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 11, 2022
The Nutcracker Presented by International Ballet
Dec 11 @ 3:00 pm
Peace Concert Hall
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents THE NUTCRACKER
Dec 15 @ 7:30 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

A magically festive, full-length Nutcracker, featuring professional classical dancers and the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s celebrated pre-professional company. A full production with impressive sets and costumes.

A young girl’s holiday dream comes true. Having crept downstairs at midnight to play with her new Nutcracker doll, Clara is swept up in a fantasy of toy soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic and mystery. After saving her beloved Nutcracker from the King of the Rats, she is whisked away to an enchanted land and dances the night away, meeting a host of enchanting and exotic characters.

Friday, December 16, 2022
Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents THE NUTCRACKER
Dec 16 @ 7:30 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

A magically festive, full-length Nutcracker, featuring professional classical dancers and the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s celebrated pre-professional company. A full production with impressive sets and costumes.

A young girl’s holiday dream comes true. Having crept downstairs at midnight to play with her new Nutcracker doll, Clara is swept up in a fantasy of toy soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic and mystery. After saving her beloved Nutcracker from the King of the Rats, she is whisked away to an enchanted land and dances the night away, meeting a host of enchanting and exotic characters.

Carolina Christmas Show
Dec 16 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
McDowell Municipal Event Center

Carolina Christmas Show

This heartwarming Broadway-style show will brighten your holiday season. Don’t miss this year’s event featuring performers from western North Carolina and special guest artists performing many of your seasonal favorites. The dazzling performances include dance, live music, and comedy.

 

Saturday, December 17, 2022
Carolina Christmas Show
Dec 17 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
McDowell Municipal Event Center

Carolina Christmas Show

This heartwarming Broadway-style show will brighten your holiday season. Don’t miss this year’s event featuring performers from western North Carolina and special guest artists performing many of your seasonal favorites. The dazzling performances include dance, live music, and comedy.

Carolina Christmas Show
Dec 17 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
McDowell Municipal Event Center

Carolina Christmas Show

This heartwarming Broadway-style show will brighten your holiday season. Don’t miss this year’s event featuring performers from western North Carolina and special guest artists performing many of your seasonal favorites. The dazzling performances include dance, live music, and comedy.

 

Holiday Liquor and Dance Party ft DJ Marley Carroll
Dec 17 @ 9:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

– AGES 21+
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
– LIMITED NUMBER OF DISCOUNTED EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE
– FESTIVE ATTIRE ENCOURAGED

HOLIDAY LIQUOR & DANCE PARTY

Featuring DJ Marley Carroll on the main stage. Holiday drink specials + more!  What started as an epic, ramshackle house party in a garage in west Asheville has become the city’s favorite holiday dance event, and local superstar DJ Marley Carroll has been at the helm for every year of its decade long run. At the aptly-named Holiday Liquor Dance Party, DJ Marley guides costumed partygoers through a marathon holiday DJ set that is frequently surprising and always satisfying. From classic hip-hop and soul to contemporary house and disco, DJ Marley shines by combining the inclusive energy of surefire party selections with an expert level of skill in mixing, sequencing and execution.

Proceeds benefiting Warren Wilson College.

DJ MARLEY CARROLL

Marley Carroll’s unassuming origins as a classically-trained percussionist were shattered after he took top honors at a statewide DJ battle at the age of 17. The experience catapulted him into notoriety and catalyzed his path towards career musicianship. In the intervening years he evolved into a dynamic electronic music producer, world-class turntablist and captivating live performer with three full-length albums, multiple singles and remixes, and countless DJ sets in his cache.

As a DJ, Marley guides packed audiences through expertly-mixed marathon sets that combine impeccable music curation with superb turntable skills. From classic hip-hop and R&B, to soulful house, Afrobeat and disco, to hidden gems of current pop, no era or genre is out-of-bounds. Guided by well-honed musical instincts and a deep love for craft, Marley creates dance music experiences that are frequently surprising and always satisfying.

Sunday, December 18, 2022
Carolina Christmas Show
Dec 18 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
McDowell Municipal Event Center

Carolina Christmas Show

This heartwarming Broadway-style show will brighten your holiday season. Don’t miss this year’s event featuring performers from western North Carolina and special guest artists performing many of your seasonal favorites. The dazzling performances include dance, live music, and comedy.

Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet
Dec 20 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at Harrah's Cherokee Casino

This Christmas, bring the whole family back to a simpler time with “NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet!” The acclaimed holiday tradition is LIVE in theaters for the 30th Anniversary tour. Gather friends and family to relive your fondest childhood dreams, overflowing with larger-than-life puppets, breath-taking acrobatics and dazzling costumes. Experience the exquisite artistry of the international cast, featuring stars of Ukraine ballet, performing at the highest level of classical technique. Share in the message of Peace and Harmony and get tickets now at Nutcracker.com!

Thursday, December 22, 2022
Winter Camp 2022 Session 1
Dec 22 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Asheville Museum of Science

Camps are Mon-Thurs, December 19-23 and 26-29th from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, with a daily and weekly sign-up option!
The age group for these camp sessions is 6-11-years-old (K-5th grade).
Sign up for Session 1 here: https://ashevillescience.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5af64a890dd5e292ce82d197b&id=8f3d934c4e&e=16408a818c

Daily rates start at $60 per participant/day and $225 per participant/week!
To learn more, contact [email protected].

Christmas Disco Party at the South Slope Lounge
Dec 22 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Ginger's Revenge South Slope Lounge

Come party with us Dec. 22nd from 6-9pm at the South Slope Lounge. Corndog is back in Asheville for the holidays for a spicy disco dance party at Ginger’s Revenge! Kevin “Corndog” O’Brien is a New York City based DJ. Combining the glam of disco and the energy of punk rock, Corndog spins genre bending sets of boogie tunes across the country. The self proclaimed Johnny Appleseed of Partying’s infectious exuberance will be sure to have you groovin’. No cover charge.

City Dance
Dec 22 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Thursday, December 29, 2022
Winter Camp 2022 Session 2
Dec 29 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Asheville Museum of Science

Camps are Mon-Thurs, December 19-23 and 26-29th from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, with a daily and weekly sign-up option!
The age group for these camp sessions is 6-11-years-old (K-5th grade).

Sign up for Session 2 here: https://ashevillescience.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5af64a890dd5e292ce82d197b&id=dd3c976dc2&e=16408a818c
Daily rates start at $60 per participant/day and $225 per participant/week!
To learn more, contact [email protected].

80S VS 90S DANCE PARTY: WINTER BALL
Dec 29 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

80S VS 90S DANCE PARTY: WINTER BALL

All Ages

Saturday, December 31, 2022
THE DOLLY DISCO: The Dolly Parton Inspired Country Western Dance Party
Dec 31 @ 9:30 pm
The Grey Eagle
– ALL AGES
– DANCING ROOM ONLY
– THE EARLIER YOU PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS, THE CHEAPER THEY ARE! 

THE DOLLY DISCO
This ain’t no disco
It ain’t no country club either…

Giddy up girls, for THE DOLLY DISCO

The Dolly Parton Inspired Country Western Dance Party!

This is for the 9 to 5 workin’ girls with a calling from another era who just want something a little classic. Join us
in Rainbowland where you’ll dance with somebody, hand in hand to the music of Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves,
Orville Peck, Shania Twain, Miley Cyrus, Cher, Whitney Houston, The Chicks, Madonna, Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow
and more.

So wrangle your country-disco dancing queens and come party!

Saturday, January 7, 2023
KID HOP HOORAY! WINTERTIME INDOOR DANCE PARTY with DJ Oso Rey
Jan 7 @ 10:00 am
The Orange Peel
Open Floor Dance Party for Kids with Live DJ: DJ Oso Rey!
Drop in anytime.
Playing family-friendly dance music for family wintertime fun/
There will be FREE Glow accessories for your little dancers, plenty of room to run, dance, and get their sillies out while it’s cold outside, and snacks for purchase the Hop Ice Creamery!  And of course, The Orange Peel bar will be open for mom and dad’s refreshments (and/or kids‘ juice boxes)
Padded area available for crawlers and new walkers to play and explore.
Intro to Gelli Printing Workshop
Jan 7 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Purple Crayon

Gelli printing is an easy, innovative way to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind monoprints. The results are striking, and all you need is a gelli plate, acrylic paint, and some kind of substrate (paper, canvas, etc.). In this fun, hands-on workshop, paper artist Kristen Grady will teach you everything you need to get started with this super versatile process.

Among other techniques, you’ll learn how to build multiple layers of design, create textures and an “old wall” look, and add stenciling and shimmer to your prints. Kristen will also teach you how to create two-sided prints, work with multiple prints at the same time, create a theme for your prints, use thick and thin paints in different ways, and find your color palette.

There will be plenty of time to practice each technique, and you’ll complete at least four, two-sided prints. You’ll also leave with plenty of ideas on how to use your finished prints, including incorporating them into junk journals, and how to care for and store your gelli plate, which will be yours to keep—a $25 value!

Sunday, January 8, 2023
English Country Dance
Jan 8 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Harvest House Community Center

All are welcome to join us for our first English Country Dance of 2023!   Spread the word and bring all your friends and neighbors!   No partner necessary!

3:30,    Beginners Session

4:00 – 6::00,    Dance

Free of charge.   Donations are appreciated for the musicians.

Leader:    Luanne Stiles and AnneMarie Walter
Music:     Cathy Arps, violin; Suzanne Hosch, flute; Karen Gaughan, piano.

No partner necessary; wear comfortable clothes and non-marking shoes; bring your water bottle and an individual snack to enjoy during a brief break.  No shared snacks.

We continue to keep an eye on the Covid updates, and we also continue to ask that you be fully vaccinated with at least one booster.   Marks are optional while dancing.

Monday, January 9, 2023
Creativity Kickstart
Jan 9 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Purple Crayon

Do you have intentions to start making art, but for some reason aren’t? Or were you making stuff all the time, but now it’s become a chore to get into your studio? Whether you’re struggling to get going with your art or have fallen into a creative slump, this workshop is for you!

Join creativity coach and veteran instructor Robyn Crawford as she takes you on an exciting, 4-week artistic adventure that’s sure to get your creative juices flowing! In this 12-hour, highly interactive course, you’ll kickstart your creativity by watching interesting artistic techniques, solving challenging creativity-building puzzles, participating in stimulating cross-media art experiments, working through selected The Artist’s Way best practices, and doing fun, optional homePLAY assignments.

We’re excited to finally get to offer this popular course. Don’t put your art (and YOU!) on the back burner again. Register today and make 2023 your most inspired year yet!

Friday, January 13, 2023
Pop Legends Weekend at The Omni Grove Park Inn
Jan 13 @ 7:30 pm
The Omni Grove Park Inn

The Omni Grove Park Inn is hosting an epic musical throwback weekend featuring the transcendent sounds of “DANCING DREAM: The Tribute to ABBA” on Friday, January 13 and the unmistakable brilliance of “Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience” on Saturday, January 14. Individual tickets are available for purchase at $85/person plus sales taxes & fees. Will call and coat check begin at 7pm; doors open at 7:30pm; and performances begin at 8pm. For those looking for overnight accommodations, The Omni Grove Park Inn is also offering a Pop Legends Weekend Package, which can be booked separately via the hotel’s website.

Saturday, January 14, 2023
Intro to Junk Journaling Workshop
Jan 14 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Purple Crayon

January is the perfect time to start keeping a “junk journal”: a hand-made book used to collect and store daily memories, mementos, photos, collages, inspiring quotes, or anything you want to remember. You can also use junk journals as art journals, a place for collage or daily gratitude lists, or to inspire a daily art practice in general. In this highly imaginative workshop, paper artist Kristen Grady will show you how to design a junk journal to fit your needs.

You’ll start by cutting and sizing an empty cereal box to create the cover for your journal. After strengthening and decorating your cover, you’ll learn how to turn your precious papers—including any gelli prints that you may have made in Kristen’s Introduction to Gelli Printing workshop—and actual “junk” mail into various types of pages (decorative, envelope, writing, etc.) until you fill your book. Next, Kristen will show you how to stitch your pages into the cover and then go over ways to fill in your journal as you go. You’ll be surprised at how full your book can become in just an afternoon! Finally, you’ll add decor, embellishments, and ephemera to finish your project.

You’ll leave the workshop with a beautiful, personalized keepsake that’s anything but junk! You’ll also have a newfound appreciation for the useful and beautiful creations you can make out of things that you used to throw away!

Pop Legends Weekend at The Omni Grove Park Inn
Jan 14 @ 7:30 pm
The Omni Grove Park Inn

The Omni Grove Park Inn is hosting an epic musical throwback weekend featuring the transcendent sounds of “DANCING DREAM: The Tribute to ABBA” on Friday, January 13 and the unmistakable brilliance of “Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience” on Saturday, January 14. Individual tickets are available for purchase at $85/person plus sales taxes & fees. Will call and coat check begin at 7pm; doors open at 7:30pm; and performances begin at 8pm. For those looking for overnight accommodations, The Omni Grove Park Inn is also offering a Pop Legends Weekend Package, which can be booked separately via the hotel’s website.

Sunday, January 15, 2023
Workshop: Characterization and the Body
Jan 15 @ 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

Performers: Get out of your head and inhabit your character!

In this workshop, acting coach, director and performer Jamie Knox will lead you through a series of exercises to:
– Make your work more physically dynamic
– Prepare for giving a memorable audition
– Approach a character from the outside in, to work quickly with new direction
– Talk yourself up…to yourself! Learn the art of getting into a good headspace and focusing on being a character, not acting
– Work on a specific monologue OR learn to work with any piece given to you

Sunday, January 15th, 2:30pm – 5:30pm
at The Magnetic Theatre
375 Depot St, Asheville NC 28801

About the instructor:
Jamie Knox juggles writing, directing, and acting in plays with running a yoga business and wrangling a four-year-old. She has been coaching characterization since 2008 and is a strong believer in being the character, not simply pretending to be the character. In this workshop expect to be challenged to get out of your head and into your body, finding more authenticity in your work.

Family Folk Dance
Jan 15 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Harvest House Community Center
Family Folk Dance

 

Free admission.

3rd Sundays of each month Sept-May

3:00-5:00pm

 

Bring the whole family for some good old-fashioned fun with traditional dance and live music! All ages are welcome, no experience necessary. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This venue is mask-encouraged.

For more information, please visit the website.

Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Mission Acceleration Business Accelerator Workshop
Jan 18 @ 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Henderson County Chamber of Commerce
Take your business to the next level!
A comprehensive business innovation program designed to assist for-profit, not-for-profit, and family-owned businesses to the next level of success.
This program begins January 18, 2023, and meets 8:30 am – 1 pm every other Wednesday for five months.
Mission Acceleration Business Accelerator is designed by entrepreneurs to help for-profit, family owned, and nonprofit businesses innovate and increase profitability. If you approach the business the same way as you did in the past, it will limit future profit growth.
Now is the time to innovate with cutting edge best practices in business management, leadership, planning, branding, marketing, sales, accounting, purchasing, raising capital, information technology, human resources, time management, new business development, operations and distribution. The Program will help you identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in each department of your company to track, monitor and accelerate the success of your business. Peter Drucker said, “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.”
Sunday, January 22, 2023
English Country Dance
Jan 22 @ 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Harvest House Community Center

All are welcome to join us for our next English Country Dance!    Spread the word and bring all your friends and neighbors!   No partner necessary!

3:45,    Beginners’  Session

4:15 – 6:15,    Dance

Free of charge.   Donations are appreciated for the musicians.

Leader:    TBA
Music:     TBA

No partner necessary; wear comfortable clothes and non-marking shoes; bring your water bottle and an individual snack to enjoy during a brief break.  No shared snacks.

 

Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Monthly Writing Workshops
Jan 25 @ 3:12 am – 4:12 am
online

Join writers and poets from across the country each month for a virtual writing workshop. A link will be added to their name when more details and sign-up information becomes available. These workshops are geared towards amateur writers, ages 16 and older recommended. Follow us on Facebook for notifications too.

January 25 – Jennifer McGaha
Thursday, January 26, 2023
City Dance
Jan 26 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Saturday, January 28, 2023
80S VS 90S DANCE PARTY
Jan 28 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

80S VS 90S DANCE PARTY

All Ages
Saturday, February 4, 2023
FUNK’N DISCO FEVER! 70s + 80s Dance Party featuring DJ Oso Rey + DJ Solstice
Feb 4 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel