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, May 15, 2021
Wild and Furry Animals Book Donates to Help Wildlife
May 15 all-day
Online w/ Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a registered non-profit rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing orphaned and injured wildlife, and serving 18 counties across WNC. They provide conservation education to the community, support the wildlife rehabilitation network, and offer a Wildlife Emergency Hotline to the public.  For help with wildlife in need, call 828-633-6364 ext 1 and leave a message or email [email protected], and a member of the hotline team will reach out right away. To learn more and support their cause, visit www.appalachianwild.org

Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 15 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Transformational Forest Bathing
May 15 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The Forest Farmacy

Forest bathing is a ancient Japanese practice for de-stressing and relating to the more-than-human world. It has gained much popularity in Asia, and now in the US, as a growing bank of scientific research is demonstrating it’s healing benefits.

Forest bathing has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and anger while strengthening the immune system, improving cardiovascular and metabolic health and increasing overall wellbeing.

It’s a delicious way to be in the world!

Transformational Forest Bathing weaves in techniques from eco-therapy, depth psychology, wilderness rites of passage and mythic storytelling to form a powerfully transformative experience. We will work with whatever is holding you back right now and show you how to work with the land to gain insight on your next steps forward. As you shift through this current block you’ll learn how navigate this way in the future.

You will:
– Unwind the knots you formed by keeping it all together
– Learn how to let the forest hold you
– Connect deeply to the more-than-human world
– Shift into a state of consciousness that allows you to receive information and nourishment, one where you don’t need to figure it out
– Learn how to work with the natural world to move through whatever is blocking you right now
– Open the door to reclaiming your ancestral heritage

Is this for you?
Honestly, if you are simply looking for some stress reduction and a lovely walk in the forest this isn’t the program for you. If you are ready to dig deep and do some soul-tending then come on over!

It doesn’t matter if you already have a strong nature connection practice or you have never heard of it, the program is designed to work for any level of previous nature connection experience.

What is key is your desire and willingness to work with whatever part of you is holding you back from living the life you want right now.

Sunday, May 16, 2021
No Budget Camping Class
May 16 all-day
Exact Location Given Upon Registration

This primitive survival skills class provides mental health benefits and builds confidence in a covid-safe environment. For The People Academy, a high-end skills training company, is offering an all day No Budget Camping class. Students will learn how to survive in the wild without expensive gear. Skills taught will be:
How to build a shelter
How to find and purify water
How to start a fire with one match
How to make your own cookware
Basic knife skills
Basic first-aid

April 18th and May 16th from 11am-6pm. Classes will be held in the Asheville area and are open to all ages, skill levels and backgrounds. To ensure participant safety, students will be given the exact class location after registering.

Registration starts at $85 at FTPAcademy.org, but readers can get a 10% discount at checkout by entering promo code ‘CAMPING2021’.

Classes will be led by For The People Academy’s senior instructor Ami Le. Ami is a Primitive Skills instructor at Florida Earthskills gathering as well as a certified NC Concealed Carry and Red Cross First-aid/CPR/AED instructor.

Pisgah Legal Run for Justice Virtual 5K Begins May 29th
May 16 all-day
Pisgah Legal--Online

This beautiful spring weather makes it easy to get out and train for our virtual Run for Justice 5K which kicks off next month!  Register today to participate anytime between May 29th through June 12th on a route of your choice and then join us for our awards ceremony June 12th!  Everyone who registers by April 30 will receive a Run for Justice t-shirt.

Three ways to sign up

  1. Register for $25 per participant  (you can add a donation to support Pisgah Legal if desired)
  2. Peer to Peer Fundraising:  Invite your friends and family to donate $1,$5 or more for each kilometer you walk or run.
  3. Be a Sponsor:  Sponsor as an individual, a couple, a group or a business. Sponsors receive race entries, t-shirts and recognition. (Find out more about sponsor benefits here)

Check out our registration page for more details, a fun explainer video and FAQs.

Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 16 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Monday, May 17, 2021
Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 17 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 18 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 19 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Celebrate the new RAD Greenway at the RAD RELAY
May 19 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Jean Webb Park, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
Thursday, May 20, 2021
The 2021 Everybody Knows Somebody Awareness + Fundraising Breakfast
May 20 @ 7:30 am – 8:30 am
Online w/ Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders

Everybody knows somebody struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder and recovery looks different for each of these individuals and families.

 

What does recovery look like?  Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders (CRC for ED) will address that question along with how the organization has met the needs of the community through the added challenges of this past year at its 2021 Annual Awareness and Fundraising Breakfast on Thursday, May 20th at 7:30am.

 

This year, due to COVID-related safety measures, CRC for ED will host their event in a hybrid format (invite only, limited seating at Highland Brewing Event Center in Asheville -and- live stream open to the general public).  The purpose of the one-hour program is to raise awareness about eating disorders and the services CRC for ED provides while inspiring support for the organization.

To RSVP and join the organization through livestream, see:  https://crcfored.com/events/

 

Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders is the only nonprofit in NC dedicated to providing education, resources, and support to individuals, families, and professionals concerned with disordered eating and recovery from eating disorders.

Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 20 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Friday, May 21, 2021
Wild and Furry Animals Book Donates to Help Wildlife
May 21 all-day
Online w/ Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a registered non-profit rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing orphaned and injured wildlife, and serving 18 counties across WNC. They provide conservation education to the community, support the wildlife rehabilitation network, and offer a Wildlife Emergency Hotline to the public.  For help with wildlife in need, call 828-633-6364 ext 1 and leave a message or email [email protected], and a member of the hotline team will reach out right away. To learn more and support their cause, visit www.appalachianwild.org

Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 21 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Asheville Outlets Hosts May American Red Cross Blood Drive
May 21 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Asheville Outlets

Giving blood is a simple thing to do, but it can make a big difference in the lives of others. Asheville Outlets is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive on Friday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The donation drive will be held in Suite 348 located across from RH Outlet. Donors are asked to register in advance by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/give and entering the sponsor code AshevilleOutlets. All Blood Donations are tested for the COVID-19 Antibody. For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

Saturday, May 22, 2021
Pisgah Legal Run for Justice Virtual 5K Begins May 29th
May 22 all-day
Pisgah Legal--Online

This beautiful spring weather makes it easy to get out and train for our virtual Run for Justice 5K which kicks off next month!  Register today to participate anytime between May 29th through June 12th on a route of your choice and then join us for our awards ceremony June 12th!  Everyone who registers by April 30 will receive a Run for Justice t-shirt.

Three ways to sign up

  1. Register for $25 per participant  (you can add a donation to support Pisgah Legal if desired)
  2. Peer to Peer Fundraising:  Invite your friends and family to donate $1,$5 or more for each kilometer you walk or run.
  3. Be a Sponsor:  Sponsor as an individual, a couple, a group or a business. Sponsors receive race entries, t-shirts and recognition. (Find out more about sponsor benefits here)

Check out our registration page for more details, a fun explainer video and FAQs.

Wild and Furry Animals Book Donates to Help Wildlife
May 22 all-day
Online w/ Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a registered non-profit rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing orphaned and injured wildlife, and serving 18 counties across WNC. They provide conservation education to the community, support the wildlife rehabilitation network, and offer a Wildlife Emergency Hotline to the public.  For help with wildlife in need, call 828-633-6364 ext 1 and leave a message or email [email protected], and a member of the hotline team will reach out right away. To learn more and support their cause, visit www.appalachianwild.org

Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 22 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Asheville Outlets Hosts Blood Connection Mobile Blood Donation Drive
May 22 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Asheville Outlets

In times of need, the Blood Connection is there to lend a helping hand. Please consider making a donation at Asheville Outlets’ Blood Connection Mobile Blood Donation Drive on Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The mobile blood bus will be parked in the parking lot behind the food court. Donors are asked to register in advance by visiting TheBloodConnection.org and entering the sponsor code AshevilleOutlets. All Blood Donations are tested for the COVID-19 Antibody. For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

Kiwanis 1st Annual Sneaky Scavenger Race
May 22 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Berkeley Mills Park
Join us for this family-friendly race where teams complete a series of tasks & challenges to see who comes out on top.

100% OF MONEY RAISED STAYS IN HENDERSON COUNTY to support the Kiwanis Shoes & Socks Program that supplies new shoes and socks to underprivileged students at local schools in Henderson County!

Join us for this family-friendly race where teams complete a series of physical and mental tasks & challenges to see who comes out on top. There will be four heats, starting at 10 am, and teams will be have one hour to complete all of the tasks. Along the way, teams can scavenge for acorns to receive seconds off of their time, but don’t get caught by Sam, the Sneaky Squirrel! When the final team is finished, around 2 pm, there will be an awards ceremony in the pavilion above the baseball field.

This event is appropriate for adults, youth and children ages 5+.

All participants will receive a gift with their entry fee. The winners from each heat will receive medals and goodies from area businesses! Snacks and water will be available throughout the day for all participants.

Team Entry Fee: $35 (Up to 4 people. Children age 5 and older.)

WNCHA Outdoor Experiences: Hickory Nut Gap Hike
May 22 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap

 

Join us Saturday, May 22 as WNCHA leads a hike in the historic Hickory Nut Gap. In this exclusive hike, on a trail section not yet open to the public, we will explore the history of this area as a boundary and barrier, as well as a route connecting various people and places. Native Americans, settlers, livestock drovers, Civil War soldiers, and plenty of tourists have all shaped the history of this gorge through the Blue Ridge. At the highest point, we will enjoy lunch amid the panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Pastures. This hike is made possible by Conserving Carolina, who have graciously granted us special, one-time permission to use their not-yet-open Ferguson Peak and Strawberry Gap Trail to climb from the gorge floor to the top of the nearby peaks.

Where: Hickory Nut Gap – Ferguson Peak Trail to Blue Ridge Pastures (Parking details will be emailed to registrants)

Distance: 6 miles total (2.9 miles one-way)

Difficulty: Strenuous – 1,600ft elevation gain

What to Bring: Sturdy hiking shoes/boots, Water (32oz min), snacks/bagged lunch, any needed medicines, backpack, hiking poles (optional), mask (mandatory)

Details: We will meet at the designated parking area prior to 10:00am and prepare to hike at that time. The most strenuous section of hiking will be at the start

Pets: We love pets, but cannot allow them on this hike.

Covid Precautions:

Safety is the highest priority of this event. No hike is guaranteed to be safe, and no outing during Covid is either. To minimize risks, we will require participants to abide by these guidelines. Failure to adhere may result in cancellation or a participant being asked to leave.

  • Participants must sign a waiver in advance virtually via Google Forms: https://forms.gle/RiyDnP7EispVx1F96
  • We are limited to 25 participants total.
  • Nobody with visible symptoms will be allowed. Those who feel unwell or feel they may have been exposed are asked not to attend. Refunds are available.
  • Hikers are required to bring masks and wear them any time participants are unable to maintain six feet of separation from others, including non-participants.
  • Social distancing is required while we hike.

Rain Date:

Unless the weather is heavily rainy or presents another severe challenge, the hike will proceed. If we have to reschedule, participants will be notified by phone/email by 8pm the evening prior, and a new date will be announced in short order.

Hike Leader

This hike is led by Trevor Freeman, public programs director for the Western North Carolina Historical Association. He has an MA in American History from East Carolina University and is also a certified interpretive guide. He has served as an intern at Chimney Rock State Park and a trail coordinator in the Hickory Nut Gorge, and considers this stretch of peaks, valleys, forests, and rivers one of his favorite places.

Sunday, May 23, 2021
A Raffle for the YMI Cultural Center
May 23 all-day
Online

Article Image

Raffle 1:
The winner and three guests will receive a private tour of the YMI Cultural Center, view its archives (which date back tot he 1800s), then have dinner in this remarkable place.
Raffle 2:
Win a dozen pieces of East Fork pottery in the glaze of your choice, including the ones they no longer sell.
Each raffle ticket costs $5.00 and you can but as many as you like. Enter now until May 27th an Noon.
Buy Tickets Here! 100% of your donations benefit Asheville’s YMI Cultural Center, one of the United States’ oldest Black cultural centers, promoting Black excellence through community engagement, advocacy, leadership development and economic justice.
Pisgah Legal Run for Justice Virtual 5K Begins May 29th
May 23 all-day
Pisgah Legal--Online

This beautiful spring weather makes it easy to get out and train for our virtual Run for Justice 5K which kicks off next month!  Register today to participate anytime between May 29th through June 12th on a route of your choice and then join us for our awards ceremony June 12th!  Everyone who registers by April 30 will receive a Run for Justice t-shirt.

Three ways to sign up

  1. Register for $25 per participant  (you can add a donation to support Pisgah Legal if desired)
  2. Peer to Peer Fundraising:  Invite your friends and family to donate $1,$5 or more for each kilometer you walk or run.
  3. Be a Sponsor:  Sponsor as an individual, a couple, a group or a business. Sponsors receive race entries, t-shirts and recognition. (Find out more about sponsor benefits here)

Check out our registration page for more details, a fun explainer video and FAQs.

Backcountry Navigation With A Map and Compass
May 23 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
REI
  • FITNESS LEVEL : 1

    Relaxed

During this class, our instructors will help you understand the information provided on your map, the proper use of your compass, and how to put the two together. You’ll learn about magnetic north, true north, and magnetic variation (declination). After covering these fundamentals, you’ll get time to practice taking a bearing from the terrain and your map so that you can make sense of your position and plan a route. This engaging course is a great introduction to outdoor navigation and map reading!

Dupont State Recreational Forest – Fawn Lake Access Area

Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 23 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Monday, May 24, 2021
A Raffle for the YMI Cultural Center
May 24 all-day
Online

Article Image

Raffle 1:
The winner and three guests will receive a private tour of the YMI Cultural Center, view its archives (which date back tot he 1800s), then have dinner in this remarkable place.
Raffle 2:
Win a dozen pieces of East Fork pottery in the glaze of your choice, including the ones they no longer sell.
Each raffle ticket costs $5.00 and you can but as many as you like. Enter now until May 27th an Noon.
Buy Tickets Here! 100% of your donations benefit Asheville’s YMI Cultural Center, one of the United States’ oldest Black cultural centers, promoting Black excellence through community engagement, advocacy, leadership development and economic justice.
Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 24 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Tuesday, May 25, 2021
A Raffle for the YMI Cultural Center
May 25 all-day
Online

Article Image

Raffle 1:
The winner and three guests will receive a private tour of the YMI Cultural Center, view its archives (which date back tot he 1800s), then have dinner in this remarkable place.
Raffle 2:
Win a dozen pieces of East Fork pottery in the glaze of your choice, including the ones they no longer sell.
Each raffle ticket costs $5.00 and you can but as many as you like. Enter now until May 27th an Noon.
Buy Tickets Here! 100% of your donations benefit Asheville’s YMI Cultural Center, one of the United States’ oldest Black cultural centers, promoting Black excellence through community engagement, advocacy, leadership development and economic justice.
Asheville Mast General Store: Greenworks Round Up 4 a Cause
May 25 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Mast General Store

The Asheville Mast General Store has selected Greenworks as the beneficiary for their May Round Up campaign. For the month of May, they’ll ask every guest at the Asheville Mast Store to round up their purchase. At the end of the month, all proceeds will be donated to Greenworks. Thank you Mast General Store!

Wednesday, May 26, 2021
A Raffle for the YMI Cultural Center
May 26 all-day
Online

Article Image

Raffle 1:
The winner and three guests will receive a private tour of the YMI Cultural Center, view its archives (which date back tot he 1800s), then have dinner in this remarkable place.
Raffle 2:
Win a dozen pieces of East Fork pottery in the glaze of your choice, including the ones they no longer sell.
Each raffle ticket costs $5.00 and you can but as many as you like. Enter now until May 27th an Noon.
Buy Tickets Here! 100% of your donations benefit Asheville’s YMI Cultural Center, one of the United States’ oldest Black cultural centers, promoting Black excellence through community engagement, advocacy, leadership development and economic justice.