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.
This Veterans Day, The Blood Connection will salute our nation’s heroes by inviting the community to contribute to making a donation to The Blood Center of America’s Special Forces Wounded Warrior Fund (SFWWF).
Between November 9 and 11, The Blood Connection will donate $10 to the SFWWF for every blood donor who gives at 13 different donation centers across the Carolinas and Georgia. The BCA Special Forces Wounded Warrior Fund helps families of U.S. Special Forces members who have been wounded in the line of duty, fallen ill, or have fallen upon difficult times.
A veteran herself, Delisa English, the CEO of The Blood Connection, says “I know what it’s like to go through some challenges in your military life and I know every effort we can do to help these soldiers and their families is much appreciated.”
To increase the impact of this campaign, TBC will participate in a friendly competition with Blood Assurance, a community blood center in Tennessee, to see which organization can bring in the most donors during this three-day promotion.
“This competition with our friends at the Blood Assurance is meant to encourage both communities to pay it forward for our veterans. I hope to be able to say that hundreds of our community donors answered the call for this worthy cause,” said English.
In addition to honoring veterans, The Blood Connection is hopeful this friendly competition will increase blood donations in the region, at a time when donor turnout is low. The Blood Connection serves more than 75 hospitals across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, and must collect 800 units of blood a day, to adequately supply their needs.
As a thank you gift for donating, all blood donors will receive a $20 eGift card. To find a center location near you and to make an appointment, go to thebloodconnection.org/donate.
The holidays are right around the corner. We have a few holiday promotions downtown businesses can participate in:
If your business is interested in participating in any of the above, please fill out this short form. |

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.


Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and handmade goods, such as wreaths, pottery, jewelry, and more.
Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1
Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.
We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.
You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.
We hope you will join us this holiday season!
Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.
The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL
Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE
- $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
- $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
This Veterans Day, The Blood Connection will salute our nation’s heroes by inviting the community to contribute to making a donation to The Blood Center of America’s Special Forces Wounded Warrior Fund (SFWWF).
Between November 9 and 11, The Blood Connection will donate $10 to the SFWWF for every blood donor who gives at 13 different donation centers across the Carolinas and Georgia. The BCA Special Forces Wounded Warrior Fund helps families of U.S. Special Forces members who have been wounded in the line of duty, fallen ill, or have fallen upon difficult times.
A veteran herself, Delisa English, the CEO of The Blood Connection, says “I know what it’s like to go through some challenges in your military life and I know every effort we can do to help these soldiers and their families is much appreciated.”
To increase the impact of this campaign, TBC will participate in a friendly competition with Blood Assurance, a community blood center in Tennessee, to see which organization can bring in the most donors during this three-day promotion.
“This competition with our friends at the Blood Assurance is meant to encourage both communities to pay it forward for our veterans. I hope to be able to say that hundreds of our community donors answered the call for this worthy cause,” said English.
In addition to honoring veterans, The Blood Connection is hopeful this friendly competition will increase blood donations in the region, at a time when donor turnout is low. The Blood Connection serves more than 75 hospitals across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, and must collect 800 units of blood a day, to adequately supply their needs.
As a thank you gift for donating, all blood donors will receive a $20 eGift card. To find a center location near you and to make an appointment, go to thebloodconnection.org/donate.
The holidays are right around the corner. We have a few holiday promotions downtown businesses can participate in:
If your business is interested in participating in any of the above, please fill out this short form. |

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.


Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and handmade goods, such as wreaths, pottery, jewelry, and more.
Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1
Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.
We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.
You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.
We hope you will join us this holiday season!
Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL
Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE
- $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
- $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
This Veterans Day, The Blood Connection will salute our nation’s heroes by inviting the community to contribute to making a donation to The Blood Center of America’s Special Forces Wounded Warrior Fund (SFWWF).
Between November 9 and 11, The Blood Connection will donate $10 to the SFWWF for every blood donor who gives at 13 different donation centers across the Carolinas and Georgia. The BCA Special Forces Wounded Warrior Fund helps families of U.S. Special Forces members who have been wounded in the line of duty, fallen ill, or have fallen upon difficult times.
A veteran herself, Delisa English, the CEO of The Blood Connection, says “I know what it’s like to go through some challenges in your military life and I know every effort we can do to help these soldiers and their families is much appreciated.”
To increase the impact of this campaign, TBC will participate in a friendly competition with Blood Assurance, a community blood center in Tennessee, to see which organization can bring in the most donors during this three-day promotion.
“This competition with our friends at the Blood Assurance is meant to encourage both communities to pay it forward for our veterans. I hope to be able to say that hundreds of our community donors answered the call for this worthy cause,” said English.
In addition to honoring veterans, The Blood Connection is hopeful this friendly competition will increase blood donations in the region, at a time when donor turnout is low. The Blood Connection serves more than 75 hospitals across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, and must collect 800 units of blood a day, to adequately supply their needs.
As a thank you gift for donating, all blood donors will receive a $20 eGift card. To find a center location near you and to make an appointment, go to thebloodconnection.org/donate.
The holidays are right around the corner. We have a few holiday promotions downtown businesses can participate in:
If your business is interested in participating in any of the above, please fill out this short form. |

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.


Join the virtual event at the City of Asheville’s YouTube Channel, then click on the video at the top of the page marked “Live Now.”
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Laura Tugman, Ph.D. is the Chief of Mental Health Services at Charles George VAMC. Join us for a story of a woman veteran and her military family. There will also be readings from the Brothers and Sisters Like These writing group.
This is exciting! Five of our women are joining together for a holiday market. We have a potter, photographer, mosaic tile artist, soap and lip balm creator and a massage therapist. You can do some early holiday shopping, drink some wine, get a chair massage, visit with your friends, and support local women artists– all at one event! This is a drop in event, so no attendance limit. Everyone who wants to attend is welcome.
What we’re about
I started this group to bring together women in their 50’s who want to gather with other like-minded women. We’re dealing with a lot of issues at our age, and having other women who can understand us, support us, and laugh with us is so valuable! This group is open to any woman in her 50’s: married, single, gay, straight, black, white or any other color. We will gather, eat, drink, laugh and commiserate when necessary. I am hopeful many of us will make meaningful friendships along the way.
Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1
Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.
We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.
You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.
We hope you will join us this holiday season!
Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.
The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL
Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE
- $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
- $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
The holidays are right around the corner. We have a few holiday promotions downtown businesses can participate in:
If your business is interested in participating in any of the above, please fill out this short form. |

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.
In addition to beautiful, locally-made crafts, an assortment of homemade baked goods and other handmade items will be offered at the BPO DOES Holiday Craft Show and Bake Sale – just in time for the holidays! And don’t forget to pick up your tickets for our Saturday afternoon raffles! Proceeds to benefit the DOES charities, including our Blue Ridge Community College Scholarship Fund.


Vintage Market Days, Doors open at 10am daily, Vintage Market Days® is an upscale vintage-inspired indoor/outdoor market
featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies,
seasonal plantings and a little more,
Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1
Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.
We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.
You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.
We hope you will join us this holiday season!
Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.


The holidays are right around the corner. We have a few holiday promotions downtown businesses can participate in:
