Calendar of Events

Let’s dive deep into lavender!  Participants will learn about the history of this plant, discover how it’s used to promote relaxation and wellness, and make their own DIY lavender products to take home.  We will make bath salts, pillow sprays, and tea blends to bring relaxation home!

Tuesday May 27, 2025, 2:00-4:00. $25.00/$21 for Friends of Bullington Gardens.

Boost your athletic edge with this reformer-based Pilates class designed specifically for runners, cyclists, and multi-disciplined athletes. This targeted workout focuses on core strength, alignment, mobility, and recovery—key elements to prevent injury and enhance endurance. Whether you’re logging miles, climbing hills, or cross-training, adding Pilates for Performance to your routine will help you move better, recover faster, and perform at your peak.

Take a daily, short, guided stroll that highlights Grandfather Mountain’s rhododendron species and blooms. Included with admission. See the blooms and learn about their history, attributes and roles they play in the mountain’s ecological communities. The easygoing walks take approximately 20 minutes and are fit for guests of all ages – wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Staff naturalists will also have a display inside Wilson Center.

Take a daily, short, guided stroll that highlights Grandfather Mountain’s rhododendron species and blooms. Included with admission. See the blooms and learn about their history, attributes and roles they play in the mountain’s ecological communities. The easygoing walks take approximately 20 minutes and are fit for guests of all ages – wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Staff naturalists will also have a display inside Wilson Center.

Spring Bloom Gala: Gather & Grow
A Benefit for Asheville Waldorf School
May 29, 2025 | 5–9 PM
Treska’s on Highland Lake, Flat Rock, NC

Join us for Asheville Waldorf School’s Annual Spring Bloom Gala—an evening devoted to connection, nourishment, and collective flourishing.

In collaboration with Mother Earth Food and Heidi Zellie of Appalachian Watershed Alliance, this year’s gala celebrates the sacred work of raising children, feeding communities, and healing the land. Together, we honor the sanctity of childhood and cultivate a future rooted in food sovereignty, resilience, and hope.

Offerings:
Farm-to-table dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients
Musical performances
Curated silent auction with local art, experiences, and handmade goods
Inspiring keynote speakers: Andrea DuVall, CEO & Founder of Mother Earth Food, Ines Kinchen, Founder, Emerald Ark School & Sanctuary, Grandmaster Tony Morris, Founder, Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts

All proceeds support Asheville Waldorf School, furthering our mission to nurture head, heart, and hands through holistic education.

Join us for the 16th annual Authors for Literacy Fundraiser featuring New York Times bestselling author, David Baldacci. The evening will feature testimonials from the students and staff at Literacy Together, as well as a keynote address from David Baldacci. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for mixing and mingling and heavy hors d’oeuvres. You’ll have an opportunity to hear from our team about the work we do to support more than 7,200 individuals throughout Buncombe County. Our seated program begins promptly at 6:30 p.m., and we’ll close the evening with a book signing managed by Malaprop’s Bookstore.
Tickets are on sale now!

Spring Bloom Gala: Gather & Grow – A Benefit for Asheville Waldorf School
Flat Rock, NC – May 29, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Treska’s on Highland Lake
Asheville, NC — Asheville Waldorf School is excited to announce its annual Spring Bloom Gala,
a special evening dedicated to connection, nourishment, and collective flourishing. This year’s
event will take place on May 29, 2025, at Treska’s on Highland Lake in Flat Rock, NC, from 5:00
PM to 9:00 PM.

In collaboration with Mother Earth Food and the Appalachian Watershed Alliance, the Spring
Bloom Gala celebrates the sacred work of raising children, nourishing communities, and healing
the land. This event will honor the sanctity of childhood and cultivate a future rooted in food
sovereignty, resilience, and hope. Attendees will be invited to reflect on these vital themes while
enjoying an evening of music, fine dining, and thought-provoking conversation.

Take a daily, short, guided stroll that highlights Grandfather Mountain’s rhododendron species and blooms. Included with admission. See the blooms and learn about their history, attributes and roles they play in the mountain’s ecological communities. The easygoing walks take approximately 20 minutes and are fit for guests of all ages – wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Staff naturalists will also have a display inside Wilson Center.

Take a daily, short, guided stroll that highlights Grandfather Mountain’s rhododendron species and blooms. Included with admission. See the blooms and learn about their history, attributes and roles they play in the mountain’s ecological communities. The easygoing walks take approximately 20 minutes and are fit for guests of all ages – wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Staff naturalists will also have a display inside Wilson Center.

Take a daily, short, guided stroll that highlights Grandfather Mountain’s rhododendron species and blooms. Included with admission. See the blooms and learn about their history, attributes and roles they play in the mountain’s ecological communities. The easygoing walks take approximately 20 minutes and are fit for guests of all ages – wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Staff naturalists will also have a display inside Wilson Center.

Every Weekend: Come immerse yourself in a somatic journey of sound and relaxation, where ancient wisdom meets modern well-being. Imagine the soothing tones of Himalayan singing bowls washing over you, calming your mind, and rejuvenating your spirit.
Facilitated by Vivek, this sound journey features over 30 handcrafted singing bowls, each emitting a rich spectrum of intricate, highly somatic frequencies and overtones—offering more than just a sound bath. The harmonious and grounding sounds have the potential to deeply influence your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual states of being.
This event is open to all levels—whether you’re a seasoned mindfulness enthusiast, exploring a novel path to relaxation, or simply seeking stress relief. 11am 3pm 6pm

This popular shutterbug weekend includes presentations from top nature photographers, hands-on field courses, a friendly contest and the rare opportunity to photograph the mountain’s spectacular scenery before and after regular business hours.

This revamped version of the popular weekend will include changes to better welcome all levels of photographers, making it more fun and engaging for all – while better connecting participants with the wonders and unique ecology of Grandfather Mountain. This year, more than ever, we hope to not only help participants learn about photography, but to also inspire them to preserve the natural world. Activities begin Friday evening and conclude Sunday midday.

June 6, 2025 @8:00 am – June 8, 2025 @3:00 pm

Merging art, nature and wellness! 🌺🌸🪻🌸🌺

Come join us for a creative, healing, and inspiring morning in the beautiful gardens of Asheville Salt Cave. Learn the art of flower pounding and pressed flower design from Alicia, of Passiflora Creative. Each participant will create their own set of botanical notecards. Enjoy a guided meditation and session in the healing salt cave and herbal tea sampling. Leave feeling restored and more connected to yourself and the beauty of nature.

Space is almost full register now
https://ashevillesaltcave.com/…/flower-pounding…/

Join us in the beautiful Asheville neighborhood of Olivette for an outdoor concert by “writer song-singer” Heather Maloney.

BYOB • BYOC (chair) • $25 • KIDS ARE FREE!

Massachusetts-based artist Heather Maloney found music in the midst of three years at a meditation center, honing a sound moored in days of silent reflection and reverence for storytellers like Joni, Rilke, Ken Burns, and the anonymous authors of Zen parables.

With over 1,000 shows in the US & Canada, and 8 studio albums under her belt, she released her first live album, “No Shortcuts: Live at the Academy” in 2022.
Heather’s songs have played on NPR stations across the country and her live appearances have aired on syndicated programming like eTown and AudioTree. Her song “Nightstand Drawer” was used in the season finale of the CBS TV series “Elementary”, and her songs have also been featured on a number of editorial Spotify playlists & Starbucks’ in-store nationwide playlists.

Heather has toured throughout the US & Canada as a headliner and also in support of acts including Lake Street Dive, Shakey Graves, Gary Clark Jr., Rodrigo y Gabriela, Colin Hay (Men at Work), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Dar Williams and many more.

Join the magical fairies at Bullington Gardens for a special Fairy Tea Party. Start your journey with a guided walk through the Fairy Trail. Your child will make their own wand followed by tea and cookies in the pavilion. This event is for children ages 7 and up. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Three different dates to choose from!

June 10th, June 24th, or July 12th at 10:00AM, $28.00/per child, $21 for Friends of Bullington Gardens. Limit of 12 children per event.

By cultivating and protecting healthy diverse habitats for pollinators, for wildlife, for healthy flora and fauna, we benefit the individuals who live in and enjoy these spaces and for our community, as a whole. By creating natural areas in your yard and leaving the leaves each fall you can benefit many kinds of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals which depend on the native plants and their fallen leaves and seeds for shelter, food and habitat.

Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast to learn how we can do things better!

Tuesday June 10,  1:00 – 3:00

Join us to celebrate the birthdays of our resident animals with games, contests, crafts and surprises. The park’s wildlife habitat staff hosts a fun-filled afternoon for guests, as well as programs to celebrate the park’s furry and feathered inhabitants. Millie the Bear, the mountain’s mascot, will make special appearances throughout the day. Events begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. Join for one activity or all. Included with admission.

Celebrate the Full Moon by immersing yourself with the healing vibrations of a Sound Bath! The full moon offers a boost in healing to our energy field.

Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour Serenity Sound Bath and experience a deeply immersive, full-body sound and vibrational experience. A sound bath can cleanse your soul, restore your balance, surround you with peace and tranquility and stimulate healing.

Note: Please bring a yoga mat/pillow/blanket since you will be lying on the floor. Wear warm, comfortable, and flexible clothing.

The Sound Bath will take place upstairs in the Education Building. Choose your space starting at 6:15 PM, doors close promptly at 6:30 PM.

This session is being offered on a Sliding Scale of $10-$20.

Accessible parking is available in the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville upper parking lot. The entrance to the upper parking lot is off of S. Bear Creek Rd between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd.
There is a boardwalk walk-way from the upper parking lot to the building entrance.

Experience the transformative power of breathwork in this two-hour workshop designed to help you clear out old energy and embrace the new. As we transition into the vibrancy of spring and the expansiveness of summer, you’ll be supported to release what no longer serves you, renew your energy, and create space for new growth

The heart of the experience will be a conscious connected breathwork journey, where you will be gently guided to clear away emotional blockages, release limiting beliefs, and create space for personal rejuvenation.

This workshop is ideal for anyone looking to shed the old and step into a fresh season or chapter. You’ll leave feeling lighter, more grounded, and open to the possibilities ahead.

All levels are welcome. No prior breathwork experience needed. Must be 18+ and in good health to participate. If you are pregnant or think you may be, or have a serious, severe, or uncontrolled physical or mental health condition, this practice is strongly not recommended. A participation waiver is required. If you have questions about whether breathwork is right for you, please reach out to The Breath Nurse at [email protected].

End your week on a high not and join us every second Friday this summer for free live music in Biltmore Park Town Square! Bring your friends and family to dance, play games, and enjoy eats and treats from Biltmore Park restaurants.

Returning to Concerts in the Park is “Mission Accomplished,” an Asheville, NC based classic rock cover band made up entirely of Mission Health colleagues. Who knew that three surgeons, a nurse, a pharmacist and a data scientist could have so much fun rocking out together? Playing classic rock and blues tunes from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, Mission Accomplished delivers on the expectation that the audience “may not know what they like – but they like what they know!”

Celebrate community, legacy, and the power of mentorship at this special event honoring the life and impact of Coach Bennie Lee Lake. Hosted by KL Training Solutions — home of My Daddy Taught Me That and My Sister Taught Me That — the day will feature youth voices, food, music, and a self-guided Legacy Trail showcasing the journey from humble beginnings to a thriving center for education, leadership, and peace.

Come meet the young people, mentors, and families building a brighter future in Asheville.

Free and open to all. Family-friendly!

Cane Creek is marking this new era with a ribbon cutting and celebration on Saturday, June
14th at the new Experience Center at 355 Cane Creek Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732. The ribbon
cutting will be at 1pm. This event is open to the public and will feature group rides starting at
9am with the party kicking off at 12pm. Join this staple WNC company for skills clinics, a
bounce house and family fun, merch deals, BBQ, and more on Saturday!

Join us in the beautiful Asheville neighborhood of Olivette for an outdoor concert by *dream folk* trio South for Winter. BYOB • BYOC (chair) • KIDS ARE FREE!

With a blend of dreamy acoustic duets, foot-stomping folk and bluesy murder ballads, New Zealand-formed and Nashville-based South for Winter’s sound is as eclectic as their origins. The band is composed of New Zealander Nick Stone, Coloradan Dani Cichon, and Michigander Alex Stradal, and together the three multi-instrumentalists and songwriters combine elements such as classically-trained cello, percussive guitar, mandolin, suitcase stomp, poetic lyricism, and haunting melodies into a genre-bending sound described by American Songwriter as “impeccable”.

Kristin Hillegas, owner of Serenity Sound Healing of Asheville, offers a nurturing sanctuary for deep rest, renewal, and inner harmony.
With over 25 years in the Healing Arts, she uses the power of intention to gently guide you into states of relaxation and energetic balance through sound baths with singing bowls, chimes, gongs and more.
Kristin’s sessions support stress relief, emotional healing, clarity, and peace—inviting the body and spirit to return to their natural rhythm of wholeness.

$20 in Advance, $25 at the door

Mark your calendars! Haywood County will host the 1st Annual Smoky Mountain Yoga & Wellness Festival on June 21st right here on the Folkmoot Friendship Center campus. This is an all-embracing celebration honoring International Day of Yoga, Summer Solstice and whole-body wellness. Beginning with an Opening Ceremony at 10 am, the festival will offer yoga, qigong, tai chi, somatics and sound healing sessions, Wisdom & Wellness talks and workshops, Vendor Village with dozens of artists, artisans, outdoor activity gear and wellness related products, Food Truck Park, an herbal mocktail bar, children’s adventure center with free activities throughout the day, live entertainment, hula hooping, belly dancing and a drum circle, all culminating with a dynamic Closing Ceremony at 8 pm. Axis Yoga is the proud Presenting Sponsor, and Axis instructor Robin King is the founder and director of the festival. We invite you to bring your family, mats, blankets and camp chairs and settle in on The Green, the sports field adjacent to our buildings, for a full day of inspiration, deep connection and family fun. Vending and sponsorship opportunities available. Fees only apply for classes and workshops. All other activities are FREE! For more information, visit the festival website at https://www.smokymountainyogafest.com/