Join writers and storytellers from Western North Carolina to celebrate, cry, and connect through stories about bodily autonomy. Think stories of birth, abortion, miscarriage, transition, gender identity, race, and all their intersections—stories that center the essential nature of bodily autonomy to our humanity.

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.

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.

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!

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!

The Black Mountain Library is excited to welcome Redhawk Publications to the Community Room on Wednesday, October 29th, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for an evening of poetry readings from their new anthology “Had I a Dove: Appalachian Poets On The Helene Flood”

This anthology features over eighty poets from our region who contributed poems on their perspectives of Helene. Several poets from the anthology will be reading their works at this free event.

Redhawk Publications will be selling copies of the anthology for $20 each.

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!

Signup begins 6pm / Perform 6:30-8:30.
Everyone is welcome! Any genre…song, music, spoken word, poetry, storytelling, comedy, short films, demos, etc. Supportive listening room in an art gallery setting. Each performer gets up to 12 minutes each. All performances will be livecast.

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!!!

Everyone is welcome! Any genre…song, music, spoken word, poetry, storytelling, comedy, short films, demos, etc. Supportive listening room in an art gallery setting. Each performer gets up to 12 minutes each. All performances will be livecast.

Signup begins 6pm / Perform 6:30-8:30.
Everyone is welcome! Any genre…song, music, spoken word, poetry, storytelling, comedy, short films, demos, etc. Supportive listening room in an art gallery setting. Each performer gets up to 12 minutes each. All performances will be livecast.

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 Levi & Marian for a Friendsgiving Potluck, a free community event where we come together to celebrate connection, gratitude, and delicious food!

Bring your favorite dish to share and enjoy an evening of laughter, friendship, and unity.

We kindly ask that you bring a note listing the ingredients of your dish to help those with food sensitivities, allergies, or preferences.

Whether you’re bringing a homemade recipe or just coming to enjoy the company, all are welcome. Let’s create beautiful memories and give thanks as a community!

Blue Ridge Mall is thrilled to bring back Jingle Jamboree; a festive day filled with holiday cheer and community spirit! This December, we’re inviting local choirs, musicians, dance teams, karate groups, and community organizations to take the stage and help make this celebration one to remember.
Get ready to shine at the Jingle Jamboree ! Enjoy a day of live entertainment, festive performances, and plenty of holiday magic for the whole family. Come be part of the joy as we kick off the most wonderful time of the year together!

🎉 Calling All Young Entrepreneurs! 🍅
We’re thrilled to join with the Winter Wonder Walk for a one-of-a-kind Children’s Entrepreneur Market!
🌟 Got a kid with a big idea? Whether it’s homemade crafts, baked goods, lemonade stands, or creative services—this is their chance to shine!

🍅 Visit kids markets.com

Sign up your child’s booth 🌽
Explore upcoming children’s markets 🎨
Support young local entrepreneurs 💼

Join us at the Winter Wonder Walk where the season is brought to life like never before. Wander an outdoor trail and literally step inside the pages of a magical winter story. It’s a one-of-a-kind winter adventure you won’t want to miss being a part of.

Join us for the Woven Word Retreat – a cozy bohemian winter writing retreat for women nestled in the tranquil beauty of House Boheme. This is a transformative, creative, all-inclusive gathering designed to awaken your inner storyteller.

This 4-day, 3-night experience weaves poetry, movement, ritual, nourishment, and embodied storytelling to stir the creatrix within.

Guided by skilled and popular local facilitators who will help you explore your voice and connect deeply with yourself and others, you’ll have the space to write, reflect, and express your truth in a supportive, welcoming space.

Expect soul-nourishing practices like Yoga Nidra, writing workshops, yoga, and more, plus time to ground into nature and connect with a community of women.

Whether you’re new to writing or a seasoned storyteller, you’ll leave feeling inspired, empowered, and more aligned with your creative spirit.

Learn more and secure your spot at www.wovenwordretreat.com

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

So excited for Asheville Phoenix Fire Nonprofit’s 1st Annual – YULE TIDE PRIDE – Holiday Market Convention! We are bringing Pride into the festive season! Come get your holiday gifts, enjoy some local live music, coffee shop treats, connect with resources, take a holiday photo, sink in with community and more!

Jim Brickman’s distinctive piano style and captivating live performances have revolutionized the popularity of instrumental music, making him a driving force behind modern American music. The hit-making songwriter is the best-selling solo pianist of our time, earning 22 Number One albums and 32 Top 20 Radio Singles. He’s garnered two Grammy nominations, Gospel Music’s Dove Award, two SESAC Songwriter of the Year Awards, a Canadian Country Music Award, and is a member of Pandora’s “2 Billion Streams” Club.

The Harlem Globetrotters’ 100 Year Tour is coming to the ExploreAsheville.com Arena at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville on March 21, 2026.