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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Our friends over at The Haunted Trail (located at the Adventure Center of Asheville) are looking for volunteers!
From the fine folks at The Haunted Trail:
“Lookin’ fer somthin outdoorsy ta do this Halloween season?! ![]()
We are lookin’ to recruit a few more volunteers – who are NOT shy! – to act in our brand new scene: a wild western walk through! (Acting spaces are limited and assigned based on level of availability. There are also some non western roles still waiting for the perfect volunteer to find us!!)
Don’t fancy yerself as one of those dramatic type folk?! We would love to have some festival area volunteers as well!
Adult volunteers will receive free beer with their dinner which is provided by our amazing title sponsor Mellow Mushroom!!”
Please email Lauren Rivas if you would like to join in the fun at The Haunted Trail this year!
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Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with the return of guided trail walks in 2021! From April — October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks are limited to 10 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..
Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
Register In Advance
Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. Pre-registered participants must check in at the Baker Information Desk no later than 10 minutes before the scheduled program to keep their spot. Unclaimed spots will be offered to other guests.
Guests may sign up for trail walks in the following ways:
- Pre-register online, using the the link below.
- Sign up in-person at the Baker Information Desk.
Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Looking to get involved, stay active, and meet some new friends? Sand Hill Community Garden workdays take place on Wednesdays (6-8 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-noon) from Feb. 27-Oct. 30, 2021, at Buncombe County Sports Park. The garden is located on 16 Apac Dr. in West Asheville/Enka-Candler.
Join friends and neighbors as they come together on common ground to raise fresh, organic vegetables and fruits for the Enka community.
Expect to wear a mask and maintain social distance throughout. Tools and hand sanitizer are available, but any gloves, loppers, pruners, or gardening tools you can bring will decrease the amount of contact between volunteers. Please wear work clothes to get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, water, and a hat are also handy items to have on hand.
Sand Hill Community Garden has been growing fresh produce since 2011 and raised over 1,200 lbs. of organic produce last year.
NOTE: Community workdays are weather dependent. Please join the community garden email list (send your info to [email protected]) to stay up on workday tasks and other garden news.
To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with the return of guided trail walks in 2021! From April — October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks are limited to 10 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..
Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
Register In Advance
Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. Pre-registered participants must check in at the Baker Information Desk no later than 10 minutes before the scheduled program to keep their spot. Unclaimed spots will be offered to other guests.
Guests may sign up for trail walks in the following ways:
- Pre-register online, using the the link below.
- Sign up in-person at the Baker Information Desk.
Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.
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Spend an hour hiking one of our six different trails with a naturalist. This is educational excursion will give you a better understanding of the flora and fauna that can be found in the Park. You may even learn some of the Park’s history as well.
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Literacy Together (formerly Literacy Council of Buncombe County) has a determined group of students waiting for volunteer tutors so they can move forward on their goals for a better future. We’re offering tutor training and tutoring sessions online and in-person. We have programs teaching English to immigrants; adult literacy for folks working on a GED; and youth literacy for kids struggling to learn to read.
828-254-3442 [email protected] https://lit-together.org/

The 75 Annual Holiday Parade returns to Downtown Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 20. The parade begins at 11am at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and S. Charlotte St. It moves north to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton Avenue ending at South French Broad. The parade features local businesses, nonprofits, school/youth programs, and of course, Santa Claus.
The parade impacts many downtown streets. Please be sure to notify your staff about the parade since access will be affected.
Entries: We have a limited number of spots still available to be part of the parade. If you’re interested, please email [email protected] for more information.
Volunteering: We need a few more volunteers to make the parade happen. You can help with lineup, walk (or bike) with the parade, help with egress and more. Email [email protected] for more information.
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The 75 Annual Holiday Parade returns to Downtown Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 20. The parade begins at 11am at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and S. Charlotte St. It moves north to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton Avenue ending at South French Broad. The parade features local businesses, nonprofits, school/youth programs, and of course, Santa Claus.
The parade impacts many downtown streets. Please be sure to notify your staff about the parade since access will be affected.
Entries: We have a limited number of spots still available to be part of the parade. If you’re interested, please email [email protected] for more information.
Volunteering: We need a few more volunteers to make the parade happen. You can help with lineup, walk (or bike) with the parade, help with egress and more. Email [email protected] for more information.
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Literacy Together (formerly Literacy Council of Buncombe County) has a determined group of students waiting for volunteer tutors so they can move forward on their goals for a better future. Tutor training is via distance learning, and all tutoring sessions are online. We have programs teaching English to immigrants; adult literacy for folks working on a GED; and youth literacy for kids struggling to learn to read.

The 75 Annual Holiday Parade returns to Downtown Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 20. The parade begins at 11am at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and S. Charlotte St. It moves north to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton Avenue ending at South French Broad. The parade features local businesses, nonprofits, school/youth programs, and of course, Santa Claus.
The parade impacts many downtown streets. Please be sure to notify your staff about the parade since access will be affected.
Entries: We have a limited number of spots still available to be part of the parade. If you’re interested, please email [email protected] for more information.
Volunteering: We need a few more volunteers to make the parade happen. You can help with lineup, walk (or bike) with the parade, help with egress and more. Email [email protected] for more information.
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The 75 Annual Holiday Parade returns to Downtown Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 20. The parade begins at 11am at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and S. Charlotte St. It moves north to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton Avenue ending at South French Broad. The parade features local businesses, nonprofits, school/youth programs, and of course, Santa Claus.
The parade impacts many downtown streets. Please be sure to notify your staff about the parade since access will be affected.
Entries: We have a limited number of spots still available to be part of the parade. If you’re interested, please email [email protected] for more information.
Volunteering: We need a few more volunteers to make the parade happen. You can help with lineup, walk (or bike) with the parade, help with egress and more. Email [email protected] for more information.
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The trails of Chimney Rock in the fall are amazing, but a guided hike off-the-beaten-path can lead you to places you never knew existed. Join us for this autumn adventure on one of our most popular excursions. You’ll discover seasonal changes along your trek that will introduce you to a whole new perspective of the Park. This hike is considered moderately strenuous. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

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Are you looking for a way to get involved with your community and make a difference? The Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) has current openings. “We welcome applications from members of the community eager to make a difference in the lives of Buncombe County youth,” notes JCPC Board Chair Martin Moore. “The JCPC provides a unique opportunity to help shape policies and programs aimed at supporting youth at-risk of involvement with the justice system. No specific education, legal, or therapeutic background is required; only a willingness to learn and desire to serve.”
Buncombe County Justice Services collaborates with community and justice system partners to re-imagine justice, enhance public safety, and holistically support all people impacted by the justice system. Through the JCPC, part of that work centers around developing comprehensive strategies to promote positive youth development, support core social institutions, strengthen families, and identify and intercept youth who might be on the path to behavior that could lead to justice system involvement.
Current vacancies include 5 community members, including positions for:
- individuals under the age of 21 years
- community members representing the interests of families of youth at-risk of justice involvement
- a representative of parks and recreation
- a member of the faith community
The JCPC meets on the 3rd Thursday of every other month from 8:30 – 10am. Meetings are currently held virtually on Zoom. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for: Dec. 16, Feb. 17, April 21, and June 16, 2022.
Some responsibilities of JCPC include:
- Review the needs of youth who are at risk of involvement or are involved in the justice system
- Review the resources available to address those needs; prioritize community risk factors; and determine the services needed to address those problems areas
- Develop a request for proposals for services; review proposals, and decide where to allocate funds for treatment, counseling or rehabilitation services; and submit a written funding plan to the county commissioners for approval
- Evaluate program performance of funded programs
- Increase public awareness of the drivers of youth involvement in the justice system and strategies to reduce the problem
- Develop strategies to intervene, respond to and treat the needs of youth at risk of justice system involvement
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The 75 Annual Holiday Parade returns to Downtown Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 20. The parade begins at 11am at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and S. Charlotte St. It moves north to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton Avenue ending at South French Broad. The parade features local businesses, nonprofits, school/youth programs, and of course, Santa Claus.
The parade impacts many downtown streets. Please be sure to notify your staff about the parade since access will be affected.
Entries: We have a limited number of spots still available to be part of the parade. If you’re interested, please email [email protected] for more information.
Volunteering: We need a few more volunteers to make the parade happen. You can help with lineup, walk (or bike) with the parade, help with egress and more. Email [email protected] for more information.
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Are you looking for a way to get involved with your community and make a difference? The Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) has current openings. “We welcome applications from members of the community eager to make a difference in the lives of Buncombe County youth,” notes JCPC Board Chair Martin Moore. “The JCPC provides a unique opportunity to help shape policies and programs aimed at supporting youth at-risk of involvement with the justice system. No specific education, legal, or therapeutic background is required; only a willingness to learn and desire to serve.”
Buncombe County Justice Services collaborates with community and justice system partners to re-imagine justice, enhance public safety, and holistically support all people impacted by the justice system. Through the JCPC, part of that work centers around developing comprehensive strategies to promote positive youth development, support core social institutions, strengthen families, and identify and intercept youth who might be on the path to behavior that could lead to justice system involvement.
Current vacancies include 5 community members, including positions for:
- individuals under the age of 21 years
- community members representing the interests of families of youth at-risk of justice involvement
- a representative of parks and recreation
- a member of the faith community
The JCPC meets on the 3rd Thursday of every other month from 8:30 – 10am. Meetings are currently held virtually on Zoom. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for: Dec. 16, Feb. 17, April 21, and June 16, 2022.
Some responsibilities of JCPC include:
- Review the needs of youth who are at risk of involvement or are involved in the justice system
- Review the resources available to address those needs; prioritize community risk factors; and determine the services needed to address those problems areas
- Develop a request for proposals for services; review proposals, and decide where to allocate funds for treatment, counseling or rehabilitation services; and submit a written funding plan to the county commissioners for approval
- Evaluate program performance of funded programs
- Increase public awareness of the drivers of youth involvement in the justice system and strategies to reduce the problem
- Develop strategies to intervene, respond to and treat the needs of youth at risk of justice system involvement

The 75 Annual Holiday Parade returns to Downtown Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 20. The parade begins at 11am at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and S. Charlotte St. It moves north to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton Avenue ending at South French Broad. The parade features local businesses, nonprofits, school/youth programs, and of course, Santa Claus.
The parade impacts many downtown streets. Please be sure to notify your staff about the parade since access will be affected.
Entries: We have a limited number of spots still available to be part of the parade. If you’re interested, please email [email protected] for more information.
Volunteering: We need a few more volunteers to make the parade happen. You can help with lineup, walk (or bike) with the parade, help with egress and more. Email [email protected] for more information.



