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, May 18, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 18 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Artists + Writers Coffee
May 18 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 19 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Monday, May 20, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 20 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Letters to the Editor + Opinion Editorials Creative Workshop
May 20 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Buncombe County Democratic Party HQ

Democrats need to be more actively messaging and to overcome the makers of fake news with the truth! Join this ongoing group of writers working together on Letters to the Editor and Opinion Editorials. We’ll discuss the issues we care about most deeply and craft a plan to respond to events as they occur in real time.

The group meets the first and third Monday of each month for writing, responding to one another’s work, scheduling submissions, and exploring media outlets across the state.

“Rant with purpose. Support with facts. Propel action.” – Myra Schoen

Writing from the Top of Your Head
May 20 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Story Parlor
Monday evenings from 6:30-9:00pm at Story Parlor
4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20
Student showcase reserved for 6/3
No class 5/27
Writing from the Top of Your Head is a 6-week workshop for beginning through experienced writers, inspired by Emily
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 21 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Virtual Writers Workshop Greg Lobas
May 21 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online

Greg Lobas will lead a virtual writer’s workshop titled: “Writing Your Life into Poetry.”

“Write what you know” is one of the first and best maxims for the aspiring writer. But what if “what you know” is ordinary, even mundane? This workshop will look at ways to mine the gold that is in everyone’s life and turn it into poetry. It may take some digging. It may take a little change in perspective. But it is there, and it is material only you can use. We will focus on the narrative poem as a means of story-telling but will consider the lyric poem as well.

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 Zoom for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop at workshop here:

Greg Lobas has been published extensively as both an outdoor writer and a poet. His debut book, Left of Center, won the 2022 Dogfish Head Poetry Prize, and placed second in the Delaware State Press Association awards. The book deals with his real life experiences as a fire captain and paramedic. His poems have been published in many journals. He is an experienced poetry workshop facilitator at Isothermal Community College.
Greg lives with his wife Meg and his dog Sophie in Polk County North Carolina.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 22 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 23 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Friday, May 24, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 24 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Saturday, May 25, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
May 25 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
3RD ANNUAL VETERANS RESOURCE FAIR
May 25 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Veterans Healing Farm
Our 3rd Annual Veterans Resource Fair open to the public. Come out to the farm have a great time, eat some good food, listen to some amazing music, and meet these wonderful organizations that give back to the veterans community! AARP Appalachian Dog Training, LLC Aura Home Brothers and Sisters Like These CenterWell Home Health Congressman Chuck Edwards Council on Aging Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 14 Eagle Rock Camp Equinox Ranch Healing The Hole Collective Heart of Horse Sense Lighthouse Collective Foundation Man With A Horse Project Military Working Dog Heritage Museum Mission 22 MOAA of Westeren North Carolina Mothers of Veteran Suicide Mountain Vista Recovery Patient Advocacy Charles George VA PGA Hope Pisgah Legal Post-9/11 Military 2 Charles George VA Project Healing Waters Soldiers Angels Sugar Bear Foundation The Self-Regulation Station Therapeutic Cuddling : HoldmeAVL Unbroken Spirit VA Innovation Program Charles George VA Veterans Healing Farm Veterans Services of the Carolinas VFW Hendersonville WADO Studios Warrior Canine Connection Warriors at Ease Whole Health Charles George VA FOOD TRUCKS (suggest not eating at least 2 days before so you can gorge yourself from these delicious mobile chefs) North Meets South Dreadlife Kitchen Allie’s Sweet Treats BANDS (amazing, super talented artists) Rooster Hope Griffin

 

Monday, May 27, 2024
Memorial Day Services Caravan
May 27 @ 9:00 am
Forest Lawn Memorial Park

Presser Memorial Day Services Hendersonville

for more info.

 2024 Memorial Day

Friday, May 31, 2024
Canna Comic Cuisine?–Infused 3-course Dinner Shows
May 31 @ 6:30 pm
Rezonanance

Slice of Life Presents: Canna Comic Cuisine?
Two Infused Dinner & Comedy Shows
Friday May 31, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
& 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Rezonance Lounge via The Green Room 51 College St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
Featuring a 3-course meal from Infuso including an infused Smashburger, infused salad, infused gourmet banana pudding, and a selection of infused cannabis drinks and surprise samples from local hemp brands.
Comedians curated by Slice of Life Comedy! Vaping (of The Green Room’s products only) is permitted.

Featuring Petey Smith McDowell

Space is limited, go to Smokesome.green to reserve your spots today!

Saturday, June 1, 2024
Nerd Pride Fest
Jun 1 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Nerd Dungeon

Are YOU READY for NERD PRIDE FEST 2024!!
Saturday, June 1st 2024 : 10am – 4pm

Asheville’s local artist convention every first Saturday in June in honor of Pride month! This is a fun, free way to celebrate pride month by supporting local artists and nonprofits who do incredible things for the queer LGBT+ community in western North Carolina.

Nerd Pride Fest was our first ever event in our current location. So it had to be to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and reopening with food, games, live music, and more.

As a shop owned and operated by queer-identifying folks, The Nerd Dungeon is committed to being a safe and welcoming environment for people of all ages to express themselves any time of year, not just during Pride Month. We will always be a 3rd Place.
It is nice to have an excuse to go all-out and party, though! Pride Cosplay encouraged!

Artists + Writers Coffee
Jun 1 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Monday, June 3, 2024
Letters to the Editor + Opinion Editorials Creative Workshop
Jun 3 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Buncombe County Democratic Party HQ

Democrats need to be more actively messaging and to overcome the makers of fake news with the truth! Join this ongoing group of writers working together on Letters to the Editor and Opinion Editorials. We’ll discuss the issues we care about most deeply and craft a plan to respond to events as they occur in real time.

The group meets the first and third Monday of each month for writing, responding to one another’s work, scheduling submissions, and exploring media outlets across the state.

“Rant with purpose. Support with facts. Propel action.” – Myra Schoen

Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Dark City Poets Society Workshop Circle
Jun 4 @ 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.

Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Juneteenth Flag Collage Mosaic
Jun 5 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Swannanoa Library

All Month Long in June at the Swannanoa Library

Join us at the Swannanoa Library to create a collage mosaic Juneteenth Flag. While communally creating this flag, learn the history and meaning of this flag and all that it represents.  This program will continue for entire month of June where the community can add to it over time. All ages are welcome to contribute.

Thursday, June 6, 2024
Juneteenth Flag Collage Mosaic
Jun 6 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Swannanoa Library

All Month Long in June at the Swannanoa Library

Join us at the Swannanoa Library to create a collage mosaic Juneteenth Flag. While communally creating this flag, learn the history and meaning of this flag and all that it represents.  This program will continue for entire month of June where the community can add to it over time. All ages are welcome to contribute.

Friday, June 7, 2024
Juneteenth Flag Collage Mosaic
Jun 7 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Swannanoa Library

All Month Long in June at the Swannanoa Library

Join us at the Swannanoa Library to create a collage mosaic Juneteenth Flag. While communally creating this flag, learn the history and meaning of this flag and all that it represents.  This program will continue for entire month of June where the community can add to it over time. All ages are welcome to contribute.

Saturday, June 8, 2024
Juneteenth Flag Collage Mosaic
Jun 8 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Swannanoa Library

All Month Long in June at the Swannanoa Library

Join us at the Swannanoa Library to create a collage mosaic Juneteenth Flag. While communally creating this flag, learn the history and meaning of this flag and all that it represents.  This program will continue for entire month of June where the community can add to it over time. All ages are welcome to contribute.

Artists + Writers Coffee
Jun 8 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Standup Comedy at Avlpizza
Jun 9 @ 6:30 pm
Asheville Pizza & Btewung Co

Another great comedy show at Asheville Pizza in Theatre 2, get your dinner , drinks & laughs with a comedy open mic! Professional featured performers in a fun environment. Hosted by Cody Hughes! Featuring Zandra Johnson, Johnathan Pruett & Jason Reel

Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Juneteenth Flag Collage Mosaic
Jun 11 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Swannanoa Library

All Month Long in June at the Swannanoa Library

Join us at the Swannanoa Library to create a collage mosaic Juneteenth Flag. While communally creating this flag, learn the history and meaning of this flag and all that it represents.  This program will continue for entire month of June where the community can add to it over time. All ages are welcome to contribute.

Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jun 11 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Juneteenth Flag Collage Mosaic
Jun 12 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Swannanoa Library

All Month Long in June at the Swannanoa Library

Join us at the Swannanoa Library to create a collage mosaic Juneteenth Flag. While communally creating this flag, learn the history and meaning of this flag and all that it represents.  This program will continue for entire month of June where the community can add to it over time. All ages are welcome to contribute.

Thursday, June 13, 2024
Juneteenth Flag Collage Mosaic
Jun 13 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Swannanoa Library

All Month Long in June at the Swannanoa Library

Join us at the Swannanoa Library to create a collage mosaic Juneteenth Flag. While communally creating this flag, learn the history and meaning of this flag and all that it represents.  This program will continue for entire month of June where the community can add to it over time. All ages are welcome to contribute.

Standup Comedy Contest
Jun 13 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Pulp

Slice of Life Standup Comedy Contest
When: Wensday June 13, 2024.
7p-9p, doors at 6:30p
Where:
The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge, 103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $15 (available at door or The Orange Peel website

Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Free snacks while availability lasts!

How it Works: The show’s Headliner will be selected by the paid audience in an anonymous ballet after all comics perform their sets.
Audience will write down their favorite top comic of the evening who will be paid & brought back to headline the end of the show with a closing 10m set! They will automatically be entered into a Feature headlining show to battle for Asheville title at plēb urban winery on June 21!

All standup comics are invited to be on the show as long as there is still room available. There is no cost to performing comics. Comics should have 3-1/2m of material and be prepared for an additional 10m. They will be invited to be a paid feature on the final battle with grand cash prize.

Hosted by around 2 Winner Ryan Gordon
Contact Michele at [email protected] for more details or to signup