Calendar of Events
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.
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Join us for part one of our Summer Art Series at Swannanoa Library! Local artist Nora Mosrie will lead four split-age sessions over the summer where kids can learn about different types of art and materials. For our third session, we’ll learn about oil pastels and collage to create a beautiful sunset landscape! This class session is for ages 4-6. Please register for this event so we can predetermine the amount of materials needed. Sponsored by the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League and funded by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. |
Meet a variety of wild animal guests and learn about them.
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Join us for part one of our Summer Art Series at Swannanoa Library! Local artist Nora Mosrie will lead four split-age sessions over the summer where kids can learn about different types of art and materials. For our third session, we’ll learn about oil pastels and collage to create a beautiful sunset landscape! This class session is for ages roughly 7-10. Please register for this event so we can predetermine the amount of materials needed. Sponsored by the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League and funded by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. |
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Join us for an educational program with the North Carolina Arboretum to learn all about the many different insects that call Western North Carolina their home (and some that don’t!)! Come ready to hear about the ecoEXPLORE program, find out what makes a bug a bug, what different types of bugs eat, where they live, plus much more! You might even get to meet a bug! |
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Meet Gracie, a certified therapy dog whose spirit and affectionate personality are sure to win your heart. Despite having one less leg, this nine year old “tripod” Great Pyrenees mix is excited about life, always eager for a run or swim and approaches everything with a big smile. Gracie’s physical difference does not stop her mission to spread love and happiness to everyone she meets. Her empathy and willingness to listen, make her the perfect friend for anyone in need of comfort or support. Join Gracie and her parent, Lisa, for an hour at the library where you can take turns reading, petting, or saying hello! No registration is required for this program, but we will ask you to sign-in so everyone gets to spend time with Gracie. Gracie is child friendly & parents must stay with children. **Our allergy free, robot dog, Puptart will still be available on Wednesdays from 4-5 PM! |
Post Game Fireworks Show
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
The 77th Annual North Carolina Apple Festival is set for 2023’s Labor Day Holiday, September 1-4. This is a four-day extravaganza that promises to be a delightful blend of entertainment, delicious food, engaging activities, and a celebration of the region’s rich apple and agricultural heritage.
Friday marks the start of the North Carolina Apple Festival, and the opening ceremonies begin at 4:30 pm at the Historic Courthouse. Today is a great day to visit the festival, or grab some festival food during your lunch break. The street fair will run from 10 am – 8 pm while the entertainment, children’s area, and food court will run until 8 pm.
Headlining Friday’s entertainment is Buddy K Big Band playing 6:30 pm. 8:30 pm.
Saturday is a happening and busy day at the North Carolina Apple Festival with the street fair, and the live entertainment beginning at noon, the multiple special events occurring throughout Henderson County and, of course, the fried apple pies! The street fair will run from 10 am – 8 pm while the entertainment, children’s area, and food court will run until 8 pm.
Headlining Saturday’s entertainment is Swinging Medallions playing 5:30 pm. 8:30 pm.
There is ongoing entertainment throughout the day with bands such as Ryan Perry Band, Free Flow Band, Super ‘60s, Carolina Quartet and more!
Another wonderful day to take in the North Carolina Apple Festival is Sunday. Sunday offers the street fair, the Gem & Mineral Spectacular, and so much more! The street fair will run from 10 am – 8 pm while the entertainment, children’s area, and food court will run until 8 pm.
Headlining Sunday’s entertainment is The Mighty Kicks playing 5:30 pm. 8:30 pm.
There is ongoing entertainment throughout the day with bands such as Ryan Perry Band, Free Flow Band, Super ‘60s, Carolina Quartet and more!
The festival will be coming to a close today, but the King Apple Parade is the best way to end the North Carolina Apple Festival. There is only a mini-street fair available today since we have to remove some of the vendors north of the Historic Courthouse to make space for the parade. The mini street fair will run from 10 am until the end of the parade. The King Apple Parade will begin at 2:30 pm rain or shine. Come get your NC apples today!
No Entertainment due to parade.
Children’s Activities
Rides, inflatables, and more will await you and your family in the Family Fun Zone, sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank! There are two locations: Wells Fargo Bank and the Visitor’s Center. Come see what all the fuss is about and here’s a warning – your kids might not want to leave!
Palmetto Amusements will again be providing the children’s rides and inflatables. Tickets are available for purchase onsite.
Ticket prices:
1 ticket = $1
25 tickets = $20
70 tickets = $55
Attractions vary in number of tickets required from 1 ticket per ride to 5 tickets per ride.
Hours of Operation are:
Friday, 12 pm to 8 pm
Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm
Monday, 10 am to 4 pm
What is a Youth Production?
An ACT Youth Production is an immersive performance workshop that is specially tailored for young artists who aspire to learn and grow in the performing arts. This hands-on experience offers a unique opportunity for students to undergo a comprehensive exploration of the theatrical process. Starting with auditions, they are taught how to prepare and present their best selves, and throughout the rehearsal process, students collaborate with the cast in a dynamic and supportive environment. A distinctive feature of this program is the inclusion of choreography and voice training sessions that enable students to discover and improve their vocal prowess and dancing abilities, thus turning them into well-rounded performers. Every aspect is designed to nurture creativity, foster teamwork, and instill a genuine love for theatre. All students are encouraged to participate, regardless of their previous experience or exposure to theatre.
Interested in Technical Theatre classes?
If you’re interested in getting hands-on experience with technical theatre, our Tech & Run Crew class is tailored just for you. Whether you’re a beginner with a budding interest or a seasoned tech enthusiast aiming to sharpen your skills, you will get the opportunity to work on real productions in an education environment.
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Announcing 8 weeks of Fall Musical Theatre/Theatre Camps for rising K-12th Graders and Adults!
With new content for every program,
returning students will always have the chance to dive into fresh material.
Share what you have learned with a performance at the end of the semester!
Special Olympics Fall sports registration is now OPEN!
Choose your sport and join the fun! Athletes can pick from soccer, bocce, basketball, and tennis. For any questions, please email [email protected]!
Flag Football, $15 per player
Registration ends August 30, games begin September 9
Teams divided by ages 6-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 14-16 practice drills for 30 minutes prior to weekly games with two 20 minute halves at Asheville Middle School on 211 South French Broad Avenue.
Softball Clinic, $10 per player
Registration ends September 3, clinics begin September 11
Instructional five-week clinic with divisions for 6-8, 9-10, and 11-12 year-olds teaches fundamentals through drills and scrimmages at Asheville Middle School on 211 South French Broad Avenue with the intent of building a youth softball program in the future.
Youth Archery Class, $25 per archer
Registration ends October 10, class held each Thursday from October 26-November 16
This introductory course teaches individuals 9-12 years-old range safety and proper shooting techniques.
Winter Basketball League, $35 per player
Registration ends October 31, evaluations begin November 6
Age divisions include 5-6 (instructional), 9-10, 11-12, and 13-15.
Fling the Fletch Junior Disc Golf Open, $5 for beginner and $20 for advanced competitive
A local pro teaches a clinic followed by a nine-hole family fun tournament for beginners ages 8-18 and an 18-hole competitive round for advanced players ages 12-16.
Turkey Tee Off Family Mini Golf Tournament, free
Registration ends November 10, tournament on November 18
Enjoy friendly competition with friends and family at Lakeview Putt and Play on 2245 Hendersonville Road.
Build your own scarecrow and set at up in Lake Julian Park. Scarecrows can be made of recycled materials, household items, traditional farm materials, repurposed wood, various items found in nature, etc. We just ask scarecrows are not made of any food items.
Registration is open now! Scarecrows can be set up in the park from October 14th-21st. On October 21st Lake Julian will hold its annual Fall-o-ween Festival where Scarecrows will be judged and awarded a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place trophy!
This is a fun family friendly activity for all ages! Great for families, couples, school groups, clubs, offices, teams, and more! We welcome all to celebrate the autumn season and get crafty with the agricultural tradition of making a unique personified sculpture!
Included with admission
Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.
Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.
Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!
Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.
- Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
- 90-Minutes – tours run daily
- 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
- $39 per person (ages 13+ only)
Included with admission
Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:
- An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
- A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
- Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels
Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.
They will be hosting their “Finals” at John B Lewis Soccer Complex where ten divisions have their Semi Finals and Finals. Beer City cup would not be complete without delicious local beer sales beginning at Noon! Food trucks on site. This is a very family friendly event!
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Enjoy a high energy performance by local musician Billy Jonas performed on recycled instruments. |
On Monday, September 4, the King Apple Parade will take place in downtown Hendersonville at 2:30 pm. The parade viewing area extends along Main Street from 5 points to Kanuga/Caswell.
Street closures beyond the Main Street festival closure will occur to accommodate the parade route and parade staging areas.
Parade Street Closures and Detours:
Parade staging will occur on Oakland Street from Asheville Hwy to 6th Avenue West as well as along Bearcat Blvd in front of Hendersonville High School. The southbound lane of Asheville Hwy will also be used for staging after 1:30 pm when the detour route begins.
- Motorists approaching the parade area will be directed to a detour route.
- Southbound traffic traveling towards downtown on Asheville Hwy (US-25) will be diverted to Fleming St for Hwy 64 W and Church St connections
- Commercial truck traffic traveling inbound on 4 Seasons Blvd (US-64) will be rerouted via Duncan Hill/Signal Hill to reach Asheville Hwy (US-25).
- Immediately before the parade, South Main Street will close for the parade unloading area.
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
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Announcing 8 weeks of Fall Musical Theatre/Theatre Camps for rising K-12th Graders and Adults!
With new content for every program,
returning students will always have the chance to dive into fresh material.
Share what you have learned with a performance at the end of the semester!
Special Olympics Fall sports registration is now OPEN!
Choose your sport and join the fun! Athletes can pick from soccer, bocce, basketball, and tennis. For any questions, please email [email protected]!
Flag Football, $15 per player
Registration ends August 30, games begin September 9
Teams divided by ages 6-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 14-16 practice drills for 30 minutes prior to weekly games with two 20 minute halves at Asheville Middle School on 211 South French Broad Avenue.
Softball Clinic, $10 per player
Registration ends September 3, clinics begin September 11
Instructional five-week clinic with divisions for 6-8, 9-10, and 11-12 year-olds teaches fundamentals through drills and scrimmages at Asheville Middle School on 211 South French Broad Avenue with the intent of building a youth softball program in the future.
Youth Archery Class, $25 per archer
Registration ends October 10, class held each Thursday from October 26-November 16
This introductory course teaches individuals 9-12 years-old range safety and proper shooting techniques.
Winter Basketball League, $35 per player
Registration ends October 31, evaluations begin November 6
Age divisions include 5-6 (instructional), 9-10, 11-12, and 13-15.
Fling the Fletch Junior Disc Golf Open, $5 for beginner and $20 for advanced competitive
A local pro teaches a clinic followed by a nine-hole family fun tournament for beginners ages 8-18 and an 18-hole competitive round for advanced players ages 12-16.
Turkey Tee Off Family Mini Golf Tournament, free
Registration ends November 10, tournament on November 18
Enjoy friendly competition with friends and family at Lakeview Putt and Play on 2245 Hendersonville Road.
Build your own scarecrow and set at up in Lake Julian Park. Scarecrows can be made of recycled materials, household items, traditional farm materials, repurposed wood, various items found in nature, etc. We just ask scarecrows are not made of any food items.
Registration is open now! Scarecrows can be set up in the park from October 14th-21st. On October 21st Lake Julian will hold its annual Fall-o-ween Festival where Scarecrows will be judged and awarded a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place trophy!
This is a fun family friendly activity for all ages! Great for families, couples, school groups, clubs, offices, teams, and more! We welcome all to celebrate the autumn season and get crafty with the agricultural tradition of making a unique personified sculpture!
Included with admission
Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.
Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.
Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!