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.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Rock Art
Jul 24 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
260 Overlook Rd.

Phone: (828) 250-6488
Email: [email protected]
Event Type: Arts & Crafts
Age Group: Teen – (grades 6-12),Adult
Location: 260 Overlook Rd. – Asheville
Library: Skyland / South Buncombe

Enhance rocks with colorful designs. Sign up at circulation desk or call 828-250-6488. Class limited to 10 participants. Adults and teens welcome.

Writing Workshop: Is There a Children’s Book In You?
Jul 24 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
1561 Alexander Rd.

Phone: (828) 250-6480
Email: [email protected]
Event Type: Classes
Age Group: Adult
Location: 1561 Alexander Rd. – Leicester
Library: Leicester

Join us for an evening with children’s book editor, Joy Neaves. Explore elements that make up great stories and learn ways to get your own story ideas onto the page. We’ll look at strategies for developing strong characters, engaging action, and compelling ideas. Learn how using a storyboard can help you develop the framework for a picture book text or a longer work of fiction.

Joy Neaves is a freelance editor of children’s books at namelos who gained experience as an editor of children’s picture books, poetry, middle grade, and young adult fiction at Front Street Books, an award-winning imprint of books for children. Joy is passionate in her approach to talking about both children’s literature and the craft of writing for children, and enjoys helping writers hone their craft, with an eye toward publication. This workshop is designed for adults and older teens. Advance registration preferred. Please call 250-6480 to register.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018
2018 Folkmoot Festival
Jul 25 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.

7TH ANNUAL REUSE CONTEST
Jul 25 all-day

For the seventh consecutive year, the Asheville Habitat ReStore at 31 Meadow Road near Biltmore Village is encouraging residents to show off their creativity and talent for a chance to win in the ReStore ReUse Contest. Garden shed, artist studio, chicken coop…tree house, playhouse, tiny house…if you recently built a structure like this using predominantly reused building materials, Habitat wants to know. The contest runs July 1-August 31 and submissions must be sent electronically. Information and entry form will be available on ashevillehabitat.org starting July 1 st . The purpose of the contest is to showcase innovative building projects constructed predominantly of used building materials. “Our customers often tell us about the projects they make using materials purchased at the ReStore. This contest is a great way to showcase their projects and inspire others to reuse, recycle and repurpose usable materials,” said Scott Stetson, ReStore General Manager. Five judges will select winners in the following categories: Furniture, Homesteading, Live and/or Work Space, Home Décor, Youth (age 16 and under), and Best in Show. Winners will be announced in mid-September.

Backpack to the Future – 2018 School Supply Drive
Jul 25 all-day
United Way

While having school supplies may simply be an item on the ‘to-do’ list for many parents and guardians, for others, the calculator that their child needs, or a backpack without last year’s broken zippers, may not be in the cards. 2018 SSD logoThese parents—and especially their children—should not have to worry about heading into school without the necessary supplies. This is why the United Way has this drive and, by contributing the supplies our students need to succeed, we’re investing in the future of our community. Together we are stronger. United, we make a difference. #BackpacktotheFuture.   

This year’s 2018 school supply drive will be July 9th trough July 27th.  If you visit www.handsonasheville.org/schoolsupplydrive, you will see that there are links for that online shopping avenue, a downloadable supply list for going to the store yourself, a downloadable “toolkit” should you decide to hold your own drive, and if you would simply like to donate, in general, to the School Supply Drive’s efforts, there is an option for that as well. Any and all options and the donations we receive help us invest in our future!

BUGS! A Musical Spectacle
Jul 25 all-day
Magnetic 375
BUGS! A Musical Spectacle @ Magnetic 375 | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

BUGS! is a new musical exploring the insect world. Through a series of funny and uplifting vignettes, this immersive spectacle asks us to pause, look closely, and consider the little things.

Public performances are Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 1pm and 3:30pm, and Sundays at 1pm, with added performances Sunday July 22 at 3:30pm and Thursday July 26 at 7pm. Visit Asheville Creative Arts’ website for information on tickets: $12 (July 19-22); and $12/students and $23/adults (July 26-29).

K9s in Flight Frisbee Dogs
Jul 25 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.

Summer Sizzle
Jul 25 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Half Day Camps ($125)
June 25 -29
July 9-13
July 23-27
July 20-Aug. 3

Cool Summer Nights at Tweetsie Railroad
Jul 25 @ 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.

Kids Clay Camp — Fairy Tales In Clay Clay Camp Ages 4-8
Jul 25 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Odyssey ClayWorks
Kids  Clay Camp --  Fairy Tales In Clay Clay Camp Ages 4-8 @ Odyssey ClayWorks   | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

Fairy Tales In Clay Clay Camp Ages 4-8 with Cassie Mazur

July 23-27
Monday- Friday, 9am-12pm

What is your favorite fairy tale? Jack and the Beanstalk? The Princess and the Pea? Alice in Wonderland? Maybe one of the new classics, like Trolls! Cassie will be your guide to this exciting world of fantasy where magic and mystery reign. You will learn to sculpt with skill and bring your favorite characters to life.

Toddler Story Time
Jul 25 @ 10:30 am – 11:15 am
260 Overlook Rd.

Phone: (828) 250-6488
Email: [email protected]
Event Type: Story Time for Kids
Age Group: Toddler – (ages 18 mos.-2 yrs.)
Location: 260 Overlook Rd. – Asheville
Library: Skyland / South Buncombe

Toddler Times are interactive story times for children ages 18 months to 3 years.

Baby Story Time
Jul 25 @ 11:00 am – 11:45 am
41 N. Main St.

Phone: (828) 250-6482
Email: [email protected]
Event Type: Story Time for Kids
Age Group: Baby – (ages 4 mos.-18 mos.)
Location: 41 N. Main St. – Weaverville
Library: Weaverville

Mother Goose Time is a lively language enrichment story time serving our youngest folks–the 4 month-old to 18 month-old set.

Preschool Story Time
Jul 25 @ 11:00 am – 11:45 am
1030 Merrimon Ave.

Phone: (828) 250-4752
Email: [email protected]
Event Type: Story Time for Kids
Age Group: Preschool – (ages 3-5)
Location: 1030 Merrimon Ave. – Asheville
Library: North Asheville

Preschool story times are geared towards 3-5 year-olds and include singing, stretchers, and creative activities.

Leicester Comm. Ctr. Welcome Table FREE Meal
Jul 25 @ 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

Kids Clay Camp — On Your Mark, Get Centered, Throw! Clay Camp Ages 6-10
Jul 25 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Odyssey ClayWorks
Kids Clay Camp --  On Your Mark, Get Centered, Throw! Clay Camp Ages 6-10 @ Odyssey ClayWorks   | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

On Your Mark, Get Centered, Throw! Clay Camp Ages 6-10 with Sara Ballek

July 23-27
Monday- Friday, 2-5pm

Your dreams of becoming a Clay DJ will come true in this week full of wheel throwing! Not only will students learn how to use the potter’s wheel, but they will also create fun, funky objects for daily use! After the pots come off the wheel, lively decorating and sculpting will add the finishing touches to their masterpieces!

Ukulele Strum and Sing for Beginners
Jul 25 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
41 N. Main St.

Phone: (828) 250-6482
Email: [email protected]
Event Type: Classes
Age Group: Adult
Location: 41 N. Main St. – Weaverville
Library: Weaverville

Learn how to tune, strum and play basic chords and many songs on the ukulele.  We’ll continue to meet on Wednesdays at least through August and maybe beyond!

BBQ Benefit
Jul 25 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co
BBQ Benefit @ Sierra Nevada Brewing Co |  |  |

July 25th 2018
5-8pm in the Bier Garden
Live Music featuring Dr Bacon
FULL BBQ plate to include smoked Baby Back Ribs, Smoked chicken, garden salad, cucumber and tomato salad, grilled potato salad, corn on da cobb, white cheddar macaroni and cheese, fresh watermelon ?
$15 per plate
Proceeds go to Asheville GreenWorks

Thursday, July 26, 2018
2018 Folkmoot Festival
Jul 26 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.

7TH ANNUAL REUSE CONTEST
Jul 26 all-day

For the seventh consecutive year, the Asheville Habitat ReStore at 31 Meadow Road near Biltmore Village is encouraging residents to show off their creativity and talent for a chance to win in the ReStore ReUse Contest. Garden shed, artist studio, chicken coop…tree house, playhouse, tiny house…if you recently built a structure like this using predominantly reused building materials, Habitat wants to know. The contest runs July 1-August 31 and submissions must be sent electronically. Information and entry form will be available on ashevillehabitat.org starting July 1 st . The purpose of the contest is to showcase innovative building projects constructed predominantly of used building materials. “Our customers often tell us about the projects they make using materials purchased at the ReStore. This contest is a great way to showcase their projects and inspire others to reuse, recycle and repurpose usable materials,” said Scott Stetson, ReStore General Manager. Five judges will select winners in the following categories: Furniture, Homesteading, Live and/or Work Space, Home Décor, Youth (age 16 and under), and Best in Show. Winners will be announced in mid-September.

Backpack to the Future – 2018 School Supply Drive
Jul 26 all-day
United Way

While having school supplies may simply be an item on the ‘to-do’ list for many parents and guardians, for others, the calculator that their child needs, or a backpack without last year’s broken zippers, may not be in the cards. 2018 SSD logoThese parents—and especially their children—should not have to worry about heading into school without the necessary supplies. This is why the United Way has this drive and, by contributing the supplies our students need to succeed, we’re investing in the future of our community. Together we are stronger. United, we make a difference. #BackpacktotheFuture.   

This year’s 2018 school supply drive will be July 9th trough July 27th.  If you visit www.handsonasheville.org/schoolsupplydrive, you will see that there are links for that online shopping avenue, a downloadable supply list for going to the store yourself, a downloadable “toolkit” should you decide to hold your own drive, and if you would simply like to donate, in general, to the School Supply Drive’s efforts, there is an option for that as well. Any and all options and the donations we receive help us invest in our future!

BUGS! A Musical Spectacle
Jul 26 all-day
Magnetic 375
BUGS! A Musical Spectacle @ Magnetic 375 | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

BUGS! is a new musical exploring the insect world. Through a series of funny and uplifting vignettes, this immersive spectacle asks us to pause, look closely, and consider the little things.

Public performances are Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 1pm and 3:30pm, and Sundays at 1pm, with added performances Sunday July 22 at 3:30pm and Thursday July 26 at 7pm. Visit Asheville Creative Arts’ website for information on tickets: $12 (July 19-22); and $12/students and $23/adults (July 26-29).

K9s in Flight Frisbee Dogs
Jul 26 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 26 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

Summer Sizzle
Jul 26 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Half Day Camps ($125)
June 25 -29
July 9-13
July 23-27
July 20-Aug. 3

Cool Summer Nights at Tweetsie Railroad
Jul 26 @ 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.

Kids Clay Camp — Fairy Tales In Clay Clay Camp Ages 4-8
Jul 26 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Odyssey ClayWorks
Kids  Clay Camp --  Fairy Tales In Clay Clay Camp Ages 4-8 @ Odyssey ClayWorks   | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

Fairy Tales In Clay Clay Camp Ages 4-8 with Cassie Mazur

July 23-27
Monday- Friday, 9am-12pm

What is your favorite fairy tale? Jack and the Beanstalk? The Princess and the Pea? Alice in Wonderland? Maybe one of the new classics, like Trolls! Cassie will be your guide to this exciting world of fantasy where magic and mystery reign. You will learn to sculpt with skill and bring your favorite characters to life.

Libraries Rock with Lulu Loves Stories
Jul 26 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
105 N. Dougherty St.

Phone: 828-250-4756
Email: [email protected]
Event Type: Story Telling,Summer Reading Programs
Age Group: Family – (children of all ages)
Location: 105 N. Dougherty St. – Black Mountain
Library: Black Mountain

The bedrock of humanity’s heart lies in its stories passed down generation after generation.  Ms. Lulu will share a few of her favorite stories and folktales from around the world-antics included for your entertainment and education.  All ages welcome.

Preschool Story Time
Jul 26 @ 10:30 am – 11:15 am
260 Overlook Rd.

Phone: (828) 250-6488
Email: [email protected]
Event Type: Story Time for Kids
Age Group: Preschool – (ages 3-5)
Location: 260 Overlook Rd. – Asheville
Library: Skyland / South Buncombe

Preschool story times are geared towards 3-5 year-olds and include singing, stretchers, and creative activities.

Kids Clay Camp — On Your Mark, Get Centered, Throw! Clay Camp Ages 6-10
Jul 26 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Odyssey ClayWorks
Kids Clay Camp --  On Your Mark, Get Centered, Throw! Clay Camp Ages 6-10 @ Odyssey ClayWorks   | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

On Your Mark, Get Centered, Throw! Clay Camp Ages 6-10 with Sara Ballek

July 23-27
Monday- Friday, 2-5pm

Your dreams of becoming a Clay DJ will come true in this week full of wheel throwing! Not only will students learn how to use the potter’s wheel, but they will also create fun, funky objects for daily use! After the pots come off the wheel, lively decorating and sculpting will add the finishing touches to their masterpieces!

Folkmoot USA
Jul 26 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts
Folkmoot USA @ Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts |  |  |

Folkmoot USA, The State International Festival of North Carolina, is a two-week celebration of the world’s cultural heritage through folk music and dance. Held each summer across the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, Folkmoot features performers demonstrating cultural heritage through colorful, authentic, and original reproduction costumes, lively dance, and traditional music.