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.

Cheers to 10 years of Health & Wellness
Throughout the month of May you are invited to toast De La Terre Skincare’s achievements while experiencing some of the most celebrated skin therapies developed by Anne C. Willis owner and founder of the company.
Open house every Friday in May from 4-6 at the De La Terre Skincare Showroom located at 47 Haywood Rd. Asheville, NC 28806
Sip a De La Terre Skincare Health & Wellness Tea or a cocktail infused with one of the companies unique herbal blends while receiving one of these signature treatments FREE:
-Herbal Food Soak
-Facial Hydrotherapy
-Eye Treatment
To schedule your complimentary treatment call the De La Terre Skincare showroom at 828-252-8400
Event Type: Local Event
Event Category: Family,Recreation,Wellness & Fitness
Contact: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Contact Phone: 828-785-4851
Link: https://noc.com/events/adventure-dash
The Merrell Adventure Dash is all about getting outside and challenging yourself to work hard for your good time. Suitable for families as well as adults, participants will negotiate a series of natural and man-made obstacles along the 5K course, including balance components, climbs and nets, a river-run, and mud pit. This holiday weekend, enjoy a fun, family-friendly adventure run in the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Merrell Adventure Dash participants can choose between the 5K dash or a 1K fun run. Kids aged 12 and under race free with a participating adult.
Remember to wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty!
Following the race, join us for live music on the Adventure Center Deck. Don’t forget to stop by the Outfitter’s Store to check out the Memorial Day Weekend Sales Event!
Event Information
Course Length: 5K (Dash), 1K (Fun Run)
5K Categories: Sr. Men, Sr. Women, U18 Men, U18 Women, U15 Men, U15 Women, U12
1K Categories: No categories. Fun Run is not timed.
See website for additional information and registration.

The Mountain Sports Festival is a weekend music and sports festival that celebrates community, athletics and local business.
The free festival showcases the terrain, environment, and unique culture of Asheville, NC and the surrounding mountains. The Mountain Sports Festival is organized by a volunteer group of community oriented citizens dedicated to providing a well balanced series of events and music that encourage participation on all levels.
Held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, 2018 will mark the 18th Annual Mountain Sports Festival. Every year, we build on our strong community base and bring you a wide variety of events in the mountains, throughout town, and on the river. An amazing array of musical talent, with acts and staging far better than most free festivals, will perform each day, and local beer, cider, and food vendors will be available to fill your belly.
The Merrell Adventure Dash is all about getting outside and challenging yourself to work hard for your good time. Suitable for families as well as adults, participants will negotiate a series of natural and man-made obstacles along the 5K course, including balance components, climbs and nets, a river-run, and raft crossing. This holiday weekend, enjoy a fun, family-friendly adventure run in the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Merrell Adventure Dash participants can choose between the 5K dash or a 1K fun run. Kids aged 12 and under race free with a participating adult. All race participants will receive Merrell swag, but those who register before May 10th will also receive the official race t-shirt!
Remember to wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty!

The Mountain Sports Festival is a weekend music and sports festival that celebrates community, athletics and local business.
The free festival showcases the terrain, environment, and unique culture of Asheville, NC and the surrounding mountains. The Mountain Sports Festival is organized by a volunteer group of community oriented citizens dedicated to providing a well balanced series of events and music that encourage participation on all levels.
Held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, 2018 will mark the 18th Annual Mountain Sports Festival. Every year, we build on our strong community base and bring you a wide variety of events in the mountains, throughout town, and on the river. An amazing array of musical talent, with acts and staging far better than most free festivals, will perform each day, and local beer, cider, and food vendors will be available to fill your belly.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 774-3000
Link: http://www.leicestercommunitycenter.com
Welcome Table Free Meal every Wednesday 11:30am-1:30pm

Ledisi is a 12-time Grammy®-nominated vocal powerhouse who has wowed fans ever since she came onto the scene. She has headlined sold-out national tours and performed alongside Richie Sambora, Dave Matthews, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Jill Scott, and Maxwell. She’s appeared on Good Morning America, Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and VH-1’s Diva’s Live.
Let Love Rule is her ninth Grammy-nominated studio album, and it features John Legend, Kirk Franklin, and B.J. the Chicago Kid. The album received three Grammy nominations: Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance (“High”), and Best Traditional R&B Performance (“All the Way”).
Having earned a place in the pantheon of the best soul singers of her generation, Ledisi’s fans include icons, legends, and chart-toppers like Prince, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Kehlani. A favorite of the Obamas, she has performed eight times at the White House.
From 5 – 8 pm
Salvage Station, Asheville, NC
Join us for a party by the French Broad River! Our annual Appalachian Spring conservation celebration will feature LIVE music from award-winning artist Daniel Shearin and friends. You won’t want to miss this performance from Asheville locals who blend American and traditional influences to create an eclectic vibe.
Help us celebrate our recent conservation success stories and meet our 2018 Volunteers of the Year. Your ticket purchase will help support ongoing conservation efforts. Ticket price includes: Music and dinner at the Salvage Station (vegetarian options provided). Cash bar, with $2 off draft pours
Every attendee will receive a $10 gear card from Diamond Brand Outdoors!
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 774-3000
Link: http://www.leicestercommunitycenter.com
Community Health Fair 9-12
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 250-4260
Event Location: BC Sports Park – 58 Apac Cir, Asheville, NC
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 774-3000
Link: http://www.leicestercommunitycenter.com
3D Mammography Bus providing free mammograms with insurance or reduced cost without insurance. 9:30am-4:00pm Call 828-774-3000 to schedule an appointment.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 250-4260
Link: http://buncomberecreation.org
Cane Creek Pool
Erwin Pool
Hominy Valley Pool
Owen Pool
North Buncombe Pool
Open for weekends:; $3.00 per person
Saturday Hours: 11:00am-6:45pm
Sunday Hours: 1:00pm – 6:45pm
Blue Jean Ball is MANNA’s annual “party for a purpose,” with all proceeds benefitting MANNA’s daily work to provide food to thousands of families across Western North Carolina that are struggling to make ends meet. With every dollar raised, MANNA can provide the food for 3.5 meals… your very presence is valuable! So, come party with us. Whether you dress for our theme, wear jeans, or dress like a queen, you can have a great time knowing you are helping provide the most basic necessity in life: food!
Hang Loose with Friends at the Best Outdoor Party of the Year
This annual sell-out event on the sunny shores of MANNA’s waterfront campus along the Swannanoa River features small plate grazing from 20 favorite local restaurants, an open bar with great selections of beer and wine from Empire Distributing, and an amazing live band that keeps the dance floor packed all night long! Tickets move fast, so don’t wait!
Grab your Longboard and catch a wave to MANNA!
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.

Doors: 2:30pm/Show: 3pm
Ticket Info: $10/Presale and $15/Door (Cash or Card)
https://bachtobrazil.eventbrite.com/
Revelry Unique Downtown Events and Carolina Music Planner are proud to present Brazilian violinist Moises Bonella Cunha. He brings a formidable recital program navigating the evolution of repertoire for solo violin.
The artistic and athletic features in Telemann’s Fantasias and J.S. Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin paved the way for the development of the virtuosic and extended techniques featured in the solo works of Ysaÿe and Brazilian composer Flausino Vale.
Moises Bonella Cunha brings these pieces to life. His clean, articulate tone and unparalleled passion will captivate the audience as each guest is transported through a history of brilliant composition.
http://www.moises-cunha.com/music/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 250-4260
Event Location: Lake Julian Park – 406 Overlook Extension Arden, NC
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 774-3000
Link: http://www.leicestercommunitycenter.com
Community Art Nights – First Tuesday of each month. Different project each month. For Children and Adults.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 774-3000
Link: http://www.leicestercommunitycenter.com
Welcome Table Free Meal every Wednesday 11:30am-1:30pm
Toot! Toot! Experience Day Out With Thomas like never before at Tweetsie Railroad. Ride the train behind Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hat, play in Imagination Station, and enjoy storytelling and live music! PLUS have a full day at Tweetsie Railroad with amusement rides, deer park zoo, panning for gold, live entertainment and more!
This event takes place from June 8 to June 17, 2018. Tickets include one ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, Thomas & Friends themed activities and admission to the theme park. Free for children age 2 and under, $30 for children age 3-12, and $45 for adults age 13 and older.

Join thousands of animal lovers for a celebration of compassionate living in one of the top vegan-friendly cities in the country: Asheville, NC! Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s 4th annual Asheville VeganFest, will take place June 8-10th. This year’s tagline “save the animals, save the earth” will focus on animal agriculture as the #1 cause of climate change, mass species extinction, and animal cruelty.
On Friday and Saturday, speakers from around the country will tackle the latest vegan issues at The Orange Peel. Speakers include Jane Velez-Mitchell (of Jane Unchained), Dr. Garth Davis (featured in Forks Over Knives, and medical director of Mission Hospital Weight Management Center), Sailesh Rao (co-producer of Cowspiracy), Earthling Ed (co-founder and co-director of Surge, a creative grassroots animal rights organization), and more!
This year during VeganFest weekend, Brother Wolf will also be hosting two nights of entertainment at The Orange Peel, featuring comedian Lee Camp on Friday and afrobeat musical guests Antibalas on Saturday. Tickets, starting at $14, can be purchased at www.theorangepeel.net. All proceeds will benefit the Brother Wolf Animal Sanctuary and the work Brother Wolf is doing to save thousands of animals each year.
On Sunday, enjoy an outdoor festival at Pack Square with over 75 vendors showcasing vegan food, beer, lifestyle products, educational speakers, and more!
Asheville VeganFest events are free and open to the public, except for ticketed benefit shows on Friday and Saturday nights.
All proceeds from Asheville VeganFest will benefit Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s tireless work to promote Uncompromised Compassion and build No-Kill communities.
Visit www.veganfest.bwar.org for a full schedule of the weekend’s events, speakers, and vendors.
About the Festival:
Asheville VeganFest is a celebration of compassionate living in one of the country’s top-rated vegan-friendly cities. Now in its fourth year, Asheville VeganFest is better than ever, with a broad and diverse mix of A-list speakers and a great line-up of night time entertainment! Over 15,000 visitors from all walks of life are expected to attend this free, family-friendly, inspiring (and not to mention delicious) 3 day long celebration!
About Lee Camp:
From Redacted Tonight, Comedian & Writer Lee Camp comes to The Orange Peel to perform during Asheville VeganFest to Benefit Brother Wolf Animal Sanctuary. Lee is the head writer and host of the national TV show Redacted Tonight with Lee Camp on RT America. He’s a former contributor to The Onion, former staff humor writer for the Huffington Post, and his web series
“Moment of Clarity” has been viewed by millions. He’s toured the country and the world with his fierce brand of standup comedy, and George Carlin’s daughter Kelly said he’s one of the few comics keeping her father’s torch lit. Bill Hicks’s brother Steve said Lee is one of only a handful with Bill’s “message and passion.” For more go to LeeCamp.net.
“An incredibly funny man.” –John Oliver
“An amazing writer and a great political thinker. He’s the change you and I want to see.” -Janeane Garofalo
“Imagine Jon Stewart if he gave a damn. He’s like Howard Zinn after 12 beers.” -David Swanson

Camp Bow Wow, the Premier Doggy Day and Overnight Camp franchise and an Entrepreneur Franchise 500 company, is proud to announce the Grand Opening of its brand new location in in Asheville, North Carolina at 5 Airport Road. To celebrate, all members of the surrounding community are invited to the Camp’s Grand Opening Adoption Event on Saturday, June 9th from 12:00pm – 4:00pm for a fun-filled day of food, music, activities, and the chance to discover the premium pet care services that Camp Bow Wow is known for nationwide. All members of the community and media are welcome to attend. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to meet with adorable and adoptable dogs from shelters and rescues including Yancey County Humane Society, Blue Ridge Humane Society, Rusty’s Legacy and Foothills Humane Society, as well as join the on-site activities, including Jenga, Cornhole, and an inflatable water slide. Camp owner, Avery Griffin will be available for on-site interviews, photos/videos, Camp tours, etc. and our pet experts are also available to offer tips/insights on a number of pet topics, from the benefits of adoption to lifestyle tips and more. Come out to support local shelters and maybe even find your fur-ever friend!
Toot! Toot! Experience Day Out With Thomas like never before at Tweetsie Railroad. Ride the train behind Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hat, play in Imagination Station, and enjoy storytelling and live music! PLUS have a full day at Tweetsie Railroad with amusement rides, deer park zoo, panning for gold, live entertainment and more!
This event takes place from June 8 to June 17, 2018. Tickets include one ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, Thomas & Friends themed activities and admission to the theme park. Free for children age 2 and under, $30 for children age 3-12, and $45 for adults age 13 and older.
Event Type: Local Event
Event Category: Art & Culture
Contact: Grovewood Village
Contact Phone: (828) 253-7651
Link: https://www.grovewood.com/
Falling, a solo exhibition of contemporary paintings by Michael Francis Reagan, opens at Grovewood Gallery on Saturday, June 9, with an artist’s reception from 2-5pm (free and open to the public). This show will feature acrylic paintings on canvas from Reagan’s popular Falling Series, inspired by a haunting memory of a childhood encounter with a mourning dove that had fallen from the sky. This exhibition will remain on view through Sunday, July 15, 2018.
Reagan received a degree in art and American literature and an MFA in painting from the University of Arkansas. Aside from his paintings, Reagan has established himself as one of American’s leading mapmakers. As a freelance illustrator, he has been employed by major publications such as National Geographic, The New Yorker, Smithsonian magazine, Travel and Leisure, and The New York Times. Reagan’s bird paintings and environmental maps continue to be commissioned by Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, The National Parks of America, and other conservation organizations.
Xpand Fest is a community-driven outdoor street festival with music, arts and fun on Coxe and Buxton Avenue in Asheville, NC on June 9th. Xpand Fest is the signature event of Xpand Your Vision (XYV) an arts organizing nonprofit who believes that strengthening our community is the way to empower others cities, states and countries.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 250-4260
Event Location: BC Sports Park – 58 Apac Cir, Asheville, NC
Pop Up Playground – OPEN Play sessions at the Buncombe County Sports Park.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (828) 250-4260
Link: https://www.hikewnc.info/trailheads/short-hikes-near-asheville/
Sleepy Gap
Distance: 3.4 miles out and back
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate,Climbs Moderately, Some Obstacles
Trail Description: https://www.hikewnc.info/trailheads/short-hikes-near-asheville/
Meetup Location: Walnut CoveOverlook, Blue Ridge Parkway
Hike Leader: Buncombe CountyRecreation Services, 828.250.4260, [email protected]

