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, May 27, 2020
Offering meal pick-ups to those in need in our community: H&F Burger Asheville
May 27 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
H&F Burger Asheville

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 11am-2pm, we are offering meal pick-ups to those in need in our community. 200 meals will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

Image may contain: one or more people and food, possible text that says 'FOOD connection. CHEF MEA MEAL DONATIONS for Disaster Relief'

Thursday, May 28, 2020
“Get Happy” with Tap Dancing Vagabonds Flat Rock Playhouse
May 28 all-day
online

This video was choreographed and directed by Lauren Hopkins and features a whole crew of performers from YouTheatre days, Studio 52, Former Apprentices, AEA company, and even director/choreographer Amy Jones!

Choreographed/Directed: Lauren Hopkins; Video edited: Ryan Jalernpan; Music edited: Amy Jones; Dancers: Lauren HopkinsAndrew LivingstonSher ShepherdLauren ImhoffAllison NockAmy JonesStephanie WahlCharlie JohnsonMaria BuchananDavid Paul KidderMillicent HunnicuttCara DolanDesiree RickerRaja JalernpanCasey Hebbel

ASAP Farmers Markets: AB Tech’s Main Campus
May 28 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
AB Tech's Main Campus

ASAP Farmers Market map

Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning March 21.

The market will operate for as long as necessary, possibly expanding to other locations and days of the week as opportunity and demand allows.

Market Rules

  • No customers or vendors exhibiting symptoms may enter the market.
  • Maintain 6 feet of social distance at all times.
  • One customer at a time for each vendor table.
  • Only handle product you are purchasing. Products will be pre-packaged or bunched.
  • Children, if they must attend with adult shoppers, must be closely supervised.

Anyone failing to comply with these conditions will be directed to leave the market.

Free Lunches at Ferguson YMCA
May 28 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ferguson Family YMCA

Image may contain: 2 people, people sitting and outdoor, possible text that says 'the MEETING COMMUNITY NEED'

FREE LUNCHES for anyone 18 years of age and under at the Ferguson Family YMCA. Simply drive up to our front door and let us know how many lunches you need, no questions asked.

For additional food for your family, pick up a FREE box of fresh produce at our Mobile Markets. Calendars are online at ymcawnc.org/nutritionprograms.

Enka-Candler Tailgate Market
May 28 @ 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Enka-Candler Tailgate Market

Opening day for ECTM at our new location at AB Tech Enka. We will be in the parking lot of the Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road (across from Ingles, at the traffic light). Please share and invite your friends and family! We know this second season of ECTM is going to be amazing. Thank you for supporting local!

Vendors for 5/7:
Rainbow Ridge Gardens
Myseanica Farm
Bonny Bath natural body products
Whisk bakery
Saturnia Farm and Nursery
Jake’s Farm
Asheville Microgreens
Throwing Copper
Cornerstone Tea
Sustainabillies Nursery and Farm
Sister of Mother Earth herbal products
HeadShrink Farm heritage beef
The Real Molloy Food Truck
Sugar Whirled cotton candy – AB Tech Small Business featured booth.
*Many more vendors as the season goes on! Check out our website for a full list of vendors for the season. https://www.ashevillefarmstead.org/enka-candler-tailgate-market

COVID-19 Precautions:
To start, we will be holding fast to safety precautions listed below. As the CDC and NC governmental regulations soften, we will follow suit. Please know that we are making every effort to keep both our vendors and our community safe and well.

*No-contact payment: Tap’n’Pay , Venmo, Paypal payments only. No cash payments or card swipes will be accepted.
*Handwashing station upon entering Market
*Limited shopper numbers (car queue will be used, if necessary)
*1 customer at vendor table at a time
*Only touch what you are purchasing
*6ft Social Distancing required
*Masks highly encouraged. All vendors and Market staff will wear masks.
*No Music or Kids tent (yet)
*No craft/artisan vendors until non-essential businesses are allowed to open. We are hopeful this will be by June, or earlier.

Pack Library Online Dance Class for Kids
May 28 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
online

No photo description available.

Every Thursday starting May 4, we’ll have free dance class for kids to tune into!

Our instructor Rebecca will be plugging into Zoom to instruct kids of all ages and all experience levels from 4-5 PM. To get into the class, please create a free Zoom account. Follow this meeting information to get logged into class.
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4527027407
Password: rodance

Thanks to the Friends of the Library for sponsoring this program.
Bookends Used Book Store at Pack Library – Asheville, NC

Mitch’s Totally Rad Trivia
May 28 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

Scoop: Mitch's Totally Rad TRIVIA

Mitch Fortune brings you an irreverent and nostalgia filled night of pop culture trivia every Thursday night 7-9 pm at the One Stop in Downtown Asheville. A potpourri of movies, music, TV show trivia just for you!

City Dance
May 28 @ 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 29, 2020
“Get Happy” with Tap Dancing Vagabonds Flat Rock Playhouse
May 29 all-day
online

This video was choreographed and directed by Lauren Hopkins and features a whole crew of performers from YouTheatre days, Studio 52, Former Apprentices, AEA company, and even director/choreographer Amy Jones!

Choreographed/Directed: Lauren Hopkins; Video edited: Ryan Jalernpan; Music edited: Amy Jones; Dancers: Lauren HopkinsAndrew LivingstonSher ShepherdLauren ImhoffAllison NockAmy JonesStephanie WahlCharlie JohnsonMaria BuchananDavid Paul KidderMillicent HunnicuttCara DolanDesiree RickerRaja JalernpanCasey Hebbel

12-Month, Farmer-Led Training Program Organic Growers School
May 29 all-day
 Southwestern Community College

Want to farm?

12-Month, Farmer-Led Training Program

Many skills are required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. Using a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network, Farm Beginnings® will help you clarify your goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan, and start building a profitable and sustainable operation. Although students do not need to own land, some farming or production experience is required to get the most out of the program. As we know, farming is more critical than ever. Apply to this program and be prepared when crisis hits!

200+ Hours of Training


Curriculum & Schedule

Farm Beginnings® Course Schedule & Descriptions 2020-2021


Location of Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses 2020-2021

The locations for the 2020-2021 class will be at the Small Business Center at We will keep our website updated if we shift to online classes.

 

GreenWorks: Plant of the Month is Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)
May 29 all-day
online

Plant of the Month

Our plant of the month is Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), a beautiful, native shrub that can reach 6-9 feet in height. Sweetshrub is also known as Spicebush and Carolina Allspice, due to its fragrant leaves, twigs and flowers. This beautiful shrub is a good choice for planting along stream banks that are prone to erosion. The roots help keep soil in place and the characteristics of the plant make it well suited to most soil types, as well as partial shade to full sun. Sweetshrub is in bloom right now in our area, so keep your eyes out for these stunning, sweet smelling flowers!

YMCA of Western North Carolina Mobile Market Schedule MAY
May 29 all-day
varies

https://ymcawnc.org/sites/default/files/May%202020%20Nutrition%20mobile%20market.pdf

 

Free Lunches at Ferguson YMCA
May 29 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ferguson Family YMCA

Image may contain: 2 people, people sitting and outdoor, possible text that says 'the MEETING COMMUNITY NEED'

FREE LUNCHES for anyone 18 years of age and under at the Ferguson Family YMCA. Simply drive up to our front door and let us know how many lunches you need, no questions asked.

For additional food for your family, pick up a FREE box of fresh produce at our Mobile Markets. Calendars are online at ymcawnc.org/nutritionprograms.

Offering meal pick-ups to those in need in our community: H&F Burger Asheville
May 29 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
H&F Burger Asheville

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 11am-2pm, we are offering meal pick-ups to those in need in our community. 200 meals will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

Image may contain: one or more people and food, possible text that says 'FOOD connection. CHEF MEA MEAL DONATIONS for Disaster Relief'

Free Dead Fridays
May 29 @ 5:30 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

Join us at The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall every Friday at 5:30PM for our FREE Acoustic Grateful Dead series Featuring members of Phuncle Sam and great drink and food specials.

Image

Saturday, May 30, 2020
“Get Happy” with Tap Dancing Vagabonds Flat Rock Playhouse
May 30 all-day
online

This video was choreographed and directed by Lauren Hopkins and features a whole crew of performers from YouTheatre days, Studio 52, Former Apprentices, AEA company, and even director/choreographer Amy Jones!

Choreographed/Directed: Lauren Hopkins; Video edited: Ryan Jalernpan; Music edited: Amy Jones; Dancers: Lauren HopkinsAndrew LivingstonSher ShepherdLauren ImhoffAllison NockAmy JonesStephanie WahlCharlie JohnsonMaria BuchananDavid Paul KidderMillicent HunnicuttCara DolanDesiree RickerRaja JalernpanCasey Hebbel

12-Month, Farmer-Led Training Program Organic Growers School
May 30 all-day
 Southwestern Community College

Want to farm?

12-Month, Farmer-Led Training Program

Many skills are required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. Using a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network, Farm Beginnings® will help you clarify your goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan, and start building a profitable and sustainable operation. Although students do not need to own land, some farming or production experience is required to get the most out of the program. As we know, farming is more critical than ever. Apply to this program and be prepared when crisis hits!

200+ Hours of Training


Curriculum & Schedule

Farm Beginnings® Course Schedule & Descriptions 2020-2021


Location of Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses 2020-2021

The locations for the 2020-2021 class will be at the Small Business Center at We will keep our website updated if we shift to online classes.

 

Application Open for Farm Beginnings 2020/2021
May 30 all-day
Organic growers School

 

Organic Growers School’s Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is entering its sixth year offering a year long farmer training. Organic Growers School has graduated 61 farmers in the last 5 years and will graduate 76  by September 2020.  Farm Beginnings® is a 12-month training that uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentorship, and an extensive farmer network, tapping into the  knowledge of the most innovative & skilled farmers in Western NC. During this current pandemic, the role of farmers and how food gets to our tables has been more at the forefront of conversations. Many individuals right now are expressing interest in growing their own food and developing more self sufficiency and land based skills. If you want to farm, it has never been easy and if you want to get into farming now, it is time to do so with the right support and training on how to be adaptive and resilient, like our Farm Beginnings training.

GreenWorks: Plant of the Month is Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)
May 30 all-day
online

Plant of the Month

Our plant of the month is Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), a beautiful, native shrub that can reach 6-9 feet in height. Sweetshrub is also known as Spicebush and Carolina Allspice, due to its fragrant leaves, twigs and flowers. This beautiful shrub is a good choice for planting along stream banks that are prone to erosion. The roots help keep soil in place and the characteristics of the plant make it well suited to most soil types, as well as partial shade to full sun. Sweetshrub is in bloom right now in our area, so keep your eyes out for these stunning, sweet smelling flowers!

YMCA of Western North Carolina Mobile Market Schedule MAY
May 30 all-day
varies

https://ymcawnc.org/sites/default/files/May%202020%20Nutrition%20mobile%20market.pdf

 

North Asheville Tailgate Market – Every Saturday Morning
May 30 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
North Asheville Tailgate Market

Locally grown eggplants

May 2 – November 21

Now with special COVID-19 procedures, the North Asheville Tailgate Market features local produce direct from area farmers, local baked goods, crafts, music and more.

PLEASE SEE THE NEW PROCEDURES BEFORE COMING TO CAMPUS. You can find information, including about pre-ordering, and changes in payment and shopping procedures on the market’s website.

Open Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon in UNC Asheville Parking Lot P28. maps.unca.edu

For more information, visit northashevilletailgatemarket.com

ASAP Farmers Markets: AB Tech’s Main Campus
May 30 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
AB Tech's Main Campus

ASAP Farmers Market map

Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning March 21.

The market will operate for as long as necessary, possibly expanding to other locations and days of the week as opportunity and demand allows.

Market Rules

  • No customers or vendors exhibiting symptoms may enter the market.
  • Maintain 6 feet of social distance at all times.
  • One customer at a time for each vendor table.
  • Only handle product you are purchasing. Products will be pre-packaged or bunched.
  • Children, if they must attend with adult shoppers, must be closely supervised.

Anyone failing to comply with these conditions will be directed to leave the market.

Free Lunches at Ferguson YMCA
May 30 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ferguson Family YMCA

Image may contain: 2 people, people sitting and outdoor, possible text that says 'the MEETING COMMUNITY NEED'

FREE LUNCHES for anyone 18 years of age and under at the Ferguson Family YMCA. Simply drive up to our front door and let us know how many lunches you need, no questions asked.

For additional food for your family, pick up a FREE box of fresh produce at our Mobile Markets. Calendars are online at ymcawnc.org/nutritionprograms.

17th Annual Montford Music and Arts Festival RESCHEDULED
May 30 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Historic Montford District

Great food, artist displays and fun activities while mingling with their neighbors.”

 

Perhaps the most family friendly street festival in western North Carolina, the Montford Music & Arts Festival features a special children’s area for face painting, interactive displays, sidewalk chalk art contest and other fun activities.

 

Located on Montford Ave. between Chestnut and Waneta Streets just down the street from downtown Asheville, the Asheville Visitors Center and Chamber of the Commerce, the all-day event will also feature a music stage with another attractive lineup in 2020.   Comprised solely of local musicians, the performing schedule will be announced shortly.

 

Attendees will also be treated to a wide variety of specialty cuisine, courtesy of food booths and food trucks.  In addition, more than 100 booth vendors will be on hand, with various artists, crafts people and nursery plant purveyors selling their merchandise.

 

Featuring turn-of-the-century “Victorian” homes and several bed-and-breakfast inns, a portion of Montford is proclaimed a National Register Historic District.  Many of today’s Montford historic homes were designed by the same architect hired by the Vanderbilt Family to create the Biltmore Estate.

 

World famous authors Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry are buried in Montford at the nearby Riverside Cemetery, while the community’s rich history also dates back to the once thriving African-American community of Stumptown, which ended in the 1960’s.

 

The very first Montford festival was presented as strictly an arts event in 2004, held inside of Pyper’s Place, which is now Nine Mile Restaurant, and Sweet Heaven Ice Cream Shop, now a real estate office.

 

Service Industry Heroes Complimentary Meal w/ Food Connection
May 30 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
The Asheville Masonic Temple · Asheville, North Carolina

Image may contain: possible text that says 'SERVICE INDUSTRY HEROES complimentary meal by WICKED WEED BREWING'

To our friends who’ve lost their jobs including those in the service industry and hospitality workers: Please join Food Connection for a free “to go” meal lovingly prepared by Wicked Weed Brewing’s Cultura thanks to a generous gift from an anonymous donor! We will be setting up in the parking lot against the Asheville Masonic Temple. We will be offering curbside service distributing meals from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm or until they run out.

For the safety of our beautiful community:
* If you come by car, please stay in your car at all times.
*There is 1 Entrance In By AMT and you will drive through and exit at the back of the lot.
• If you come by foot, please keep a social distance of at least 6 feet.
* Wear a mask if you have one
Thanks, y’all! We hope to see you Saturday!

Swannanoa Valley Complimentary Meal w/ Food Connection
May 30 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
In front of the office of Symmetry Financial

Food Connection will be giving out free chef prepared meals from Wicked Weed Brewing‘s Cultura restaurant in Swannanoa on Saturdays beginning May 2nd from 3-4PM or until all meals are given out. Times are tough for many of us. Please know there are no requirements for receiving the meals. If you need a meal or meals for your family, PLEASE come join us. :) Meals will be served curbside “to go” style in front of the Symmetry Financial Group offices at 204 Whitson Avenue in Swannanoa (next door to the Native Kitchen.) Look for the Food Connection van. Our volunteers will be practicing extreme safety. We hope to see you this Saturday and each Saturday that you may need a delicious ready-to-eat meal. Please help us spread the word by sharing this post!

Sunday, May 31, 2020
Virtual Asheville Beer Week 2020
May 31 all-day
online

WE’RE GOING VIRTUAL and Bringing AVL Beer Week to You!

Events added daily at: http://avlbeerweek.com/events

In light of current circumstances, we are unable to host AVL Beer Week in its traditional capacity. We have tentatively scheduled dates for a Fall AVL Beer Week, but will only proceed with planning and executing a physical beer week once we are 100% certain it is safe and practical to do so.

With that said, We’re excited to announce Virtual AVL Beer Week 2020: Friday, May 22-Sunday, May 31!

AVL Beer Week aims to promote all of the awesome stuff our local breweries are doing to keep us engaged, learning, having fun, and of course, enjoying local craft beverages during these uncertain times!

Join us on Facebook Live, Zoom and curbside to enjoy trivia, yoga, happy hours, to-go beer dinners, educational offerings, beer releases, beer specials and more!

AVL Beer Week relies on the vital support of participants to sustain, and with our culinary and beverage industries facing an uncertain future, we will be looking for new ways to gain that support by making AVL Beer Week donation based in order to make it open and accessible to all participating businesses. LOOK FOR OUR FUNDRAISER LAUNCH SOON!

Thank you for supporting WNC breweries and small businesses! Until we can once again gather in large numbers, we can band together in spirit over our various networks to bring the best of Asheville’s craft beverage scene into our homes.

YMCA of Western North Carolina Mobile Market Schedule MAY
May 31 all-day
varies

https://ymcawnc.org/sites/default/files/May%202020%20Nutrition%20mobile%20market.pdf

 

Bluegrass Brunch
May 31 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

Image

Bluegrass Brunch
hosted by Aaron Woody Wood & The Sufi Brothers

Pickin’ on the Porch w/ Chicken Coop Willaye 1030AM
Bald Mountain Boys 11AM – 12:30PM
Sufi Brothers 12:45PM – 3PM

Be sure to check out our Bloody Mary Bar, the BEST selection of pickled products and other additions in Asheville. The MOJO Kitchen will be serving a special Brunch menu until 3PM as well.

Food & music start at 10:30am
ADULT beverages at Noon.

Shakedown Sundays
May 31 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

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Every Sunday Except First of Month.