mug and Other Stories, launched on Amazon and Audible in 2023.

While some of his works fall under the literary umbrella, he often returns to speculative and horror fiction. His style and preferences tend toward the psychological, as he enjoys stories that linger in the imagination long after he’s closed the book on them.

He lives in Hendersonville, NC with his son and girlfriend. See what he’s up to at darrentodd.net.

Thursday, December 14, 2023
Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 14 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

Creative Writing Group online
Dec 14 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
online w/ Leicester Library

Join us for creative writing online! We’ll meet on Zoom and do several rounds of writing prompts. The group is simple – we just write and read our writing to each other.  This is a supportive and fun environment that gets your creative juices flowing with low stakes and lots of fun.

Email [email protected] for the link to the online meeting.

The contents of this presentation are for informational purposes only.  Nothing herein constitutes medical, legal, or financial advice nor is it a substitute for professional advice on any issue.  You should not rely on the information received in this presentation for any important decisions, including medical, legal, or financial decisions.  Always consult with an appropriate professional for specific advice related to your situation.  The views and opinions expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect those of Buncombe County or its Public Library System.

Friday, December 15, 2023
Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 15 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

Saturday, December 16, 2023
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Dec 16 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Plant Club Pop-up Market
Dec 16 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Art Garden AVL

Come enjoy the Canopy Gallery and check out local growers and makers of all things plantie: from rare tropicals to native medicinals, handmade pots and trellises to botanical watercolor paintings, cut flower bouquets to herbal salves and teas….

Pop-up market features 6-10 local plant vendors on the 3rd Saturday of each month. This event is free to attend and vend.

Puppy Kindergarten
Dec 16 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Asheville Humane Society Training Center

This six week course focuses on proper socialization, bite inhibition, house training, manners and much more!

Your goal as a puppy parent is to give your pup the best possible start in life. Puppies learn more between 5 and 12 weeks of age than they will in their entire lifetime! Laying a positive foundation during this time is critical for puppies to grow into behaviorally healthy dogs.

This six week course focuses on proper socialization, bite inhibition, house training, manners and much more! The class is limited to 12 puppies who are 8 to 18 weeks old when the course begins (if your dog is over 18 weeks of age, please sign up for the Canine Manners class).

* All puppies must have started their puppy vaccine series (distemper, parvo and bordetella) at least one week prior to the first class. Owners are expected to commit to continuing this vaccine series during the six week course.

The cost of this course includes six classes, held one hour per week for six weeks from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM on the following dates: December 16, January 6, 13, 20, 27, & February 3. Scheduled cancellations: December 23 and 30 or unless otherwise stated by trainer.

This class will take place at the Asheville Humane Training Center (800 Fairview Road, Suite C1). Please go to the BACK of the building to enter through the back training center door.

About the trainer:

Pia Silvani is an internationally-recognized dog trainer and lecturer with over 35 years’ experience. As VP of Training and Behavior at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ, she developed numerous courses focused on positive, reward-based techniques. In 2013, Pia began working for the ASPCA, eventually becoming the Director, Behavioral Rehabilitation where she led programs to educate shelter professionals in effective behavior rehabilitation techniques, as well as specialized socialization, enrichment, and shelter protocols. This cutting-edge program is featured in the award-winning Netflix documentary, “Second Chance Dogs”.

After 6 years at the ASPCA, Pia has decided to re-establish her consulting business here in the Asheville area specializing in rehabilitating fearful and aggressive behaviors in dogs. She is Director of Behavior and Training at Asheville Humane, offers private behavioral consultations in client’s homes as well as teaching classes for Asheville Humane Society.

Pia has been chosen as one of Bark’s 100 picks of the best and brightest people that changed the world of dogs. Her goal has always been to combine her love of dogs with her respect and affection for people. She enriches the lives of both through humane relationship work and training.

For more information on Pia, visit her website: www.piasilvani.com and email her for more information.