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.

Friday, July 27, 2018
Passion, Purpose, & Power: A Transformative Vision Quest Weekend for Women.
Jul 27 – Jul 29 all-day
Homestead Retreat
Passion, Purpose, & Power: A Transformative Vision Quest Weekend for Women. @ Homestead Retreat  |  |  |

A Transformative Vision Quest Weekend For Women:
Through mystical Shamanic Journeys, Wisdom Teachings, Sweat Lodge and Medicine Wheel ceremonies, we will call upon our Spirit Guides and Teachers to help us quest in the sacred places of this ancient and healing land. We will gain wisdom, guidance, answers, and insight. We will sense ourselves anew and joyfully open to our special path, our place in the Oneness of Life.

Cool Summer Nights at Tweetsie Railroad
Jul 27 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Every Saturday in July the park stays open late, until 9:00 p.m., so you can make more time for family memories. Enjoy evening train and stage shows, rides at dusk, and fun throughout the park.

Saturday, July 28, 2018
2018 Folkmoot Festival
Jul 28 all-day
Folkmoot Friendship Center
2018 Folkmoot Festival @ Folkmoot Friendship Center | Waynesville | North Carolina | United States

Named by USA Today as one of the Top Twenty Festivals in North Carolina, Folkmoot is a ten-day event, held across the mountains of Western North Carolina in Waynesville, Clyde, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Canton, Cherokee, Franklin, Hickory, Asheville, and Hendersonville. The 2018 festival dates are July 19 – 29 and feature cultural ambassadors/dance performing groups from Ghana, Italy, Czech Republic, Mexico, Venezuela and Northern Cyprus, Thailand and local Appalachian and Cherokee dancers and musicians.

Tickets are now on sale for all performances and can be purchased at Folkmoot.org, in person at the Folkmoot Friendship Center, or by calling 828-452-2997.

K9s in Flight Frisbee Dogs
Jul 28 all-day
Tweetsie Railroad

These incredible dogs have delighted audiences nationwide at halftime shows on television. Don’t miss them live at Tweetsie Railroad! Shows at 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Saturday evening show at 7:00 p.m.

THE 2018 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER | LEONARD BERNSTEIN FESTIVAL
Jul 28 all-day
Brevard Music Center

By highlighting these and other works, Brevard Music Center is presenting some of Bernstein’s greatest output and showing a wonderful variety of his music that is at the core of American classical music experience. We spend so much time celebrating the works of European masters like Beethoven, Mozart, Mahler, and Dvôrak. And those works all deserve to be celebrated. But they must stand alongside Bernstein, Copland, and Gershwin—these masters gave American classical music its voice.

It’s wonderful for Brevard to be joining in with orchestras and institutions all around the world in celebrating the birth of one of the most compelling musicians of our time…or any other time.

THE 2018 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER   LEONARD BERNSTEIN FESTIVAL
Sun., June 24Beloved Bernstein
Mon., July 9Bernstein & Friends
Thurs., July 12: Leonard Bernstein/An American Icon (free lecture/details to come)
Fri., July 13: A Bernstein Celebration
Sat., July 14West Side Story (movie + live symphony)
Sun., July 15: Bernstein the Educator
Thurs., July 26 & Sat., July 28Candide (opera with English supertitles)
Sun., August 5: Season Finale: Bernstein’s Mass

WWW.BREVARDMUSIC.ORG/BERNSTEIN

Cool Summer Nights at Tweetsie Railroad
Jul 28 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Every Saturday in July the park stays open late, until 9:00 p.m., so you can make more time for family memories. Enjoy evening train and stage shows, rides at dusk, and fun throughout the park.

Sunday, July 29, 2018
2018 Folkmoot Festival
Jul 29 all-day
Folkmoot Friendship Center
2018 Folkmoot Festival @ Folkmoot Friendship Center | Waynesville | North Carolina | United States

Named by USA Today as one of the Top Twenty Festivals in North Carolina, Folkmoot is a ten-day event, held across the mountains of Western North Carolina in Waynesville, Clyde, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Canton, Cherokee, Franklin, Hickory, Asheville, and Hendersonville. The 2018 festival dates are July 19 – 29 and feature cultural ambassadors/dance performing groups from Ghana, Italy, Czech Republic, Mexico, Venezuela and Northern Cyprus, Thailand and local Appalachian and Cherokee dancers and musicians.

Tickets are now on sale for all performances and can be purchased at Folkmoot.org, in person at the Folkmoot Friendship Center, or by calling 828-452-2997.

K9s in Flight Frisbee Dogs
Jul 29 all-day
Tweetsie Railroad

These incredible dogs have delighted audiences nationwide at halftime shows on television. Don’t miss them live at Tweetsie Railroad! Shows at 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Saturday evening show at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Leicester Comm. Ctr. Welcome Table FREE Meal
Aug 1 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 774-3000
Link: http://www.leicestercommunitycenter.com

Welcome Table Free Meal every Wednesday 11:30am-1:30pm

Thursday, August 2, 2018
North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival
Aug 2 @ 10:00 am – Aug 5 @ 5:00 pm
The Commons Shopping Center
North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival @ The Commons Shopping Center |  |  |

Since the early 1950’s Spruce Pine, North Carolina has been the host of the Festival and welcomed visitors from around the world to shop for beautiful jewelry, gemstones, minerals, beads, crystals, fossils and more! Even celebrities have been spotted at the Festival selecting their jewelry, gemstones and gifts! The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget. Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a special stone for your own setting, a custom designed piece of jewelry or a special crystal display for your home, you can’t miss the NC Mineral and Gem Festival.

Th, Fri, Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sun: 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Admission: $3
Children under 10 admitted free
Friday: $1 admission for Senior Citizens

The Commons Shopping Center
12121 Hwy 226 S
Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Contact:
Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 828-765-9033
Website: www.ncgemfest.com
Email: [email protected]

Friday, August 3, 2018
LEAF Downtown AVL
Aug 3 – Aug 4 all-day
Pack square park
LEAF Downtown AVL @ Pack square park  |  |  |

LEAF Downtown celebrates communities, creativity, diversity and families in
the heart of downtown Asheville & showcases dynamic musical talent, immersive cultural arts
performances and local handcraft & culinary artists. LEAF Downtown will further the goals of
inclusivity, community partnership and economic vitality in the greater Asheville area, while
driving the greater LEAF Community Arts mission to connect cultures & create community

through music & arts. Visit theLEAF.org/downtown for more info on this inclusive, family-
friendly, FREE event!

4TH ANNUAL LEAF DOWNTOWN AVL LINEUP:
Maceo Parker, Grandmaster Flash
Wax Tailor (Solo & Special Guests)
Maggie Koerner, Victory Boyd, Free Planet Radio
LEAF Funk Mixtape Allstars, Tall Tall Trees, Supatight
Ben Phan & The Soul Symphony, I,Star, Brie Capone
King Garbage, Nex Millen, Hope Giffin, Red Leg Husky, Liz Teague Band
Blue Ridge Pride Drag Show, Unifire Theater, NU Paradigm
Voted by WNC as the #1 Nonprofit Serving the Arts, #1 Music Festival, #1 Camping Festival, #1
Kids Festival, #1 Music-Related Nonprofit & #1 Cultural Arts Event, LEAF Community Arts is a
non-profit organization in which all donations & festival proceeds support cultural arts education
programming locally & globally! Since 2004, LEAF Schools & Streets has served over 55,000
youth with programs in over 20 Western North Carolina locations. LEAF International features
cultural preservation programs in 10 countries worldwide. Your attendance at LEAF not only
provides you with an amazing weekend experience with friends and family, but provides a
platform for fostering the growth of our youth into creative leaders in their communities
worldwide. Join the movement @ theLEAF.org

Saturday, August 4, 2018
46th Annual Village Art & Craft Fair
Aug 4 – Aug 5 all-day
Cathedral of All Souls
46th Annual Village Art & Craft Fair @ Cathedral of All Souls |  |  |

Premier outdoor art and craft fair hosts 114 artists from across the country exhibiting arts and crafts of original design in a variety of mediums. The Fair draws thousand of eager shoppers to the beautiful tree covered grounds of the Cathedral of All Souls in charming Historic Biltmore Village.

Leicester Comm. Ctr. Yard Sale
Aug 4 @ 6:00 am – 2:00 pm

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 774-3000
Link: http://www.leicestercommunitycenter.com

Community Yard Sale and Venddor Fair.  6am-2pm. call (828) 774-3000 to reserve a space in the parking lot to sell $10.

Paddle Grapple
Aug 4 @ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Nantahala Outdoors Center

Choose your class of SUP, surfski, marathon, kayak, or canoe and race on beautiful Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains. With a 3 and 6 mile race option, the Paddle Grapple offers an option for every boater, whether recreational or elite. Awards will be given to top finishers in each class.

LEAF Art Dash 5K
Aug 4 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Pack Square Park

THE MOST unique 5k in downtown Asheville.
Art and Music accompany your 3.1 mile run/walk through the city.
Start and finish in Pack Square.

ONLY 100 discounted youth spots available so don’t delay
On-site registration Friday 8/3 and Saturday 8/4 $35
LEAF Art Dash 5K fees are supporting LEAF Schools & Streets.

Orienteering at Buncombe County Sports Park
Aug 4 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Buncombe County Sports Park

Join us at Buncombe County Sports Park on Saturday, August 4th for an orienteering meet!

BEGINNERS WELCOME and you can participate as an individual or in teams.

Orienteering appeals to young and old, fast and slow, runners and walkers alike. It is 100% KID FRIENDLY, too, so bring the whole family!

What is it? Orienteering is a sometimes-competitive international sport that combines racing with map-and-compass navigation. It is a timed activity in which individual participants use a specially created, highly detailed map to select routes and navigate through diverse and often unfamiliar terrain and visit checkpoints in sequence.

You can arrive and begin your choice of course ANY TIME BETWEEN 10am and 1pm.

This event is open to the public and FREE (though donations are appreciated!)

There will be TWO or THREE courses to choose from – details TBA

SCHEDULE

10:00am – 1:00pm — Begin your course any time during the “starts window”

2:30pm — All participants should be off the course

3:00pm — Sweep the course to collect the controls (volunteers loved forever)

EQUIPMENT

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can be active in (and maybe get dirty.)

If you have a compass, bring it. It doesn’t need to be a fancy one, and there are tons of free Android and iOS apps that can function just fine on your smartphone.

Maps will be provided.

TRAINING SESSION FOR NEWCOMERS

We will offer a crash course in map reading and navigation before you start — just ask when you arrive and we’ll get an impromptu classroom set up!

PARKING

We’ll be congregating in the first parking lot on the left as you get down into the park.

Please invite your friends, share this event, and see you there!

Sunday, August 5, 2018
THE 2018 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER | LEONARD BERNSTEIN FESTIVAL
Aug 5 all-day
Brevard Music Center

By highlighting these and other works, Brevard Music Center is presenting some of Bernstein’s greatest output and showing a wonderful variety of his music that is at the core of American classical music experience. We spend so much time celebrating the works of European masters like Beethoven, Mozart, Mahler, and Dvôrak. And those works all deserve to be celebrated. But they must stand alongside Bernstein, Copland, and Gershwin—these masters gave American classical music its voice.

It’s wonderful for Brevard to be joining in with orchestras and institutions all around the world in celebrating the birth of one of the most compelling musicians of our time…or any other time.

THE 2018 BREVARD MUSIC CENTER   LEONARD BERNSTEIN FESTIVAL
Sun., June 24Beloved Bernstein
Mon., July 9Bernstein & Friends
Thurs., July 12: Leonard Bernstein/An American Icon (free lecture/details to come)
Fri., July 13: A Bernstein Celebration
Sat., July 14West Side Story (movie + live symphony)
Sun., July 15: Bernstein the Educator
Thurs., July 26 & Sat., July 28Candide (opera with English supertitles)
Sun., August 5: Season Finale: Bernstein’s Mass

WWW.BREVARDMUSIC.ORG/BERNSTEIN

Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Leicester Comm. Ctr. Art Night
Aug 7 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 774-3000
Link: http://www.leicestercommunitycenter.com

Community Art Nights – First Tuesday of each month. Different project each month.  For Children and Adults.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Women’s Wilderness Workshops
Aug 8 all-day
Camp Daniel Boone

Our weekend gathering is held in Canton, North Carolina less than one hour West of Asheville. Camp Daniel Boone is a summer Boy Scout Camp that has opened it’s facilities and camp to us after it’s closed for the season. The camp sits nestled at the base of Cold Mountain, bordering the Pisgah National Forest and Shining Rock Wilderness Area with thousands of acres and endless hiking trails.

Earth Based Skills are the heart of what we offer in our workshops, while also cultivating the opportunity for deeper connection to each other and nature. Fire, Fiber Arts and Stone Tools are where we begin, with Core Skills Sessions on Thursday morning, as these help weave the rest of the skills together. Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning will have a variety of morning and afternoon classes you can choose to take, or you may prefer to visit our Healing Arts area and sign up for a massage or body work.

Since we are gathering to further our growth, knowledge and experience with mother nature, we also feel it is important to support local, natural, healthy, humane food. We will be working with local farmers and producers to acquire as much of the food we use for our meals as possible. We will enjoy two all natural, local, omnivorous and gluten free meals per day to nourish our bodies in the large Dining Hall, complete with a front porch and rocking chairs overlooking the lake and valley!

We have some special “creature comforts” with this site as well. There are sizable 8’x8′ platform tents and tiny cabins with camping cots available for your use and everyone gets their own tent. There are many drinking water spigots, showers, flush and latrine style toilets available for your needs located throughout camp.

Leicester Comm. Ctr. Welcome Table FREE Meal
Aug 8 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 774-3000
Link: http://www.leicestercommunitycenter.com

Welcome Table Free Meal every Wednesday 11:30am-1:30pm

Thursday, August 9, 2018
Laugh Your Asheville Off
Aug 9 all-day
Diana Wortham Theatre

The Southeast’s largest comedy festival celebrates twelve years in Asheville this summer with stand up comedians from all around the world. Recently rebranded from Laugh Your Asheville Off, Asheville Comedy Festival has grown into one of the country’s most prestigious comedy festivals among both comedians, comedy industry professionals and fans.

The three day festival will be showcasing more than 40 of the nation’s funniest comics in the industry today. These comics flock into town to turn the heads of the audiences, major TV network executives, casting agents, talent bookers, and comedy club owners that have traveled to the festival to discover comedians in an atmosphere designed to set the performers up for success.

Women’s Wilderness Workshops
Aug 9 all-day
Camp Daniel Boone

Our weekend gathering is held in Canton, North Carolina less than one hour West of Asheville. Camp Daniel Boone is a summer Boy Scout Camp that has opened it’s facilities and camp to us after it’s closed for the season. The camp sits nestled at the base of Cold Mountain, bordering the Pisgah National Forest and Shining Rock Wilderness Area with thousands of acres and endless hiking trails.

Earth Based Skills are the heart of what we offer in our workshops, while also cultivating the opportunity for deeper connection to each other and nature. Fire, Fiber Arts and Stone Tools are where we begin, with Core Skills Sessions on Thursday morning, as these help weave the rest of the skills together. Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning will have a variety of morning and afternoon classes you can choose to take, or you may prefer to visit our Healing Arts area and sign up for a massage or body work.

Since we are gathering to further our growth, knowledge and experience with mother nature, we also feel it is important to support local, natural, healthy, humane food. We will be working with local farmers and producers to acquire as much of the food we use for our meals as possible. We will enjoy two all natural, local, omnivorous and gluten free meals per day to nourish our bodies in the large Dining Hall, complete with a front porch and rocking chairs overlooking the lake and valley!

We have some special “creature comforts” with this site as well. There are sizable 8’x8′ platform tents and tiny cabins with camping cots available for your use and everyone gets their own tent. There are many drinking water spigots, showers, flush and latrine style toilets available for your needs located throughout camp.

Friday, August 10, 2018
Laugh Your Asheville Off
Aug 10 all-day
Diana Wortham Theatre

The Southeast’s largest comedy festival celebrates twelve years in Asheville this summer with stand up comedians from all around the world. Recently rebranded from Laugh Your Asheville Off, Asheville Comedy Festival has grown into one of the country’s most prestigious comedy festivals among both comedians, comedy industry professionals and fans.

The three day festival will be showcasing more than 40 of the nation’s funniest comics in the industry today. These comics flock into town to turn the heads of the audiences, major TV network executives, casting agents, talent bookers, and comedy club owners that have traveled to the festival to discover comedians in an atmosphere designed to set the performers up for success.

Rhythmic Gymnastics Open House/Information Session
Aug 10 all-day
The Academy at Terpsicorps

Wind and Sand Dance is happy to announce the start of Asheville’s first rhythmic gymnastics program. Rhythmic gymnastics is a form of gymnastics emphasizing dancelike rhythmic routines, accentuated by the use of hoops, ribbons, balls, ropes, and clubs. With an emphasis on stretching, conditioning, and ballet technique, this activity is a great way to get in shape and have some fun! Two recreational programs will be offered – one for kids ages 7-12 and one for teens and adults ages 13 and up.

Please join us on Friday, August 10th at our Open House and Information Session at The Academy at Terpsicorps. Drop in any time between 3pm and 5pm to meet the instructor, get information about the classes and curriculum, and register for our Fall Session! If you would like more information before the Open House, please visit www.windandsanddance.com/programs-for-kids or www.windandsanddance.com/programs-for-teens-adults.

If you cannot attend the Open House, but would like more information, please email [email protected] with any questions.

Women’s Wilderness Workshops
Aug 10 all-day
Camp Daniel Boone

Our weekend gathering is held in Canton, North Carolina less than one hour West of Asheville. Camp Daniel Boone is a summer Boy Scout Camp that has opened it’s facilities and camp to us after it’s closed for the season. The camp sits nestled at the base of Cold Mountain, bordering the Pisgah National Forest and Shining Rock Wilderness Area with thousands of acres and endless hiking trails.

Earth Based Skills are the heart of what we offer in our workshops, while also cultivating the opportunity for deeper connection to each other and nature. Fire, Fiber Arts and Stone Tools are where we begin, with Core Skills Sessions on Thursday morning, as these help weave the rest of the skills together. Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning will have a variety of morning and afternoon classes you can choose to take, or you may prefer to visit our Healing Arts area and sign up for a massage or body work.

Since we are gathering to further our growth, knowledge and experience with mother nature, we also feel it is important to support local, natural, healthy, humane food. We will be working with local farmers and producers to acquire as much of the food we use for our meals as possible. We will enjoy two all natural, local, omnivorous and gluten free meals per day to nourish our bodies in the large Dining Hall, complete with a front porch and rocking chairs overlooking the lake and valley!

We have some special “creature comforts” with this site as well. There are sizable 8’x8′ platform tents and tiny cabins with camping cots available for your use and everyone gets their own tent. There are many drinking water spigots, showers, flush and latrine style toilets available for your needs located throughout camp.

Saturday, August 11, 2018
Laugh Your Asheville Off
Aug 11 all-day
Diana Wortham Theatre

The Southeast’s largest comedy festival celebrates twelve years in Asheville this summer with stand up comedians from all around the world. Recently rebranded from Laugh Your Asheville Off, Asheville Comedy Festival has grown into one of the country’s most prestigious comedy festivals among both comedians, comedy industry professionals and fans.

The three day festival will be showcasing more than 40 of the nation’s funniest comics in the industry today. These comics flock into town to turn the heads of the audiences, major TV network executives, casting agents, talent bookers, and comedy club owners that have traveled to the festival to discover comedians in an atmosphere designed to set the performers up for success.

Riders in the Sky
Aug 11 – Aug 12 all-day
Tweetsie Railroad

Come hear Grammy-winning music and comedy from America’s Favorite Cowboys. Shows at noon and 3:00 p.m.

Women’s Wilderness Workshops
Aug 11 all-day
Camp Daniel Boone

Our weekend gathering is held in Canton, North Carolina less than one hour West of Asheville. Camp Daniel Boone is a summer Boy Scout Camp that has opened it’s facilities and camp to us after it’s closed for the season. The camp sits nestled at the base of Cold Mountain, bordering the Pisgah National Forest and Shining Rock Wilderness Area with thousands of acres and endless hiking trails.

Earth Based Skills are the heart of what we offer in our workshops, while also cultivating the opportunity for deeper connection to each other and nature. Fire, Fiber Arts and Stone Tools are where we begin, with Core Skills Sessions on Thursday morning, as these help weave the rest of the skills together. Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning will have a variety of morning and afternoon classes you can choose to take, or you may prefer to visit our Healing Arts area and sign up for a massage or body work.

Since we are gathering to further our growth, knowledge and experience with mother nature, we also feel it is important to support local, natural, healthy, humane food. We will be working with local farmers and producers to acquire as much of the food we use for our meals as possible. We will enjoy two all natural, local, omnivorous and gluten free meals per day to nourish our bodies in the large Dining Hall, complete with a front porch and rocking chairs overlooking the lake and valley!

We have some special “creature comforts” with this site as well. There are sizable 8’x8′ platform tents and tiny cabins with camping cots available for your use and everyone gets their own tent. There are many drinking water spigots, showers, flush and latrine style toilets available for your needs located throughout camp.

Sunday, August 12, 2018
Women’s Wilderness Workshops
Aug 12 all-day
Camp Daniel Boone

Our weekend gathering is held in Canton, North Carolina less than one hour West of Asheville. Camp Daniel Boone is a summer Boy Scout Camp that has opened it’s facilities and camp to us after it’s closed for the season. The camp sits nestled at the base of Cold Mountain, bordering the Pisgah National Forest and Shining Rock Wilderness Area with thousands of acres and endless hiking trails.

Earth Based Skills are the heart of what we offer in our workshops, while also cultivating the opportunity for deeper connection to each other and nature. Fire, Fiber Arts and Stone Tools are where we begin, with Core Skills Sessions on Thursday morning, as these help weave the rest of the skills together. Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning will have a variety of morning and afternoon classes you can choose to take, or you may prefer to visit our Healing Arts area and sign up for a massage or body work.

Since we are gathering to further our growth, knowledge and experience with mother nature, we also feel it is important to support local, natural, healthy, humane food. We will be working with local farmers and producers to acquire as much of the food we use for our meals as possible. We will enjoy two all natural, local, omnivorous and gluten free meals per day to nourish our bodies in the large Dining Hall, complete with a front porch and rocking chairs overlooking the lake and valley!

We have some special “creature comforts” with this site as well. There are sizable 8’x8′ platform tents and tiny cabins with camping cots available for your use and everyone gets their own tent. There are many drinking water spigots, showers, flush and latrine style toilets available for your needs located throughout camp.

14th Annual Race to the Rock
Aug 12 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Chimney Rock Park

The grand finale of the 14th Annual Lake Lure Olympiad – a 3-day family sports festival that showcases the beautiful scenery of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, the Race to the Rock is a challenging 5k run or 25-mile bike race that climbs 900 feet in the last 3 miles (a 7-9% grade) to finish at the base of Chimney Rock. The rewarding 75-mile views from the finish line overlooking Lake Lure are enough to take your breath away… or what’s left of it! This is the ONLY TIME you can ever run or bike up to Chimney Rock.