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, August 3, 2024
Cabaret
Aug 3 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Cabaret

Book by Joe Masteroff

Based on the play by John Van Druten

and Stories by Christopher Isherwood

Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb

Willkommen to the Kit Kat Klub! A Berlin Nightclub at the end of the 1920s. Hitler’s totalitarian regime and the Nazi Party are on the rise. Be transported back in time and welcome for the first time at Flat Rock Playhouse, Kander and Ebb’s Broadway sensation, Cabaret! Dark and sensual, it will break your heart and lift your spirits more wildly than anything else you’ll see this season.  “Cabaret is one of the great Broadway musicals and musical scores of all time–an exhilarating, harrowing masterpiece.” –Time Out New York

*Adult language and content. Parental discretion is advised.

97th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Aug 3 @ 7:00 pm
Kittredge Theatre

We are excited to announce that the 97th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival will be held August 1, 2, and 3, 2024 in the lovely Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College due to the upcoming renovation of UNCA Lipinsky Auditorium.

Much appreciation to Ingles for their support of the very successful 96th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival

97th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival

Kittredge Theatre
Warren Wilson College
701 Warren Wilson Road
Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

August 1, 2, 3, 2024
Shows begin at 7 PM

Advance tickets: eventbrite.com after December 1, 2023

Prices to be as follows:

Adult: $20.00/advance, $25.00/at door;  Students: $5.00/Advance, $10.00/at door; Children under 12: $5.00; Groups of 10 or more: $15.00 each/Advance, $20.00 each/at door; 3-night package $55.00/advance, $60.00 at door.

Legally Blonde the Musical
Aug 3 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

America’s favorite blonde, Elle Woods, is ready to prove who’s in charge in this fabulously fun, award-winning musical based on the adored movie. In the ultimate tribute to girl power, Legally Blonde follows Elle’s transformation from the UCLA sorority house to the Harvard halls of justice as she tackles stereotypes and scandal to pursue her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with pink, memorable songs, and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!

Sunday, August 4, 2024
AVLFest 2024
Aug 4 all-day
Various Locations Asheville NC

AVLFEST

WE’RE BACK!!  Spotlighting Asheville’s diverse music and arts scene, AVLFest will once again fill area concert halls, clubs, and outdoor venues alike with an exceptional lineup of local, regional, and national talent featuring a multitude of artists and performers! Performance showcases are set to take place Thursday August 1 through Sunday August 4 with wristbands granting passholders entry to 20+ Asheville stages, discounts at numerous local retailers and restaurants, as well as presale access and discounts to various events surrounding AVLFest weekend.  Many more details will be released shortly.

Once purchased, your festival pass will be exchanged for a festival wristband upon arrival. Proof of purchase and corresponding identification will be required at check-in. 

Jack’s Bluegrass Brunch
Aug 4 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

Jack’s Bluegrass Brunch kicks off every Sunday at 12 noon — with lively bluegrass tunes courtesy of The Jack of the Wood Bluegrass Brunch Boys from 1-3pm. Sip a Bloody Mary or Mimosa or a warm Irish coffee. Tasty brunch specials alongside our regular menu and 18 taps of rotating craft brews! Sláinte, y’all!

Live Music Saturdays
Aug 4 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Grove Arcade
Enjoy live music from local singer-songwriters in the Atrium of the Grove Arcade each Saturday from 12-3pm!
Stop by to kick your weekend off with shopping from local merchants and tunes from local musicians.
Kingfisher Folk Fest (Music Festival)
Aug 4 @ 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Oaks at Daniel Ridge

Join us for a day of Music (Folk & Bluegrass), Storytellers, Dancing, Kids Activities, Food & Beverages!

Headlining is The Hillbilly Thomists, whose album hit #3 on Billboard’s bluegrass chart, as well as being in the top 20 of all albums on Amazon. Joining them will be The Resonant Rogues & Stranger and Pilgram.

Check out the registration page for samples of the bands, as well as ticketing options.

Come on out & enjoy yourself on a summer Sunday afternoon & evening! Bring the family!

MUSIC AT THE VINEYARD – STEVE WEAMS + THE CARIBBEAN COWBOYS
Aug 4 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room & Winery

Join us Sunday, August 4 from 2-5 pm at Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room and Winery for live music at the vineyard from Steve Weams & The Caribbean Cowboys BandSteve Weams and The Caribbean Cowboys Band have been entertaining audiences for over 30 years as one of the country’s Top 20 Jimmy Buffett tribute bands. The band plays primarily in Western North Carolina. However, they have traveled from Key West to New York City and everywhere in between to perform.

While The Caribbean Cowboys play a wide variety of music, Steve and the band provide songs of the island lifestyle. They’ll cover artists such as Jimmy Buffett, Zach Brown, Kenny Chesney, and Scott Kirby. Expect the best of Classic and Southern Rock, Rhythm and blues, Reggae, Beach Tunes, and Country. You may even hear a few classics from Frank Sinatra and Elvis, along with some Caribbean Cowboys Band originalsSteve and the Band have performed from NYC to the British Virgin Islands and will be at the Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room and Winery on Sunday, August 4 from 2-5 PM. Come for some island vibes, great food, award-winning wine, and fun times! We can’t wait to see you here!

Legally Blonde the Musical
Aug 4 @ 3:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

America’s favorite blonde, Elle Woods, is ready to prove who’s in charge in this fabulously fun, award-winning musical based on the adored movie. In the ultimate tribute to girl power, Legally Blonde follows Elle’s transformation from the UCLA sorority house to the Harvard halls of justice as she tackles stereotypes and scandal to pursue her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with pink, memorable songs, and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!

TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION
Aug 4 @ 3:30 pm
Jack of the Wood

Jack’s long-running Traditional Irish Music Session is the perfect way to enjoy the Celtic-influenced sounds of talented pluckers from all over WNC & further afield! Stop in to enjoy a pint or afternoon Irish coffee with the music! Sláinte!

Monday, August 5, 2024
Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series: Pickin’ in the Park
Aug 5 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pritchard Park

The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

 

Mondays: Pickin’ in the Park

Enjoy performances by local singer-songwriters in an intimate and relaxed setting. Experience the rich musical heritage of Asheville as talented musicians share their stories and songs.

Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Music at the Bistro
Aug 6 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Join us at the Bistro Stage most Tuesdays for music from The Arbor Trio!

The Arbor Trio features Mack Johnston on mandolin, Melanie Johnston on Mountain Dulcimer and Jeff McKelvey on guitar and vocals. The group plays a wide variety of musical genres.

Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series: Hoop Jam
Aug 6 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Tuesdays: Hoop Jam

Join the fun with hula hoops and a live DJ. Whether you’re a seasoned hooper or a beginner, this vibrant event invites everyone to dance, spin, and groove to the music in a welcoming and energetic atmosphere.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER
Aug 6 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall

If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses… think again.

Straight No Chaser (SNC) are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch. They have emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fanbase and a long list of accomplishments including 2 RIAA Gold Certified albums, over 1.5 million concert tickets sold, over 1 billion streams on Pandora, and over 2 million albums sold worldwide. Straight No Chaser is the real deal, the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense… and with a sense of humor.

Wednesday, August 7, 2024
OLD-TIME JAM Old-Time Mountain + Folk Music
Aug 7 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Jack of the Wood


Grab some dinner and a pint while enjoying our long-running Old-Time jam! Featuring many talented musicians from the local WNC area, our traditional Appalachian mountain music jam runs from 5-9pm every Wednesday night at Jack of the Wood!

Sing Your Heart Out
Aug 7 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Sing songs that celebrate Peace & Community, with Resident Teaching Artist Melissa McKinney. Sing, play, drum, and dance while learning songs from the Justice Choir Songbook.

Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
$15 drop-in class
All ages welcome.

Karaoke Night
Aug 7 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Karaoke Night at Hickory Tavern

IDINA MENZEL
Aug 7 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall

Menzel is a Tony-Award winning, powerhouse multi-hyphenate: a singer, an actress in film and TV, a songwriter, a Broadway star, and a philanthropist. She rose to fame for her role as Maureen in the popular Broadway musical Rent, and her career took off when she won a Tony Award for her role as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the smash musical Wicked.

Her voice can be heard as Elsa in Disney’s Oscar® winning Frozen, the second highest grossing animated films of all time, with more than $1.2 billion in worldwide box office revenue. The film’s song “Let It Go”, voiced by Menzel, became an instant international phenomenon, winning the Oscar® for Best Original Song–where Menzel performed it at the ceremony–and the Grammy® Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. The track reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Menzel the first artist with both a Billboard Top 10 hit and a Tony Award for acting. Menzel received the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award at Billboard’s annual Women in Music event in 2014 and performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLIX.

A skillful songwriter, Menzel’s prolific recording career includes multiple cast albums and the solo albums: Still I Can’t Be StillHereI Stand and idina, which landed in the Top 30 on Billboard’s Top 200 charts upon its release in 2016. She’s released 2 holiday-themed albums, Holiday Wishes, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Holiday Albums chart and gave Menzel a Top 10 album on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and its 2019 follow-up, Christmas: A Season of Love featuring duets with Ariana Grande, Billy Porter, Josh Gad and Idina’s husband, Aaron Lohr.

This past fall, Menzel released her electrifying dance project Drama Queen via BMG. The project is a departure from what she’s released in the past, as Menzel showcases her powerhouse vocals through disco-infused beats and soaring anthems. Idina worked with award-winning collaborators including Nile Rodgers (Chic, Diana Ross, Beyonce), Justin Tranter (Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez), Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters), Sir Nolan (Shawn Mendes, Carly Rae Jepsen), Jim Eliot (Elie Goulding, Kylie Minogue) and more.

Menzel has also released two children’s picture books alongside her sister, Cara Mentzel, called “Loud Mouse,” and “Proud Mouse” via Disney Publishing Worldwide. Both books center around self-acceptance and being true to yourself.

Thursday, August 8, 2024
Steel Drum Performance 
Aug 8 @ 2:00 pm
Hands On

August 8,  2024 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm . Watch a live Steel Drum musical performance at Hands On! Children’s Museum! This event is FREE with admission and advanced registation is not required.

Pritchard Park Summer Series: Singer/Songwriter Series
Aug 8 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pritchard Park

For this year’s Pritchard Park Songwriter Series, the Asheville Association is teaming up with Paloma Madre who are best known for bringing Asheville the wildly successful, international concept, Open Folk. Each week will feature two world class songwriters from our community playing introspective and honest tunes about life in the 21st century. Pritchard Park will once again be filled with the sweet sounding songs of heartbreak, true love, heavy loss, and lots and lots of goofin. It’s a guaranteed good time that won’t cost you a dime!!

BLUEGRASS JAM Hosted by Drew Matulich
Aug 8 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

BLUEGRASS JAM

Hosted by Drew Matulich


Don’t miss your chance to check out some of the best pickers from all over WNC at our amazing Bluegrass Jam curated by the talented Drew Matulich — every Thursday starting at 7:00 pm! A real show-stopping performance only at Jack of the Wood! Open jam starts at 9:30 pm.

THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND
Aug 8 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall

When you wake up and want to put a smile on your face, you think of the songs that always manage to reach down and touch your soul the moment you hear the first note. The Marshall Tucker Band is one such group that continues to have a profound level of impact on successive generations of listeners who’ve been “Searchin’ for a Rainbow” and found it perfectly represented by this tried-and-true Southern institution over the decades.

The Marshall Tucker Band came together as a young, hungry, and quite driven six-piece outfit in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1972, having duly baptized themselves with the name of a blind piano tuner after they found it inscribed on a key to their original rehearsal space – and they’ve been in tune with tearing it up on live stages both big and small all across the globe ever since.

Plus, the band’s mighty music catalog, consisting of more than 20 studio albums and a score of live releases, has racked up multi-platinum album sales many times over. A typically rich MTB setlist is bubbling over with a healthy dose of hits like the heartfelt singalong “Heard It in a Love Song,” the insistent pleading of “Can’t You See” (the signature tune of MTB’s late co-founding lead guitarist and then-principal songwriter Toy Caldwell), the testifying “Fire on the Mountain,” the wanderlust gallop of “Long Hard Ride,” and the explosive testimony of “Ramblin,’” to name but a few.

Indeed, the secret ingredient to the ongoing success of The Marshall Tucker Band’s influence can be felt and seen far and wide through mainstream digital outlets, many respected contemporaries and the legacy of The Marshall Tucker Band, which continues to be carried forward by original frontman Doug Gray and his current bandmates.

Michelle Malone with Mike Kinnebrew at The Grey Eagle
Aug 8 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Don’t miss Rock Goddess Michelle Malone with special guest Mike Kinnebrew August 8 at The Grey Eagle at 8pm!

Michelle Malone’s musical roots run deep and wide like the mighty Mississippi river, twisting and turning through southern rock, folk and country blues territories. Her powerful live show will take you on a journey from dirty back roads of the deep slow south to frantic bright city lights. Michelle “has the soul of a blues man, the heart of a folk singer, and the guts of a rock and roll star wrapped up in one fiery bad ass” (NASHVILLE RAGE), and she’s “uniquely able to blow the roof off the place then turn right around and whisper a soft song that will break your damn heart” (PASTE) Her live show is refreshingly engaging, authentic and joyful!

Singer-songwriter Mike Kinnebrew’s innovative soulful, indie-inflected take on the folk and Americana sound has earned him the hearts of a diverse and growing fanbase across the world over 25 years and counting. After spending most of 2023 in the studio, Mike is preparing for a big year ahead with a full-length album release slated for spring 2024, in collaboration with Nashville Grammy winners Charlie Lowell and Matt Odmark.

Friday, August 9, 2024
Acoustic Jam Session
Aug 9 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sideways Farm & Brewery

Plan to collaborate with other musicians at Sideways Farm & Brewery in Etowah. Bring your instruments and voices and enjoy making music and networking with other artists, while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Food truck is on site and beverages available for purchase from Sideways (small
batch craft beers, hard jun, ciders, wine, and non alcoholic drinks). Family, fans, friends, and leashed dogs are all welcome!
During winter months enjoy playing under the covered, sheltered, heated porch! And during the summer months enjoy
collaborating in the fields, on the stage, or under the patio

Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series: Drum Circle
Aug 9 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pritchard Park

The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Drum Circle

The Asheville Downtown Association is proud to facilitate the return of Asheville’s iconic Drum Circle. Feel the rhythm and join the beat as the community comes together for an evening of drumming, dancing, and camaraderie.

All the World’s a Stage a new musical by Adam Gwon
Aug 9 @ 7:00 pm
Gunter Theatre

Adam Gwon made his off-Broadway debut in 2009 with Ordinary Days, at Roundabout Theatre Company. Ordinary Days later opened in London’s West End in 2011 and was produced around the world, from Paris to Rio de Janeiro. A 2018 revival by the Keen Company was nominated for a Drama League Award for Best Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical. This commission from the Keen Company in New York tells the story of Math teacher Ricky Alleman, who is starting the 1996 school year at Valley High, determined to fit in with his new school’s small town ways. When Sam, a proudly iconoclastic high school senior, spots Ricky at a local play, she cajoles him into coaching her for the State Thespian Competition. Soon, Ricky has trouble preserving his carefully compartmentalized life: his increasingly activist boyfriend Michael, his increasingly conservative Principal, and his new friend Dede, the school secretary who sees in Ricky a burst of excitement to quell her own long-simmering ennui. All the World’s a Stage is a funny and heart-wrenching new musical about being true to ourselves in a world that wants us to play pretend.

Woods & Wilds Annual Storytelling Event
Aug 9 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Highland Brewing

Immerse yourself in the beauty of our forests with captivating stories and live music. Enjoy a magical night filled with the rhythm of live performances, the wonder of nature, and inspiring forest talks. This unique adventure offers an opportunity to connect with nature, learn from storytellers, and engage with the community. If you love nature, don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.

ORDINARY DAYS A musical by Adam Gwon
Aug 9 @ 7:30 pm
Parkway Playhouse

ORDINARY DAYS

A musical by Adam Gwon

Directed by Jeff Catanese
Music Direction by Lynda Shuler

Connections are all around us in this impactful play. Lost items, missed taxis, tragedy, they’re all red strings that tie us to one another. Comedic at times, poignant at others, this musical features four characters whose stories are just a handful in the 8.3 million others that create the vibrance of the New York City landscape.

Saturday, August 10, 2024
Yala Cultural Tour
Aug 10 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Visit LEAF Global Arts every Saturday for an in-house cultural exchange with Adama Dembele. Experience the Ivory Coast with our Culture Keeper from the House of Djembe.

Yala Cultural Tour + Drum Workshop
Aug 10 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts
Visit LEAF Global Arts every Saturday for an in-house cultural exchange with Adama Dembele. Experience the Ivory Coast with our Culture Keeper from the House of Djembe.
Stay for an all-ages Drum Workshop, no experience necessary.