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, December 10, 2023
Holiday Pop Up Shop + Open Studio
Dec 10 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
LOOM Imports Studio

Join us for a Holiday Pop Up Shop at Open Studio

Saturday, December 9th – 11-5
Sunday, December 10th – 11-5

115 Elk Mountain Road, North Asheville NC 28804

Shop pottery, art, vintage clothing, home goods, jewelry, teas, tinctures, gifts + more from:
@gennypopshop
@a13rattlesnakesandrainbows
@junopottery
@heilbronherbs
@loomimports
@yewocollective

Community Holiday Extravaganza
Dec 10 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Arthur R. Edington Center

Join us for the 2nd Annual Holiday Extravaganza, hosted by R2S, on Sunday, December 10th, from noon to 5 pm. We are excited to announce that Derrick Barnes, a critically acclaimed author of “Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut” (Agate), as well as three NY Times Bestsellers (“The King of Kindergarten”, “I Am Every Good Thing”, and “The Queen of Kindergarten”), will be joining us.

We will be celebrating the release of his newest book, “Santa’s Gotta Go!”, by giving out free copies! In addition to meeting the author, we have other exciting events planned such as holiday carnival games, hot cocoa bars, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, free food, and more!

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the holiday season with us!

REFRACTION ART MARKET
Dec 10 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Wedge Brewery at Foundation

Refraction Holiday Art Market Returns to Wedge Brewing
RAD community artists share their creative roots as Refraction market vendors
Asheville, NC, December 10, 2023: Refraction Art Market, a curated art market celebrating the vibrant artistic energy the Wedge was built upon will be returning to the Wedge at Foundation for its third year. The art showcased will represent a wide array of high quality work including ceramics, painting, printmaking, woodwork, jewelry, leather, glass and more. The event will run from 12-6 pm at the Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St.
Refraction cofounder Andrew Massey fondly remembers the days of walking down to the Wedge after a long day in the ceramics studio and having a beer alongside a plethora of other artists. The Wedge was the watering hole for the community from the get go, the place where you could count on sharing ideas and creative visions amongst a pool of equally passionate creators. While Asheville has grown, the Wedge and the River Arts District have still held that feeling of creative source, which is why Andrew and Amy are so passionate about bringing artists together for Refraction. Their mission is to ignite the creative energy that pulses at the heart of the RAD and create space for a multitude of talented artists to share their work and their love for this community.

URLs:
Facebook: https://go.evvnt.com/2083107-2?pid=10412
Instagram: https://go.evvnt.com/2083107-3?pid=10412

Monday, December 11, 2023
Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 11 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 12 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 13 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

WNCSource’s Bargain Hendo Thrift Store closing sale
Dec 13 @ 10:00 am
Bargain Hendo Thrift Store

Bargain Hendo Thrift Store will be permanently closing its doors on December 13th.
• WNCSource operates the small thrift store which is located on the corner of King Street
and 2nd Avenue in Hendersonville.
• Bargain Hendo first opened in December of 2020 and was meant to support the programs
and services WNCSource provides in 4 western North Carolina Counties. Unfortunately,
low sales and competition from other local thrift stores has made the store less than
profitable.
• But don’t worry, starting Thursday, November 2nd, Bargain Hendo will be open
Wednesdays through Fridays 10AM to 4PM and Saturdays from 10AM to 2PM with some
incredible bargains and sales to clear the shelves.
• Bargain Hendo’s last day is December 13th

Trivia Night
Dec 13 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Every Wednesday

Trivia Night

Trivia Night at Hickory Tavern
Dec 13 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Trivia Night at Hickory Tavern

Thursday, December 14, 2023
Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 14 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

Friday, December 15, 2023
Handmade Ornament Sale
Dec 15 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Give the gift of holiday joy in the form of a unique, beautiful, locally made ornament! Handcrafted ornaments made by local artists will be for sale in our lobby on our Christmas tree through the middle of December. Gift the gift of art this year and support local artists in the process!

Saturday, December 16, 2023
Plant Club Pop-up Market
Dec 16 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Art Garden AVL

Come enjoy the Canopy Gallery and check out local growers and makers of all things plantie: from rare tropicals to native medicinals, handmade pots and trellises to botanical watercolor paintings, cut flower bouquets to herbal salves and teas….

Pop-up market features 6-10 local plant vendors on the 3rd Saturday of each month. This event is free to attend and vend.

Merry Makers Market
Dec 16 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Atelier Maison & Co.

Support local + small this holiday season at our 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕!
We’re decking the halls as you shop housewares, vintage pieces, original art, handmade craft, fair trade imports, and more! Free and open to the public. Dogs are welcome! Vendors are setup inside and outside the showroom and runs rain, snow, or shine. Parking is available behind the showroom.

The Little Crafty
Dec 16 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Grove Arcade
The Big Crafty and The Grove Arcade are pleased to present The Little Crafty!
The Big Crafty’s lil’ sister event will be held within the Grove Arcade on December 16th and 17th from 12-5pm.
A cozy curation of artists and makers will set up shop for a festive weekend — along with live music, artist demonstrations, and more — all within one of Asheville’s finest architectural gems.
Find special gifts and enjoy the beauty of the Grove Arcade’s Winter Wonderland at the first ever Little Crafty Holiday Market!
Weihnachtsmarkt: German-inspired Holiday Market
Dec 16 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Hi-Wire Brewing RAD Beer Garden
Immerse yourself in the festive spirit at our German-inspired Holiday Market on Saturday, December 16th, from 12-5pm! 🇩🇪 Transforming our RAD Beer Garden into a winter wonderland reminiscent of the traditional Christmas markets in Germany and neighboring countries, each shipping container will become a charming stall.
Indulge your taste buds with authentic German delights from Haus Heidlberg German Food Truck, savor delectable Blunt Pretzels, and treat yourself to the delightful creations of Mount Patisserie baked goods. With 10 vendors already confirmed and more to come, you’ll discover an array of unique gifts and crafts to make your holiday shopping a breeze.
Warm up with the cozy tradition of Glühwein, a delightful mulled wine enjoyed in the festive season throughout the region. Soak in the holiday ambiance, indulge in delicious treats, and find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Don’t miss this enchanting holiday market—it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season!
South Slope Makers Market + Bar Hop
Dec 16 @ 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Urban Orchard Cider Company
Join us holiday season in the South Slope neighborhood of Asheville, NC to shop 35 vendors with a drink in hand!
Find vendors, drinks and food at all of these fun locations! 👇
Green Man Brewing
27 Buxton Ave
Urban Orchard Cider Co
24 Buxton Ave
Twin Leaf Brewing
144 Coxe Ave
Hi-Wire Brewing
197 Hilliard Ave
Products will be a wide variety of handmade goods such as woodworking, original art, jewelry, knit goods, home decor, metal working, prints, soap, paintings, candles and so much more!
No MLM or direct sales will be present.
This event is FREE to attend! You only pay for the items you wish to purchase and the drinks you want to consume.
​This is a family friendly event, however please note alcohol will be present due to the nature of the venues.
If you are 21 or older and choose to drink, please drink responsibly.
Sunday, December 17, 2023
The Little Crafty
Dec 17 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Grove Arcade
The Big Crafty and The Grove Arcade are pleased to present The Little Crafty!
The Big Crafty’s lil’ sister event will be held within the Grove Arcade on December 16th and 17th from 12-5pm.
A cozy curation of artists and makers will set up shop for a festive weekend — along with live music, artist demonstrations, and more — all within one of Asheville’s finest architectural gems.
Find special gifts and enjoy the beauty of the Grove Arcade’s Winter Wonderland at the first ever Little Crafty Holiday Market!
Santa Paws
Dec 17 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Point Lookout Vineyards

Join us for a festive, fun-filled celebration for you and your pups this December 17th! We will have Santa here for photo opportunities, live music, and dog treats!
Donations will be accepted for the Blue Ridge Humane society during the month of December

The Star Market
Dec 17 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Canopy at Art Garden AVL,
FIRSTwnc and Imprint Artists are coming together to create: The Star Market

Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 1-4 pm

This is a free market that will be held in The Canopy at Art Garden AVL, 191 Lyman St., #316, Asheville, NC, 28801

The two local non-profits, FIRSTwnc and Imprint Artists have come together to bring a unique holiday market filled locally hand crafted treasures by artists supported by the two organizations.

“Our mission at FIRSTwnc is to help all people, especially persons with disabilities more fully participate in the community. We work directly with persons with disabilities and their families to help them navigate complex systems and get the resources they need to thrive. With our specialized knowledge and dedicated perseverance we are able to move mountains and create solutions. We believe that individuals with disabilities can thrive within the community. Thus, we work hard to arm families and persons with disabilities with the required knowledge and support to make this a reality.”

“Imprint Artists serves artists and creative individuals through mentorship and programming that provides tools to develop the financial autonomy necessary to navigate the marketplace without having to compromise their integrity, principles or values. In this way, Imprint Artists elevates the human experience as well as quality of life through funding projects and programming that encourage cultural preservation and ritual as demonstrated through the arts.”

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Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Trivia Night
Dec 20 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Every Wednesday

Trivia Night

Trivia Night at Hickory Tavern
Dec 20 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Trivia Night at Hickory Tavern

Thursday, December 21, 2023
Witchy Wonderland Solstice Market
Dec 21 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
New Belgium Brewing
Come celebrate Yule solstice! Join us for a cozy evening in the brewhouse and get your last minute holiday shopping on! From 5-8 pm!
Lots of amazing crafters and makers with a special guest
Third Eye Coffee truck outside to keep ya warm!
Can’t wait to see y’all there!
Friday, December 22, 2023
Our Biggest Plant Sale of the Year
Dec 22 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Canopy at Art Garden AVL

Join us for our biggest plant sale of the whole year! Take 20% off of all plants – yes, even the rare ones!

Saturday, December 23, 2023
7th Annual JINGLE + MINGLE: HOLIDAY CRAFT MARKET
Dec 23 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
Holiday Craft Market FB 122323

– LOCAL POP-UP CRAFT MARKET
– FREE ADMISSION
– 10AM – 3PM

We’ll have local vendors set up selling handmade goods, arts, and crafts just in time for holiday gift-giving. Be sure to grab a bite from our in-house Taqueria and a drink from the bar as you peruse Asheville’s finest makers. Plus, we’ll set the mood with some classic holiday tunes!

Interested in becoming a vendor? Please send an email to [email protected].

Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Master Musicians of Africa: A LEAF Global Arts Benefit featuring Adama Dembele and Chinobay
Dec 27 @ 7:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
– ALL AGES (kids 12 and under FREE)
– PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT LEAF GLOBAL ARTS

This is a very special show with two master musicians from Africa – Adama Dembele from the Ivory Coast, and Chinobay of Uganda – who have made WNC their home, and who are deeply connected with LEAF Global Art’s mission of connecting cultures and creating community through music, arts education and experiences, to cultivate curiosity, preserve cultures and promote global understanding. This year-end benefit show, which will also feature other talented local musicians from the Asheville area, is all about supporting this powerful work, and connecting our local and global communities as we celebrate the closing of one year, and the beginning of a new journey around the sun.
Learn more about these amazing musicians below, and visit theleaf.org/give to hear more about the work that you’re helping to support by buying a ticket to this event, and becoming a LEAF Member.

Chinobay is Uganda’s leading international world musician. He is a singer/songwriter, creative arts producer, educator, multi-instrumentalist and philanthropist whose work has been described as “some of the most exquisite music coming out of Africa today.” For more than 15 years, he has captivated audiences with his soothing rhythms and powerful world-roots-dance melodies that emanate from the diversity of the many traditional instruments he customized to develop his unique sound. His educational and outreach programs are the gateway into Africa through which he introduces Africa’s culture, arts, history and lifestyle rarely covered by mainstream media to global audiences most especially those in schools and colleges.

Adama Dembele is a master djembéfola (djembe player) from Ivory Coast, West Africa and tailor of West African clothing, and for 12+ years Adama is a leading Master Teaching Artists with LEAF Global Arts! Adama come from a family of musicians for 33 generations, and has toured several continents with various major acts such Oumou Sangare, Salif Keita & many others. Adama has created and played in several drum and dance companies such as Yelemba d’Abidjan, Ensemble Koteba, Congoba and many more. You can play drums with Adama most Saturdays 12-2at his Yala! at LEAF Global Arts downtown Asheville. “When I share my culture, I am representing all of my family of drummers, storytellers and culture keepers in Ivory Coast and Mali. I am grateful to have a place to share my culture with so many great people. This means everything to me and the future.” – Adama
Trivia Night
Dec 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Every Wednesday

Trivia Night

Trivia Night at Hickory Tavern
Dec 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Trivia Night at Hickory Tavern

Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Trivia Night
Jan 3 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Every Wednesday

Trivia Night

Saturday, January 6, 2024
Savor Shrub Bitters
Jan 6 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Atelier Maison & Co.

Kick off the year with a focus on health and wellness at our event featuring SAVOR Shrub Bitters. Join us for a class and tasting session with SAVOR owner Kat, who will showcase the aperitif-inspired fruit-forward bitters and discuss the health benefits of ingredients. Learn to craft cocktails and mocktails, and discover the joy of making mixers and bitters for health. SAVOR’s unique flavors shine in classic drinks, adding a twist to your favorites. Kat, a herbalism expert, created these bitters with a commitment to joyful self-care, emphasizing the importance of savoring the moment. Cheers to a vibrant and nourishing start to the year!

Monday, January 8, 2024
End of Year Sale
Jan 8 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Atelier Maison & Co.

Explore our exclusive End of Year Sale featuring an exquisite collection of affordable luxury furniture renowned for its heirloom quality and eco-friendly comfort. Join us from December 16th to January 8th at both our furniture studios in Asheville, NC, and Cashiers, NC.

Indulge in a rewarding shopping experience in our main studio with tiered discounts:
– Enjoy 15% off total purchases up to $1,500
– Elevate your space with 20% off total purchases ranging from $1,501 to $5,000
– Embark on a luxury journey with 25% off total purchases exceeding $5,000