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.

Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jun 25 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Friday, June 28, 2024
Super Summer Book Sale Antique, Collectable and Coffee Table Books
Jun 28 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Friday, June 28 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m-3 p.m.

On June 28 and 29, the Friends of Pack Library will be having their annual Super Summer Sale of antique, collectible, & coffee table books. There will also be a special sale on all items in Bookends Used Book Store for these two days.

On Friday, June 28 all of the antique, collectable and coffee table books in Lord Auditorium will be priced as marked. This sale will include hundreds of newly acquired signed mystery books. Sealed DVDs and children’s better books will be available in the auditorium Friday only, priced as marked. All items in Bookends Used Book Store on the main floor of the library will be half off, with books in the children’s area of Bookends specially priced at 25¢ each.

On Saturday, June 29 the antique and collectable books in the auditorium will be half off the marked price. Bookends items will still be half off, with books in the children’s section marked down to 10¢ each.

All proceeds from this sale will benefit Buncombe County Public Libraries. If you have any questions, contact the Friends of Pack Library.

Saturday, June 29, 2024
Super Summer Book Sale Antique, Collectable and Coffee Table Books
Jun 29 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Friday, June 28 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m-3 p.m.

On June 28 and 29, the Friends of Pack Library will be having their annual Super Summer Sale of antique, collectible, & coffee table books. There will also be a special sale on all items in Bookends Used Book Store for these two days.

On Friday, June 28 all of the antique, collectable and coffee table books in Lord Auditorium will be priced as marked. This sale will include hundreds of newly acquired signed mystery books. Sealed DVDs and children’s better books will be available in the auditorium Friday only, priced as marked. All items in Bookends Used Book Store on the main floor of the library will be half off, with books in the children’s area of Bookends specially priced at 25¢ each.

On Saturday, June 29 the antique and collectable books in the auditorium will be half off the marked price. Bookends items will still be half off, with books in the children’s section marked down to 10¢ each.

All proceeds from this sale will benefit Buncombe County Public Libraries. If you have any questions, contact the Friends of Pack Library.

Artists + Writers Coffee
Jun 29 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Shelter Dog Transport Alliance Van Reveal & Fundraiser
Jun 30 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
River Arts District Brewing Company

Join us Sunday, June 30th for the big reveal of our new transport van, Big Hun 2!

At this fundraising event, we’ll be at RAD Brewing from 12:00-4:00 pm, where you will get to see SDTA logo creator and artist, Andy Herod, complete the mural on our van along with live music, bingo, raffle baskets, adoptable pups and more!

We hope to see you there and please share with your family and friends!

BAND TOGETHER
Jun 30 @ 3:00 pm
The Orange Peel

feat. The Feels, Aunt Vicki, Safety Coffin, and Hex Wizard

 Show: 3pm | Doors: 2pm
A community fundraiser event for local cancer patients in need.
The Feast of St. John: Celebrating Henderson County
Jun 30 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Hubba Hubba Smokehouse

Once again The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness celebrates its patron saint with the Feast of St. John the Baptist. In 2021, the historic church extended the
festivities outside the parish to the broader community and since then continues the tradition. The fourth annual celebration will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at HubbaHubba Smokehouse, located behind Little Rainbow Row at 2724 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock.

The rain location is set for the Parish Hall of St. John in the Wilderness at 1905 Greenville Highway.
All are welcome to join the festivities at the family-friendly celebration featuring food, fellowship
and live music with the return of North Carolina’s Chatham Rabbits. Music begins at 6pm but
guests should arrive early to get their food order in and find a seat. Yard games will be offered for
children. Barbecue and other family-favorite foods and beverages will be available for purchase at
Hubba Hubba Smokehouse. Seating at the picturesque outdoor courtyard is limited, so guests are
encouraged to bring portable chairs.
Proceeds from the Feast will benefit the Community Food Pantry in Edneyville. Admission is free
but donations are encouraged from attendees. Chatham Rabbits and St. John in the Wilderness are
teaming up to match donations up to $2,000.

Monday, July 1, 2024
Letters to the Editor + Opinion Editorials Creative Workshop
Jul 1 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Buncombe County Democratic Party HQ

Democrats need to be more actively messaging and to overcome the makers of fake news with the truth! Join this ongoing group of writers working together on Letters to the Editor and Opinion Editorials. We’ll discuss the issues we care about most deeply and craft a plan to respond to events as they occur in real time.

The group meets the first and third Monday of each month for writing, responding to one another’s work, scheduling submissions, and exploring media outlets across the state.

“Rant with purpose. Support with facts. Propel action.” – Myra Schoen

Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jul 2 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Dark City Poets Society Workshop Circle
Jul 2 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Tuesday, 7/2 at 6:00 pm – Dark City Poets Society Workshop Circle (outdoors in the garden, weather permitting.)
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.

Saturday, July 6, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Jul 6 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jul 9 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Live storytelling: Woods & Wilds
Jul 9 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Highland Brewing Company

We are nature and not separate from it. So, let’s come together to celebrate the forests and community we ARE. To lift our spirits, touch our hearts, and change our minds about what is possible when we combine our forces to create magic.

We’ve partnered with SlayTheMic to bring our annual event to Asheville again this August.

Woods & Wilds will feature five live storytellers, music, and fun for all.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 in donations to support the meaningful work we’re doing at the intersection of forests, climate, and justice.  Reserve your entry in advance. You can help us reach our goal with a suggested donation of $25 per person.

Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Poetry 101: The Curious Practice of Paying Attention
Jul 10 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Story Parlor

5 week series. Every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30, beginning June 5. Class cancelled July 3. Ending July 10.

Poetry is the written act of paying attention. Paying attention to words, rhythm, and writing but most importantly the worlds that inspire you to write. Namely, your world.

“Wanted: a needle swift enough to sew this poem into a blanket.” -Charles Simic

Have you ever swooned at the thought of exploring your full expression, only to shuffle around the house more determined to rearrange mothballs than get something on paper?

Poetry is undoubtedly a practice, but it doesn’t have to be an intimidating sport for Creative Gods alone. The only “ask” is to take note and notice of your life.

We’ll help develop the work itself, together.

This full-bodied beginner’s poetry class will help you shift from “Oof, I could never…” into “Wait, where’s my journal?!” by tuning into your world: to the color palette of grass, to coffee-shop conversation, to the twitch in your left elbow. If you want language for the volcanic prayers of your soul or to describe your partner’s voice whispering “I love you” at 4am, we’ll get there. This class weaves the elements of poetry, forms of poetry, guided discussion with peers, and the works of prolific poets all into a multidisciplinary play space. Plus, oodles (oodles!) of writing time to build personal confidence and craft. This class immerses itself in artful experimentation across mediums, paired with a toolkit of technical writing skills. It’s the ultimate permission slip to be a beginner.

“Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.” -Carl Sandburg

Saturday, July 13, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Jul 13 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Monday, July 15, 2024
Football in July Tailgate
Jul 15 @ 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Wicked Weed/Brad Johnson Golf Classic
Jul 16 @ 10:00 am
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jul 16 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Saturday, July 20, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Jul 20 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Sunday, July 21, 2024
The Big Secret Family Festival (featuring your fav AVL bands, circus acts, and performances!)
Jul 21 all-day
Pisgah Brewing Outdoor Stage

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!

Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jul 23 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Saturday, July 27, 2024
The Art Dash 5k
Jul 27 @ 8:30 am
Smoky Park Super Clubs Boat House

The Art Dash 5k in Asheville — on Saturday, July 27, starting at 8:30 a.m. — helps raise fund for LEAF Global Arts.

Runners can enjoy a fast, flat out and back run along the River Arts District Greenway, with Asheville-based performance artists along the race course showcasing our city’s special style. Start and end at the Smoky Park Super Clubs Boat House riverside, 350 Riverside Drive.

Artists + Writers Coffee
Jul 27 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Veterans Writing Classes: Brothers and Sisters Like These
Jul 30 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Public Library

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Friday, August 2, 2024
Light Up the Night 5K
Aug 2 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Carrier Park

The Light Up the Night 5K is a fundraising, glow-in-the-dark, night-time, walk or run and will be timed by Finish Well Timing. This will be Western Carolina Rescue Ministries’ 6th annual Light Up the Night 5k race to raise funds and spread awareness of the ministry’s community impact. This event will take place on Friday August 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in Asheville’s Carrier Park, and all proceeds from this event will directly benefit WCRM.

Last year, your support gave a second chance to 26 moms and 46 babies in our Abba’s House Recovery Program. The success of these moms would not be possible without your valuable contribution.

As we embark on another year of service and outreach, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. This year, we want to include you in playing an even greater role in our ministry. We will be pursuing funding for the need of life transformation across all our programs.

This event is one of the Ministry’s most significant opportunities to raise funds in support of our community and these funds will be directly used to break the cycles of homelessness and addiction in our region. For the past 43 years, WCRM has been serving the homeless community of Asheville providing rescue, recovery, and restoration to people in crisis. We care for our clients with dignity, providing help, hope, and opportunity for our ministry participants to reengage in society. Whether it’s a hot meal, a warm shelter, or recovery from addiction, our compassion shines on everyone we meet.

Saturday, August 3, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Aug 3 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Aug 10 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Back To School Bash
Aug 17 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Craigfields Hair Studio & Spa

Happy National Parents Day from your friends at Craigfields Hair Studio & Spa!

With school right around the corner we want to invite everyone to our Back To School Bash – August 17th, 2024 from 10AM-6PM

Come out and Enjoy a FREE fun family event ! 🎈
⁃ Corn Hole 🕳️
⁃ Snow Cones 🍧
⁃ Face painting 🎨
⁃ Kids nail painting 💅

We will be partnering with Eblen Charities as we be offering donation based haircuts for the family to get ready for the new school year. All proceeds from the day will go to the Eblen Charities.

Eblen Charities will be handing out 🆓 haircut vouchers for all those who qualify!

Call the salon for more information or to reserve a spot.

Walk ins welcome!

We can’t wait to see you!

Artists + Writers Coffee
Aug 17 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Aug 24 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event