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.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Visiting Writers: Natalie Baszile
Mar 20 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
UNCA--Blue Ridge Room of UNC Asheville’s Highsmith Union

Free

On March 20 at 7 p.m. in the Blue Ridge Room of UNC Asheville’s Highsmith Union, Natalie Baszile will present readings from her recent work. The event is free and open to the public.

Baszile’s debut novel, “Queen Sugar,” is a mother-daughter story of reinvention — about an African American woman who unexpectedly inherits a sugarcane farm in Louisiana. “Queen Sugar” was adapted into a critically acclaimed television series directed by Ava Duvernay. Baszile’s most recent book, “We Are Each Other’s Harvest,” is an exploration and celebration of black farming in America.


Accessibility

UNC Asheville is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. If you have any questions about access or to request reasonable accommodations that will facilitate your full participation in this event, please contact the Event Organizer (see below). Advance notice is necessary to arrange for accessibility needs.

Visitor Parking

Visitors may park in faculty/staff and All Permit lots from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends, holidays, and campus breaks. Visitors are not permitted to park in resident student lots at any time.
Prior to 5pm, any visitor (regardless of their reason for visit) need to adhere to the current practices listed on the parking website. Get your visitor parking permit here

Thursday, March 21, 2024
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival
Mar 21 all-day
Asheville Area- various locations
THURSDAY MARCH 21
The BeBe Theatre
20 Commerce St | Downtown
LEAF Global Arts
19 Eagle St. Ste 120 | Downtown
Citizen Vinyl
14 O’Henry Ave | Downtown
Story Parlor
227 Haywood Rd | West Asheville
One World West
520 Haywood Rd | West Ashevile
Art Garden
191 Lyman St #316 | River Arts District
Cloud Room (Wedge)
5 Foundy St Ste 10 | River Arts District
Friday, March 22, 2024
22nd Asheville Fringe ART Festival
Mar 22 all-day
Asheville Area
FRIDAY MARCH 22
The BeBe Theatre
20 Commerce St | Downtown
LEAF Global Arts
19 Eagle St. Ste 120 | Downtown
Noir Collective
39 S Market St | Downtown
Non-traditional Venues
76 Biltmore Ave | 17 Foundy St
FRIDAY MARCH 22
Story Parlor
227 Haywood Rd | West Asheville
Fleetwood’s
496 Haywood Rd | West Asheville
One World West
520 Haywood Rd | West Ashevile
Art Garden
191 Lyman St #316 | River Arts District
Saturday, March 23, 2024
22nd Asheville Fringe ART Festival
Mar 23 all-day
Asheville Area- various locations
SATURDAY MARCH 23
The BeBe Theatre
20 Commerce St | Downtown
Argot Room
717 Haywood Rd | West Asheville
Citizen Vinyl
14 O’Henry Ave | Downtown
Non-traditional Venues
76 Biltmore Ave | 17 Foundy St
SATURDAY MARCH 23
Story Parlor
227 Haywood Rd | West Asheville
LEAF Global Arts
19 Eagle St. Ste 120 | Downtown
Art Garden
191 Lyman St #316 | River Arts District
Cloud Room (Wedge)
5 Foundy St Ste 10 | River Arts District
Random Acts of Fringe: Asheville Fringe ART Festival
Mar 23 all-day
Asheville Area- various locations
SATURDAY MARCH 23 (free events)
Artists + Writers Coffee
Mar 23 @ 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
MARCH OF THE BLADES @ Fae Nectar
Mar 23 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Fae Nectar

Join us Saturday March 23rd for our next amazing festival…MARCH OF THE BLADES! Hosted by the Warriors Of Ash and Fae Nectar Meadery, our fighting arena will be ringing with the sounds of Sword and Axe fighting all afternoon, accompanied by both blood-pumping battle music and the merry sound of a medieval village upon our festival lawn.

As you wander our festive fantasy wonderland you’ll find working blacksmiths, artisan vendors selling enchanted garb and hand-crafted goods, armorers and jewelers, and even fortune tellers offering their services. And don’t forget to try your hand at Axe Throwing, or to visit our adorable Hobbit horse, Thistle!

And inside our comfortable and cozy Tavern you’ll find our Fae bartenders, happy to serve you our fine Mead, Cider, Wine, and local Craft Beer options, and we’ll be serving hot tasty comfort food to keep your bellies warm and full as you enjoy the festival.

This event is FREE! And open to all friends, families, Fae creatures, and friendly dogs on leash.

Artisan Market – 11am to 5pm
Sword Fighting & Battle Music – 1:00 to 2:30pm and 3:30 to 5pm
Thistle the Hobbit Horse – 12pm to 4pm

Tuesday, March 26, 2024
22nd Asheville Fringe ART Festival
Mar 26 all-day
Asheville Area- various locations
SUNDAY MARCH 26
The BeBe Theatre
20 Commerce St | Downtown
Argot Room
717 Haywood Rd | West Asheville
Fleetwood’s
496 Haywood Rd | West Asheville
LaZoom Bus Tour
76 Biltmore Ave | 17 Foundy St
SUNDAY MARCH 26
Noir Collective
39 S Market St | Downtown
LEAF Global Arts
19 Eagle St. Ste 120 | Downtown
Story Parlor
227 Haywood Rd | West Asheville
Art Garden
191 Lyman St #316 | River Arts District
Dark City Poet’s Society
Mar 26 @ 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.

Saturday, March 30, 2024
Carry Your Cross 5K
Mar 30 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Pole Creek Baptist Church

Looking to be challenged physically and spiritually?… join us for the 2024 Carry Your Cross 5K, 1K Kid’s Run, and Little Kid’s (Ages 2-5) Fun Run – Saturday, March 30, 2024.  – 5K participants carry a 4ft length of 2×4 lumber across your back for the final 2/10 of a mile – uphill! Come join us for a run that you won’t soon forget. * 5K AWARDS & AGE GROUPS Special Commemorative Awards to: * Top 3 Male/Female Overall * Top 3 Male/Female Masters [40+] * Top 3 Male/Female in the following Age Groups: * 12+ under, 13-15, 16-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 + KIDS 1K AWARDS to the Top 3 Male/Female Overall  Schedule Saturday – March 30th * 7:00 – 8:45    Packet Pick Up and Onsite Registration in the Family Life Center (gym). * 9:00              5K START * 9:45 +/-         Little Kids Fun Run START * 10:00 +/-       Kids 1K START * 10:30            5K Awards Ceremony

Artists + Writers Coffee
Mar 30 @ 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
Dropping Into Delight: Yoga (optional) + Immersive Poetry Workshop
Mar 30 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Story Parlor

Led by a certified Inward & Artward Creative Facilitator, Tikva Kingrea (RYT-200 ), this workshop will explore how spring is showing up in our lives—specifically deliberating on *delight.* Think ripe strawberries. Purple phlox spreading across a moss-rich garden wall. Your favorite sneakers, worn in and warm, piled by the front door, waiting for a neighborhood stroll. The spring season offers each of us a chance to step into our artistic practice with verve, sweetness, and a shaking off of winter hibernation. This workshop is designed to do just that.

We will deep-dive into understanding various poetic techniques, personal themes and voice, as well as have guided group and individual support. This is a “YES, I’LL TAKE TEN BOUQUETS OF TULIPS TO GO WITH MY WRITING” class. We will move gently while playing with creative ways to buoy confidence and craft.

This is a beginner friendly class for writers and yogis alike. Students taking the yoga portion are asked to bring their own mats and props.

Reproductive Freedom Art Show – AVL
Mar 30 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Haiku AVL

We must protect and restore abortion access.
Since the reversal of Roe v Wade, the future of abortion access has been handed to state legislatures. This catastrophic SCOTUS decision is to the detriment of many states across the South.

In fact, now 1 in 3 women live in states without access, and the top ten states with the highest rates of maternal mortality have all passed abortion bans. The 2024 election is critical to abortion access in NC.

The Reproductive Freedom Art Show is an artistic act of defiance. All proceeds raised from the art show will support Planned Parenthood Action PAC NC. The Action PAC supports pro-reproductive health candidates by direct voter contact work, reaching low propensity voters and mobilizing the electorate to vote for pro-choice candidates.

Help protect and restore access to safe, legal abortion and reproductive rights by participating in this show by donating artwork, your time, shopping, or just spreading the word.

Friday, April 5, 2024
Intro to Memoir Writing: a 3-session series with Cornelia Dolian
Apr 5 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
East Asheville Library

Free. Space limited. Registration required. Call 828-250-4738 or stop by the library to register.

April 5: Session 1 – Memoir Basics & Beginnings
What’s a memoir, how does it work, and where do I begin mine?
Learn the key elements of the genre, understand what a memoir is (and isn’t). Get suggestions & tips for writing a rich, compelling, standout memoir, and where to begin collecting, compiling, and nurturing what will become the foundations of your memoir.

April 12: Session 2 – Memoir Structure and Outline
How do you structure and outline a memoir that will hook, connect with, and impact your readers?
Understand how to use narrative/story structure to help your memoir “read almost like a novel”.

April 19: Session 3 –  Memoir Writing Marathon First Miles
Turning your memoir outline into a full manuscript first draft (and what even is that?) – one milestone, chapter, and day at a time.
Know what to aim for with your memoir’s first draft, what to ignore, and how to keep your inner critic from disrupting you. Consider and commit to a consistent writing schedule for your memoir.

Saturday, April 6, 2024
Fairy Festival
Apr 6 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Horse Shoe Gap Village

Celebrate Spring and The Fairies at Horse Shoe Gap Village with Free Face Painting by The Sea Mither,
Fairy Hair, Scavenger Hunt, Games, music and more!

Artists + Writers Coffee
Apr 6 @ 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
Thursday, April 11, 2024
POETRY WORKSHOP WITH GLENIS REDMOND
Apr 11 @ 6:00 pm
Ramsaur Studio

This National Poetry Month, turn your sparks of inspiration into beautiful poetry in an all-new poetry workshop led by Greenville Poet Laureate Glenis Redmond. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of poetry or you’ve been penning verses for a while, this workshop is tailor-made for you. From brainstorming ideas to crafting captivating lines, Glenis will guide you every step of the way. Unleash your inner wordsmith and explore the magic of poetry with a true master.

The $125 registration fee is for admission to the three-part workshop taking place at 6:00 PM on April 11, 18 and 25. Please bring paper and your preferred writing tool with you. The workshop culminates in a reading during the final session where participants can invite a guest to enjoy their poetry progress.

Saturday, April 13, 2024
AVL Clothing Swap
Apr 13 all-day
The Regeneration Station

Join AVL Clothing Swap for our biggest event yet! Now located at the Regeneration Station, the swap works the same as always: purchase your ticket (now a tax-deductible donation!) drop off clothing (clean and in good condition) at Regeneration Station before the event date. On the day of the event, show up to shop the swap!

Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival
Apr 13 all-day
The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge

Join us April 12-13, 2024, for two days of family-friendly fun! We’ll have storytelling, workshops, a quilt display, and more. If you can’t attend the festival in person but don’t want to miss the fun, you can sign up for an “online viewing” ticket. Festival tickets are free for students and teachers, individuals with disabilities, and those with low income and are low-cost for all others. Discounts are available.

Artists + Writers Coffee
Apr 13 @ 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
Celebrate Appalachian Heritage at Fiddles and Folklife
Apr 13 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Warren Wilson College

On Saturday, April 13, Warren Wilson College will host Fiddles and Folklife, an annual Appalachian festival and old-time music and dance competition, with cash prizes for old-time fiddle, banjo, folksong, flatfooting, and string band. There will be a separate contest for youth in fiddle and banjo. Other activities include old-time music jams, food and craft vendors, folklife demonstrators, and a cake raffle. This event is free and open to the public.

Fiddles and Folklore takes place from 12 noon – 5 p.m., on the Warren Wilson College campus, in the historic Bryson Gym, 102 Upper College Road. Registration for contestants opens at 11:30 a.m. There is no entry fee for the contests. For more info, visit Warren Wilson College Music on Facebook, and click on the “Events” tab.

Monday, April 15, 2024
Letters to the Editor + Opinion Editorials Creative Workshop
Apr 15 @ 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

Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Great Smokies Writing Program | Utilizing the Visual Arts in Writing and Revising Personal Narrative
Apr 17 all-day
Story Parlor

Wednesdays, starting March 20 | Offered through the Great Smokies Writing Program, this five-week class will investigate the ways in which paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculpture inspire, collaborate with, and complement our writing process.

Friday, April 19, 2024
Spring Plant Sale
Apr 19 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Eliada Homes

 

Veggie Stars, Herbs, Flowers

ELIDA helping children succeed

Saturday, April 20, 2024
Sweetwater 420 Fest 2024
Apr 20 all-day
Pullman Yards

Sweetwater 420 Fest 2024

Bookmark your favorites to build your schedule and get reminders
View All
Saturday, April 20
Sunday, April 21
Date To Be Announced
Beck
Slightly Stoopid
Larkin Poe
Hayes Carll
The Band of Heathens
houndmouth
Cory Wong
Big Gigantic
Little Stranger
Bombargo
Gov’t Mule
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
She Slays 5K
Apr 20 @ 8:00 am
Pardee Cancer Center

Uniting Communities: Inaugural She Slays 5K and One-Mile Fun Run Empowers Women

In a celebration of solidarity and empowerment, the inaugural She Slays 5K and One Mile Fun Run is set to kick off on April 20th, bringing together individuals from all walks of life to support the Women Helping Women program at UNC Health Pardee.

This exciting event aims to foster a sense of community while raising crucial funds for a program dedicated to uplifting and supporting women in need.

Participants of all ages and fitness levels are invited to lace up their running shoes and join in the festivities. Whether racing to beat personal records or strolling leisurely, everyone’s participation contributes to the greater cause of empowering women in our community.

Registration for this event is now open – Register for She Slays Now.

Download the She-Slays Sponsorship Pledge Form Here

Yard Sale benefitting Blue Ridge Roller Derby
Apr 20 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
West Asheville

Looking for a new second-hand treasure? Love a good deal? Want to support a local non-profit? Come check out the Blue Ridge Roller Derby Yard Sale! Shop for a variety of items from clothes to furniture and more, or just come say hi to your favorite skaters. All proceeds from the sale benefit Blue Ridge Roller Derby.

Sale is in convenient West Asheville at 133 Dorchester Ave. from 8am to noon. See you there!

Spring Plant Sale
Apr 20 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Eliada Homes

Veggie Stars, Herbs, Flowers

ELIDA helping children succeed

Artists + Writers Coffee
Apr 20 @ 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, April 21, 2024
Sweetwater 420 Fest 2024
Apr 21 all-day
Pullman Yards

Sweetwater 420 Fest 2024

Bookmark your favorites to build your schedule and get reminders
View All
Saturday, April 20
Sunday, April 21
Date To Be Announced
Beck
Slightly Stoopid
Larkin Poe
Hayes Carll
The Band of Heathens
houndmouth
Cory Wong
Big Gigantic
Little Stranger
Bombargo
Gov’t Mule
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue