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 21, 2025
Arbor Evenings
Aug 21 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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 Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

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.

Saturday, August 23, 2025
Asheville Community Plant Market
Aug 23 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Asheville Hydroponics & Organics

Join us for our monthly market, where you’ll discover local vendors offering a variety of houseplants, garden plants, and planty-related items, including crafts and jewelry. Show your support by visiting our social table, where we will have branded merchandise for sale to help fund the event, as well as tags for social media pages to follow your favorite vendors. Enjoy live music and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
🅿️Free parking is available! Please park at the front of the building and enter through the hydroponics shop. Vendors will be set up inside the shop as well as outside the back of the shop.

Ballfolk Concert
Aug 23 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Montreat Conference Center

Join the fun, French inspired dance party that is the rage in Europe and gaining ground here in the US. Guest teacher Catherine Rudin joins us from Omaha, Nebraska where she leads a local IFD group and is a frequent teacher at Midwestern workshops. Live music will be by Geraud Barralon who was born in France to a musical family then relocated with marriage to Brasstown, NC. There he is a musician with the John C. Campbell Folk School and an instructor with the Junior Appalachian Musicians when not touring with Balfolk events in France. Dances will be led but not taught. https://www.mountainplayshop.org/balfolk-concert-details

Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Arbor Evenings
Aug 27 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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 Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

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.

Thursday, August 28, 2025
Arbor Evenings
Aug 28 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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 Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

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.

City Dance
Aug 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, August 29, 2025
Garden and Adventure Photography
Aug 29 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Garden and Adventure Photography Basics

with Cami Calnan

Friday, August 29  |  10 am – 1 pm

Elevate your photography from the level you are currently working from. In this immersive workshop, we will explore the technical aspects of the camera you photograph with. Bring your phone, your slr or point and shoot digital or film camera, and we will explore the concepts behind taking the kinds of photos you are hoping to capture.

This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.

Saturday, August 30, 2025
Blue Country Line Dance’s Giddy-Up Brunch
Aug 30 @ 11:00 am
The Grey Eagle

The Grey Eagle Presents: Blue Country Line Dance’s Giddy-Up Brunch

Saturday, August 30
Doors: 11am // Show: 11am
$11.74

Grey Eagle Music Hall – Special Event
ALL AGES
Monday, September 1, 2025
NC Apple Festival
Sep 1 all-day
Downtown Hendersonville

Join us on August 29th through September 1st for the 2025 NC Apple Festival in downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina, for a fun-filled celebration of apples, local culture, and community spirit. Whether you’re here for the delicious apple-inspired treats, the exciting street fair, or the family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone!

We’re thrilled to bring together over 250,000 visitors each year to celebrate the rich heritage of Henderson County’s apple-growing tradition. From the vibrant parade to live music, and of course, the best apples around, the festival is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss!

We can’t wait to see you at the NC Apple Festival, where community, family, and fun come together in the heart of Hendersonville.

 

Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Arbor Evenings
Sep 3 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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 Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

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.

Thursday, September 4, 2025
Arbor Evenings
Sep 4 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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 Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

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.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Gardening in a Changing Climate
Sep 10 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Gardening in a Changing Climate

with Laura Lengnick

Wednesday, September 10  |  1 – 3pm

The changing weather patterns caused by climate change create new challenges for gardeners in Western NC and beyond. More variable and extreme temperatures and rainfall, a longer growing season and warmer winters disrupt the growth and development of plants and animals common to our region. This course provides an overview of the practices, both old and new, that gardeners can use to cultivate a climate-resilient garden. Learn how to evaluate climate risk, anticipate the arrival of new pests and diseases, and track local changes in weather patterns to improve your ability to adjust seasonal work plans, select well-adapted plant species/cultivars, and manage landscapes to promote climate resilience.

 

Arbor Evenings
Sep 10 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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 Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

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.

Thursday, September 11, 2025
Arbor Evenings
Sep 11 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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 Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

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.

Saturday, September 13, 2025
Forest Bathing: A Harvest Season Retreat
Sep 13 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Forest Bathing: A Harvest Season Retreat

with Asheville Wellness Tours

Saturday, September 13  |  10 – 1pm

Celebrate abundance, balance and equilibrium during this immersive morning nature connection retreat. During this seasonal transition, we’ll mark the threshold between summer and fall, honoring the Earth’s bountiful harvest while slowing our pace, awakening our senses, and practicing embodied acts of gratitude. Honoring this liminal fifth season, connecting with ourselves, each other, and the more-than-human-world, nourishing the relationships that sustain and connect us.

Your guide, Christa Hebal, will lead you on a gentle journey through the forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing and nature therapy together for a restorative morning on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience with a community Earth offering, followed by a wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks. Bring an open mind and an open heart. All are welcome. Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Arbor Evenings
Sep 17 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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 Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

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.

Thursday, September 18, 2025
Arbor Evenings
Sep 18 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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 Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

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.

Saturday, September 20, 2025
Barn Dance with Fancy & The Gentlemen
Sep 20 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Fancy & The Gentlemen- self described as ‘Gothy-Tonk’ and we think that fits! These guys are a lyrical story-telling band with beautiful, haunting and sometimes humorous vocals, songs that stick in your head, and melodies that feel like home. Sit back and soak up the picture they paint, or bop out onto the floor in your good boots- lets git to it!

  • HNG will be running a bar with local beers and NA beverage and snack cart.
  • Barn Door Ciderworks will provide some sweet and snappy sips of their legendary cider brewed right here in Fairview.
  • Root Down Farm food truck brings their signature farm-to-table eats featuring HNG meats and local fresh farmed seasonal veg, often from their home farm! Root Down tastes like hard work paying off, savor it.
  • Pro tip: we have picnic tables, benches & patio sets, but always bring a backup folding chair or picnic blanket JUST in case. It can get packed!

 

Thursday, September 25, 2025
City Dance
Sep 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.

Friday, September 26, 2025
Plastic, the Next Generation. A new dance theatre performance involving plastic
Sep 26 @ 7:30 pm
BeBe Theatre
WHO: ACDT, Asheville Contemporary Dance Theater and Liz Lang
WHAT: Plastic, the Next Generation. A new dance theatre performance involving plastic. Used and recycled.
WHERE: the BeBe theatre in downtown Asheville. 20 Commerce Street 28801
WHEN: September 26 and 27 at 7:30pm
HOW MUCH: 20.00 general admission, 15.00 students and seniors
Tx on the web at tututix.etix.com
Expect to enjoy an evening of high energy, thoughtful, dance choreography performed by seasoned dance artists with audience participation.
We are in a period of concerns for our environment, and yet we continue to consume and produce plastic, which is known to be damaging our lives and our world.
What can we do to help our world survive? Is there a real solution?
We can help by learning to recycle and repurpose.
Let’s be creative, find new ideas.
ACDT’s theme for their new choreographic adventure is to repurpose to the beat of the art drum.
Clothing, music, furniture?
With audience participation and some fun themes, ACDT dancers and musician Liz Lang, fill the evening in the intimate BeBe theatre with music, original choreography, and song, reminding us to think positively and recreate.
The project is funded in part by Earthstage, a local nonprofit supporting the arts, & directed by Susan and Giles Collard.
Free performances for school groups. Available on request: [email protected]. 828. 254. 2137
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Plastic, the Next Generation. A new dance theatre performance involving plastic
Sep 27 @ 7:30 pm
BeBe Theatre
WHO: ACDT, Asheville Contemporary Dance Theater and Liz Lang
WHAT: Plastic, the Next Generation. A new dance theatre performance involving plastic. Used and recycled.
WHERE: the BeBe theatre in downtown Asheville. 20 Commerce Street 28801
WHEN: September 26 and 27 at 7:30pm
HOW MUCH: 20.00 general admission, 15.00 students and seniors
Tx on the web at tututix.etix.com
Expect to enjoy an evening of high energy, thoughtful, dance choreography performed by seasoned dance artists with audience participation.
We are in a period of concerns for our environment, and yet we continue to consume and produce plastic, which is known to be damaging our lives and our world.
What can we do to help our world survive? Is there a real solution?
We can help by learning to recycle and repurpose.
Let’s be creative, find new ideas.
ACDT’s theme for their new choreographic adventure is to repurpose to the beat of the art drum.
Clothing, music, furniture?
With audience participation and some fun themes, ACDT dancers and musician Liz Lang, fill the evening in the intimate BeBe theatre with music, original choreography, and song, reminding us to think positively and recreate.
The project is funded in part by Earthstage, a local nonprofit supporting the arts, & directed by Susan and Giles Collard.
Free performances for school groups. Available on request: [email protected]. 828. 254. 2137
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Asheville Community Square Dance
Oct 4 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Haw Creek Commons

Experience Appalachian music and dancing at this lively community gathering! Enjoy a live old-time string band as a caller leads fun, easy-to-follow dances—no partner or experience needed. Start the evening with a short flatfoot lesson and try your luck in the cake raffle. All ages are welcome!

Plenty of free parking is available at Haw Creek Elementary School (10 Bethesda Rd), just a short walk from the hall. Accessible spots are also available next to the dance hall at Haw Creek Commons.

Admission: $10 per person, $5 for children 12 and under. Pay at the door via cash, Venmo, or Zelle.

Sign up for email updates below!

https://mailchi.mp/39798f75c04a/signup_asheville-community-square-dance

Friday, October 10, 2025
Pilobolus
Oct 10 @ 10:00 am
Diana Wortham Theatre

Wortham Center Student Series Pilobolus

Fri, Oct 10 • 10 am

Grades 6–12
Show length: 60 minutes

Get ready for a high-energy journey through imagination and movement! Known for their athleticism, humor, and creativity, Pilobolus blends dance, storytelling, and visual surprises into a performance like no other. Students become part of the action with interactive engagement and enjoy laughter-filled moments that spark creativity and connection—leaving them amazed and inspired.

Reservations for individuals (9 people or less): $12 each

Reservations for groups (10 people or more): $11 each

Pilobolus: Other Worlds Collection
Oct 10 @ 8:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Fri & Sat, Oct 10 & 11 • 8 pm

Journey into an astonishing universe where Pilobolus transverses the landscape of the human experience with heart-stopping grace, acrobatic power, and breathtaking artistry. Explore the human condition as they fuse sensuality, humor, and physical prowess in a spellbinding performance.

“If we think we know what’s going to happen at a Pilobolus concert, we’d be wrong.” —Dance Magazine

“The men and women of Pilobolus have no interest in playing by the dance world’s rules” —Huffington Post

Connect with the artists in a dance masterclass and preshow discussions.

Spotlight on Pilobolus:

Founded in 1971 at Dartmouth College; now hailed as an “Irreplaceable Dance Treasure”
Performed on Broadway, at The Oscars, and the Olympic Games
Famous for the Hyundai “human car” TV commercial
120+ works performed across 65 countries with 100M+ social media views
Known for daring athleticism, inventive storytelling, and playful artistry

Saturday, October 11, 2025
Before & Afterparty
Oct 11 all-day
Center for Craft

BEFORE + AFTERPARTY
Saturday, October 11
8:30–11:00 pm
Suggested donation $40
Open to all

I Spy an immersive projection experience in the Center for Craft’s Ideation Lab. Curated cocktails, DJ, hands-on craft activities with Print House and Swannatopia, and a dance floor.

Bring an object to cast in acrylic. Record a message for the digital time capsule. Don’t miss it!

Sliding scale entry to support the Center for Craft’s mission to resource, catalyze, and amplify makers and scholars.

Activation and music by Frisson Studios.

Graphic design by Maxwell James Sauls.

Pilobolus: Other Worlds Collection
Oct 11 @ 8:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Fri & Sat, Oct 10 & 11 • 8 pm

Journey into an astonishing universe where Pilobolus transverses the landscape of the human experience with heart-stopping grace, acrobatic power, and breathtaking artistry. Explore the human condition as they fuse sensuality, humor, and physical prowess in a spellbinding performance.

“If we think we know what’s going to happen at a Pilobolus concert, we’d be wrong.” —Dance Magazine

“The men and women of Pilobolus have no interest in playing by the dance world’s rules” —Huffington Post

Connect with the artists in a dance masterclass and preshow discussions.

Spotlight on Pilobolus:

Founded in 1971 at Dartmouth College; now hailed as an “Irreplaceable Dance Treasure”
Performed on Broadway, at The Oscars, and the Olympic Games
Famous for the Hyundai “human car” TV commercial
120+ works performed across 65 countries with 100M+ social media views
Known for daring athleticism, inventive storytelling, and playful artistry

Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Aphorisms: A Tribute to Ursula Mamlok
Oct 14 @ 7:00 pm
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center

Performances on both Tuesday, October 14th AND Wednesday, October 15th.

Aphorisms is a tribute to composer and Black Mountain College student Ursula Mamlok, inspired by her life, art, and triumph over persecution and oppression. The performance is choreographed by Miro Magloire and performed by the Momenta Quartet, flutist Roberta Michel, and the New Chamber Ballet. Presented here as a new performance iteration created especially for Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, this event integrates live chamber music and dance to celebrate Mamlok’s work and legacy. BMCM+AC will present two evening performances (Oct. 14th and Oct. 15th) in the museum’s main level gallery, in conjunction with the exhibition Points in Space: Performance at Black Mountain College.

About the Performances:

Aphorisms presents six works by Ursula Mamlok, performed live, enriched by Miro Magloire’s contemporary ballet choreography. Magloire, a former composition student of Mauricio Kagel and the founder of the New York City-based New Chamber Ballet, has pioneered a captivating new form of music-and-dance collaboration: ‘unplugged’, without stage sets or theatrical lights, and with the audience seated around the stage and up close to the performers.

 

Friday, October 17, 2025
Lightwire Theater: DINO-LIGHT
Oct 17 @ 7:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Fri, Oct 17 • 7 pm

In this visually stunning adventure for all ages, a friendly dinosaur discovers a glowing world and the true meaning of love. Lightwire Theater blends puppetry, technology and dance to tell tender-hearted stories that spark childlike wonder and (literally) light up the darkness.

“What you see looks like magic” —CBS Sunday Morning

“absolutely incredible” —Rolling Stone

Spotlight on Lightwire Theater:

Semi-finalists on America’s Got Talent and winners of truTV’s Fake Off
Recipient of the Jim Henson Foundation Grant for DINO-LIGHT
Each puppet is hand-built from recycled materials like skateboards, dryer ducts, and fishing poles
Characters glow with electroluminescent (EL) wire, taking 200+ hours to create

Neon Dreams: Spooky Disco Edition
Oct 17 @ 8:00 pm – Oct 18 @ 2:00 am
One World Brewing West

Come get down to some spooky, groovy, and funky disco house tunes!

Feat. a stellar lineup of local talent:

– Sketchy Decks
– Earl Grae
– Interstellar Noise
– Double Helix

$10 entry. Don’t miss this one!

Saturday, October 18, 2025
Barn Dance with Zydeco Ya Ya
Oct 18 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Mon Cher let’s get to it! Most requested faves Zydeco Ya Ya are back in the Big Barn for zydeco, swamp pop, second line, and Cajun swing. These guys always provide a fabulous groove and engaging show that makes you want to hop out onto the floor- or bob and weave from your chair, cold one in hand.

  • HNG will be running a bar with local beers, NA beverage and snack cart.
  • Barn Door Ciderworks will provide some sweet and snappy sips of their legendary cider brewed right here in Fairview.
  • The Garden Foodtruck by chef Simone Jaramillo will be serving seasonal, sustainable, food-as-medicine MAGIC!
  • Pro tip: we have picnic tables, benches & patio sets, but always bring a backup folding chair or picnic blanket JUST in case. It can get packed!

By purchasing your ticket online you will be on our Will Call list, admission will be checked in at the Cabana!