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.
Friday, May
31, 2024
Table for Three raffle
Transform Lives Through Art: Support the Asheville Art Museum’s Spring Annual Fund
Tickets for our 2024 Table for Three raffle will go on sale March 15, 2024! Table for Three is MANNA’s partnership with the Asheville-area’s nationally-recognized independent restaurant scene. You could win an incredible grand prize: a meal for two at 52 of the Asheville-area’s top local restaurants. That’s a year’s worth of dining out at a value of more than $3,000!
The best part is that each ticket supports MANNA’s vital work to provide food to Western North Carolina neighbors struggling to make ends meet. With every ticket sold, we can provide enough food to feed one person a daily meal … for more than an entire year. That’s why we call it Table for Three!
TICKETS ARE $124
Table for Three raffle tickets are $124 each. This is a very intentional ticket price: $124 is what it costs MANNA to feed one person a meal a day for more than one year. With every ticket purchased, you help set the table for a neighbor facing food insecurity.
THE GRAND PRIZE
The winner will receive gift certificates to 52 different Asheville-area restaurants. The gift certificates are transferrable, so you can share them with friends and family, give them as client gifts, or, of course, use them all yourself!
Gift certificates do not include tax or gratuity and cannot be used for alcohol. Some restaurants may limit use during holidays or special events. Certificates can be used for dine-in or carry-out service in cases where the restaurant offers the carry-out option.
THE WINNER
A single winner will be drawn via livestream on MANNA’s Facebook page on or before Friday, May 15. All raffle ticket holders will be notified in advance of the exact day and time of the drawing. Ticketholders do not need to be tuned into the livestream to win. The winner will be asked to come to MANNA (on a day and time following the drawing, and agreed upon by the winner and MANNA), to claim their prize. And then … let the dining begin!
THE FINE PRINT
Tickets are $124 each. The drawing will take place on/before May 15, 2024, via livestream on MANNA’s Facebook page. Only 500 tickets will be sold. This is a fundraising project, and all ticket sales benefit MANNA FoodBank. Tickets may be sold to MANNA employees, board members, and other affiliated individuals. The Table for Three Raffle is open only to those who are 18 years of age or older as of March 14, 2023, and who possess a valid government-issued ID. Ticketholders do not need to be tuned in to the livestream to win. According to Internal Revenue Service regulations, no portion of the raffle ticket purchase qualifies as a tax-deductible donation.
At the Asheville Art Museum, we strive to transform lives through art. We do this by not only inviting people to experience the great works in our galleries, but also by creating opportunities to engage with the rich tapestry of artistic expression unfolding within our city today.
Our dynamic events provide an opportunity for community members and diverse artists to come together, fostering connection and inspiration for all participants. Here’s an example of this work in action: we recently held a Community Day inspired by our latest exhibition The New Salon: A Contemporary View, which celebrates Pop-Surrealist, Graffiti, and Street Art, the event centered around creative activities with a similarly rebellious spirit.
Community members were invited to express the most fantastical corners of their imagination with chalk, visit our Makerspace to design press-on nails with help from Asheville nail artist Rachel Ghazarian, get a glimpse of their future with a tarot reading from Krysta Beth Heidman, or enjoy the perfect soundtrack provided by local DJ Lil Meow Meow. The event concluded with spotlight talks and tours of the exhibition, which includes works from local artists Ian Wilkinson, Maxx Feist, Ishmael Leaver, Danny Reed, and Brian Mashburn, giving visitors the opportunity to engage directly with the works that inspired the day’s activities.
Your generous support is instrumental to initiatives like these, which foster vibrant connections between our community and the talented creatives who make Asheville’s art scene thrive. By contributing to our Spring Annual Fund, you play a crucial role in nurturing artistic excellence and enriching our community through the power of the arts.
Saturday, June
1, 2024
Land Trust Day/National Trails Day
Summer Soiree online auction
Nerd Pride Fest
Pollination Celebration: Pollination Film Festival Film Screening of “Wings of Life”
2024 Annual Benefit Gala
On Land Trust Day – this year Saturday, June 1 – local businesses pledge to donate a portion of sales to support Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s ongoing land and water conservation efforts.
Land Trust Day coincides with National Trails Day and is celebrated each year on the first Saturday of June to recognize the accomplishments of land trusts in our region. Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy works with partners in the U.S. Forest Service and national park system to protect land for public enjoyment along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, trails accessible off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and many more. We preserve large viewsheds enjoyed by visitors to public lands and trails in the mountains of NC and TN, as well as local farms that support the farm-to-table sector of our regional economy. Land Trust Day is an opportunity for local businesses to recognize the impact of land trusts like SAHC on our state and local economies, and to ‘give back’ by supporting ongoing conservation of natural resources – a major economic engine for WNC and East TN.
Each business that participates in Land Trust Day pledges to donate a percentage of sales from this day, or a lump sum donation, in support and recognition of Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s efforts.
“Each year as we approach Land Trust Day, it is our hope that by working together we can help people understand that we must preserve our environment – its beauty, its water, its open spaces, its inhabitants. It is what gives us life, both literally and figuratively,” says Lisa Cooper at Mast General Store.
Please mark your calendars and plan to shop and dine to support conservation! Thank you to our 2024 Land Trust Day Sponsors:
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Are YOU READY for NERD PRIDE FEST 2024!!
Saturday, June 1st 2024 : 10am – 4pm
Asheville’s local artist convention every first Saturday in June in honor of Pride month! This is a fun, free way to celebrate pride month by supporting local artists and nonprofits who do incredible things for the queer LGBT+ community in western North Carolina.
Nerd Pride Fest was our first ever event in our current location. So it had to be to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and reopening with food, games, live music, and more.
As a shop owned and operated by queer-identifying folks, The Nerd Dungeon is committed to being a safe and welcoming environment for people of all ages to express themselves any time of year, not just during Pride Month. We will always be a 3rd Place.
It is nice to have an excuse to go all-out and party, though! Pride Cosplay encouraged!
Pack Library’s Pollination Film Festival features films, talks, and activities about pollination during the month of June.
Narrated by Meryl Streep, this intimate and unprecedented look at butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, bats and flowers is a celebration of life, as a third of the world’s food supply depends on these incredible–and increasingly threatened–creatures. Our Pollination Celebration! keynote speaker on June 22, Dr. Stephen Buchmann, served as Chief Scientist for the film.
We are pleased to announce the Asheville Art Museum’s Annual Gala: Timeless on June 1, 2024!
This annual fundraising event supports the Museum’s exhibitions, educational programming, and community events year-round.
The 2024 Gala—Timeless—will celebrate the world of photography and its ability to capture a moment in time forever. Our theme is in conjunction with the exhibition Shifting Perceptions: Photographs from the Collection, on view May 17 through September 23, 2024 at the Museum.
Table Sponsorships include dinner, VIP cocktail hour, valet parking, and drink tickets for up to 8 guests and recognition in the event’s program and in Museum digital communications. Bring your colleagues, clients, friends, or family for an elegant evening at the Museum. Your attendance will not only support the Museum but also provide an opportunity to network with fellow community members, artists, community leaders, and art enthusiasts.
We hope you will join us for a Timeless evening!
Sunday, June
2, 2024
Asheville Springfest
AVL Family Adventure Fest
Summer Soiree online auction
We’re excited to bring a SpringFest to Asheville in 2024 and hope you’ll support our FREE festival by donating to our fundraiser.
We’re bringing a very FUN Family Fun Zone, shopping, DJ and Emcee, and lots of incredible vegan food, and more to Pack Square Park for our Spring Edition!!
You don’t want to miss this fun event. Mark your calendars and get your tickets, swag bags, VIP, VIP PLUS, and/or merch ahead of the festival.
$5 Suggested donation ahead of the event or at the festival is requested.
$15 Swag Bag option will be available! Compostable bag filled with $50+ worth of samples and coupons.
$25 – VIP tickets – enter the event 30 minutes early. Get a cool upgraded goody bag that is reusable with items different from the swag bags. Limited to 100. Get entered into our raffle and get 25 entries for each VIP Entry you purchase. $100+ worth of samples and coupons.
$35 – VIP PLUS – Not interested in a bag filled with items you don’t want or need? Our VIP PLUS will be a cool reusable bag (different from the VIP bag) and also comes with a vegan shirt design different from any you can purchase at our booth. Enter the event 30 minutes early to shop before the crowds. Make sure to let us know your shirt size!
Winners will be picked randomly after the festival and winners will be notified via email. Prize Packs TBD.
Vendors can send an inquiry by going to vegfestexpos.com. Volunteers can sign up on that site as well.
*Food Trucks
*DJ and Emcee
*Family Fun Zone
*Free Face Painting
*Vegan Food
*Shopping
*Fun Contests with prizes
Come out and support our vendors and plan on enjoying the music too. Our Family Fun Zone is perfect for children of all ages and includes life sized games, coloring, and more!
On Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 1pm-4pm, The Adventure Center of Asheville will host its inaugural AVL Family Adventure Festival at 85 Expo Drive. Formerly Zipping For Autism, this family event will have live music, food, cold beer, scads of kids activities, bike, kayak and climbing demos, face painting, crafts, hay rides, games and MUCH MUCH MORE. Come and enjoy the festival or buy a combo pass and add a trip through Asheville Treetops Adventure Park on the sampler trail (9 challenge obstacles, 12’ in the trees, 1 continuous aerial trail). This event is being hosted by The Adventure Center of Asheville and produced by Asheville Plays! with 100% of proceeds benefiting Camp Lakey Gap. The proceeds directly impact the lives of autistic people and their families by providing scholarships for a one-of-a-kind, week-long residential summer camp experience for autistic children and adults.
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Monday, June
3, 2024
Summer Soiree online auction
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Tuesday, June
4, 2024
Pollination Celebration: Pollination Film Festival Film Screening of “Wings of Life”
Pack Library’s Pollination Film Festival features films, talks, and activities about pollination during the month of June.
A story of surprise and revelation. A wildlife filmmaker spends his time during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown filming the bees in his urban garden and discovers the many diverse species and personalities that exist in this insect family.
Wednesday, June
5, 2024
Summer Soiree online auction
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS: This is Spinal Tap
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With special co-host Stephen Goldman, MTYE goes to 11 for a celebration of one of the loudest bands of all time. Discussion, live music, listening, and sing-along. Dress code: none more black!
ABOUT THE DISCUSSION SERIES
Music to Your Ears is Bill Kopp’s monthly discussion series hosted by Asheville Guitar Bar and sponsored by AshevilleFM. On the first Wednesday of each month, music enthusiasts gather to discuss an important album, artist or musical movement. An interactive evening, Music to Your Ears isn’t a lecture; it’s a discussion led by experts and designed to enrich the listening experience. The character of each session is defined by the participants (that’s you). The conversation goes where the attendees take it: the person seated next to you might have attended Woodstock or seen The Beatles in concert. The insights of everyone in the room are what make each and every Music to Your Ears a unique experience.
ABOUT BILL KOPP
With over 500 bylines in Western North Carolina publications (Mountain Xpress, Bold Life, WNC Magazine and more), Asheville-based author and music journalist is an acknowledged expert on popular music. Author of two books – Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon and Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave – Bill Kopp writes for publications across the country and abroad. A contributing editor at Goldmine Magazine and contributing writer at GRAMMY.com, he has authored more than 30 album liner note essays and conducted more than 1100 interviews. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance, and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts.
Thursday, June
6, 2024
Blueprint Breakfast for Dinner, a fundraiser for Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Join Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and 7 local chefs for a fun evening of creative cuisine and craft beverages in support of one of our region’s most pressing issues – affordable housing. Produced by Shay & Company, Habitat’s “Blueprint Breakfast for Dinner” takes place at 6pm on Thursday, June 6 at plēb urban winery in the River Arts District. Enjoy delicious food, drink, and music to help our community thrive, one family at a time. Purchase tickets at eventbrite or learn more at ashevillehabitat.org.
Friday, June
7, 2024
Connect Beyond Festival: FILM SCREENING: “Step” and Paula Dofat Q+A
Join us for a FREE film screening of the Sundance Award-winning documentary, Step, and a Q&A with cast member, HBCU advocate & national speaker Paula Dofat and hosted by Slay The Mic’s Elizabeth Lashay Garland. Even though this event is free, registration is required. Head to our tickets link to save your seats! STEP is the true-life story of a girls’ high-school step team set against the background of the heart of Baltimore. These young women learn to laugh, love and thrive – on and off the stage – even when the world seems to work against them. Empowered by their teachers, teammates, counselors, coaches and families, they chase their ultimate dreams: to win a step championship and to be accepted into college
Saturday, June
8, 2024
Summer Soiree online auction
Film Screening: “Hometown Habitat, Stories of Bringing Nature Home” (Pollination Celebration)
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Environmental documentary featuring Dr. Doug Tallamy focused on why native plants are critical to the survival and vitality of local ecosystems with a goal to inspire people to plant native plants, providing a call to action to change our garden choices to include native plants. This film screening is part of a community-wide Pollination Celebration! that will be taking place throughout June 2024. For information about other events, go to: beecityasheville.org/pollination-celebration |
Sunday, June
9, 2024
Summer Soiree online auction
Connect Beyond Festival
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Connect Beyond Festival returns to downtown Asheville, N.C. on June 7-9, 2024 for a weekend of performances, panels, film screenings and workshops with award-winning artists and thought leaders, exploring how the intersection of music, art, film and storytelling can inspire positive change. This year’s festival, dubbed by Ashvegas as “Asheville’s version of SXSW,” is themed around Connection To Deepen Resilience and Keep Moving Forward. Connect Beyond will be partnering with Slay The Mic Media to co-curate programs centered around youth empowerment. Tickets for the Connect Beyond Festival are slated to go on sale by May 13th. To optimize community accessibility, options include individual event tickets or a full weekend pass.
Monday, June
10, 2024
Summer Soiree online auction
Music Movie Mondays: LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING
Conversations in Film: The Post
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Music Movie Monday Special Screening –
Asheville-based author and music journalist Bill Kopp will be introducing the film and leading a moderated, interactive discussion following the movie.
All tickets are $15 and include General Admission Ticket plus Introduction and Moderated Discussion with Bill Kopp
Sponsored by Asheville FM
LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator – the originator – Richard Penniman. Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard’s complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon’s life story with all its switchbacks and contradictions. In interviews with family, musicians, and cutting-edge Black and queer scholars, the film reveals how Richard created an art form for ultimate self-expression, yet what he gave to the world he was never able to give to himself. Throughout his life, Richard careened like a shiny cracked pinball between God, sex and rock n’ roll. The world tried to put him in a box, but Richard was an omni being who contained multitudes – he was unabashedly everything.
Join Story Medicine Worldwide for a screening of Steven Spielberg’s The Post, followed by a post-viewing conversation facilitated by local author, Meta Commerse.
Wednesday, June
12, 2024
Summer Soiree online auction
54th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
54th Annual Brevard AAUW Book Sale
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The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 54th Annual Book Sale. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.
Saturday, June 8 (10am – 7pm)
Sunday, June 9 (noon– 7pm)
Monday, June 10 (10am – 7pm)
Tuesday, June 11 (10am – 7pm)- Half price day
Wednesday, June 12 (10am – 3pm)- Fill a box for $5 day
*Wednesday, June 12 (only 3-5 pm)- Free books for local teachers and Non-Profits
-30,000 well organized books in all genres, plus puzzles, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, vinyl.
-Ample parking, free admission, dealers welcome.
-Prices range from 25 cents and up.
-Assistance provided to load books into cars.
-Cash, Checks with ID, or Cards accepted.
The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 54th Annual Book Sale. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.
-30,000 well organized books in all genres, plus puzzles, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, vinyl.
-Ample parking, free admission, dealers welcome.
-Prices range from 25 cents and up.
-Assistance provided to load books into cars.
-Cash, Checks with ID, or Cards accepted.
Saturday, June 8 (10am – 7pm)
Sunday, June 9 (noon– 7pm)
Monday, June 10 (10am – 7pm)
Tuesday, June 11 (10am – 7pm)- Half price day
Wednesday, June 12 (10am – 3pm)- Fill a box for $5 day
*Wednesday, June 12 (only 3-5 pm)- Free books for local teachers and Non-Profits
Friday, June
14, 2024
Juneteenth GVL Royal Gala
Movies in the Park: Free Family Films
Join us at the Greenville Convention Center for an unforgettable evening of elegance and celebration at the JuneteenthGVL Royal Gala, taking place at the prestigious Greenville Convention Center on June 14, 2024. This glamorous event is a highlight of our Juneteenth celebrations, commemorating the rich history and enduring legacy of African American freedom and culture.
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, June
15, 2024
Summer Soiree online auction
Juneteenth Movie Event: Harriet
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Join us for our Juneteenth Cinema at Swannanoa Library! Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. For teens and adults, run time 126 minutes and snacks will be provided. This event is free, but you do need to register. Please visit the library web page and use the link on the calendar for this program to sign up..