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 4, 2018
Dirt, dreams & death: an evening of butoh solos
May 4 @ 8:00 pm – May 5 @ 10:00 pm
Revolve
Dirt, dreams & death: an evening of butoh solos @ Revolve  |  |  |

On May 4th and 5th Asheville Butoh Collective presents Dirt, dreams and death, featuring solo works by ABC’s Jenni Cockrell, Julie Gillum and Constance Humphries.

Mound is an archetypal journey into feminine rites of passage, created and performed by Julie B. Gillum. Composer Ivan Seng will provide novel aurowave companionship in the form of an original soundscape for the piece.

Constance Humphries presents The Daydreamers’ Ball for Strange and Broken Things At the daydreamers’ ball, you can be set free…hush your talk and waltz with me. Two steps and four steps and down the hall, down at the daydreamers’ ball.

Jenni Cockrell/strange daughters butoh premieres arterial spirits, a reimagining of the character of Lady Macbeth exploring power, paradox, memory, love and loss.

Saturday, May 5, 2018
Craft City Food & Art Tours
May 5 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Center for Craft

Discover craft in surprising places! Join a local expert for a behind the scenes tour of the best small-batch, high-quality, and handmade in Asheville. Visit galleries, taste local beers, watch live demonstrations, sip craft cocktails, and meet the creatives that continue to make Asheville a Craft City.

Join the Center for Craft for an Asheville food and art tours co-led by local food writer, blogger, and podcaster, Stu Helm and craft expert, Anna Helgeson. Throughout this two-mile walking tour, Stu and Anna will offer ways to understand Asheville’s urban landscape and restaurant scene through the craft philosophy—thoughtful making with a reverence for process and material.

Taste, touch, and sip your way among ten carefully chosen stops, all while learning about the history of craft in the region, and encountering the creative people, objects, and libations that make Asheville a Craft City. If you love all things high-quality, small-batch, and handcrafted—or are just curious how a craft cocktail is different than a well drink—join us!

Craft City Tours take place the first Saturday of each month April–December 2018.

3rd Annual Hats, Horses & Hope, a derby party to benefit Our VOICE
May 5 @ 4:30 pm

The 3rd annual Hats, Horses and Hope event is a Kentucky Derby Party featuring classy hats, a live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby, live music by The Midnight Aces, mint Juleps, cocktails, local beer, catered hors d’oeuvres and an auction.

This year’s benefit will be held at the AC Marriott Hotel in downtown Asheville, on the top floor, 10 Broadway Street. Food will be served from Capella on 9. The occasion kicks off at 4:30PM.

AARP/YMCA Sock Hop
May 5 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville YMCA
ARP and the YMCA of Western North Carolina are cohosting a community Sock Hop to focus on adults living with cognitive limitations such as dementia.
The Sock Hop will be held on Saturday, May 5 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Asheville YMCA, complete with crepe paper decorations from the old high school dance days. A DJ will spin the tunes from  the 40s, 50s, and 60s.
Open to all ages, the event will feature food and refreshments, including ice cream from the Hop Ice Cream Café. A photo booth will be available for participants to create mementoes of a fun-filled evening.
The Y and AARP believe that community engagement helps dispel the stigma associated with the diagnosis of dementia and the common belief that those diagnosed with dementia are no longer capable of advocating on their own behalf, said Diane Saccone, director of healthy aging initiatives at the YMCA of WNC.
The Sock Hop’s “health meets social” approach allows individuals living with a diagnosis of dementia to be connected and contribute to community while offering the opportunity to live fuller, more purpose-driven lives.
So grab your friends, dress up in your poodle skirts and saddle shoes and show us your best twist, swing, shag, or pony and enjoy the evening with us!
The event is free for YMCA members and $5 for nonmembers. Child care is available for children ages 6 months to 12 years for $5 per child.
Sign up at the front desk at any YMCA of WNC location. Learn more at ymcawnc.org.
Harvest Moon Folk Society Contra Dance At River Falls Lodge
May 5 @ 7:30 pm
River Falls Lodge

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Robert’s Totally Rad Trivia
May 8 all-day
The Southern Kitchen and Bar
Robert's Totally Rad Trivia @ The Southern Kitchen and Bar |  |  |

Spring has officially arrived! That means sun burn, mosquitoes, and over crowded hiking trails! Why not spend your Tuesday evening indoors with Pop Culture Trivia and be beer? Free to Play, teams of 1-4 and gift cards to the Southern for the winners.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Spring Brew & Barre
May 9 @ 7:00 pm
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co
Spring Brew & Barre @ Sierra Nevada Brewing Co |  |  |

Sierra Nevada has become our official Brew & Barre partner! Making it so you can B&B with us once a season out at the mansion of breweries. Each one, seasonally themed and paired with Sierra’s seasonal beer release to celebrate the turn of season. In May, we’ll be celebrating the arrival of spring and beautiful weather with an outdoor barre class in Sierra’s BRAND NEW Lower Park area! Afterwards, you can reward yourself by enjoying a cold pint of Sierra’s spring beer release. Don’t miss out, grab your ticket now!
#barre #beer #brewandbarre #springbrewandbarre #sierranevada #sierra #brewery #AVL #localbrew #spring #fitness #soundbarre #soundmind #barrebody

Saturday, May 12, 2018
GRO Fest
May 12 @ 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Looking Glass Creamery @ Harmon Dairy
GRO Fest @ Looking Glass Creamery @ Harmon Dairy | Columbus | North Carolina | United States

Located at Historic Harmon Dairy, now home to Looking Glass Creamery, this music festival is a celebration of local food, local farmers, and local libations. Perched at the top of an active pasture and with 280 degree views of the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains you can expect an amazing evening of bluegrass and rock from some of the premiere bands of our region. Lay back, get close to the fire, and while away an evening with your friends sipping local wines grown right down the road and beer brewed around the corner.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Sunil’s Indian Supper
May 16 all-day
Well Played Board Game Cafe
Sunil's Indian Supper @ Well Played Board Game Cafe |  |  |

Thali-Style Indian Supper

Sunil’s family has always expressed their love in sharing NW Indian food, and this has extended to him devoting his life to food by constantly learning traditional Gujarati cooking from his mother, and becoming a farmer. Although the cuisine is from across the ocean, Sunil’s farming background, and worldly travels makes for a thali spanning the range of the diverse array of Indian cuisines, and sometimes delving into further Eastern flavors and even Mexican. A local-seasonal menu cooked from scratch, with care for earth, nutrition, and heart-to-heart culinary delight, leads to a feeling of fusion but still a wholly Indian experience.

Thali, literally meaning “plate,” refers to the typical way a meal is eaten in an Indian household and many Indian restaurants. The full pallette of tastes and textures adorn the plate in small bowls and plates, allowing the eater to mix and match the many different components to make the perfect bite.

LOGISTICS: Arrive at 6pm, and you will be seated and served a starter and water. Feel free to stop at the bar and order a wine pairing or beer. Courses are not typical in an Indian meal, and all items including the sweets are served up all on the same plate. Chai served at the end.

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: May’s dinner will be ovo-lacto-vegetarian. Please let us know when you arrive if you would like us to leave anything off your thali. If you are interested in vegan dinners, email to get put on a list for dairy free/vegan, and you’ll be the first to hear about future menus specific to those restrictions.

MENU:
Becuase of the seasonality of the Menu, dishes may change last minute, BUT here’s a general idea of what you can expect for this May’s Thali:

Starter – Pakora Chaat

Split Pea Dal

Bloody Butcher Grits Porridge

Potato Dry Bhaji

Flat Bread

Jerusalem Artichoke Masala

Greens and Garlic

Egg Kadi

Slow Cooked Walking Onions

Mint Paneer

Dokla (steamed rice and bean cakes)

Cilantro Chutney

Onion Chutney

Tamarind Chutney

Fenugreek Pickle

Salad

Sweet

Water

Chai

No Man’s Land Film Festival
May 16 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Event Type: Local Event
Event Category: Art & Culture,Entertainment
Contact: New Belgium Brewing Co.
Contact Phone: 888-598-9552
Link: http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/home

MountainTrue and New Belgium Brewing Company are excited to host the first No Man’s Land Film Festival in Western North Carolina! Join us in a celebration of bold and inspiring women who love adventure and have a passion for the outdoors. MountainTrue and No Man’s Land Film Festival both aim to cultivate a deep interest in exploring the vastness of our planet and increase access to the great outdoors for everyone. Join us as we showcase short films about incredible female athletes and conservationists and the uniquely wild places they love and protect. Doors are at 6:30 p.m. and the event starts at 8:00 p.m. This event is free and open to all!

Friday, May 18, 2018
Guys and Dolls
May 18 all-day

 Gangsters and gamblers, missionaries and showgirls are in town and on the Main Stage at Hendersonville Community Theatre, May 18th through June 3rd. Yes, it’s Guys and Dolls – Broadway’s perfect musical comedy about gambling men and the women who long to tame them! Tickets are $15-$26 and are available online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (828) 692-1082.

Set against the backdrop of 1940s New York City, Guys and Dolls features one of the greatest musical scores in the history of American theatre, with hits that include: “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Take Back Your Mink” and “Luck, Be a Lady.”

 

Hendersonville Community Theatre is located at 229 South Washington Street. For tickets or more information contact us at 828-692-1082 or online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org

Mutts Gone Nuts!
May 18 all-day

Flat Rock Playhouse presents the return of Mutts Gone Nuts – a comedy dog thrill show that promotes the adoption of rescue animals. 

Expect the unexpected as canines and comedy collide in this smash hit performance. 

Incredible high flying frisbee dogs, tightwire dogs, dancing dogs, magic dogs and of course, the one and only . . . Sammie the Talking Dog!

From shelters to showbiz, these amazing mutts unleash havoc and hilarity in a breathtaking, action packed, comedy dog spectacular, featuring some of the world’s most talented 4 legged performers. 

After a record breaking weekend of performances at Flat Rock Playhouse in 2017, audiences are sure to “howl” with laughter at the return of these talented and endearing pups!

Call the Box Office at 828.693.0731 or visit us online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org to secure your seats!

Saturday, May 19, 2018
Guys and Dolls
May 19 all-day

 Gangsters and gamblers, missionaries and showgirls are in town and on the Main Stage at Hendersonville Community Theatre, May 18th through June 3rd. Yes, it’s Guys and Dolls – Broadway’s perfect musical comedy about gambling men and the women who long to tame them! Tickets are $15-$26 and are available online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (828) 692-1082.

Set against the backdrop of 1940s New York City, Guys and Dolls features one of the greatest musical scores in the history of American theatre, with hits that include: “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Take Back Your Mink” and “Luck, Be a Lady.”

 

Hendersonville Community Theatre is located at 229 South Washington Street. For tickets or more information contact us at 828-692-1082 or online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org

Mutts Gone Nuts!
May 19 all-day

Flat Rock Playhouse presents the return of Mutts Gone Nuts – a comedy dog thrill show that promotes the adoption of rescue animals. 

Expect the unexpected as canines and comedy collide in this smash hit performance. 

Incredible high flying frisbee dogs, tightwire dogs, dancing dogs, magic dogs and of course, the one and only . . . Sammie the Talking Dog!

From shelters to showbiz, these amazing mutts unleash havoc and hilarity in a breathtaking, action packed, comedy dog spectacular, featuring some of the world’s most talented 4 legged performers. 

After a record breaking weekend of performances at Flat Rock Playhouse in 2017, audiences are sure to “howl” with laughter at the return of these talented and endearing pups!

Call the Box Office at 828.693.0731 or visit us online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org to secure your seats!

Harvest Moon Folk Society Contra Dance At River Falls Lodge
May 19 @ 7:30 pm
River Falls Lodge

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Sunday, May 20, 2018
Mutts Gone Nuts!
May 20 all-day

Flat Rock Playhouse presents the return of Mutts Gone Nuts – a comedy dog thrill show that promotes the adoption of rescue animals. 

Expect the unexpected as canines and comedy collide in this smash hit performance. 

Incredible high flying frisbee dogs, tightwire dogs, dancing dogs, magic dogs and of course, the one and only . . . Sammie the Talking Dog!

From shelters to showbiz, these amazing mutts unleash havoc and hilarity in a breathtaking, action packed, comedy dog spectacular, featuring some of the world’s most talented 4 legged performers. 

After a record breaking weekend of performances at Flat Rock Playhouse in 2017, audiences are sure to “howl” with laughter at the return of these talented and endearing pups!

Call the Box Office at 828.693.0731 or visit us online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org to secure your seats!

Clean Streams Day
May 20 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Since 1976, Asheville GreenWorks has held “Clean Streams Day” to kick-off the summer river cleanup season. Teams sign up prior to the day of the event to take on a particular stream, river or roadside of their choosing. Teams then report back their findings at the after cleanup party.

Thousands of bags of trash and tires have been removed over the last 42 years making our waterways cleaner and safer to use.

Join Asheville GreenWorks, MountainTrue, 98.1 The River, and French Broad Outfitters at New Belgium Brewing for the 42nd annual “Clean Streams Day River, Roadside and Stream Cleanup”. This year’s event will be part of the Riverkeeper Beer Series.

Assemble your team and fill out this online form to join us in this fun way to “Get Dirty for a Great Cause.”

Teams are welcome to have a celebratory beer at the after-party at New Belgium.

Thursday, May 24, 2018
City Dance
May 24 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Friday, May 25, 2018
Guys and Dolls
May 25 all-day

 Gangsters and gamblers, missionaries and showgirls are in town and on the Main Stage at Hendersonville Community Theatre, May 18th through June 3rd. Yes, it’s Guys and Dolls – Broadway’s perfect musical comedy about gambling men and the women who long to tame them! Tickets are $15-$26 and are available online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (828) 692-1082.

Set against the backdrop of 1940s New York City, Guys and Dolls features one of the greatest musical scores in the history of American theatre, with hits that include: “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Take Back Your Mink” and “Luck, Be a Lady.”

 

Hendersonville Community Theatre is located at 229 South Washington Street. For tickets or more information contact us at 828-692-1082 or online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org

Mountain Sports Festival
May 25 all-day
Carrier Park
Mountain Sports Festival @ Carrier Park | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

The Mountain Sports Festival is a weekend music and sports festival that celebrates community, athletics and local business.

The free festival showcases the terrain, environment, and unique culture of Asheville, NC and the surrounding mountains. The Mountain Sports Festival is organized by a volunteer group of community oriented citizens dedicated to providing a well balanced series of events and music that encourage participation on all levels.

Held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, 2018 will mark the 18th Annual Mountain Sports Festival. Every year, we build on our strong community base and bring you a wide variety of events in the mountains, throughout town, and on the river. An amazing array of musical talent, with acts and staging far better than most free festivals, will perform each day, and local beer, cider, and food vendors will be available to fill your belly.

Asheville Brewing Collabeeration Week
May 25 @ 12:00 pm – Jun 2 @ 11:30 pm

Asheville Brewing Company will release five small batch beers during Asheville Beer Week (May 25-June 2). Four of the five releases are collaborations with some old and new brewery friends and the fifth is a tribute brew to the greatest movie franchise of all time. Asheville Brewing has operated as a mash-up movie theatre and brew pub for 20 years and has had countless movie-themed beers. The friends made during those years have also been too many to count. Asheville Craft  Beer Week is a perfect time to brew batches that celebrate those 20 years of friends and film.

May 25: Bantha Milk Blueberry Milk Stout re-release
May 26: Zillicoah Beer Collab – Brett IPA
May 30: Mad Co Brewing Collab – Beet and Hibiscus Mixed Culture Saison
June 1: Oyster House Brewing Collab – Oyster Seaweed Gose
June 2: French Broad River Brewery Collab – Pilsner

All beers will be released on draft only at our Coxe Ave and Merrimon Ave locations at 5 p.m. Look for limited availability at Tacos and Taps (right next to Asheville Pizza and Brewing on Merrimon Ave) and at Asheville Pizza on Hendersonville road.

Saturday, May 26, 2018
Fontana Trestle Train Ft. BBQ & Brews – Adults Only
May 26 all-day

Back by popular demand our BBQ & Brews now featured on the Fontana Trestle Train, will roll out this Summer! Featuring slow-cooked BBQ prepared fresh and beer tastings showcasing our local breweries! Family friendly seating is be available on this experience!

Departing from Bryson City, these trains will travel to the Fontana Trestle and arrive just around sunset for a spectacular view! A delicious BBQ meal will be served during the trip. Returning back to the Bryson City Depot at 9pm.

In the Basket

Each of you will get your own basket of Southern-style barbeque goodness with hand-pulled pork slider, a couple pork ribs, and chicken drumstick accompanied by baked beans and house-made coleslaw.

And, of course, no respectable Southern barbeque would forget to warm up some apple cobbler for dessert.

Fontana Trestle Train Ft. BBQ & Brews – Family Friendly
May 26 all-day

Back by popular demand our BBQ & Brews now featured on the Fontana Trestle Train, will roll out this Summer! Featuring slow-cooked BBQ prepared fresh and beer tastings showcasing our local breweries! Family friendly seating is be available on this experience!

Departing from Bryson City, these trains will travel to the Fontana Trestle and arrive just around sunset for a spectacular view! A delicious BBQ meal will be served during the trip. Returning back to the Bryson City Depot at 9pm.

In the Basket

Each of you will get your own basket of Southern-style barbeque goodness with hand-pulled pork slider, a couple pork ribs, and chicken drumstick accompanied by baked beans and house-made coleslaw.

And, of course, no respectable Southern barbeque would forget to warm up some apple cobbler for dessert.

Guys and Dolls
May 26 all-day

 Gangsters and gamblers, missionaries and showgirls are in town and on the Main Stage at Hendersonville Community Theatre, May 18th through June 3rd. Yes, it’s Guys and Dolls – Broadway’s perfect musical comedy about gambling men and the women who long to tame them! Tickets are $15-$26 and are available online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (828) 692-1082.

Set against the backdrop of 1940s New York City, Guys and Dolls features one of the greatest musical scores in the history of American theatre, with hits that include: “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Take Back Your Mink” and “Luck, Be a Lady.”

 

Hendersonville Community Theatre is located at 229 South Washington Street. For tickets or more information contact us at 828-692-1082 or online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org

Mountain Sports Festival
May 26 all-day
Carrier Park
Mountain Sports Festival @ Carrier Park | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

The Mountain Sports Festival is a weekend music and sports festival that celebrates community, athletics and local business.

The free festival showcases the terrain, environment, and unique culture of Asheville, NC and the surrounding mountains. The Mountain Sports Festival is organized by a volunteer group of community oriented citizens dedicated to providing a well balanced series of events and music that encourage participation on all levels.

Held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, 2018 will mark the 18th Annual Mountain Sports Festival. Every year, we build on our strong community base and bring you a wide variety of events in the mountains, throughout town, and on the river. An amazing array of musical talent, with acts and staging far better than most free festivals, will perform each day, and local beer, cider, and food vendors will be available to fill your belly.

Sunday, May 27, 2018
Guys and Dolls
May 27 all-day

 Gangsters and gamblers, missionaries and showgirls are in town and on the Main Stage at Hendersonville Community Theatre, May 18th through June 3rd. Yes, it’s Guys and Dolls – Broadway’s perfect musical comedy about gambling men and the women who long to tame them! Tickets are $15-$26 and are available online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (828) 692-1082.

Set against the backdrop of 1940s New York City, Guys and Dolls features one of the greatest musical scores in the history of American theatre, with hits that include: “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Take Back Your Mink” and “Luck, Be a Lady.”

 

Hendersonville Community Theatre is located at 229 South Washington Street. For tickets or more information contact us at 828-692-1082 or online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org

Mountain Sports Festival
May 27 all-day
Carrier Park
Mountain Sports Festival @ Carrier Park | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

The Mountain Sports Festival is a weekend music and sports festival that celebrates community, athletics and local business.

The free festival showcases the terrain, environment, and unique culture of Asheville, NC and the surrounding mountains. The Mountain Sports Festival is organized by a volunteer group of community oriented citizens dedicated to providing a well balanced series of events and music that encourage participation on all levels.

Held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, 2018 will mark the 18th Annual Mountain Sports Festival. Every year, we build on our strong community base and bring you a wide variety of events in the mountains, throughout town, and on the river. An amazing array of musical talent, with acts and staging far better than most free festivals, will perform each day, and local beer, cider, and food vendors will be available to fill your belly.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Thirsty Monk AVL Beer Week Farmhouse IPA Release & Pint Night
May 29 @ 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Head to Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park on Tuesday, May 29th and enjoy the release of their Farmhouse IPA in celebration of AVL Beer Week, and get your Not So Big BIG Beer Fest Tickets for the following evening! Every full pour of Farmhouse IPA comes with its own limited edition AVL Beer Week Thirsty Monk Tulip Glass!

Friday, June 1, 2018
Guys and Dolls
Jun 1 all-day

 Gangsters and gamblers, missionaries and showgirls are in town and on the Main Stage at Hendersonville Community Theatre, May 18th through June 3rd. Yes, it’s Guys and Dolls – Broadway’s perfect musical comedy about gambling men and the women who long to tame them! Tickets are $15-$26 and are available online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (828) 692-1082.

Set against the backdrop of 1940s New York City, Guys and Dolls features one of the greatest musical scores in the history of American theatre, with hits that include: “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Take Back Your Mink” and “Luck, Be a Lady.”

 

Hendersonville Community Theatre is located at 229 South Washington Street. For tickets or more information contact us at 828-692-1082 or online at HendersonvilleTheatre.org

Carolina Shag
Jun 1 @ 6:02 pm – Jun 10 @ 7:02 pm

The Flat Rock Playhouse is ready to celebrate summer by transporting the beach to the mountains with upcoming Music on the Rock Concert, Carolina Shag!

Celebrating the musical phenomenon that developed in the early 50’s on the Carolina Coasts, Carolina Shag will feature upbeat beach music from artists such as The Embers, The Tams, Chairmen of the Board, The Drifters.

Join in the party and dance the night away with a “one-and-two” to hits including Carolina GirlsMy Girl, My GuyUnder the BoardwalkBe Young Be Foolish Be Happy…and of course I Love Beach Music!

June 1st through June 10th at the Playhouse Downtown in Hendersonville.

Click on the link below to get your tickets, or call 828.693.0731.