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.

Thursday, July 28, 2022
Farm Fresh for Health Regional Symposiums
Jul 28 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
KT’s Orchard and Apiary

 

Throughout the summer of 2022, ASAP will present a series of on-farm symposiums for healthcare professionals in Western North Carolina to highlight the principles of Farm Fresh for Health. Farm Fresh for Health addresses the real and perceived barriers that influence what we eat and determine health outcomes. ASAP and community partners are using strategies and initiatives built around:

  • Produce Prescriptions
  • Nutrition Security
  • Workplace Wellness
  • Wrap-Around Clinical Health Services
  • Cooking Classes
  • Farm to School
  • Social Determinants of Health

Each symposium will introduce key strategies and highlight examples from ASAP and the community, including projects from ASAP’s Community in Action initiative. Attendees will take part in farm tours, hands-on activities, and facilitated discussion about how they can use Farm Fresh for Health tools in their own practices to improve health outcomes. A seasonally focused farm-to-table meal (lunch or dinner) will be provided by a local food partner. Space is limited at each symposium. A $20 registration fee offsets the cost of meals and materials.


DINNER

Catered by Luis Martinez of Tequio Foods.

KEY STRATEGIES

Wrap-around clinical health services, local food and nutrition security programs, cooking classes in the community, social determinants of health

PRESENTERS

KT Taylor is a nurse at Mission Hospital and the farmer and owner of KT’s Orchard and Apiary, where she grows a variety of apples, peaches, nectarines, raspberries, pears, and local honey.

Marianne Martinez is the executive director of VecinosValeria Barrera Vizcarra manages the organization’s Farmworker Health Program. Vecinos is on a mission to provide culturally appropriate health and wellness services for the uninsured Latinx community​. Agricultural work is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country and workers face many barriers when it comes to accessing care. Vecinos aims to break down health care barriers by bringing services directly to the community through out-patient clinics and mobile medical clinics.

Jenna Kranz is the founder and executive director of Uncomplicated Kitchen. Uncomplicated Kitchen teaches community members how to plan meals, shop for ingredients, and cook healthy, simple, and affordable recipes. The organization seeks to bridge the gap between the food people have access to and the tools and knowledge they have to prepare nutritious meals for themselves and their families.

Nilofer Couture is a Registered Dietician and the Clinical Nutrition Manager at Cherokee Indian Hospital in Cherokee, NC. She also serves on the board for both Uncomplicated Kitchen and ASAP. She’s dedicated her career to helping people make better food choices and her work with Uncomplicated Kitchen fits right in with her passion for nutritious eating.

David Smiley is the program manager of ASAP’s Local Food Campaign. During the pandemic, he developed and implemented ASAP’s Appalachian Farms Feeding Families program, which connected farms with feeding sites across the region.

Mike McCreary is ASAP’s farmers market program manager and has developed ASAP’s SNAP incentive programs. Under Mike’s management, in 2009 Asheville City Market was the first market in Western North Carolina to accept SNAP/EBT.

Sarah Hart is ASAP’s communications manager. She coordinated Healthy Eating in Practice, a national conference for physicians and healthcare professionals to better support healthy eating, presented by ASAP in 2018.

Public Tour: A Hand in Studio Craft
Jul 28 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Harvey K. Littleton, Amber Maze, 1968, blown glass, 8 3/4 × 10 1/2 × 6 inches. Gift of Maurine Littleton from the collection of Harvey & Bess Littleton, 2020.67.010. © Estate of Harvey K. Littleton.

Friday, July 29, 2022
Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Jul 29 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.

House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.

Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free

Hours of Operation

9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday – Saturday
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays

Eliada Home guided walking Farm Tour
Jul 29 @ 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Elida Homes

Join us at Eliada Home’s campus for a small group guided walking Farm Tour. Tours last approximately 1 hour. Participants will learn about outdoor and greenhouse growing practices, aquaponics, hydroponics, market gardening, corn maze production, and learn about our Animal Therapy program.

We will be meeting at the PARC building and walking to the different greenhouses, garden site, and a visit with our animals. Reservations required, tickets are $10 each visitor (to be collected at the time of the tour).

We recommend bringing the following: comfortable shoes for walking on pavement and grass, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.  This tour is not handicap accessible and will require participants to climb stairs and walk on uneven ground.

We will begin out tour promptly at the starting time, so please arrive 5-10 min early to allow for parking and check-in. If you are running late or cannot make your tour, please email [email protected] or call #828-348-2287.

All proceeds from ticket sales from your farm tour go directly back to helping the Campus Farm Program grow more food for the children of Eliada!

Click above photo to sign up for a time slot and number of people in your group. Payment for tour will be collected when you arrive. Cards accepted.

This tour is best suited for school age children ages 10+ and adults.

Grandfather by Night
Jul 29 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain at night

Explore Grandfather Mountain after hours with your own personal guides. You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, while stopping at its most significant sites. Watch a stunning Grandfather sunset, and experience the mountain as never before!

This event costs $50 for general admission and $42 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club. Registration opens here June 29.

Saturday, July 30, 2022
Grove Arcade Summer Festival 2022
Jul 30 all-day
Grove Arcade

Grove Arcade’s First Annual Summer Festival is Saturday July 30th! The merchants of the Grove Arcade have come together to share their crafts and specialties in a fun and interactive way with the community. Stop by for indoor and outdoor games and activities, live music, live demos, food and drink specials and so much more!
Let’s run through the full list of activities, shall we?
Live Music Performances by Travers Brothership, Random Acts of Music, Tommy Partin & More
Live Raffle Giveaway featuring gifts from Serenity & Scott, Baba Nahm, Mission at the Grove, Adoratherapy, Wake Foot Sanctuary, Four Corners, Blue Dharma & More! Proceeds donated to our event partner, Food Connection AVL
Jason Probstein Glass Blowing at Mountain Made
Live Painting by Bill Bowers
Food & Beverage Specials from Modesto, Huli Sue’s, Baba Nahm, Carmel’s, Wedge Brewing & Battery Park Book Exchange
Huli Sue’s is serving homemade Spam Musubi, Hurricane Popcorn, & Free Pineapple/Mango Lung Hi Mui Softserve
Battery Park Book Exchange will have Summer Books on sale & a Special Summer Mimosa!
Live Knitting, Sewing & Embroidery at NC Home Crafts & Razberry Threads
Interactive kids activity, pet rocks & 20% off storewide sale at Enter the Earth
Free timing analysis for mechanical watches & strap blowout sale at The Watchmaker’s Shop
Free Face Painting
Free Caricaturist by Brian Vasilik
Chalk Art by Austsen Mikuka
Games & Activities for Adults & Kids
And so much more!!

LEAF Solid Gold 50th Festival: Legends of Africa
Jul 30 all-day
online w/ LEAF

 

Listen. Dance. Feel the music and that will answer, “Why the “Legends of Africa?” Africa is the core and essence of where so much of humanity and music has originated. It has forever influenced music and cultures throughout the world with the diaspora of its people. Over the years, LEAF has connected deeply with many African artists and presented artists from 32 of the 54 countries on the continent. These bonds and our love of Africa, bring us back the magic of not just the continent, but its people, our family. So join us for a true gathering of friends and the rekindling of traditions that have made the past 27 years of LEAF memorable.

“The shortest distance between two people is a story, a song, or a dance.”
Masankho Banda from Malawi.

Who is an African Legend you admire? Chinobay of Uganda said he’s been inspired by the music he listened to during Apartheid. He spoke of Miriam Makeba (nicknamed Momma Africa) a South African singer, songwriter and activist whose music was socially responsible and carried so much power for the people. What makes you a Legend is the MESSAGE you carry to the world.

In flow with Chinobay’s reflection, the artwork is a masterpiece created by legendary artist Trek 6 inspired by his work in South Africa while producing a documentary. Trek spoke about how the sunrises and sunsets in Africa were surreal, thus he began with a beautiful sun design.  A wall of drums in South Africa, where they host people from different tribes bringing food, song and art inspired the drums. In Trek’s own words, “Africa is cosmic, colorful, and the center to our past. From it we radiated.”We are honored by his artistic vision.

  • Sale!

    Festival Weekend PLUS Pass

    $175.00 – $203.00

    October 20-23, 2022 *Must be purchased by LEAF Member* Thursday 4:30pm to Sunday 7pm including overnight tent camping.

  • Sale!

    Festival Weekend Pass

    $135.00 – $159.00

    October 21-23, 2022 Fri 9am – Sun 7pm. Includes overnight camping

  • Sale!

    Festival Community Pass

    $95.00 – $105.00

    Fri 4:30pm – 2am, Sat 9am – 2am, Sun 9am – 7pm. No overnights / camping. No Thu. access. Must have alternate overnight accommodations nearby

  • Sale!

    Festival Saturday Pass

    $53.00 – $59.00

    Saturday, October 22, 2022, 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM. No overnight camping.

Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Jul 30 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.

House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.

Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free

Hours of Operation

9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday – Saturday
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays

Guided Hendersonville History Walks on Main Street with Mary Jo Padgett
Jul 30 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Hendersonville City Hall, front steps

Take a 90-plus minute walk along Historic Main Street to learn about Hendersonville’s history and architecture and hear fascinating stories of the past. Be charmed and informed by Hendersonville’s history, architecture, and colorful stories.  Learn how the town got its name, who donated the land, bordellos, the oldest block of buildings, amazing fires, trolley lines … and more. All walks begin at 10am and begin at Hendersonville City Hall, front steps (corner of 5th Ave. East and King Street).

Urban Garden Tour + Tasting with Bountiful Cities
Jul 30 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
West Asheville Park Pavilion

The Urban Garden Tour is FREE and open to everyone! Seven local food producing gardens will open their gates for visitors, educational activities and tours. There is no cost to visit the gardens. Local chefs will be preparing small bites for sampling and local (nonalcoholic) drinks will be available. Register below to join the tour and to purchase food and beverage tickets. To sample at every garden, tickets are $35 in advance. You will receive a tasting punch card when you check in at the West Asheville Park Pavilion.

Here is a link to a bike route created by Asheville On Bikes on their Ride with GPS App for folks who would like to take the self guided tour by bicycle. Many of the gardens are quite close together, so walking is also an option. Our goal is to raise awareness about urban agriculture and long-term food security solutions in uplifting the work of organizations, businesses, and nonprofits. We want to celebrate all we can grow with inclusivity, collaboration and a low carbon footprint.

If you are interested in volunteering to help us make this amazing event happen (on the day of or in a garden beforehand) please fill out this Volunteer Interest Form

For more information and to become a sponsor contact Cathy Cleary [email protected]

Participating Gardens include Lucy S. Herring Elementary School Garden, Sunny Point Cafe Garden, The People’s Plot Community Garden at West Asheville Park, Peace Gardens and Market at Bryant St., Hall Fletcher Elementary School Garden, Elder and Sage Community  Garden, and Bountiful Cities Pearson Garden.

Ticket holders will get to sample unique creations and confections from The Hop Ice Cream, OWL Bakery, East Fork Pottery Chefs, Stony Hill Bistro, Nani’s Piri Piri Chicken, Chai Pani, Chef Camille Cogswell of Walnut Family Bakery, Sunny Point Cafe, Chef Steve Goff with Tastee Diner, Everyday Gourmet, and more.

Sunday, July 31, 2022
LEAF Solid Gold 50th Festival: Legends of Africa
Jul 31 all-day
online w/ LEAF

 

Listen. Dance. Feel the music and that will answer, “Why the “Legends of Africa?” Africa is the core and essence of where so much of humanity and music has originated. It has forever influenced music and cultures throughout the world with the diaspora of its people. Over the years, LEAF has connected deeply with many African artists and presented artists from 32 of the 54 countries on the continent. These bonds and our love of Africa, bring us back the magic of not just the continent, but its people, our family. So join us for a true gathering of friends and the rekindling of traditions that have made the past 27 years of LEAF memorable.

“The shortest distance between two people is a story, a song, or a dance.”
Masankho Banda from Malawi.

Who is an African Legend you admire? Chinobay of Uganda said he’s been inspired by the music he listened to during Apartheid. He spoke of Miriam Makeba (nicknamed Momma Africa) a South African singer, songwriter and activist whose music was socially responsible and carried so much power for the people. What makes you a Legend is the MESSAGE you carry to the world.

In flow with Chinobay’s reflection, the artwork is a masterpiece created by legendary artist Trek 6 inspired by his work in South Africa while producing a documentary. Trek spoke about how the sunrises and sunsets in Africa were surreal, thus he began with a beautiful sun design.  A wall of drums in South Africa, where they host people from different tribes bringing food, song and art inspired the drums. In Trek’s own words, “Africa is cosmic, colorful, and the center to our past. From it we radiated.”We are honored by his artistic vision.

  • Sale!

    Festival Weekend PLUS Pass

    $175.00 – $203.00

    October 20-23, 2022 *Must be purchased by LEAF Member* Thursday 4:30pm to Sunday 7pm including overnight tent camping.

  • Sale!

    Festival Weekend Pass

    $135.00 – $159.00

    October 21-23, 2022 Fri 9am – Sun 7pm. Includes overnight camping

  • Sale!

    Festival Community Pass

    $95.00 – $105.00

    Fri 4:30pm – 2am, Sat 9am – 2am, Sun 9am – 7pm. No overnights / camping. No Thu. access. Must have alternate overnight accommodations nearby

  • Sale!

    Festival Saturday Pass

    $53.00 – $59.00

    Saturday, October 22, 2022, 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM. No overnight camping.

Love♡Shine♡Play Festival
Jul 31 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Asheville, NC

Love♡Shine♡Play Festival

Please join us for the 5th annual Love♡Shine♡Play Festival, July 28-31, 2022 (tentative date) taking place against the breathtaking backdrop of the world’s oldest mountains in gorgeous Asheville, NC. The festival classes take place in beautiful venues throughout downtown Asheville as well as our gorgeous & famous Pack Square Park. You will be able to choose from a variety of offerings including yoga classes, meditation, talks, hikes, and more. The pedestrian friendly festival will allow you to immerse yourself in the vibrant life of a city brimming with cultural arts, culinary delights, and many independent shops.

Once you have purchased your tickets, you will receive an order confirmation email from Eventbrite, our ticketing partner. Your e-ticket(s) will be attached to your order confirmation email. Important: if you do not see your order confirmation in your inbox, make sure to check your junk/spam folder. If you are still unable to find them, contact the Eventbrite help center here.

Event is rain or shine, and ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL.

We look forward to seeing you in Asheville!

Love♡Shine♡Play Festival
Jul 31 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
various locations in Asheville

Love♡Shine♡Play Festival

Whether you are a Love Shine Play veteran or are joining us for the first time, we hope the following information will answer many questions and ensure your weekend experience is smooth and easy.

Deep breath in, Deep breath out…Let’s Do This!!!

TICKET REGISTRATION

Be sure to bring your ticket confirmation (paper copy or electronic). If you forget, no worries, your name and ID will get the job done!

Thursday July 28th ~ 10AM to 5PM

The Venue 21 N Market St. Asheville, NC 28801.

(Immersion attendees can check in at 7am). Pick up your pass, pause at our Intention Alter to ground yourself for the weekend, and get your L♡S♡P merch before it sells out!

Friday – Sunday ~ 7AM to 6PM

Mountain Air Market Ticket & Merch Tent in Pack Square Park. See the festival map for location.

PARKING

There are multiple parking decks scattered throughout downtown Asheville all indicated on the festival map. Each of them provides easy access to the festival venues and they are an affordable way to keep your car downtown all day. There is also ample street parking available for shorter times (2-3 hour maximum). Asheville is busy in the summer so allow yourself plenty of time to park.

DOWNLOAD YOUR SCHEDULE TO YOUR PHONE

For ease of keeping up with your schedule and all festival happenings, download the Sched app to your phone and search for Love Shine Play Festival. Once you are on the festival page, you can view the full schedule or toggle to view “My Sched” at the top of the page. If you have wifi, you can also go to the LSP sched website here to access the full festival schedule. You can print your schedule as well if you do not have a smartphone.

CLASS ETIQUITTE & WAITLIST

Please allow the students from the last class to to clear out before you enter a classroom. Check in with our volunteers and allow yourself time to get settled. Some classes will be very full with very little space between mats, so be prepared to shuffle around and make space.

All sessions have a limited capacity. If you are on a waitlist for a class or are attending on a space available basis, you will be allowed admission 5 minutes prior to the session beginning if there is room.

PACKING ESSENTIALS

For your convenience and comfort, please bring your yoga mat, water bottle, comfortable clothing and any props you need for your practice (straps, blocks, bolsters). Other essential items ~ good walking shoes, a journal, sunscreen, hat, snacks, light jacket or wrap, joyful spirit and open heart!

ASHEVILLE WEATHER

We are blessed to live in a temperate rainforest which is both beautiful and unpredictable at times. While all of our venues are indoors for your comfort, be prepared for all the weather ~ heat, rain, perfectly pleasant ~ as you move between venues. An umbrella and cooling mist fan are great to have ~ we like the boy scout motto ~ be prepared!

GETTING AROUND

The festival is pedestrian friendly! We have done our best to create the smallest footprint possible, as well as allowing ample time between classes for easy transitions. Depending on your schedule, you will have anywhere from 30-90 minutes between sessions. Please familiarize yourself with the festival map for location of venues. If you have any questions about moving between venues, please let us know. Note ~ locations are subject to change ~ stay up-to-date on your SCHED app.

VENUES

The following are the festival venues in downtown; the distance of each venue from the market is clearly indicated on the festival map

  • Mojo ~ 81 Broadway St.

  • Circa 29 ~ 56 Patton Ave

  • Skinny Beats ~ 4 Eagle St.

  • Aloft Hotel ~ 51 Biltmore Ave

  • The Serenity Lounge ~ in Mountain Air Market @ Pack Square Park

  • The Venue ~ 21 North Market St. Mezzanine (downstairs) Balcony (upstairs)

MOUNTAIN AIR MARKET

Yoga is all about balance, so in a weekend full of movement, we invite you to take time to rest & restore as you take in the sights, sounds, smells & shopping at our festival hub ~ home to 50+ vendors, the Serenity Lounge, Ticket/Merch tent, Massage therapists and more. Our volunteers can be found throughout the festival in their bright pink LSP CRU T-shirts and are available all weekend long to assist with anything you need.

SUP & HIKES

The Van pickup location for SUP and all hikes is in front of the public bathrooms in Pack Square Park (S. Market st. & College st.) Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure.

WATER

Thank you for helping us keep it green and clean by bringing your own water bottle. We will have filtered water and Superieur Electrolytes (one of our awesome sponsors) at all venues!

LOST & FOUND

Lost items will be held at the checkin table of the venue where the item is found or at the ticket/merch tent.

COVID

We are following current CDC and local government guidelines At this time, there are no social distancing requirements or mass gathering restrictions in NC. We will not require face coverings at the festival unless it has been mandated by the CDC and local government. We will not require vaccinations to participate in the festival. It is ultimately your responsibility to stay safe and do your best to protect those around you. If you are uncomfortable with the above, please consider joining us in 2023. If you are experiencing any symptoms or have recently tested positive, please stay home and join us next year.

GET SOCIAL

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and please tag us #loveshineplay and @loveshineplayfestival on any of your photos from the festival.

Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Aug 2 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.

House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.

Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free

Hours of Operation

9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday – Saturday
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays

Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Tai Chi Ten Form: Eight Sessions
Aug 3 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
The North Carolina Arboretum

 

This elegant short form introduces the signature movements of Tai Chi Chuan in a simplified and compact sequence. A wonderful practice for beginners, participants will learn the basic principles of each movement as well as modifications to accommodate individual needs. Tai chi is a safe and effective form of meditative exercise consisting of relaxed and focused movements that clear the mind and relax the nervous system while improving balance, strength, flexibility, stability, coordination, joint health, memory and attentional skills.

Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Aug 3 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.

House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.

Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free

Hours of Operation

9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday – Saturday
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays

Thursday, August 4, 2022
NC Mineral & Gem Festival
Aug 4 all-day
Spruce Pine Commons Shopping Center

Welcome to the 63rd NC Mineral & Gem Festival in Spruce Pine. The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget.

Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Aug 4 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.

House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.

Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free

Hours of Operation

9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday – Saturday
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays

95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Aug 4 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
UNCA Lipinsky Hall

Mountain Dance and Folk Festival

Are you ready to be part of the 95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival®? On August 4, 5, 6, 2022, a different show will be presented live on stage each evening allowing you to appreciate the talent and dedication of the hundreds of musicians, dancers, and storytellers who are preserving the traditions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. These traditions involve not only the hand-clapping, toe-tapping rhythms of Bluegrass, the style and stories of century-old ballads, the high energy of clogging, the elegance of Big Circle Mountain Smooth Dance, the fun and entertainment of storytelling, but also include an awareness of the hardships and trials that have brought us to this place and time.

This 95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival® has been made possible through the generosity of our music community volunteering their time and talent to preserve and promote the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling heritage.

A listing of performers who volunteer their time and talent to make our events possible can be found on Our Performers page. Please visit their websites and support their generosity by purchasing music, merchandise, making a contribution to virtual tip jars where available or just to tell them you enjoyed their performance. Our artists especially need our support during these difficult times.

The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival was founded by Bascom Lamar Lunsford as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music and dance traditions that have been handed down through generations in western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Since 1928, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival has served a crucial role in raising awareness and understanding of the vitality and importance of Southern Appalachian culture throughout the region, nation and world. Bascom Lunsford’s mission was to present the finest of the Appalachian ballad singers, string bands and square dance teams for education and entertainment. The songs and dances shared at this event echo centuries of Scottish, English, Irish, Cherokee and African heritage found in the valleys and coves between the Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lunsford’s was the first dubbed a folk festival, and he later consulted with many communities across the country interested in organizing similar festivals.

Friday, August 5, 2022
NC Mineral & Gem Festival
Aug 5 all-day
Spruce Pine Commons Shopping Center

Welcome to the 63rd NC Mineral & Gem Festival in Spruce Pine. The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget.

Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Aug 5 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.

House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.

Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free

Hours of Operation

9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday – Saturday
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays

95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Aug 5 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
UNCA Lipinsky Hall

Mountain Dance and Folk Festival

Are you ready to be part of the 95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival®? On August 4, 5, 6, 2022, a different show will be presented live on stage each evening allowing you to appreciate the talent and dedication of the hundreds of musicians, dancers, and storytellers who are preserving the traditions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. These traditions involve not only the hand-clapping, toe-tapping rhythms of Bluegrass, the style and stories of century-old ballads, the high energy of clogging, the elegance of Big Circle Mountain Smooth Dance, the fun and entertainment of storytelling, but also include an awareness of the hardships and trials that have brought us to this place and time.

This 95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival® has been made possible through the generosity of our music community volunteering their time and talent to preserve and promote the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling heritage.

A listing of performers who volunteer their time and talent to make our events possible can be found on Our Performers page. Please visit their websites and support their generosity by purchasing music, merchandise, making a contribution to virtual tip jars where available or just to tell them you enjoyed their performance. Our artists especially need our support during these difficult times.

The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival was founded by Bascom Lamar Lunsford as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music and dance traditions that have been handed down through generations in western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Since 1928, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival has served a crucial role in raising awareness and understanding of the vitality and importance of Southern Appalachian culture throughout the region, nation and world. Bascom Lunsford’s mission was to present the finest of the Appalachian ballad singers, string bands and square dance teams for education and entertainment. The songs and dances shared at this event echo centuries of Scottish, English, Irish, Cherokee and African heritage found in the valleys and coves between the Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lunsford’s was the first dubbed a folk festival, and he later consulted with many communities across the country interested in organizing similar festivals.

Light Up the Night 5k
Aug 5 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Carrier Park

Western Carolina Rescue Ministries and iDaph Events present the 4th Annual Light Up the Night 5k! This event is a fundraising, nighttime walk/run event that welcomes all people regardless of ability, race, color, ethnicity, gender, or faith. All the proceeds from this event will directly benefit the continuous work of recovery, rescue, and restoration to individuals throughout WNC.

The first 200 people to register will also receive a FREE glow-in-the-dark commemorative finisher medal!

Each 5k registration will include a FREE t-shirt until July 10th at midnight. After that date, shirts will be available for purchase, in limited quantities and sizes, for $10. Glow sticks, necklaces and bracelets will be available for our in-person participants!

The event will take place at Carrier Park in Asheville, NC on Friday, August 5th. This is your time to shine! Runners will have a rolling start between 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM and take to the greenway to run or walk this fun and unique event.

In addition to the in-person event, there is also a virtual offering for participants who aren’t comfortable coming to an in-person event. The Virtual 5k event experience gives participants an opportunity to participate in this fundraising event ANYWHERE! Walk/Run/Hike 5k and submit your results online!

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

Grandfather by Night
Aug 5 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain's ridgeline at night under a full moon.

Explore Grandfather Mountain after hours with your own guides. You’ll discover some of the nighttime wonders through the park, while stopping at its most significant sites. Watch a stunning Grandfather sunset, and experience the mountain as never before!

This event costs $50 for general admission and $42 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club. Registration opens here July 5.

Saturday, August 6, 2022
LEAF Solid Gold 50th Festival: Legends of Africa
Aug 6 all-day
online w/ LEAF

 

Listen. Dance. Feel the music and that will answer, “Why the “Legends of Africa?” Africa is the core and essence of where so much of humanity and music has originated. It has forever influenced music and cultures throughout the world with the diaspora of its people. Over the years, LEAF has connected deeply with many African artists and presented artists from 32 of the 54 countries on the continent. These bonds and our love of Africa, bring us back the magic of not just the continent, but its people, our family. So join us for a true gathering of friends and the rekindling of traditions that have made the past 27 years of LEAF memorable.

“The shortest distance between two people is a story, a song, or a dance.”
Masankho Banda from Malawi.

Who is an African Legend you admire? Chinobay of Uganda said he’s been inspired by the music he listened to during Apartheid. He spoke of Miriam Makeba (nicknamed Momma Africa) a South African singer, songwriter and activist whose music was socially responsible and carried so much power for the people. What makes you a Legend is the MESSAGE you carry to the world.

In flow with Chinobay’s reflection, the artwork is a masterpiece created by legendary artist Trek 6 inspired by his work in South Africa while producing a documentary. Trek spoke about how the sunrises and sunsets in Africa were surreal, thus he began with a beautiful sun design.  A wall of drums in South Africa, where they host people from different tribes bringing food, song and art inspired the drums. In Trek’s own words, “Africa is cosmic, colorful, and the center to our past. From it we radiated.”We are honored by his artistic vision.

  • Sale!

    Festival Weekend PLUS Pass

    $175.00 – $203.00

    October 20-23, 2022 *Must be purchased by LEAF Member* Thursday 4:30pm to Sunday 7pm including overnight tent camping.

  • Sale!

    Festival Weekend Pass

    $135.00 – $159.00

    October 21-23, 2022 Fri 9am – Sun 7pm. Includes overnight camping

  • Sale!

    Festival Community Pass

    $95.00 – $105.00

    Fri 4:30pm – 2am, Sat 9am – 2am, Sun 9am – 7pm. No overnights / camping. No Thu. access. Must have alternate overnight accommodations nearby

  • Sale!

    Festival Saturday Pass

    $53.00 – $59.00

    Saturday, October 22, 2022, 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM. No overnight camping.

NC Mineral & Gem Festival
Aug 6 all-day
Spruce Pine Commons Shopping Center

Welcome to the 63rd NC Mineral & Gem Festival in Spruce Pine. The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget.

7th Inning Stretch Festival
Aug 6 @ 7:30 am – 10:00 pm
Uptown Shelby

The NC American Legion 7th Inning Stretch Festival is held annually prior to the American Legion World Series. The event was created to thank the community for all the work they do to prepare for and during the American Legion World Series.

7:30 AM: Road to Hope Shelby 5k registration
8:00 AM: Road to Hope Shelby 5k at 130 W. Graham St., Shelby, NC
10:00 AM: Little Miss American Legion World Series at Shelby City Park, 850 W. Sumter St., Shelby, NC
3:00 PM Festival opens; visit the festival website for a schedule of events
Main Stage opens at 7:00 pm with Dirty Grass Soul, and the headliner Josh Turner takes the stage at 8:30 pm. The stage is located at the intersection of S. Lafayette St. and W. Warren St., Shelby, NC

Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Aug 6 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.

House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.

Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free

Hours of Operation

9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday – Saturday
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays

Myofascial Release Monthly Course
Aug 6 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
YWCA
WNCHA Hidden History Hikes and Tours: Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School Tour
Aug 6 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School

Influenced by the work of Booker T. Washington, in the 1900s, the Julius Rosenwald Fund helped create schools across the American South for African American students. Between 1929-1930, this funding helped construct one such school in Mars Hill, in Madison County, where dozens of Black students attended classes in a two-room building until integration in 1964. In 2009, a group of community and alumni members came together in hopes of restoring this historic schoolhouse, and have worked tirelessly to open it to the public once again. Today, it is the only Rosenwald school building still standing in WNC. Join us as we tour the school and learn more about those who attended and saved this building. Our hosts will include the chair of the planning committee, as well as various school alumni. We will also visit the nearby marker for Joseph Anderson, an enslaved man (and namesake of the Rosenwald school) who was used by a trustee of Mars Hill College as collateral on a loan for the college in 1859. Learn more here.

Meet: 11AM @ Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School, Long Ridge Rd, Mars Hill, NC 28754.

Second Stop: 12:30PM @ Mars Hill University (Joseph Anderson grave) – 3 miles away

Note: Afterwards, guests may wish to eat lunch in Mars Hill. There are several restaurants near the university, but guests are encouraged to check their hours/status in advance.

 

Tickets: This is a free event, though donations are accepted. Donations are shared with the Anderson Rosenwald School. Registration is required.

   

    Rain Date: In the event of inclement weather, we will reschedule to Saturday, August 13. Participants will be notified no later than 8PM the evening before the event.

 

LINK for Aug. 20 tour: https://www.wnchistory.org/event/wncha-hidden-history-hikes-and-tours-mars-hill-anderson-rosenwald-school-second-tour/