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.

Saturday, January 7, 2023
Candlelight Christmas Evenings
Jan 7 @ 5:30 pm
Biltmore Estate

Biltmore House glows with candlelight and firelight during this nighttime tour, changing the daytime visit’s mood and experience. Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Biltmore House allows guests to step back in time with an experience reminiscent of the Vanderbilt’s first Christmas spent in Biltmore House in 1895. Musicians stationed throughout the house perform seasonal favorites. Setting the scene is a 55-foot Norway spruce encircled by illuminated evergreens and shrubs sparkling in the center of the front lawn.

Friday, January 13, 2023
Peace March and Rally
Jan 13 @ 11:30 am
St. James AME Church

“Audacious Action During Uncertain Times”

Master of Ceremony Rev. Brent La Prince Edwards, Pastor, St. James AME Church
Musical Selection Just Us Unity Choir, “Jesus Can Work It Out”
Invocation Rev. Dr. Shannon Spencer, Director of Spiritual Life, Warren Wilson College
Welcome Dr. Oralene Simmons, MLK Association Founder and President
Roll Call and Recognition of MLK Board/Committee Members
And Elected Officials
Rev. Brent La Prince Edwards
Praise Dance St. James Prophetic Dance Ministry
Musical Selection Just Us Unity Choir, “Total Praise”
The Occasion Mr. Jonathan McCoy, MLK Association Vice President
Musical Selection Just Us Unity Choir, “In the Time of Storm”
Announcements & Marching Orders Dr. Oralene Simmons, MLK Association President

Rally at Pack Square Park, 12:30 p.m.

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Master of Ceremony Rev. Brent La Prince Edwards, Pastor, St. James AME Church
Music WestSound
Speaker Dr. Tiece M. Ruffin, Director, Africana Studies, Chair, Department of Education, UNCA
Musical Selection WestSound
Speaker Ms. Leslie Council, CPLC, Director, Health, Careers, & Diversity, MAHEC
Musical Selection WestSound
Speaker Rev. Joseph “J” Hackett, Pastor, New Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church
Announcements and Closing Dr. Oralene Simmons

Fish Fry to follow at St. James AME Church!

 

Sunday, January 15, 2023
MLK Candlelight Service
Jan 15 @ 5:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church

The annual Candlelight Service honors area citizens and organizations that have dedicated themselves to the cause of social justice.

Monday, January 16, 2023
Free Day at Carl Sandburg Home: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jan 16 all-day
Carl Sandburg Home

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a tireless advocate for racial equality, working classes, and the oppressed around the world. Commonly called Martin Luther King, Jr. Day or MLK Day, the third Monday of January is a federal holiday to honor his life and legacy. Places where he made history and of the greater Civil Rights Movement he influenced are preserved in many national parks and in local communities around the country.

In honor of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., national parks will waive entrance fees for everyone on Monday, January 16, 2023, as the first fee free day of the year. It is also a day of service when thousands of volunteers participate in service projects across the country, including at national parks.

Find volunteer opportunities inspired by this day of service or visit a park to learn more about the history of Dr. King and the pursuit of civil rights in America.

MLK Day of Service

“The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others.” – Coretta Scott King

MLK Day of Service is a defining moment in volunteerism, as Americans across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to build the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. While Dr. King believed this community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is our call to action.

This is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. Many national parks traditionally host a variety of service projects that people can sign up for as volunteers.

Find volunteer opportunities inspired by this day of service or look for a volunteer event.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Jan 16 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Urban Peace Gardens & Market

On MLK Day of Service, we’ll tackle projects around the Burton Street community like helping out elder neighbors, projects in the community gardens, making art, picking up garbage, and more. We’ll provide snacks and food, hot and cool drinks, art supplies, tools, and music. You bring full water bottles, work gloves, and warm layers ’cause the weather can be hit or miss.

Gather at the main Peace Garden (47 Bryant St.), sign in, and we’ll put you to work!

Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Keynote Address from Clint Smith, “Our History, Reimagined”
Jan 18 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Lipinsky Hall Auditorium

UNC Asheville presents “Our History, Reimagined,” a Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Address from keynote speaker Clint Smith in Lipinsky Hall on Wednesday, January 18. This event is free and open to all, no tickets are required.

The United States is a country of great opportunity and economic mobility, but we must wrestle with how certain opportunities are contingent on different facets of one’s identity, and how the history of violence and exploitation helped to generate its economic foundation. The United States has freed millions around the world from despots and genocide, and we must wrestle with this same country’s pervasive history of barbarous imperialism. In a conversation exploring Civil Rights movements over the decades, as well as how memorials tie into our perceptions and collective memories of these eras, Clint pushes the audience to wrestle with the complicated truths about the country we live in and helps crystalize how this history has shaped the contemporary social, political, and cultural landscape of our world today.

Clint Smith is a staff writer at The Atlantic. He is the author of the narrative nonfiction book, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Stowe Prize, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and selected by the New York Times as one of the 10 Best Books of 2021.

He is also a former National Poetry Slam champion and a recipient of the Jerome J. Shestack Prize from the American Poetry Review, as well as the host of the Youtube series Crash Course Black American History.

This event is part of UNC Asheville’s Equity & Arts Series.


Accessibility

UNC Asheville is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. If you have any questions about access or to request reasonable accommodations that will facilitate your full participation in this event, please contact the Event Organizer (see below). Advance notice is necessary to arrange for accessibility needs.

Visitor Parking

Visitors may park in faculty/staff and non-resident All Permit lots from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends, holidays, and campus breaks. Visitors are not permitted to park in resident student lots at any time.
Prior to 5pm, any visitor (regardless of their reason for visit) need to adhere to the current practices listed on the parking website. Get your visitor parking permit here

Saturday, January 21, 2023
Mindfulness Hike
Jan 21 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
. Advance registration required.

Bring self-care to the new year on this reflective meditation walk with Namaste in Nature. This peaceful hike is focused on reconnecting with yourself and the natural world even during one of the darkest times of the year.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Presence of Mindfulness Meditation series
Jan 24 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

In this 6 week series, we will use the building blocks of mindfulness meditation practice–breath, body, feelings, and thoughts as we cultivate our capacity to be present and work with what we are noticing in each moment.  As we learn more about our own minds and hearts, there is an intimate and soulful connection to ourselves and each other. From this place of less stress, we can deepen our ability to create the lasting change we want in our lives. Each session will include time for guided mindfulness meditation, journaling, and group dialogue. The aim is to create a supportive learning pod, so life’s challenges can be an opportunity to grow in mindfulness and heartfulness, even while living in a turbulent world. This series is created for both beginner and experienced meditators alike. Themes of exploration include: changing habit patterns, nervous system regulation, self care, and “how to’s” from Buddhist Psychology.

Emily West Horn is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher via the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. She is also authorized to teach meditation, dharma, and long retreats by Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Insight Meditation Society, and InsightLA.

Emily has been called a “power player of the mindfulness movement” by Wired Magazine. Her work is featured in 10% Happier,  Boston Children’s Hospital’s Comfort Ability Project, Buddhist Geeks, and apps such as Brightmind and Buddhify.  She’s also been mentoring mindfulness teachers in a certification program led by Jack Kornfield, Ph.D and Tara Brach Ph.D for over 6 years.

For her, a mindful life is simply learning to dance with all of this human experience: from transcendence to dirty dishes, evolutionary edges to ancient roots, solitary practice to deepening relationships. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with her husband, Vincent, and son, Zander.

Thursday, February 2, 2023
18th Annual Groundhog Day Celebration
Feb 2 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Chimney Rock State Park
Join Chimney Rock’s naturalists and our favorite NC rodent to find out if spring is coming early or if we have six more weeks of winter. Cheer on our resident groundhog, Pumpkin, as he seeks his shadow and meet some of his animal ambassador friends, too.
Monday, February 6, 2023
Valentine’s Day Adoptions w/ WNC Nature Center
Feb 6 @ 2:11 pm – 3:11 pm
WNC Nature Center
Looking for an otterly perfect gift for your Valentine? Or perhaps you want to share the sentiment that love stinks with a skunk plush!
Symbolically adopt an animal at the WNC Nature Center at the $50 or $100 level, and your gift recipient will get a plush or drinkware with their adoption packet!
Adopt your favorite animal today at www.wildwnc.org/adopt.
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Meditative Morning
Feb 7 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am
The North Carolina Arboretum

We’ve heard your valuable feedback, and now you don’t have to hear us! Beginning May 4, 2021, the period between 8 and 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday morning of every month will be reserved for “Meditative Mornings,” a pause for quiet time in our gardens and on our trails. During this time, our working garden crew will abstain from using leaf blowers, mowers and other equipment so you can be sure to enjoy the sounds of birds and the wind in the trees.

Take advantage of half-price parking on the first Tuesday of every month and come out to the Arboretum to enjoy a Meditative Morning!

Thursday, February 9, 2023
Toddler/Pre-K Story Time Valentine’s Day Tea Party
Feb 9 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Leicester Public Library

Join us for a special Toddler/Pre-K Story Time. Dress up fancy (if you choose) and enjoy a pre-holiday celebration with stories, songs, crafts, tea and snacks!

No registration is required.

Storytime for Adults: Chocolate and Love Stories with PapaJoe Gaudet
Feb 9 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

What a sweet treat we have in store for you!

Chocolate & Love Stories
The traveling teller, PapaJoe, is the one of those characters you expect to find wandering through the pages of an old children’s picture book. And when you see him telling a tale, long beard wagging, the explosion of expressions, the range of voices, the depth of emotions; you’ll know some of the reasons he is so loved by his listeners. He draws us into the tales like chocolate.

Geared towards ages 12 and up. Light refreshments will be provided.

Valentine’s Burlesque Class ​
Feb 9 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Time to schedule a Valentine’s date for yourself. During these two classes, you will learn and get to know the basics of classic burlesque dance as well as perfecting a dance routine. Please wear clothes you can move in, and bring a large button-down or sweatshirt as well as a scarf or wrap to play with!

Friday, February 10, 2023
Unlimited Make-Your-0wn Valentine + Make a Valentine for a Veteran
Feb 10 all-day
Weaverville Library

Swing by the Weaverville Library anytime the first two weeks of February and make as many valentines as your heart desires. All supplies are provided. Make a valentine for a local veteran and we’ll deliver it for you! Free and for all ages. Sponsored by the Friends of the Weaverville Library.

Hearts for Art
Feb 10 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Searching for a romantic idea for your Valentine’s weekend date? Then you’ll be pleased to learn Hearts for Art returns to the Museum again this year. From February 10 to 13, you’re invited to display your love of art by placing a paper heart on the floor in front of the single artwork that truly captures your heart.

The Hearts for Art project began seven years ago at the Oakland Museum of California and Columbus Museum of Art to encourage art appreciation. Join us and many other museums across the country to spread the love of art through Hearts for Art.

Step 1: Pick up your heart at the welcome desk as you enter the Museum.

Step 2: Fall in love with an artwork and make it official by placing your heart on the floor in front of your favorite.

Step 3: Take a photo of your selection with your heart included and share your love on social media with the tags #heartsforart and @ashevilleartmuseum for a chance to be featured on the Museum’s social media pages.

Step 4: Next, escort your date up to the rooftop Perspective Café and Sculpture Terrace to enjoy delicious beverages, local food, delightful conversation, and dramatic views.

Step 5: End your very memorable date by presenting your companion with an annual Museum Membership, showing them you’d love to share many more magical moments moving forward.

Please note: No FLASH photography inside the galleries to protect the artworks!

DSSOLVR’s 3rd Annual Valentine’s Emo Night
Feb 10 @ 6:00 pm
DSSOLVR

DSSOLVR is hosting its 3rd annual Emo Valentine’s Party,
On Friday, February 10th at 6:00pm. A free event that promises to bring back the energy and excitement of concerts like Warped Tour. The party will feature music from xZaneInsanex, food by Calico Pizza, an art pop-up by Heidi Failmezger of Remember Me Tattoo, and limited edition shirts and tour badges. Then on Sunday, the party continues with a viewing of the big game on our new 65″ TV’s and a 150″ projector, and food from Master of BBQ starting at 6pm.

See you in the pit,
XxDSSOLVRxX

Saturday, February 11, 2023
Unlimited Make-Your-0wn Valentine + Make a Valentine for a Veteran
Feb 11 all-day
Weaverville Library

Swing by the Weaverville Library anytime the first two weeks of February and make as many valentines as your heart desires. All supplies are provided. Make a valentine for a local veteran and we’ll deliver it for you! Free and for all ages. Sponsored by the Friends of the Weaverville Library.

Valentines at Vineyard
Feb 11 all-day
Point Lookout Vineyards
Hearts for Art
Feb 11 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Searching for a romantic idea for your Valentine’s weekend date? Then you’ll be pleased to learn Hearts for Art returns to the Museum again this year. From February 10 to 13, you’re invited to display your love of art by placing a paper heart on the floor in front of the single artwork that truly captures your heart.

The Hearts for Art project began seven years ago at the Oakland Museum of California and Columbus Museum of Art to encourage art appreciation. Join us and many other museums across the country to spread the love of art through Hearts for Art.

Step 1: Pick up your heart at the welcome desk as you enter the Museum.

Step 2: Fall in love with an artwork and make it official by placing your heart on the floor in front of your favorite.

Step 3: Take a photo of your selection with your heart included and share your love on social media with the tags #heartsforart and @ashevilleartmuseum for a chance to be featured on the Museum’s social media pages.

Step 4: Next, escort your date up to the rooftop Perspective Café and Sculpture Terrace to enjoy delicious beverages, local food, delightful conversation, and dramatic views.

Step 5: End your very memorable date by presenting your companion with an annual Museum Membership, showing them you’d love to share many more magical moments moving forward.

Please note: No FLASH photography inside the galleries to protect the artworks!

Cupid’s Cocktails – Blacklight Party for Valentine’s
Feb 11 @ 4:00 pm – Feb 12 @ 1:00 am
Pillar Rooftop Bar

Come join Pillar for a Valentine’s party to remember! The event will be from 4PM to 1AM, with food from 4PM to 9PM. Once the food goes away, the DJ comes out. Enjoy some fresh mixes from DJ Fresh Rosé 9PM – 1AM. On the menu will be special valentine’s themed cocktails, desserts, and a steak special.

Zoe + Cloyd Valentine’s Concert
Feb 11 @ 7:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Unlimited Make-Your-0wn Valentine + Make a Valentine for a Veteran
Feb 12 all-day
Weaverville Library

Swing by the Weaverville Library anytime the first two weeks of February and make as many valentines as your heart desires. All supplies are provided. Make a valentine for a local veteran and we’ll deliver it for you! Free and for all ages. Sponsored by the Friends of the Weaverville Library.

Hearts for Art
Feb 12 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Searching for a romantic idea for your Valentine’s weekend date? Then you’ll be pleased to learn Hearts for Art returns to the Museum again this year. From February 10 to 13, you’re invited to display your love of art by placing a paper heart on the floor in front of the single artwork that truly captures your heart.

The Hearts for Art project began seven years ago at the Oakland Museum of California and Columbus Museum of Art to encourage art appreciation. Join us and many other museums across the country to spread the love of art through Hearts for Art.

Step 1: Pick up your heart at the welcome desk as you enter the Museum.

Step 2: Fall in love with an artwork and make it official by placing your heart on the floor in front of your favorite.

Step 3: Take a photo of your selection with your heart included and share your love on social media with the tags #heartsforart and @ashevilleartmuseum for a chance to be featured on the Museum’s social media pages.

Step 4: Next, escort your date up to the rooftop Perspective Café and Sculpture Terrace to enjoy delicious beverages, local food, delightful conversation, and dramatic views.

Step 5: End your very memorable date by presenting your companion with an annual Museum Membership, showing them you’d love to share many more magical moments moving forward.

Please note: No FLASH photography inside the galleries to protect the artworks!

Valentine’s Games: The Newlywed Game
Feb 12 @ 5:30 pm
The Breedloves Deli
Monday, February 13, 2023
Unlimited Make-Your-0wn Valentine + Make a Valentine for a Veteran
Feb 13 all-day
Weaverville Library

Swing by the Weaverville Library anytime the first two weeks of February and make as many valentines as your heart desires. All supplies are provided. Make a valentine for a local veteran and we’ll deliver it for you! Free and for all ages. Sponsored by the Friends of the Weaverville Library.

Hearts for Art
Feb 13 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Searching for a romantic idea for your Valentine’s weekend date? Then you’ll be pleased to learn Hearts for Art returns to the Museum again this year. From February 10 to 13, you’re invited to display your love of art by placing a paper heart on the floor in front of the single artwork that truly captures your heart.

The Hearts for Art project began seven years ago at the Oakland Museum of California and Columbus Museum of Art to encourage art appreciation. Join us and many other museums across the country to spread the love of art through Hearts for Art.

Step 1: Pick up your heart at the welcome desk as you enter the Museum.

Step 2: Fall in love with an artwork and make it official by placing your heart on the floor in front of your favorite.

Step 3: Take a photo of your selection with your heart included and share your love on social media with the tags #heartsforart and @ashevilleartmuseum for a chance to be featured on the Museum’s social media pages.

Step 4: Next, escort your date up to the rooftop Perspective Café and Sculpture Terrace to enjoy delicious beverages, local food, delightful conversation, and dramatic views.

Step 5: End your very memorable date by presenting your companion with an annual Museum Membership, showing them you’d love to share many more magical moments moving forward.

Please note: No FLASH photography inside the galleries to protect the artworks!

Singles to Mingle and Couples to Support Vday Social
Feb 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Capella On 9 AC Hotel Downtown

We are hosting another multiple meetup groups event in honor of Valentine’s day. This is for the Singles to Mingle and the couples to support. This is a pressure-free event, so feel free to bring friends! We will be in the indoor space at Capella on 9. They have beer, wine, cocktails along with snacks and tapa dishes.
This event will include the following meetup groups:
Socials for late 20s, 30s and 40s near Asheville
Check out Social Group for late 20s, 30s and 40s https://meetu.ps/c/512Z5/BFgKT/d on Meetup

30s and 40s for singles and couples near Asheville
Check out 30s & 40s Singles and Couples Near Asheville https://meetu.ps/c/4Vc3l/BFgKT/d on Meetup

30s and 40s Women near Asheville
Check out 30’s and 40’s Women Near Asheville https://meetu.ps/c/4RNl7/BFgKT/d on Meetup

Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Unlimited Make-Your-0wn Valentine + Make a Valentine for a Veteran
Feb 14 all-day
Weaverville Library

Swing by the Weaverville Library anytime the first two weeks of February and make as many valentines as your heart desires. All supplies are provided. Make a valentine for a local veteran and we’ll deliver it for you! Free and for all ages. Sponsored by the Friends of the Weaverville Library.

Brother Wolf Puppygram
Feb 14 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

Celebrate Valentines Day at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue!

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s mission is to better the lives of companion animals through adoption and pet retention programs, a low-cost mobile spay and neuter clinic, lifesaving shelter transfer partnerships, and extensive volunteer and foster networks. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue impacts the lives of thousands of animals each year in the Western North Carolina region.

 

This Valentine’s Day, Brother Wolf is offering a Puppygram package that includes a miniature succulent from local business B.B. Barns, a delicious cupcake, personalized card, and 20 minutes of snuggle time with one of their rescued puppies. If you are interested in sharing the gift of sweet puppy kisses with your special someone this year, a limited number of Puppygrams are available at $175 with all proceeds going towards Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s life saving work for homeless animals in the WNC area.