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.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Joe Zimmerman LIVE at The Peel
Aug 18 all-day
The Orange Peel

“The combination of Joe’s calming vocalization and inventive writing is a thing of magic. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable show.

—BuzzFeed

“Spectacular.”
—John Oliver, after seeing Joe at Webster Hall in New York

“Oh, that’s so funny to take an audience through real facts about Andrew Jackson, who’s on no one’s mind…. tell you real things he did and has jokes that are great, and it destroys…. my absolute grand envy.”
—John Mulaney in Vulture

“One of my favorite comedians”
— Brian Regan, before inviting Joe to tour with him

Joe Zimmerman started his comedy career right here in North Carolina. A local Asheville favorite, Joe moved to New York City in 2012 and has since been a comedy darling, appearing on his own Comedy Central Half Hour, The Tonight Show, Conan, The Late Late Show, John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show and Last Comic Standing. He is a regular at New York’s iconic Comedy Cellar, where one of his sets was featured on Comedy Central’s 2019 series, This Week at the Comedy Cellar. He has performed at The Kennedy Center & Radio City with Brian Regan. And if all that’s not enough Joe is also a writer and has contributed humor pieces to The New Yorker, and The New York Times, and has a popular blog called Humble Visionary.

Featuring and hosting for Joe are his good friends and local stand-up comedian celebrities, Cary Goff and Petey Smith McDowell. Cary, who runs The Disclaimer Standup Lounge (for over 10+ years), and has been co-producing the Slice of Life Comedy shows at Rabbit Rabbit, The Orange Peel Events Outdoor Summer Stage has performed comedy all over the west, north and sometimes east Asheville and as far away as Hendersonville. When he tells a joke at home his family will say ‘oh, I see you’re trying to be funny’,which is almost as good as laughing. Petey is an Asheville native who has been traveling around the country telling jokes since 2009. He has opened for Hannibal Buress, Trevor Noah, and Rory Scovel.

What: Slice of Life Comedy presents Joe Zimmerman LIVE at The Orange Peel
When: Wednesday August 18, 8p, Doors 7p
Where: The Orange Peel,
101 Bilmore Ave, Downtown Asheville
Cost: $25, fully seated show
FB: https://fb.me/e/1fZL5FDbA

Tickets: theorangepeel.net
For more information contact Michele Scheve at [email protected]

The SuperHappy Trivia Challenge
Aug 18 @ 7:30 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company

A two-year layoff has been just too much for host Adam Arthur and his idiot contestants. But they are back for three months of lukewarm competition and semi-sweet rivalries. Once a staple of the Asheville comedy scene, the return of this pseudo game show will be most welcome.
Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic every Wednesday 8:00pm at The Asheville Music Hall
Aug 18 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Asheville Music Hall

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 8pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Thursday, August 19, 2021
Gluten-Free Comedy, open mic at Ginger’s Revenge
Aug 19 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Ginger's Revenge
Sunset Rooftop Comedy Show
Aug 19 @ 6:30 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Slice of Life Comedy & Disclaimer Lounge present: Sunset Rooftop Standup Comedy by Local Professional Comics Every Thursday at Rabbit Rabbit

Come grab dinner and a show at Rabbit Rabbit, in Downtown Asheville Outside Theatre Space:
**Great Craft Rabbit-themed cocktails available
**AVL Pizza truck on-site & AVL Pizza full menu available
**Rooftop-seating, depending on weather
**Sanitized Headphones provided so you don’t miss a joke while getting your food & drinks, works anywhere around the venue

Hosted by: Cody Hughes
Featuring: Petey Smith McDowell, Hilliary Begely, Cary Goff, Morgan Bost, Blaine Perry, Marlene Thompson, Ben Sia Hian

 

 

Friday, August 20, 2021
A History of Stand-up, Part 1 – America’s Reflection in the Funhouse Mirror
Aug 20 @ 8:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company

Ritch Shydner’s funny and insightful multi-media presentation about the history of an original American art form, stand-up comedy, and what all the jokes and laughter say about America. The stories of forgotten trailblazers, martyred iconoclasts and familiar stars show how the simple act of one joker taking on a crowd became one of our most popular entertainments, and a cultural weathervane. Presented in 2 parts, with talk-backs afterward.

Saturday, August 21, 2021
A History of Stand-up, Part 2 – PC, Cancel Culture and the Line Dancers
Aug 21 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company

Ritch Shydner’s funny and insightful multi-media presentation about the history of an original American art form, stand-up comedy, and what all the jokes and laughter say about America. The stories of forgotten trailblazers, martyred iconoclasts and familiar stars show how the simple act of one joker taking on a crowd became one of our most popular entertainments, and a cultural
weathervane. Presented in 2 parts, with talk-backs afterward.

Sunday, August 22, 2021
Stories from the MOB (Mother of the Bride)
Aug 22 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
The Park at Flat Rock--the Staton Pavilion

Join us on Sunday, August 22nd as Wells Fargo Advisors presents Stories from the MOB (Mother of the Bride) a comedy, with a little drama and adventure mixed in! Just as each dress has a story to tell, so does every Mother of the Bride! This delightful performance consists of several short monologues of women who will make you laugh, cry, nod in agreement and steal your heart as they share the story of their dress and their expectations for the big day! Written and directed by Doreen Blue and performed by the Pass the Hat Players, Stories from the MOB has become an audience favorite and a joy for the cast of performers!

Monday, August 23, 2021
Stand-Up Comedy Class with Ritch Shydner
Aug 23 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company
Long-time, professional comedian Ritch Shydner passes his wisdom to beginners and intermediate hopefuls. The class culminates with a final performance hosted by Shydner himself!
Class Fee: $250 for 5 weeks (10-person maximum)
Dates: Mondays, 7-9pm
August 9, 16, 23, 30
Sept 13
Performance: September 18 at 8pm
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Magnetic in the Smoky Park OUTDOOR SHOW
Aug 24 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

OUTDOOR SHOW

Join us on Tuesday nights for Magnetic’s signature variety show. There will be an exciting mix of comedy, music, theatre, dance, magic and more! Smoky Park Supper Club is offering us their beautiful outdoor venue, and will be selling food and drinks. The event is BYOC (bring your own chair), and we will, of course, be following strict Covid safety protocols. We can’t wait to see you there!

Smoky Park Supper Club + Magnetic Theatre Outdoor Show
Aug 24 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

Join us Tuesday nights, beginning April 13th, as The Magnetic Theatre teams up with the wizards at Smoky Park Supper Club to host a live, outdoor variety show. We’ll be filling Smoky Park’s gorgeous, riverside outdoor space with comedy, theatre, music and so much more.

There will be food and beverages available for purchase.

  • This is a BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Chair) event.
  • In accordance with safety guidelines this show will be staged outdoors, with mask and social distancing protocols enforced. There will also be temperature checks and COVID waivers that need to be signed by each attendee at the gate.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the 7pm showtime.
  • We do require that masks be worn at all times unless you are actively eating or drinking.
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Gluten-Free Comedy, open mic at Ginger’s Revenge
Aug 26 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Ginger's Revenge
Sunset Rooftop Comedy Show
Aug 26 @ 6:30 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Slice of Life Comedy & Disclaimer Lounge present: Sunset Rooftop Standup Comedy by Local Professional Comics Every Thursday at Rabbit Rabbit

Come grab dinner and a show at Rabbit Rabbit, in Downtown Asheville Outside Theatre Space:
**Great Craft Rabbit-themed cocktails available
**AVL Pizza truck on-site & AVL Pizza full menu available
**Rooftop-seating, depending on weather
**Sanitized Headphones provided so you don’t miss a joke while getting your food & drinks, works anywhere around the venue

Hosted by: Cody Hughes
Featuring: Petey Smith McDowell, Hilliary Begely, Cary Goff, Morgan Bost, Blaine Perry, Marlene Thompson, Ben Sia Hian

 

 

Friday, August 27, 2021
A History of Stand-up, Part 1 – America’s Reflection in the Funhouse Mirror
Aug 27 @ 8:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company

Ritch Shydner’s funny and insightful multi-media presentation about the history of an original American art form, stand-up comedy, and what all the jokes and laughter say about America. The stories of forgotten trailblazers, martyred iconoclasts and familiar stars show how the simple act of one joker taking on a crowd became one of our most popular entertainments, and a cultural weathervane. Presented in 2 parts, with talk-backs afterward.

Saturday, August 28, 2021
A History of Stand-up, Part 2 – PC, Cancel Culture and the Line Dancers
Aug 28 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company

Ritch Shydner’s funny and insightful multi-media presentation about the history of an original American art form, stand-up comedy, and what all the jokes and laughter say about America. The stories of forgotten trailblazers, martyred iconoclasts and familiar stars show how the simple act of one joker taking on a crowd became one of our most popular entertainments, and a cultural
weathervane. Presented in 2 parts, with talk-backs afterward.

Monday, August 30, 2021
Stand-Up Comedy Class with Ritch Shydner
Aug 30 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company
Long-time, professional comedian Ritch Shydner passes his wisdom to beginners and intermediate hopefuls. The class culminates with a final performance hosted by Shydner himself!
Class Fee: $250 for 5 weeks (10-person maximum)
Dates: Mondays, 7-9pm
August 9, 16, 23, 30
Sept 13
Performance: September 18 at 8pm
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Magnetic in the Smoky Park OUTDOOR SHOW
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

OUTDOOR SHOW

Join us on Tuesday nights for Magnetic’s signature variety show. There will be an exciting mix of comedy, music, theatre, dance, magic and more! Smoky Park Supper Club is offering us their beautiful outdoor venue, and will be selling food and drinks. The event is BYOC (bring your own chair), and we will, of course, be following strict Covid safety protocols. We can’t wait to see you there!

Smoky Park Supper Club + Magnetic Theatre Outdoor Show
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

Join us Tuesday nights, beginning April 13th, as The Magnetic Theatre teams up with the wizards at Smoky Park Supper Club to host a live, outdoor variety show. We’ll be filling Smoky Park’s gorgeous, riverside outdoor space with comedy, theatre, music and so much more.

There will be food and beverages available for purchase.

  • This is a BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Chair) event.
  • In accordance with safety guidelines this show will be staged outdoors, with mask and social distancing protocols enforced. There will also be temperature checks and COVID waivers that need to be signed by each attendee at the gate.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the 7pm showtime.
  • We do require that masks be worn at all times unless you are actively eating or drinking.
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Gluten-Free Comedy, open mic at Ginger’s Revenge
Sep 2 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Ginger's Revenge
Sunset Rooftop Comedy Show
Sep 2 @ 6:30 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Slice of Life Comedy & Disclaimer Lounge present: Sunset Rooftop Standup Comedy by Local Professional Comics Every Thursday at Rabbit Rabbit

Come grab dinner and a show at Rabbit Rabbit, in Downtown Asheville Outside Theatre Space:
**Great Craft Rabbit-themed cocktails available
**AVL Pizza truck on-site & AVL Pizza full menu available
**Rooftop-seating, depending on weather
**Sanitized Headphones provided so you don’t miss a joke while getting your food & drinks, works anywhere around the venue

Hosted by: Cody Hughes
Featuring: Petey Smith McDowell, Hilliary Begely, Cary Goff, Morgan Bost, Blaine Perry, Marlene Thompson, Ben Sia Hian

 

 

Sunset Rooftop Stand Up Comedy Shows in Downtown Asheville
Sep 2 @ 8:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Come grab dinner and a show at Rabbit Rabbit, in Downtown Asheville Outside Theatre Space:
**Great Craft Rabbit-themed cocktails available
**AVL Pizza truck on-site & AVL Pizza full menu available
**Rooftop-seating, depending on weather, where we go to an awesome space below
**Sanitized Headphones provided so you don’t miss a joke while getting your food & drinks, works anywhere around the venue and Asheville Pizza

Featuring:
Asheville’s Hottest Standup Comics
What:
Weekly Outdoor & Rooftop*
Sunset Comedy Dinner Shows
When: :
Thursdays Sept 2,9,16, 23
8p (doors 7:30p)
Where:
Rabbit Rabbit,
Downtown Asheville, 75 Coxe Ave

Tickets at RabbitRabbitavl.com
More information or to inquire about performing, contact Michele Scheve at [email protected]
*Rooftop depends on weather, we have a great space under the roof too!

Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Magnetic in the Smoky Park OUTDOOR SHOW
Sep 7 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

OUTDOOR SHOW

Join us on Tuesday nights for Magnetic’s signature variety show. There will be an exciting mix of comedy, music, theatre, dance, magic and more! Smoky Park Supper Club is offering us their beautiful outdoor venue, and will be selling food and drinks. The event is BYOC (bring your own chair), and we will, of course, be following strict Covid safety protocols. We can’t wait to see you there!

Smoky Park Supper Club + Magnetic Theatre Outdoor Show
Sep 7 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

Join us Tuesday nights, beginning April 13th, as The Magnetic Theatre teams up with the wizards at Smoky Park Supper Club to host a live, outdoor variety show. We’ll be filling Smoky Park’s gorgeous, riverside outdoor space with comedy, theatre, music and so much more.

There will be food and beverages available for purchase.

  • This is a BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Chair) event.
  • In accordance with safety guidelines this show will be staged outdoors, with mask and social distancing protocols enforced. There will also be temperature checks and COVID waivers that need to be signed by each attendee at the gate.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the 7pm showtime.
  • We do require that masks be worn at all times unless you are actively eating or drinking.
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic at The Asheville Music Hall
Sep 8 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Asheville Music Hall

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night

The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 8pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 8pm, and will get five minutes on stage. The order of sign-up is not necessarily the order of the show.

Thursday, September 9, 2021
Gluten-Free Comedy, open mic at Ginger’s Revenge
Sep 9 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Ginger's Revenge
Sunset Rooftop Comedy Show
Sep 9 @ 6:30 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Slice of Life Comedy & Disclaimer Lounge present: Sunset Rooftop Standup Comedy by Local Professional Comics Every Thursday at Rabbit Rabbit

Come grab dinner and a show at Rabbit Rabbit, in Downtown Asheville Outside Theatre Space:
**Great Craft Rabbit-themed cocktails available
**AVL Pizza truck on-site & AVL Pizza full menu available
**Rooftop-seating, depending on weather
**Sanitized Headphones provided so you don’t miss a joke while getting your food & drinks, works anywhere around the venue

Hosted by: Cody Hughes
Featuring: Petey Smith McDowell, Hilliary Begely, Cary Goff, Morgan Bost, Blaine Perry, Marlene Thompson, Ben Sia Hian

 

 

Nate Bargatze: Good Problem to Have
Sep 9 @ 7:00 pm
Peace Center

Hailing from Old Hickory, Tennessee, rising stand-up star Nate Bargatze’s comedy is both clean and relatable. He has been featured as one of Esquire’s “Best New Comedians” by Jim Gaffigan, Rolling Stone’s “Comedians to Watch” by Marc Maron, Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” for 2015, and as #1 on Vulture‘s “50 Comedians You Should Know” in 2015.

Following the showbiz footsteps of his dad, a former clown turned world-class magician, Bargatze’s debut TV special, Full Time Magic, and debut album, Yelled at By a Clown, came out in 2015. The album reached #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts and remained on Billboard’s Top Ten Comedy Charts for weeks. His first half-hour Netflix special, The Standups, premiered in 2017, and his first solo one-hour Netflix special, The Tennessee Kid, came out this year. He currently has a deal with 20th Century Fox to develop his own TV show

NATE BARGATZE: THE RAINCHECK TOUR
Sep 9 @ 7:00 pm
Peace Concert Hall

nate bargatze

Hailing from Old Hickory, Tennessee, rising stand-up star Nate Bargatze’s comedy is both clean and relatable. He has been featured as one of Esquire’s “Best New Comedians” by Jim Gaffigan, Rolling Stone’s “Comedians to Watch” by Marc Maron, Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” for 2015, and as #1 on Vulture‘s “50 Comedians You Should Know” in 2015.

Following the showbiz footsteps of his dad, a former clown turned world-class magician, Bargatze’s debut TV special, Full Time Magic, and debut album, Yelled at By a Clown, came out in 2015. The album reached #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts and remained on Billboard’s Top Ten Comedy Charts for weeks. His first half-hour Netflix special, The Standups, premiered in 2017, and his first solo one-hour Netflix special, The Tennessee Kid, came out this year. He currently has a deal with 20th Century Fox to develop his own TV show.

Bargatze has made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonLate Night with Jimmy FallonConan, and @midnight. Off-screen, he performed as part of Fallon’s Clean Cut Comedy Tour and Chris Rock’s Total Blackout Tour, along with live shows for the troops in Iraq and Kuwait. He regularly appears at Bonnaroo, SXSW, Oddball Comedy Festival, Sasquatch, Clusterfest, and the Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival.

Official Website

Sunset Rooftop Comedy Shows in Downtown Asheville
Sep 9 @ 8:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Come grab dinner and a show at Rabbit Rabbit, in Downtown Asheville Outside Theatre Space:
**Great Craft Rabbit-themed cocktails available
**AVL Pizza truck on-site & AVL Pizza full menu available
**Rooftop-seating, depending on weather, where we go to an awesome space below
**Sanitized Headphones provided so you don’t miss a joke while getting your food & drinks, works anywhere around the venue and Asheville Pizza

Featuring:
Asheville’s Hottest Standup Comics
What:
Weekly Outdoor & Rooftop*
Sunset Comedy Dinner Shows
When: :
Thursdays Sept 2,9,16, 23
8p (doors 7:30p)
Where:
Rabbit Rabbit,
Downtown Asheville, 75 Coxe Ave

Tickets at RabbitRabbitavl.com
More information or to inquire about performing, contact Michele Scheve at [email protected]
*Rooftop depends on weather, we have a great space under the roof too!

NATE BARGATZE: THE RAINCHECK TOUR
Sep 9 @ 9:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall

nate bargatze

Hailing from Old Hickory, Tennessee, rising stand-up star Nate Bargatze’s comedy is both clean and relatable. He has been featured as one of Esquire’s “Best New Comedians” by Jim Gaffigan, Rolling Stone’s “Comedians to Watch” by Marc Maron, Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” for 2015, and as #1 on Vulture‘s “50 Comedians You Should Know” in 2015.

Following the showbiz footsteps of his dad, a former clown turned world-class magician, Bargatze’s debut TV special, Full Time Magic, and debut album, Yelled at By a Clown, came out in 2015. The album reached #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts and remained on Billboard’s Top Ten Comedy Charts for weeks. His first half-hour Netflix special, The Standups, premiered in 2017, and his first solo one-hour Netflix special, The Tennessee Kid, came out this year. He currently has a deal with 20th Century Fox to develop his own TV show.

Bargatze has made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonLate Night with Jimmy FallonConan, and @midnight. Off-screen, he performed as part of Fallon’s Clean Cut Comedy Tour and Chris Rock’s Total Blackout Tour, along with live shows for the troops in Iraq and Kuwait. He regularly appears at Bonnaroo, SXSW, Oddball Comedy Festival, Sasquatch, Clusterfest, and the Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival.

Official Website