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.

Thursday, February 27, 2025
Delight: A Countercultural Force of Resistance
Feb 27 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Asheville High School Auditorium

Ross Gay is interested in joy.
Ross Gay wants to understand joy.
Ross Gay is curious about joy.
Ross Gay studies joy.
Something like that.

Ross Gay — Poet, Essayist, & National Book Critics Circle Award Winner — will visit ACS with a profound mission: to explore and understand joy.

Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. In addition to his poetry, Ross has released three collections of essays— The Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller; Inciting Joy was released in 2022, and his newest collection, The Book of (More) Delights was released in September of 2023.

City Dance
Feb 27 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Saturday, March 1, 2025
Camp Connect
Mar 1 all-day
Blue Ridge Mall

Calling all organizations! Join us for Camp Connect and help families gear up for an unforgettable summer. Whether your specialty is outdoor adventures, educational fun, arts and crafts, or action-packed sports, we want you to be part of this exciting event!

March Madness Book Sale
Mar 1 all-day
Black Mountain Library

Join at 10 a.m. on Saturday March 1 for the Friends of the Black Mountain Library March Madness Book Sale. We’ll provide a bag that you can fill with adult books for $5. Children’s books are 4/$1, puzzles are $2, and antique books are priced as marked. The sale ends at 1 p.m. Members of the Friends of the Black Mountain Library can shop early at 9:30 a.m.

Saturday, March 8, 2025
Olivette Farm 5K and Fun Run
Mar 8 @ 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Olivette Farm

The Olivette Farm 5K & Fun Run, hosted by Asheville Cryotherapy and Recovery, will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 9:30 AM. This unique race offers an early spring challenge for both competitive and novice runners with an on-and-off-road course through the beautiful Olivette Community and Farm. After the race, attendees can enjoy an after-party featuring local vendors, food trucks, and family-friendly activities. All proceeds will support the sustainable farming mission of Olivette Farm.

Mardi Gras Party
Mar 8 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Hi-Wire Brewing Biltmore Village

Hi Wire Biltmore Village is throwing a Mardi Gras bash you won’t want to miss! Join us on Saturday, March 8th, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, for a festive celebration filled with live music, themed cocktails, and plenty of good vibes.
Get ready to groove to the sounds of Commander Voodoo, serving up live jams that’ll have you dancing all afternoon. Sip on our brand-new Hurricane Sour—a party in a glass—and other themed cocktails, or enjoy your favorite Hi Wire beers.
Costumes are highly encouraged, so break out your beads, masks, and most colorful attire to get into the spirit of Mardi Gras! Whether you come with your krewe or fly solo, this is the place to be for a day of fun, flavor, and festivities

Sunday, March 9, 2025
Pan Harmonia: Baroque Beauty
Mar 9 @ 3:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church of Asheville

Pan Harmonia, Asheville’s award winning chamber music company, presents their biennial Baroque concert featuring G.P. Telemann’s Suite in A Minor for flute and strings and C.P.E. Bach’s Flute Concerto in D Minor. This program highlights a major turning point in the history of music – from baroque to classical – and is a study in contrasts and similarities.
Telemann was a contemporary of J.S. Bach and, in fact, the Godfather of C.P.E. While Telemann’s suite is exemplary of the baroque style, C.P.E. concerto is a forerunner of the classical style. C.P.E. came from one of the most illustrious musical families in history (imagine having J.S. Bach as your father, and primary teacher!). Telemann was largely self-taught and his family disagreed with his pursuit of music. Both composers were highly regarded professional musicians of their time, though their reputation diminished in the 19th century. A renewed interest in their work, however, has revived an appreciation for their significant place in music history and contemporary performance.
This baroque ensemble is comprised of string quintet, harpsichord, and – a rare appearance – harp.

Kate Steinbeck flute · Mariya Potapova and Jonathan Urizar violins · Claire Gerhardt viola · Katherine Ruhlen cello · Matthew Waid bass · Jessica Schaeffer harp and Barbara Weiss harpsichord

Friday, March 14, 2025
Ignite Dance Competition
Mar 14 @ 8:00 am
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville

Ignite Dance Competition doors open at 7am. Event starts at 8am.

Saturday, March 15, 2025
Ignite Dance Competition
Mar 15 @ 8:00 am
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville

Ignite Dance Competition doors open at 7am. Event starts at 8am.

You Are Here: Understanding Maps
Mar 15 @ 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

You Are Here: Understanding Maps with Anton DuMars

ON-SITE  |  Saturday, March 15  |  1 – 3:30 pm

Blue Ridge Naturalist – Elective Credit

With GPS built into our phones and cars, we are increasingly in danger of losing our ways of navigating. Expand your understanding of topographic and geologic maps with this course taught by Geologist Anton DuMars. An in-class portion will focus on an investigation of map symbols, scales, dates, color-coding, water features, and other attributes that are used to interpret data on topographic and geologic maps into. Then the class will move outside for a skills session to interpret real-world features within a map, stepping off on some exploration at the Arboretum. If you have one, please bring a handheld compass with you to the class but we will have some for students to borrow if needed.

This program takes place both indoors and out. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Sunday, March 16, 2025
Ignite Dance Competition
Mar 16 @ 8:00 am
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville

Ignite Dance Competition doors open at 7am. Event starts at 8am.

Celtic Angels Ireland
Mar 16 @ 3:00 pm
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

CMI Entertainment Presents Celtic Angels Ireland – A History of Ireland

Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.

An evening of Craic (fun) Ceol (music) and Traidisiún (tradition). Get swept away in the enchanting harmonies of the Celtic Angels as they present an impassioned homage to their beloved Emerald Isle.

This gloriously evocative journey will captivate audiences and have them clapping their hands, wiping their tears and stamping their feet. Escape to Verdant Valleys and Heathery Highlands. Step back in time to the Land of Saints and Scholars. Lose yourself in the alluring Angels’ magical melodies.

With over 30 Irish traditional and contemporary tunes masterfully intertwined and
performed fully live by the Trinity Ensemble, the Heavenly Celtic Angels and the
Dynamic Celtic Knights Dancers, the spectacular Celtic Angels Ireland is guaranteed to
entertain and delight.

Friday, March 21, 2025
Waves Dance Competition
Mar 21 all-day
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville

Learn more at https://www.wavesdancecompetition.com/ashevillenc

Koresh Dance Company presents Masquerade, Student Series
Mar 21 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Inspire your future generation of creative thinkers with a show unlike anything they’ve seen before: a truly unique, intra-active theatrical dance work where reality and fiction intertwine.

Reservations for individuals (9 people or less): $12 each; groups (10 people or more): $11 each. Recommended for grades 6–12. The Student Series is open to school groups, homeschoolers, community groups and families.

Hot In Herre: 2000s Dance Party
Mar 21 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel
Hot In Herre: 2000s Dance Party
Show: 8pm | Doors: 7pm

The Orange Peel
Ages 18+
Hot in Herre, the biggest 2000s/Y2K party in the country!
Hot In Herre features dope DJs behind the decks and 00s visuals that will transport you back to the days of blinged-out flip phones and trucker hats!
At Hot In Herre, you’ll hear your favorite hits and guilty pleasures from the first decade of the millennium from artists like Nelly (duh), Beyoncé, Usher, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Pitbull, 50 Cent, Shakira, Snoop Dogg, Flo Rida, Fergie, T-Pain, Amy Winehouse, Outkast, Eminem, Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z, Sean Paul, Avril Lavigne and so many more.
** Wear your best 2000s-era gear at Hot In Herre! We’re talkin’ fuzzy pink Juicy Couture sweats, bling, Ed Hardy shirts, loooow-rise jeans, UGG boots, crop tops… you name it, just wear it! **
We’re taking song requests all night, too. Pull out your old iPod playlists and have your favs ready to go!
Koresh Dance Company
Mar 21 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Immerse yourself in the space where reality and fiction intertwine in “Masquerade,” an intra-active, contemporary, operatic dance performance set to electronic symphonic music, sung live by soprano Sage DeAgro-Ruopp. A fan-favorite of seasons past, this internationally acclaimed, Philadelphia-based troupe artfully finds the line between beauty and innovation — then boldly dances on it — and this truly unique theatrical work is no exception, creating a world where truth belongs to the imagination of the beholder.

Connect with the art and artists in a dance master class and pre-show discussions.

Saturday, March 22, 2025
Waves Dance Competition
Mar 22 all-day
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville

Learn more at https://www.wavesdancecompetition.com/ashevillenc

Bronco Brunch
Mar 22 @ 11:00 am
Grey Eagle

The Grey Eagle Presents: Blue Country Line Dance’s Bronco Brunch

All Ages
Doors: 11am // Show: 11am
$11.54

Koresh Dance Company
Mar 22 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Immerse yourself in the space where reality and fiction intertwine in “Masquerade,” an intra-active, contemporary, operatic dance performance set to electronic symphonic music, sung live by soprano Sage DeAgro-Ruopp. A fan-favorite of seasons past, this internationally acclaimed, Philadelphia-based troupe artfully finds the line between beauty and innovation — then boldly dances on it — and this truly unique theatrical work is no exception, creating a world where truth belongs to the imagination of the beholder.

Connect with the art and artists in a dance master class and pre-show discussions.

Sunday, March 23, 2025
Waves Dance Competition
Mar 23 all-day
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville

Learn more at https://www.wavesdancecompetition.com/ashevillenc

Thursday, March 27, 2025
City Dance
Mar 27 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Friday, March 28, 2025
Yoga Nidra & Reiki
Mar 28 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Asheville Salt Cave

Join Reiki Master Teacher and Yoga Nidra Facilitator, Kate Wargo of Woven Light in a soothing Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep) practice guiding you into the “in-between”; that space between being awake and asleep. Within this space, a dream will be induced taking you into a state of consciousness that can bring about immense healing in your conscious, subconscious, and unconscious mind.

The cave will transform into a “Nidra Nest” with comfy reclining loungers, blankets, and bolsters to fully support you, whether sitting or lying down, for the entire experience.

During this experience, Kate will also offer Reiki to those who desire it. Reiki feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. This divine energy treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind, and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security, and well-being.
Release stuck emotions, rest, and rejuvenate!

Saturday, March 29, 2025
Blue Ridge Roller Derby Roller N’ Holler Fundraiser Event
Mar 29 all-day
Smoky Mountain Event Center

Support the Western North Carolina community while watching an afternoon full of ROLLER DERBY!
This derby-filled afternoon will start with an exhibition scrimmage from our Junior league, Blue Ridge Junior Roller Derby. Then, our B-Travel-Team, the Retrogrades, will take on the Gainesville Roller Rebels. Finally, we will have our open-gender mix-up bout featuring many of our own skaters as well as skaters from all over!

Proceeds from this event will benefit families in the Haywood County area affected by Hurricane Helene.

Doors open at 1:00 PM for an afternoon full of LIVE ROLLER DERBY at SMEC!
Online or At-The-Door Tickets: $10.00

1:00 Doors Open
2:00 Juniors Exhibition Bout
3:00 Retrogrades vs. GRR
5:00 Roller n Holler mixup bout

All ages welcome, kids 11 and under are FREE. We will have a great menu of concessions, including plant-based options!

BRRD is a non-profit organization that relies on the support of our community to provide action-packed, family-friendly fun on four wheels.

Bear’s Smokehouse Reopening Party
Mar 29 @ 5:00 pm
Bear's Smokehouse

After months of dedicated service providing over 1 million meals to Asheville and surrounding areas in partnership with World Central Kitchen (WCK), Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ is gearing up for an exciting grand reopening on Saturday, March 29. As WCK operations wind down on their property, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ has fired up its own kitchen once again, welcoming guests back with its signature flavors and community-driven spirit.

To commemorate this milestone and bid farewell to the post-hurricane relief efforts, Bear’s Smokehouse is throwing an unforgettable event: “To Hell with Helene.” This free community celebration will feature an evening of live music, comedy, food, and fun as a way to reflect, release, and rebuild.

Event Highlights:

🎶 Live Performance by LYRIC – Kicking off at 5:00 PM
😂 Special Guest: Comedian Cayla Clark
🥧 Pie Eating Contest
🪓 Axe Throwing
🐂 Mechanical Bull Rides
🔥 Burning of Negativity – Guests can write down what they want to release from the hurricane’s aftermath and “burn” it on-site.
💃 DJ Set & Dance Party – Instructor-led dance party starts at 8:30 PM

Sunday, March 30, 2025
The Prom Dress Exchange
Mar 30 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Groce United Methodist Church

Now in its fourth year, The Prom Dress Exchange is continuing to help anyone feel fancy and fabulous for free! 1,600 formal and semi formal dresses size 00-4XL, as well as women’s suits and separates, shoes, jewelry and all the accessories are available at no charge. I also have a limited number of tuxedos, as well as men’s suits, slacks, shirts, vests and accessories to offer. Whether you are going to the prom or another spring dance, wedding, or anywhere you need special attire, “The Prom Dress Exchange” has got what you need to make the occasion magical!

The event is March 28-30 at Groce United Methodist Church 954 Tunnel Rd Asheville NC, 28805, Friday 2-6, Saturday 10-6, Sunday 1-5.

Donations accepted – volunteers welcome – sewist needed
Contact Marsha van Rijssen (828)545-3133 [email protected]

Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Pranks, Plots, & Playful Tales | Gallery Tales Kids FREE April Fools Trickster Tales Night
Apr 1 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Trackside Studios

A playful night of storytelling, surprises, and art-inspired mischief!
When the gallery closes for the night, the stories come out to play! Join Gallery Tales founder, Kate Wargo, for a special April Fools edition of Pranks, Plots, & Playful Tales—where artwork takes on a life of its own and every story has a surprise twist.
Young writers (ages 8-13) and their family will explore the gallery, find inspiration in the artwork, and craft their own Trickster Tale—full of pranks, unexpected turns, and clever characters! Will your story pull off the ultimate trick, flip the script, or leave the audience guessing?
🎨 Art Speaks: Pick a piece of artwork—what if it’s hiding a secret, playing a joke, or telling a different story than it seems?
✍️ The Trickster’s Challenge: Start writing, but beware! A surprise storytelling twist might shake things up!
🎤 The Night Owl Mic: Share your tricky tale (if you want) in a cozy, welcoming space.
Join us for 90 minutes of creativity, fun, and storytelling shenanigans! Just remember… in a Trickster Tale, anything can happen!
✨ For young writers ages 8-13 who love a good story and a little bit of fun!
**Bring a notebook, pen/pencil, and your imagination!
www.gallerytales.com to learn more about Gallery Tales Kids Spring and Summer creative writing and visual arts series

TEDxYouthFSI Presents “What If?”, a thoughtful conference at NC Stage
Apr 1 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

FSI’s TEDxYouth organization has organized an upcoming TEDx conference at the NC Stage on April 1st at 6pm. Seats are first come first served! The overarching theme of the 2025 conference is “What If?
” With the theme “What If,” we invite speakers to reimagine what particular systems, or their lives could look like if they had made a different choice.

Topics for talks will range from personal to global, exploring themes in the past, present, or future. There will be a main focus on decisions and the butterfly effect, and we hope to leave audience members with a sense of possibility.

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to ideas worth spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, the organization has grown to support its mission through multiple initiatives and independently organized events. The Franklin School of Innovation’s TEDxYouthFSI chapter is the only youth chapter of TEDx in the Asheville area. This event is organized entirely by students.

Find more information at https://www.tedxyouthfsi.com/

The house opens at 5:25 PM
Seats are first come, first served. Tickets available online or $15 at the door.
This is not one to miss, these TEDxYouth events are so good!

Thursday, April 3, 2025
Hurricane Helene Recovery Panel & Discussion
Apr 3 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Hurricane Helene Recovery Panel & Discussion with MountainTrue

Thursday, April 3  |  5 – 8pm

Join MountainTrue and a panel of experts to discuss recovery in our area after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Panelists will address the impacts of natural disasters, what recovery means for our region, and how the community can support these efforts.

This event is free of charge, but if you feel moved to make a donation to support critical work in our area, we invite you to do so when you register. The North Carolina Arboretum is generously donating use of the Education Auditorium for this event. All donations associated with the registration of this event will be split 50/50 with the NC Arboretum.

The event will kick-off with social time from 5:30 to 6 pm with snacks and beverages provided for attendees. The panel will run from 6 to 7:30 pm.

Sunday, April 6, 2025
Co-Existing with Black Bears
Apr 6 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Co-Existing with Black Bears with Tanya Poole

Wednesday, April 9  |  5 – 6 pm

It’s spring and you know what that means. Warmer temperatures, beautiful flowers and trees blooming, people venturing out to enjoy it all. And it turns out black bears are coming out in large numbers to enjoy the same things that humans enjoy. Learn about the conditions that contribute to the black bear population continuing to thrive in Western North Carolina in proximity to so many people. Tanya Poole, Conservation Initiatives Engagement Coordinator with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, discusses BearWise strategies recommended by wildlife experts that will help people better coexist with these amazing animals.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Time for Healing- Asheville Salt Cave
Apr 8 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Asheville Salt Cave

WNC COMMUNITY It is time to reset your nervous system, as we invite you to ground in with us. These past months have been a whirlwind of emotions, challenges and unsettling times for our community. Have the fires made it troublesome for your body and lungs? We got you! We are here to ground in together and heal our community.

Deep breaths inside the salt caves
Sip on some herbal hot tea
Archetype Essential oil readings
Enjoy a 10 minute massage
Labyrinth walk meditation and time in the gardens
15% OFF in our gift shop

Sliding Scale $10-$40+ Pay at the door.
Please bring clean socks!
No appointment needed