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.

Thursday, August 31, 2023
Western North Carolina Glass: Selections from the Collection
Aug 31 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Western North Carolina is important in the history of American glass art. Several artists of the Studio Glass Movement came to the region, including its founder Harvey K. Littleton. Begun in 1962 in Wisconsin, it was a student of Littleton’s that first came to the area in 1965 and set up a glass studio at the Penland School of Craft in Penland, North Carolina. By 1967, Mark Peiser was the first glass artist resident at the school and taught many notable artists, like Jak Brewer in 1968 and Richard Ritter who came to study in 1971. By 1977, Littleton retired from teaching and moved to nearby Spruce Pine, North Carolina and set up a glass studio at his home.

Since that time, glass artists like Ken Carder, Rick and Valerie Beck, Shane Fero, and Yaffa Sikorsky and Jeff Todd—to name only a few—have flocked to the area to reside, collaborate, and teach, making it a significant place for experimentation and education in glass. The next generation of artists like Hayden Wilson and Alex Bernstein continue to create here. The Museum is dedicated to collecting American studio glass and within that umbrella, explores the work of Artists connected to Western North Carolina. Exhibitions, including Intersections of American Art, explore glass art in the context of American Art of the 20th and 21st centuries. A variety of techniques and a willingness to push boundaries of the medium can be seen in this selection of works from the Museum’s Collection.

Zumba
Aug 31 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grove Street Community Center

Come join in on the fun at this Latin Inspired Zumba Exercise Party. This fun and upbeat class is exhilarating and easy to follow. All levels are welcome and it’s free!! This Program is offered every Thursday from 11:00am-12:00pm. Please call 828-350-2062 for more information.

Fun with Fungi @ Swannanoa Library
Aug 31 @ 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Swannanoa Library

We’ll take a short walk outside to look for mushrooms and fungi while discussing how to stay safe with little ones in the great outdoors. We’ll have mushroom sensory play, taste-testing, and grownups can learn about how fungi can support immunity and health!

Outdoor County Pools Open
Aug 31 @ 11:30 am – 5:00 pm
Various Buncombe County Outdoor Pools

Gather bathing suits and sunscreen, Buncombe County’s outdoor pools are getting ready to open. The County’s five outdoor pools will open for the 2023 season on May 27. This includes the pools at Cane Creek, Erwin, Hominy Valley, North Buncombe, and Owen.

Outdoor pools will be open on weekends only until area schools are out for the summer. Starting on June 10, Pools will be open seven days a week.

Pool hours are Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Cost for pool entry is $3 per person.

Private lessons at the outdoor pools are available for different age groups from 3-year-olds and up. For more information on lessons or to register for a class, click here.

The pools can also be booked for private parties 14 days in advance and must have a minimum of 50 patrons. Pool bookings are available Monday through Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Click here for more information on booking pools.

Buncombe County Pool Locations:

  • Cane Creek Pool – 590 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher
  • Erwin Pool – 58 Lees Creek Road, Asheville
  • Hominy Valley Pool – 25 Twin Lakes Road, Candler
  • North Buncombe Pool – 734 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville
  • Owen Pool – 117 Stone Drive, Swannanoa

In addition, lap swimming is available year-round at the Buncombe County Schools Aquatics Center, a 10-lane pool managed by the YMCA of Western North Carolina and Buncombe County Schools.

For more information on outdoor pools, visit the County’s pool website or call (828) 348-4770.

Summer Animal Encounters
Aug 31 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
Weekdays only at 2pm

Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

The Girl on the Train
Aug 31 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated. Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and DreamWorks film.

*Adult language and content. Parental discretion advised.

West Asheville Library Book Discussion: The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris
Aug 31 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
West Asheville Library
  We will be discussing The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris.  All are welcome!
Enka-Candler Tailgate Market
Aug 31 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Enka-Candler Tailgate Market
75% of Enka-Candler Tailgate Market proceeds go towards a student and summer camp scholarship fund for Asheville Farmstead School to promote diversity and accessibility to children learning about themselves and nature through farm and forest. The remaining 25% will be given back to the local Enka-Candler community, directed by the Enka-Candler Tailgate Market Advisory Committee.

List of Supporters (Discounts, donat

Flat Rock Farmers Market
Aug 31 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Flat Rock Farmers Market

Join us on Thursdays from 3-6 pm through October

 

Celebrating over 15 years of bringing fresh, local produce and handcrafted goods to the community of Flat Rock NC.
Join us every Thursday, May – October at our location at Pinecrest Presbyterian Church at the corner of Upward Rd and Greenville Hwy. 

Flat Rock Farmers’ Market
Aug 31 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Pinecrest Presbyterian Church

Flat Rock Farmers’ Market, Every Thursday 3pm-6pm, The Flat Rock Farmers Market celebrates over 15 years of bringing fresh,
local produce and handcrafted goods each Thursday through October to Flat Rock, NC. This farmers market is made of a diverse
group of local produce farmers, makers, bread bakers, wild crafters and merry makers. You will love the friendly, informative,
creative vendors that set up for the market. Be sure you stop by each one to introduce yourself and ask questions. Located at
Pinecrest Presbyterian Church

Intro to Ukulele
Aug 31 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Students will receive a solid foundation in beginner Ukulele skills for vocalists. Chords, Rhythm patterns, and basic theory will be introduced through songs with an uplifting message. Students will also learn to play the song that the Songwriting Class will be writing and get to record it in the One Mic Studio.

Walking Foundy Tour
Aug 31 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Foundy Tour

Join us on a walking tour of the Foundy in the River Arts District where we learn about the only existing Street Art Gallery in Asheville and all the artists who have created graffiti and mural installations that have made our town an urban art destination.

Wee Wine + Dahlias
Aug 31 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Bullington Gardens
Bullington Gardens invites you to experience the epitome of exclusivity with their new and exciting offering – twilight parties in the enchanting gardens. Now accepting reservations, this is your chance to indulge in a truly magical evening with your own private group of eight. From August 15 to October 14, 2023, Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30-6:30p.m., immerse yourself in nature’s wonders while delighting your palate with locally-sourced wines and cider, all in the company of the resplendent Dahlias in full bloom.

Picture this: you and your closest companions, relishing the serenity of the gardens, sipping on delectable beverages, and taking leisurely strolls amidst the breathtaking flora. To ensure an intimate experience, each group of up to eight will have their own private party. Whether you prefer the charming pavilion or the festive tents, the choice is yours. And fear not, for even if the rain tries to dampen the mood, the horticultural therapy greenhouse is ready to shelter you.

With only two groups accommodated each evening, you’ll have the pleasure of enjoying your own secluded space. Each group’s table will be beautifully set in separate venues, adorned with fresh floral arrangements that you can take home as a keepsake. As the host, you have the opportunity to curate a culinary masterpiece by bringing your own hors d’oeuvres or even an entire meal. Imagine the delight of savoring delicious food amidst an unparalleled view, creating an unforgettable private party.

The cost for a table of eight is $300 per group, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience. If you’re interested in elevating your involvement, consider a sponsorship level of $500. By participating in this extraordinary event, you will not only create cherished memories but also support the Educational and Horticultural Therapy programs dedicated to children and adults with special needs.

To secure your spot for the Wee Wine & Dahlias evening of your dreams, reserve below or give us a call at 828-698-6104. Remember, availability is limited, so make sure to secure your reservation early. Get ready to immerse yourself in an evening of enchantment at Bullington Gardens!

August 15th through October 14th, 2023. Tuesday-Saturday, 4:30pm-6:30pm.

Grandfather Presents: David Sibley
Aug 31 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Grandfather Mountain

A speaker in our Grandfather Presents series, David Allen Sibley is the author and illustrator of the series of successful guides to nature that bear his name, including the New York Times bestseller The Sibley Guide to Birds. He has contributed art and articles to Smithsonian, Science, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, Birding, BirdWatching, and North American Birds, and wrote an illustrated a syndicated column for The New York Times. He is the recipient of the Roger Tory Peterson Award for Lifetime Achievement from the American Birding Association and the Linnaean Society of New York’s Eisenmann Medal. He lives in Deerfield, MA.

Tickets
Buy tickets below beginning June 30, 2023.

“VIP” tickets include a VIP reception with the guest speaker that includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, in addition to the program and the “meet and greet” session after the event. Admission to the park for the day is also included.

  • $60 “VIP” Adult
  • $51 “VIP” Bridge Club Member

“Regular” tickets are a more cost-effective option and include only the speaker’s program and the “meet and greet” session after the event.

  • $25 “Regular” Adult
  • $20 “Regular” Bridge Club Member
  • Children under 12 admitted for free (max of four free children per purchase)

Refunds/Cancelations
Full refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration please call 828-733-2013 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Schedule

  • 8 a.m. | Park opens for the day and “VIP” ticket holders allowed access to the park
  • 4:45 p.m. | “Regular” ticket holders allowed to enter the park and head to the Wilson Center for the event
  • 5 – 5:30 p.m. | “VIP” Reception in one of the classrooms in the Wilson Center (VIP ticket holders only)
  • 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. | Speaker Presentation in the Classroom in the Clouds
  • 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. | Meet and Greet or Book Signing with Speaker
  • 7:45 p.m. | Park should be clear of all Grandfather Presents guests

Refunds/Cancellations
Full refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration please call 828-733-2013 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

More About Grandfather Presents
Our 2023 speaker series at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery includes five big Thursday night events with internationally and nationally known presenters. Presented by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the series also includes two Saturday afternoon presentations focused on nature, adventure or conservation-related topics on a local or regional scale. Read more.

Momentum Gallery New Exhibitions Opening Reception
Aug 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

Samantha Bates
AUGUST 31 – NOVEMBER 11


Christian Burchard and Kristy Kún
AUGUST 31 – NOVEMBER 11


Rachel Campbell
AUGUST 31 – NOVEMBER 11


Vicki Grant
AUGUST 31 – NOVEMBER 11

Queer Music Exploration
Aug 31 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Queer Music Exploration – Students will explore guitar, bass, drums, singing and piano with a focus on learning music by artists from the LGBTQ+ community. Students will have the chance to interact with their peers and share their experiences through music.

ArborEvenings
Aug 31 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through September 30, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Beverage Service

Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.

Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome

Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)

Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited. 

Find more information here. 

Simple Steps for Starting Your Business #1
Aug 31 @ 5:45 pm – 8:15 pm

Start-up Basics: This introductory workshop focuses on the basics of testing your business idea and identifying the key factors that influence start-up success.

Start-up Basics provides you with an overview of the skills and tools you need when deciding to start a business.

In this session, you learn about: the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business, the most profitable form for your business, and the fundamentals of formation, organization, marketing, cash flow and funding sources.

Asheville Tourists vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods
Aug 31 @ 6:30 pm
McCormick Field

Join us for Thirsty Thursday presented by Catawba Brewing Co. and 105.9 The Mountain. $1 Domestic Beer, $1 Coca-Cola and $3 Craft Beer.

Swing Into Thirsty Thursday: Asheville Tourist Game Bash!
Aug 31 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Asheville Tourists

Calling all Digital Nomads!

Asheville Tourist Game

Ready to feel the rush of a home run while sipping on a chilled beer? 🍺

Join us as we cheer on the Asheville Tourists with fellow nomads!

Let the roars of the crowd and the thrill of the game elevate your Thirsty Thursday experience!

Exclusive Thirsty Thursday Perks:

  • 🍺 Take a swing with $1 Domestic Beer!

  • 🥤 Stay refreshed with $1 Coca-Cola!

  • 🍻 Dive into the world of craft with $3 Craft Beer deals!

Brought to you by the champions at Catawba Brewing Co. and 105.9 The Mountain.

Game Plan:

  • Ballpark: McCormick Ballpark (Near Greenman Brewery)

  • First Pitch: 6:35 pm

  • Meet: Greenman Brewery at 6:00 pm

🎟 Heads Up, Team!

You need to grab your own ticket for this grand slam of an evening.

Score them here for just $12.50! Tickets are general admission and we will walk over and snag our seats.

So rally your crew, put on your game face, and come down for a cracking evening of baseball and beverages!

Whether you’re a seasoned baseball aficionado or just in it for the electric atmosphere (and awesome drinks), we’ve got you covered!

See you at the last Thirsty Thursday of the season for an evening filled with cheers, beers, and baseball stories!

Play ball!

Asheville Get-Together for Curious + Good-Hearted Adults 60+ intro. to Joseph Pilates
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
online

Jill will provide an introduction on Joseph Pilates and how he developed his exercises, and she will discuss her own experiences getting into Pilates. She will present the principles of Pilates and show us some simple breathing and chair exercises.

Please join us for this fun session!

(This is one of our “members’ expertise” series.)

David Gborie
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
– AGES 18+
– FULLY SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE

DAVID GBORIE

David Gborie is a comedian, writer, voice actor and all-around thorough dude originally from Denver, Colorado. He has appeared on NBC’s AP Bio, TBS’s Chad, and can currently be heard as the voice of Comedy Central.
He is the co-host of the wildly popular All Fantasy Everything podcast and was featured in the adult swim animated series Royal Crackers and the star-studded music video for George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord.

David will soon be seen in Netflix’s animated series Exploding Kittens produced by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels and AppleTV’s The Instigators, starring Casey Affleck and Jack Harlow.


with special guests….
Kenny Stempien
Brad Sativa

Jazz Jam
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts Center

Our jazz trio with Thommy Knoles on keys, Felix Pastorius on bass, and Paul Gladstone on drums will perform an opening set from about 7-8:15 pm.

An open jam session follows. Drop-ins are welcome and encouraged for a suggested donation of $10.

Jazz Jam will feature a diverse array of music from jazz’s rich history, ranging from 1940s bebop up to 1970s jazz fusion, as well as material from prominent present-day composers. Bring your instruments and jam with us, or just come and enjoy!

LAZOOM Tours: GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm
LaZoom Room


GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR

Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.

  • Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
  • 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
  • $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
  • Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue

*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.

OUTPOST: Captain Midnight Band
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm
The Outpost
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
– RAIN OR SHINE

Captain Midnight Band
Internationally-ignored superstar, Captain Midnight is the world’s only known purveyor of “Waterbed Rock & Roll”.

Crunchy Rock Guitar Riffs, Thick R&B Grooves, and Soaring Vocal Harmonies combine to create a unique, yet familiar soundscape for jammy anthems, sci-fi imagery, and humorous adult situations.

The Captain Midnight Band’s diverse appeal has resulted in club, theater, and festival dates with such acts as Dark Star Orchestra, moe, String Cheese Incident, Cypress Hill, Twiddle, Spafford, Billy Strings, Karl Denson, TAUK, and other weirdos.

Flattering comparisons to genre-defying acts such as P-Funk, Frank Zappa, and Ween are evident in the live show, where a genuine, energetic exchange occurs between band, fans, and whoever is lucky enough to be in the vicinity.

Steve Simon + The Kings of Jazz
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The DFR Lounge

Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz are Brevard’s newest and most exciting and entertaining jazz band with a sound that combines the funkiness of George Benson, the soulfulness of Ray Charles and the smoothness of Diana Krall all wrapped together in big Count Basie style arrangements of American and Latin jazz classics. If you are looking for an amazing live jazz experience then check out the hottest jazz band in the coolest city in North Carolina performing every Thursday at The DFR Lounge from 7pm to 9pm

Rent Party featuring Jeff Thompson, Aaron Price, Zack page and Micah Thomas
Aug 31 @ 7:30 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

Rent Party featuring Jeff Thompson, Aaron Price, Zack page and Micah Thomas

Playing popular music ranging from baroque to Broadway, jazz to Jimi Hendrix, seductive standards to roof-raising rock n roll!

The Girl on the Train
Aug 31 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated. Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and DreamWorks film.

*Adult language and content. Parental discretion advised.

Poetry Open Mic Hendo
Aug 31 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Shakedown Lounge

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.

LATE SHOW: tu-NER featuring Trey Gunn, Pat Mastelotto, Markus Reuter
Aug 31 @ 9:30 pm
The Grey Eagle
Doors Open: 9:00 PM
– ALL AGES
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE

tu-NER

TREY GUNN – Warr guitar (ex King Crimson, David Sylvian)
PAT MASTELOTTO – drums, electronics (Stick Men, King Crimson)
MARKUS REUTER – touch guitar (Stick Men, Devin Townsend)
From the kitchen of the original King Crimson R&D fraKctal units, please let us welcome the new incarnation of tu:NER.

tu:NER, in its most recent incarnation, is a musical trio comprised of Trey Gunn, Markus Reuter, and Pat Mastelotto, that celebrates the music of the Double Duo era (1998 to 2003) of King Crimson, and the bands TU (Mastelotto and Gunn), KTU (Mastelotto, Gunn, and accordionist Kimmo Pohjonnen), TUNER (Mastelotto and Reuter), TUNISIA (Mastelotto and thereminist Pamelia Stickney), The ProjeKcts (featuring Gunn and Mastelotto as well as other KC members) and Stick Men (Mastelotto, Reuter and King Crimson’s stickist Tony Levin).

tu:NER will perform their original music, improvs and honor as well their King Crimson/ProjeKcts DNA, as well as also bring to the stage some of the material produced by TU and TUNER during the past two decades. The music of those projects is known for being innovative yet accessible in nature, drawing on elements of rock, jazz, prog, funk, and other genres.

All the different influences coming together through these three artists are notable for their endlessly creative approach to music, and for the highly skilled musicianship of the players involved. The music produced by all these precedent projects is highly rewarding for those who are willing to listen with an open mind. After three decades of partial collaborations in pairs, and two decades since Trey introduced Pat to Markus, they have created pieces like Face, Absinthe, Pole, Műűt, Untamed Chicken, Flinch, Fandango, and Deception of the Thrush, all having become part of the classic neo-progressive rock catalogue of the 21st century. Together with staples from the King Crimson songbook such as EleKtriK, Level Five, Vrooom Vrooom, and FraKctured, all co-written by members of this outfit, these three amazingly talented friends guarantee an evening of mind-expanding music of the highest standards of virtuosity, innovation, and melodicity.

Of course, the creative impulse of these three musos would never be fully satisfied by simply revisiting their back catalogues, as if it were a mere trip down memory lane. Far from it, audiences will be treated to new pieces, as well as their characteristic improvisations, which, instead of consisting of simply jamming and noodling, in their case always comprise “instant compositions,” where the three musicians are constantly listening to each other with their ears and with their souls, in the telepathic fashion of a true R&D small intelligent unit. Because Trey, Pat and Markus are the best musicians at creating magic musical concoctions on the spot, away from the rock or jazz traditional rules of improvisation.

Listeners who are fans of King Crimson, and progressive music in general, will soon realize this new trio incarnation of TUNER is the musical collaboration of the decade. Twenty years since the disbanding of the Double Duo, the spirit of the ProjeKcts is finally back on the road with Gunn, Reuter and Mastelotto.