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, July 27, 2019
Back to School Blessing
Jul 27 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
New Covenant Church

You are invited to the 2nd Annual Back to School Blessing on Saturday, July 27, 2019. Last year we gave away over 700 backpacks filled with school supplies and had over 1,000 people in attendance. This year we have a goal to give away 1,000 backpacks filled of school supplies and expect 2,000 people in attendance. The 2nd Annual Back to School Blessing will also include food, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, inflatable attractions, raffle prizes and more, all for FREE! For more information and to register for FREE backpacks, visit newcovenantchurch.com.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019
2019 Fall Kickball Registration Stonewall Sports
Jul 31 all-day
Buncombe County Sports Park

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.

2019 Fall Kickball

Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Season:Fall 2019
Starts:Sep 8 ’19
Ends:Nov 10 ’19
Minimum age:21 years old
Age as of: Sep 8 ’19
Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Jul 31 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Thursday, August 1, 2019
2019 Fall Kickball Registration Stonewall Sports
Aug 1 all-day
Buncombe County Sports Park

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.

2019 Fall Kickball

Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Season:Fall 2019
Starts:Sep 8 ’19
Ends:Nov 10 ’19
Minimum age:21 years old
Age as of: Sep 8 ’19
Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 1 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Friday, August 2, 2019
2019 Fall Kickball Registration Stonewall Sports
Aug 2 all-day
Buncombe County Sports Park

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.

2019 Fall Kickball

Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Season:Fall 2019
Starts:Sep 8 ’19
Ends:Nov 10 ’19
Minimum age:21 years old
Age as of: Sep 8 ’19
Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 2 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Saturday, August 3, 2019
2019 Fall Kickball Registration Stonewall Sports
Aug 3 all-day
Buncombe County Sports Park

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.

2019 Fall Kickball

Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Season:Fall 2019
Starts:Sep 8 ’19
Ends:Nov 10 ’19
Minimum age:21 years old
Age as of: Sep 8 ’19
Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 3 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Kick It Tickets LEAF Downtown
Aug 3 all-day
Various locations Downtown Asheville

Kick It Ticket grants access to the Get Down Lounge
& the Capella on 9 Cocktail Hour.

Plus, get these sweet perks:

BITES & BEVS

  • Private Bar featuring Sierra Nevada, Pisgah, HI-Wire, and Wicked Weed brews. Titos, wine and more! Non-alc options also available.
  • Complimentary food refreshed throughout the weekend
  • 6 Drink Tickets per guest

SPACE TO RELAX

  • Private viewing area next to Pack Stage
  • Private Restrooms
  • Reserved Parking

SWAG FOR DAYS

  • Automatic raffle entry for a chance to win a pair of Fall LEAF Festival day tickets
  • Swag Bags full of goodness

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Lace up! Register Now for LEAF Art Dash 5K
Aug 3 all-day
Pack Square

RUN YOUR ASH OFF for Cultural Arts Education!
Your run (or walk) 100% supports LEAF Schools & Streets
Saturday, August 3rd @ 9am

Lace up your shoes for the LEAF ART DASH,
for an art filled family-friendly 5K in downtown Asheville.
Costumes Encouraged | Pets Welcome
Art Dash kicks off Saturday LEAF Downtown AVL festivities!

This 3.1 mi COURSE will travel through the city,
complete with live roaming Artists & interactive arts.
It feels like a LEAF Parade! 
#RunYourAshOff

THE EXTRAORDINARY WATAUGA Paddling
Aug 3 @ 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
given upon registration

This meetup group gives paddlers of all skill levels a chance to meet other paddlers for flat water and mildwater paddling. We get together to share our love of water and the outdoors. We paddle mostly local/regional waters, and may also plan overnight, weekend, or longer trips farther away. We share tips, information, and knowledge. All members are welcome to post trips and/or discussions. All are welcome. We have NO RULES except be safe and have fun.

“Mildwater” means different things to different people. For new paddlers, mild may mean lakes and flat rivers. For those who have whitewater experience, Class 2+ or Class 3 whitewater may be mild. Meetup organizers provide descriptions of their outings. It is your responsibility to read those descriptions, ask questions if needed, and decide whether a given outing is right for you, given your skills and equipment.

Sunday, August 4, 2019
2019 Fall Kickball Registration Stonewall Sports
Aug 4 all-day
Buncombe County Sports Park

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.

2019 Fall Kickball

Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Season:Fall 2019
Starts:Sep 8 ’19
Ends:Nov 10 ’19
Minimum age:21 years old
Age as of: Sep 8 ’19
60th Annual NC Mineral and Gem Festival
Aug 4 all-day
The Spruce Pine Commons Shopping Center

For the last 60 years, Spruce Pine has welcomed rockhounds and gem and mineral enthusiasts to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!

Welcome to the North Carolina Mineral, Gem & Jewelry Festival website! Since the early 1950’s Spruce Pine, North Carolina has been the host of the Festival and welcomed visitors from around the world to shop for beautiful jewelry, gemstones, minerals, beads, crystals, fossils and more! Even celebrities have been spotted at the Festival selecting their jewelry, gemstones and gifts! The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget. Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a special stone for your own setting, a custom designed piece of jewelry or a special crystal display for your home, you can’t miss the NC Mineral and Gem Festival.

Celebrating our Diamond Year!
August 1-4, 2019

One of the oldest & most popular mineral and gem shows in the country!

Admission $5 adults, $3 Seniors, Kids 10 & under free

Festival Times:
Thursday- Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 4 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Monday, August 5, 2019
2019 Fall Kickball Registration Stonewall Sports
Aug 5 all-day
Buncombe County Sports Park

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.

2019 Fall Kickball

Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Season:Fall 2019
Starts:Sep 8 ’19
Ends:Nov 10 ’19
Minimum age:21 years old
Age as of: Sep 8 ’19
Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 5 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
2019 Fall Kickball Registration Stonewall Sports
Aug 6 all-day
Buncombe County Sports Park

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.

2019 Fall Kickball

Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Season:Fall 2019
Starts:Sep 8 ’19
Ends:Nov 10 ’19
Minimum age:21 years old
Age as of: Sep 8 ’19
Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 6 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
2019 Fall Kickball Registration Stonewall Sports
Aug 7 all-day
Buncombe County Sports Park

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.

2019 Fall Kickball

Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Season:Fall 2019
Starts:Sep 8 ’19
Ends:Nov 10 ’19
Minimum age:21 years old
Age as of: Sep 8 ’19
Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 7 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Thursday, August 8, 2019
2019 Fall Kickball Registration Stonewall Sports
Aug 8 all-day
Buncombe County Sports Park

Stonewall Sports, a community-based nonprofit recreational sports organization for members of the LGBTQAI+ community and straight allies, recently announced Asheville as its newest affiliate city. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into eighteen cities, five in North Carolina alone.

2019 Fall Kickball

Kickball (Outdoor) · Any Novice

Season:Fall 2019
Starts:Sep 8 ’19
Ends:Nov 10 ’19
Minimum age:21 years old
Age as of: Sep 8 ’19
Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 8 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Friday, August 9, 2019
Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 9 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Light up the Night 5k
Aug 9 all-day
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries

iDaph Events is proud to help support the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries by presenting it’s first ever Light Up the Night 5k on August 9th: A glow-in-the-dark nighttime run for all abilities that will wind through the historic streets of Montford in Asheville. This is your time to shine! Runners will take to the streets starting at 7:30 pm in “glow swag” in this fun and unique event, and all the proceeds from this run will directly benefit the continuous work of recovery, rescue, and restoration to individuals throughout WNC.

The Run: A scenic, night-time fun 5K run through the Historic Montford area in Asheville, North Carolina. The run will follow along Montford Avenue and Hill Street through beautiful Victorian neighborhoods that mirror Asheville’s cosmopolitan character. The run will start and end at Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.

Registration: Early Registration is only $30 and begins on April 1, 2019, through April 30th. After that, the price of registration will increase incrementally until the race day. Participants will receive a free ‘glow’ t-shirt if they register by July 28th.

Backing a Good Cause: Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (WCRM) exists to serve the homeless, poor and addicted populations of Western North Carolina. They meet people in crisis, focus on helping them at the point of their need, invest in their future, and help them until they can move forward.

Awards: Awards will be given to the top three finishers male/female overall, top one overall master’s (male/female) and top three (male/female) in various age-graded categories. (See Awards Section for more specific categories)

Saturday, August 10, 2019
25th Annual Twin Rivers Multimedia Festival & Film Screenings
Aug 10 all-day
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Film screenings of award-winning international/national/local films, premieres & official selections. Feature Film “Beautiful Jinn” by Bayram Fazli screens on Friday, 8-10pm. Screenings of Short Drama Animation, Short Dramas, Experimental Films, and Documentaries will run Saturday 11am – 6pm. Vote for Audience Award!
TRMF has become the festival of choice for filmmakers and film lovers who are seeking a unique Western North Carolina high quality cinema experience and a place to indulge their passion for film. The Festival connects audiences to compelling documentaries, award-winning international releases with tantalizing discussions with visiting filmmakers. This year the festival will be screening 46 films from 26 countries which also includes two selected films from Western North Carolina.

Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 10 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Sourwood Festival downtown Black Mountain
Aug 10 all-day
Downtown Black Mountain

The Sourwood Festival fills downtown Black Mountain with wholesome entertainment for both adults and children in August each year.

Over 30,000 people from all over America will be in attendance at the festival which grows in popularity each year.

Music, dancing, arts & crafts, super food, kid’s rides and games, face painting and more in a no alcohol environment make it the perfect event for you and your entire family.

With about 200 vendors you will discover lots of local and unique arts and crafts and there will be something to please every palate with BBQ and vegetarian faire, custom-crafted ice cream and funnel cakes and jellies.  Summertime favorites include the sausages and corn on the cob.

Add to that the honey and bee demos as well as the gourmet sourwood honey – you don’t want to miss this event!

Sunday, August 11, 2019
Adult League Dodgeball Registration
Aug 11 all-day
Johnston Elementary School

Dodge, duck, dip, and dive your way into our Adult Dodgeball League, best described as a party on the dodgeball court. Your rise to dodgeball superstardom begins on Thursday evenings, September 5-October 31 (except September 19).

Remember the hard rubber you got pummeled with during recess? We don’t use those. We use soft-centered balls to keep the hard impacts and injuries to a minimum. Balls start flying at 6:00 p.m. Sweat bands encouraged!

Overview

  • Your $25 registration fee includes eight weeks of dodgeball play
  • Each team consists of no more than six players on the court at one time (3 males and 3 females)
  • Each team will play seven matches in a best of seven format (each match has a five minute time cap)
  • Once all the opposing team’s players are eliminated, the match is over
  • A win is worth three points and a loss is worth one point
Lake Lure Olympiad
Aug 11 all-day
varies upon race

Sign up for the bundle and take the ultimate challenge by combining 3 races in 3 days. Turn your competition into a destination race weekend and enjoy the amazing backdrop of the Hickory Nut Gorge, serving as both a place to compete and a fun summer getaway with views that will take your breath away!

We love where we live and we always want to give back to those that sacrifice everyday to make our community a better place to live.  Many times local heroes get forgotten; this is our way of supporting them.

Over the past 13 years, the Lake Lure Olympiad has given back over $315,000 to area charities and service organizations