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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The Asheville Triathlon consists of a beautiful outdoor pool swim in a 50 meter pool, rolling bike course and a flat and fast run course! The race is perfect for every level of triathlete, from novice to elites. Novice and Beginner triathletes love this race! The pool swim is great for new swimmers and the run is a flat, easy course to navigate. Elite athletes – get ready for a PR! This race is fast and is a huge hit among the local elites.
We are excited to partner with iDream Athletes Foundation with a portion of the proceeds benefiting this fantastic local organization. The race is limited to 350 participants and we expect it to sell out! Join us for some summer fun at the Asheville Triathlon!
ASHEVILLE, JULY 23, 2019– The West Asheville Tailgate Market will be hosting their very first “Pepperpalooza” in the parking lot of the Grace Baptist Church, 718 Haywood Road, from 3:30-6:30pm. Pepperpalooza is a festival dedicated to celebrating the pepper is all it’s many colors, shapes, sizes, flavors…and levels of heat intensity.
Pepperpalooza is a fundraiser for the West Asheville Tailgate Market and all proceeds will go toward the growth of the market including kids activities, food tastings, cooking demos, and partnerships with other local non-profits for food-based educational programs in the future.
This at-market festival has several components including a raffle, hot pepper eating contest (for adults), bell pepper tastings (for kids), local hot sauce tastings, pepper roasting, ristra making, kids crafts, and a talk on the history of peppers. And of course, Pepperpalooza wouldn’t live up to its name without some rockin’ live music from local musicians.
The raffle includes 5 big prize packages including an assortment of food and crafts from WATM vendors. Raffle tickets are just $5 to enter or $12 for 3 and can be purchased on the WATM website or in person at the Pepperpalooza festival on July 23rd.
The main event will be the hot pepper eating contest where those who enter will get to eat their way up the Scoville Scale in intensity (milk and bread will be available to contestants once they tap out). The person who can take the most heat will win $50 in market bucks and a WATM t-shirt. The kiddos can play too! We’ll have a colorful bell pepper tasting where they can eat the rainbow of sweet peppers to pick which color they like best.
All those who yearn to feel the burn can taste an assortment of hot sauces which are being donated from local companies. For $3 you get a bowl of chips as a blank canvas to taste an assortment of sauces. That same $3 enters you into a raffle to win a bottle of all the hot sauces in the tasting.
You are invited to the 2nd Annual Back to School Blessing on Saturday, July 27, 2019. Last year we gave away over 700 backpacks filled with school supplies and had over 1,000 people in attendance. This year we have a goal to give away 1,000 backpacks filled of school supplies and expect 2,000 people in attendance. The 2nd Annual Back to School Blessing will also include food, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, inflatable attractions, raffle prizes and more, all for FREE! For more information and to register for FREE backpacks, visit newcovenantchurch.com.

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.
2019 Fall Kickball
Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.
2019 Fall Kickball
Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.
2019 Fall Kickball
Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.
2019 Fall Kickball
Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice
Kick It Ticket grants access to the Get Down Lounge
& the Capella on 9 Cocktail Hour.
Plus, get these sweet perks:
BITES & BEVS
- Private Bar featuring Sierra Nevada, Pisgah, HI-Wire, and Wicked Weed brews. Titos, wine and more! Non-alc options also available.
- Complimentary food refreshed throughout the weekend
- 6 Drink Tickets per guest
SPACE TO RELAX
- Private viewing area next to Pack Stage
- Private Restrooms
- Reserved Parking
SWAG FOR DAYS
- Automatic raffle entry for a chance to win a pair of Fall LEAF Festival day tickets
- Swag Bags full of goodness
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
- Meet Headlining Artists
- Cocktail Hour with complimentary food & drinks at AC Hotel’s Capella on 9
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RUN YOUR ASH OFF for Cultural Arts Education!
Your run (or walk) 100% supports LEAF Schools & Streets
Saturday, August 3rd @ 9am
Lace up your shoes for the LEAF ART DASH,
for an art filled family-friendly 5K in downtown Asheville.
Costumes Encouraged | Pets Welcome
Art Dash kicks off Saturday LEAF Downtown AVL festivities!
This 3.1 mi COURSE will travel through the city,
complete with live roaming Artists & interactive arts.
It feels like a LEAF Parade!
#RunYourAshOff
This meetup group gives paddlers of all skill levels a chance to meet other paddlers for flat water and mildwater paddling. We get together to share our love of water and the outdoors. We paddle mostly local/regional waters, and may also plan overnight, weekend, or longer trips farther away. We share tips, information, and knowledge. All members are welcome to post trips and/or discussions. All are welcome. We have NO RULES except be safe and have fun.
“Mildwater” means different things to different people. For new paddlers, mild may mean lakes and flat rivers. For those who have whitewater experience, Class 2+ or Class 3 whitewater may be mild. Meetup organizers provide descriptions of their outings. It is your responsibility to read those descriptions, ask questions if needed, and decide whether a given outing is right for you, given your skills and equipment.

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.
2019 Fall Kickball
Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice
For the last 60 years, Spruce Pine has welcomed rockhounds and gem and mineral enthusiasts to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!
Welcome to the North Carolina Mineral, Gem & Jewelry Festival website! 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.
Celebrating our Diamond Year!
August 1-4, 2019
One of the oldest & most popular mineral and gem shows in the country!
Admission $5 adults, $3 Seniors, Kids 10 & under free
Festival Times:
Thursday- Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.
2019 Fall Kickball
Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.
2019 Fall Kickball
Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.
2019 Fall Kickball
Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.
2019 Fall Kickball
Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice
iDaph Events is proud to help support the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries by presenting it’s first ever Light Up the Night 5k on August 9th: A glow-in-the-dark nighttime run for all abilities that will wind through the historic streets of Montford in Asheville. This is your time to shine! Runners will take to the streets starting at 7:30 pm in “glow swag” in this fun and unique event, and all the proceeds from this run will directly benefit the continuous work of recovery, rescue, and restoration to individuals throughout WNC.
The Run: A scenic, night-time fun 5K run through the Historic Montford area in Asheville, North Carolina. The run will follow along Montford Avenue and Hill Street through beautiful Victorian neighborhoods that mirror Asheville’s cosmopolitan character. The run will start and end at Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.
Registration: Early Registration is only $30 and begins on April 1, 2019, through April 30th. After that, the price of registration will increase incrementally until the race day. Participants will receive a free ‘glow’ t-shirt if they register by July 28th.
Backing a Good Cause: Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (WCRM) exists to serve the homeless, poor and addicted populations of Western North Carolina. They 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.
Awards: Awards will be given to the top three finishers male/female overall, top one overall master’s (male/female) and top three (male/female) in various age-graded categories. (See Awards Section for more specific categories)
Film screenings of award-winning international/national/local films, premieres & official selections. Feature Film “Beautiful Jinn” by Bayram Fazli screens on Friday, 8-10pm. Screenings of Short Drama Animation, Short Dramas, Experimental Films, and Documentaries will run Saturday 11am – 6pm. Vote for Audience Award!
TRMF has become the festival of choice for filmmakers and film lovers who are seeking a unique Western North Carolina high quality cinema experience and a place to indulge their passion for film. The Festival connects audiences to compelling documentaries, award-winning international releases with tantalizing discussions with visiting filmmakers. This year the festival will be screening 46 films from 26 countries which also includes two selected films from Western North Carolina.


