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, October 27, 2018
26th Annual Shuckin’ & Shakin’-Carolina Foothills Chamber
Oct 27 @ 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Harmon Field

TRYON, NC — The Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce will present the 25th Annual Shuckin’ and Shakin’ event from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Harmon Field air gym.
Activities include live DJ dance music, all-you-can-eat seafood consisting of oysters roasted over an open fire, shrimp, mussels, barbecue chicken wings, authentic gumbo, coleslaw, rolls, iced tea, coffee, desserts and a great selection of draft beers and wine.
A bonfire will light up the sky after dark as guests dance away the hours.
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at The Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce office or online via our website CarolinaFoothillsChamber.com. Please be sure you buy your tickets in advance, Tickets are not sold at the door. 21+ Event-No Coolers-No Pets
For more information, call (828) 859-6236.

Eliada’s Annual Corn Maze
Oct 27 @ 9:29 pm

This year, Eliada will maintain some beloved attractions including the tractor ride, which now drives all the way around the Corn Maze, jumping pillow, corn kernel sand box, spider web climber, tube slides, and corn cannons.

 Eliada is pleased to announce that the corn planted in the field is Non-GMO, and that Eliada used all natural fertilizers to help the corn grow.  
The Corn Maze raises $100,000 for the agency every year, and we have come to rely on this event to support our programs,” says Davis-Bryant. “I never thought I’d have a job in which I relied on a field of corn growing! Changing up how we planted the corn field meant a lot to us, but was also a risk. I am proud of the agency for engaging in this kind of risk taking. The corn has grown beautifully, and we can be proud of the ways we have improved the event for the long-term sustainability of our land.
This year, Eliada is also adding beer and cider sales to the makeup of the event.

This option, available to guests only on weekends (Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sunday afternoons), will help the agency increase revenue to support the growing needs children and youth face in our community. Eliada is excited to work with local and national partners to provide an array of beer and cider options!
Dates
September 15th – October 28th
Times

Tuesday – Thursday: 9am-3pm

Friday: 9am-8pm

Saturday: 10am- 8pm

Sunday: 10am-6pm

 

Ticket Pricing  
In honor of our 10-year anniversary, we are offering a $10 ticket price for all ages.
Like every year prior, children 3 and under may still enter the event FREE.
Special Events
Field trips, birthday parties, and corporate nights are offered. Contact Chris Rainwater at [email protected] to schedule your event.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
PEANUTS™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express
Oct 28 all-day

The leaves will be turning this October and the pumpkins will be ready to be carved! The PEANUTS gang returns to the GSMR Pumpkin Patch this October. Ready for some family fun? PEANUTS™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express returns to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for 2018! The excursions, which are themed after Charles M. Schulz’s classic story “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” will be departing from the Bryson City Depot in October of 2018!

Asheville Outlets Hosts Ingles Air Dog Competition and Weekend of Family Fun
Oct 28 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Asheville Outlets

Asheville Outlets will host a weekend of free family fun from Friday, October 26, through Sunday, October 28, 2018. Ingles Ultimate Air Dog Competition (UAD), always a crowd favorite, will be held all three days. A Health Fair for People & Pets, Cover Dog Competition and Junior League of Asheville Touch-A Truck round out the weekend activities.

Weekend Schedule of Activities:

Friday, October 26, 2018 through Sunday, October 28, 2018

Ingles Ultimate Air Dog Competition

Dogs will compete in a 90’ pool constructed in front of Field & Stream. Ultimate Air Dogs is one of the country’s premiere dock jumping organizations and features both novice competitors and seasoned jumpers.

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Touch-A-Truck Family Festival – 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm.

The event will be held in the parking lot behind the food court from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Kids and kids at heart will have the opportunity to see, touch, climb and learn about vehicles of all types, even a helicopter! Parental supervision required. Admission is $5 in advance and at the door. Children 3 and under are free.

Health Fair for People & Pets – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm.

Asheville Outlets will team up with CarePartners Foundation and Critter Magazine to host a Health Fair for People & Pets with a variety of health-related booths and displays, demonstrations and entertainment. For pets and their families you’ll find educational advice, obedience tips, pet adoptions and much more!  A portion of the proceeds from the Health Fair for People & Pets will benefit CarePartners Foundation and local spay/neuter organizations and rescue transport programs.

Halloween Origami Workshop
Oct 28 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Wakuwaku Eatery

Let’s create PUMPKIN, BLACK CAT, BAT, WITCH, HAUNT etc with Origami Paper

?This is free event for customer
?All materials will be provided
?The spaces are limited. Please share with other friends
?Pre Registrations are not required. Just ask staff!

?Any questions? Please feel free to ask staff of email to [email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/events/466711577159354/

Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Howl-O-Ween Festival
Oct 31 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Asheville Farmstead School

Our Howl-O-Ween event was a huge success last year so we are doing it again and even bigger! Join us for some day time, outdoor, fun in your costumes! We will have areas for learning about how other cultures around the globe celebrate this holiday. We will also have a photo booth, halloween themed games, crafts, halloween sensory bins. We will also have a table that features the Teal Pumpkin Project and how you and your house can help make halloween accessible to children with food borne allergies! We will share bits of what will be at the festival in this event to get everyone excited and engaged in this event!

https://www.facebook.com/events/465064387327282/

Friday, November 2, 2018
Asheville Outlets Hosts The Venardos Circus
Nov 2 – Nov 11 all-day
Asheville Outlets

Asheville Outlets (www.ShopAshevilleOutlets) is pleased to host the Venardos Circus (www.VenardosCircus.com), performing NOW through November 11, 2018. Created by former Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Kevin Venardos, the Venardos Circus brings world-class animal-free circus acts into a Broadway Musical-style format.

General Admission Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth (12 yrs. and under). Babes in arms are FREE with a paying adult (18 months and younger, one child per paying adult). Premium reserved seating is priced from $35 to $45. To purchase ticket visit:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/venardoscircus?srch=28806.

Saturday, November 3, 2018
Tryon Beer Fest presented by New View Realty
Nov 3 all-day
Tryon Depot

Enjoy local and regional craft beer, oysters, authentic Bavarian food, and live music at the 7th Annual Tryon Beer Fest presented by New View Realty. Come “Tap Into Tryon” from 12pm until 6pm on Saturday, November 3, 2018, and see all the beauty, culture and shopping this mountain town has to offer.

Thursday, November 15, 2018
Taste of Asheville 2018
Nov 15 all-day
The Venue

Asheville’s biggest culinary event celebrates 10 years of bold flavors and palate pleasers.

The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) hosts the 2018 Taste of
Asheville: Taste & Tunes Thursday, Nov. 15 at The Venue in downtown Asheville.

From award-winning southern cuisine to bold new worldly flavors, the Taste of Asheville
brings over 40 of Asheville’s famed independent restaurants together for an
unforgettable evening of sampling small bites, craft beverages and spirits.

This year, AIR has once again teamed up with the Asheville Buskers Collective to
highlight the city’s celebrated street musicians.

This event not only entertains the taste buds, it also is one of the largest fundraisers of
the year to support the work of the AIR, which in turn supports the 120 members of the
Asheville Independent Restaurant Association.

VIP tickets (early admission) are $100; general admission tickets are $75. All tickets may be purchased at www.airasheville.org.

Friday, November 16, 2018
UNC Asheville Fall Arts Fest
Nov 16 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Owen Hall on UNC Asheville's Campus

UNC Asheville Arts & Ideas is proud to present our first ever Fall Arts Fest! We’ll be partnering with the Art Department Sale between 4-7pm but there will be amazing events going on throughout the day! Fall Arts Fest will take place in Owen Hall and will focus on performance and artwork from the UNC Asheville campus community. More details and the schedule will posted at https://arts.unca.edu/artsfest.

Saturday, November 17, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 17 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Sunday, November 18, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 18 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Monday, November 19, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 19 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 20 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 21 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Friday, November 23, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 23 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Saturday, November 24, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 24 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Sunday, November 25, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 25 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Monday, November 26, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 26 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 27 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 28 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Thursday, November 29, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 29 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Friday, November 30, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 30 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Saturday, December 1, 2018
Biltmore Park Town Square Annual Holiday Event
Dec 1 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Biltmore Park Town Square will celebrate the magic of the holidays on Saturday, December 1st, 2018.   Festivities begin at 2:30 p.m. throughout Town Square and will conclude with the tree lighting at 6:00 p.m.

Enjoy a full day of family fun including horse-drawn carriage rides, craft activities, face painting, music, stilt-walkers, strolling entertainment, balloon artists, caricatures, magicians, refreshments and much more!

Schedule of Events:

2:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Take the family for a stroll along Town Square to enjoy all the acitivities. Visit the many stores for special sales, in-store samplings, giveaways and much more!

3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Enjoy a carriage ride through Town Square.

3:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. – Bring the kids for a visit with Santa near the Christmas Tree. Be sure to bring you camera to capture the magical moment.

6:00 p.m. – Help us countdown the for the first lighting of the Christmas Tree to kick off the holidays at Biltmore Park Town Square.

For more information about this free event, please call 828.210.1660.

 

l

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 1 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Sunday, December 2, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 2 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Monday, December 3, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 3 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 4 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 5 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Thursday, December 6, 2018
Winter In The Weave
Dec 6 all-day
Creperie & Cafe

One stop holiday shopping featuring over 15 local artists and small business owners. Food samples provided by the Creperie & Cafe