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.

Saturday, November 9, 2024
Smiley’s Flea Market 40th Anniversary Celebration!
Nov 9 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
5360 Hendersonville Rd

Smiley’s Flea Market in Fletcher, NC will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary on November 9th.

Since Smiley’s opened their doors to Western Carolina in October of 1984, they have been providing a family fun marketplace where people buy and sell unique and interesting goods and services to the public.

Smiley’s continues to provide an indoor and outdoor marketplace that offers authentic delicious food and goods and services, all at great bargains. A true one stop shop for all your shopping needs.

Over the years, Smiley’s has grown to evolve and answer the needs of Western Carolina. With over 1,000 selling spaces and hundreds of vendors, you are sure to find what you are looking for. From farm fresh produce to amusement rides, Smiley’s has it all.
Come celebrate Smiley’s 40th anniversary on November 9th. Live Music, Free Amusement Rides, Face Painting, Balloon Twisting, Giveaways and a chance to Win Up to $10,000!

Tickets for the drawing will be given out every Saturday and Sunday at the Smiley’s office. So come on by this weekend for all you shopping needs and to enter the drawing for a chance to Win up to $10,000.
Smiley’s is proud to be partnering with the Community Foundation of Henderson County for the 40th Anniversary Celebration. Smiley’s will match the winning amount from the drawing and make a donation to the Community Foundation of Henderson County for Hurricane Relief.

Come enjoy your day at Smiley’s. Hundreds of Sellers, Thousands of Buyers and Millions of Items!

Artists + Writers Coffee
Nov 9 @ 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
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
NC Writers Network & The Brandy Bar host “In the Company of Writers” series with Kathy S. Bowers & Lee Stockdale
Nov 13 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Brandy Bar + Cocktails

The North Carolina Writers Network and The Brandy Bar + Cocktails present
KATHY SMITH BOWERS & LEE STOCKDALE as next in their series “In the Company of Writers.”
The program offers a series of personal and conversational dialogues featuring guest writers/poets followed by an open mic forum that occurs the 2nd Wednesday of each month. These inspirational gatherings will elucidate and entertain those attending. The guest author speaks from 7-8 PM with an open mic from 8 -9 PM. The Chicago blues music of “Hollywood Johnny Cosgrove” (accompanied by Charlie Wilkinson) welcomes you, continues during intermission, and closes the evening. Sign-ups for the open are available at the entrance.
Cathy Smith Bowers, a former Poet-Laureate of North Carolina, lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

NC Writers Network & The Brandy Bar host “In the Company of Writers” series with Kathy S. Bowers & Lee Stockdale
Nov 13 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Brandy Bar + Cocktails

The North Carolina Writers Network and The Brandy Bar + Cocktails present
KATHY SMITH BOWERS & LEE STOCKDALE as next in their series “In the Company of Writers”
The program offers a series of personal and conversational dialogues featuring guest writers/poets followed by an open mic forum that occurs the 2nd Wednesday of each month. These inspirational gatherings will elucidate and entertain those attending. The guest author speaks from 7-8 PM with an open mic from 8 -9 PM. The Chicago blues music of “Hollywood Johnny Cosgrove” (accompanied by Charlie Wilkinson) welcomes you, continues during intermission, and closes the evening. Sign-ups for the open are available at the entrance.
Cathy Smith Bowers, a former Poet-Laureate of North Carolina, lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Thursday, November 14, 2024
NC Benefit Concert featuring Unspoken Tradition
Nov 14 @ 7:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

The Blue Ridge Music Trails is hosting a benefit concert at White Horse in Black Mountain on November 14, 2024, at 7 p.m. We invite you to attend and support the traditional music artists in Western North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene. 

Headlining the show will be Unspoken Tradition, a chart-topping quintet hailing from Western and Central North Carolina. Their music is influenced by their lives and roots in traditional and new grass music, as is evident in their quality catalog of unique songs. Several of their singles have topped the Billboard Bluegrass and Bluegrass Today charts. They took the stage at the 2024 IBMA Bluegrass Live! concert.

Unspoken Tradition has also been busy dedicating time and raising money for their home state the past month. We’re excited to have them play this event, bringing more joy to the region and providing hope and levity as we focus on lifting up this region’s rich and enduring music scene.

Tickets will be available in advance and at the door. Due to the impact of Tropical Storm Helene this is a pay-what-you-can event. A portion of the proceeds will support the Blue Ridge Music Trails artists, with the other portion going towards charities of White Horse’s choice. Together, we continue to support our communities. If you cannot make the event but would like to help, please consider donating to the Blue Ridge Music Trails at: https://www.blueridgemusicnc.com/donate/

Friday, November 15, 2024
Winter Lights
Nov 15 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 16, 2024
3rd Annual Blackhawk Bolt 5k & 1 mi Fun Run
Nov 16 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
North Buncombe High School

Lace up your running shoes and join us at 10:00am for our 3rd annual Blackhawk Bolt 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Run this unique road-to-trail course to benefit North Buncombe High School PTSO and Blackhawks Marching Band

Artists + Writers Coffee
Nov 16 @ 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
Winter Lights
Nov 16 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 17, 2024
The Fifth Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival
Nov 17 all-day
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville

The original and best tattoo festival is back in Asheville once more for the Fifth Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival! Hosted by Villain Arts at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, this event will feature hundreds of tattoo artists, some from across the country, and a few from around the world, specializing in all different tattooing styles. Some artists you may already even know, like Anwon Boneface Johnson (Ink Master seasons 8, 9 & Grudge Match), Big Jaz (Ink Master season 12), or Charles Whitfield (VH1.) Attendees can enter their new or existing ink in tattoo competitions! Or shop among our numerous vendors selling everything from clothing and jewelry to oddities and more. The festival will also feature live entertainment, including sideshow acts and human suspension! There truly is something here for everyone to enjoy. So, don’t delay! Join the fun and get some ink this weekend at the Fifth Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival!

Event Hours by Day:
Friday 15th 2pm-11pm
Saturday 16th 11am-11pm
Sunday 17th 11am-8pm

Tickets:
$25 for a 1-day pass
$50 for a 3-day pass
Free admission for children under 12

Winter Lights
Nov 17 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Monday, November 18, 2024
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries Silent Auction
Nov 18 all-day
Online

For the past 43 years, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries in downtown Asheville has served the homeless community. Thanks in part to your contributions, we can continue to provide spiritual counseling, case management, work opportunities, group classes, Biblical studies, connection building with community resources, Chapel services, discipleship, and more to administer rescue, recovery, and restoration to people in crisis.

Event Details:

Silent Auction Only, now through Monday, November 18 at 7pm
Perfect Love Gala Postponed indefinitely
For questions please contact: Amanda Putnam, [email protected], 828-570-5279
We are resuming the Perfect Love Gala Silent Auction after our Gala was postponed indefinitely due to Hurricane Helene. The community was so generous to support us and we want to make sure we use their generosity to raise much needed funds to help people most in need in our community! Bidding on amazing items is officially open, and we encourage you to join in!

Every bid helps us continue providing vital services like safe shelter, addiction recovery programs, as well as prepare, and serve over 500 meals per day to those in need.

The auction will close online on Monday, November 18th at 7 PM—don’t miss out!

Thank you for your support!

Winter Lights
Nov 18 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Winter Lights
Nov 19 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Winter Lights
Nov 20 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 21, 2024
Winter Lights
Nov 21 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Friday, November 22, 2024
Good Tidings Market – Preview Party
Nov 22 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Asheville Masonic Temple

Kick off the 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 at our 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲!

Friday, Nov 22 from 5-9pm

Get early access to shop our vendors while enjoying live music, craft activities, giveaways, and complimentary bites + bevs.
Tickets are pay what you can – purchase online or in person.
All proceeds benefit the Equal Plates Project.
Purchase your ticket here https://rb.gy/an2xqh

Equal Plates Project is a nonprofit that purchases from small farms at fair prices, transforms their quality ingredients into nourishing meals, and shares thousands of locally-sourced meals each week with neighbors facing complex barriers to food access. Learn more at equalplatesproject.org.

The Good Tidings Market continues Saturday + Sunday
Nov 23 + 24
11am-5pm
Free and open to the public

Winter Lights
Nov 22 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 23, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Nov 23 @ 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
Winter Lights
Nov 23 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 24, 2024
Winter Lights
Nov 24 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Monday, November 25, 2024
Winter Lights
Nov 25 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Winter Lights
Nov 26 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Winter Lights
Nov 27 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 28, 2024
Winter Lights
Nov 28 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Friday, November 29, 2024
Winter Lights
Nov 29 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 30, 2024
Love Local Makers Market
Nov 30 all-day
Trailside Brewing Co

Join us on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday for a local shopping extravaganza! There will be new artists on both days with a total of 40+ local makers for you to start your holiday shopping early!

Artists + Writers Coffee
Nov 30 @ 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
Winter Lights
Nov 30 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 1, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 1 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.