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.

Sunday, December 18, 2022
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza
Dec 18 @ 6:30 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co

12/18 Asheville Pizza & Brewing
What: Asheville’s Premier Standup Feature & Open Mic comedy
When: Sunday, December 18, 6:30pm
Where: Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., Theater 2
675 Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville (onsite parking)
Tickets: $14
Comedy open mic. [signup at the door to get 3-5m. Free entry for performing comics, free pizza at comics table]
Hosted by Mario Trevizo featuring Moira Goree, Art Sturtevant and Jason Webb

Russ Wilson Presents “Have Yourself a Swingin’ Little Christmas!”
Dec 18 @ 7:30 pm
Isis Music Hall-Main stage

Remember the days when TV was actually GOOD? And remember all those great Christmas music spectaculars hosted by Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and so many others? GUESS WHAT?!?!

RUSS WILSON AND HIS FAMOUS ORCHESTRA are presenting that same great musical entertainment at the Isis Restaurant and Music Hall on December 18th in their 10th Annual Holiday Extravaganza “HAVE YOURSELF A SWINGIN’ LITTLE CHRISTMAS!”

Along with Russ and His All Star Orchestra will be Wendy Jones and an array of special guests bringing a healthy dose of holiday cheer to you. Fun for the entire family. This is THE musical event of the season.

Make your reservations now. Get a good seat – they will go fast.

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis Music Hall. Reservations are highly recommended.

General Admission Tickets are available on line :: Call the venue for Reserved Seating Tickets and Dinner Reservations at 828-575-2737

Main Floor Reserved Tickets are available with dinner reservations only :::: There is a $20 minimum in food and beverage purchases per person with your dinner reservation :::: These are the only main floor tickets available :::: You MUST call venue to make a dinner reservation & purchase your tickets :::: General Admission Tickets are available for the Balcony only :: There is no dinner service for balcony seating.

40 BOYZ
Dec 18 @ 8:00 pm
The Pulp
J Roddy Walston’s 2nd Annual Christmas to the Bone Tour
Dec 18 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY

J RODDY WALSTON

Ring the bells of yuletide hell yeahs! The King of Eggnog No No’s (aka J Roddy Walston) is back with his 2nd annual ‘Christmas to the Bone’ tour! Come and bear witness to new Christmas songs that could only come from natural born strange rangers like J Roddy Walston and the Tennessee Tinsel…. Old classic Christmas songs done at full volume? That’s a big ole holiday yes too!!!   ….but wait there’s more, stick around for an encore that some would call the gift that keeps on giving for fans of J Roddy and his catalog of certified rock and roll bangers!!!! Merry dang Christmas to the Bone America!

Monday, December 19, 2022
Biltmore Park Town Square MANNA FOODBANK donations
Dec 19 all-day
REI Co-op and Regal Biltmore Grande

It’s the Season for Giving

Join us in helping to ensure members of the WNC community have enough nutritious food to eat this holiday season. In partnership with MANNA Food Bank, we’re hosting a holiday food drive and requesting donations of healthy, non-perishable food items as well as personal hygiene products. Donations will be delivered to MANNA, weighed, and distributed to those in need. Collection barrels are set up inside the lobbies of REI Co-op and Regal Biltmore Grande through December 19th.

Dollhouse Raffle
Dec 19 all-day
online

Win this Dollhouse!
Thanks to a generous patron, TFAC is raffling off this donated dollhouse to support its activities.
Donate to Greenworks Double your impact with a $50,000 match!
Dec 19 all-day
online

We’ve got so many reasons to give thanks! In each of our program areas, we see ordinary people taking heroic action to protect our home from the pressures of a changing climate.

 

This year-end, we’re highlighting stories that inspired us and sharing how we’re planting seeds to create a climate-resilient future for all of us.

 

With our native pollinators, more is more. The more habitat we plant, the more easily our native pollinators can find shelter and food, the more resilient they become to the challenges posed by pesticides and extreme heat—the more stable our entire food ecosystem becomes.

Give!Local fundraiser! Nature Center and Weiler Woods for Wildlife
Dec 19 all-day
online w/ WNC Nature Center

From November 1 to December 31, you can support the WNC Nature Center through Mountain Xpress’ Give!Local fundraiser!
Your donation gives you great incentives from the Nature Center and Mountain Xpress, and your gift will be matched by Weiler Woods for Wildlife up to $2,500, with the entire donation coming to the Friends of the WNC Nature Center!
This is a powerful way to support local nonprofits and your community during the holiday season!
Here are a few of the awesome perks of supporting the Friends:
  • Donate $25+ and get a day pass to the WNC Nature Center.
  • Donate $50+ and get an animal sticker and a day pass.
  • Donate $100+ and get an animal tracks necklace, animal sticker, and a day pass.
  • Donate $250+ and get a a guided tour of the Nature Center with animal enrichment for two people, plus the necklace, sticker, and day pass. PLUS, you’ll be entered to win a chance to go on habitat with red pandas Leafa and Phoenix in 2023!
The Wish Tree- Older Adults + Adults w/ Disabilities and Foster Care Wish Tree
Dec 19 all-day
online

Make A Wish Come True This Holiday Season

Wishes

Ready the hot cocoa and pull out your decorations; it’s time for another holiday season.  As you begin your holiday preparation traditions, remember to visit the Buncombe County Wish Trees! This year we are offering two opportunities to spread cheer throughout the community:

Foster Care Wish Tree

Each year children in foster care and young adults participating in Extended Foster Care in Buncombe County submit a list of wishes they would like for the holidays. Signing up to sponsor a child or young adult is easy! Just follow the link below and select the child or young adult you would like to sponsor. After signing up, you will receive email confirmation that provides a copy of the wish list and all the instructions for drop off. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow up email in its entirety.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR A CHILD

Direct Questions to Amber Cook

 [email protected]
(828) 250-5824

The Wish Tree- Fulfilling Wishes of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

There are a lot of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities in Buncombe County in need of connection this holiday season. Show a  Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities how much you care by sponsoring them this holiday season. Signing up to sponsor a Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities  is easy. Just follow the link below, select the  Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities you would like to sponsor, and check your email for confirmation, a reminder of what your Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities would like this holiday season, and drop off instructions. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow up email in its entirety.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR AN OLDER ADULT OR AN ADULT WITH DISABILITIES

A note from HHS

The holidays can be hard for a lot of people, children in foster care, older adults, and adults with disabilities in particular. Holidays are a time when family and friends gather together, show support for one another, and shower each other with love, kindness, and generosity. Each year, we have an opportunity to deliver the holiday spirit to children in foster care, older adults, and adults with disabilities through our wish tree gift drives. The expressions of joy and excitement on our clients faces as we deliver their gifts reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday season, connection. Yes, the gifts are nice. But the real gift is knowing that someone loves and cares. That is what we deliver to our clients. Thank you in advance for your generous sponsorship.

Winter Wonderland at The Grove Arcade
Dec 19 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
The Grove Arcade

see the beautiful holiday decorations and lights. Plus find lots of great gifts at the many local shops and businesses
Complimentary Wine Tastings Biltmore
Dec 19 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Biltmore Estate

Capacity is limited.
Tasting room by reservation only. Make reservations in-person on the day of your Winery visit.

To participate in this activity, guest must have a daytime ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass, or a stay at one of the estate’s splendid overnight properties.

Reservations are required for all wine tastings and must be made on the day of your visit. Because our complimentary wine tastings fill up quickly, we recommend you reserve your tasting when you arrive for your visit.

Archetype Brewing is partnering with The Blood Connection to sponsor regular community blood drives
Dec 19 @ 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Archetype Brewing--West
176368147_2899384213641696_716286062106311865_n
Archetype Brewing is partnering with The Blood Connection to sponsor regular community blood drives for our AVL community. The bloodmobile will be at 265 Haywood Road, Asheville. Each blood donor will receive a $20 Visa gift card as a thank you for donating!
The Blood Connection is also doing a COVID-19 antibody screening on all blood donations and you will be able to get these results 7 business days after donating.
Each blood donation saves up to 3 lives! Donors need to be at least 16 years old (16 year old need a permission slip which will be at the blood drive), weigh at least 110 pounds, have ID and be in general good health.
Harris Teeter’s Harvest Feast Round-Up Campaign
Dec 19 @ 6:21 pm
Harris Teeter

Help Us Meet the Need This Holiday Season

Round Up Campaigns & Community Events

We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.

  • Harris Teeter’s Harvest Feast Round-Up Campaign (11/2 – 12/27): Harris Teeter shoppers will be invited to Round Up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar at checkout to benefit local hunger relief partners. MANNA will be the recipient of funds raised at the Harris Teeter stores on Merrimon Ave. in Asheville and Spartanburg Hwy. in Hendersonville.
Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign
Dec 19 @ 6:26 pm
Whole Foods
  • We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.
  • Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign (11/30 – 12/20): Whole Foods shoppers are invited to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. Whole Foods will also match a donation to MANNA when a customer buys a locally made product.
Music Bingo Mondays
Dec 19 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Down Dog Yoga Studio and Dog Bar

Music Bingo Mondays

Join us every Monday night for Singo (Musical Bingo)!

Singo will run from 7-8:15 pm.

No reservations needed, just get ready for a good time and a chance to win some Down Dog prizes!

Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Dollhouse Raffle
Dec 20 all-day
online

Win this Dollhouse!
Thanks to a generous patron, TFAC is raffling off this donated dollhouse to support its activities.
Donate to Greenworks Double your impact with a $50,000 match!
Dec 20 all-day
online

We’ve got so many reasons to give thanks! In each of our program areas, we see ordinary people taking heroic action to protect our home from the pressures of a changing climate.

 

This year-end, we’re highlighting stories that inspired us and sharing how we’re planting seeds to create a climate-resilient future for all of us.

 

With our native pollinators, more is more. The more habitat we plant, the more easily our native pollinators can find shelter and food, the more resilient they become to the challenges posed by pesticides and extreme heat—the more stable our entire food ecosystem becomes.

Give Local: SAHAC and Wicked Weed
Dec 20 all-day
online
GiveLocal
                                                    campaign logo
SAHC is thrilled to be selected again this year to participate in the MountainXpress Give!Local Campaign. Our generous partners at Wicked Weed Brewing will MATCH donations up to $10,000! PLUS, anyone donating at a level of $100 or above will receive a $10 gift card from Wicked Weed. 

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

WHAT THEY DO: We permanently protect and steward our region’s most beloved natural areas. When you support local land and water conservation, you ensure our lands, our water, our wildlife and our farms will be there for future generations. SAHC is committed to creating and supporting equitable, healthy and thriving communities for everyone in our region.

sahc

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
Give!Local fundraiser! Nature Center and Weiler Woods for Wildlife
Dec 20 all-day
online w/ WNC Nature Center

From November 1 to December 31, you can support the WNC Nature Center through Mountain Xpress’ Give!Local fundraiser!
Your donation gives you great incentives from the Nature Center and Mountain Xpress, and your gift will be matched by Weiler Woods for Wildlife up to $2,500, with the entire donation coming to the Friends of the WNC Nature Center!
This is a powerful way to support local nonprofits and your community during the holiday season!
Here are a few of the awesome perks of supporting the Friends:
  • Donate $25+ and get a day pass to the WNC Nature Center.
  • Donate $50+ and get an animal sticker and a day pass.
  • Donate $100+ and get an animal tracks necklace, animal sticker, and a day pass.
  • Donate $250+ and get a a guided tour of the Nature Center with animal enrichment for two people, plus the necklace, sticker, and day pass. PLUS, you’ll be entered to win a chance to go on habitat with red pandas Leafa and Phoenix in 2023!
The Wish Tree- Older Adults + Adults w/ Disabilities and Foster Care Wish Tree
Dec 20 all-day
online

Make A Wish Come True This Holiday Season

Wishes

Ready the hot cocoa and pull out your decorations; it’s time for another holiday season.  As you begin your holiday preparation traditions, remember to visit the Buncombe County Wish Trees! This year we are offering two opportunities to spread cheer throughout the community:

Foster Care Wish Tree

Each year children in foster care and young adults participating in Extended Foster Care in Buncombe County submit a list of wishes they would like for the holidays. Signing up to sponsor a child or young adult is easy! Just follow the link below and select the child or young adult you would like to sponsor. After signing up, you will receive email confirmation that provides a copy of the wish list and all the instructions for drop off. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow up email in its entirety.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR A CHILD

Direct Questions to Amber Cook

 [email protected]
(828) 250-5824

The Wish Tree- Fulfilling Wishes of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

There are a lot of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities in Buncombe County in need of connection this holiday season. Show a  Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities how much you care by sponsoring them this holiday season. Signing up to sponsor a Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities  is easy. Just follow the link below, select the  Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities you would like to sponsor, and check your email for confirmation, a reminder of what your Older Adult and or Adult with Disabilities would like this holiday season, and drop off instructions. We are taking extra precautions due to COVID-19 so be sure to read the follow up email in its entirety.

CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR AN OLDER ADULT OR AN ADULT WITH DISABILITIES

A note from HHS

The holidays can be hard for a lot of people, children in foster care, older adults, and adults with disabilities in particular. Holidays are a time when family and friends gather together, show support for one another, and shower each other with love, kindness, and generosity. Each year, we have an opportunity to deliver the holiday spirit to children in foster care, older adults, and adults with disabilities through our wish tree gift drives. The expressions of joy and excitement on our clients faces as we deliver their gifts reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday season, connection. Yes, the gifts are nice. But the real gift is knowing that someone loves and cares. That is what we deliver to our clients. Thank you in advance for your generous sponsorship.

Asheville + Grateful Bread Team Up for Winter Coat Drive
Dec 20 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville

 

For the second consecutive year, Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville (HCCA) and Grateful Bread will team up to host a Winter Coat Drive to benefit our local community. Guests, community members, and more are encouraged to bring their lightly used and recently cleaned jackets, coats, and related winter apparel to the HCCA Box Office during business hours (Tuesday-Friday, 10a-4p) or during active event times until December 22nd. Grateful Bread will also be hosting a special pop up coat drive event on December 10th in front of the venue for the Christmas Jam.
Winter Wonderland at The Grove Arcade
Dec 20 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
The Grove Arcade

see the beautiful holiday decorations and lights. Plus find lots of great gifts at the many local shops and businesses
Complimentary Wine Tastings Biltmore
Dec 20 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Biltmore Estate

Capacity is limited.
Tasting room by reservation only. Make reservations in-person on the day of your Winery visit.

To participate in this activity, guest must have a daytime ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass, or a stay at one of the estate’s splendid overnight properties.

Reservations are required for all wine tastings and must be made on the day of your visit. Because our complimentary wine tastings fill up quickly, we recommend you reserve your tasting when you arrive for your visit.

Trivia Tour
Dec 20 @ 4:00 pm
Downtown Asheville

Imagine a solid trivia stack with a magnetic host in an outdoor intimate setting.  Then add the excitement of BYOB and pedaling around the City on a one-of-a-kind contraption.

Kinda like if Willy Wonka did Trivia… you will be completely entertained, with no sense left unfulfilled.

And come back for more as we have several questions sets available with a good ole just for locals option!

Trivia tours seat up to 15 people, 1.5 or 40 mins hours long.  Bring your own beer in cans or wine and your thinking while drinking caps on let’s do this thing!

Tryon Resort’s Winterfest Village
Dec 20 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tryon Equestrian Center

This holiday season, visit Tryon Resort’s Winterfest Village to find festive fun for the entire family. Meet Santa and your favorite Who-ville characters with your Winterfest Village ticket, or come enjoy free live music and character interactions in Legends Plaza. There is something to get every member of the family in the holiday spirit!

Harris Teeter’s Harvest Feast Round-Up Campaign
Dec 20 @ 6:21 pm
Harris Teeter

Help Us Meet the Need This Holiday Season

Round Up Campaigns & Community Events

We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.

  • Harris Teeter’s Harvest Feast Round-Up Campaign (11/2 – 12/27): Harris Teeter shoppers will be invited to Round Up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar at checkout to benefit local hunger relief partners. MANNA will be the recipient of funds raised at the Harris Teeter stores on Merrimon Ave. in Asheville and Spartanburg Hwy. in Hendersonville.
Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign
Dec 20 @ 6:26 pm
Whole Foods
  • We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.
  • Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign (11/30 – 12/20): Whole Foods shoppers are invited to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. Whole Foods will also match a donation to MANNA when a customer buys a locally made product.
Be Part of a Community: Open Mic Night
Dec 20 @ 7:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

White Horse’s legendary Open Mic re-starts after a year off for bad behavior (COVID, really). Host Bill Altork will help us present wonderfully talented folks on their way up. The signup sheet is placed on the bar at 6:30 and the first ten to sign in are the performers for the evening. Each gets 15 minutes or three songs. It’s a lot of fun… especially since it’s free!

We’ll be following all COVID-19 protocols and we ask that you wear your mask when you’re not singing or enjoying a beverage from the bar.

Join us to share your music or just enjoy an evening in the audience!

Trivia Tuesday
Dec 20 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Down Dog Yoga Studio and Dog Bar

Trivia Tuesday

Join us every Tuesday night for Trivia!

Trivia will run from 7-8:15 pm. We will be capping the teams at 20 and teams will not be able to join after 7 so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot!

No reservations needed, just grab your thinking caps and get ready for a good time and a chance to win a $10, $20, or $30 gift certificate to Down Dog!

NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet
Dec 20 @ 8:00 pm
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium