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.

Saturday, December 17, 2022
Give!Local fundraiser! Nature Center and Weiler Woods for Wildlife
Dec 17 all-day
online w/ WNC Nature Center

From November 1 to December 31, you can support the WNC Nature Center through Mountain Xpress’ Give!Local fundraiser!
Your donation gives you great incentives from the Nature Center and Mountain Xpress, and your gift will be matched by Weiler Woods for Wildlife up to $2,500, with the entire donation coming to the Friends of the WNC Nature Center!
This is a powerful way to support local nonprofits and your community during the holiday season!
Here are a few of the awesome perks of supporting the Friends:
  • Donate $25+ and get a day pass to the WNC Nature Center.
  • Donate $50+ and get an animal sticker and a day pass.
  • Donate $100+ and get an animal tracks necklace, animal sticker, and a day pass.
  • Donate $250+ and get a a guided tour of the Nature Center with animal enrichment for two people, plus the necklace, sticker, and day pass. PLUS, you’ll be entered to win a chance to go on habitat with red pandas Leafa and Phoenix in 2023!
Greenville Winter Invitational
Dec 17 all-day
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Watch your favorite teams play at the Greenville Winter Invitational, a multiple-team basketball showcase taking place at The Well on Saturday, December 17th.

The one-day, six-team event will feature matchups between the men’s basketball teams from Clemson University, Furman University, the University of South Carolina, East Carolina University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and University of Richmond.

Game Schedule:
• 2:00PM University of South Carolina vs. East Carolina
• 4:30PM Furman University vs. Stephen F. Austin State University
• 7:00PM Clemson University vs. University of Richmond

Several ticket options are available. These include premium courtside seats, Wicked Weed Lounge, Courtside seating, and group packages. Visit the Bon Secours Wellness Arena website for more information on the tournament and to purchase tickets. One ticket gets allows you entrance into all three matchups this day.

The Wish Tree- Older Adults + Adults w/ Disabilities and Foster Care Wish Tree
Dec 17 all-day
online

Make A Wish Come True This Holiday Season

Wishes

Ready the hot cocoa and pull out your decorations; it’s time for another holiday season.  As you begin your holiday preparation traditions, remember to visit the Buncombe County Wish Trees! This year we are offering two opportunities to spread cheer throughout the community:

Foster Care Wish Tree

Each year children in foster care and young adults participating in Extended Foster Care in Buncombe County submit a list of wishes they would like for the holidays. Signing up to sponsor a child or young adult is easy! Just follow the link below and select the child or young adult you would like to sponsor. After signing up, you will receive email confirmation that provides a copy of the wish list and all the instructions for drop off. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow up email in its entirety.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR A CHILD

Direct Questions to Amber Cook

 [email protected]
(828) 250-5824

The Wish Tree- Fulfilling Wishes of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

There are a lot of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities in Buncombe County in need of connection this holiday season. Show a  Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities how much you care by sponsoring them this holiday season. Signing up to sponsor a Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities  is easy. Just follow the link below, select the  Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities you would like to sponsor, and check your email for confirmation, a reminder of what your Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities would like this holiday season, and drop off instructions. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow up email in its entirety.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR AN OLDER ADULT OR AN ADULT WITH DISABILITIES

A note from HHS

The holidays can be hard for a lot of people, children in foster care, older adults, and adults with disabilities in particular. Holidays are a time when family and friends gather together, show support for one another, and shower each other with love, kindness, and generosity. Each year, we have an opportunity to deliver the holiday spirit to children in foster care, older adults, and adults with disabilities through our wish tree gift drives. The expressions of joy and excitement on our clients faces as we deliver their gifts reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday season, connection. Yes, the gifts are nice. But the real gift is knowing that someone loves and cares. That is what we deliver to our clients. Thank you in advance for your generous sponsorship.

Winter Clothing Drive
Dec 17 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries

Is it time to give your winter wardrobe an upgrade? Do you have any winter clothing that you don’t want or need? Are some of your winter clothes too small or too big?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider donating your extra or unwanted winter clothing items to the Winter Clothing Drive hosted by Beaverdam Valley Neighborhood Association.

Donations can be made up until December 18th and will go to the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.  Please drop off all items on the front porch at 42 Pinecroft Road, Asheville NC 28804.

Second Gear’s December Non-Profit: Western Carolina Ministries
Dec 17 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Second Gear

WCRM-2022-nonprofit-December-large(1)

Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (WCRM) exists to serve the homeless, poor, and addicted populations of Western North Carolina. As a nondenominational ministry, we meet people in crisis, focus on helping them at the point of their need, invest in their future, and help them until they can move forward.

Currently our Rescue services for men, women and children include providing meals, food boxes, overnight shelter, showers and clothing. We provide restoration services for men and women that include life counseling, job training and assistance with transitional services.

On Saturday, December 17 • 12–4 pm, come to the store and learn more about the great work they do for our community. As part of our Non-Profit of the month program, Second Gear will donate 1% of sales all month to Western Carolina Ministries.

Greenville Winter Invitational D1 Collegiate Men’s Basketball
Dec 17 @ 2:00 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Bon Secours Wellness Arena, in partnership with Furman University and VisitGreenvilleSC, is delighted to announce the inaugural Greenville Winter Invitational, a multiple-team basketball showcase taking place at The Well on Saturday, December 17th. The one-day, six-team event will feature matchups between the men’s basketball teams from Clemson University, Furman University, the University of South Carolina, East Carolina University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and University of Richmond.

Game Schedule – No reentry.

2:00PM University of South Carolina vs. East Carolina

4:30PM Furman University vs. Stephen F. Austin State University

7:00PM Clemson University vs. University of Richmond

All Inclusive Premium Seating Packages

A limited availability of all inclusive packages are available for purchase via the BSWA premium services team. Please contact [email protected] 

Wicked Weed Starting Lineup: This package includes five (5) table tickets in the Wicked Weed Lounge. Food and beverage* is included. The package price is $775.

Wicked Weed Bench: This package includes a seat in the front row of the Wicked Weed Lounge along with food and beverage*. Minimum of two (2) tickets must be purchased for this package. Tickets are $155 per seat.

Group Ticket Discount

Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a discounted rate in the General Admission seating section. An account executive from our Marketing department will facilitate your request and talk you though pricing options. Please contact [email protected]

World Cup Soccer on the Movie Screen
Dec 17 @ 2:00 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing

We will be showing all the USA World Cup games on the largest screens in town

Harris Teeter’s Harvest Feast Round-Up Campaign
Dec 17 @ 6:21 pm
Harris Teeter

Help Us Meet the Need This Holiday Season

Round Up Campaigns & Community Events

We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.

  • Harris Teeter’s Harvest Feast Round-Up Campaign (11/2 – 12/27): Harris Teeter shoppers will be invited to Round Up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar at checkout to benefit local hunger relief partners. MANNA will be the recipient of funds raised at the Harris Teeter stores on Merrimon Ave. in Asheville and Spartanburg Hwy. in Hendersonville.
Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign
Dec 17 @ 6:26 pm
Whole Foods
  • We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.
  • Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign (11/30 – 12/20): Whole Foods shoppers are invited to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. Whole Foods will also match a donation to MANNA when a customer buys a locally made product.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Dallas Stars
Dec 17 @ 7:00 pm
PNC Arena

See the source image

Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs. Atlanta Gladiators
Dec 17 @ 7:05 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Greenville Swamp Rabbits  vs.    Atlanta Gladiators

 

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits are much more than a professional hockey franchise playing in Upstate South Carolina; it is truly Greenville’s hockey team. Formerly known as the Road Warriors, the club rebranded to the Swamp Rabbits on August 26, 2015 in an effort to really ingrain itself in the fabric of the community. The name is inherently Greenville – specific to the city and unique in the sports world.

It’s the electrifying energy and unstoppable passion of Swamp Rabbits fans inside The Well combined with the award-winning game presentation that make attending a Swamp Rabbits game the BEST fan experience in the ECHL! From the moment you step inside the arena, you’ll find FREE concourse activities for the whole family, including sign-making, temporary tattoos, interactive games, music and there’s always a good chance you’ll run into the Swamp Rabbits mascot Stomper! Throughout the season, fans can also expect a lineup of special theme nights and exciting giveaways.

Sunday, December 18, 2022
2022 RiverLink Annual Fund
Dec 18 all-day
online w/ River Link

What makes a place idyllic?

Start with an emerald river that flows from ancient mountains. Add an abundance of living creatures that co-evolved over millennia. Bring in humans who honor their place in the interconnected web. And rebuild a vital stream that supports us all.

Your support and engagement helps ensure the health of this watershed for the ages! We can’t do it without you.

Biltmore Park Town Square MANNA FOODBANK donations
Dec 18 all-day
REI Co-op and Regal Biltmore Grande

It’s the Season for Giving

Join us in helping to ensure members of the WNC community have enough nutritious food to eat this holiday season. In partnership with MANNA Food Bank, we’re hosting a holiday food drive and requesting donations of healthy, non-perishable food items as well as personal hygiene products. Donations will be delivered to MANNA, weighed, and distributed to those in need. Collection barrels are set up inside the lobbies of REI Co-op and Regal Biltmore Grande through December 19th.

Donate to Greenworks Double your impact with a $50,000 match!
Dec 18 all-day
online

We’ve got so many reasons to give thanks! In each of our program areas, we see ordinary people taking heroic action to protect our home from the pressures of a changing climate.

 

This year-end, we’re highlighting stories that inspired us and sharing how we’re planting seeds to create a climate-resilient future for all of us.

 

With our native pollinators, more is more. The more habitat we plant, the more easily our native pollinators can find shelter and food, the more resilient they become to the challenges posed by pesticides and extreme heat—the more stable our entire food ecosystem becomes.

Give Local: SAHAC and Wicked Weed
Dec 18 all-day
online
GiveLocal
                                                    campaign logo
SAHC is thrilled to be selected again this year to participate in the MountainXpress Give!Local Campaign. Our generous partners at Wicked Weed Brewing will MATCH donations up to $10,000! PLUS, anyone donating at a level of $100 or above will receive a $10 gift card from Wicked Weed. 

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

WHAT THEY DO: We permanently protect and steward our region’s most beloved natural areas. When you support local land and water conservation, you ensure our lands, our water, our wildlife and our farms will be there for future generations. SAHC is committed to creating and supporting equitable, healthy and thriving communities for everyone in our region.

sahc

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
Give!Local fundraiser! Nature Center and Weiler Woods for Wildlife
Dec 18 all-day
online w/ WNC Nature Center

From November 1 to December 31, you can support the WNC Nature Center through Mountain Xpress’ Give!Local fundraiser!
Your donation gives you great incentives from the Nature Center and Mountain Xpress, and your gift will be matched by Weiler Woods for Wildlife up to $2,500, with the entire donation coming to the Friends of the WNC Nature Center!
This is a powerful way to support local nonprofits and your community during the holiday season!
Here are a few of the awesome perks of supporting the Friends:
  • Donate $25+ and get a day pass to the WNC Nature Center.
  • Donate $50+ and get an animal sticker and a day pass.
  • Donate $100+ and get an animal tracks necklace, animal sticker, and a day pass.
  • Donate $250+ and get a a guided tour of the Nature Center with animal enrichment for two people, plus the necklace, sticker, and day pass. PLUS, you’ll be entered to win a chance to go on habitat with red pandas Leafa and Phoenix in 2023!
The Wish Tree- Older Adults + Adults w/ Disabilities and Foster Care Wish Tree
Dec 18 all-day
online

Make A Wish Come True This Holiday Season

Wishes

Ready the hot cocoa and pull out your decorations; it’s time for another holiday season.  As you begin your holiday preparation traditions, remember to visit the Buncombe County Wish Trees! This year we are offering two opportunities to spread cheer throughout the community:

Foster Care Wish Tree

Each year children in foster care and young adults participating in Extended Foster Care in Buncombe County submit a list of wishes they would like for the holidays. Signing up to sponsor a child or young adult is easy! Just follow the link below and select the child or young adult you would like to sponsor. After signing up, you will receive email confirmation that provides a copy of the wish list and all the instructions for drop off. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow up email in its entirety.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR A CHILD

Direct Questions to Amber Cook

 [email protected]
(828) 250-5824

The Wish Tree- Fulfilling Wishes of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

There are a lot of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities in Buncombe County in need of connection this holiday season. Show a  Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities how much you care by sponsoring them this holiday season. Signing up to sponsor a Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities  is easy. Just follow the link below, select the  Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities you would like to sponsor, and check your email for confirmation, a reminder of what your Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities would like this holiday season, and drop off instructions. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow up email in its entirety.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR AN OLDER ADULT OR AN ADULT WITH DISABILITIES

A note from HHS

The holidays can be hard for a lot of people, children in foster care, older adults, and adults with disabilities in particular. Holidays are a time when family and friends gather together, show support for one another, and shower each other with love, kindness, and generosity. Each year, we have an opportunity to deliver the holiday spirit to children in foster care, older adults, and adults with disabilities through our wish tree gift drives. The expressions of joy and excitement on our clients faces as we deliver their gifts reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday season, connection. Yes, the gifts are nice. But the real gift is knowing that someone loves and cares. That is what we deliver to our clients. Thank you in advance for your generous sponsorship.

Winter Clothing Drive
Dec 18 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries

Is it time to give your winter wardrobe an upgrade? Do you have any winter clothing that you don’t want or need? Are some of your winter clothes too small or too big?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider donating your extra or unwanted winter clothing items to the Winter Clothing Drive hosted by Beaverdam Valley Neighborhood Association.

Donations can be made up until December 18th and will go to the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.  Please drop off all items on the front porch at 42 Pinecroft Road, Asheville NC 28804.

Carolina Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dec 18 @ 1:00 pm
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

See the source image

World Cup Soccer on the Movie Screen
Dec 18 @ 2:00 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing

We will be showing all the USA World Cup games on the largest screens in town

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 18 @ 5:00 pm
PNC Arena

See the source image

Harris Teeter’s Harvest Feast Round-Up Campaign
Dec 18 @ 6:21 pm
Harris Teeter

Help Us Meet the Need This Holiday Season

Round Up Campaigns & Community Events

We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.

  • Harris Teeter’s Harvest Feast Round-Up Campaign (11/2 – 12/27): Harris Teeter shoppers will be invited to Round Up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar at checkout to benefit local hunger relief partners. MANNA will be the recipient of funds raised at the Harris Teeter stores on Merrimon Ave. in Asheville and Spartanburg Hwy. in Hendersonville.
Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign
Dec 18 @ 6:26 pm
Whole Foods
  • We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.
  • Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign (11/30 – 12/20): Whole Foods shoppers are invited to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. Whole Foods will also match a donation to MANNA when a customer buys a locally made product.
Monday, December 19, 2022
Biltmore Park Town Square MANNA FOODBANK donations
Dec 19 all-day
REI Co-op and Regal Biltmore Grande

It’s the Season for Giving

Join us in helping to ensure members of the WNC community have enough nutritious food to eat this holiday season. In partnership with MANNA Food Bank, we’re hosting a holiday food drive and requesting donations of healthy, non-perishable food items as well as personal hygiene products. Donations will be delivered to MANNA, weighed, and distributed to those in need. Collection barrels are set up inside the lobbies of REI Co-op and Regal Biltmore Grande through December 19th.

Donate to Greenworks Double your impact with a $50,000 match!
Dec 19 all-day
online

We’ve got so many reasons to give thanks! In each of our program areas, we see ordinary people taking heroic action to protect our home from the pressures of a changing climate.

 

This year-end, we’re highlighting stories that inspired us and sharing how we’re planting seeds to create a climate-resilient future for all of us.

 

With our native pollinators, more is more. The more habitat we plant, the more easily our native pollinators can find shelter and food, the more resilient they become to the challenges posed by pesticides and extreme heat—the more stable our entire food ecosystem becomes.

Give!Local fundraiser! Nature Center and Weiler Woods for Wildlife
Dec 19 all-day
online w/ WNC Nature Center

From November 1 to December 31, you can support the WNC Nature Center through Mountain Xpress’ Give!Local fundraiser!
Your donation gives you great incentives from the Nature Center and Mountain Xpress, and your gift will be matched by Weiler Woods for Wildlife up to $2,500, with the entire donation coming to the Friends of the WNC Nature Center!
This is a powerful way to support local nonprofits and your community during the holiday season!
Here are a few of the awesome perks of supporting the Friends:
  • Donate $25+ and get a day pass to the WNC Nature Center.
  • Donate $50+ and get an animal sticker and a day pass.
  • Donate $100+ and get an animal tracks necklace, animal sticker, and a day pass.
  • Donate $250+ and get a a guided tour of the Nature Center with animal enrichment for two people, plus the necklace, sticker, and day pass. PLUS, you’ll be entered to win a chance to go on habitat with red pandas Leafa and Phoenix in 2023!
The Wish Tree- Older Adults + Adults w/ Disabilities and Foster Care Wish Tree
Dec 19 all-day
online

Make A Wish Come True This Holiday Season

Wishes

Ready the hot cocoa and pull out your decorations; it’s time for another holiday season.  As you begin your holiday preparation traditions, remember to visit the Buncombe County Wish Trees! This year we are offering two opportunities to spread cheer throughout the community:

Foster Care Wish Tree

Each year children in foster care and young adults participating in Extended Foster Care in Buncombe County submit a list of wishes they would like for the holidays. Signing up to sponsor a child or young adult is easy! Just follow the link below and select the child or young adult you would like to sponsor. After signing up, you will receive email confirmation that provides a copy of the wish list and all the instructions for drop off. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow up email in its entirety.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR A CHILD

Direct Questions to Amber Cook

 [email protected]
(828) 250-5824

The Wish Tree- Fulfilling Wishes of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

There are a lot of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities in Buncombe County in need of connection this holiday season. Show a  Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities how much you care by sponsoring them this holiday season. Signing up to sponsor a Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities  is easy. Just follow the link below, select the  Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities you would like to sponsor, and check your email for confirmation, a reminder of what your Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities would like this holiday season, and drop off instructions. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow up email in its entirety.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR AN OLDER ADULT OR AN ADULT WITH DISABILITIES

A note from HHS

The holidays can be hard for a lot of people, children in foster care, older adults, and adults with disabilities in particular. Holidays are a time when family and friends gather together, show support for one another, and shower each other with love, kindness, and generosity. Each year, we have an opportunity to deliver the holiday spirit to children in foster care, older adults, and adults with disabilities through our wish tree gift drives. The expressions of joy and excitement on our clients faces as we deliver their gifts reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday season, connection. Yes, the gifts are nice. But the real gift is knowing that someone loves and cares. That is what we deliver to our clients. Thank you in advance for your generous sponsorship.

YWCA Aquatics Volunteer
Dec 19 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
YWCA Asheville

YWCA of Asheville is a nonprofit organization working to bridge gaps in education, health, childcare, and earning power for women and families in the Asheville region. The mission of the YWCA of Asheville is to eliminate racism; empower women; and promote peace,  justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

The YWCA indoor pool hosts a comprehensive Aquatics Program with activities for all ages, abilities, and interests.

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities 

  • Join the fun in the pool as a swim assistant. Help children and adults learn the basics of floating, kicking, breathing, and diving.
  • Support the Aquatics Program with behind-the-scenes administrative work or on-the-deck supervising

Time Commitment

  • Flexible time commitment

Volunteer Requirements

  • Background check
Archetype Brewing is partnering with The Blood Connection to sponsor regular community blood drives
Dec 19 @ 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Archetype Brewing--West
176368147_2899384213641696_716286062106311865_n
Archetype Brewing is partnering with The Blood Connection to sponsor regular community blood drives for our AVL community. The bloodmobile will be at 265 Haywood Road, Asheville. Each blood donor will receive a $20 Visa gift card as a thank you for donating!
The Blood Connection is also doing a COVID-19 antibody screening on all blood donations and you will be able to get these results 7 business days after donating.
Each blood donation saves up to 3 lives! Donors need to be at least 16 years old (16 year old need a permission slip which will be at the blood drive), weigh at least 110 pounds, have ID and be in general good health.
Harris Teeter’s Harvest Feast Round-Up Campaign
Dec 19 @ 6:21 pm
Harris Teeter

Help Us Meet the Need This Holiday Season

Round Up Campaigns & Community Events

We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.

  • Harris Teeter’s Harvest Feast Round-Up Campaign (11/2 – 12/27): Harris Teeter shoppers will be invited to Round Up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar at checkout to benefit local hunger relief partners. MANNA will be the recipient of funds raised at the Harris Teeter stores on Merrimon Ave. in Asheville and Spartanburg Hwy. in Hendersonville.