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.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Shag by the River ft. The Catalinas
Jul 17 all-day
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

We’re bringing the beach vibes up to the High Country Wednesday, July 17th!! Come join us down by the river for an evening of music (provided by NC’s premier beach music band The Catalinas), Shag Dancing, fresh seafood and ice cold Sierraveza! Kim from Asheville Fairy Hair-Finklepott’s Original Fairy Hairr will be joining us as well! Grab your dancing partner and make your way to Lower Park!

When: Wednesday, July 17
Where: Lower Park (river front property) at Sierra Nevada
ALL AGES
Doors 6:00pm | Music 6:30-8:30pm
Tickets: $7 in advance | $10 Day of (food not included in ticket price)
Link: https://shagbytheriver.eventbrite.com

FinklepottsFairyHair.com at Sierra Nevada
Jul 17 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sierra Nevada

Come get SPARKLED with Finklepott’s Original Fairy Hair!
Sierra Nevada Brewing IN LOWER PARK
100 Sierra Nevada Way Mills River, NC 28732
***ENTRANCE FEE REQUIRED***
Sign up here to reserve your spot and for more information:
http://bit.ly/SierraNevada07172019

Friday, July 19, 2019
Summer Concert Series: Jesse Barry and The Jam
Jul 19 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Jesse Barry, known for her soulful blues pipes and contagious enthusiasm on stage, began her music career at the tender age of eight years old. Influenced by Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Carole King, Etta James, and Susan Tedeschi, Jesse has created her own, unique blues sound. She is often described as an “old soul” and audiences are stunned by the huge voice that comes out of her small body. Popularly known as “Skinny Legs” from Skinny Legs and All, a band she created as a teenager, Jesse has placed in the Mountain Xpress “Best Of” blues band category three years in a row, and has performed at B.B. King’s Club for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, and at the Springing the Blues Festival in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Jesse competed on the popular TV show “American Idol” in season 9 and has made a lasting impact on her hometown, Asheville, North Carolina. She has recorded 3 albums with Skinny Legs and All and is currently working with her blues, funk, and soul group Jesse Barry and The Jam, special events band A Social Function, and her new Steely Dan tribute band Dirty Logic.

Join us at Hickory Nut Gap to see Jesse Barry and The Jam perform, eat farm-to-fork food, and prepare to dance!

Saturday, July 20, 2019
Friends of the Smokies Stomp
Jul 20 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
HIckory Nut Gap Farm

Put on your dancing boots and join Friends of the Smokies for the 2nd annual “Smokies Stomp” Barn Party just outside of Asheville, NC. The Smokies Stomp supports projects and programs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park like Parks As Classrooms, which brings thousands of schoolchildren into the Smokies every year. Folks will be treated to a gourmet farm-to-table dinner, live music, drinks, square dancing, and the opportunity to visit with rangers from the National Park Service. So come on out for fun and fundraising at the Smokies Stomp Barn Party!

Brevard Music Center “Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert”
Jul 20 @ 8:30 pm
Brevard Music Center Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium
Indiana Jones comes to three big screens at BMC—with live orchestra—

Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert

 Brevard Music Center (BMC) will present Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert at its open-air, lakeside Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium (WPA). Relive the magic of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster 1981 adventure film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, with John Williams’ epic score performed live to picture by a full symphony orchestra, under the direction of conductor Nicholas Buc. Movie screens will be situated on both the WPA main stage as well as the WPA lawn for this BMC concert. Popcorn, beverages, and casual concessions fare will also be available, plus there will be an appearance by Indiana Jones at the BMC photo booth that evening! (*The 8:30 PM timing reflects a special late start due to the movie.)

“The film that gave the world one of its greatest movie heroes, Indiana Jones, is back and better than ever before—with live orchestra!” said Brevard Music Center President & CEO Mark Weinstein. “Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert, with its glorious score by John Williams, is the perfect way to introduce classical music to a young audience and one of the many family-friendly events featured at our 2019 summer festival season. Please join us for an unforgettable evening of film, music, and memories!”

Tuesday, July 23, 2019
PEPPERPALOOZA Festival at the West Asheville Tailgate Market
Jul 23 @ 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Grace Baptist Church

ASHEVILLE, JULY 23, 2019– The West Asheville Tailgate Market will be hosting their very first “Pepperpalooza” in the parking lot of the Grace Baptist Church, 718 Haywood Road, from 3:30-6:30pm. Pepperpalooza is a festival dedicated to celebrating the pepper is all it’s many colors, shapes, sizes, flavors…and levels of heat intensity.

Pepperpalooza is a fundraiser for the West Asheville Tailgate Market and all proceeds will go toward the growth of the market including kids activities, food tastings, cooking demos, and partnerships with other local non-profits for food-based educational programs in the future.

This at-market festival has several components including a raffle, hot pepper eating contest (for adults), bell pepper tastings (for kids), local hot sauce tastings, pepper roasting, ristra making, kids crafts, and a talk on the history of peppers. And of course, Pepperpalooza wouldn’t live up to its name without some rockin’ live music from local musicians.

The raffle includes 5 big prize packages including an assortment of food and crafts from WATM vendors. Raffle tickets are just $5 to enter or $12 for 3 and can be purchased on the WATM website or in person at the Pepperpalooza festival on July 23rd.

The main event will be the hot pepper eating contest where those who enter will get to eat their way up the Scoville Scale in intensity (milk and bread will be available to contestants once they tap out). The person who can take the most heat will win $50 in market bucks and a WATM t-shirt. The kiddos can play too! We’ll have a colorful bell pepper tasting where they can eat the rainbow of sweet peppers to pick which color they like best.

All those who yearn to feel the burn can taste an assortment of hot sauces which are being donated from local companies. For $3 you get a bowl of chips as a blank canvas to taste an assortment of sauces. That same $3 enters you into a raffle to win a bottle of all the hot sauces in the tasting.

Thursday, July 25, 2019
City Dance
Jul 25 @ 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.

Saturday, July 27, 2019
Back to School Blessing
Jul 27 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
New Covenant Church

You are invited to the 2nd Annual Back to School Blessing on Saturday, July 27, 2019. Last year we gave away over 700 backpacks filled with school supplies and had over 1,000 people in attendance. This year we have a goal to give away 1,000 backpacks filled of school supplies and expect 2,000 people in attendance. The 2nd Annual Back to School Blessing will also include food, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, inflatable attractions, raffle prizes and more, all for FREE! For more information and to register for FREE backpacks, visit newcovenantchurch.com.

Thursday, August 1, 2019
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Aug 1 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
UNCA Lipinsky Hall

Folk music and dance of the southern appalachians

Bascom Lamar Lunsford founded the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling traditions that have been handed down through generations in Western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Come celebrate the 92nd Anniversary of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in our brand new, luxurious venue! Doors open each night at 5:30pm with performances starting promptly at 6:30pm.

If you like Shindig on the Green, you’ll love the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival! Proceeds support Shindig on the Green.

Advanced Purchase through July 31, 2019:

Adults $20.00, Students & Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $15.00/person.

At the Door:

Adults $25.00, Students $10.00, Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $20.00/person

Friday, August 2, 2019
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Aug 2 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
UNCA Lipinsky Hall

Folk music and dance of the southern appalachians

Bascom Lamar Lunsford founded the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling traditions that have been handed down through generations in Western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Come celebrate the 92nd Anniversary of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in our brand new, luxurious venue! Doors open each night at 5:30pm with performances starting promptly at 6:30pm.

If you like Shindig on the Green, you’ll love the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival! Proceeds support Shindig on the Green.

Advanced Purchase through July 31, 2019:

Adults $20.00, Students & Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $15.00/person.

At the Door:

Adults $25.00, Students $10.00, Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $20.00/person

Saturday, August 3, 2019
Kick It Tickets LEAF Downtown
Aug 3 all-day
Various locations Downtown Asheville

Kick It Ticket grants access to the Get Down Lounge
& the Capella on 9 Cocktail Hour.

Plus, get these sweet perks:

BITES & BEVS

  • Private Bar featuring Sierra Nevada, Pisgah, HI-Wire, and Wicked Weed brews. Titos, wine and more! Non-alc options also available.
  • Complimentary food refreshed throughout the weekend
  • 6 Drink Tickets per guest

SPACE TO RELAX

  • Private viewing area next to Pack Stage
  • Private Restrooms
  • Reserved Parking

SWAG FOR DAYS

  • Automatic raffle entry for a chance to win a pair of Fall LEAF Festival day tickets
  • Swag Bags full of goodness

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Lace up! Register Now for LEAF Art Dash 5K
Aug 3 all-day
Pack Square

RUN YOUR ASH OFF for Cultural Arts Education!
Your run (or walk) 100% supports LEAF Schools & Streets
Saturday, August 3rd @ 9am

Lace up your shoes for the LEAF ART DASH,
for an art filled family-friendly 5K in downtown Asheville.
Costumes Encouraged | Pets Welcome
Art Dash kicks off Saturday LEAF Downtown AVL festivities!

This 3.1 mi COURSE will travel through the city,
complete with live roaming Artists & interactive arts.
It feels like a LEAF Parade! 
#RunYourAshOff

Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Aug 3 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
UNCA Lipinsky Hall

Folk music and dance of the southern appalachians

Bascom Lamar Lunsford founded the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling traditions that have been handed down through generations in Western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Come celebrate the 92nd Anniversary of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in our brand new, luxurious venue! Doors open each night at 5:30pm with performances starting promptly at 6:30pm.

If you like Shindig on the Green, you’ll love the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival! Proceeds support Shindig on the Green.

Advanced Purchase through July 31, 2019:

Adults $20.00, Students & Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $15.00/person.

At the Door:

Adults $25.00, Students $10.00, Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $20.00/person

Sunday, August 4, 2019
60th Annual NC Mineral and Gem Festival
Aug 4 all-day
The Spruce Pine Commons Shopping Center

For the last 60 years, Spruce Pine has welcomed rockhounds and gem and mineral enthusiasts to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!

Welcome to the North Carolina Mineral, Gem & Jewelry Festival website! Since the early 1950’s Spruce Pine, North Carolina has been the host of the Festival and welcomed visitors from around the world to shop for beautiful jewelry, gemstones, minerals, beads, crystals, fossils and more! Even celebrities have been spotted at the Festival selecting their jewelry, gemstones and gifts! The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget. Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a special stone for your own setting, a custom designed piece of jewelry or a special crystal display for your home, you can’t miss the NC Mineral and Gem Festival.

Celebrating our Diamond Year!
August 1-4, 2019

One of the oldest & most popular mineral and gem shows in the country!

Admission $5 adults, $3 Seniors, Kids 10 & under free

Festival Times:
Thursday- Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 10, 2019
25th Annual Twin Rivers Multimedia Festival & Film Screenings
Aug 10 all-day
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Film screenings of award-winning international/national/local films, premieres & official selections. Feature Film “Beautiful Jinn” by Bayram Fazli screens on Friday, 8-10pm. Screenings of Short Drama Animation, Short Dramas, Experimental Films, and Documentaries will run Saturday 11am – 6pm. Vote for Audience Award!
TRMF has become the festival of choice for filmmakers and film lovers who are seeking a unique Western North Carolina high quality cinema experience and a place to indulge their passion for film. The Festival connects audiences to compelling documentaries, award-winning international releases with tantalizing discussions with visiting filmmakers. This year the festival will be screening 46 films from 26 countries which also includes two selected films from Western North Carolina.

Sourwood Festival downtown Black Mountain
Aug 10 all-day
Downtown Black Mountain

The Sourwood Festival fills downtown Black Mountain with wholesome entertainment for both adults and children in August each year.

Over 30,000 people from all over America will be in attendance at the festival which grows in popularity each year.

Music, dancing, arts & crafts, super food, kid’s rides and games, face painting and more in a no alcohol environment make it the perfect event for you and your entire family.

With about 200 vendors you will discover lots of local and unique arts and crafts and there will be something to please every palate with BBQ and vegetarian faire, custom-crafted ice cream and funnel cakes and jellies.  Summertime favorites include the sausages and corn on the cob.

Add to that the honey and bee demos as well as the gourmet sourwood honey – you don’t want to miss this event!

Sunday, August 11, 2019
Sourwood Festival downtown Black Mountain
Aug 11 all-day
Downtown Black Mountain

The Sourwood Festival fills downtown Black Mountain with wholesome entertainment for both adults and children in August each year.

Over 30,000 people from all over America will be in attendance at the festival which grows in popularity each year.

Music, dancing, arts & crafts, super food, kid’s rides and games, face painting and more in a no alcohol environment make it the perfect event for you and your entire family.

With about 200 vendors you will discover lots of local and unique arts and crafts and there will be something to please every palate with BBQ and vegetarian faire, custom-crafted ice cream and funnel cakes and jellies.  Summertime favorites include the sausages and corn on the cob.

Add to that the honey and bee demos as well as the gourmet sourwood honey – you don’t want to miss this event!

Monday, August 12, 2019
Moog Filtered Ale Returns for Moogmentum Grand Opening Celebration
Aug 12 all-day
Moogseum

 

Moog Filtered Ale Returns for Moogmentum Grand Opening Celebration

The Bob Moog Foundation and Asheville Brewing Company are proud to announce a very limited release of Moog Filtered Ale, a specially brewed ale named in honor of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog. This unique pale ale will be available beginning Monday, August 12, 2019, in celebration of Moogmentum, the series of events marking the grand opening of the Foundation’s Moogseum, taking place August 13th-15th in downtown Asheville, NC. All profits from the sale of the beer will be donated to the Bob Moog Foundation to benefit the Moogseum.

Moog Filtered Ale will be available on draft exclusively at Moogmentum events at the Asheville Masonic Temple and the Asheville Music Hall, as well as at Bottle Shop 604 in west Asheville and the Asheville Brewing Company in downtown Asheville.

“Moog Filtered Ale is a dry hopped pale ale with big citrus and tropical flavor and aroma,” stated Pete Langheinrich, Asheville Brewing Company’s head brewer. “Moog has always been a huge part of our brewery’s soundtrack and we’re very excited to work with such a true music pioneer. This brew showcases classic and modern American brewing techniques and reflects the passion and ingenuity of both Bob Moog and Asheville Brewing Company.”

Friday, August 16, 2019
Dance Party Old School 80’s & 90’s
Aug 16 all-day
Alley Cat Social Club

DJ Drew is having his birthday bash and throwing down 80’s and 90’s hits.
Dance party starts around 9pm and goes all night.

80s vs 90s Dance Party
Aug 16 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

This Friday, August 16th, we are excited to bring back what is becoming a cult favorite this summer! Fave local DJs Molly Parti and DJ Oso Rey will take turns spinning songs from the hits of the 80s vs. 90s, all for your dancing and reminiscing enjoyment. Make plans to get your crew together for a night filled with fun, friends, nostalgia and great tunes and craft beer at the Peel for just $5 in advance! The only decision is whether to wear leg-warmers and jelly bracelets, or bust out your favorite flannel shirt and your Docs.

Thursday, August 22, 2019
City Dance
Aug 22 @ 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, August 23, 2019
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Aug 23 all-day
various locations see details

August 23, Appalachian Ridge Hard Cidery in Hendersonville
August 24, HiWire Brewing Company at the Big Top
Sept. 22, UpCountry Brewing on Haywood Road
Sept. 28, Southern Appalachian Brewery in Hendersonville
Oct. 4, Garden Deli in Burnsville
Oct. 6, Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School in West Asheville
Oct. 10, Highland Brewing Company and
Oct. 20, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard in Hendersonville

Saturday, August 24, 2019
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Aug 24 all-day
various locations see details

August 23, Appalachian Ridge Hard Cidery in Hendersonville
August 24, HiWire Brewing Company at the Big Top
Sept. 22, UpCountry Brewing on Haywood Road
Sept. 28, Southern Appalachian Brewery in Hendersonville
Oct. 4, Garden Deli in Burnsville
Oct. 6, Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School in West Asheville
Oct. 10, Highland Brewing Company and
Oct. 20, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard in Hendersonville

Terpsicorps Open House FREE Classes – From Ballet to B-Boy
Aug 24 @ 10:15 am – 2:00 pm
The Academy at Terpsicorps

Curious about dance classes for your child, but want to be sure? Join us at any of our free classes at our Open House on August 24. Reserve your spot today, or go ahead and register for Fall classes at our website, terpsicorpsacademy.org.

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
(ages 3-5) Creative Movement

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
(ages 5-6) PreBallet / Tap 2

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
(ages 3-5) Boy’s Creative Movement

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
(ages 7-9) Ballet 1

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
(ages 3-4) PreBallet/PreTap 1

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
(ages 8.5-10) Ballet 2

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
(ages 6-9) B-Boy Break Dancing

Hi-Wire Oktoberfest at the Big Top
Aug 24 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Hi-Wire Brewing - Big Top

Join us as we kick-off the Oktoberfest season at Hi-Wire.

Hi-Wire’s annual annual Oktoberfest returns to Asheville Saturday, August 24 at Big Top with a bunch of individual and team games including Bouncy Ball Race, Dizzy Relay, Brat Toss, Grain Sack Toss, Stein Hoisting, and Mechanical Bull Riding.

We’ve got the INCREDIBLE Mountain Top Polka Band throwing down throughout the day. This family friendly event is one of our absolute favorites every year and we hope you’ll join us! $15 includes a custom liter stein and first fill-up. Liter fills of flagship and seasonal beers are $8 after that.

Sunday, August 25, 2019
18th Annual Organic Fest
Aug 25 all-day
Pack Square

ashevilles-organicfest-banner-dateless

Join us for a FUNtastic day of family-friendly fun, organic eats, live music, shopping at the Organicfest Marketplace & Greenstreet, Natural Arts & Crafts and plenty of eco- friendly fun for the little ones!

Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Summer Jam Festival at West Asheville Tailgate Market
Aug 27 @ 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
West Asheville Tailgate Market

Come be a part of the fun when the West Asheville Tailgate Market hosts a big Haywood Road block party called the ‘Summer Jam Festival! It’s our way of saying farewell to summer and bringing the whole neighborhood out for one last hurrah before fall.

Summer Jam Fest is the market’s biggest fundraiser of the year. It’s a community-oriented festival with music (a jam band, of course!), food trucks, a bounce house, a giant raffle, lawn games, contests (like best jam, best beard, etc), and so much more!

Win prizes by entering the raffle (they’re just $5 for 1 or $12 for 3, or $20 for 5 available at www.westashevilletailgatemarket.com) or enter a pint of your homemade jam into the Jam Tasting Contest and you could be crowned Jam Royalty of the WATM-world.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Fringe Summer Night at the Crow & Quill The Call For Artists
Aug 28 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Crow & Quill

To highlight the Call for Artists we are hosting our third and final
Fringe Summer Night.

This free event will feature 3 Fringe artist performances:
Amanda Levesque, Jenni Cockrell, and Alli Marshall
who will present performance art, butoh dance, and spoken word. Fringe Festival organizers will be also encouraging proposal submissions and answering questions about the process.

To apply for the 2020 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, go to our all new website: http://www.ashevillefringe.org/apply-2020  Artists should read our Performer Guidelines, then submit an online application and tech form by Monday, September 23 at 9:23pm.

As always, we seek to create a festival line-up that includes dance, puppetry, storytelling, performance art, theatre, and things that blur the lines. Artists are encouraged to bring their most daring work, and will find full support from the Asheville Fringe Family.

Saturday, August 31, 2019
Labor Day Festival of the Arts
Aug 31 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pack Square

2nd Annual Downtown Asheville Labor Day Weekend Festival of the Arts

This Labor Day Weekend art affair will feature a collection of national and regional artists specializing in hand-made works of art. There will be painters, potters, jewelers, glass blowers and much more. Asheville’s historic Pack Square is the picturesque venue for the Downtown Asheville Festival of the Arts. The show is set up on N. and S. Pack Square around Vance Memorial.