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.
Get ready to lace up and represent your business at the 2025 Chamber Challenge 5K! This fun, community-focused event encourages wellness and friendly competition among Asheville-area businesses. Whether you’re walking every step or racing to the finish, we know you’re up for the challenge!
Join us in person on May 2nd or participate virtually.
Important Deadlines & Details:
- Register by April 13th at midnight to receive a short-sleeve shirt with your registration!
- After April 13th, shirts will be available in limited quantities and sizes.
- Registering a large group (25+ participants)? Contact Judi Willard at [email protected] for assistance.
To stay updated—text cc5k to 828-827-5332 to receive event notifications (you can opt out anytime).
Don your best Derby attire and help us reach the finish line as we raise funds for our school’s Hurricane Helene recovery costs. Join us for a festive evening at our North Campus on the banks of the French Broad River. Dinner provided by Los Gauchos Heroes with libations from Riverside Rhapsody Brewing and Troy and Sons Distillery. We’ll have some Derby themed fun, live music, a silent and live auction, and a raffle for a trip for 2 to Costa Rica.
Insect Pollinators of the Blue Ridge
with Shane Myers
Friday, May 9 | 1 – 3 pm
BRN – Elective | BREG – Core
Our plants in the Blue Ridge are pollinated by more insects than just Honey Bees. In this course, we will look at common and some less obvious pollinators of the region and discuss their life cycles, the benefits they provide the world, and how to attract them. We will also go outside to look for pollinators doing their work around the Arboretum grounds.
This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.
Adult comedy with a heart! Featuring comics from both Carolinas at the new Flood Gallery!
Come enjoy a hilarious night of laughs, show your support for our headliner Chris “Hillbilly” Pritchett who needs a new heart, and celebrate the reopening of Flood Gallery after Hurricane Helene! Our tentative comedian line-up includes:
1. Brendan From Long Island (Host)
2. Austin Arney
3. Jason Henson
4. Joseph Thompson
5. Kim H. Falls
6. Reggie Massey
7. Paul Ain’t Right (DJ)
8. Geo. Wagner
9. Nate Bechtel
10. Bob Maier
11. Superdad Jones
12. Hillbilly (Headliner)
Food and drinks available, $10 suggested donation. Doors open at 6:30. Produced by Brendan C. Ahern of “Rainy Night Theatre”.
Kids, join us for an educational program with the North Carolina Arboretum to learn all about the many different Herptiles that call Western North Carolina their home! What’s a Herptile you ask? Herptiles are reptiles and amphibians! We’ll answer all of our biggest questions about Herptiles, like “Why are some amphibians slimy?” and “Where do Herptiles go in the winter?” Come ready to hear about the ecoEXPLORE program, find out what distinguishes Herptiles from other animals, where they live, what they eat, how they breathe, plus much more! Located at the Black Mountain Library.
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Rotary Club of Rocky Mount is hosting the annual TACKLE THE TAR 5K Obstacle Course Race & Family Fun Day at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. Our first heat begins with our Kid’s 1-mile fun run at 8:45 A.M. and festivities will continue until noon.
All proceeds from this event go directly to the funding of college scholarships for deserving students in the Rocky Mount Area. Since 2016, thanks to you, we have raised and awarded over $600,000 in scholarships to youth in our community. Thank you for making such a difference in the lives of so many!
Tackle the Tar is a 5K Obstacle Course Race that begins at the Rocky Mount Sports complex and courses through historic Battle Park and the E.B. Grain Company property. It comes complete with a MUD PIT and 15+ OBSTACLES to overcome. All racers will receive: T-shirt, medal, one free beer (if over 21), and goodie bag
Celebrate the springtime weather and join a community coming together for a meaningful cause. Kick up your heels on the dance floor, bid on amazing auction items, test your luck in the raffle, and enjoy fantastic food and drinks!
Ticket Price:
Adults: $20 at the door ($18 presale)
Kids: $10 at the door ($8 presale)
Kids 5 years and younger attend for free
Live auction and raffle proceeds will help support Project HNG’s mission to make equine and agricultural education more accessible to all.
Food truck available for meal purchase: Garage BBQ
Cash bar serving beer and wine
Seating is limited – bring a chair!
Local ceramic artists will once again fire up their kilns for the 8th year to help hungry children in the greater Flat Rock area. On Sunday, May 18, Empty Bowls, a community meal benefiting the Flat Rock Backpack Program, will take place inside the Parish Hall at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness.
Advanced tickets are strongly recommended for the two seatings: 12:00pm-2:00pm and 4:00pm-6:00pm. Attendees of the event may come any time during their seating window. Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl (all donated by area potters) and a soup-based meal (a variety of soups, breads, and homemade cookies). For those wishing to eat at home, take-away is an available option.
Tickets are $30 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12. Limited tickets may be available at the door on the day of the event.
The Parish Hall is located across the street from the church building, at 1905 Greenville Highway. For more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, write to [email protected]. Click the button below to get your Empty Bowls tickets today!
Learn how to make altered books and make a page for one of the volumes of Turning the Page on Helene. All supplies are provided free of charge. No previous art experience is necessary.
Turning the Page on Helene is a community-based art project that is using the transformative power of altered books to tell our communities’ stories of Hurricane Helene through the visual arts. The goal is to create a safe space for community members to share experiences of the hurricane as well as their hopes for rebuilding a better and brighter future.
AdventHealth, in collaboration with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC), is hosting
an event to support the local veteran community at Asheville-Buncombe Community
Christian Ministry (ABCCM). LEGACY MC Co-Owner Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Cup
Series driver Erik Jones, and the LEGACY MC pit crew will visit ABCCM in Asheville to
pack backpacks and lunches for Veterans of the Armed Forces who are still being
impacted by Hurricane Helene. AdventHealth is proud to be the host of this effort,
demonstrating its commitment to the well-being of veterans and the local community.
LEGACY MC will also have the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE show car at
the appearance.
Jimmie Johnson, LEGACY MC Co-Owner & Driver of the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry
XSE
Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MC
If you are interested in attending and/or participating, contact AdventHealth NC
Communications Director, Victoria Dunkle at [email protected] or 828-209-
8570.
This annual run/walk timed event raises funds to support Open Arms Pregnancy Center. Open Arms supports women facing unplanned pregnancies by providing free, confidential ultrasounds and maternity supplies. Mothers receive monthly diapers, clothing and other items once their babies are born up to the child’s 18th month.
The 5k and Fun Run will be held at Bill Moore Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Road in Fletcher, NC at 8:30AM.
Runners should register now (by May 9) at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Fletcher/Run4for5k for early bird pricing and to be guaranteed a T-shirt.
Businesses/Individuals interested in being a race sponsor can contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 828.676.4510.
Calling all young storytellers ages 8-13!
Gallery Tales is a 6-week program where kids explore various art pieces in the gallery to spark their imaginations and create incredible stories. Each week, participants will engage in interactive writing lessons, write unique tales, and gain the skills and confidence to become published authors. At the end of the program, every young writer will leave with their very own professionally published book and the opportunity to share their work and accomplishments with an audience of family and friends at a special Kids Open Mic Showcase!
Pricing Tiers:
Standard Tier: $397 (Includes all program materials, publishing, and showcase support)
Supporter Tier: $500 (Covers program materials, publishing, showcase support, and helps provide scholarships for other young writers)
Scholarship Option: Available to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate.
Limited spots are available for this unique program that celebrates art, and creativity, and inspires young writers to shine. Sign up today!
About the Gallery Tales Instructor:
Kate Wargo is a passionate educator with a decade of experience teaching in elementary classrooms. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she brings her expertise in child development and creative learning to every program she designs. Kate is deeply committed to nurturing the whole child, blending art, writing, and community to create meaningful and transformative experiences. As an advocate for bringing the soul and love back into writing and supporting children’s mental health and well-being, she strives to create safe and inspiring spaces where they can discover their voices and shine as confident, creative storytellers.
Spring Bloom Gala: Gather & Grow
A Benefit for Asheville Waldorf School
May 29, 2025 | 5–9 PM
Treska’s on Highland Lake, Flat Rock, NC
Join us for Asheville Waldorf School’s Annual Spring Bloom Gala—an evening devoted to connection, nourishment, and collective flourishing.
In collaboration with Mother Earth Food and Heidi Zellie of Appalachian Watershed Alliance, this year’s gala celebrates the sacred work of raising children, feeding communities, and healing the land. Together, we honor the sanctity of childhood and cultivate a future rooted in food sovereignty, resilience, and hope.
Offerings:
Farm-to-table dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients
Musical performances
Curated silent auction with local art, experiences, and handmade goods
Inspiring keynote speakers: Andrea DuVall, CEO & Founder of Mother Earth Food, Ines Kinchen, Founder, Emerald Ark School & Sanctuary, Grandmaster Tony Morris, Founder, Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts
All proceeds support Asheville Waldorf School, furthering our mission to nurture head, heart, and hands through holistic education.
Join us for the 16th annual Authors for Literacy Fundraiser featuring New York Times bestselling author, David Baldacci. The evening will feature testimonials from the students and staff at Literacy Together, as well as a keynote address from David Baldacci. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for mixing and mingling and heavy hors d’oeuvres. You’ll have an opportunity to hear from our team about the work we do to support more than 7,200 individuals throughout Buncombe County. Our seated program begins promptly at 6:30 p.m., and we’ll close the evening with a book signing managed by Malaprop’s Bookstore.
Tickets are on sale now!
Spring Bloom Gala: Gather & Grow – A Benefit for Asheville Waldorf School
Flat Rock, NC – May 29, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Treska’s on Highland Lake
Asheville, NC — Asheville Waldorf School is excited to announce its annual Spring Bloom Gala,
a special evening dedicated to connection, nourishment, and collective flourishing. This year’s
event will take place on May 29, 2025, at Treska’s on Highland Lake in Flat Rock, NC, from 5:00
PM to 9:00 PM.
In collaboration with Mother Earth Food and the Appalachian Watershed Alliance, the Spring
Bloom Gala celebrates the sacred work of raising children, nourishing communities, and healing
the land. This event will honor the sanctity of childhood and cultivate a future rooted in food
sovereignty, resilience, and hope. Attendees will be invited to reflect on these vital themes while
enjoying an evening of music, fine dining, and thought-provoking conversation.
Nancy, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation, currently resides in the Wolftown community of the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, NC. Nancy is passionate about promoting the rich culture and heritage of Cherokee women in today’s society.
Inspired by her father, Nancy has become a renowned storyteller, dedicated to preserving and sharing the traditions and history of the Anikituwah/Eastern Band of the Cherokee people.
As a valued member of the Cherokee storyteller group, she is regularly featured at the Oconaluftee Island Park summer bonfire events.
Nancy will kick off our speaker series with a talk on land stewardship, highlighting cultural knowledge, tradition, and a deep respect for the natural world.
Mountain Valleys RC&D is a conservation non-profit that has served 8 counties in Western NC for over 50 years. We connect farmers, landowners, and small business owners with conservation programs including Shade Your Stream, a grant funded initiative to stabilize eroding streambanks with native plants. In this program, you will learn where to purchase erosion control materials (biodegradable coir matting and stakes), the ideal slope for grading banks, how to apply coir matting, and the best varieties of seeds, live stakes, and native plants to use to establish root systems. We will discuss the benefits of vegetating the riparian zone (the area adjacent to fresh, running water) and the impact riparian zones have on flooding.
Celebrate Land Trust Day, Saturday, June 7, with Mast General Store! Meet representatives from Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. The Asheville Mast Store will donate 20% of the day’s sales to this land trust partner so that it may continue its mission of helping our community maintain its natural landscapes, create shared open spaces, and preserve the beauty that lies just beyond our own backyards!
The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.
Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.
The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.
Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.
Looking for a buzz-worthy event? Look no further than Asheville’s 4th Annual Honey Festival! Join the Center for Honeybee Research and Shanti Elixirs on Sunday, June 8th, from 12-6pm at Highland Brewing for a day of celebration, education, and community-building.
At the festival, you’ll enjoy live music, food trucks, and vendors showcasing the unique flavors of honey and other artisanal goods. But that’s not all: you’ll also be supporting a great cause, as proceeds from the festival will go towards saving pollinators and our planet.
The Center for Honeybee Research will be offering local and international honey for guests to sample and purchase, and you can even participate in the People’s Choice award for local honey vendors. Plus, we will be featuring the live finals of the 15th Annual International Black Jar Honey competition. Festival goers can watch as local celebrities determine the world’s best-tasting honey.
And don’t forget to come dressed in your best pollinator-themed costume! It’s all part of the fun at Asheville’s 4th Annual Honey Festival.
Personal water bottles are recommended, and families are encouraged to attend. So mark your calendars for June 8th, and come out to celebrate the wonderful world of beekeeping, honey, and all things pollinators. Together, we can help save the bees!
The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.
Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.
The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.
Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.
Literacy Together has a determined group of students waiting for volunteer tutors so they can move forward on their goals for a better future. We offer both in-person and remote volunteer opportunities. We offer programs that teach English to immigrants, provide adult literacy support for individuals working on their GED, and offer youth literacy services for children struggling to learn to read. In addition, we welcome everyone, even those who are not ready to volunteer, to attend and learn about the literacy challenges we face in Buncombe County.
The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 55th Annual Book Sale, the largest and best book sale in North Carolina. Net proceeds support local STEM and educational scholarships for girls (5th-12th grades) and women at Brevard College and Blue Ridge Community College.
Book donations are collected in Yellow Boxes at numerous community locations from early February to late May 2025. Walk-in donations are accepted each Thursday until May 22 from 10am-2pm at The Book Book, 170 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC.
Join us at Overmountain Vineyards with DJ Aaron Greene for an evening of fun, food, and dancing! Ticketholders will be treated to Overmountain Vineyard wines, NC craft beers, and heavy hors d’oeurves while breaking down on the dance floor! More info to come…
Literacy Together has a determined group of students waiting for volunteer tutors so they can move forward on their goals for a better future. We offer both in-person and remote volunteer opportunities. We offer programs that teach English to immigrants, provide adult literacy support for individuals working on their GED, and offer youth literacy services for children struggling to learn to read. In addition, we welcome everyone, even those who are not ready to volunteer, to attend and learn about the literacy challenges we face in Buncombe County.
Join us for After Hours, our 21+ night at the Museum.
This month’s theme is Our Changing World.
Explore how scientists and communities work together for climate resilient futures in our new exhibit Our Changing World. Hear stories from scientists and community members who used a wide variety of skills and problem solving during and after Helene. Make a climate indicator quilt, or explore real-time environment data on our 360 interactive globe.
Trivia with Discount Tobacco Tattoo
8pm-9pm
It’s time for Climate trivia with Meg! How well do you know the changing world around us? Winner gets a free tattoo from Discount Tobacco at Slouch Tattoo.
Soil Sleuths
Get dirty with AMOS Educators in Soil Sleuths- a soil experiment game with tips for your own backyard!
Geologic Timeline Scavenger Hunt
Play games and do art activities that have you moving through Earth’s Eons, Epochs, and Ages! Compete in a Geologic Time Scavenger Hunt to take home a piece of the “Anthropocene.”
Get Active!
Meet groups who are actively working to create sustainable futures through direct action and community science. Learn about firefly conservation with THEM in STEM, explore the flora and fauna hiding in plain sight with Save the UNCA Woods, and get up to speed on the i-26 connector projector with the Citizen’s Coalition.
Touch a Meteorite
Meet the astronomers at PARI (Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute) and get up close to the formation of the universe itself! Touch a meteorite, take a guided tour of our gem collection, and find out about the perfect conditions for forming Earth (and you)!
This is a 21+ event; ID is required. Price of admission ticket includes one free drink.
Celebrate community, legacy, and the power of mentorship at this special event honoring the life and impact of Coach Bennie Lee Lake. Hosted by KL Training Solutions — home of My Daddy Taught Me That and My Sister Taught Me That — the day will feature youth voices, food, music, and a self-guided Legacy Trail showcasing the journey from humble beginnings to a thriving center for education, leadership, and peace.
Come meet the young people, mentors, and families building a brighter future in Asheville.
Free and open to all. Family-friendly!