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.
Instructor: Amy Briggs
In this class we will explore the animal kingdom by making our favorite animal pals out of clay. Students will make a few animals per day on a small scale but will take on a larger project over the course of the week. On the last couple of days, we will paint our animal creations with a colorful palette that brings them to life!
Tuition: $225
$25 discount for siblings enrolled in the same class
Use promo code “claycamp25”
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The Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Store will begin accepting merchandise donations for resell from the public on Tuesday, June 30th. Donations will only be accepted on Tuesdays and Fridays between the hours of 10:30am-4:00pm. The Thrift Store remains open for shopping with the reduced hours of 10:30am-4:30pm, Tuesday-Saturday, and with a limited shopper capacity.
Donations will need to be able to unloaded without staff assistance and placed into the appropriately labeled bin to ensure a contact-free drop-off. This will also assist with ensuring that all items can be properly transported and quarantined before processing and placement for resell in the store. During drop-offs all donors are asked to practice physical distancing and wear a mask following state mandates. Donated items will be quarantined before processing by staff and volunteers to ensure that all items are safe for resell.
Staff and volunteers continue to adhere to additional cleaning, sanitizing, scheduling, and social distancing practices as recommended by the CDC and current safety regulations. The number of customers allowed in the store remains limited to reduce the risk of exposure. Markers are placed to designate 6ft spaced waiting areas for shoppers to enter the store or for waiting in line for check-out. Customers, as well as staff and volunteers, are required to wear a mask while on Thrift Store premises and shopping and follow CDC recommendations.
All customers will be required to follow the procedures listed below:
- All staff, volunteers, and customers are required to wear a mask while on the Thrift Store premises and during shopping.
- Store hours are adjusted; keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for current hours.
- The number of customers allowed in the store is limited. Please expect a wait and be patient with other shoppers while waiting, and our staff and volunteers managing the entrance and exit.
- Practice social distancing while shopping or waiting in line. Markers will be placed for checkout and entry lines.
- Shields are installed at checkout locations for the safety of our customers, volunteers, and staff.
- Hand sanitizer stations are available for customers, volunteers, and staff at stations located at each door.
- Anyone exhibiting signs of illness is asked to stay home, including staff and volunteers.
- Follow CDC recommendations at all times:
- Three W’s: Wear a cloth mask, Wait 6’ apart and Wash your hands!
- Donations will be accepted on Tuesdays and Fridays only, between 10:30am-4pm. Items must be able to unloaded without staff assistance and placed into bins for quarantine. Donors are asked to practice physical distancing and wear a mask while on Thrift Store property.
If you believe in our cause, consider making a donation or learning how to volunteer by visiting the Blue Ridge Humane Society’s website at www.blueridgehumane.org or call (828) 692-2639.

Buncombe County Recreation Services will open its five outdoor swimming pools. Safety and sanitation measures have been taken to comply with Buncombe County’s Stay Safe, Stay Smart order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pool visitors will be required to practice the Three Ws: wear a cloth face covering when entering/exiting the pool and when not in the pool, wait at least six feet apart from and avoid close contact with anyone who does not live in your household, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Pool will open for two sessions Monday-Saturday, closing between sessions for a sanitation period that includes wiping down all common touch points. Sunday hours include one session. Admission for each session is $3 per guest. Due to limited capacity, guests are highly encouraged to purchase tickets online. If a pool is unable to open for any reason or is forced to close within the first hour of operation, all guests will receive a raincheck via the email address provided when purchasing the original ticket. Booking are currently available through July 10.
Monday-Friday
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
2:15-5:15 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
3-6 p.m.
Sunday
1-6 p.m.
“While this summer is different in nearly every way for local families, we’re happy to safely and responsibly open our pools to the community,” said Josh O’Conner, Director of Buncombe County Recreation Services. “While we are not allowing toys, balls, noodles, dive sticks, and other communal items inside pools, the guest experience should be enhanced as visitors will be able to enjoy pools with a capacity limit of roughly 30% normal occupancy.”
Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
The Gallery at Flat Rock is excited to announce a dog-friendly event and exhibition celebrating adoptable canines weighing 50 pounds or more. “A Cause for Big Paws” is the result of a partnership between the Blue Ridge Humane Society, Barkers Anonymous and The Gallery at Flat Rock artist Marsha Hammel; they have joined forces to highlight the loving big dogs at BRHS that are currently seeking forever homes. The exhibition of Hammel’s work in her Hendersonville studio will feature a reserved ticketed opening party with all proceeds going to BRHS.
“We wanted to draw attention to big dogs, in that big dogs are slower to be adopted than small dogs,” said Marsha Hammel. “We’re celebrating the joys of living with big dogs.”
“A Cause for Big Paws” will showcase new paintings inspired by big dogs at M.Hammel Studio. A dog-friendly opening on July 2 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the studio will include treats for humans and dogs, as well as a chance for attendees to receive an original sketch drawn by Hammel, created on-site at the event.
To maintain proper social distancing, this ticketed event is open only by reservation to individuals and small groups. Barkers Anonymous will provide the goodies and treats for pets. Tickets to this event are $20 each with part of the proceeds to fund the mission of Blue Ridge Humane Society.
The Gallery at Flat Rock represents finely curated art and craft, and is located in Flat Rock Square at 2702-A Greenville Highway in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Gallery hours are currently Thursdays – Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; or by appointment. To learn more, please visit the gallery website at galleryflatrock.com or call the gallery at 828-698-7000.
Asheville Outlets has announced that the majority of retailers and eateries at the center are now open, including American Eagle Outfitters, Lucky Brand, RH Outlet, West Elm Outlet, Pandora, Skechers, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Bradley Factory Outlet Store, Johnston & Murphy Factory Store, Talbot’s Outlet, and Le Creuset, among many more.
Asheville Outlets is an open-air shopping center; hours are Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.
Asheville Outlets will host the Warehouse Sale, a traveling pop-up shoe store concept, from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 12, 2020. The Warehouse Sale Pop-Up Shoe store will feature men’s, women’s, and children’s brand name shoes at up to 80% off traditional retail prices. Brands include Michael Kors, Timberland, BCBG, Adidas, and hundreds of others.

Join me in the studio as we use hammers, saws, files and fire to transform silver wire into a beautiful pair of silver drop earrings. Class price includes all materials.
Instructor: Halima Flynt
You will learn how to work on the potter’s wheel in this fun-packed creative camp! We will be learning all sorts of hand-building and wheel-throwing skills to create amazing works of art that you can use! Bring all of your creative and interesting ideas and we will turn them into reality.
Tuition: $225
$25 discount for siblings enrolled in the same class
Use promo code “claycamp25”

Buncombe County Recreation Services will open its five outdoor swimming pools. Safety and sanitation measures have been taken to comply with Buncombe County’s Stay Safe, Stay Smart order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pool visitors will be required to practice the Three Ws: wear a cloth face covering when entering/exiting the pool and when not in the pool, wait at least six feet apart from and avoid close contact with anyone who does not live in your household, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Pool will open for two sessions Monday-Saturday, closing between sessions for a sanitation period that includes wiping down all common touch points. Sunday hours include one session. Admission for each session is $3 per guest. Due to limited capacity, guests are highly encouraged to purchase tickets online. If a pool is unable to open for any reason or is forced to close within the first hour of operation, all guests will receive a raincheck via the email address provided when purchasing the original ticket. Booking are currently available through July 10.
Monday-Friday
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
2:15-5:15 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
3-6 p.m.
Sunday
1-6 p.m.
“While this summer is different in nearly every way for local families, we’re happy to safely and responsibly open our pools to the community,” said Josh O’Conner, Director of Buncombe County Recreation Services. “While we are not allowing toys, balls, noodles, dive sticks, and other communal items inside pools, the guest experience should be enhanced as visitors will be able to enjoy pools with a capacity limit of roughly 30% normal occupancy.”
Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
Swannanoa, NC 28778

The Skyland Library will host J.R. the Therapy Dog on the 1st Friday of each month. Kids are invited to stop by between 2:30-3:30 pm to practice their reading skills with a gentle, patient and adorable canine friend. J.R. is a certified therapy dog and he can’t wait to meet you!

Welcome to Margaritaville, where people come to get away from it all—and stay to find something they never expected. With a book by Emmy Award® winner Greg Garcia (My Name is Earl, Raising Hope) and Emmy Award® nominee Mike O’Malley (Survivors Remorse, Shameless) Escape To Margaritaville is the musical comedy featuring both original songs and your most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Fins,” “Volcano,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and many more. USA Today calls it “A little slice of paradise!” and Entertainment Weekly raves, “It will knock your flip-flops off!” So don’t let the party start without you.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2271326289806457/
Couch Concerts
Brought to you by Millennium Stage
Introducing our NEW series of live performances streamed to you!
It is in times like these that we need artists most. Watch talented artists perform their work and help us inspire, grieve, heal, and move forward as a nation.
LIVE: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AT 4 P.M. ET. (UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

Asheville Gallery of Art
July Show
“Infinite Possibilities”
Asheville Gallery of Art’s July show, “Infinite Possibilities,” is a multi-member show highlighting the insights artists gained during increased time in their home studios during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show runs July 1-31 during gallery hours.
Change can be good! As members of a cooperative, the 31 artists of Asheville Gallery of Art are used to being and working together to keep the gallery functioning. With COVID-19, everyone is working in their home studios and finding that they have the chance to do what they might not have tried before. Many say they have found infinite possibilities within their work as well as new ways to sell work they’ve been creating.
Join us at The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall every Friday at 5:30PM for our FREE Acoustic Grateful Dead series Featuring members of Phuncle Sam and great drink and food specials.

Come enjoy listening to the energizing bluegrass trio that will have you dancing and laughing the night away by the Orchard!

Together with his bandmates Megan Drollinger and Charles Furtado, Life Like Water has developed a sound that straddles the edges of contemporary folk and traditional music from around the world.This music contains elements to fit almost anyone’s taste. You can dance, groove, bob your head, space out, tune in, relax, get excited, and possibly even shed a tear to it.
Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis patio and lawn. Reservations are highly recommended.

● Antonin Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”
● Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Avanti!
Inspired by American dreams and legends, Dvořák created some of his greatest works while living in the United States, above all the “New World” Symphony. This program illuminates the multiple stories and influences – Native American, African-American and Czech – that Dvořák transformed in his most beloved work. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Avanti! offers a contemporary interpretation of the American archetype of “moving on.”
To learn more about All-Star Orchestra: https://allstarorchestra.org/
Available via YouTube, Facebook, appsummer.org
On June 10th, 2020, the County Health department advised the Brevard Rotary that “given the upward direction of the infection numbers, they cannot sign-off on the event on July 4, 2020″.
This event will be postponed until September 5, 2020 when we will run a combined race with the White Squirrel 5K.
So here we go …. Covid-19 and all
Dear Participant:
Thank you for your continuing support of the, three, Rotary Club of Brevard 5K and Fun runs in 2020.
We are fortunate to have three great sponsors, in the Pisgah Health Foundation, Pardee and Mountain Outdoor Products.
Gordon has laid out a great new course starting and finishing at the new Depot. The City have helped us immensely.
As you know all of the race net proceeds are used in the community, by Rotary, in one way or another. See details below. None of the volunteers are paid.
Our Conundrum for the Firecracker on July 4:
Our goal is to keep everyone safe (runners/walkers and volunteers) while at the same time bringing back some community and competitive exercise opportunities. Yes, we are “open”, but in a controlled way.
Presently we have to keep groups to a maximum of 25 people, and we cannot wait until June 26th , for details of the next phase, to make a change for July 4. So we run under the rules we have in front of us today.
We are offering you three choices to run the Firecracker in 2020
Everyone will sign-up at Runsignup https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Brevard/Firecracker5kandFunRun
It is first come first served
Through June 14, 2020 the price to participate will be $30; $35 after that date or up to a maximum of 200 runners – we currently have 40 slots allocated, so 160 more participants can register. You will be able to register online up until July 2, 2020 or until we reach 200 runners. Note -this is far short of the 600 we ran last year, but is about all we can ‘safely’ handle.
There are no sign-ups on Saturday (as we cannot handle/ touch the paperwork involved; there is no fun run for the Children (sorry we do not have the volunteers to keep them physically distanced at this run) and no early indoor registration and shirt pick-up on Friday.
1/ Run our course on your own or in a small group and record your own time.
From Monday to Friday, June 29 to July 3, 2020, we will place signs at 7.00AM and remove them at 7.00PM. Once you have registered you can record your time manually. You can collect a shirt on Saturday at the Depot or opt to have it mailed to you for an extra $10.
You run the course on your own and at your own risk. Please be considerate to our neighbors.
2/ Run your own 5K course.
From Monday to Friday, June 29 to July 3, 2020, you can run in the Brevard 5K Firecracker, anywhere in the Country, indeed anywhere in the world (there is a prize for the furthest away), if you wish. Once you have registered you can record your time manually. You can collect a shirt on Saturday at the Depot in Brevard or opt to have it mailed to you for an extra $10.
You run the course on your own and at your own risk. Please be considerate to our neighbors.
3/ Saturday July 4, 2020 – Running with others
We will limit runners/walkers to 150 on Saturday.
Please do not come to the Depot if you are feeling unwell.
The staging area at the DEPOT will have one entrance, on Railroad on the entrance to the depot (the pull in area) – please use that one entrance and physically distance yourself, while you wait.
The staging area will open at 7.00AM – we ask for your patience; our volunteers and the organizers have never done this before.
No one, other than registered runners, walkers, volunteers and public safety officers, will be allowed in the staging area.
At this stage, we require that everyone wear a mask in the staging area (not essential on the run, but preferred.) We will have spare masks for those registered runners/walkers only, who forget their mask.
We will then make sure you are registered and give you a bib. The Bib, will not have an RFID chip on it – you will be timing yourselves for this run/walk.
You will also be asked for an approximate speed and given a chip with a number on it. Low numbers will be faster runners – walkers’ will be given higher
numbers.
Teams will receive their own number.
You will be directed to your numbered zone, where we ask you to stay until called to the start line.
Each Zone will be called up to the start as soon as another zone has been cleared – the starter controls the time between each group.
AT worst this should have everyone away by 8.40AM
Water will be available on this day only – our thanks to Telco
We hope to celebrate the opening of the depot.
Upon your return; you will be asked your time, or you can enter it yourself at home after the race.
Results will be posted the next week.
Prizes:
Will be given for:
The fastest runners
The One running the race in the most remote virtual location.
The best dressed Covid-19 virus look a like
Everyone will get a shirt and a medal
Funner stuff:
On Saturday, July 4, we will have a starter, the big clock and the all-important finish gate with a professional photographer ready to immortalize your finish.
Once you have finished, you can collect the ‘more-important’ classic race shirt. It will be a collector’s item.
We may have other fun stuff, as well.
Safety:
We will do all we can to keep everyone safe, including our neighbors. Please run in a mask, if that is comfortable – by blowing and puffing you are going to express water droplets a lot further than 6 feet.
There will be no support, marshals or water on the course at any time during Monday to Friday -by signing up you agree you run at your own risk. Please respect our Neighbors ‘health’ and property and do not litter.
Social distancing of 6′ is encouraged at all times.
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To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.
Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.
Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.
Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:
Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)
Hendersonville Farmers Market is located at the Historic Train Depot (650 Maple Street) in downtown Hendersonville’s Seventh Avenue District.
Limited free parking spaces are available at the market on Maple Street off of Fifth Avenue in addition to parking on surrounding streets. Lot and metered parking are available 0.3 miles away at the City Hall lot (145 Fifth Avenue) or 0.4 miles away at the Maple lot (124 Fifth Avenue).

Buncombe County Recreation Services has partnered with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program to install a new TRACK Trail at Charles D. Owen Park in Swannanoa. Children and families are invited to hike the new TRACK Trail, which was installed in celebration with National Great Outdoors Month and with support from the Buncombe County Community Recreation Grant award.
The TRACK Trail follows the walking path around the ponds at Charles D. Owen Park and meanders along the Swannanoa River. The new trailhead sign, located between the ponds, provides four brochure-led activity guides that allow young hikers to learn about and connect with the natural features found along the trail. Activity guides are available in English y en español.
TRACK Trails are designed to turn an ordinary hike into a fun-filled, discovery-packed adventure – and the fun doesn’t stop when the trail ends. After their outing, kids can register their TRACK Trail adventures at KidsinParks.com to earn a series of prizes designed to make their next outdoor adventure more meaningful and encourage continued participation in the program. Since the program’s inception in 2009, more than 1.5 million TRACK Trail adventures have been completed.

Please note: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!
The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!
May 2 – November 21
Now with special COVID-19 procedures, the North Asheville Tailgate Market features local produce direct from area farmers, local baked goods, crafts, music and more.
PLEASE SEE THE NEW PROCEDURES BEFORE COMING TO CAMPUS. You can find information, including about pre-ordering, and changes in payment and shopping procedures on the market’s website.
Open Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon in UNC Asheville Parking Lot P28. maps.unca.edu
For more information, visit northashevilletailgatemarket.com
Age: All Ages
Join us Saturday, August 1st at the Tsali Recreational Area for the 2020 Paddle Grapple, a 3 or 6 mile flatwater kayak, canoe and SUP race on beautiful Fontana Lake, which is nestled at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, just a few miles from the Nantahala Outdoor Center. This popular event will take participants on a beautiful loop on Fontana Lake that will give you incredible views of the highest peaks in the National Park. Come enjoy the cool water, and hot competition at the 2020 Paddle Grapple.
Event Information
Distance: 3 or 6 miles
Course Map: Click HERE
For more information please visit Nantahala Racing Club’s Website.
Pre-Registration: Online Registration will open June 15, 2020 and close at 11:59AM on Wednesday, July 29th. Cost is $40 for each class.
Onsite Registration: A $10 Late Fee applies. You may register from 8-9:30AM at the NRC Event Tent next to the boat ramp.
2020 Schedule of Events | Tsali Recreation Area Boat Ramp
| Saturday, August 1st | Time |
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| Onsite Registration | 8-9:30AM |
| Vendor Demos | 9AM |
| Competitor’s Meeting | 9:30AM |
| Race START | 10AM |
| Awards Ceremony | 1PM |
IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Rules and Safety Procedures
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Our Goals:
- Safe customers
- Safe vendors
- Provide essential products to our community
- Safer customer and vendor experiences than alternatives such as grocery stores
- A demonstration that we are a responsible Asheville business by modeling virus-safe behavior
- As a market, we are determined to treat this public health crisis seriously. Persons failing to follow any of the rules below must leave the market immediately.

See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears that are not commonly on display, learn the ins and outs of what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session and find out why the animals call Grandfather Mountain home.
Offered on weekends, April – October.





