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.

Monday, April 22, 2024
2024 Explore Asheville Travel + Hospitality Earth Day Cleanup
Apr 22 @ 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Asheville Asheville, NC

Explore Asheville invites you and your organization to contribute to the stewardship of our destination by participating in the inaugural 2024 Explore Asheville Travel & Hospitality Earth Day Cleanup, hosted by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, with support from Asheville GreenWorks and RiverLink.

We encourage you to recruit two to three staff members to represent your business by taking part in the cleanup. Participants can choose the area of town they wish to clean up; each neighborhood will have a host venue for a pre and post-cleanup meetup.

Cleanup and Host Venue locations include:

  • Downtown: Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown
  • South Slope: Burial Beer Co.
  • River Arts District: The Radical
  • Amboy Road: Wrong Way River Lodge and Cabins
  • West Asheville: Cellarest Beer Project

The program will include welcome remarks and instructions, an approximately one-hour clean-up, and a post-clean up social with local brews and light bites.

What You Need to Know:

  • The clean up will take place in five locations throughout Asheville
  • Each location will have a host venue for gathering before and after the cleanup
  • All participants will receive a free custom event t-shirt
  • Participants will meet at their host venue at 2pm to check in and receive instructions and supplies
  • The clean up will last one hour, after which participants will meet back at their host venue to return supplies. Social hour and networking to follow.

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Check-In


At 2pm, participants will meet at their host venue to check in and get their t-shirt; participants will also be given a safety vest, gloves, grabber, and trash bag.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Cleanup


Participants will clean up their neighborhood for 1 hour.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Earth Day Social


Snacks and drinks provided by each location’s host venue will be available for all participants as a token of our appreciation for taking part in the stewardship of our destination.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Dark City Poets Society Publishing Workshop
Apr 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Black Mountain Library

Join the Dark City Poets Society for a free publishing workshop from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Black Mountain Library,105 N. Dougherty Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711. This workshop will be led by John Himmelheber, editor of Smoky Blue Literary and Arts Magazine, along with Ivy Rosen, editor of Black Mountain Press. Learn tips and tricks on how to get published and what the best practices are for submitting your work for consideration. This workshop is open to all ages, and no registration is required.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Love is Like a Butterfly: A Dolly Parton Poetry Workshop
Apr 30 @ 6:30 pm
Fairview Library

Start off Poetry Month at the Library with a celebration of Dolly Parton’s lyrics at the Fairview Library.

What could the songs of legendary singer-songwriter Dolly Parton teach us about writing, craft, and perspectives in poetry? In this in-person workshop, poet Dustin Brookshire guides participants through exploring the discography and cultural impact of Dolly Parton. We’ll use this as inspiration for writing new poems via thematic prompts.

This free workshop will be Tuesday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairview Library.

Our facilitator, Dustin Brookshire is the recipient of the 2024 Jon Tribble Editors Fellowship awarded by Poetry at the Sea and is the co-editor of Let Me Say This: A Dolly Parton Poetry Anthology (Madville Publishing, 2023), which was named to the 2024 Books All Georgians Should Read list by the Georgia Center for the Book.

Thursday, May 2, 2024
PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES – LINOCUT ART DEMO AT SPECIAL OPEN MIC
May 2 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Printmaker Janette Hopper will be giving a digital presentation on her art of linocut printmaking this Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7pm. She will also demonstrate some of the tools and materials she uses in her process, and be available for Q&A. Afterwards, stay for the gallery’s True Home Open Mic, where performers of all skills and genres (poetry, storytelling, music, song, comedy, etc.) share their art. Janette herself will be getting up on stage again to share some of her poetry! Or stay to browse more of her print artwork: her current exhibit at Flood Gallery, “Agony and Ecstasy: Images of Conscience” which is comprised of more than 60 pieces, all for sale, and will show through June 2.

Saturday, May 4, 2024
In Time for Mother’s Day: DIY Self-Care Products
May 4 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Looking for a chance to celebrate mom and make her a unique gift?  Or are you wanting to learn a new skill?  In this fun introductory class led by Judy Peacock, you will learn to make your own herbal self-care products including an oatmeal rose honey scrub, a rose clay mask, and herbal tea blend. It’s the perfect way to spend time with mom, or make something for yourself.  Each participant will take home a honey scrub, a clay mask blend, and an herbal tranquil tea blend.

Thursday, May 9, 2024
Pop-up Concert with Ash Devine + Jane Fallon
May 9 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Doors open at 6pm for performer signups, followed by our regular True Home Open Mic from 6:30-7:30. Then a pop-up concert 7:30-9pm featuring true folk troubadour Ash Devine with special guest and 40-time award-winning FL-based songwriter Jane Fallon! A blend of originals with old country, traditional Appalachian, Carter family songs, old timey country blues, and folk revival tunes.

Friday, May 10, 2024
Mother Runner’s Day Sale
May 10 all-day
Jus' Running

Mother Runner’s Day Sale 25% off

Take Your Momma to the Greenhouse
May 10 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Ross Farm Nursery and Greenhouses
25% off all plants, Mother’s Day BANANZA! 🌷🥳 Come celebrate your momma at Ross Farm in our beautiful greenhouses on…
-Friday, May 10th from 9-6 pm
-Saturday, May 11th from 9-6 pm
All orders $100+ at the farm get a free, hanging, ceramic, moon-phase pot! Treat yourself, AND momma, to the gift of plant beauty this Mother’s Day!
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Mother Runner’s Day Sale
May 11 all-day
Jus' Running

Mother Runner’s Day Sale 25% off

Take Your Momma to the Greenhouse
May 11 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Ross Farm Nursery and Greenhouses
25% off all plants, Mother’s Day BANANZA! 🌷🥳 Come celebrate your momma at Ross Farm in our beautiful greenhouses on…
-Friday, May 10th from 9-6 pm
-Saturday, May 11th from 9-6 pm
All orders $100+ at the farm get a free, hanging, ceramic, moon-phase pot! Treat yourself, AND momma, to the gift of plant beauty this Mother’s Day!
Mother’s Day Market
May 11 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Historic Johnson Farm

Historic Johnson Farm will host the fourth annual Mother’s Day Market on Saturday, May 11th from 10 AM-4 PM, rain or shine. This outdoor craft fair will showcase over 25 local vendors. A diverse array of crafts will be available, including jewelry, ceramics, leather items, wooden décor, baked goods and more.

The event will take place outdoors at the farm. Hot dogs (donated by Hot Dog World), chips, and drinks will be available for purchase to support the farm’s operating fund. Stop by the farm table to purchase a plant from the Johnson Farm gardeners or a farm logo item like a mug or magnet. The Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists will have their gift shop open with plenty of fiber gifts for purchase. In addition to the numerous crafters, the historic farmhouse will be open for self-guided tours including the Johnson’s 1924 Model T that was recently returned to the farm.

Parking will be available across the street at Rugby Middle School, and volunteers from the Sheriff’s Office will help visitors cross the street. Handicapped parking is available at the farm.

Historic Johnson Farm is located at 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, NC 28791. It features 15 acres of forest, fields, and streams, 10 historic structures, animals and picnic tables. The farm was a gift to schoolchildren and the community by the late Vernon and Leander Johnson.

For more information, call 828-891-6585 or visit www.historicjohnsonfarm.org or
www.facebook.com/HistoricJohnsonFarm/.

Mother’s Day Tea Party
May 11 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Omni Grove Park Inn

Whether you’re a daughter expressing gratitude, a partner recognizing the mother of your children, or a friend honoring the matriarchs in your life, our Mother’s Day Tea Party is the perfect way to say thank you. Our Mother’s Day Tea Party is a lavish affair designed to pamper and honor the special women in your life.

Picture you and your loved ones welcomed by the soft melodies of local live music. Savor the moment as you indulge in a delectable selection of hors d’oeuvres from delicate finger sandwiches to decadent pastries, expertly crafted to elevate your culinary experience. But the magic doesn’t stop there—tap into your internal artist and create pressed flower lanterns and personalized friendship bracelets to take home and savor the memories.

Join us in raising a teacup and purchase your ticket for this enchanting event, where we invite you to revel in the beauty of connection and create timeless memories that will be cherished for years to come.

*Tickets are non-refundable. Parking, accommodations and other amenities are not included with tickets purchased on Eventbrite. Cash bar will be available.

Looking for overnight accommodations? Click here to book the Mother’s Day Made Easy Package which includes accommodations, parking, admission to the Mother’s Day Tea Party, sparkling wine amenity, and late check out.

Sunday, May 12, 2024
Mother Runner’s Day Sale
May 12 all-day
Jus' Running

Mother Runner’s Day Sale 25% off

Mother’s Day Spring Birding
May 12 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Explore the Farm and surrounding forest with birder Clifton Avery of Venture Birding Tours(@bigbaldbirder on IG) to spot the various species of birds that can be found in WNC!
Edge habitat birding, learn how planned grazing benefits the local avian population.
We will be hiking in uneven and sometimes steep terrain, so please wear sturdy shoes and be dressed for the weather.
Learn about our Holistic Land Management from Farm Director Virginia, and how this practice works in tandem with the local flora and fauna.
Spotted on the farm by our farm crew, staff & neighbors: bluebirds, a rainbow of finches, downy & hairy woodpeckers, vultures, cardinals, wood doves, robins, red-shouldered hawks, northern goshawks, swifts, egrets, blue herons, hermit thrush, golden-winged warblers and this last year we’ve had a resident Bald Eagle!
Attendees will break for an included biscuit brunch* from butcher Brian’s kitchen, as birding is hungry work. When attending classes, you will receive a 5% discount in the Farm Store & Butchery!
A portion of the proceeds for this event support our activities as a Savory Hub, and further the reach of regenerative agriculture.

Mother’s Day Native Plant Swap and Sale
May 12 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
39 Courtland Ave #39, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

 

Parking: On the street, or at the North Star Academy corner of Montford & Courtland

On May 12, we’ll hold our annual Native Plant Swap at Charlotte Caplan’s house on Courtland Avenue, in the Montford neighborhood of Asheville. This is our main fundraiser for the year, so come out to have fun choosing plants for your garden and support BRNN.

Our emphasis is on plants that are native to the Southern Appalachians. We’ll have foamflower, wild ginger, bloodroot, green and gold, bee-balm, mountain mint, joe-pye weed, sweetshrub, pawpaw, and many others. But we’ll accept non-natives too, even houseplants and vegetable starts, as long as they are not considered invasive in NC – see list on https://www.inaturalist.org/guides/2455 . Just a note—vegetable starts can only be swapped for vegetable starts.

No pots? Just save plastic containers from the recycling bin. Medium-sized yoghurt, cottage cheese, and sour cream pots are ideal. Poke a few holes in the bottom and voila! You can cut up a pot up to make labels, too.

No plants to contribute? No problem. We’ll have a large stock for sale at a modest $4 each.

QUESTIONS? Contact Charlotte at [email protected]

 

Mother’s Day Tea Party
May 12 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Tabletops of 2–6 only

This afternoon tea party features local indulgences from Asheville Tea Company, as well as fresh tea sandwiches, scones, fruit, and house-made pastries.

The afternoon also includes the opportunity to design and create your own Fascinator Hat and take a stroll through the galleries. Limited seating remains, so reserve your spot before it’s too late!

Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 14 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 15 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 16 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Friday, May 17, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 17 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 18 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 19 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series Jazz + Poetry Quentin Baxter – Marcus Amaker
May 19 @ 4:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center – Veh Stage

A taste of the Low Country comes to the foothills when the Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series serves up some of Charleston’s finest and most talented musicians and creatives. GRAMMY award winner Quentin Baxter is a percussionist, composer, educator and prominent figure in the jazz community of his native Charleston, SC. Baxter will be joined by the multi-talented poet and musician Marcus Amaker. Baxter is Co-Principal of Charleston Jazz Initiative and drummer for the band Ranky Tanky. Amaker is the first Poet Laureate of Charleston. In addition to poetry, Amaker is an opera librettist. His debut opera, The Weight of Light, will premiere in 2024 for the Chicago Opera Theater. In 2019, Amaker won a Governor’s Arts Award in South Carolina, and was named the artist-in-residence of the Gaillard Center, Charleston’s world-renowned performance and education venue. The collaboration of these two incredibly creative individuals will delight foothills jazz aficionados to close out the series.

Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series: Quentin Baxter – Marcus Amaker
May 19 @ 4:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center – Veh Stage

A taste of the Low Country comes to the Foothills when the Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series serves up some of Charleston’s finest and most talented creatives. GRAMMY award winner Quentin Baxter is a percussionist, composer, educator and prominent figure in the jazz community of his native Charleston, SC. He’ll be joined by the multi-talented poet, musician and first Poet Laureate of Charleston Marcus Amaker.

Monday, May 20, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 20 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 21 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Poetry Night
May 21 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Oak and Grist Distilling Company

 

Come on by for night of spoken word presented by Dark City Poets Society at Oak and Grist Distilling Company. Everyone is welcome to share a few poems or just sit back and drink for a good cause.

The event is free and $1 from every classic cocktail will be donated to Friends of the Black Mountain Library.

gn-ups to share will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Can’t make it to this one? This event happens the third tuesday of every month!

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 22 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 23 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Friday, May 24, 2024
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 24 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center