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.

Friday, August 9, 2024
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
2nd Annual Appalachian Mountain Health Fair
Aug 10 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Appalachian Mountain Health - Asheville

Join us for the 2nd Annual Health Fair on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Appalachian Mountain Health in Asheville, located at 77 McDowell Street, Asheville, NC 28801. This exciting event will feature giveaways, engaging health workshops, fantastic prizes, delicious food, and a live DJ to keep the energy high. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about your health and wellness in a fun, community-focused environment. Don’t miss out on this family-friendly event—there’s something for everyone!

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.
Shindig on the Green
Aug 10 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Pack Square Park

Locals and visitors alike come together at downtown’s Pack Square Park “along about sundown,” or at 7:00 pm for those who wear a watch, and continues until 10:00 pm. Concessions are available!

2024 Dates
Shindig on the Green
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 10, 17, 24

The stage show takes place on the Bascom Lamar Lunsford stage, named for the founder of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. Since the outdoor event’s inception in 1967, hundreds of thousands of individuals from across the region and throughout the world have shared and enjoyed the rich traditional music and dance heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in this outdoor setting.

Shindig on the Green remains a free event due in part to net proceeds from ticket sales to the nation’s longest continually running festival, the granddaddy of all festivals, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival.

ORDINARY DAYS A musical by Adam Gwon
Aug 10 @ 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.

Sound Healing Concert @ AVL Salt Cave
Aug 10 @ 8:00 pm
Asheville Salt Cave

We invite you to unwind and find your center with us for this powerful session. Let this melodic and beautiful Sound Healing Concert lull you into a deep meditation, all while resting inside the majestic salt cave. This session is a performances by our very talented friend from Skinny Beats Drum Shop and Gallery-Billy Zanski. Come enjoy the sounds of singing crystal bowls, unique African instruments, and various drums. The music will vibrate throughout the walls of the Salt Cave, reaching and healing the deepest parts of your soul. $60 per person If it is full online please call (828-236-5999) as we may have a few extra seats that can be purchased.

Sunday, August 11, 2024
ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
Aug 11 all-day
online

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.

 

“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”

 

The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.

 

ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.

 

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

Jack’s Bluegrass Brunch
Aug 11 @ 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 11 @ 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.
ALMOST, MAINE
Aug 11 @ 2:30 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.

TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION
Aug 11 @ 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!

Music By the Lake – Tuxedo Junction
Aug 11 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Blue Ridge Community College

music by the lake


Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC

Each summer, Blue Ridge Community College offers summer concerts beside the College lake as a gift to the community. These free concerts feature a wide range of musical and vocal groups. Bring a lawn chairs and picnic to enjoy the music by the lake. Organized by Blue Ridge Community College.

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will take place in the Technology, Education & Development Center (TEDC) Building.

Monday, August 12, 2024
ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
Aug 12 all-day
online

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.

 

“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”

 

The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.

 

ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.

 

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series: Pickin’ in the Park
Aug 12 @ 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 13, 2024
Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series: Hoop Jam
Aug 13 @ 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.

Breath Medicine: Community Breathwork at The Restoration AVL
Aug 13 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
The Restoration Hotel Asheville

Restore yourself in community! Join The Breath Nurse for a donation-based full body reset that will leave you feeling lighter, more alive, motivated and energized (+ likely blissed out!) through the medicine of your breath in this monthly community breathwork event held in the stunning Solarium of The Restoration Hotel Asheville. Suggested self-care investment/donation: $10-$25. Enhance your well-being and tap into your true nature for self-care, personal growth and development, healing, transformation, and activation of yourself and your life for greater joy, happiness, and health over time! You’ll get out of your head as you reconnect with yourself and your body to breathe out stress, anxiety, overwhelm, self-criticism and whatever else might be weighing you down (ie: low mood, anger, disappointment, shame, stuckness) to make room for more peace, calm, clarity, and joy within.

Psychedelic Therapy Talk
Aug 13 @ 6:30 pm
Asheville Dispensary Elixir Bar

Come join us at Asheville Dispensary on Tuesday, August 13th at 6:30pm to hear a talk from Dr. Tiffany Sauls about Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, a series of Q&A, and some delicious drinks from the Elixir Bar! This will be a night full of relaxation and learning, and we look forward to seeing you there! Drinks will be discounted, and donation links will also be available to help raise money to support increased access to psychedelic therapy in Asheville.

JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT
Aug 13 @ 7:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Gates open at 5:30pm
All Ages – not recommended for children under 4
RAIN OR SHINE
CLEAR BAGS ONLY

Wednesday, August 14, 2024
ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
Aug 14 all-day
online

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.

 

“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”

 

The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.

 

ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.

 

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

OLD-TIME JAM Old-Time Mountain + Folk Music
Aug 14 @ 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 14 @ 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 14 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Karaoke Night at Hickory Tavern

Thursday, August 15, 2024
2024 Rhythm and Brews: Empire Strikes Brass
Aug 15 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
South Main Street

Presented by Horizon Heating & Air, Rhythm & Brews Concert Series brings together live music, local craft beverages, and the community! These FREE shows take place on the third Thursday of every month from May-September, closing part of South Main Street to make room for all the fun. Local food trucks will line the street cooking delicious eats from kettle corn to pizza to barbecue. Each show begins with an opener at 5:30 p.m. followed by the headlining performance from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.

2024 Rhythm & Brews Concert Series Lineup:

 

SEP19
OCT17

Opening acts will kick off each evening at 5:30 p.m. followed by the headliner performance from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.

BLUEGRASS JAM Hosted by Drew Matulich
Aug 15 @ 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.

TROUBLE NO MORE
Aug 15 @ 8:00 pm
Salvage Station

Trouble No More is a band of All-Star musicians celebrating the iconic early catalogue of the Allman Brothers Band.  Their intense and up-tempo renditions of the bands’ classic songs aim to bring energy and vitality back to the legacy of the “Best Band in the Land.” Trouble No More Includes: Acclaimed Guitarist/Vocalist Brandon “TAZ” Niederauer, nicknamed “TAZ” for his ferocious guitar playing, has performed in some of the most legendary venues, including Jimmy’s in 2022 & 2023. Prolific Bass Guitarist Dylan Niederauer who together with Brandon are “The Brothers,” GRAMMY ® Nominated Vocalist Lamar Williams Jr., son of Lamar Williams, bassist for The Allman Brothers Band, 5x-GRAMMY ® Nominated Keyboardist Peter Levin and Acclaimed contemporary Guitarist/Vocalist, Quinn Sullivan.

TROUBLE NO MORE
Aug 15 @ 8:00 pm
Salvage Station

Trouble No More is a band of All-Star musicians celebrating the iconic early catalogue of the Allman Brothers Band.  Their intense and up-tempo renditions of the bands’ classic songs aim to bring energy and vitality back to the legacy of the “Best Band in the Land.” Trouble No More Includes: Acclaimed Guitarist/Vocalist Brandon “TAZ” Niederauer, nicknamed “TAZ” for his ferocious guitar playing, has performed in some of the most legendary venues, including Jimmy’s in 2022 & 2023. Prolific Bass Guitarist Dylan Niederauer who together with Brandon are “The Brothers,” GRAMMY ® Nominated Vocalist Lamar Williams Jr., son of Lamar Williams, bassist for The Allman Brothers Band, 5x-GRAMMY ® Nominated Keyboardist Peter Levin and Acclaimed contemporary Guitarist/Vocalist, Quinn Sullivan.

Friday, August 16, 2024
ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
Aug 16 all-day
online

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.

 

“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”

 

The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.

 

ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.

 

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.