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, March 23, 2025
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival: Expiration Date
Mar 23 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Story Parlor

Have you ever wanted to be a relationship coach? Too bad, Taylor and Jordan need you. They just broke up – but still want to be friends. At least, Taylor does. Using their old date coupons and your participation, maybe they can navigate the hardest relationship of all – ✨friendship✨.

Returning to the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival for the third time, You Should Feel bad is an Atlanta-based theatrical trio that is excited to present a feel-bad comedy about relationships, and the harm that we are all capable of causing.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Mar 26 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Asheville Music Hall

Asheville’s longest running comedy open mic happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform can sign up starting at 7pm, and will get four minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Thursday, March 27, 2025
Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue
Mar 27 @ 7:00 pm
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville

The Golden Girls are back in an all new show! 2024 finds Sophia out on bail, after being busted by the DEA for running a drug ring at Shady Pines. Blanche and Rose created CreakN, a thriving sex app for seniors. And Dorothy is trying to hold it all together, with help from her much younger, sex-crazed love interest who turns out to be the district attorney prosecuting Sophia. What could possibly go wrong! Relive the heartfelt hilarity of four ladies who never stopped being your friends! This new comedy is for fans 18 and older…. because they’re not the same girls from the 80’s. Produced by Murray & Peter. Get tour info at GoldenGirlsTour.com

Slice Standup Comedy Contest
Mar 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Pulp Lounge

Thursday March 27, 7:00p-9:00p, doors at 6:30p

The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge
103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $17 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
These shows sellout!
Hosted by Hilliary Begley from Netflix & Amazon Prime!
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Free snacks while availability lasts! You may bring your own food in (no drinks)!
How it Works:
Comics who are on the show will do 3-5m of comedy depending on how many sign up to participate. The show’s top comics will be selected by the paid audience in an anonymous ballet after all comics perform their sets.
Audience will select their favorite top comics of the evening who will be brought back to compete in our next round, date TBA. There are 3 competition rounds and a finale 5 comic Pageant who will vie for the crown, Asheville top-comic title & cash prize.

Saturday, March 29, 2025
Bunny Hopper Express
Mar 29 all-day
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad welcomes back the Bunny Hopper Express Easter Train, March 29 & 30! This 4 and half-hour round trip special event train departs the historic Bryson City Depot at 11:00 am and will travel through the Smoky Mountains to our picturesque layover destination for Easter-themed activities and Egg Hunt.

Passengers will be on the lookout for those train-hopping bunnies who have snuck on to take a free ride! Festivities include an Easter egg hunt with prizes, a give-away bag with activities to enjoy during the train ride, and a yummy Easter treat for our junior railroaders to enjoy at the layover. There will also be plenty of opportunities for pictures with our bunny hoppers, so do not forget your camera!

Sunday, March 30, 2025
Bunny Hopper Express
Mar 30 all-day
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad welcomes back the Bunny Hopper Express Easter Train, March 29 & 30! This 4 and half-hour round trip special event train departs the historic Bryson City Depot at 11:00 am and will travel through the Smoky Mountains to our picturesque layover destination for Easter-themed activities and Egg Hunt.

Passengers will be on the lookout for those train-hopping bunnies who have snuck on to take a free ride! Festivities include an Easter egg hunt with prizes, a give-away bag with activities to enjoy during the train ride, and a yummy Easter treat for our junior railroaders to enjoy at the layover. There will also be plenty of opportunities for pictures with our bunny hoppers, so do not forget your camera!

Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Apr 2 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Asheville Music Hall

Asheville’s longest running comedy open mic happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform can sign up starting at 7pm, and will get four minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Apr 9 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Asheville Music Hall

Asheville’s longest running comedy open mic happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform can sign up starting at 7pm, and will get four minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Thursday, April 10, 2025
Bored Teachers: The Struggle is Real! Comedy Tour
Apr 10 @ 7:30 pm
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville

Bored Teachers are BACK with all new material on their “The Struggle is Real!” Comedy Tour. For years, Bored Teachers Studios has brought a sense of humor to teachers around the world to ease their daily struggle in the classroom. They’ve amassed over a billion views on their viral videos on social media, over 10 million followers, and the #1 ranked teacher-comedy podcast—#6 of all Stand Up Comedy shows on Apple Podcasts.

Since 2022, Bored Teachers has been selling out comedy clubs and major theatres across 49 states, bringing laughter to over 150,000 teachers throughout the school year and has become the main event to attend in all of teacher world. Even non-teacher fans have reviewed it as one of the funniest stand up shows they’ve ever seen! The Bored Teachers Show is a comedy powerhouse that anyone who’s ever been in a classroom can relate to.

Please note that PG-13 language is used during some sets.

 

Friday, April 11, 2025
The Dark City Speaks
Apr 11 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Held at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts | Purchase tickets online or at BMCA

April 11 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and a portion of sales will be donated to the Friends of the Black Mountain Library!

Collaboration with Black Mountain Library, Friends of the Library, Dark City Poets Society

This big night of poetry features three published poets, Glenis Redmond, Lee Stockdale, and Ugandan poet Mildred Barya joined by poets from the Dark City Poets Society. The evening culminates with a Q&A with our featured poets.

Buy tickets online HERE (Here’s the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-dark-city-speaks-tickets-1254687958459?aff=oddtdtcreator)

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Precious Rubbish at Malaprop’s Books
Apr 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Malaprop's Books

Join us in-person at Malaprop’s or live online when NC-based author Kayla E. presents her debut graphic memoir, Precious Rubbish, in conversation with local author Tessa Fontaine.

A landmark graphic novel debut and groundbreaking work of trauma recollection told in the style of post-war children’s comics. “If an exorcism can ever be slow and quiet, then every panel I’ve finished has felt something like an exorcism. The gutters give me space to make sense of things: to connect dots and close gaps. To remember.” Kayla E.’s Precious Rubbish is an experimental graphic memoir drawn in a style that references the aesthetics of mid-century children’s comics and tells the story of a childhood shaped by maternal emotional dysregulation, rural poverty, and incest. The author’s childhood is portrayed as a collection of short-form comics and gag panels punctuated by interactive elements like paper dolls, satirical advertisements, games, and puzzles.

Standup Comedy Picture Show with Cayla Clark
Apr 16 @ 7:30 pm
Pulp Lounge

Standup Comedy Picture Show with headliner Cayla Clark
Comics on the show do standup with pictures to illustrate their sets!
Wednesday April 16, 7:30-9p in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind).
$17 tickets available at door or The Orange Peel’s website
Host is Hilliary Begley voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” and Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Headliner Cayla Clark is an Asheville-based playwright, comedian, creator, and producer. While she is still new to the world of stand-up comedy, she has enjoyed exploring various other forms of comedy over the years, including sketch comedy, improv, and more. Since moving to Asheville, Cayla has had the opportunity to produce and host local comedic dating shows like Blind Date Live and Bad Date Mic. You can check out her hilarious Asheville centric comedy videos on instagram at @blinddateliveavl
Also on the show is Ryan Gordon, Roman Fraden, Sarah Love & other great comics showing it all!

Standup Comedy Picture Show with Cayla Clark
Apr 16 @ 7:30 pm
Pulp

Standup Comedy Picture Show with headliner Cayla Clark
Comics on the show do standup with pictures to illustrate their sets!
Wednesday April 16, 7:30-9p in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind).
$17 tickets available at door or The Orange Peel’s website
Host is Hilliary Begley voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” and Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Headliner Cayla Clark is an Asheville-based playwright, comedian, creator, and producer. While she is still new to the world of stand-up comedy, she has enjoyed exploring various other forms of comedy over the years, including sketch comedy, improv, and more. Since moving to Asheville, Cayla has had the opportunity to produce and host local comedic dating shows like Blind Date Live and Bad Date Mic. You can check out her hilarious Asheville centric comedy videos on instagram at @blinddateliveavl
Also on the show is Ryan Gordon, Roman Fraden, Sarah Love & other great comics showing it all!
tix: https://theorangepeel.net/…/pulp/asheville-north-carolina/

Thursday, April 17, 2025
Karen Morgan
Apr 17 @ 7:00 pm
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

Wortham Presents Karen Morgan — NEW DATE

UPDATE: The Karen Morgan show previously scheduled for September 26, 2024 is rescheduled for April 17, 2025. Tickets already purchased will automatically be transferred to the new date. Ticket holders will be contacted directly with more information about ticketing options, credits or refunds. For more information, please call the box office at 828-257-4530 x1 or email [email protected].


Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 7 p.m.

(Previous date: Thursday, September 26, 2024)

Laugh out loud with stand-up comedian Karen Morgan, who proudly hails from an era when rocks were pets, carpets were shag and bicycle seats were bananas. Stealing the spotlight — for once — from the boomers, zoomers and avocado-loving millennials, this Gen X comedian is here to show her “forgotten generation” some laughter and love, delivering wry observational humor through the perceptive eye of a wife and mother, tempered with a dash of Southern charm.

THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – “BLOOM”
Apr 17 @ 7:30 pm
Grey Eagle

The Grey Eagle and Worthwhile Sounds Present: THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – “BLOOM”

All Ages

Doors: 6:30pm // Show: 7:30pm

Grey Eagle Music Hall

The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night’s theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…

BLOOM:  Prepare a five-minute story about growth. Rising from the concrete or blossoming late in life tell us about the journey to reach your full potential. From peaking early to flourishing after years of careful nurturing, bring us stories of new beginnings, perseverance, and those moments when everything finally came to fruition. April showers bring May flowers, but the path to blooming is rarely straightforward.

 

Doors Open: 6:30 PM

Show Starts: 7:30 PM

Friday, April 18, 2025
Mark Normand: Ya Don’t Say Tour
Apr 18 @ 7:00 pm
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville

Dubbed by Jerry Seinfeld as the “best young up and coming comic,” Mark Normand has quickly become one of the most talked about touring comedians on the scene.  Normand’s 2023 one-hour Netflix special, SOUP TO NUTS, was a staple in the streamers’ Top Ten for several weeks.  This follows Normand’s self-released special, 2020’s OUT TO LUNCH which amassed over 12 million views on YouTube.  He also starred on Netflix’s Season 3 of THE STAND UPS.

Normand’s popularity has also translated to tours internationally to such countries as Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Spain, Norway and Portugal.
An extremely prolific stand-up, the New Orleans born comedian previously had two Comedy Central specials and has made an unparalleled seven appearances on “Conan,” four appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” and has also appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Mark is a frequent guest on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” and hosts his own podcasts “Tuesdays with Stories” and “We Might Be Drunk.”

 

Sunday, April 20, 2025
Easter Brunch + Egg Hunt at The Horse Shoe Farm
Apr 20 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Silo Cookhouse at The Horse Shoe Farm

Celebrate with the whole family at The Horse Shoe Farm’s Silo Cookhouse this Easter with a delicious brunch buffet crafted from farm-fresh ingredients. Gather with your loved ones around the table and indulge in delightful Southern favorites, from honey roasted ham to house biscuits with savory jam and butter. Guests can build their own omelets at a bespoke station, select from an assortment of fresh salads, and enjoy tasty desserts like carrot cake cupcakes to get into the easter spirit. Most excitingly for the little ones, guests to the Silo Cookhouse Easter Brunch can participate in a fun-filled easter egg hunt on the property starting at 2pm!
Sunday April 20 from 11am to 3pm, reservations required. $85/adults, $50/kids age 3-12.

Easter Brunch at Kanuga
Apr 20 @ 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
Kanuga

Celebrate Easter brunch with the whole family at Kanuga! Enjoy a delicious selection of seasonal favorites, including fresh pastries, savory entrees, and delicious desserts. Gather with loved ones in a warm and welcoming setting as we celebrate this special day together.

Thursday, April 24, 2025
The Magic of Jeki Yoo
Apr 24 @ 10:00 am
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

Wortham Center Student Series The Magic of Jeki Yoo

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 10 a.m.*
Grades 1–12 • Show Length: 60 min.

*Please note: The 10 a.m. Student Series performance has limited availability; however, there is availability for the $20 Jeki Yoo Family Show at 7 p.m. on April 24.

Students of all ages will be amazed by the originality and engaging showmanship of this America’s Got Talent superstar, who wows audiences around the globe with close-up and quick-change magic.

Reservations for individuals (9 people or less): $12 each. To reserve, call the box office at 828-257-4530 ext. 1, or email [email protected].

Reservations for groups (10 people or more): $11 each. To reserve, complete the Student Series Reservation Form. Please note that all group reservations require a deposit of $1 per ticket. Please contact the box office if you have questions.

The Magic of Jeki Yoo
Apr 24 @ 7:00 pm
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

Wortham Presents The Magic of Jeki Yoo

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 7 p.m.

See the world-renowned illusionist that social media collectively crowned “the cutest magician of all time” — who left notorious critic Simon Cowell stunned in a 2017 appearance on America’s Got Talent.

Friday, April 25, 2025
Phil Hanley Spellbound Tour
Apr 25 @ 7:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Phil Hanley Spellbound Tour

Show: 7pm | Doors: 6pm

The Orange Peel

Ages 18+

FULLY SEATED SHOW

Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Learn to Play Duplicate Bridge
Apr 29 @ 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Skyland/South Buncombe Library

Already play bridge? Want to up your game? Come learn Duplicate Bridge – the smarter, more social way to play! Join us for a two-week introduction designed for bridge players who want to level up their game by learning Duplicate Bridge.

Wednesday, April 30, 2025
National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants
Apr 30 @ 6:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Mimi Prunella Hernandez & Heather Wood Buzzard present National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 – 6:00pm

Join us in-store at Malaprop’s or live online when Mimi Prunella Hernandez and Heather Wood Buzzard present their new nature guide book, National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants.

This is a free hybrid event with limited in-store seating and the option to attend online.

Friday, May 2, 2025
First Friday Mother’s Day Mug Painting
May 2 all-day
Resurrection Studios Collective

Join us for a family-friendly First Friday at Resurrection Studios Collective, featuring Asheville Artworks Mother’s Day mug painting as well as tons of other shapes to choose from. First Friday celebrations include a fashion show by All Around Artsy, live music, a mocktail bar, visit artists in their studios, and new art debuting in the gallery. Mugs and pottery will be available for pickup the following week before Mother’s Day. RSVP recommended, but walk-ins welcome.

Sunday, May 4, 2025
Mother’s Day Spring in Bloom Celebration
May 4 all-day
Tanger Outlets Asheville

This Mother’s Day, Tanger Outlets Asheville invites the women at the heart of its community to come and be celebrated with its Spring in Bloom experiential event, celebrating mothers, women and the vibrant spirit of the season. On Sunday, May 4 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., the event will include make-your-own flower bouquets, photo opportunities, giveaways and more. From exclusive activities and interactive pop-ups to curated shopping experiences, this event embodies Tanger’s commitment to creating meaningful moments that connect people, foster community and celebrate women. The family-friendly event, open to the community and free to attend, will be held in the center circle near the Vera Bradley Outlet Store.

As part of Tanger’s continued programming designed to offer engaging and innovative shopper experiences, Spring in Boom blends the latest in beauty and accessories retail trends with culture and community-driven celebrations. Guests are also invited to shop the latest spring fashions with Tanger Deal Days from May 1 – 21! Participating brands including Columbia, Crocs, J. Crew and Under Armour will offer 15% – 25% off, on top of everyday savings.

Brit Washburn, Ed Falco, Lesley Wheeler, Jen Karetnick
May 4 @ 4:30 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Join us for our monthly poetry reading, hosted by Mildred Barya. This month’s Poet Quartet features Brit Washburn, Ed Falco, Lesley Wheeler and Jen Karetnick reading from their newest collections.

This is a free hybrid event with limited in-store seating and the option to attend online. 

Becky Robinson: She Gone Tour
May 4 @ 7:00 pm
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

Becky Robinson: She Gone Tour — POSTPONED, NEW DATE

UPDATE: The Becky Robinson show previously scheduled for September 29, 2024 is rescheduled for May 4, 2025 at 7 p.m. Tickets already purchased will automatically be transferred to the new date.

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Becky Robinson is an LA-based comedian, writer, actor and voice-over star. Becky’s explosively unique character antics and viral videos now make her one of the youngest headliners on the circuit. In 2018, Becky was named a JFL Montreal New Face of Comedy where her stand out performance landed her a sketch show development deal and a number of voiceover jobs with DreamWorks and Netflix. In 2016, Becky was cast on MTV’s Wild ‘N Out with Nick Cannon where she also put out a Wild ‘N Out Stand Up Special.

Most known for her wide range of physical characters on stage and screen, Becky’s many alter ego’s have been featured in Hulu’s Coming to the Stage, MTV’s Acting Out, ABC’s The Bachelor and Kevin Hart’s sketch series Writer’s Room. Becky has written for Comedy Central’s Not Safe, Snoop Dogg’s Joker’s Wild and FunnyOrDie.

Thursday, May 8, 2025
TBR Thursdays! Book Club at Black Mountain Public Library
May 8 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

This month’s book is As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner.

Saturday, May 10, 2025
2025 Asheville Improv Festival
May 10 all-day
Various Locations

We are beyond excited to announce that The Asheville Improv Festival has been rescheduled to May 7-10, 2025!

As everyone knows, last fall the Western North Carolina region suffered the most devastating flooding in a century. The beautiful place we call home was forever scarred and changed. But true to form, this region had each other’s backs and staged quite an incredible comeback. While some areas are still damaged, we by all means welcome the world back to the Appalachian mountains you know and we love!

Everything you were excited about in October 2024 will be back this time around including:

4 NIGHTS, 4 VENUES, 11 SHOWS, 6 HEADLINERS, 11 WORKSHOPS, 40+ IMPROV COMEDY TEAMS FROM AROUND THE USA!

The Heart of Comedy!
May 10 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Adult comedy with a heart! Featuring comics from both Carolinas at the new Flood Gallery!

Come enjoy a hilarious night of laughs, show your support for our headliner Chris “Hillbilly” Pritchett who needs a new heart, and celebrate the reopening of Flood Gallery after Hurricane Helene! Our tentative comedian line-up includes:

1. Brendan From Long Island (Host)
2. Austin Arney
3. Jason Henson
4. Joseph Thompson
5. Kim H. Falls
6. Reggie Massey
7. Paul Ain’t Right (DJ)
8. Geo. Wagner
9. Nate Bechtel
10. Bob Maier
11. Superdad Jones
12. Hillbilly (Headliner)

Food and drinks available, $10 suggested donation. Doors open at 6:30. Produced by Brendan C. Ahern of “Rainy Night Theatre”.