Calendar of Events
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.
Black Mountain Blues is more than a Music Festival – we are dedicated to honoring the deeply rooted history and influence of the Blues on Americana Music and U.S history. The Blues is a testament of the human condition expressed through raw truth. These emotions expressed range from injustice, heart-break, triumph and love. The Blues is a narrative of resilience and is the root of many popular genres of music such as R&B, Jazz, Hiphop and Rap.
The 2024 Black Mountain Blues experience is a collaborative effort between LEAF Global Art and White Horse Black Mountain – two non-profit organizations dedicated to connecting communities through music and culture-keeping initiatives. The Black Mountain Blues artist line-up showcases a carefully curated representation of Delta, Memphis, Chicago, Texas, Piedmont and Female Blues musicians who will take the stage across varies venues in downtown Black Mountain, NC.
Black Mountain Blues is more than a Music Festival – we are dedicated to honoring the deeply rooted history and influence of the Blues on Americana Music and U.S history. The Blues is a testament of the human condition expressed through raw truth. These emotions expressed range from injustice, heart-break, triumph and love. The Blues is a narrative of resilience and is the root of many popular genres of music such as R&B, Jazz, Hiphop and Rap.
The 2024 Black Mountain Blues experience is a collaborative effort between LEAF Global Art and White Horse Black Mountain – two non-profit organizations dedicated to connecting communities through music and culture-keeping initiatives. The Black Mountain Blues artist line-up showcases a carefully curated representation of Delta, Memphis, Chicago, Texas, Piedmont and Female Blues musicians who will take the stage across varies venues in downtown Black Mountain, NC.
Heritage Fire Asheville, the all-inclusive, walk-around tour, will feature a lineup of local chefs and artisans, each grilling globally inspired, heritage-breed proteins al fresco. An all-star cast of top chefs from Asheville and beyond will be on-site serving up delicious bites prepared over live fire. Participating talent include Jason Sweeney (Asheville Proper), Erica Glaubitz (Bun Intended), Benjamin Sullivan (Cranford Bros BBQ), Santiago Vargas (Mikasa Criolla), Jeff McInnis & Janine Booth (Root & Bone – Hendersonville), Michael Lewis (Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse), and more. In addition to one-of-a-kind live-fire culinary creations, Heritage Fire will feature entertainment, axe throwing, custom hats, and permanent jewelry. Free flowing cocktails, wine, brews, and beverages will be available. After tastings, tour goers will also have the chance to vote for the Heritage Hero champion.
Sign up to read a short poem or just listen under the stars.
A percentage of drink sales support the Friends of the Black Mountain Public Library
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Come on by for night of spoken word presented by Dark City Poets Society at Oak and Grist Distilling Company. Everyone is welcome to share a few poems or just sit back and drink for a good cause.
The event is free and $1 from every classic cocktail will be donated to Friends of the Black Mountain Library.
gn-ups to share will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Can’t make it to this one? This event happens the third tuesday of every month!
Chicago’s Funniest Interactive Standup show is back in Asheville Wednesday July 17, 7-9pm. Hosted by Alex Joyce in The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement PULP. Get tix early! These shows sellout.
The Blackout Diaries is a comedy show where standup comedians, plus ‘regular’ people (cops, firefighters, teachers, etc) tell hilarious drinking or other buzzed stories. Then you, the audience, can dive even deeper by asking questions to the performers about their stories.
The show has been a critics’ pick by all major Chicago periodicals and has been featured on NPR, Comedy Central and more. Its host and creator, Sean Flannery, was even named the best drunk in Chicago by The Chicago Reader, though we are still trying to figure out what that award means and if it should be considered an accolade.
Come for some of the funniest drinking stories you’ve heard
Featuring comedians Ryan Gordon, Cayla Clark, Larry Griffin & Miranda Allison!!
*if you have a funny buzzed story, whether it involves drinking or other, and would like to be on this show, contact Michele at [email protected]
Chicago’s Funniest Interactive Standup show is back in Asheville Wednesday July 17, 7-9pm. Hosted by Alex Joyce in The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement PULP. Get tix early! These shows sellout.
The Blackout Diaries is a comedy show where standup comedians, plus ‘regular’ people (cops, firefighters, teachers, etc) tell hilarious drinking or other buzzed stories. Then you, the audience, can dive even deeper by asking questions to the performers about their stories.
The show has been a critics’ pick by all major Chicago periodicals and has been featured on NPR, Comedy Central and more. Its host and creator, Sean Flannery, was even named the best drunk in Chicago by The Chicago Reader, though we are still trying to figure out what that award means and if it should be considered an accolade.
Come for some of the funniest drinking stories you’ve heard
Featuring comedians Ryan Gordon, Cayla Clark, Larry Griffin & Miranda Allison!!
*if you have a funny buzzed story, whether it involves drinking or other, and would like to be on this show, contact Michele at [email protected] See less
SKYLARANNA first ever Jazz Festival! Join us for an unforgettable night of beautiful jazz music with 5 of the best local jazz bands in WNC! Local art vendors, featuring delicious food by Chef Bruce Bogartz of SKYLRANNA’S very own ELEVATIONS restaurant and cool off with drinks. and ice cream! Event is Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 4PM-5PM. Includes free on-site parking or complimentary shuttle to venue.
VIP tickets are available and includes meet & greet with all the bands, wine, beverages, and hors d’oeuvres all serves poolside and in the exclusive SKYLARANNA lounge.
This is the 3rd year of THE BIG SECRET Family Festival! We combine fantastic family friendly sets from your favorite AVL bands with improvisation, circus acts, and wonderfully strange performance art to make EVERYONE feel like a kid! And while we have fun, we raise funds for other kids in the area. In the first two years, THE BIG SECRET has raised $36,000 for local kids and families, and we’re going strong! This year, we’ve got EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS, THE FRITZ, 23 SKIDOO & THE SECRET AGENCY, THE DELTA HOUSE JAZZ BAND, circus acts curated by TOYBOX THEATRE, Cherokee storytelling by JOHN GRANT, and much more. All profits will go to DELTA HOUSE Afterschool Program and Bounty & Soul Free Food Program. The show is at PISGAH BREWING’s Outdoor Stage on SUNDAY, JULY 21, from Noon till Dark. Tickets are $23 in advance, $30 day of show, and kids under 3 get in FREE!
Standup Comedy featuring Sarah Love On Wednesday July 24, 7-9p we will be having another professional comedy open mic in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind). Featuring Sarah Love, also known as “Ingles Laura Lynn Sarah Silverman”, is a comedian from Asheville, North Carolina. She is wry yet kinetic. Provocative yet relatable. She can’t wait for you to see her.
Host is Hilliary Begley voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” and Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
[Comedy Open Mic is 3-5m depending how many signup. Signup at door. See Hilliary at the show to get your time and lineup placement. We have a comedy table with exclusive snacks. No entry fee for performing comics.]
Sunday July 28 at 6:30p is 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 Zandra Johnson, featuring Hilliary Begley, Jess Cooley & Alana Eisner!
Sunday July 28 at 6:30p is 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 Zandra Johnson, featuring Hilliary Begley, Jess Cooley & Alana Eisner!
Standup Comedy featuring Alex ParsonsOn Wednesday July 31, 7-9p we will be having another professional comedy open mic in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind).
Featuring Alex Parsons, a Boston transplant. Alex brings New England sass to the southern arena with his onstage antics. This comedian, actor, and singer, is ready to make your sides split with stories from his sordid past by making fun of some of the harder parts of life.
Host Cody Hughes is a comedian from Asheville NC. He’s lived in a few different big cities and a lot of comedians like him and a lot of other comedians have heard good things about him from the comedians who like him. A few comedians don’t like him and he can’t do anything about that.
[Comics Signup at door. 3-5m See host at the show to get your time and lineup placement. We have a comedy table with exclusive snacks. No entry fee for performing comics.]
Standup Comedy featuring Alex ParsonsOn Wednesday July 31, 7-9p we will be having another professional comedy open mic in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind).
Featuring Alex Parsons, a Boston transplant. Alex brings New England sass to the southern arena with his onstage antics. This comedian, actor, and singer, is ready to make your sides split with stories from his sordid past by making fun of some of the harder parts of life.
Host Cody Hughes is a comedian from Asheville NC. He’s lived in a few different big cities and a lot of comedians like him and a lot of other comedians have heard good things about him from the comedians who like him. A few comedians don’t like him and he can’t do anything about that.
[Comics Signup at door. See host at the show to get your time and lineup placement. We have a comedy table with exclusive snacks. No entry fee for performing comics.]
We are excited to announce that the 97th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival will be held August 1, 2, and 3, 2024 in the lovely Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College due to the upcoming renovation of UNCA Lipinsky Auditorium.
Much appreciation to Ingles for their support of the very successful 96th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
97th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Kittredge Theatre
Warren Wilson College
701 Warren Wilson Road
Swannanoa, N.C. 28778
August 1, 2, 3, 2024
Shows begin at 7 PM
Advance tickets: eventbrite.com after December 1, 2023
Prices to be as follows:
Adult: $20.00/advance, $25.00/at door; Students: $5.00/Advance, $10.00/at door; Children under 12: $5.00; Groups of 10 or more: $15.00 each/Advance, $20.00 each/at door; 3-night package $55.00/advance, $60.00 at door.
We are excited to announce that the 97th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival will be held August 1, 2, and 3, 2024 in the lovely Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College due to the upcoming renovation of UNCA Lipinsky Auditorium.
Much appreciation to Ingles for their support of the very successful 96th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
97th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Kittredge Theatre
Warren Wilson College
701 Warren Wilson Road
Swannanoa, N.C. 28778
August 1, 2, 3, 2024
Shows begin at 7 PM
Advance tickets: eventbrite.com after December 1, 2023
Prices to be as follows:
Adult: $20.00/advance, $25.00/at door; Students: $5.00/Advance, $10.00/at door; Children under 12: $5.00; Groups of 10 or more: $15.00 each/Advance, $20.00 each/at door; 3-night package $55.00/advance, $60.00 at door.
We are excited to announce that the 97th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival will be held August 1, 2, and 3, 2024 in the lovely Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College due to the upcoming renovation of UNCA Lipinsky Auditorium.
Much appreciation to Ingles for their support of the very successful 96th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
97th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Kittredge Theatre
Warren Wilson College
701 Warren Wilson Road
Swannanoa, N.C. 28778
August 1, 2, 3, 2024
Shows begin at 7 PM
Advance tickets: eventbrite.com after December 1, 2023
Prices to be as follows:
Adult: $20.00/advance, $25.00/at door; Students: $5.00/Advance, $10.00/at door; Children under 12: $5.00; Groups of 10 or more: $15.00 each/Advance, $20.00 each/at door; 3-night package $55.00/advance, $60.00 at door.
AVLFEST
WE’RE BACK!! Spotlighting Asheville’s diverse music and arts scene, AVLFest will once again fill area concert halls, clubs, and outdoor venues alike with an exceptional lineup of local, regional, and national talent featuring a multitude of artists and performers! Performance showcases are set to take place Thursday August 1 through Sunday August 4 with wristbands granting passholders entry to 20+ Asheville stages, discounts at numerous local retailers and restaurants, as well as presale access and discounts to various events surrounding AVLFest weekend. Many more details will be released shortly.
Once purchased, your festival pass will be exchanged for a festival wristband upon arrival. Proof of purchase and corresponding identification will be required at check-in.
Join us for a day of Music (Folk & Bluegrass), Storytellers, Dancing, Kids Activities, Food & Beverages!
Headlining is The Hillbilly Thomists, whose album hit #3 on Billboard’s bluegrass chart, as well as being in the top 20 of all albums on Amazon. Joining them will be The Resonant Rogues & Stranger and Pilgram.
Check out the registration page for samples of the bands, as well as ticketing options.
Come on out & enjoy yourself on a summer Sunday afternoon & evening! Bring the family!
Join us for a night of hilarious stand-up comedy at we The Bier Garden – guaranteed laughs and good times!
Welcome to Standup Comedy at The Bier Garden ! Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt at this hilarious event happening in person at The Bier Garden . Te largest selection of beers on tap in Asheville! Full deliscious menu available during show. Join us for a night of non-stop laughter as talented comedians take the stage to entertain you. Grab a drink, relax, and enjoy a night of comedy with friends and family. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have a great time and create lasting memories. Get your tickets now!
Hosted by Hilliary Begley of Netflix & Amazon Prime, voted Asheville’s favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress! Headline Cody Hughes! And featuring Julia Macias!! Don’t want to miss this show, get tix early! Tickets: https://sliceoflifecomedycodyhughes.eventbrite.com
For Limited time use SLICEVIP for $3 off!
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.
The Asheville Comedy Festival presents comedian, actor, and writer Tom Segura, one of the biggest names in the comedy business. He recently toured the world with more than 300 shows on his “I’m Coming Everywhere” tour. He is best known for his Netflix specials “Ball Hog” (2020), “Disgraceful” (2018), “Mostly Stories” (2016), and “Completely Normal” (2014). His fifth Netflix special “Sledgehammer,” was released in July 2023 and debuted at No. 1 on the
streamer. In July 2022, Segura released his New York Times Bestselling book, “I’d Like to Play Alone, Please,” to wide praise with Forbes calling it “laugh-out-loud funny.” Paste Magazine described him as, “… having a natural and capable storytelling ability, one that lifts his narratives out of average anecdote fare and plants them firmly in
hilarious ground.”
Segura’s, Your Mom’s House (YMH) Studios is home to his hit podcasts “Your Mom’s House,” which he co-hosts with his wife, comedian Christina Pazsitzky, “2 Bears, 1 Cave,” which he co-hosts with Bert Kreischer, and many more podcasts that draw millions of listeners each week. Additionally, YMH Studios was one of the first networks
to create wildly successful Livestream Podcast Events as an outcome of the pandemic.
Segura will open the annual festival as the headlining act on August 7th, 2024, at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena. The laughter-inducing extravaganza kicks off at 7:30 PM, promising an evening of unforgettable comedy.
The Asheville Comedy Festival, renowned for showcasing the nation’s fastest-rising stars in comedy, will run from August 7th to 10th, featuring multiple shows that spotlight over 30 of the country’s most promising comedic talents.
Known for his sharp wit, irreverent humor, and smooth stage presence, TOM SEGURA has solidified his status as a comedy superstar. His unique perspective and fearless approach to comedy have earned him a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim.
Standup Comedy featuring Cayla Clark On Wednesday August 15, 7-9p we will be having another professional comedy open mic in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind).
$15 tickets available at door at The Orange Peel’s websiteFeature Cayla Clark is an Asheville-based playwright, comedian, creator, and producer. While she is still new to the world of stand-up comedy, she has enjoyed exploring various other forms of comedy over the years, including sketch comedy, improv, and more. Since moving to Asheville, Cayla has had the opportunity to produce and host local comedic dating shows like Blind Date Live and Bad Date Mic. You can check out her hilarious Asheville centric comedy videos on instagram at @blinddateliveavlHost is Hilliary Begley voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” and Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime.[Comedy Open Mic is 3-5m depending how many signup. Signup at door. See Hilliary at the show to get your time and lineup placement. We have a comedy table with exclusive snacks. No entry fee for performing comics.]
Part game show, part talk show, part what’s going to happen next — The Campfireball is one-of-a-kind live experience inspired by the lives and stories of the people in the audience. On August 15th at Story Parlor the theme is The Nevers: an exploration of the things we never thought we’d do, the people we never thought we would become and the stories we fear might never come true. All audiences are welcome, introverts and extroverts alike! Participation is always voluntary and it’s just as much fun to sit back and watch people share as it is to play along. Doors at 7:00, Show at 7:30, tickets are $10 online, $15 day of, available at storyparloravl.com
Sunday August 18 at 6:30p is another great comedy show at Asheville Pizza in Theatre 2, get your dinner , drinks & laughs with a comedy open mic & and comedian Jason Webb, Art Sturtevant, Jordan Julius and other Professional featured performers in a fun environment.. Hosted by Zandra Johnson!
Join Dark City Poets Society at Oak and Grist Distilling Company for a night of spoken word. Everyone is welcome to share a few poems or just sit back and drink for a good cause. The event is free and $1 from every classic cocktail will be donated to Friends of the Black Mountain Library.
Sign-ups to share will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Come on by for night of spoken word presented by Dark City Poets Society at Oak and Grist Distilling Company. Everyone is welcome to share a few poems or just sit back and drink for a good cause.
The event is free and $1 from every classic cocktail will be donated to Friends of the Black Mountain Library.
gn-ups to share will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Can’t make it to this one? This event happens the third tuesday of every month!
Hendersonville Theatre premiers its first One Act Play Festival of short plays, featuring a variety of different stories from regional and national playwrights, local directors, and incredible performers.
The process began with an open call for plays. A team of readers poured through hundreds of submissions to select a group of outstanding plays. The result? A weekend-long extravaganza to bring a kaleidoscope of new and exciting world premiers to Hendersonville!
Hendersonville Theatre’s One Act Play Festival presents plays by established and emerging writers. Divided into two shows, Sections A and B are a multiple series of short plays, performed in rotation. One-act plays provide a condensed yet impactful theatrical experience, allowing for concise and focused storytelling that can captivate the audience’s attention from start to finish. This format often demands precision and intensity from the performers, leading to powerful performances that resonate deeply with viewers.
Additionally, Hendersonville Theatre’s One Act Play Festival serves as a unique platform for artists to showcase their skills and creativity. A one-act play offers the opportunity to demonstrate versatility in acting, directing, and technical execution within a limited timeframe. This challenge can foster growth and development among participants, pushing them to explore innovative approaches to storytelling and staging.
Furthermore, the festival environment itself fosters a vibrant exchange of ideas and a sense of community among theater enthusiasts. Presenting a one-act play at the festival allows performers and crews to connect with peers, receive constructive feedback from experienced professionals, and immerse themselves in a supportive network of fellow theater aficionados. This experience can prove invaluable for honing skills, gaining exposure, and broadening one’s perspective on the craft of theater.
Swain County Agricultural Fair’s 2nd Annual “Battle of the Bands,” is a four-hour music contest set to take place on Saturday, August 24th beginning at 11:30 a.m. The Battle of the Bands will feature six bands who are finalists competing for prize money.
Does your band have what it takes? We are currently accepting entries for the top 6 finalists to compete. Entry deadline is July 31, 2024. Music genres include: Bluegrass, Gospel, Country, Americana, and Southern Rock.
Top 3 bands will be awarded prize money: First Place – $1,500; Second Place – $1,000; and Third Place – $500
Hendersonville Theatre premiers its first One Act Play Festival of short plays, featuring a variety of different stories from regional and national playwrights, local directors, and incredible performers.
The process began with an open call for plays. A team of readers poured through hundreds of submissions to select a group of outstanding plays. The result? A weekend-long extravaganza to bring a kaleidoscope of new and exciting world premiers to Hendersonville!
Hendersonville Theatre’s One Act Play Festival presents plays by established and emerging writers. Divided into two shows, Sections A and B are a multiple series of short plays, performed in rotation. One-act plays provide a condensed yet impactful theatrical experience, allowing for concise and focused storytelling that can captivate the audience’s attention from start to finish. This format often demands precision and intensity from the performers, leading to powerful performances that resonate deeply with viewers.
Additionally, Hendersonville Theatre’s One Act Play Festival serves as a unique platform for artists to showcase their skills and creativity. A one-act play offers the opportunity to demonstrate versatility in acting, directing, and technical execution within a limited timeframe. This challenge can foster growth and development among participants, pushing them to explore innovative approaches to storytelling and staging.
Furthermore, the festival environment itself fosters a vibrant exchange of ideas and a sense of community among theater enthusiasts. Presenting a one-act play at the festival allows performers and crews to connect with peers, receive constructive feedback from experienced professionals, and immerse themselves in a supportive network of fellow theater aficionados. This experience can prove invaluable for honing skills, gaining exposure, and broadening one’s perspective on the craft of theater.