Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Saturday, October 12, 2019
Sierra Nevada’s Oktoberfest
Oct 12 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sierra Nevada's Six Row Field

Celebrating our 5th year in Mills River, Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest welcomes thousands of lederhosen-clad and dirndl-sporting beer lovers to hoist a stein and Prost like a Pro! Join us for a festive night of craft beer, bountiful food, costumes, dancing, raucous music, and more. Dress your best and brush up on your Chicken Dance skills.

A German-inspired celebration featuring our beer (including our new Oktoberfest Collaboration), ample fest food (think brats, kraut, pretzels and way more), live music, glass blowing demonstrations, a Chicken Dance contest, a Flash Your ‘Stache competition, and more!

Sunday, October 13, 2019
15th anniversary Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference
Oct 13 all-day
near Asheville

The Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference is a weekend for women to learn, celebrate and connect. Come share inspiration, celebration and practical learning about earth-based healing and women’s health. Surrounded by the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains, our venue at Kanuga Lake offers a serene backdrop for over 50 workshops and classes in herbalism, nutrition, personal growth and natural healing.

2019 featured speakers include Karen Rose, Sally Fallon, Dr. Jody Noe, Gina Breedlove and many more!

For all of the details and easy online registration visit www.sewisewomen.com

Thursday, October 17, 2019
Fall Harvest Days Antique Engine and Tractor Show
Oct 17 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

Gate 7 opens Thursday.   8AM to 5 PM rain or shine

Adult Admission $8 a day or $20 for 3 days includes ACAETA pulls
Children under 12 free with paid adult.
Unreserved selling spaces $40, free admission to qualified exhibitors,
limited 2 people per registration; 3rd and above pay admission.

– Pulls –
Farm Tractors 1964 & earlier on Saturday at 10:00 am
Tractor Pulls will be under the covered arena – enter through Gate 7.

Caitlin Donovan: “In The way of all Flesh”
Oct 17 @ 6:30 pm
Firestorm bookstore

A new spooky book just in time for Halloween.  Caitlin Donovan will present works from  her young adult book “In The way of all Flesh” a paranormal fantasy novel; October 17th at 6:30 at the Firestorm bookstore in West Asheville. There will be giveaways, snacks and a Q&A session. Donovan has written for several magazines and blogs including Cracked, Anime feminist and Epicstream. She currently lives in Asheville and is working on a new book. For more information please  visit caitlinalisedonovan.com###

Friday, October 18, 2019
Fall Harvest Days Antique Engine and Tractor Show
Oct 18 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

Gate 7 opens Thursday.   8AM to 5 PM rain or shine

Adult Admission $8 a day or $20 for 3 days includes ACAETA pulls
Children under 12 free with paid adult.
Unreserved selling spaces $40, free admission to qualified exhibitors,
limited 2 people per registration; 3rd and above pay admission.

– Pulls –
Farm Tractors 1964 & earlier on Saturday at 10:00 am
Tractor Pulls will be under the covered arena – enter through Gate 7.

BIG BOOK SALE! Pack Library
Oct 18 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Pack Library

– ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE BOOKS, CDs, DVDs, SIGNED BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
– BOOKENDS USED BOOK STORE – 1/2 off our usual low prices.
– COFFEE TABLE and CHILDREN’S BETTER BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
Notes:
– Credit Cards will be accepted.
– Parking: The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands will be at the U.S. Cellular Center; special parking rates will be in effect.
– Safety & Fairness Rules will be observed in Bookends. (No personal rolling carts or baskets.)

Saturday, October 19, 2019
Fall Harvest Days Antique Engine and Tractor Show
Oct 19 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

Gate 7 opens Thursday.   8AM to 5 PM rain or shine

Adult Admission $8 a day or $20 for 3 days includes ACAETA pulls
Children under 12 free with paid adult.
Unreserved selling spaces $40, free admission to qualified exhibitors,
limited 2 people per registration; 3rd and above pay admission.

– Pulls –
Farm Tractors 1964 & earlier on Saturday at 10:00 am
Tractor Pulls will be under the covered arena – enter through Gate 7.

Farm Game Challenge
Oct 19 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC AG Center
The Antique Engine & Tractor Club will host “The Farm Game Challenge” set for Saturday October 19th at the Western North Carolina Ag Center.
Teams of four to five Teen’s are encouraged to participate in the Farm Games, which will include but not be limited to Straw/Hay Bale Stacking Timed Event , Corn Shucking Timed Event, Corn On the Cob Eating Timed Event, Sheath Toss, and other games.  The Teams will compete against each other with an elimination challenge.  Small Children will get to “Find the Prize” in the Straw/Hay Stack.
All Four Henderson County High Schools have been notified of the games and are encouraged to submit teams to the Farm Game Challenge.  Teams within each school will compete to see which Team will represent it against the other High Schools, Winning teams from each school will compete against each other to claim First Prize in the Farm Games.
To sign up for the Farm Games, please e mail [email protected] with name of team, and  team members.  Teams may be all male, all female, or Co-ed. Teams are limited to Four to Five Members.
The 34th Fall Harvest Days run from October 17-19,2019.  Antique Engines, Tractors, Crafts, Food and Kids activities will be available.  Antique Tractor Pull, Saturday.
For more information contact the web site www.applecountry.org
BIG BOOK SALE! Pack Library
Oct 19 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Pack Library

– ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE BOOKS, CDs, DVDs, SIGNED BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
– BOOKENDS USED BOOK STORE – 1/2 off our usual low prices.
– COFFEE TABLE and CHILDREN’S BETTER BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
Notes:
– Credit Cards will be accepted.
– Parking: The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands will be at the U.S. Cellular Center; special parking rates will be in effect.
– Safety & Fairness Rules will be observed in Bookends. (No personal rolling carts or baskets.)

Bears Bees + Brews
Oct 19 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
New Belgium Brewing

We’re celebrating and learning about human-wildlife coexistence and conservation from trusted organizations, while enjoying lively, family-friendly entertainment, sweet+savory bites, and tasty brews, all in one place.

Join our guest list and spread the word.

We’ll see you there! ???

Sunday, October 20, 2019
?Fall LEAF Festival Lineup Release! ?
Oct 20 all-day
Lake Eden
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Oct 20 all-day
various locations see details

August 23, Appalachian Ridge Hard Cidery in Hendersonville
August 24, HiWire Brewing Company at the Big Top
Sept. 22, UpCountry Brewing on Haywood Road
Sept. 28, Southern Appalachian Brewery in Hendersonville
Oct. 4, Garden Deli in Burnsville
Oct. 6, Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School in West Asheville
Oct. 10, Highland Brewing Company and
Oct. 20, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard in Hendersonville

49th Annual LEAF Festival
Oct 20 all-day
Lake Eden

Image result for leaf festival asheville nc

Fall-leaf-lineup-2019

LEAF Festival sits below Mt. Mitchell with mountain lakes and rolling hills with 600 stunning acres featuring rustic cabins, large camping fields with mountain views, hiking trails,  barns, streams, and lakes for canoeing, swimming, and the zooming zipline. This enchanting land offers lots of outdoors adventures for the whole family!

The 1st LEAF Festival premiered Fall 1996, and has become a tradition twice a year, May and October. The name Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) was chosen to honor the lake and the former Lake Eden Inn & Resort. “Arts” embraces a broad creative palate and of course it was to be a “festival”. In envisioning LEAF, we sought to embrace world cultures, reflect the creativity of the Asheville area, and to complement the stunning landscape. The location and size, attendance is limited to 6,000  people on site per day, makes LEAF Festival one of the best small festivals in the world. The right place, the right size.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Social Justice Book Club
Oct 22 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Alternates Leicester Library Firestorm Book Store

Social Justice Book Club

Tuesday, October 22, 2019, 7 – 8pm
Location Leicester Library – 1561 Alexander Rd. – Leicester
Phone (828) 250-6480
Email [email protected]
Event Type Book Club
Age Group Adult
Library Leicester
Details

Build relationships and build your understanding of social justice in this new reading group sponsored by the Leicester Library!

Monthly meetings will alternate between the Leicester Library and Firestorm.

On October 22, we’ll discuss I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown at the Leicester Library.

On November 26, we’ll discuss The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater at Firestorm.

On December 17, we’ll discuss How To Be Less Stupid About Race by Crystal Fleming at the Leicester Library.

You may check out the book from any BCPL branch, or purchase a copy at a discount from Firestorm. Meetings will alternate monthly between the Leicester Library and Firestorm.

Future titles will be selected with guidance from the host librarian and book club participants.

Link www.firestorm.coop…
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Teen Writing Workshop with Jill Criswell
Oct 24 @ 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Pack Library

Teen Writing Workshop with Jill Criswell

Jill Criswell, young adult fantasy author and writing instructor at USC Upstate, will lead a writing workshop for aspiring writers and hobbyists. Focusing on world-building, this workshop will help writers better understand how to add details to their story’s settings and use this as a foundation for their characters and plot. All attendees will be entered in a drawing to win a signed hardcover copy of Criswell’s novel, Beasts of the Frozen Sun.

Bio: Jill Criswell is a writer of young adult fantasy. Born and raised in the swamps of northeastern Florida, she earned degrees in English and Psychology and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida. Her greatest passion, besides reading and writing, is traveling the world; she’s visited fifty countries across six continents, falling in love with places like Iceland, Namibia, and Cambodia. She works as a university English teacher and lives in South Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and daughter (who is named after a volcano in Iceland). Beasts of the Frozen Sun, the first book in the Frozen Sun trilogy, is her debut novel.

Registration is required for this event!

Friday, October 25, 2019
Bigfoot Festival
Oct 25 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Main Street

5:30 pm 5k Squatch Stroll

     More details to come!

6:30 pm Volunteer/Sponsor Appreciation

                Dinner

7:30 FREE Kid’s Movie – Smallfoot

8:00 FREE Movie – The Legend of Boggy Creek

LaZoom Comedy: Adam Mamawala (friday)
Oct 25 @ 9:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Adam Mamawala is a stand-up comedian based out of New York City. Named one of Funny or Die’s “Top 30 Under 30: Comedians to Watch”, Adam has appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, BET and SeeSo, and his debut album One of the Good Ones debuted at #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts in December of 2017. Adam has headlined over 200 colleges across more than 35 states and his recent festival appearances include the NBC/Second City Breakout Comedy Festival, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, and New York Comedy Festival. Adam has been a freelance contributor to Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update and a writer for Someecards.

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adam-mamawala-at-lazoom-friday-tickets-70464738931

SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adam-mamawala-at-lazoom-saturday-tickets-70464921477

Saturday, October 26, 2019
The Weave October 26th Fall pop-up market @ Salvaterra Pottery in Weaverville
Oct 26 all-day
Salvaterra Pottery

This Fall outdoor market will feature over 25 local artists and small businesses. Watercolor paintings, wire bonsai tree art, jewelry, organic clothing, natural home cleaning products, locally sourced seasonings and herbs, leather goods, home décor, Hemp/CBD Products and much more!
October 26th 10am-4pm

Bigfoot Festival
Oct 26 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Main Street

9:00 am Parade

         SIGN UP>

10:00 – 10:00 pm Food and Craft Vendors

        Contests

11:00 Bigfoot Costume Contest – under 17

11:30 Bigfoot Costume Contest – 17 and up

12:00 Big “Foot” Contest – women

12:30 Big “Foot” Contest – men

2:00 Tree Knock Contest – under 17

2:30 Tree Knock Contest – 17 and up

3:00 Bigfoot Look-a-like Contest

4:00 Bigfoot Calling Contest – under 17

4:30 Bigfoot Calling Contest – 17 and up

Live Music

11:00 Tugalo Holler

1:00 Those Guys

4:15 Diamonds and Whiskey

7:15 The Eric Scott Band

         MUSIC>

Guest Speakers

in the Westminster Music Centre

         SPEAKERS>

Bold Rock Fall Foliage Festival
Oct 26 @ 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Bold Rock Mills River Cidery

Bold Rock Hard Cider invites you to celebrate what makes fall great in the Blue Ridge Mountains at our Annual Fall Foliage Festival on Saturday, October 26th at Bold Rock Hard Cider from 11:30 – 10 PM!

Festival admission is FREE and family/pet friendly! Activities include an artisan fair from 12-5pm, live music from The Pitching Fits from 1-4pm, tunes from Flashback Band from 6-9pm, food trucks and other food vendors, as well as fun fall-themed activities!

Stay tuned for more details and if you’re an interested vendor, please reach out to [email protected] for more information on how you can get in on the fun!

We hope to see you there!

Festival of Heroes Montford Park Players
Oct 26 @ 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Montford Park Players Amphitheater

Warriors, Wanderers, Wakandans, & Westerosi!  It is our very great pleasure to announce the next Festival of Heroes & Goblin Market on Saturday, October 26th!  Located at the Montford Park Players‘s beautiful outdoor Shakespearean amphitheater, this will be a wondrous day of skilled fighting and musical entertainment!

This fall Festival of Heroes will feature the Warriors of Ash and their marquee steel sword tournament, a live musical performance by Balkan & Turkish folk band Black Sea Beat Society, medieval battle and dancing with SCA Barony of Hawkwood, Finnish folk band Slack Bird, blessings by our very own SuperVixen Conversationalist, walk-on foam fighting with The Wandering Swordsmen and The Valley of Ashes, and sing-a-longs by the delightful Assemblage of Singing Folk!

We are also delighted to be joining forces with the Goblin Market to bring even more talented artisans, artists, and entertainers to display and offer their beautiful creations!  Of course we will also have Fox Hill Meadery‘s finest on tap and delicious feasts provided by The Wooden Ladle several other area chefs!

This is a FREE and inclusive event that EVERYONE of all ages, from all lands, and in all themes are welcome at!  It will be Rain or Shine!

Artisans, Artists, and Entertainers will be announced shortly.  In the mean time, those interested in joining us are HIGHLY encouraged to register without delay!

Sunday, October 27, 2019
ComicFest 2019 at Morgan’s Comics
Oct 27 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Morgan's Comics

It’s our favorite time of year again! (Who are we kidding? We love to celebrate Geekiness ALL times of the year!)

We are happy to invite all of our Nerd Sanctuary family & friends to ComicFest 2019 Morgan’s Comics style! FREE Comics, Candy, Locally Baked Treats, Costume Contest, Local Artists & two musical Performances.

The Costume Contest is at 6:30- tell your friends!

**We have hundreds of limited edition, rare & Chase POPS! instock.
***We have many different prizes & promotions going for that day! Games & Contests- please message us or come by for details.

Monday, October 28, 2019
“The Belle of Amherst”- One Woman Show with Sybil Rosen
Oct 28 @ 6:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

"The Belle of Amherst"- One Woman Show with Sybil Rosen

The Friends of the Library, Immediate Theatre Project, and Asheville Community Theatre present “The Belle of Amherst” by William Luce, adapted and performed by Sybil Rosen, an award-winning novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and actress.

A funny, wise, poignant, one-woman show that takes us into the vivid heart and mind of America’s favorite poet, Emily Dickinson.

The two performances are a fundraiser where proceeds benefit the Friends of Pack Memorial Library and the Whitesburg, GA Public Library.

Suggested donation: $10.

Everyone is welcome.No ticket required.

The second performance of this show will be Monday, October 28 at 6pm.

*Presented with permission from the Dramatist Play Service

Wednesday, October 30, 2019
The Panoramic Photos of Herbert Pelton: Asheville 1905-1930
Oct 30 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Join the Friends of the North Carolina Room and researcher Benjamin Porter as he shares information about long-time Asheville-based photographer Herbert Pelton, famous for his panoramic shots of the city in a time of rapid change and modernization. 

The Panoramic Photos of Herbert Pelton: Asheville 1905-1930

Thursday, October 31, 2019
An Evening with the Dead (and Very Much Alive Authors)
Oct 31 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Malaprops Bookstore and Café

Come into Malaprop’s for a Halloween séance with authors Dale Bailey, Nathan Ballingrud (pictured), Jake Bible, and Alexandra Duncan, sharing new stories transmitted from beyond the grave.

Saturday, November 2, 2019
Tryon beer festival
Nov 2 all-day
Tryon Depot Plaza

The Tryon Downtown Development Association presents the 8th Annual Tryon Beer Fest! Tryon’s annual Oktoberfest-style event is Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 1pm ’til 6pm in the Tryon Depot Plaza. Regular tickets are $30 through August 31, 2019 (Early Bird), $35 from September 1, 2019 through November 1, 2019, and $40 at the gate (cash only). VIP Tickets are available this year offering access to a VIP area with snacks and exclusive beers, a hand-crafted tasting cup holder, and $15 credit for oysters or festival merchandise. VIP Tickets are limited at $75 and include access to the VIP area with food, restrooms, and more VIP passes have early entrance to the festival at Noon. Festival only (“Designated Driver”) tickets are $10 at the gate (cash only).
An array of craft beers will be available along with an oyster roast, authentic German food, games, and other treats. The oyster roast starts at 1pm and will continue until they’re all gone! Non-alcoholic beverages and water will also be available. We don’t use sampling tickets, so admission gets you unlimited beer and wine samples!
Rain or shine, come join us in the sun or under the tents complete with heaters if needed! You’re guaranteed a uniquely fun time as you Tap Into Tryon!

3rd Annual Sausage Festival Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Nov 2 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

There will be a TON of sausage samples this year!! We listened to the feedback from last year and you’ll get to not only sample lots of different sausages, but we’re also showing you how we make it in a live demo. Brian, our butcher, has 18 different flavors and will be adding a special sausage just for the festival.

With your ticket, you’ll take part in:

  • Sausage sampling ALL DAY LONG!
  • Fantastic sausage-centric menu
  • Live sausage making demos
  • Adult Musical Chairs (with prize)
  • Oktoberfest Games like “Pass the Pretzel”
  • Local beers and ciders
  • Fresh soft pretzels by Blunt Pretzels
  • Live Music by Mile High Band
  • Hot Beverages by Snowbird Mountain Coffee
  • All Fall Festival activities like hay rides, etc.
3rd Annual Asheville Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Nov 2 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Outlets

Food Truck Festivals of America is bringing the 3rd Annual Asheville Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival to Asheville Outlets on Saturday, Nov 2, in Asheville, NC from Noon-5pm (VIP hour 11am-Noon). While popular food trucks dish out fan favorites, craft ales and beers will be available for sale. There will also be music playing, lawn games to enjoy, and an artisan market where local artists will showcase their work.

For those foodies that want a little more out of their festival experience, the VIP hour is for you (from 11am-Noon)! VIP tickets are $25 in advance online and entitle you to:

• Early access to the festival
• No lines!
• One free dessert from our designated VIP food truck
• Unlimited bottled water throughout the festival
• $1 off any craft beer throughout the festival

This year for beer lovers looking for something special FTFA is introducing their new Beer Lovers Package. These tickets are $40 in advance online only and includes:

• Early access to the festival (11 AM)
• 3 beer tickets for 3 craft beers of your choice
• $1 off additional craft beers
• Free FTFA koozie
• Unlimited bottled water

You can also purchase our Beer 6-pack add on in advance and get 6 beers for the price of 5!

Ticket Information

General admission tickets will be available for purchase in advance online for $5, or at the gate for $10. Children 12 and under are free.
For more information or to purchase VIP or General Admission tickets please visit www.foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com.

Paying Tribute to the Amazing Work of Those Who Keep Us Safe
First Responders will receive Free Admission at all festivals – from police, to fire, to EMTs – with a valid ID.

More Information

For the very latest news please follow @FTFofAmerica on Twitter and “like” us on www.facebook.com/FTFofAmerica/.

Sunday, November 3, 2019
Artisanville – A NEW Fine Art/Fine Craft Show coming to Greenville, SC
Nov 3 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

From traditional paintings, jewelry, wood, pottery, and glass, to unique photography, furniture, clothing, and mixed media art; the idea behind Artisanville is to have something for everyone to appreciate and to take home.
Artisanville invites its guests to investigate and explore our unique items during a two-day long fine art and craft show. With over 175 regional and national artists—each handpicked and personally invited to the event— this show promises to surprise and entrance you. Visitors can interact with artisans, see live art demos, purchase beautiful artwork, or simply enjoy the craftsmanship behind each piece. When in need of a break, art lovers can also relax, get a drink or snack, listen to live music and log into the Internet at the new Art Patron Lounge area. There are even free drawings for “Artisanville bucks” to spend at the show. Be sure not to miss ARTISANVILLE…the newest Fine Art/Fine Craft Show coming to Greenville, SC!

Thursday, November 14, 2019
Ramble Ladies Evening Book Club
Nov 14 @ 7:00 pm
contact organizer

Second Thursday each Month
If you are interested in joining the Ramble Ladies Evening Book Club held the second Thursday of each month at 7pm, please, contact Judy Deutsch at [email protected].