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, April 30, 2025
National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants
Apr 30 @ 6:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Mimi Prunella Hernandez & Heather Wood Buzzard present National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 – 6:00pm

Join us in-store at Malaprop’s or live online when Mimi Prunella Hernandez and Heather Wood Buzzard present their new nature guide book, National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants.

This is a free hybrid event with limited in-store seating and the option to attend online.

Saturday, May 3, 2025
French Broad River Garden Clubs 73rd Annual Plant Sale and Marketplace
May 3 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
French Broad River Garden Club

Join us for an amazing day featuring locally grown trees, flowers, shrubs, herbs and veggies, as well as hand-crafted works of art, knife and tool sharpening – all provided by LOCAL vendors! Throughout the day we will feature educational presentations including “Conservation in 2025,” and “Container Planting: Tips and Tricks” which includes a quick and easy way to maintain your garden pruners. All of this combined with live music from Asheville Ukulele Society!

Help support our WNC communities by supporting its small business owners. Our local growers are thoroughly vetted in sustainable growing practices and are experts in their field. Our local artists are dynamically creative and talented, showcasing kitchen and garden gifts, original paintings and pottery, homemade and organic botanicals, honeys and vinegar, mobile knife and tool sharpening, and more! Join these talented individuals as we welcome Spring back to WNC.

Sunday, May 4, 2025
Brit Washburn, Ed Falco, Lesley Wheeler, Jen Karetnick
May 4 @ 4:30 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Join us for our monthly poetry reading, hosted by Mildred Barya. This month’s Poet Quartet features Brit Washburn, Ed Falco, Lesley Wheeler and Jen Karetnick reading from their newest collections.

This is a free hybrid event with limited in-store seating and the option to attend online. 

Thursday, May 8, 2025
TBR Thursdays! Book Club at Black Mountain Public Library
May 8 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

This month’s book is As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Storytime on the Steps
May 14 @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
J Hudson Booksellers

Bring your littles to the front steps of M. Judson for our bi-weekly story time! Enjoy some wonderful picture books read aloud to the crowd by our very own booksellers, and children will even get a sweet treat to go.

Thursday, May 15, 2025
Free for A: The Public Library–Documentary Screening and Discussion
May 15 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Black Mountain Library

Public libraries are such a staple of American communities, but how did this system come to be? Celebrate (and investigate) the history of our public libraries! Join us for a screening + community-driven conversation of @IndependentLens’ Free for All: The Public Library at the Black Mountain Public Library. This one-hour documentary explores the transformative power of public libraries in America—from their pioneering origins to their enduring role as sanctuaries in the face of modern challenges like closures and book bans.

A Q&A session follows with Buncombe County Public Library Director Jason Hyatt and members of the Trust Fund for Buncombe County Public Libraries. Together, they’ll explore the issues raised in the film and discuss their relevance to libraries in our local community.

Saturday, May 17, 2025
Storytime on the Steps
May 17 @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
J Hudson Booksellers

Bring your littles to the front steps of M. Judson for our bi-weekly story time! Enjoy some wonderful picture books read aloud to the crowd by our very own booksellers, and children will even get a sweet treat to go.

Friday, May 23, 2025
Ales & Tales
May 23 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
J Hudson Booksellers

Storytelling is not just entertainment: it’s a fundamental part of being human. Ales & Tales is a live storytelling open mic, akin to The Moth, but without the competitive aspect. Tellers take the mic to share personal stories, true-as-remembered, in six minutes or less with no notes. There are few rules: beyond the time limit and truth requirement, stories must follow the night’s theme, which is typically a one- to two-word prompt with LOTS of flexibility (like Dirt, Winter, Sunshine or Rigid).

Stories don’t have to be funny, but they can be. Stories should have an arc – a beginning, middle, and end – and perhaps a lesson snuck in there, too. Food and drinks, including alcohol, will be available for purchase; and the crowd is always friendly. Come relate to strangers, and turn them into pals!

 

Saturday, May 24, 2025
Storytime on the Steps
May 24 @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
J Hudson Booksellers

Bring your littles to the front steps of M. Judson for our bi-weekly story time! Enjoy some wonderful picture books read aloud to the crowd by our very own booksellers, and children will even get a sweet treat to go.

Thursday, May 29, 2025
Authors for Literacy Fundraiser featuring New York Times bestselling author, David Baldacci
May 29 @ 5:00 pm
Crowne Plaza Asheville, Expo Center

Join us for the 16th annual Authors for Literacy Fundraiser featuring New York Times bestselling author, David Baldacci. The evening will feature testimonials from the students and staff at Literacy Together, as well as a keynote address from David Baldacci. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for mixing and mingling and heavy hors d’oeuvres. You’ll have an opportunity to hear from our team about the work we do to support more than 7,200 individuals throughout Buncombe County. Our seated program begins promptly at 6:30 p.m., and we’ll close the evening with a book signing managed by Malaprop’s Bookstore.
Tickets are on sale now!

Saturday, May 31, 2025
Blue Ridge Community College Car Show
May 31 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Blue Ridge Community College 20th Annual Car Show

20th anniversary Car Show at Blue Ridge Community College. All Makes, models, years invited. First 250 participants receive a goody bag. 50/50 raffle, quilt raffle, gift basket raffle, yellow duck raffle, scavenger hunt for the kids, fairy hair, complimentary caricature artist from 11-2, food trucks on site–cotton candy, gourmet popcorn, coffee truck, mini doughnuts, Italian ice, hot dogs and BBQ

Storytime on the Steps
May 31 @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
J Hudson Booksellers

Bring your littles to the front steps of M. Judson for our bi-weekly story time! Enjoy some wonderful picture books read aloud to the crowd by our very own booksellers, and children will even get a sweet treat to go.

Saturday, June 7, 2025
Celebrate Land Trust Day in Asheville
Jun 7 all-day
Mast General Store

Celebrate Land Trust Day, Saturday, June 7, with Mast General Store! Meet representatives from Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. The Asheville Mast Store will donate 20% of the day’s sales to this land trust partner so that it may continue its mission of helping our community maintain its natural landscapes, create shared open spaces, and preserve the beauty that lies just beyond our own backyards!

55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
Jun 7 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

Sunday, June 8, 2025
55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
Jun 8 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

Monday, June 9, 2025
55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
Jun 9 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
Jun 10 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025
55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
Jun 11 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

55th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale at Brevard College – June 7-11, 2025
Jun 11 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Brevard College Boshamer Gym

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College. A King size quilt-set (with matching pillows and wall hanging) raffle is also offered.

Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Nook, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.

Saturday, June 7 10am-7pm
Sunday, June 8 noon- 7pm
Monday, June 9 10am-7pm
Tuesday, June 10 10am-3pm – half price day
Wednesday, June 11 10am-3pm – fill a box for $5 day
**Wednesday, June 11 (only 12-4pm) – Free books for local teachers and non-profits**

– 30,000 well organized books in all genres, plus puzzles, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, vinyl
– Ample parking, free admission, dealers welcome
– Prices range from 50 cents and up
– Assistance provided to load books into cars
– Cash, checks with ID, or cards accepted

Saturday, June 14, 2025
DuPont Forest Bike Wash
Jun 14 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Trailside Brewing Co.

Come and show your support for DuPont State Forest while showing your bike some love! If you’re not a cyclist but still love DuPont, come support the Forest while enjoying live music and so much more during the Bike Wash on Saturday, June 14, at Trailside Brewing.

This family-friendly event is a membership drive for Friends of DuPont Forest. Every membership directly supports the Forest and is crucial to its maintenance.

With the purchase of an individual membership at the event, you will receive 1 complimentary bicycle wash and lube.

With the purchase of a family membership, you will receive 2 complimentary bike wash and lubes. These services will be provided courtesy of some of the area’s most talented bike mechanics.

In addition to the membership drive and bike services, we will also have live music performed by Blue Ridge Betty and The Late Shifters.

Saturday, June 21, 2025
5 Points Flea Market
Jun 21 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Mt Clare Ave

It’s out inaugural early summer event – the 5 Points Flea Market! All of Asheville is welcome to attend, but only 5 Points residents and select local businesses will be selling. Plus: food trucks, a community yard sale map, chalk drawing contest and more. Get your spot today!

The Official Pride Bar Crawl – Asheville
Jun 21 @ 4:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Catawba Brewing Company South Slope Asheville

🎉 Get Ready to Crawl, Celebrate, and Shine – The Official Pride Bar Crawl Awaits! 🎉

Gather your crew, rock your rainbow, and get ready for a day of colorful drinks, good vibes, and epic bar-hopping fun—let’s make this Pride Bar Crawl one to remember! _

The Pride Bar Crawl will take you through some of Asheville’s most inclusive bars, where you’ll meet new friends, spread love, and celebrate who you are in style. With vibrant music, laughter, and a whole lot of Pride, this is the ultimate way to embrace the spirit of the season and party with purpose.

Dress in vibrant attire and express your true self in a safe, welcoming space. This event is more than just a pub crawl; it’s a celebration of love, diversity, and inclusion. Whether you’re rocking a rainbow flag, glittering accessories, or something totally unique, this is your chance to drink, dance, and create moments you’ll never forget!

Don’t miss out on Asheville’s most colorful night of the year! Grab your tickets today and get ready for a night of celebration, joy, and making a difference in the community

Thursday, July 10, 2025
The Story of Asheville’s Water
Jul 10 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Asheville Museum of History

Join us on Thursday, July 10th, from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) for a special History Hour program: The Story of Asheville’s Water, with Michael Holcombe. Light refreshments will be available. Also, Michael’s newly published book, The Story of Asheville’s Water: Before and Beyond Hurricane Helene, will be available for purchase before and after the program.

Michael Holcombe’s presentation will introduce attendees to his research and the story of the Asheville, North Carolina water system, and focus on the water sources for the city, from 1883 through to the present day (Along with interesting factoids!).

Saturday, July 12, 2025
Friends of the Black Mountain Library Book Sale
Jul 12 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Black Mountain Library

Mark those calendars for our community book sale on Saturday, July 12 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

There will be a fantastic selection of books for all ages and tastes: children’s books, fiction, non-fiction, young adult, and puzzles.
Members of the Friends of the Black Mountain Library can start their shopping at 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart’s New York,
Jul 22 @ 6:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Elon Green presents The Man Nobody Killed, in conversation with Carrie Frye

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 – 6:00pm

Join us in store when author Elon Green presents his new true crime book, The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart’s New York, in conversation with local writer and editor Carrie Frye.

The event is free but registration is required to reserve your seat.


The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart’s New York

The first comprehensive book about Michael Stewart, the young Black artist and model who was the victim of a fatal assault by police in 1983, from Elon Green, the Edgar Award-winning author of Last Call.

This event includes a book signing. If you would like a signed book but can’t attend in person, you may order a signed copy online below. If you would like to have your book personalized, use the comments field to provide a name for personalization, e.g. “To Carla.”

When you purchase books from Malaprop’s, you make it possible for us to continue hosting author events and you keep more dollars in our community. Thank you!

Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Christine D. Page launches All Hallows’ Eve
Jul 30 @ 6:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 – 6:00pm

Join us in store for the launch of local author Christine D. Page’s new book All Hallows’ Eve, including a conversation with illustrator Dana Irwin, and a reading from the book’s main character Adelaide. 

The event is free but registration is required to reserve your seat.


All Hallows’ Eve can be spooky, especially for Asheville kids who venture into the cemetery this night! A witch, a pirate, a werewolf, and a vampire play hide-and-seek among the gravestones as they visit the graves of some well-known Ashevillians. Come join the fun and learn a bit of local history along the way. As the four children find, if you are quiet—and if you listen long enough—the generations who have gone before us have stories to tell. When the kids wander through the darkening cemetery, they “meet” the angel in Thomas Wolfe’s famous novel. They are guided by the spirit of Isaac Dickson to do well in school, and they are inspired by George Masa’s photographs. They are told a story of true love when they visit O. Henry’s gravesite. They watch ghostly images of Zelda Fitzgerald and the Pink Lady drift past the clouds, and through the mist they might hear the faint sound of drums of Civil War soldiers. Come with us on an eerie adventure through the mystical world of Riverside Cemetery…if you dare!

 

Thursday, July 31, 2025
AMPlify Appalachia
Jul 31 @ 5:30 pm
Sierra Nevada Mills River

FEATURING COUCH, MEMBERS OF THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS & AUNT VICKI – To Benefit Longterm Regional Resiliency

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Footprint Project, Land of Sky Regional Council of Governments and many other local partners stepped in to deploy solar and battery storage microgrid systems with a focus on restoring power, telecommunications, and clean drinking water to communities across Western North Carolina. In the months since this storm devastated the region, these partners continue to deploy clean energy solutions with more than 60 operational battery and solar projects on the ground serving North Carolinians. As part of plans for long-term regional resiliency, these partner organizations are working with local, state, and federal entities to deploy more clean energy solutions to serve the community in these next phases of recovery and to prepare for future storms. Join us for an evening of music at Sierra Nevada’s Mill River taproom to enjoy local artists and support regional recovery through clean energy solutions. Proceeds from this event to benefit Footprint Project and Land of Sky Regional Council of Governments and their efforts to serve Western North Carolina.

The event will also feature short remarks from local leaders and recovery organizations about efforts made to date and future recovery needs that can be supported through clean energy solutions. AMPlify Appalachia will also kick off a recovery summit in the Asheville area hosted by Footprint Project and Land of Sky Regional Council.

Join us at Sierra Nevada’s Mills River High Gravity Room for a benefit concert to remember.

Sunday, August 3, 2025
Poet Quartet: Chris Arvidson, Andy Young, Caroline M. Mar, Paul Jones
Aug 3 @ 4:30 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Poet Quartet: Chris Arvidson, Andy Young, Caroline M. Mar, Paul Jones

Sunday, August 3, 2025 – 4:30pm

Join us for our monthly poetry reading, curated by Mildred Barya. This month’s Poet Quartet features Chris Arvidson, Andy Young, Caroline M. Mar, and Paul Jones reading from their newest collections.

The event is free but registration is required to reserve your seat.

 

Saturday, August 23, 2025
HarvestFest Supporting ASAP
Aug 23 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Olivette Riverside Community and Farm

Join us at Olivette’s Riverside Park on Saturday August 23rd for a very special benefit show in support of ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program. HarvestFest is a celebration of local farmers, community and music. Doors open at 3pm with family games and activities and live music.
In honor of our local farmers and all they do to sustain our community, all farmers and their families will have free entry to the event. All ticket proceeds will go towards the ASAP Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program.

Thursday, August 28, 2025
The Black Experience Book Club
Aug 28 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
YMI Cultural Center

Join us for The Black Experience Book Club, a monthly gathering held every fourth Thursday at either the YMI Cultural Center’s Art Gallery or just around the corner at Noir Collective AVL. This community-centered series is hosted by alexandria ravenel, YMI’s Director of Community Engagement, and is designed to explore literature that centers the voices, histories, and futures of the African Diaspora.

For location details or to RSVP, please contact alexandria ravenel directly at [email protected].