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.

Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Presents: The Electric Kool-Aid Asheville Test
Dec 31 @ 8:00 pm
U.S. Cellular Center Asheville

It’s a whimsically apt metaphor for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, a band whose very existence is rooted in the unyielding quest for joy and positive energy. Blending infectious funk grooves, psychedelic jams, and experimental electronics, the Baltimore four-piece’s new album, ‘Pizazz,’ is a buoyant, blissful reminder of just how much fun music can be. Eschewing the traditional funk band lineup that typically includes keyboards, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong constructs effervescent soundscapes with just two guitars, bass, and drums, crafting their music with a sophisticated ear for both open space and dense layering.

The Century Room’s “New” New Year’s Eve!
Dec 31 @ 8:00 pm – 1:00 am
The Century Room

TICKETS ARE $125 PER PERSON PLUS TAX AND GRATUITY. SINCE ONLY 120 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD, TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Group discounts available when booking one table for 8-10 guests. DISCOUNT AVAILABLE ONLY WHEN BOOKING DIRECTLY THROUGH THE CENTURY ROOM. DISCOUNTS CANNOT BE APPLIED TO PURCHASES ON THIS SITE. 

Includes:

  • Gourmet Dinner Buffet
  • Two Drink Tickets
  • Late Night Bites
  • Champagne Toast at Midnight
  • Dancing to the Groove Shakers!

(does not include additional beverages, tax & gratuity)

STARTERS:

  • Cold Seafood Tray – Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Oysters on the Half Shell, Stone Crab Claws, Crab Bisque finished with Sherry and Jumbo Lump Crab
  • Mixed Greens Salad with Camembert Cheese, Candied Pecans and Cider Vinaigrette

BUFFET:

  • Truffle Yukon Gold Whipped Potatoes
  • Balsamic and Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Gran Marnier Glazed Parisian Carrots
  • Herb Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Bearnaise Sauce (Carving Station)
  • Grilled Grouper served with Caper-Dijon White Wine Cream Quinoa Stuffed Portobello Mushroom with Roasted Vegetables and Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette (available upon request)
  • Assorted Breads and Rolls
  • Selection of Mini Desserts

JOIN US FOR A NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION UNLIKE ANY WE’VE HAD BEFORE!

BLACK & WHITE: A Party Of The Century
Dec 31 2019 @ 9:00 pm – Jan 1 2020 @ 12:30 am
Battery Park Book Exchange

Imagine yourself enchanted in our book store like never before! This New Year’s Eve, experience a monochromatic masquerade party while enjoying live jazz, champagne and a full breakfast buffet!

For the special New Year’s Eve event, the Battery Park Book Exchange will have extended hours through midnight and features non-stop live music through the night. The shop will be decorated to match the “Black and White” theme and guests are encouraged to join the fun by dressing in black and white and wearing a face mask.  Note: The cafe area will be open to non-ticketed customers.

This will be the Black and White Gala, in the tradition of Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball held for all the swells at the Plaza Hotel in NYC. Capote served Tattinger and all guests came in their finest black and white, and wore elaborate masks. We invite our patrons to do the same, and we will have some masks to loan as well.

⬜⬛ Special Add On ⬜⬛
Advanced VIP tickets available include reserved seating, complimentary drinks, a midnight Taittinger toast, and a late night breakfast buffet inspired by Capote’s original. The store will be decorated lavishly, fascinating guests and taking them back to that elegant place and time.

What’s Included with VIP Tickets:

?Full Breakfast buffet at 11 p.m. following the same menu from Capote’s party at the Plaza Hotel, NYC in 1966.

?Live jazz music all night

?(1) Complimentary welcome sparkling cocktail

?(1) additional drink ticket (followed by cash bar with special sparkling cocktail menu, red and white wine, beer)

?(1) Midnight Tattinger Champagne toast

NYE Party at The Montford
Dec 31 @ 9:00 pm – 12:30 am
The Montford

New Year, Tiki This: Gather your friends and loved ones to ring in 2020. Indulge in paradise-themed sips at our grandiose holiday themed, tropical oasis at our rooftop bar. Revel in a champagne toast at midnight while taking in sparkling city views.

Tickets are $135 per/person and include:

  • Three drinks of your choice

  • Two small plate offerings

  • One midnight champagne

  • New Year’s-themed party favors

 *This is a capped event in our intimate rooftop space, so tickets are limited

**Take the Elevator Home: buy 2+ tickets & receive a discounted Hyatt Place Asheville Downtown hotel rate

Open Mic at Vintage Kava every Tuesday
Dec 31 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Vintage Kava

Open Mic at Vintage Kava

Come share your talent with the community! All acts welcome (music, jokes, dancing, poetry, storytelling, etc)

Stop by to sign up for your slot!

Shovels & Rope
Dec 31 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

As the Brontë sister wrote, “The ties that bind us to life are tougher than you imagine.” Shovels & Rope, the musical duo of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, embody that bond. Married for a decade, their covenant extends to blood and beyond: as parents, bandmates, and creative collaborators who can now add the pursuits of festival curators, film subjects, and children’s book authors to that mighty list. Having released four studio albums and two collaborative projects (Busted Jukebox, Vol. 1 & 2) since 2008, Trent and Hearst have built their reputation on skill, sweat, and, yes, blood. Now, with the tough and elegant new record By Blood, as well as their High Water Festival in their hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, “Shovels & Rope: The Movie”, and the picture book “C’mon Utah!”, Shovels & Rope are primed for their biggest year yet.

Accomplished musicians in their own right prior to dedicating themselves full time to Shovels & Rope in 2011, Trent and Hearst have made a career together by seizing opportunities and never resting on their laurels or being complacent in doing something just because. Carving out a niche in the music world with strong, roots/indie/folk/rock-inspired efforts like 2012’s O’ Be Joyful, 2014’s Swimmin’ Time, and 2016’s inward-looking Little Seeds, as well as their powerful live show, far-reaching tours, and myriad TV and festival appearances, Shovels & Rope have earned the right to follow their own muse. And so, in an effort to satisfy their numerous creative interests and adapt to a changing industry, Trent and Hearst have firmly planted their flag in realms beyond recording and releasing albums.

shovelsandrope.com

Yo Mamas Big Fat Booty Band, Empire Strikes Brass NEW YEAR
Dec 31 @ 9:00 pm
Salvage Station
NEW YEARS EVE! With The Broadcast Band and Downtown Abby & The Echoes
Dec 31 @ 9:30 pm – 1:30 am
Ambrose West


*COMPLIMENTARY CHAMPAGNE TOAST PROVIDED BY BAND*

TICKETS ONLINE OR IN PERSON AT HONEYPOT VINTAGE IN DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE FOR 10% OFF YOUR NYE LOOK!

MORE INFO:

Both known for their soulful powerful front women, The Broadcast and Downtown Abby & The Echoes are joining forces for an unforgettable Vintage Themed New Years Eve Celebration at Ambrose West in Asheville, NC!

Rustic Grape’s NYE: A Sparkling Sweet Date Night!
Dec 31 @ 9:30 pm – 12:30 am
Rustic Grape Wine Bar

Say goodbye to 2019 and toast in the New Year with us, live music, sweet treats, and of course, lots of bubbly! Rustic Grape is hosting a ticketed date night event in our cozy, intimate wine bar with Lindsey Meyers, an incredibly talented local musician who will be singing all of our favorite songs. Bring your date or bestie for a fun NYE!

We will be offering a fun & festive drink menu which includes the cutest half bottles of Champagne, sparkling wines, rich fruity red wines, full-bodied whites, house-made mocktails, and our fabulous Pomsettia Champagne Cocktail. All of these drinks pair sweetly with our array of dark chocolates, local cheeses, and other decadent bites!

$50 per couple, What your ticket includes: (ticket includes gratuity)

  • Reserved seating for your sweet treat, Artisan dessert board for two filled with Patty’s house-made sweet bites, Melissa’s chocolate truffles, along with local gourmet cheeses.
  • A complimentary midnight bubbles toast!
  • Live local music with Lindsey Meyers.

Can’t make our festive night? Wine bar opens at 6pm to start your celebratory night out! Come grab a cozy glass of wine before dinner or swing by after to catch some fantastic live music and toast to 2020!

*A limited number of event tickets will be available at the door for $60 IF available, but we expect this event to sell out! Walk-ins welcome for free music and our regular menu.

4th Annual New Year’s Eve Ball in The Hall w/ The Grass is Dead
Dec 31 @ 10:00 pm – 2:00 am
Asheville Music Hall

What’s in a name? Sometimes, everything… Grass is Dead are a bluegrass combo paying homage to the music and cultural legacy of The Grateful Dead, arguably America’s first folk rock band and one of the most influential musical artists of the last 50 years. The catalogue of the Dead’s music is a gold mine for string bands and story tellers, and Grass Is Dead have established themselves far and wide as premiere purveyors of this rich tradition of Americana music. Pickin’ and grinnin’ is what they do best, and they have been adapting Grateful Dead songs in their own bluegrass style since 1998.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Spamilton: An American Parody
Jan 1 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Thursday, January 2, 2020
Spamilton: An American Parody
Jan 2 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Brad Heller & The Fustics Jangling Sparrows The Modern Strangers
Jan 2 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Brad Heller and The Fustics + Jangling Sparrow + Modern Strangers

Brad Heller & The Fustics/Jangling Sparrows/Modern Strangers: Killer Triple Bill
Jan 2 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Friday, January 3, 2020
A Wild Food Stroll at The Grove Park Inn
Jan 3 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
The Grove Park Inn

Ready to go WILD? Join us for a trip “off the eaten path.” You’ll learn how to safely gather edible wild plants, mushrooms, and other “extreme cuisine.” Stay for a stunning view of the sunset and enjoy dinner at Vue 1913 featuring a free appetizer with the edibles you met on your tour. Suitable for all ages and abilities. To register or for more info, see here. Three-hour foraging tours also available, year-round, by arrangement.

Wild food is the ultimate natural food: ultra-local, fresher, more flavorful, 10 to 100 times more nutritious than its garden-variety descendants, AND it’s free! With over 300 wild edibles, Western North Carolina is the richest temperate ecosystem on Earth. For a taste of the wild life, forage ahead and experience the life of a modern hunter-gather firsthand. It’s a unique experience in self-catering, a memorable lesson in high-class survival.

Jeff Santiago & Los Gatos
Jan 3 @ 8:00 pm
The Pulp

Tickets at the door.

Life Like Water Black Sea Beat Society
Jan 3 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Life Like Water (Album Release Show)

Spamilton: An American Parody
Jan 3 @ 8:00 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Saturday, January 4, 2020
Spamilton: An American Parody
Jan 4 @ 2:00 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Opening reception: Ancient Stones Speaking—Petroglyphs & Storytelling—Pastels on paper & mixed media by John Baumann
Jan 4 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

John Baumann of Black Mountain will display his natural and native American spiritual artwork, petroglyphs, walking sticks, dream catchers, and nature art. This is a mixed media exhibition with primarily pastels on paper.

John Baumann was a professional rock climber for most of his adult life and has lived in the Black Mountain area for the past 9 years. Baumann traveled and climbed in over 37 states and on 3 continents, and has seen his fair share of ancient rock art. As an artist and creator for the past 25 years, Baumann draws on those encounters to create artwork from Chalk and Paper.

After moving to the Black Mountain area from the Triad in 2011, Baumann has been blessed by this area’s creative culture and energy. The result is evident in the pieces that make up this exhibit. Ancient styles from the Inuit, Pacific NW, the desert South West, and the Eastern North American tribal styles will be represented in the show.

For opening night on Jan. 4, 6-9pm, the gallery will be transformed into a cave & we will have drumming, music, storytelling, food & drink!

Through February 22. Gallery hours are 11am-5pm Mon-Sat; 1-5pm Sun. Call 828-273-3332 to confirm.

Spamilton: An American Parody
Jan 4 @ 8:00 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Mindshapefist Aittala: Broad River Nightmare
Jan 4 @ 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
The Grey Eagle

MindShapeFist + Aittala

Sunday, January 5, 2020
Spamilton: An American Parody
Jan 5 @ 1:00 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Jan 5 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Spamilton: An American Parody
Jan 5 @ 6:30 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Nightrain – A Guns N’ Roses Tribute Experience
Jan 5 @ 8:00 pm – 11:45 pm
The Grey Eagle

Nightrain - A Guns N' Roses Tribute Experience

Monday, January 6, 2020
Carl Sandburg Story Slam
Jan 6 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Main Library Kaplan Auditorium

Storytellers from across the region will share true five-minute stories reflecting the theme of “movement” with a live audience. If you would like to tell your own story, arrive by 4:30 pm to register, names will be placed in a hat at check-in and picked randomly to determine order, for up to 12 storytellers. A panel of judges will rate the stories and monetary prizes will be awarded.

Remembering Mikey: WSP Live At Oak Mountain Viewing Party
Jan 6 @ 7:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio
Jan 7 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

72nd & Central
Jan 7 @ 9:00 pm
The Pulp

tickets at the door