Calendar of Events
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.
Head on out to the ballgame at McCormick Field. Asheville is taking on Hub City. Game starts at 6:05pm.
Head on out to the ballgame at McCormick Field. Asheville is taking on Hub City. Game starts at 6:05pm.
WED 8/10/25 – 7-9 PM – The North Carolina Writers Network and The Brandy Bar + Cocktails present as next in their series “In the Company of Writers.” Kate Crawford
The program offers a series of personal and conversational dialogues featuring guest writers/poets, followed by an open mic forum. These inspirational gatherings will elucidate and entertain those attending. The guest author speaks from 7-8 PM with an open mic from 8 -9 PM. The Chicago blues music of “John Longbottom” welcomes you, continues during intermission, and closes the evening. You are welcome to sign up for the open mic with the sign-up sheet at the entrance.
Katherine Scott Crawford is the award-winning author of The Miniaturist’s Assistant and Keowee Valley. A former backpacking guide, adjunct professor, and recovering academic, her newspaper column appeared weekly across the country and abroad, including in USA Today, The Detroit Free Press, The Herald Scotland, and more. Winner of a North Carolina Arts Award in fiction, she holds an MFA in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She’d rather be in the woods with her dog than anywhere else, enjoys curious people, adventure, and snow, and believes historical fiction the best way to time travel. An eleventh-generation Southerner, she directs writing retreats at a remote mountain lodge near Brevard, North Carolina, where she lives with her family.
For more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheBrandyBar/events
20th Annual WNC Run.Walk for Autism. Competitive and non-competitive 5K and 1 mile Fun Run/Walk. Registration fee includes a t-shirt. All funds go to support autism programs in Western NC.
Tee off at The Fred Anderson Golf for Relief Tournament at Greer Golf Course to benefit Greer Relief! The Captain’s Choice Golf Tournament includes golf merchandise giveaways, a delicious Pasta Bar lunch catered by award winning chef Michael Sibert of White Wine & Butter, complimentary snacks, and beverages (water, sodas, and beer). Compete for team awards, hole prizes, a chance to score awesome door prizes, and take your shot at winning a Hole-in-One Car and Trip! Join us for a great time while raising money to help our neighbors in need become stable and thrive in our community. Registration opens at 8 am and the tournament shotgun start is at 9 am at the beautiful Greer Golf Course.
Reconnecting through Hard Times & Listening Circle
Join Resources for Resilience™ for an afternoon of learning and community connection. During this two-hour event, you’ll gain practical tools to manage stress and support friends and neighbors through hard times. – LEARN how challenges affect us all differently – DISCOVER what to say and do for others after a crisis – SHARE difficulties and lean on one another – PRACTICE stress-reducing tools and strategies to turn good intentions into real support. Thanks to our generous partners, we are able to offer complimentary attendance and refreshments for WNC residents.
Now is the moment we’ve been waiting for. With new treatments emerging in the fight against Alzheimer’s, now is the time for hope. Now is the time for action. Help us keep the momentum going in your community at the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® – Asheville and Henderson County. For more information or to register, visit http://act.alz.org/Asheville or http://act.alz.org/Hendersoncounty.
All Hallows’ Eve is a new Asheville children’s book about kids who dress in costume on Halloween and visit Riverside Cemetery to tell ghost stories and visit the graves of Asheville’s most prominent residents, including Thomas Wolfe, Isaac Dickson, George Masa, and O. Henry. Up in the clouds, they see the ghosts of Zelda Fitzgerald and the Pink Lady. Please join Dana and Chris at 3 pm, with special guest and main character: Adelaide the Witch, for a special reading of the story. Also, Constance Lombardo will be presenting her new children’s monster book, itty bitty Betty Blob Makes a Splash!
Kids love stories that are a little spooky. Come with us on an eerie adventure through Riverside Cemetery… if you dare!
Grey Eagle Events Presents
Yoga Taco Mosa
Donation-based yoga
Blue Ridge Roller Derby is kicking off our Home Team Season with a TRIPLE HEADER you don’t want to miss! Join us for an action-packed afternoon of hard hits, fast skates, and friendly rivalry as our three home teams take the track:
🦇 Black Balsam Batties
🐝 The Swarm
🐍 Copperhead Outlaws
Each team will face off in a series of 30-minute mini-bouts (Bats vs. Bees, Bees vs. Snakes, Snakes vs. Bats), bringing you 90 minutes of wild, family-friendly roller derby fun!
Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the sport, our Home Team Season is a great chance to see new skaters shine and seasoned skaters throw down in the name of bragging rights and team spirit.
💖 Giving Back: A portion of the proceeds will benefit Cornbread & Roses, a 2SLGBTQIA+-led nonprofit supporting rural Western NC through therapy services, a food pantry, and educational programs. Learn more: www.cbrcounseling.org
🎉 Expect halftime games, tasty eats from local vendors, and a fun-filled afternoon of roller derby just 30 minutes from Asheville!
Dark City LIT! A Literary Festival at the Black Mountain Public Library
105 N. Dougherty St. Black Mountain NC 28711
Saturday, November 8
Join us for the inaugural Dark City LIT! Literary Festival!
Write Local, Read Local Author Fair is back for its fourth year! 20 local authors will be handselling books from 9-11 a.m. and reading from their works from Noon to 1 p.m.
Free Workshops Follow:
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
The Fun, Fascinating, and Fabulous World of Research with Dr. Susan Eischeid
In this engaging workshop, you’ll learn practical strategies for harnessing research—whether historical, personal, or primary sources—to elevate your fiction and non-fiction writing with vivid detail and universal resonance.
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Publishing as Collective Practice with Andrew Mack of Loblolly Press
Discover how vibrant communities and collaborative efforts—from writers’ groups to small presses—are reviving literature today and leave with your own personalized “community map” to sustain your creative journey.
Followed by An Evening with Tessa Fontaine!
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Author of The Electric Woman: A Memoir in Death-Defying Acts and The Red Grove, longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. Tessa will be reading from her work and signing copies of her books.
The North Carolina Writers Network and The Brandy Bar + Cocktails present VIVIAN I BIKULEDGE & MICHAEL HETTICH as next in their series “In the Company of Writers”
The program offers a series of personal and conversational dialogues featuring guest writers/poets followed by an open mic forum. These inspirational gatherings will elucidate and entertain those attending. The guest authors speak from 7-8 PM with an open mic from 8 -9 PM. The original music of Bob Sherrill welcomes you, continues during intermission, and closes the evening. Sign-ups for the open mic sheet are posted at the entry.
Vivian I. Bikulege is a poet and essayist. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and has appeared in the North Carolina Literary Review, The Fourth River, and Broad River Review. A semi-finalist for the 2023 James Applewhite Prize, she also earned honorable mention in the 2022 Randall Jarrell Poetry Competition. Vivian was the 2022 Gilbert-Chappell emerging adult poet for western North Carolina under the mentorship of Ken Chamlee.
The Black Bear Half Marathon & 8k presented by Hunter Subaru is an exhilarating fall event that beckons both seasoned athletes and recreational runners alike. Nestled within the charm and beauty of Hendersonville, North Carolina, this race offers participants a unique opportunity to challenge their limits while immersing themselves in the splendor of the autumn season. Whether conquering the half marathon’s 13.1-mile stretch or embracing the spirited atmosphere of the 8k, participants love supportive community vibe, scenic course, and post-race festivities, including the Black Bear Fall Market!
Join us Saturday, October 18, 2025 for the 3rd Annual TreeTops 8.5 Mile Trail Race in DuPont State Recreational Forest near Brevard, North Carolina!
This race offers a unique opportunity to explore the spectacular 10,000 acres of rolling hills and towering trees that make up this beautiful forest. Take on the 8.5 mile challenging trail race – but beware! With nearly 1,000 feet of elevation gain it’s no walk in the park!
Join us at the Dupont Forest Festival afterwards from 10am – 3pm to visit with vendors, hike, yoga, bike, hunt waterfalls and learn outdoor recreation tips to last you a lifetime. Admission to the festival is FREE!
The TreeTops Trail Race is not just any ordinary event – it’s an exclusive experience only available within Dupont State Forest! So don’t miss out on this tree-mendous event and join us for an unforgettable journey through DuPont State Forest – roots down, branches up!
We’re back in the heart of Hendersonville and we’re bringing some spirited fun—with an awesome new race shirt and shiny finisher medal for every participant. Costumes? Highly encouraged. FOMO? Guaranteed if you skip it. Run or walk through the Historic 7th Avenue District with a crowd of costumed runners, then keep the party going at the Fall Festival just steps from the finish line!
Blue Ridge Roller Derby Greet & Sweet at The Hop
Date: Saturday, November 1
Time: 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: The Hop Ice Cream Café and Pop Bubble Team, 640 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC
Admission: Free
Join Blue Ridge Roller Derby skaters for a fun afternoon at The Hop! Meet members from all three home teams and travel teams while enjoying delicious ice cream treats. Learn more about roller derby, watch some cool skate demos, and pick up official BRRD merchandise.
There will also be a raffle for free merch and tickets to an upcoming bout. Families are welcome—come learn about both junior and adult roller derby programs, and sign up to skate, volunteer, or just get involved with the BRRD community.
Don’t miss it—see you at The Hop this Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.!
I9PA Release Party (10 Year Anniversary Edition)
Roll down to the Asheville Yards on Saturday, Nov. 1st for a day of bicycle fun in support of Asheville on Bikes and the AVL Unpaved project.
3-6pm: Bring the kids and your bikes for AoB’s pop-up bike park and the Maro inflatable obstacle course! Recyclery will be here to teach bike maintenance skills!
6pm: I9 raffle winners announced! We’re raffling off Industry Nine Custom Hydra2 Alloy Wheel Raffle in support of AVL Unpaved.
6:30-7:30pm: Newspaper challenge! Bring your bike and complete our newspaper delivery obstacle challenge.
The dance, bike, and beer release party goes until 9pm!
Jimmy X & Nan K. Chase launch How I Got You Your Ounce, with Marilyn Ball
Join us in store or live online when Jimmy X and Nan K. Chase launch their new book How I Got You Your Ounce, joined in conversation by Marilyn Ball.
This is a free hybrid event with the option to attend in-store or online.
The Black Mountain Public Library is excited to announce that registration is now open for the fourth annual “Write Local Read Local Author & Illustrator Fair” taking place Saturday, November 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
This beloved community event brings together authors, illustrators, and book lovers from across the Swannanoa Valley for a morning of conversation, connection, and creativity. Participants will have the opportunity to meet the public face-to-face, hand-sell their books, and share their stories in a welcoming, literary atmosphere.
The fair is more than just a book signing—it’s a celebration of the incredible talent in our valley and an invitation for our neighbors to discover and support it.
Each registered participant will receive table space for the drop-in event at no cost. Whether you’re an emerging author, an established illustrator, or somewhere in between, this is your chance to be part of the vibrant Swannanoa Valley literary community. (If you participated in the 2024 event, we ask you to wait until next year unless you have published work since 11/2024. We appreciate your understanding.)
Buy Now: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Hate…/dp/B0971SNTQ9…
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More To Love Plus-Size Consignment, Asheville NC
Free to attend | Book signing • Special discounts • Gift card giveawayThen, don’t miss our Live Sale Events on Whatnot (virtual):
Get ready for another Blue Ridge Roller Derby Home Team Throwdown! The league’s three home teams — The Black Balsam Batties 🦇 The Swarm 🐝 and the Copperhead Outlaws 🐍 — will face off in a series of three thrilling 30-minute bouts on Sunday, November 9, at the Smoky Mountain Event Center in Waynesville.
Event details:
Doors open: 2 p.m.
First bout: 3 p.m.
Tickets: $10 (kids 11 and under get in free)
Location: Smoky Mountain Event Center, Waynesville, NC
This family-friendly event features halftime games, local food and drink vendors, and plenty of roller derby excitement — all just a 30-minute drive from Asheville.
Time for another Blue Ridge Roller Derby Home Team THROWWWDOWWWN! Our three home teams will be facing off again to see who can take the win in three thrilling 30 minute bouts at 3pm on Sunday, NOVEMBER 9TH, at Smoky Mountain vent Center.
Doors open at 2pm
The first bout begins at 3pm
Tickets are $10 (kids 11 and under get FREE admission) – link in bio in our Linktree or scan the QR code
Our bouts are FAMILY FRIENDLY with fun half time games, great food and drinks from local vendors, and in a beautiful setting at Smoky Mountain Event Center in Waynesville, just a 30 minute drive from Asheville.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING A VENDOR at this bout or our December game, please email [email protected]
We look forward to seeing you on the 9th!!!
Alabama Poets Garrett Ashley & Salaam Green to Headline Asheville Poetry Reading & Book Signing with Holiday Artisan Market
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Garrett Ashley – Author of A Field Guide to North American Trees (Good Printed Things / Loblolly Press, 2025) and Habitats (Loblolly Press, 2026). His limited-run chapbook features poems named after Southeastern trees, weaving ecological awareness with human transformation.
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Salaam Green – Birmingham’s first Poet Laureate (2024–2026), storyteller, and teaching artist. Her forthcoming collection The Other Revival (Pulley Press, Juneteenth 2025) excavates generational memory from the Wallace Plantation, uniting descendants of enslaved people and slaveholders through poetry as a tool for racial healing.
The 4th annual Blackhawk Bolt 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run is a unique road-to-trail race fully located on the North Buncombe High School campus to benefit the NBHS PTSO.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 @ 6pm ET
Join us in person at MALAPROP’S BOOKSTORE or streaming live online when Asheville-based writer Bill Kopp presents his new book, What’s the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums, in conversation with Malaprop’s bookseller Patricia Furnish.
This is a free hybrid event with the option to attend in-store or online.
Copies of What’s the Big Idea will be available for purchase, and Bill Kopp will be on hand to sign them.
This is how South Asheville does Turkey Day! Kick off Thanksgiving morning with a relaxed 5K through the beautiful Biltmore Park neighborhood – where the vibes are festive, the shirts are vintage-cool, and the finisher medals are worth the effort! Whether you’re running, walking, or just trotting it out for the pie, this event is for everyone. Awards for festive costumes and top finishers in each age group!
This is how South Asheville does Turkey Day! Kick off Thanksgiving morning with a relaxed 5K through the beautiful Biltmore Park neighborhood – where the vibes are festive, the shirts are vintage-cool, and the finisher medals are worth the effort! Whether you’re running, walking, or just trotting it out for the pie, this event is for everyone. Awards for festive costumes and top finishers in each age group!
Join Blue Ridge Roller Derby on December 7 for a lively, holiday-spirited finale to the home team season.
Ring in the holiday season with Blue Ridge Roller Derby as they present their spirited Reindeer Games Home Team Finale on Saturday, December 7, at the Smoky Mountain Event Center in Waynesville. Doors open at 2 p.m., and the first of three action-packed 30-minute bouts hits the track at 3 p.m.
This holiday-themed showdown brings all the cheer—with none of the quiet. Fans can expect fast skating, big hits, and the high-energy competition that defines roller derby, all wrapped in seasonal fun. The event is family-friendly and will feature festive halftime games along with delicious food and drinks from local vendors. The Smoky Mountain Event Center provides a beautiful backdrop for an afternoon of wintertime excitement, just a short 30-minute drive from Asheville.
Tickets are $10, and children 11 and under enjoy free admission. Online ticket sales close the day of the event, but tickets will also be available at the door.
Local businesses and artisans interested in being vendors are invited to contact [email protected].
Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/blue-ridge-roller-derbys-december-7-home-team-games
This two-day wrestling tournament will field teams across the region competing on eight mats on the floor of the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville in Downtown Asheville. This is an individual tournament, double elimination format with wrestle backs to 6th place. This event is hosted by the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville and the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission in conjunction with our local high schools.
We will have a Girls Invitational Division this year. Because this is a new division, it is important to get the girls registered early. We are excited about this new division and the promotion of girls wrestling.
The Harlem Globetrotters’ 100 Year Tour is coming to the ExploreAsheville.com Arena at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville on March 21, 2026.