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.

Thursday, August 7, 2025
Family Fun Festival
Aug 7 @ 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Asheville Mall

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Sarah Hennies + Tristan Kasten Krause
Aug 7 @ 7:00 pm
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center

Students on BMC farm. Western Regional Archives.

PERFORMANCE: Sarah Hennies + Tristan Kasten Krause
Thursday, August 7th, 2025 at 7pm
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center {120 College Street}
TICKETS – $12 General Admission / $8 for BMCM+AC members + Students w/ID

Join us for a duo performance by Sarah Hennies and Tristan Kasten-Krause,  August 7th, 2025 at BMCM+AC.

Composer and percussionist Sarah Hennies and composer and bassist Tristan Kasten-Krause make music rooted in observation. Timbres across percussion and string instruments gradually meld into one; pitches gently float into consonance after bristling in dissonance. The Quiet Sun (2025), their debut duo album recorded at ISSUE Project Room, presents two works that each show a different lens into the large-scale forms they have developed together.

Cowboy Judy and Lillie Syracuse
Aug 7 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Grey Eagle Events Presents Cowboy Judy and Lillie Syracuse

Thursday, August 07
Doors: 7pm // Show: 8pm
$16.06

Grey Eagle Music Hall – Special Event
ALL AGES
STANDING ROOM ONLY 
Friday, August 8, 2025
Family Fun Festival
Aug 8 @ 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Asheville Mall

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Brews and Bears
Aug 8 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
WNC Nature Center

The WNC Nature Center continues roaring back to life with one of Asheville’s favorite summer traditions — Brews and Bears!

Starting Friday, May 9, from 5:30–8:00 p.m., this after-hours event invites guests to enjoy the Nature Center in the cool evening hours with live music, local food, and plenty of local brews and beverages.

The Brews and Bears Summer Series will take place on the second Friday of each month through August, and each event features a unique lineup of food trucks, musicians, and animal education programs—so no two nights are the same!

Concerts in the Park – Soul Blue
Aug 8 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Cecil Park (in front of Hickory Tavern)

End your week on a high note and join us every second Friday this summer for free live music in Biltmore Park Town Square! Bring your friends and family to dance, play games, and enjoy eats and treats from Biltmore Park restaurants.

“Soul Blue” is a charismatic and entertaining classic Soul/Blues/R&B band whose five members hail from both Asheville, NC and Atlanta, GA. These seasoned musicians come together from a variety of popular bands such as: Daddy’s Money, The XL’s, Banks and Shane, and a good many more; enabling them to create an authentic approach to the music of many best-loved Soul, Blues, and R&B artists.

Soul Blue
Aug 8 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Biltmore Town Square

“Soul Blue” is a charismatic and entertaining classic Soul/Blues/R&B band whose five members hail from both Asheville NC and Atlanta GA. These seasoned musicians come together from a variety of popular bands such as: Daddy’s Money, The XL’s, Banks and Shane, and a good many more; enabling them to create an authentic approach to the music of many best-loved Soul, Blues, and R&B artists.

Soul, Blues, and R&B

6:30-8:30PM

7th Annual Light Up the Night 5K
Aug 8 @ 7:00 pm
Carrier Park

The 7th Annual Light Up the Night 5K is set for Friday, August 8 th , 2025, and there’s still time
to register for this fun and meaningful event supporting Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (WCRM).
This glow-in-the-dark evening fundraiser brings the community together to walk or run to support life transformation for
the homeless, poor, and addicted populations of Western North Carolina. WCRM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
meeting people in crisis, helping them at their point of need, investing in their future, and walking alongside them until
they can move forward.
The Light Up the Night 5K will take place at Asheville’s Carrier Park, starting at 7:00 p.m., with packet pickup
beginning at 5:30 p.m. Timed by Finish Well Timing, the event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, regardless
of race, ethnicity, gender, or faith. All proceeds will directly benefit WCRM’s programs and services, which provide
shelter, recovery programs, meals, and long-term support to those in need.

Hot In Herre: 2000s Dance Party
Aug 8 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Hot In Herre: 2000s Dance Party

The biggest 2000s/Y2K party in the country!

Friday, August 08
Show: 8pm | Doors: 7pm

The Orange Peel
Ages 18+

Hot In Herre features dope DJs behind the decks and 00s visuals that will transport you back to the days of blinged-out flip phones and trucker hats!

At Hot In Herre, you’ll hear your favorite hits and guilty pleasures from the first decade of the millennium from artists like Nelly (duh), Beyoncé, Usher, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Pitbull, 50 Cent, Shakira, Snoop Dogg, Flo Rida, Fergie, T-Pain, Amy Winehouse, Outkast, Eminem, Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z, Sean Paul, Avril Lavigne and so many more.

** Wear your best 2000s-era gear at Hot In Herre! We’re talkin’ fuzzy pink Juicy Couture sweats, bling, Ed Hardy shirts, loooow-rise jeans, UGG boots, crop tops… you name it, just wear it! **

We’re taking song requests all night, too. Pull out your old iPod playlists and have your favs ready to go!

Scott Miller
Aug 8 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

The Grey Eagle and Worthwhile Sounds Present: Scott Miller with Tin Roof Echo

All Ages
Friday, August 08
Doors: 7pm // Show: 8pm
$27.06 to $37.96

Grey Eagle Music Hall
ALL AGES
SEATED SHOW
LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Sourwood Festival 2025
Aug 9 all-day

Things to Know

Festival Entry
The Sourwood Festival is free and open to the public.

Pet Policy
Furry friends are welcome to attend the Sourwood Festival! All pets must be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pet.

Festival Location 
The Sourwood Festival takes place in historic downtown Black Mountain. Vendors and festival events will be hosted on Cherry St., Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, Broadway Ave, Vance Ave and Town Square.

Food
The Sourwood Festival will feature snack vendors. We highly encourage attendees to visit one of the over 50 local restaurants Black Mountain and Swannanoa have to offer!

Road Closures 
During the Sourwood Festival, these streets will be closed to traffic, creating a pedestrian-friendly experience – Cherry St, Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, and a small portion of Vance Ave.

Parking & Shuttle 
Free public parking is available at the old Bi-Lo, and additional parking is at the Black Mountain Ingles near the Garden Center. A free shuttle will pick up at this location every 15 minutes and drop festival goers off on Vance Ave.

Bathrooms
Public restrooms are available on Cherry Street and in Town Square, and there will be regular and handicap porta-jons throughout the festival area.

Tanger Outlets Asheville Celebrates New School Year with Back-To-School Bash and Shoe Collection Drive, Aug. 9
Aug 9 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Tanger Outlets Asheville

Tanger Outlets Asheville invites shoppers to kick-off the start of the school season in style with its Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 9 from noon – 3 p.m. Families can celebrate their scholars with an array of fun-filled activities, including appearances by Ted. E Tourist and Rocky the UNC Asheville Bulldog, free drink samples provided by Pepsi Cola and free photos by TapSnap Phototainment.

As part of the celebration, Tanger Asheville is teaming up with Mountain Hope for the Kicks for Class New Shoe Collection Drive, benefiting students at Owen Middle School who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. A school bus will be parked near Sportsman’s Warehouse during the event to collect 450 pairs of new shoes. Guests are encouraged to donate new shoes in the following sizes: 3.5-7 youth for girls; 6-9 for women; 4-7 youth for boys; and 6-8 for men.

Tanger Asheville delivers even more value with its Summer of Savings program. Through August, the center will offer the community weekly deals on back-to-school essentials and wardrobe refreshes. Shoppers can expect to find some of the deepest discounts of the year at top brands like Nike, Coach, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, Under Armour and more.

Family Fun Festival
Aug 9 @ 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Asheville Mall

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Buddhagraph Spaceship / The Kind Thieves / Hustle Souls
Aug 9 @ 7:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

The Grey Eagle Presents: Buddhagraph Spaceship / The Kind Thieves / Hustle Souls

All Ages
Doors: 6pm // Show: 7pm
$13.80
Grey Eagle Music Hall – Special Event
ALL AGES
STANDING ROOM ONLY
FT. LOCAL ARTISTS & MAKERS
Shindig On the Green
Aug 9 @ 7:00 pm
Pack Square Park

2025 will be the 59th Season of Shindig On the Green!

Bring your instruments, families, friends, lawn chairs and blankets and join us for good times at the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Stage. In 2025 Shindig on the Green, which features a stage show and informal jam sessions around the park, continues at its original location — formerly known as City County Plaza, now transformed into the new Pack Square Park. Locals and visitors alike come together downtown “along about sundown,” or at 7:00pm for those who wear a watch, until 10:00p.m. Concessions are available. Come experience the beautiful music and dance traditions of Southern Appalachia on a summer evening in the mountains.

East Forest
Aug 9 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Show: 8pm | Doors: 7pm

The Orange Peel

Ages 18+

FULLY SEATED SHOW

Sunday, August 10, 2025
Sourwood Festival 2025
Aug 10 all-day

Things to Know

Festival Entry
The Sourwood Festival is free and open to the public.

Pet Policy
Furry friends are welcome to attend the Sourwood Festival! All pets must be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pet.

Festival Location 
The Sourwood Festival takes place in historic downtown Black Mountain. Vendors and festival events will be hosted on Cherry St., Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, Broadway Ave, Vance Ave and Town Square.

Food
The Sourwood Festival will feature snack vendors. We highly encourage attendees to visit one of the over 50 local restaurants Black Mountain and Swannanoa have to offer!

Road Closures 
During the Sourwood Festival, these streets will be closed to traffic, creating a pedestrian-friendly experience – Cherry St, Sutton Ave, Black Mountain Ave, and a small portion of Vance Ave.

Parking & Shuttle 
Free public parking is available at the old Bi-Lo, and additional parking is at the Black Mountain Ingles near the Garden Center. A free shuttle will pick up at this location every 15 minutes and drop festival goers off on Vance Ave.

Bathrooms
Public restrooms are available on Cherry Street and in Town Square, and there will be regular and handicap porta-jons throughout the festival area.

Country Brunch w/ Cary Fridley & Down South
Aug 10 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

The Grey Eagle and Worthwhile Sounds Present

Country Brunch w/ Cary Fridley & Down South

All Ages
Sunday, August 10
Doors: 11am // Show: 11am

Grey Eagle Music Hall
– FREE SHOW!!!
– ALL AGES
– LIMITED SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED
Country Brunch at The Grey Eagle – a music series for early birds. Country Brunch showcases a goldmine of local country bands that can usually only be found playing late nights in local and regional venues, and brings them out  into the light of day for lovers of an early matinee show. The series runs monthly with a different band each month.

FREE SHOW!!  Show runs 11am-2pm. Food and drink available from The Grey Eagle Taqueria. Family friendly show! Come fill your Sunday day with food, drink, fun and some of the best live music Asheville has to offer – all in one place.

Aaron Lipsky in concert
Aug 10 @ 3:00 pm
Deerfield Retirement Community

Sunday, August 10th at 3pm – Concert at St. Giles Chapel at Deerfield Retirement Community. Admission is free with donations encouraged.

Claude Debussy – Premiere Rhapsodie
Johannes Brahms – Clarinet Sonata in Eb Major, Op 120 No. 2
Robert Schumann – 3 Romanzen, Op. 94 (II. Einfach, innig)
Clara Schumann – 3 Romanzen, Op. 22
Jean Francaix – Tema con Variazioni
Family Fun Festival
Aug 10 @ 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Asheville Mall

Family Fun Festival in the parking lot of the Asheville Mall. Enjoy carnival rides and games for all ages along with your favorite fair foods like funnel cakes, fired Oreos, and more.  Open Weekdays: 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 3:00pm-10:00pm.  Daily wristbands $25 Mon-Thur and $30 Fri-Sun.  There is no gate admission and parking is free.

Sunday Afternoon Club
Aug 10 @ 5:30 pm
The Orange Peel

Sunday Afternoon Clubwith music from Big Fur

at The Squeeze on The Orange Peel patio

Sunday, August 10
Show: 5:30pm | Doors: 4:30pm
The Orange Peel
Ages 18+
Introducing the Sunday Afternoon Club at The Orange Peel our new open air music series!
Join us at The Squeeze our fresh outdoor bar and patio as we welcome the AVL community for afternoons of music and Sunday sipping!
These events are free to attend so bring the brunch gang over and join in the fun.
Check out the whole summer lineup and we’ll see you soon!
South for Winter
Aug 10 @ 6:30 pm
The Grey Eagle

The Grey Eagle & Chat Hills Music Present: South for Winter

Sunday, August 10
Doors: 6pm // Show: 6:30pm
Grey Eagle Music Hall – Special Event
ALL AGES
SEATED SHOW
SOUTH FOR WINTER
With a blend of dreamy acoustic duets, foot-stomping folk and bluesy murder ballads, New Zealand-formed and Nashville-based South for Winter’s sound is as eclectic as their origins. The band is composed of New Zealander Nick Stone, Coloradan Dani Cichon, and Michigander Alex Stradal, and together the three multi-instrumentalists and songwriters combine elements such as classically-trained cello, percussive guitar, mandolin, suitcase stomp, poetic lyricism, and haunting melodies into a genre-bending sound described by American Songwriter as “impeccable”.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
Aug 12 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

Tuesday, August 12
Show: 8pm | Doors: 7pm

The Orange Peel
Ages 18+
Thursday, August 14, 2025
The Jesus Casino + Impending Joy + Sunbearer
Aug 14 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

The Jesus Casino + Impending Joy + Sunbearer

Thursday, August 14
Show: 8pm | Doors: 7pm

The Orange Peel
All Ages – under 12 requires venue approval
Friday, August 15, 2025
Camp Honey Hive Day Camp
Aug 15 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
THE CENTER FOR INSPIRED EDUCATION

Welcome to our Special Needs Adult Camp, where laughter, creativity, and friendship are always on the agenda!

Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of East Asheville, our camp offers a haven of joy and adventure for adults with special needs.

Get ready to dive into a world of fun as we embark on a journey filled with cooking delights, dance parties, bingo showdowns, and arts and crafts galore. Whether you’re a culinary wizard, a dancing sensation, a bingo aficionado, or an aspiring artist, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at our camp.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! In the afternoons, we’ll set out on exciting field trips to explore the wonders of our community. From strolls through Charles Owen Park to discovering the beauty of the Arboretum, creating magnificent sculptures in an artist’s studio, and spreading kindness during our random act of kindness outing, every moment is an opportunity for adventure and discovery.

But the true magic of our camp lies in the bonds we form and the memories we create. With our caring staff by your side, you’ll laugh, learn, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s discovering new talents, forming new friendships, or simply enjoying the sweetness of life, our camp is a place where everyone belongs and every moment is cherished.

Join us for a mini-camp of laughter, love, and unforgettable adventures. Your special journey awaits at our camp in East Asheville!

Downtown After 5
Aug 15 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Pack Square Park

Join us as we partner with Blue Ridge Pride for a 90s Country-themed Downtown After 5! Featuring headliner Mustache the Band and opener Shakey’s Live Band Karaoke. Show off your style in our Best Boots Contest or channel your inner queen in the Dolly Parton Lookalike Competition for a chance to win fun prizes!

Downtown After 5 is more than just a concert series—it’s a community staple that celebrates the diversity and creativity of Asheville. Each event is free to the public, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of between 5,000 to 6,000 attendees. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site alongside a marketplace component where attendees can explore and shop handmade crafts from local makers. Join us at Pack Square Park for these unforgettable evenings of music, community, and celebration.

Amanda Anne Platt
Aug 15 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Grey Eagle Events Presents: Amanda Anne Platt

Doors: 7pm // Show: 8pm
$16.06

 

Grey Eagle Music Hall – Special Event
ALL AGES
STANDING ROOM ONLY 
Amanda Anne Platt has been writing and performing her original songs in front of live audiences for almost two decades. With her band The Honeycutters she has released nine albums of her own original material and toured extensively in the US and Europe. Her last six studio albums have landed in the top five of WNCW’s annual listener voted top 100 releases, most recently at #5 with her 2024 release, The Ones That Stay. Platt won second place in Merlefest’s Chris Austin songwriting competition in 2011 with her song “Little Bird”, and has been privileged over the years to share the stage with such songwriting greats as Guy Clark, Amy Ray, Billy Joe Shaver, Tift Merrit, and Radney Foster.
80s vs 90s Dance Party
Aug 15 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

80s vs 90s Dance Party

DJ Oso Rey & DJ Molly Parti

Show: 9pm | Doors: 8pm

The Orange Peel
All Ages
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Bodhi Fest
Aug 16 all-day
Asheville Community Theater

The first annual Bodhi Fest, a Buddhist Arts and Film Festival at Asheville Community Theatre on August 16th, 2025 will be a day of illumination as we explore the gladdening qualities of the human spirit ranging from sweet solitude to ecstatic joy. The program will consist of Buddhist films + Q&A, shorts, a dance workshop, a songwriting workshop, musical performances and more. Crafts, art and food from Buddhist sanghas, artists and local vendors will be shared in the front lobby during the festival.

Enjoy an event of immersion in compassionate-wisdom activities that provoke insight and lift the spirit.

Backpack Giveaway by John McClung Roofing
Aug 16 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Edington Center

John McClung Roofing takes pride in giving back to our community and one of the ways we do that is through our annual Backpack Giveaway! This year, our goal is to provide hundreds of backpacks filled with supplies for kids in WNC for the upcoming school year! To get involved, visit our website at www.johnmcclungroofing.com/community

Special shout-out to our partners and sponsors: Best Buy Metals, ABC Supply, Shared Vision International, Walmart & Sam’s Club, New York Life Agent Joshua Brown, Self-Help Credit Union, Board & Brush Asheville, Hope City Fellowship, Born to Bend Mental Health and Wellness, and Family Support Network of WNC!

Bounce Houses! Crafts! Resources! And MORE!!