Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Sunday, April 30, 2023
Cafe Israel 2023
Apr 30 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Congregation Beth Israel

An Asheville cultural festival favorite returns! To celebrate Israel’s 75th birthday and our beloved festival founder, Hanan Weizman, we’re serving up live Israeli music by Ovadya and traditional hand-prepared Israeli delicacies including falafel, schwarma, Israeli desserts and beers galore.

Don’t miss the children’s inflatables and art-studded silent auction featuring prized offerings from local artists and businesses. Registrants of the Jewish Community Center’s Falafel 5K, our sister event, receive a free falafel sandwich at Cafe Israel following the athletic event’s conclusion. See you there!

Event photography by Camilla Calnan Photography.

Saturday, May 6, 2023
2023 Get In Gear Festival
May 6 @ 12:00 pm
The Outpost

Showcasing the Outdoor Industry Hub of the East
Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 12-5pm
The Outpost 521 Amboy Rd, Asheville, NC
Connect with local companies, products, and experiences.
Demo the latest gear and exclusive sales
Enjoy local food and beverages
Activities for the whole family
https://fb.me/e/6jjByMplL

Who’s Bad The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience
May 6 @ 7:30 pm
Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

The HALL at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium’s RELIVE THE GLORY DAYS concert series presents Who’s Bad The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience May 6 at 7:30pm. Tickets on sale NOW

Friday, May 12, 2023
Departure A Journey Tribute Band
May 12 @ 7:30 pm
Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

The HALL at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium’s RELIVE THE GLORY DAYS concert series presents, Departure A Journey Tribute Band May 12 at 7:30pm. Tickets on sale NOW

Slippery When Wet The Ulitmate Bon Jovi Tribute Band
May 12 @ 7:30 pm
Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

The HALL at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium’s RELIVE THE GLORY DAYS concert series presents Slippery When Wet The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute on May 12 at 7:30pm. Tickets on sale NOW

Saturday, May 13, 2023
Pan Harmonia | Concoction 5
May 13 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum Atrium

ASO Amadeus Festival

Visit the Asheville Art Museum Atrium for Music Mixology!

Music on the hour from Noon to 5 pm
The music begins with Flute at Noon, adds Bassoon at 1 pm then Clarinet at 2 pm; Oboe at 3 pm and finally mixes in a French horn at 4 pm to concoct a woodwind quintet!

Gorgeous music featuring: Kare Steinbeck, flute; Rosalind Buda, bassoon; Taylor Massey, clarinet; Michael Jones, oboe; Anneka Zuehlke, French horn

Each musical portion is 20-25 minutes long. Drop in for any part of the afternoon. Walk-ins are welcome. Reservations are encouraged, as seating is limited.

Sunday, May 14, 2023
LEAF Retreat
May 14 all-day
Lake Eden

Everywhere across this great land, we see, hear and feel impressions of the peoples that once cultivated it. In this year’s Spring Retreat, we will uplift and honor First Nations, Indigenous and LatinX peoples as a precursor to our Fall Festival, “Legends of The Americas!” We also have a yearly focus on Health: mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. It is a time of rejoicing and celebrating those who came before us. A rekindling of the wisdom passed down through generations; a time of honoring beautiful legacies, stories and traditions. Please join as we enter a world of learning through the eyes of the greats, this May 11-14th at LEAF Retreat!

Theme:
“Legends of the Americas”

Artists:
The Headhunters
Arise Roots
Boukman Eksperyans
Chinobay of Uganda and Dance of Hope
John Toineeta (John-John of Cherokee)
Larry & Joe
LEAF International Guatemala
VOXMANA (w/ Natalia Clavier of Thievery Corp)
A Sneak Preview Screening of “The Last Ecstatic Days”
Adama Dembele Artist in Residence
Amado Espinoza – Native Instruments
Angela Gladue & The 1st Nations Dancers
Aztec Dance Chichimeca
Billy Jonas
Blue Ridge Pride Drag Queens
BoogiTherapi
Carol Rifkin
D.O.A. Breakdancers
EarthShine Nature Programs
Elder Roy Harris
Haviken Hayes
James Nave’
Kinney
Marcos Napa
Masankho Banda
Melissa McKinney
Monika Guerra
Mountain Circus Arts
Nélida Lopez-Fernandez
NewSong LEAF Songwriters Showcase
Pickleball
Playing with Fyre
Quadre’ Stuckey
Quraishi Roya
Ronna Dragon
Sarauniya “Niya” Zulu
Seffarine
Shalullaby League
Sonos Poetica featuring Jeff Firewalker
Spaceman Jones
Stephanie Winters
Street Creature Puppet Collective
The Grief Happening
The Wandering Swordsman
Tom Heck
Tracey Schmidt’s “The Awakening of Turtle Island: Portraits of Native Americans”
Underhill Rose
Unifire Theater
Unspoken Tradition
Volando Magnifico

LEAF Retreat “Legends Of The Americas”
May 14 all-day
Lake Eden

Performer Aztex Dancer

Everywhere across this great land, we see, hear and feel impressions of the peoples that once cultivated it. In this year’s Spring Retreat, we will uplift and honor First Nations, Indigenous & LatinX peoples as a precursor to our Fall Festival, and honor our own community leaders. We also have a yearly focus on Health: mental, physical & emotional wellbeing. It is a time of rejoicing and celebrating those that came before us. A rekindling of the wisdom passed down through generations; a time of honoring beautiful legacies, stories and traditions

Friday, May 19, 2023
Asheville Amadeus Festival: Young People’s Concerts with Béla Fleck
May 19 @ 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

The Youth Orchestra will present two consecutive educational Young People’s Concerts, free for all Buncombe County’s 5th-graders, featuring Béla Fleck and members of the Asheville Symphony! They will perform a wide range of pieces from “Shenandoah” to “Sourwood Mountain,” Bizet to Sibelius

Welcome to the new Asheville Amadeus Festival!

Building upon the success of our rock-themed Festival in 2019, the 2023 Festival moves in another exciting new direction, this year celebrating all things Americana with theater, art, music, culinary arts, and more. Featuring banjo superstar Béla Fleck as our Festival Headliner, Kishi Bashi as our Festival Opener, and 25+ partner organizations offering 40+ events throughout this extraordinary ten-day Festival, this is the most ambitious Amadeus in Asheville Symphony history!

There are endless ways to get involved in this year’s Festival, including attending the myriad of free or ticketed events, buying exclusive Amadeus merch, and drinking our exclusive collaborative beer. Click on the link below to learn more about this year’s Festival. 

MORE ON THE FESTIVAL

Saturday, May 20, 2023
Saluda Arts Festival
May 20 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Downtown Saluda

18 Years of Dedication to the Arts in Saluda

The Saluda Downtown Foundation is proud to celebrate Saluda’s heritage and art culture at the 18th annual Saluda Arts Festival scheduled for May 20, 2023, in historic downtown Main Street in Saluda. Stretching along historic and charming Main Street, every art medium is represented in this popular annual event including paintings, pottery, metalwork, jewelry, sculptures, fiber, and more.

List of Vendors

WNC Bigfoot Festival
May 20 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Downtown Marion

You may come a skeptic, but you’ll leave a believer after attending the WNC Bigfoot Festival. Educational panels, a Bigfoot Calling Contest and other family-friendly activities make this the southeast’s premier Bigfoot event.

Whether you’re a foodie interested in trying Bigfoot-themed dishes or you have a desire to see art inspired by Sasquatch and created by regional artist, there’s something for everyone at the 2023 WNC Bigfoot Festival.

Click Here to See Saturday’s Bigfoot Festival Satellite Parking Locations

Citron Gallery Group Exhibition: “Reflections”
May 20 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Citron Gallery

Citron Gallery presents REFLECTIONS, a group exhibition featuring new works by a diverse range of national and international artists. Consisting of both literal and metaphorical meanings, reflections can appear in many different forms. The physical nature of light alters appearances and can reveal unexpected sensations. Reflections can also be internal; emotional, spiritual or cerebral, revealing distant memories. These artists have created works that aim to portray an inner dialogue for the viewer. Join us for an evening of art, music, light refreshments, and conversation.

Exhibiting artists include: Allison B. Cooke, Anna Carll, Dorothy Ganek, Eric Abrecht, Kieta Jackson, Kento Saisho, Lauren Betty, and Rand Kramer

Additional works by: Cliff Warner, Joshua Meyer

Opening Reception: Saturday, May 20th, 2023 | 5 PM – 8 PM
On View: May 20, 2023 – August 31, 2023
Location: 60 Biltmore Ave., #002 Lower Level, Asheville, NC 28801

Thursday, May 25, 2023
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Pulp Lounge
May 25 @ 8:00 pm
Pulp Lounge

5.25.23 The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement PULP
What: Stand up Comedy at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge
When: Thursday 5.25.2023. 8p-10p, doors at 7:30p
Where: The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $14 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!! .
Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free snacks at comics table]
Feature TBA
Host Cody Hughes: Cody is a comedian who cut his teeth in Chicago and Atlanta. He is now based out of West North Carolina and tours the Southeast. He has opened for Lewis Black, John Oliver and Maria Bamford among others and hosts the regular Slice of Life Comedy shows at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge.
About Pulp: The speakeasy inspired hideaway offers a cozy space for show-goers to relax and enjoy a beverage during the concert. Boasting over 200 different Bourbons and Whiskeys, alongside a myriad of other spirits, it is a must-visit for cocktail lovers and Bourbon sippers alike. Pulp will also open various other nights to feature local artists and “Slice of Life” open-mic comedy nights. To stay informed with the happenings at Pulp, visit the Orange Peel’s website, and follow @pulp_avl on Instagram.

Friday, May 26, 2023
White Squirrel Weekend
May 26 all-day
Downtown Brevard

White Squirrel 2023 will kick off downtown Friday evening and run through Sunday afternoon in the heart of downtown.

In addition to the live music, the weekend event features a smattering of delicious local food vendors and a beer garden featuring all of Brevard’s local craft breweries and wine.  Craft, artisan and nonprofit vendors add to the weekend’s street offerings.

GrindFest 2023
May 26 @ 10:00 am
 Grindfest

GrindFest is a free, 3-day festival that celebrates Black Business and entrepreneurship

 About this event

 Grindfest is BACK! It is a free, 3-day event that celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs + business owners in Asheville.  A block-party style event will take place on 8 Rivers Arts Place! This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. A long weekend of fun and excitement.

See you there!

Let’s make HISTORY together! 

Love Your Mother (Earth) Concert
May 26 @ 7:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Womansong, Asheville’s longest-running women’s community chorus, invites you to join us in our spring concert, “Love Your Mother (Earth)” a tribute to the beauty of our world. Under the direction of Artistic Director Dr. Allison Thorp, along with Assistant Director Claire Lemke and former Director Althea Gonzalez, this concert will focus on songs celebrating, caring for, and advocating for Mother Earth. The first half of our program will highlight music that expresses love for the earth – appreciation, reflection, connection and joy. The second half will feature music that expresses love for the earth in action – doing, moving, and making change. Among the many inspiring songs are Carrie Newcomer’s If Not Now, Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, Elise Witt’s My Salsa Garden, and the world premiere of Lytingale’s call-to-action composition, Together We Can Change the World. From choral anthems to contemporary pop tunes, there’s
something for everyone – music to make you laugh, cry and dance. Accompanying the choir on piano, flute, violin, and percussion will be Lytingale, Georgia Pressman, Jane Snyder, and Sarah Rubin. Womansong concerts are accessible to the hearing impaired through musical sign language interpretation by Shiner Antiorio.
The concert will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, One Edwin Place, Asheville 28801, on Friday, May 26, at 7:30 PM, and Saturday, May 27, at 3:00 PM. Womansong celebrates the unity diversity, and empowerment of women through musical expression as we sing for joy, social justice, and community. Our concerts help fund the operation of our nonprofit organization, including the choir’s New Start Fund, a provider of scholarships and emergency funds to women in need.

Saturday, May 27, 2023
White Squirrel Weekend
May 27 all-day
Downtown Brevard

White Squirrel 2023 will kick off downtown Friday evening and run through Sunday afternoon in the heart of downtown.

In addition to the live music, the weekend event features a smattering of delicious local food vendors and a beer garden featuring all of Brevard’s local craft breweries and wine.  Craft, artisan and nonprofit vendors add to the weekend’s street offerings.

GrindFest 2023
May 27 @ 10:00 am
 Grindfest

GrindFest is a free, 3-day festival that celebrates Black Business and entrepreneurship

 About this event

 Grindfest is BACK! It is a free, 3-day event that celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs + business owners in Asheville.  A block-party style event will take place on 8 Rivers Arts Place! This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. A long weekend of fun and excitement.

See you there!

Let’s make HISTORY together! 

Sunday, May 28, 2023
White Squirrel Weekend
May 28 all-day
Downtown Brevard

White Squirrel 2023 will kick off downtown Friday evening and run through Sunday afternoon in the heart of downtown.

In addition to the live music, the weekend event features a smattering of delicious local food vendors and a beer garden featuring all of Brevard’s local craft breweries and wine.  Craft, artisan and nonprofit vendors add to the weekend’s street offerings.

GrindFest 2023
May 28 @ 10:00 am
 Grindfest

GrindFest is a free, 3-day festival that celebrates Black Business and entrepreneurship

 About this event

 Grindfest is BACK! It is a free, 3-day event that celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs + business owners in Asheville.  A block-party style event will take place on 8 Rivers Arts Place! This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. A long weekend of fun and excitement.

See you there!

Let’s make HISTORY together! 

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza
May 28 @ 6:30 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co

We have another great standup comedy show coming up at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Sunday May 28, 6:30 pm. Show is 18+. An always crazy fun comedy open mic with the area’s best comics (performing comics get free pizza & entry)!!
Come get delicious food & drinks while laughing the night away! Contact [email protected] for more information!
Hosted by Morgan Bost. Morgan is an Asheville based comic capturing the playful and often painful parallels between adolescence and “almost-adulthood.” Vibrant yet vulnerable; her high-energy storytelling is influenced by her background as an improviser. She co-hosts a weekly comedy open mic called “The Hot Seat,” and writes a monthly humor column, “Best Medicine with Morgan Bost,” for the Mountain Xpress. She’s opened for Rob Delaney, Beth Stelling, and has appeared in several breweries and discount grocery stores across Western North Carolina.
Tickets at:
https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/movies/

NIGHTMARE OF NOISE // EMOTRON // DOT COM BUBBLE
May 28 @ 8:00 pm
The Odd

Avant garde music & circuit bending fans! Do not miss the next incarnation of Nightmare of Noise,Toybox Theatre’s electric experimental toy orchestra! Featuring local mad scientist Zen Sutherland and local fan favorite multimedia artist Edwin Salas.

Monday, May 29, 2023
LovEolution
May 29 all-day
Sacred Mountain Waters

After five years of hosting our Gatherings at Camp Hope, which we dressed up and transformed into Camp LovEvolution for three powerful days and nights every year, the dream of finding and creating our own sanctuary for the LovEvolution year round has been realized.

So time to reunite and celebrate this evolution of the LovEvolution in pioneering and anchoring the new paradigm. Time to dance, sing, pray and celebrate on the beautiful 200 plus acres of wilderness that is cradled in a mountain valley bounded by rivers two miles of rivers, just north of Asheville.

During the gathering we’ll also be holding the first Sunday service for the recently created LovEvolution Fellowship Church in its new LovEvolution Lodge – Event Center and Chapel. These Sunday fellowship services will then continue on the first Sunday of every month.

We are powerful co-creators of the world we experience. To cultivate the world of our dreams we will share dozens of heart and mind opening workshops and events – including Ecstatic Dance, Song and Fire Circle, Drumming, Musical Performances, Ceremony, Celebrations, Compassionate Communication, Sacred Relationship, Qi Gong, Sound Healing, Yoga, Shamanic Breath Work and more.

There will also be opportunities to immerse yourself in nature by hiking the land, soaking in the hot tubs, cleansing in the sauna and swimming in the natural swimming pond and rivers.

Thursday, June 1, 2023
Tickets go on sale for Fall LEAF Festival
Jun 1 all-day
online

The Festival offers opportunities to connect to the world and each other at the scenic and inspiring Lake Eden. Explore indigenous art and culture as we celebrate Legends of Americas; experience music and traditions of global artists; and be inspired by creatives and thought leaders from both local and international communities. Live music, dance, and performance arts are offered alongside camp and lake outdoor adventures, healing arts workshops and practitioners, the longest continually running poetry slam in the world, kids adventures and workshops, mountain drum circle, and so much more!

Friday, June 2, 2023
Tickets go on sale for Fall LEAF Festival
Jun 2 all-day
online

The Festival offers opportunities to connect to the world and each other at the scenic and inspiring Lake Eden. Explore indigenous art and culture as we celebrate Legends of Americas; experience music and traditions of global artists; and be inspired by creatives and thought leaders from both local and international communities. Live music, dance, and performance arts are offered alongside camp and lake outdoor adventures, healing arts workshops and practitioners, the longest continually running poetry slam in the world, kids adventures and workshops, mountain drum circle, and so much more!

Saturday, June 3, 2023
Tickets go on sale for Fall LEAF Festival
Jun 3 all-day
online

The Festival offers opportunities to connect to the world and each other at the scenic and inspiring Lake Eden. Explore indigenous art and culture as we celebrate Legends of Americas; experience music and traditions of global artists; and be inspired by creatives and thought leaders from both local and international communities. Live music, dance, and performance arts are offered alongside camp and lake outdoor adventures, healing arts workshops and practitioners, the longest continually running poetry slam in the world, kids adventures and workshops, mountain drum circle, and so much more!

Dia del Nino
Jun 3 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center

June 3rd, from 2 to 5 pm, the baseball field at the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center will be transformed into festival grounds, complete with music, games, dancing, water activities and Latin street foods.  A Mexican holiday generally celebrated at the end of April, “Día del Niño”, or day of the children, is returning to Cashiers in June. 

 

In Mexico, the holiday is as big as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day; shopping malls host special events, museums and zoos give special children’s discounts, and people hand out small, traditional toys to children they encounter throughout the day. Dia del Nino celebrates the contribution to a community that children bring, and is an opportunity to shower our kiddos with love.

The June 3rd event will feature games and activities for children and families, such as piñatas, traditional Mexican dancing, tug-o-war, foam party, sack races, water balloons, face painting, Zumba lesson, and musical chairs. Each child who attends will receive a free event t-shirt this year. There will also be refreshments, including tamales, popcorn, beverages, elotes, and….CHURROS! El Dia del Niño is completely free for all attendees and with so much fun planned, there’s bound to be endless smiles, laughter, new friends and memories!

 

Just Brew It
Jun 3 @ 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Pisgah Brewing Company

Just Brew It is a homebrew competition and tasting in Asheville benefiting the work of Just Economics. The festival features 75+ different beers and 30+ amazing homebrewers. The competing homebrewers are some of the finest specialty homebrewers in the region with classic brews from traditional IPAs, lagers, sours, and stouts to unique beers brewed with specialty items like coffee, chocolate, spices, and fruit.

To attend, you must be a current member of Just Economics. This event is not ticketed, so you must purchase a membership prior to the event. Then, all Just Economics members can sample the homebrews and vote for their favorites!

Purchase your membership here: https://www.justeconomicswnc.org/donate/

Memberships are $30, which grants you entry to the event.
Memberships with a VIP package are $50, which grant you entry to the event an hour early (1:00pm) plus a souvenir glass, gourmet pretzel, and more.

This is a local festival you won’t want to miss and your membership supports the work of Just Economics to advance living wages, affordable housing and better transit! Hope to see you there!

Sunday, June 4, 2023
Tickets go on sale for Fall LEAF Festival
Jun 4 all-day
online

The Festival offers opportunities to connect to the world and each other at the scenic and inspiring Lake Eden. Explore indigenous art and culture as we celebrate Legends of Americas; experience music and traditions of global artists; and be inspired by creatives and thought leaders from both local and international communities. Live music, dance, and performance arts are offered alongside camp and lake outdoor adventures, healing arts workshops and practitioners, the longest continually running poetry slam in the world, kids adventures and workshops, mountain drum circle, and so much more!

2nd Annual Asheville Honey Festival
Jun 4 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Salvage Station

Looking for a buzz-worthy event? Look no further than Asheville’s 2nd Annual Honey Festival! Join the Center for Honeybee Research and Shanti Elixirs on Sunday, June 4th, from 12-6pm for a day of celebration, education, and community-building.
At the festival, you’ll enjoy live music, food trucks, and vendors showcasing the unique flavors of honey and other artisanal goods. But that’s not all: you’ll also be supporting a great cause, as proceeds from the festival will go towards saving pollinators and our planet.
The Center for Honeybee Research will be offering local and international honey for guests to sample and purchase, and you can even participate in the People’s Choice award for local honey vendors. Plus, we will be featuring the live finals of the 12th Annual International Black Jar Honey competition. Festival goers can watch as local celebrities determine the world’s best tasting honey.
And don’t forget to come dressed in your best pollinator-themed costume! It’s all part of the fun at Asheville’s 2nd Annual Honey Festival.
Personal water bottles are recommended, and families are encouraged to attend. So mark your calendars for June 4th, and come out to celebrate the wonderful world of beekeeping, honey, and all things pollinators. Together, we can help save the bees!