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.
Join us on a walking tour of the Foundy in the River Arts District where we learn about the only existing Street Art Gallery in Asheville and all the artists who have created graffiti and mural installations that have made our town an urban art destination.
| Bullington Gardens invites you to experience the epitome of exclusivity with their new and exciting offering – twilight parties in the enchanting gardens. Now accepting reservations, this is your chance to indulge in a truly magical evening with your own private group of eight. From August 15 to October 14, 2023, Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30-6:30p.m., immerse yourself in nature’s wonders while delighting your palate with locally-sourced wines and cider, all in the company of the resplendent Dahlias in full bloom.
Picture this: you and your closest companions, relishing the serenity of the gardens, sipping on delectable beverages, and taking leisurely strolls amidst the breathtaking flora. To ensure an intimate experience, each group of up to eight will have their own private party. Whether you prefer the charming pavilion or the festive tents, the choice is yours. And fear not, for even if the rain tries to dampen the mood, the horticultural therapy greenhouse is ready to shelter you. With only two groups accommodated each evening, you’ll have the pleasure of enjoying your own secluded space. Each group’s table will be beautifully set in separate venues, adorned with fresh floral arrangements that you can take home as a keepsake. As the host, you have the opportunity to curate a culinary masterpiece by bringing your own hors d’oeuvres or even an entire meal. Imagine the delight of savoring delicious food amidst an unparalleled view, creating an unforgettable private party. The cost for a table of eight is $300 per group, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience. If you’re interested in elevating your involvement, consider a sponsorship level of $500. By participating in this extraordinary event, you will not only create cherished memories but also support the Educational and Horticultural Therapy programs dedicated to children and adults with special needs. To secure your spot for the Wee Wine & Dahlias evening of your dreams, reserve below or give us a call at 828-698-6104. Remember, availability is limited, so make sure to secure your reservation early. Get ready to immerse yourself in an evening of enchantment at Bullington Gardens! August 15th through October 14th, 2023. Tuesday-Saturday, 4:30pm-6:30pm. |
In today’s ever-changing marketplace it is a challenge to find the right messaging, branding, and marketing strategy to connect with your target customer.
With the variety of digital marketing options available, it can be confusing to determine which will work the best for your business.
Items to be discussed:
- Clarifying your company’s key message to customers and prospects
- Know exactly what your customer thinks about your brand.
- Discovering what makes you better than the competition to own that market segment.
- Presenting the experience that converts prospects to customers.
- Developing effective lead generation campaigns.
- Social media & content strategies to make you a
thought leader.
- Plus, many FREE, simple, downloadable resources
you can use immediately in your business.
Queer Music Exploration – Students will explore guitar, bass, drums, singing and piano with a focus on learning music by artists from the LGBTQ+ community. Students will have the chance to interact with their peers and share their experiences through music.
Come meet the region’s government leadership at our 2023 Elected Officials Reception on Thursday, August 24 hosted in the Visitor Center lobby!
Each year, the Chamber brings together the mayors of the region and members of the Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to meet and network with Western North Carolina’s business community. Local elected officials from Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties attend.
This event is FREE to attend. There is no need to register. We encourage guests to wear their business name badges!
Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through September 30, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.
Beverage Service
Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.
Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome
Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)
Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Find more information here.
Join the Green Riverkeeper on Thursday, July 27th for our Green Clean Series! This event continues the 4th Thursday of every month June-September from 5:30-8ish. You do not have to kayak to be a part of the monthly cleans. We absolutely welcome road-side helpers too!
We’re celebrating 40 years of setting the table together and invite you to join us! Each ticket includes:
- A MANNA-through-the-decades dance party with DJ Molly Parti spinning tunes from the 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s
- Special recognitions for the people and partners that have made our work possible for 40 years
- A snack bar filled with goodies from WNC’s iconic brands like Poppy Popcorn, Asheville Pretzel Company, and Hickory Nut Gap
- The best handcrafted popsicles in town from Buggy Pops
- The joy of knowing that your ticket helps provide 160 meals for neighbors facing food insecurity right now
– ALL AGES
– LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED
WILL OVERMAN
Making a living in music isn’t easy, especially when it seems like listeners’ tastes change with the wind and algorithms are updated constantly, teasing artists with catching the elusive dollar. Central VA based singer-songwriter Will Overman however; has found a way to thrive in a seemingly constant state of transition.
Will Overman’s music can be best described as Country-Americana, but it’s not your typical Country-Americana sound. Sonically it is restless by nature, always searching for something new, and with Will’s heart-worn lyrics and dynamic vocal delivery, it makes for a memorable mixture that is hard to place but easy to love.
Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Will began writing songs after picking up the guitar in high school. He quickly built a regional following, and despite taking time to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail and move to Vermont for a semester of college, he capitalized on his move back to Virginia the following spring by forming the Will Overman Band. The Southern Rock ‘n Roll influenced Americana project released two EPs and an LP, playing bar gigs and festival slots (Merlefest, Appaloosa Music Festival, Rooster Walk) up and down the East Coast until in the spring of 2017, when Will graduated from UVA and the band decided to go their separate ways.
Although he was unsure what to do next, Will began working on his first solo release – 2017’s Crossroads EP with a studio band of some nationally known musicians (Johnny Stubblefield – Parachute, Sam Wilson – Sons of Bill) and good friends from the central VA music scene. Though proud of the final product, following its release, Will took a step back from music for over a year as he re-evaluated whether he could build a sustainable career as a writer and touring musician. Even while putting distance between himself and music, Will couldn’t keep himselffrom writing new songs, and following a return to Virginia in mid-2019, Will went back into the studio to record the songs that would form his debut LP The Winemaker’s Daughter.
Following the successful and well-received release of the debut single “Something to Hold” from The Winemaker’s Daughter on February 14, 2020, Will hit the road on his first major solo tour two weeks later – just as the pandemic started shutting down the world. Canceled and indefinitely postponed gigs quickly piled up, but rather than stop making or releasing music Will continued on, dropping singles from the album while garnering international media attention and radio play. Since breaking the ice on his own return to live shows in April 2021 to celebrate the release of The Winemaker’s Daughter in February 2021 (almost a year to the day after the release of the initial single), Will has put tens of thousands of miles on his van while traveling from shows anywhere from Savannah to Minneapolis to Boston and everywhere in between.
Armed with a powerful voice and powerful convictions, Will Overman is slowly but surely building a name for himself performing throughout the east coast at venues and festivals such as (The Jefferson Theater, Fall for Greenville, The Basement) and supporting artists like (Joe Pug, Christian Lopez, Dead Horses, Grady Spencer & the Work, etc.). Regardless of whether you get a first listen of Will at the next show or song on shuffle, you can be sure that it won’t be long before you know his songs by heart.
IN-PERSON MEETUP
White Duck Taco, River Arts District
388 Riverside Drive
For our fourth in-person meetup, we will again enjoy the offerings at White Duck Taco. Bring your appetite.
We will play Two Truths and a Lie, so be prepared to tell us 3 interesting “facts” about yourself, and we will attempt as a group to determine which of the 3 is actually a lie.
Date night = planned!
Every Thursday from 6-9pm, reserve a table for a date night planned by Point Lookout! For $45 we will reserve a table for two on our Sunset Terrace, complete with a bottle of wine and one of our specialty charcuterie boards.
Let us do the planning so that you can enjoy the sunset, sips, and time with your sweetheart.
- Live Music, 6:00 p.m. and $8 specialty martinis all day at Leo’s Italian Social
Nicole Witt is a nationally-touring, award-winning Nashville songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for the soaring melodies and clever turns of phrase that have brought her national acclaim in the country, bluegrass, and Christian music scenes. With a voice that’s part Adele, part Patty Griffin, she conveys a level of emotion and sincerity scarce in modern music. Whether she’s behind a piano or upfront with her guitar or fiddle, Witt delivers live performances led by that gorgeous voice and anchored by her charm.
Join us for Thirsty Thursday presented by Catawba Brewing Co. and 105.9 The Mountain. $1 Domestic Beer, $1 Coca-Cola and $3 Craft Beer.
Our jazz trio with Thommy Knoles on keys, Felix Pastorius on bass, and Paul Gladstone on drums will perform an opening set from about 7-8:15 pm.
An open jam session follows. Drop-ins are welcome and encouraged for a suggested donation of $10.
Jazz Jam will feature a diverse array of music from jazz’s rich history, ranging from 1940s bebop up to 1970s jazz fusion, as well as material from prominent present-day composers. Bring your instruments and jam with us, or just come and enjoy!
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz are Brevard’s newest and most exciting and entertaining jazz band with a sound that combines the funkiness of George Benson, the soulfulness of Ray Charles and the smoothness of Diana Krall all wrapped together in big Count Basie style arrangements of American and Latin jazz classics. If you are looking for an amazing live jazz experience then check out the hottest jazz band in the coolest city in North Carolina performing every Thursday at The DFR Lounge from 7pm to 9pm
Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.
Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated. Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and DreamWorks film.
*Adult language and content. Parental discretion advised.
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
– LIMITED NUMBER OF VIP MEET & GREET TICKETS AVAILABLE (VIP PROGRAM BEGINS AT 6:15PM)
Canaan Cox is the definition of a triple threat – artist, actor and dancer. His music is a fusion of contemporary country, pop and a hint of rhythm and blues, which is no surprise as he grew up in a musical household. Originally from North Carolina, his father blasted Conway Twitty records while his mother toured the southeast with her band, and his seven sisters ensured he had a healthy dose of pop music. Cox went on to earn his BFA in Musical Theatre from Catawba College which allows him a unique musical perspective that influences everything he does today, from writing original music to his performance during live shows. Cox moved to Nashville in the fall of 2016, and began playing the downtown bars on Broadway.
During a chance encounter in 2021, Cox met radio and television personality Bobby Bones, who loved his hustle and invited Cox to appear on his show, reaching over 9.2 million listeners. His last single “As You Leave” (January 2022) received critical acclaim with marquee playlisting on Spotify including New Boots, Wild Country, Breakout Country, Next from Nashville, Apple’s New in Country, and was highlighted in Amazon’s Breakthrough Country playlist.
Following the outpouring of support he received on the Bobby Bones Show, his song was spotlighted on the Country Top 30. This momentum led Cox to a phenomenal year of streaming, seeing incredible 10x growth in 2022. His latest single “Hate Me More” highlights his craft as a songwriter along with a sultry sound that blends his unique styles of music. In addition, Cox is planning to release an upcoming EP and an international tour later this year. There is much to come from this multi-talented artist that is paving his own lane in country music.
Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.
The Menzingers will be performing LIVE on the Indoor Stage at Salvage Station on Thursday, August 24th, 2023 with Prince Daddy & the Hyena and Mercy Union! Doors open @ 7PM and the music starts @ 8PM. This is a General Admission show with FREE ON-SITE PARKING!
Day of show information:
PARKING: DO NOT park along the railroad tracks, bike lanes, or at other businesses along Riverside Drive! YOU WILL BE TOWED! FREE ON-SITE parking is available for this event.
AGE LIMIT: 18+ only (no exceptions!)
REQUIRED: Shirts + shoes are required at all times while on property (this used to be a salvage yard and can be very dangerous for bare feet).
FOOD/BEVERAGE: We will have Root Down Kitchen open with options for everyone, so come hungry! Please, no outside food, drinks are allowed into the venue. Multiple full bars will be open with an incredible selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. EMPTY water bottles are allowed in an effort to cut down on waste. Remember to reduce, reuse and recycle and LEAVE NO TRACE (aka- put your used items in the proper bins when done).
BAG POLICY: ALL guests are subject to being searched prior to entry. No large bags over 6″x6″ are allowed into the venue. *If you must have a bag larger than 6″x6″ for medical reasons, it must be completely CLEAR.
Presenters: Pat Strang and Joyce Tromba, Extension Master Gardener SM Volunteers
Learn how tannin and pigments in plants allow us to make amazing prints on fabric. We will collect and use leaves and flowers from the Learning Garden to create beautiful prints on cotton. We will steam our botanicals on cotton bandanas to create permanent, life like images.
$10 donation requested. Cash only
This class will be in the garden, please dress appropriately..
Registration: Seating is limited and registration is required. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.
Food Scraps Drop Off
The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is offering a FREE Food Scrap Drop-Off program in two locations for all Buncombe County residents. This organic matter will be collected and turned into good clean compost, keeping it OUT of our landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Register for Food Scraps Drop Off
Need a handy kitchen countertop food scrap bin? Let us know on the registration form! We’ll be having bin giveaways at city and county facilities and would love to give you one.
Locations
Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the east side of the parking lot
749 Fairview Road, Asheville
-
- Dawn – Dusk
Stephens-Lee Recreation Center “Food Scrap Shed” next to the Community Garden on the North side of the parking lot
30 Washington Carver Avenue, Asheville
-
- Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.
West Asheville Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the south side of the building
942 Haywood Road, Asheville
-
- Library open hours
- Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center
85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander
-
- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 pm
-
Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers will be staffing the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your garden question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.
Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline
Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected]
Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.
Garden Helpline Hours
March – (starts March 6)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
April through September:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
October – (ends October 26th)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
We are here to help and support you! Please contact us. We look forward to answering your gardening questions.
If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.
The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.
Eligibility requirements
Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.
For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.
Voted “Best Place to Learn” by Outside, NOC Paddling School has taught more paddlers than anyone else, with 50 years of experience going into every class. Our commitment to the sport and to providing the best possible instruction has not waivered. So come and let us be your respected and experienced instructor.
Whitewater Kayaking Instruction
Youth Paddling Programs
Specialty Paddling Programs
Professional Training for Paddlers
Canoe Courses
Registration is ongoing through the year. Get new updates and access all previous entries in a convenient online library.
The Curator’s Journal by Bonsai Curator Arthur Joura is a year-long course offering the ultimate insider’s view of bonsai at The North Carolina Arboretum. Regular entries chronicle growing an art and growing an enterprise. Some journal entries will be long and others more brief; some will be mostly words and others mostly pictures; some will be close-up studies of detail and others will step back to take in the wider scene. The path will not be linear, but all the entries will be steps along a journey.
You’re invited to come along.
With multiple parks featuring ballfields and volleyball, pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts, Asheville has plenty of opportunities to join pick-up games or play with organized sports leagues. Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) offers a broad line-up of youth athletics programs, adult sports leagues, and special events throughout the year with an emphasis on fair play and enjoyment for any level of experience, including the fall opportunities below.
Search Current Asheville Sports and Athletics
Limited spots available, so advance registration at AVLREC.com required. Some activities offer discounted registration for early sign ups. Most team sports also offer “looking for a team” options for free agents. Some activities charge a higher rate for participants who do not live in Asheville.
Leagues
6v6 Indoor Volleyball League, $200 per team
Registration opens November 27, games begin January 16 for winter season
Upper, middle, and lower divisions play at Tempie Avery Montford Community Center.
Over 40 Basketball League, $60 per player
Registration ends August 24, games begin September 12
Asheville’s newest team sports league provides an opportunity for community members over 40 who want to get back into the game or prefer to play with others around the same age. Sign up as an individual to be placed on a team based on height, position, and skill level for games played at Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center.
Flag Football League, $600 per team
Registration opens August 30, games begin October 17
Upper, middle, and lower divisions play at Asheville Middle School on 211 South French Broad Avenue.
Winter Basketball League, $600 per team
Registration opens October 10, games begin November 27
Upper and lower divisions play at Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center. Middle division plays at Stephens-Lee Community Center.
Clinics and Tournaments
Tennis Clinic, $20 per player
Registration ends September 6, clinics held each Tuesday and Thursday from September 12-21
Instructional clinics for beginners and intermediate players teach the basics and build on skills each class at Murphy-Oakley Park.
Doubles Grass Volleyball Tournament, $20 per team
Registration ends September 5, tournament on September 16
Six sets to 21 in pool play for advance and intermediate divisions in which all teams advance to the playoffs on a day of music, fun, and volleyball at Carrier Park.
Intro to Golf, $10 for series with players responsible for their own green fees
Registration ends September 28, games played each Wednesday from October 4-25
Travel to a different golf course each week for one-on-one coaching to learn the game. For more info, contact Colt Miller at [email protected] or (828) 707-2376.
Pumpkin Ball Softball Bash Tournament, $150 per team
Registration ends September 30, tournament on October 7
All players hit a 16-inch softball in games played on a 200-foot distance field with unlimited home runs with a three-game guarantee. Winning teams receive prizes and trophies. For more info, contact Zack Stewart at [email protected] or (828) 545-1644.
Late Night Wiffleball Tournament, $5 per team
Registration ends November 9, tournament on November 16
Five-player teams play in this two-game guarantee tournament at Tempie Avery Montford Community Center. For more info, contact Kiley Pritchard at [email protected] or (828) 507-3357.