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.

Sunday, May 29, 2022
Sunset Yoga Hike in Asheville
May 29 @ 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm
Detailed Directions Shared After Booking

Imagine moving through your sun salutation on a mountaintop as the sky glows all around you (or stay in savasana for the full hour! No one here will judge you!) Marvel at nature’s light show, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and revel in the expansiveness of wide open spaces. This is our favorite version of our classic Yoga Hike here in Asheville and is offered in season (typically May – October) with start times planned approximately 2hrs prior to sunset. This mountaintop is on all of the “best places to view the sunset in Asheville” lists and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Want a more exclusive experience? Reserve a private Sunset Yoga Hike any day of the week with advanced notice.

Monday, May 30, 2022
GRINDfest
May 30 all-day
Grindfest

In a nutshell

FESTIVAL DATES: MAY 27-30, 2022

GrindFest is a free, 4-day festival that celebrates Black Business and entrepreneurship

 About this event

 Grindfest is BACK! It is a free, 4-day event that celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs + business owners in Asheville.  A block-party style event will take place on 8 Rivers Arts Place! This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. A long weekend of fun and excitement.

See you there!

Let’s make HISTORY together! 

Lake Lure Arts + Crafts Festival
May 30 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Downtown Lake Lure

The Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Festival offers 90+ artisans, multiple food vendors, continuous entertainment and kids activities in Downtown Lake Lure.

Memorial Day Carl Sandburg Music Festival
May 30 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
large crowd sits comfortably under the shade of trees while musicians play on a stage in the background
Audience enjoys the Carl Sandburg Music Festival at the new amphitheater 2019
  • May 30, 2022, will be the next festival. Follow us on social media or check back here for more details as we plan the 36th Carl Sandburg Music Festival in 2022.

The music festival began in 1987, to honor Carl Sandburg’s efforts to document the history of American music in his American Songbag. Carl Sandburg published the American Songbag in 1927 after spending years documenting and researching early American songs. As Sandburg said, “The American Songbag is a ragbag of strips, stripes, and streaks of color from nearly all ends of the earth. The melodies and verses presented here are from diverse regions, from varied human characters and communities, and each is sung differently in different places.” His publication does not focus on one genre of music, but rather on the human experience. “It is an All-American affair, marshalling the genius of thousands of original singing Americans.”

Sandburg enjoyed all American musical genres. He spent years interviewing musicians and singers, documenting their songs, including folk, gospel, jazz and blues. Carl Sandburg said, “the American Songbag comes from the hearts and voices of thousands of men and women.”

Compiling and publishing the American Songbag was one of the most difficult writing projects Sandburg took on during his life. Today, the Carl Sandburg Music Festival celebrates his work and the work of modern singers and songwriters to share diverse and original American music.

Music Festival is supported by:
Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, Inc.
America’s National Parks, the non-profit partner that operates the park store
A grant from the North Carolina Arts Council; administered by the Arts Council of Henderson County.

Wednesday, June 1, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 1 all-day
online w/ LEAF
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Thursday, June 2, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 2 all-day
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Friday, June 3, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 3 all-day
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The Gathering at Paint Rock Farm
Jun 3 all-day
Paint Rock Farm

The Gathering At Paint Rock Farm 2022

The Gathering at Paint Rock Farm is a conscious, family-friendly, three-day live music and camping experience.

This is a calling for people looking for a new way to connect through music, the great outdoors, and to joyfully celebrate life.

Attending guests will be treated to two nights of overnight camping and three days of outdoor activities such as hiking, yoga, kirtan, and live music performances. The Gathering at Paint Rock Farm is created by music lovers and outdoor enthusiasts that believe in sourcing and spotlighting the best of regional musicians, vendors, and community partners.

MUSIC PERFORMERS INCLUDE: Toubab Krewe, Natti Lovejoys, Roots Grown Deep, Greg Olsen & Chris Rosser, Wandering Hours, Appalucians, Clover and the Sunman, Kirtain with Aditi, Lazy Birds, and much more!

Saturday, June 4, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 4 all-day
online w/ LEAF
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June 1 – Membership tickets

June 15 – General public tickets 

 

 

 

The Gathering at Paint Rock Farm
Jun 4 all-day
Paint Rock Farm

The Gathering At Paint Rock Farm 2022

The Gathering at Paint Rock Farm is a conscious, family-friendly, three-day live music and camping experience.

This is a calling for people looking for a new way to connect through music, the great outdoors, and to joyfully celebrate life.

Attending guests will be treated to two nights of overnight camping and three days of outdoor activities such as hiking, yoga, kirtan, and live music performances. The Gathering at Paint Rock Farm is created by music lovers and outdoor enthusiasts that believe in sourcing and spotlighting the best of regional musicians, vendors, and community partners.

MUSIC PERFORMERS INCLUDE: Toubab Krewe, Natti Lovejoys, Roots Grown Deep, Greg Olsen & Chris Rosser, Wandering Hours, Appalucians, Clover and the Sunman, Kirtain with Aditi, Lazy Birds, and much more!

Just Brew It
Jun 4 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Pisgah Brewing Company

Just Brew It is a homebrew competition and tasting in Asheville benefiting the work of Just Economics. The festival features close to 100 different beers and more than 40 amazing homebrewers. The competing homebrewers are some of the finest specialty homebrewers in the region with classic brews like your traditional IPAs, lagers, sours and stouts to unique beers brewed with specialty items like coffee, chocolate, spices and fruit.

To attend, you must be a current member of Just Economics. Just Economics members sample the homebrew and vote for their favorites alongside other homebrew judges as brewers compete for awards and prizes.

This is a local festival you won’t want to miss and your membership supports the work of Just Economics to advance living wages, affordable housing and better transit!

Sunday, June 5, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 5 all-day
online w/ LEAF
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50th LEAF Festival Tickets

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Get early bird ticket access with membership!

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June 1 – Membership tickets

June 15 – General public tickets 

 

 

 

The Gathering at Paint Rock Farm
Jun 5 all-day
Paint Rock Farm

The Gathering At Paint Rock Farm 2022

The Gathering at Paint Rock Farm is a conscious, family-friendly, three-day live music and camping experience.

This is a calling for people looking for a new way to connect through music, the great outdoors, and to joyfully celebrate life.

Attending guests will be treated to two nights of overnight camping and three days of outdoor activities such as hiking, yoga, kirtan, and live music performances. The Gathering at Paint Rock Farm is created by music lovers and outdoor enthusiasts that believe in sourcing and spotlighting the best of regional musicians, vendors, and community partners.

MUSIC PERFORMERS INCLUDE: Toubab Krewe, Natti Lovejoys, Roots Grown Deep, Greg Olsen & Chris Rosser, Wandering Hours, Appalucians, Clover and the Sunman, Kirtain with Aditi, Lazy Birds, and much more!

Asheville Honey Festival/Black Jar International Honey Contest
Jun 5 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Salvage Station

If you love honey, beekeeping, saving our planet, and summer fun next to the French Broad River this event is for you.
Join the Center for Honeybee Research and Shanti Elixirs for Asheville’s First Annual Honey Festival at the Salvage Station on Sunday, June 5th from 12-5pm.

During this event the Center for Honeybee Research will also hold their 11th annual Black Jar International Honey Contest, with a grand prize of $5,500.00.

This will be a family friendly event with live music, vendors, non profit booths promoting the environment, pollinators and their habitats, and other important organizations supporting the world we live in.

Festival attendees will also be able to taste honey from all over the globe and watch the judges determine the “World’s Best Tasting Honey”.

Monday, June 6, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 6 all-day
online w/ LEAF
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June 1 – Membership tickets

June 15 – General public tickets 

 

 

 

Tuesday, June 7, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 7 all-day
online w/ LEAF
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June 1 – Membership tickets

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Wednesday, June 8, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 8 all-day
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June 1 – Membership tickets

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Thursday, June 9, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 9 all-day
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June 1 – Membership tickets

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Friday, June 10, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 10 all-day
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June 1 – Membership tickets

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Saturday, June 11, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 11 all-day
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June 1 – Membership tickets

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Sunday, June 12, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 12 all-day
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Gladheart Farm Fest Market
Jun 12 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Gladheart Farm - East Asheville

Every Sunday, Ashevillians and visitors from surrounding counties unite to enjoy one of the most unique Farmer’s Markets around!

Not only is Gladheart directly located on a community, organic farm, every vendor produces their own product.

Vendors offer organic produce, fresh made heritage grain breads, jewelry, grass fed tallow creams and broth, organic eggs and frozen quiche, chocolate, beef, and much, much more!

But wait! There’s More!

Gladheart Farm Fest Market is THE place to be on Sundays simply for it’s variety of hot, delicious, and nutritious food, Live music, and Kids Activities!

Wood Fired, Spelt Pizza
Nourish To Go Tacos
Vegan Sushi Rolls
Pasture Raised Scrambled Egg Bowls
(Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket and an empty belly!)

Farm Tours and Hay Rides! Spend the day and visit with the goats!

Monday, June 13, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 13 all-day
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June 1 – Membership tickets

June 15 – General public tickets 

 

 

 

Tuesday, June 14, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 14 all-day
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Wednesday, June 15, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 15 all-day
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June 1 – Membership tickets

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Thursday, June 16, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 16 all-day
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Friday, June 17, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 17 all-day
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LEAF Solid Gold 50th Festival: Legends of Africa
Jun 17 all-day
online w/ LEAF

 

Listen. Dance. Feel the music and that will answer, “Why the “Legends of Africa?” Africa is the core and essence of where so much of humanity and music has originated. It has forever influenced music and cultures throughout the world with the diaspora of its people. Over the years, LEAF has connected deeply with many African artists and presented artists from 32 of the 54 countries on the continent. These bonds and our love of Africa, bring us back the magic of not just the continent, but its people, our family. So join us for a true gathering of friends and the rekindling of traditions that have made the past 27 years of LEAF memorable.

“The shortest distance between two people is a story, a song, or a dance.”
Masankho Banda from Malawi.

Who is an African Legend you admire? Chinobay of Uganda said he’s been inspired by the music he listened to during Apartheid. He spoke of Miriam Makeba (nicknamed Momma Africa) a South African singer, songwriter and activist whose music was socially responsible and carried so much power for the people. What makes you a Legend is the MESSAGE you carry to the world.

In flow with Chinobay’s reflection, the artwork is a masterpiece created by legendary artist Trek 6 inspired by his work in South Africa while producing a documentary. Trek spoke about how the sunrises and sunsets in Africa were surreal, thus he began with a beautiful sun design.  A wall of drums in South Africa, where they host people from different tribes bringing food, song and art inspired the drums. In Trek’s own words, “Africa is cosmic, colorful, and the center to our past. From it we radiated.”We are honored by his artistic vision.

  • Sale!

    Festival Weekend PLUS Pass

    $175.00 – $203.00

    October 20-23, 2022 *Must be purchased by LEAF Member* Thursday 4:30pm to Sunday 7pm including overnight tent camping.

  • Sale!

    Festival Weekend Pass

    $135.00 – $159.00

    October 21-23, 2022 Fri 9am – Sun 7pm. Includes overnight camping

  • Sale!

    Festival Community Pass

    $95.00 – $105.00

    Fri 4:30pm – 2am, Sat 9am – 2am, Sun 9am – 7pm. No overnights / camping. No Thu. access. Must have alternate overnight accommodations nearby

  • Sale!

    Festival Saturday Pass

    $53.00 – $59.00

    Saturday, October 22, 2022, 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM. No overnight camping.

Saturday, June 18, 2022
50th LEAF Festival Tickets
Jun 18 all-day
online w/ LEAF
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June 1 – Membership tickets

June 15 – General public tickets 

 

 

 

Asheville Ideas Fest
Jun 18 all-day
UNCA

Join us in the mountains of Western North Carolina as we gather on the campus of UNC Asheville for the inaugural Asheville Ideas Fest. Engage in some of the most essential topics of our time with global thought leaders and fellow participants — all within the inspiring backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Fareed Zakaria

Global Analyst & Bestselling Author

Kizzmekia Corbett

Former Lead Researcher, NIH Vaccine Research Center

Jon Meacham

American Historian & Pulitzer Prize Winning Author

Lynn Novick

Created nearly 100 hours of acclaimed programming for PBS in collaboration with Ken Burns

Bill McKibben

Gandhi Peace Award Winner & Environmental Scholar

Jason Mott

2021 National Book Award Winner, author of Hell of a Book
Photo Credit Mallory Cash