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.

Sunday, April 21, 2024
Earth Day with Bountiful Bowls
Apr 21 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sherrill Center at UNCA

Bountiful Bowls 

On Sunday April 21st 1-5pm UNCA’s Health and Wellness Department and the Student Environmental Center will host Bountiful Bowls, an Earth Day and Food Waste Reduction Month event and fundraiser to benefit Bountiful Cities.

This FREE event is open to all. Community members and students are invited to come and celebrate outside the Sherrill Center at UNCA where they can enjoy some “stone soup.” Participants are encouraged to bring a vegetable or pantry item that can be part of the stone soup. We will celebrate Food Waste Reduction month using donated up-cycled produce to make the soup and a Panzanella Salad for attendees. Firefly Valley Pottery will lead participants in a hands-on experience with clay, and participants can take hand built pots with them. The Student Environmental Center will lead Earth Day activities and share information about sustainability.

Participants can purchase beautiful ceramic hand-made bowls (on a sliding scale) to support Bountiful Cities work, then fill it with soup or salad!

Tickets ($25 each) are also on sale for cooking classes with Plant-Based Nutrition Expert and Professor Amy Joy Lanou in the Teaching Kitchen at the Sherill Center at UNCA. Lanou will explore techniques to reduce food waste and cook delicious dishes with fresh and local produce. You can purchase a ticket to the cooking class and add on a ceramic bowl for $40.

Special thanks to our co-sponsor Firefly Valley Pottery. Thanks also to UNCA Ceramics department, AB Tech Ceramics department, Asheville High School Ceramics department, and many local ceramic artists for donating bowls for this event. And thanks to the Food Equity Initiative at UNCA for donating supplies.

Please RSVP, purchase bowls and tickets today! You may choose your bowl on a first come first served basis on the day of the event. If we don’t sell out, bowls will be available for purchase on the day of the event and pick up at one of our up coming events

2nd Annual Back Alley Hempfest
Apr 21 @ 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Back Alley Boutique & Bud Bar

Back Alley Boutique & Bud Bar is hosting the 2nd Annual Back Alley Hempfest on Sunday 04/21/2024 from 2-7pm. Join us for this free event at 28 Oak St. and at the Depot Plaza right across Trade St. There will be live music, local vendors, live glass-blowing, fire-spinning, stilt-walking, and more! About 30 Local Vendors will be offering a wide variety of arts, crafts, gifts, & goodies! There will be a scavenger hunt to enter for door prizes scattered among the vendors with hourly prizes! There will also be a rolling competition & 420 special smoke session in the back Bud Bar & Lounge area of Back Alley Boutique & Bud Bar. Come check out all the festivities!

Music Schedule:
28 Oak St.
King Chewie 2-3:30pm
Nina Gi 3:45-5:15pm
Acklen Walker 5:30-7pm
Depot Plaza
Moonshine State 2-4pm
The Ribald Riffers 4:20-7pm

Thank You to our growing list of Sponsors!:
Tettra Hydra Glass, Astria Farm, Kaleidoscope Studios Art, Hypnotic Massage Sleep Boutique, Yetees Design Screenprinting, Carrie Bass Photography, eARThly Minds Gallery, Social Shay Photography, The Moth Queen, and Back Alley Boutique & Bud Bar.

TRAIL RUNNING FILM FESTIVAL
Apr 21 @ 5:30 pm
The Orange Peel

The Trail Running Film Festival presented by Tera Pruett of Unstoppable Strength, Endurance & Adventure Coaching is back for 2024, and is making its way to Asheville, the southeast’s hub for trail running, hiking, camping, climbing, cycling, and outdoor adventure.

This event promises an inspiring night filled with films, community, and a celebration of the trail and ultra community. Independent filmmakers from around the world will showcase their work by bringing stories of adventure, inclusivity, wilderness, art, and diversity to the forefront.

The festival aims to capture the spirit of the trail running community, showcasing narratives from various perspectives. From those at the back of the pack to the party pacers, from individuals defying odds to those overcoming obstacles, and from record-breakers to those aiming for the fastest known time — the festival covers a spectrum of stories that resonate with the EVERYDAY ATHLETE.

Attendees can expect a diverse range of films that highlight the unique and inspiring journeys of individuals from all walks of life. Whether you’re a seasoned trail runner or someone just beginning their outdoor adventure, this festival provides a platform for everyone to connect, be inspired, and celebrate the incredible stories within the trail running community.

So, get ready for an unforgettable evening of adventure, inspiration, and a sense of community at The Trail Running Film Festival in Asheville. Lace up your trail shoes, bring your enthusiasm, and immerse yourself in the world of trail running and outdoor exploration.

Monday, April 22, 2024
2024 Explore Asheville Travel + Hospitality Earth Day Cleanup
Apr 22 @ 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Asheville Asheville, NC

Explore Asheville invites you and your organization to contribute to the stewardship of our destination by participating in the inaugural 2024 Explore Asheville Travel & Hospitality Earth Day Cleanup, hosted by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, with support from Asheville GreenWorks and RiverLink.

We encourage you to recruit two to three staff members to represent your business by taking part in the cleanup. Participants can choose the area of town they wish to clean up; each neighborhood will have a host venue for a pre and post-cleanup meetup.

Cleanup and Host Venue locations include:

  • Downtown: Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown
  • South Slope: Burial Beer Co.
  • River Arts District: The Radical
  • Amboy Road: Wrong Way River Lodge and Cabins
  • West Asheville: Cellarest Beer Project

The program will include welcome remarks and instructions, an approximately one-hour clean-up, and a post-clean up social with local brews and light bites.

What You Need to Know:

  • The clean up will take place in five locations throughout Asheville
  • Each location will have a host venue for gathering before and after the cleanup
  • All participants will receive a free custom event t-shirt
  • Participants will meet at their host venue at 2pm to check in and receive instructions and supplies
  • The clean up will last one hour, after which participants will meet back at their host venue to return supplies. Social hour and networking to follow.

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Check-In


At 2pm, participants will meet at their host venue to check in and get their t-shirt; participants will also be given a safety vest, gloves, grabber, and trash bag.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Cleanup


Participants will clean up their neighborhood for 1 hour.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Earth Day Social


Snacks and drinks provided by each location’s host venue will be available for all participants as a token of our appreciation for taking part in the stewardship of our destination.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
RITUAL MOUNTAIN BIKE FILM TOUR
Apr 24 @ 7:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Since humankind invented the wheel, we’ve been determined to take it to new heights, push it to the limit, and revel in the experience. Ritual is a big screen celebration of the indomitable human spirit that defines the sport of mountain biking with unforgettable film-going experiences. The film series highlights incredible athletes, creative filmmakers, engaging storylines and stunning cinematography; bringing riders together in mountain biking’s greatest cities and venues.

RITUAL will unite passionate riders for a unique celebration of bike culture Learn more about the films, riders, tour dates, and more at

ritualbike.com

Thursday, April 25, 2024
“The Last Ecstatic Days” Film Screening and Discussion
Apr 25 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Stillpoint Wellness

On Thursday, April 25, 2024, Stillpoint Wellness will host an in-person screening of “The Last Ecstatic Days.” Doors will open at 5:30 and the screening will begin at 6:00 pm.

After the screening will be a community discussion facilitated by Tiffany Sauls and Tandy Wells, which will wrap around 8:00 – 8:30 pm.

Come early to find parking!

Building Bridges Community Talkback
Apr 25 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Franklin School of Innovation

Building Bridges of Asheville invites you to a screening and talkback session of the film, “13th”.

In this thought-provoking documentary scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans.

The film will be followed by a guided conversation facilitated by Building Bridges board members and Niconda Garcia & Nex Millen.

Building Bridges fosters antiracism by educating people on how to intentionally engage in dialogues on racism. BBAVL.org

You have a part to play in this work, and this event is a great point of entry.

Friday, April 26, 2024
Spring 2024 Student Art + Ceramics Sale
Apr 26 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Owen Hall, S. Tucker Cooke Gallery

A wide variety of functional and decorative pottery, prints, and other artwork created by UNC Asheville students will be on sale in the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery of Owen Hall on April 26 and 27.

The sale will be open to the public from 4 to 8 p.m. on April 26 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 27.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Department of Art and Art History.

Saturday, April 27, 2024
Spring 2024 Student Art + Ceramics Sale
Apr 27 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Owen Hall, S. Tucker Cooke Gallery

A wide variety of functional and decorative pottery, prints, and other artwork created by UNC Asheville students will be on sale in the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery of Owen Hall on April 26 and 27.

The sale will be open to the public from 4 to 8 p.m. on April 26 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 27.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Department of Art

OUTPOST: WALLFLOWER MAKERS’ MARKET
Apr 27 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Outpost
– RAIN OR SHINE
A locally run, BIPOC-owned makers’ market focused on supporting artists, growers, and makers in the WNC area. Featuring vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, house plants, fruits veggies, and so much more!
Peace Gardens and Market Spring Fling
Apr 27 @ 11:00 am
Peace Gardens

47 Bryant St, Asheville, NC, United States, North Carolina 28806
See Facebook Event HERE
Join us in our yearly celebration of spring, the arts, the environment, sustainability, community & so much more.
🎉 Event Highlights:
🛍️ Dozens of local vendors offering unique hand-crafted goods
🍔 Local Food Trucks & The Hop Ice Cream to keep you fueled for the fun
🎵 Live Music performed in the gardens
🍃 Take home seedlings that are chemical-free and naturally grown
📅 Date: Saturday, April 27th
⏰ Time: 11 AM till dusk
📍 Location: Peace Gardens & Market
We’ll kick the day off with a puppet performance from Asheville Creative Arts for the kiddos of all ages!

Friday, May 3, 2024
The Controlled Chaos Film Festival
May 3 @ 7:30 pm
WCU Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center

Rounding out the 2023/2024 Stage and Screen Main Stage Season is the most exciting single night of the academic year, the Controlled Chaos Film Festival, a celebration of numerous narrative and documentary films created by the students in the Film and Television Production program. For more information on the festival explore: controlledchaos.wcu.edu

Please Note:

  • NO photography, videography, or recording of any kind.
  • This event includes language which may not be suitable for all audiences.
  • The content of each film in the Controlled Chaos Film Festival will vary.
Saturday, May 4, 2024
In Time for Mother’s Day: DIY Self-Care Products
May 4 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Looking for a chance to celebrate mom and make her a unique gift?  Or are you wanting to learn a new skill?  In this fun introductory class led by Judy Peacock, you will learn to make your own herbal self-care products including an oatmeal rose honey scrub, a rose clay mask, and herbal tea blend. It’s the perfect way to spend time with mom, or make something for yourself.  Each participant will take home a honey scrub, a clay mask blend, and an herbal tranquil tea blend.

May the 4th be with you Artisan Market
May 4 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Blue Ridge Beer Garden

Join us for a Star Wars themed artisan music. We will have 15+ local artists and makers selling their wares and live music from 12-6pm!

Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
May 4 @ 7:00 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Experience the magic of a galaxy far, far away at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday, May 4th, 2024. The Greenville Symphony Orchestra presents “Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert.” Enjoy the iconic film with a live performance by GSO of John Williams’ Oscar®-winning score. Feel the force as the orchestra delivers an unforgettable family-friendly event.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 16 at 10:00 am and can be purchased online at BSWArena.com. Don’t miss this chance to be part of Star Wars like never before. May the force be with you!

Link: https://www.bonsecoursarena.com/events/detail/starwars-greenvilesymphonyorchestra-greenville

Friday, May 10, 2024
Mother Runner’s Day Sale
May 10 all-day
Jus' Running

Mother Runner’s Day Sale 25% off

Take Your Momma to the Greenhouse
May 10 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Ross Farm Nursery and Greenhouses
25% off all plants, Mother’s Day BANANZA! 🌷🥳 Come celebrate your momma at Ross Farm in our beautiful greenhouses on…
-Friday, May 10th from 9-6 pm
-Saturday, May 11th from 9-6 pm
All orders $100+ at the farm get a free, hanging, ceramic, moon-phase pot! Treat yourself, AND momma, to the gift of plant beauty this Mother’s Day!
Movies in the Park: Free Family Films
May 10 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Pack Square Park

Movies in the Park returns with free family favorite films projected on a massive outdoor screen in Pack Square Park just after dusk on the second Friday of the month! Community members are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to the beloved summer tradition produced by Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) and sponsored by Au Pair in America.

The APR Rec n Roll Play Zone opens about an hour before showtime with games, music, and other activities for kids and teens, as well as themed giveaways while supplies last.

.:. Movies in the Park 2024 Lineup .:.
🎩 May 10, begins around 8:25pm – Wonka – Kids receive free bottles of bubbles
🕶 June 14, begins around 8:45pm – Barbie – Kids snag free pink and black sunglasses with UV400 lenses providing 100% UVA and UVB protection
🦝 July 12, begins around 8:45pm – Guardians of the Galaxy – Kids get free Recycling Raccoon coloring books
🤠 August 9, begins around 8:25pm – Toy Story – Kids receive unique rubber duck toys that change color in water
.:. Make a Plan .:.

🌜 All movies begin after dusk in Pack Square Park on 80 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville. Approximate showtimes listed above, but plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior.
🥰 Bring blankets and folding chairs for comfort.
🎨 APR Rec n Roll Play Zone activities start approximately an hour before showtime.
👛 Bring money for treats from local vendors Kona Ice of Asheville and Kernel Mike’s World Famous Kettle Corn.
🌮 Food truck and food tent spaces available for vendors who sell more substantial food like pizza, sandwiches, and other entrees. Please contact Calvin Owens at [email protected] or (828) 747-1347 for more info.
🚲 Parking is free in marked spaces on city streets and in city-owned lots on Marjorie and Valley streets after 6pm, so there’s no need to feed the meter.
🚫 Pets, smoking, and alcohol prohibited.
🥳 Have fun! Dress up as your favorite characters, invite friends, and celebrate cool summer nights. Be sure to tag APR on Instagram and Facebook.
⛈ Outdoor events may be impacted by summer weather. Follow APR on Instagram and Facebook for cancellation announcements.

Saturday, May 11, 2024
Mother Runner’s Day Sale
May 11 all-day
Jus' Running

Mother Runner’s Day Sale 25% off

Take Your Momma to the Greenhouse
May 11 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Ross Farm Nursery and Greenhouses
25% off all plants, Mother’s Day BANANZA! 🌷🥳 Come celebrate your momma at Ross Farm in our beautiful greenhouses on…
-Friday, May 10th from 9-6 pm
-Saturday, May 11th from 9-6 pm
All orders $100+ at the farm get a free, hanging, ceramic, moon-phase pot! Treat yourself, AND momma, to the gift of plant beauty this Mother’s Day!
Mother’s Day Market
May 11 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Historic Johnson Farm

Historic Johnson Farm will host the fourth annual Mother’s Day Market on Saturday, May 11th from 10 AM-4 PM, rain or shine. This outdoor craft fair will showcase over 25 local vendors. A diverse array of crafts will be available, including jewelry, ceramics, leather items, wooden décor, baked goods and more.

The event will take place outdoors at the farm. Hot dogs (donated by Hot Dog World), chips, and drinks will be available for purchase to support the farm’s operating fund. Stop by the farm table to purchase a plant from the Johnson Farm gardeners or a farm logo item like a mug or magnet. The Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists will have their gift shop open with plenty of fiber gifts for purchase. In addition to the numerous crafters, the historic farmhouse will be open for self-guided tours including the Johnson’s 1924 Model T that was recently returned to the farm.

Parking will be available across the street at Rugby Middle School, and volunteers from the Sheriff’s Office will help visitors cross the street. Handicapped parking is available at the farm.

Historic Johnson Farm is located at 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, NC 28791. It features 15 acres of forest, fields, and streams, 10 historic structures, animals and picnic tables. The farm was a gift to schoolchildren and the community by the late Vernon and Leander Johnson.

For more information, call 828-891-6585 or visit www.historicjohnsonfarm.org or
www.facebook.com/HistoricJohnsonFarm/.

Mother’s Day Tea Party
May 11 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Omni Grove Park Inn

Whether you’re a daughter expressing gratitude, a partner recognizing the mother of your children, or a friend honoring the matriarchs in your life, our Mother’s Day Tea Party is the perfect way to say thank you. Our Mother’s Day Tea Party is a lavish affair designed to pamper and honor the special women in your life.

Picture you and your loved ones welcomed by the soft melodies of local live music. Savor the moment as you indulge in a delectable selection of hors d’oeuvres from delicate finger sandwiches to decadent pastries, expertly crafted to elevate your culinary experience. But the magic doesn’t stop there—tap into your internal artist and create pressed flower lanterns and personalized friendship bracelets to take home and savor the memories.

Join us in raising a teacup and purchase your ticket for this enchanting event, where we invite you to revel in the beauty of connection and create timeless memories that will be cherished for years to come.

*Tickets are non-refundable. Parking, accommodations and other amenities are not included with tickets purchased on Eventbrite. Cash bar will be available.

Looking for overnight accommodations? Click here to book the Mother’s Day Made Easy Package which includes accommodations, parking, admission to the Mother’s Day Tea Party, sparkling wine amenity, and late check out.

Sunday, May 12, 2024
Mother Runner’s Day Sale
May 12 all-day
Jus' Running

Mother Runner’s Day Sale 25% off

Mother’s Day Spring Birding
May 12 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Explore the Farm and surrounding forest with birder Clifton Avery of Venture Birding Tours(@bigbaldbirder on IG) to spot the various species of birds that can be found in WNC!
Edge habitat birding, learn how planned grazing benefits the local avian population.
We will be hiking in uneven and sometimes steep terrain, so please wear sturdy shoes and be dressed for the weather.
Learn about our Holistic Land Management from Farm Director Virginia, and how this practice works in tandem with the local flora and fauna.
Spotted on the farm by our farm crew, staff & neighbors: bluebirds, a rainbow of finches, downy & hairy woodpeckers, vultures, cardinals, wood doves, robins, red-shouldered hawks, northern goshawks, swifts, egrets, blue herons, hermit thrush, golden-winged warblers and this last year we’ve had a resident Bald Eagle!
Attendees will break for an included biscuit brunch* from butcher Brian’s kitchen, as birding is hungry work. When attending classes, you will receive a 5% discount in the Farm Store & Butchery!
A portion of the proceeds for this event support our activities as a Savory Hub, and further the reach of regenerative agriculture.

Mother’s Day Native Plant Swap and Sale
May 12 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
39 Courtland Ave #39, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

 

Parking: On the street, or at the North Star Academy corner of Montford & Courtland

On May 12, we’ll hold our annual Native Plant Swap at Charlotte Caplan’s house on Courtland Avenue, in the Montford neighborhood of Asheville. This is our main fundraiser for the year, so come out to have fun choosing plants for your garden and support BRNN.

Our emphasis is on plants that are native to the Southern Appalachians. We’ll have foamflower, wild ginger, bloodroot, green and gold, bee-balm, mountain mint, joe-pye weed, sweetshrub, pawpaw, and many others. But we’ll accept non-natives too, even houseplants and vegetable starts, as long as they are not considered invasive in NC – see list on https://www.inaturalist.org/guides/2455 . Just a note—vegetable starts can only be swapped for vegetable starts.

No pots? Just save plastic containers from the recycling bin. Medium-sized yoghurt, cottage cheese, and sour cream pots are ideal. Poke a few holes in the bottom and voila! You can cut up a pot up to make labels, too.

No plants to contribute? No problem. We’ll have a large stock for sale at a modest $4 each.

QUESTIONS? Contact Charlotte at [email protected]

 

Mother’s Day Tea Party
May 12 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Tabletops of 2–6 only

This afternoon tea party features local indulgences from Asheville Tea Company, as well as fresh tea sandwiches, scones, fruit, and house-made pastries.

The afternoon also includes the opportunity to design and create your own Fascinator Hat and take a stroll through the galleries. Limited seating remains, so reserve your spot before it’s too late!

Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 14 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
The End of the Affair
May 14 @ 2:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center
Showings: 2 pm Matinee & 7 pm “The End of the Affair” is based on Graham Greene’s classic novel by the same name.

The 1999 romantic drama film written and directed by Neil Jordan and starring the all-star cast of Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore and Stephen Rea, was based on the 1951 novel by British author Graham Greene. The End of the Affair depicts an extramarital affair which lasts from 1939 to 1946 and is set during World War II and its aftermath.

Set in London, the novel examines the obsessions, jealousy and discernments within the relationships between three central characters: writer Maurice Bendrix; Sarah Miles; and her husband, civil servant Henry Miles.

Julianne Moore was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress and cinematographer Roger Pratt was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Neil Jordan and Moore were nominated for Best Director (Motion Picture) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama in the Golden Globe Awards.

The End of the Affair
May 14 @ 7:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center
Showings: 2 pm Matinee & 7 pm “The End of the Affair” is based on Graham Greene’s classic novel by the same name.

The 1999 romantic drama film written and directed by Neil Jordan and starring the all-star cast of Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore and Stephen Rea, was based on the 1951 novel by British author Graham Greene. The End of the Affair depicts an extramarital affair which lasts from 1939 to 1946 and is set during World War II and its aftermath.

Set in London, the novel examines the obsessions, jealousy and discernments within the relationships between three central characters: writer Maurice Bendrix; Sarah Miles; and her husband, civil servant Henry Miles.

Julianne Moore was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress and cinematographer Roger Pratt was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Neil Jordan and Moore were nominated for Best Director (Motion Picture) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama in the Golden Globe Awards.

 

Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 15 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center