Calendar of Events
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.
Preserving & Promoting
Our
Carolina Flying Heritage
Get moving in this high-energy virtual dance bootcamp focusing on Broadway-style choreography. Beginning with a traditional jazz warm-up and center exercises, students will learn new vocabulary, hone their dance skills, and practice picking up fun musical theatre choreography! Learn how to fill your movement with meaning and unleash the fun in expressing yourself through dance!
REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 19
Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying, new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts, creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one.
Nominated for 12 Tony Awards®, Ain’t Too Proud tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, as the group’s personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America.
The unforgettable story of this legendary quintet is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and so many more.
Written by three-time Obie Award winner Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys) and featuring the Tony-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, On Your Feet!), Ain’t Too Proud launches their first national tour to over 50 cities across America.
The Old-Time Radio Comedy Show
[with the most modern of Stand-Up Acts]
Recorded Live for Buzz Radio Asheville
at The Orange Peel July 1,2021
Presented by Slice of Life Comedy and Buzz Radio Asheville: enjoy a fun night of old-time style radio recordings with premier modern stand-up comics, straight from the 2021 streets of Asheville
Be the LIVE Studio Audience Laugh Track to this hilarious candle-lit seated event. Touches of old-style radio recordings, for example filled with parody commercials, musical stylings, and ridiculous, spontaneous interactions! FARM BURGER homemade chips & dip and other light snacks are provided.
This will be a night you never forget —also because your laughter will be recorded for all-time as the stand-ups record LIVE comedy for Buzz Radio Asheville, our only “All Asheville, All the Time, Original-Content ” online station. [Comedy bits from the show will be played in a regular rotation along with Buzz’s stellar music line up]
Hosted by: Cary Goff of Disclaimer Comedy
Featuring Asheville Rock-Stars of Comedy:
Petey Smith McDowell
Hilliary Begley
Moira Goree
Jess Cooley
Morgan Bost
With the hilarious music stylings of Ryan Cox
What:
The Old-Time Radio Comedy Show
[with the most modern of Stand-Up Acts]
Recorded LIVE for Buzz Radio Asheville
Where:
The Orange Peel, Downtown Asheville
When:
July 1,2021, 8p [Doors open at 7p]
Cost:
$17
Contact Michele Scheve at [email protected] for more info
FB Event: https://fb.me/e/1a12lOD0E
Tickets: https://theorangepeel.net/…/the-old-time-radio-comedy…/
A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.
Ride in style on the historic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad aboard your very own restored Caboose. These are great for family reunions, birthday parties, private meetings, corporate field trips or just any time!
Our cabooses accommodate up to 15 people with seating on the main level and in the cupola. (And, remember, babies are people, too!) The cabooses feature heat, private bathrooms, windows that can be opened, and open air vestibules at each end for unobstructed views. Advanced reservations are required and availability of caboose rentals are limited.
A platter of cheese and crackers, and an assortment of 15 bottled Coca-Cola products are included. Plus, the caboose is the only place where you can bring your own food and drink (please, no alcohol) in picnic baskets or coolers.
You can charter the caboose on:
Best value for small groups and private parties up to 15 passengers. Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.
Rafting
Available April – October with the morning departure of the Nantahala Gorge Excursion departing Bryson City, NC. Train seating in Open Air Gondola. Booking available by phone only: 1-800-872-4681.
Convenient, Inclusive, and Simple!
- Adult (13 years and older) $109
Child (Minimum of 7 years old or 60 pounds) $92
A Fully-Guided Experience
The original Raft & Rail© since 1988: enjoy the two best adventures in the region in one day, great for families. Southern Living Magazine calls this “an ideal adventure for families, first-timers, young or old.” This full-day guided adventure starts with a Wildwater staff member greeting you at the train depot, followed by a scenic train trip, deli lunch with all the fixings, and a Nantahala River whitewater trip with a guide in every boat. Hot showers and a photo show follow immediately after your 8 mile Nantahala River trip. All transportation is included to and from the Bryson City Train Depot.
Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.
Enjoy this trip combining the Great Smoky Mountains Railroads trip with the Waterfall Jeep® tour. You’ll begin your trip in Bryson City, NC, with a 2 hour (approximate) railroad excursion over Fontana Lake and into the Nantahala Gorge. As you travel on the train, watch paddlers challenge the rapids. At the top of the line, disembark from the train and climb aboard Wildwater’s customized Jeep® for a 2-hour (approximate) personal exploration up the mountain, past waterfalls and lakes, up to the Appalachian Trail and back. A delicious deli lunch is included.
Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.
* Children 40 – 80 lbs. are required to sit in the front passenger seat with the airbag disengaged using a child booster seat. Children 80 lbs. or greater will sit in the back using a lap seat belt. If there is more than one child in the 40 – 80 lb. range, the second child will sit in the back using a lap belt.
Tarzan Train
Our train and canopy combo trip will start in Bryson City at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train depot. You will ride through the Smoky Mountains, along Fontana Lake and up into the Nantahala Gorge. On your 2 hour train ride, watch paddlers challenge the rapids on the Nantahala River. A delicious Deli Sandwich lunch is included. At the top-of-the-line, you will disembark the train and travel a short distance to Wildwater’s Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours.
The original zipline canopy tour in Western North Carolina, Wildwater’s Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours offers 13 different zip lines and 8 sky bridges. Our two highest platforms have unbelievable views of Clingman’s Dome, Fontana Lake and waterfalls. This gliding experience, naturally fueled by a gradual elevation change, takes you through multiple ecosystems, past hemlocks, into hardwoods and through a deciduous forest packed with native flowering plants. All Canopy Tour Rangers are trained to – and all courses are built and inspected to – ACCT Standards to provide for your well-being and fun. This is a great experience for families.
After enjoying the fully guided zip line tour, check out your photos and buy a t-shirt in Wildwater’s store. Your adventure will end later in the afternoon back at your car in Bryson City, NC. All transportation is included.
Members of your party who can’t – or don’t want to – go on the canopy tour can ride the train round trip. You’ll all meet up shortly after the train’s return in Bryson City, NC.
Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.
The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!
The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.
In this week-long, half-day summer theatre camp, students will explore the joys of acting and theatre arts! With a fun combination of training, rehearsal, and performance, young artists will learn the foundations of theatre through engaging acting, voice, movement, and art activities. With a focus on imagination, improvisation, characterization, and collaboration, students will discover new tools for expression and apply these skills in a short performance presented at the end of the week for a small audience. This week is perfectly suited for imaginative students who are excited to collaborate with peers and professionals and interested in expanding their theatre skill set. No previous experience required. Space is limited.
REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 19
Outside In: Bring the outside in! Students explore art and artists inspired by nature and their surroundings. From birds and bugs to sculptures and paintings, students observe and create art of their own.
Please note:
- Summer Art Camp is held primarily indoors in the Museum’s John & Robyn Horn Education Center.
- Space is limited to small groups of students; face coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing/sanitization are required.
Join the Museum for Summer Art Camp in our bright and spacious studio! Camp is offered to rising kindergarten through 12th-grade students. All classes are age-appropriate. Sessions include drawing, painting, mixed-media, and more. Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Maud Gatewood, From the Lowgrounds, 1983, acrylic on canvas, 31 3/4 × 35 5/8 inches. Gift of Drs. Robert & Priscilla Bleke, 2011.09.24. © Estate of Maud Gatewood.
Tanglewood Summer Camp
Tanglewood Youth Theatre has long been a successful and inspirational part of children’s creative education in Western North Carolina. Our theatre camp has been extremely popular and is well-suited for any young person interested in exploring the exciting world of theatre. Our faculty represents some of the finest talent in the area, and we are thrilled to have them at Tanglewood.
For each session, classes include acting, music, movement, film, and design. Each session ends with a showcase for family and friends!
For ages 8-13:
All camp sessions will meet 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Each session will enroll up to 30 students total split into 3 groups of 10 students. Masks will be required. This summer, there will not be a final showcase for an audience of family and friends. Tuition: $275 / Scholarships available.
Placement audition video may be required to assess student’s experience. Contact Program Director Kylie Irvin at [email protected]
Separate workshops for students in grades 1-3 and grades 4-9
9-3pm Monday-Friday and Friday performance at the end of camp $300
Early and late care available for an additional fee of $50 (7:45am drop off and 5pm pick up)
This is a circus theme/movie musical of “The Greatest Showman.” Do you have any hidden talents? Can you bend yourself in half? Do you like learning skills such as balancing, juggling, singing, dancing, clowning, or miming? Maybe you love to do makeup?
Clowning around is SERIOUS business. Come to this week of camp and you won’t be disappointed; there is something for everybody! Learn musical numbers from the show and create a real circus of a good time.
Included with admission
Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.
In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.
Preserving & Promoting
Our
Carolina Flying Heritage
Let’s Build: Grab your tools and get ready to build! Students create three-dimensional sculptures big and small using a range of materials such as foam, paint, wood, recyclables, and Model Magic to create a range of unique artworks inspired by artists in the Museum’s Collection.
Please note:
- Summer Art Camp is held primarily indoors in the Museum’s John & Robyn Horn Education Center.
- Space is limited to small groups of students; face coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing/sanitization are required.
Join the Museum for Summer Art Camp in our bright and spacious studio! Camp is offered to rising kindergarten through 12th-grade students. All classes are age-appropriate. Sessions include drawing, painting, mixed-media, and more. Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Bryant Holsenbeck, Bird Nest Basket, 1999, mixed media, 6 × 11 1/2 × 10 inches. Gift of Billie Ruth Sudduth, 2010.10.02.58. © Bryant Holsenbeck.
Free for Members or included with Museum admission
Small-group/in-person program
Visit our galleries on a scavenger hunt for inspiration before joining us in the Wells Fargo Art PLAYce to create! Each Friday afternoon for the month of July, we’re making 3D animals. Pick up a scavenger hunt anytime between 1:30 and 3pm at the welcome desk or in the Art PLAYce on level 2. All ages and abilities are welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult); no reservations are required.
Grimm’s Fairy Tales – June 25 – July 24
By Barbie Angell, Kathryn Langwell, Monica McDaniel & Honor Moor
Four local women playwrights take on the tales of The Brothers Grimm and create a World Premiere that is sure to delight the whole family!
Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying, new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts, creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one.
Nominated for 12 Tony Awards®, Ain’t Too Proud tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, as the group’s personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America.
The unforgettable story of this legendary quintet is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and so many more.
Written by three-time Obie Award winner Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys) and featuring the Tony-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, On Your Feet!), Ain’t Too Proud launches their first national tour to over 50 cities across America.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
A FREE book mailed to your child, every month!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails an age-appropriate book monthly to enrolled children ages 0-5. Do you live in Henderson County and have a child younger than 5? Register today and your child can receive a free book in the mail each month until his/her fifth birthday!
How Do I Enroll My Child?
Enrolling your child is easy! You can register your child electronically (click for online registration) or call us at 828-693-1580 and we will mail you a hard copy of the registration form to complete and return to us.
When does the first book arrive?
If you enroll your child in person, we will give your child his/her first book. If not, your child will begin receiving books through the U.S. Postal Services six-eight weeks after the registration form has been received. If you move, please contact Smart Start at 828-693-1580 to notify us of your change in address so your child can continue receiving books.
Is there ever a cost to me?
NO! Through the generous support of the NC General Assembly and donations and grants from individuals and businesses in our community, this is a FREE program.
Annual Survey
Annually, some parents will be asked to complete a short survey. The survey will only take a few minutes to complete. Results will be used to make sure the program is getting results for families. If asked, please consider completing the short questionnaire. Thank you!
Do you have questions about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Henderson County? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions here. If you still have questions, feel free to contact Smart Start Partnership for Children using the contact information below.
A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.
Ride in style on the historic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad aboard your very own restored Caboose. These are great for family reunions, birthday parties, private meetings, corporate field trips or just any time!
Our cabooses accommodate up to 15 people with seating on the main level and in the cupola. (And, remember, babies are people, too!) The cabooses feature heat, private bathrooms, windows that can be opened, and open air vestibules at each end for unobstructed views. Advanced reservations are required and availability of caboose rentals are limited.
A platter of cheese and crackers, and an assortment of 15 bottled Coca-Cola products are included. Plus, the caboose is the only place where you can bring your own food and drink (please, no alcohol) in picnic baskets or coolers.
You can charter the caboose on:
Best value for small groups and private parties up to 15 passengers. Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.
Rafting
Available April – October with the morning departure of the Nantahala Gorge Excursion departing Bryson City, NC. Train seating in Open Air Gondola. Booking available by phone only: 1-800-872-4681.
Convenient, Inclusive, and Simple!
- Adult (13 years and older) $109
Child (Minimum of 7 years old or 60 pounds) $92
A Fully-Guided Experience
The original Raft & Rail© since 1988: enjoy the two best adventures in the region in one day, great for families. Southern Living Magazine calls this “an ideal adventure for families, first-timers, young or old.” This full-day guided adventure starts with a Wildwater staff member greeting you at the train depot, followed by a scenic train trip, deli lunch with all the fixings, and a Nantahala River whitewater trip with a guide in every boat. Hot showers and a photo show follow immediately after your 8 mile Nantahala River trip. All transportation is included to and from the Bryson City Train Depot.
Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.
Enjoy this trip combining the Great Smoky Mountains Railroads trip with the Waterfall Jeep® tour. You’ll begin your trip in Bryson City, NC, with a 2 hour (approximate) railroad excursion over Fontana Lake and into the Nantahala Gorge. As you travel on the train, watch paddlers challenge the rapids. At the top of the line, disembark from the train and climb aboard Wildwater’s customized Jeep® for a 2-hour (approximate) personal exploration up the mountain, past waterfalls and lakes, up to the Appalachian Trail and back. A delicious deli lunch is included.
Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.
* Children 40 – 80 lbs. are required to sit in the front passenger seat with the airbag disengaged using a child booster seat. Children 80 lbs. or greater will sit in the back using a lap seat belt. If there is more than one child in the 40 – 80 lb. range, the second child will sit in the back using a lap belt.
Tarzan Train
Our train and canopy combo trip will start in Bryson City at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train depot. You will ride through the Smoky Mountains, along Fontana Lake and up into the Nantahala Gorge. On your 2 hour train ride, watch paddlers challenge the rapids on the Nantahala River. A delicious Deli Sandwich lunch is included. At the top-of-the-line, you will disembark the train and travel a short distance to Wildwater’s Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours.
The original zipline canopy tour in Western North Carolina, Wildwater’s Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours offers 13 different zip lines and 8 sky bridges. Our two highest platforms have unbelievable views of Clingman’s Dome, Fontana Lake and waterfalls. This gliding experience, naturally fueled by a gradual elevation change, takes you through multiple ecosystems, past hemlocks, into hardwoods and through a deciduous forest packed with native flowering plants. All Canopy Tour Rangers are trained to – and all courses are built and inspected to – ACCT Standards to provide for your well-being and fun. This is a great experience for families.
After enjoying the fully guided zip line tour, check out your photos and buy a t-shirt in Wildwater’s store. Your adventure will end later in the afternoon back at your car in Bryson City, NC. All transportation is included.
Members of your party who can’t – or don’t want to – go on the canopy tour can ride the train round trip. You’ll all meet up shortly after the train’s return in Bryson City, NC.
Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.
The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!
The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.