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.
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
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Included with admission
Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.
Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.
Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!
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Go on an epic adventure with us as we perform a made-for-Moppets adaptation of the original road trip gone wrong story!
The Big Crafty is a hand-to-heart celebration of creative exuberance at the heart of Asheville, NC. We believe in supporting creative venturers by crafting warm communities of creative practice.
We extend warm welcome to the rich pageant of basement and backyard artists, juried prize-winners, and those who delight in them. And we’re so grateful to have been voted Best Arts/Crafts Fair (Thx, Mountain Xpress!) every year since we began in 2008.
Book by Chris D’Arienzo
Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals
www.concordtheatricals.com
Director: Victoria Lamberth
This five-time Tony Award-nominated musical tells the story of a small-town girl, a city boy, and a rock ‘n’ roll romance on the Sunset Strip. But when the bar where rock reigns supreme is set to be demolished, it’s up to these wannabe rockers and their band of friends to save the day – and the music. Rock of Ages takes you back to the time of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair! This jukebox musical features all of your favorite ‘80s rock anthems and power ballads from bands including Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and more.
Approximate Run Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Rating: PG-13 due to adult content, alcohol use, and language.
Excerpts from the new musical production of At the Café will be performed at the Weaverville Community Center prior to its grand premier at Asheville’s Diane Wortham Theater in August of this year. The script and lyrics were written by local playwright Marcy Gallagher and the music was written by Sarah Kors (who you might remember graced our stage in 2022 with Tumo Kors). Marcy Gallagher will be on stage to engage with the audience for a Q&A after the performance. Free admission. Curtain time is 7:00 PM for this 75 minute performance. For more information, contact [email protected].
Included with admission
Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.
Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.
Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!
Entry is PER TEAM (Vehicle)
Entry Includes:
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Rally Guide
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2 T-Shirts
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Vehicle Decals
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Entry To Multiple Museums
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Dragstrip Entry for one Vehicle
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Access to Hotel & Other Partners
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Tickets to Rally Events & Parties
Start: Asheville, NC
Finish: Asheville, NC
We are beyond thrilled to invite you to our 77th Season at Asheville Community Theatre! Join us for a year of mystery and magic that is overflowing with spellbinding stories and captivating characters.
- Pippin
Performances: September 15-October 8, 2023- Elf: The Musical
Performances: December 1-23, 2023- Flyin’ West
Performances: February 9-25, 2024- Matilda: The Musical
Performances: April 12-May 5, 2024- Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps
Performances: June 21-July 7, 2024
Whether you’re seeking the flexibility of choosing individual shows or the perks of a subscription, here’s everything you need to know in order to unlock the theatrical experience that’s right for you.
- June 1, 2023: Re-subscriptions
- Current Season Subscription holders get exclusive access to early bird prices and first choice of seating.
- June 14-27, 2023: Early Bird Subscriptions
- Reduced pricing for Season Subscriptions opens to the public and is available for two weeks.
- June 28, 2023: Season Subscriptions
- Regularly-priced Season Subscriptions go on sale for the remainder of the season.
- July 5-18, 2023: Single Tickets: Opening Weekend Discount
- New this year! Tickets for opening weekends are offered at a discount: musicals are 2 for $60 and plays are 2 for $50 – with no maximum ticket limit. The opening weekend discount is only available during this time period and does not include Elf: The Musical.
- July 19, 2023: Single Tickets
- All tickets for all shows are now on sale!
Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!
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LEARN MORE THIS YEAR |
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Brush up on your wilderness medicine or learn new survival skills! SOLO Southeast & NOC are offering over 200 courses in 2023 and classes in locations across the southeast.
Find your next course with SOLO Southeast and be prepared for the unexpected! |
Included with admission
Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.
Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.
Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!
We are beyond thrilled to invite you to our 77th Season at Asheville Community Theatre! Join us for a year of mystery and magic that is overflowing with spellbinding stories and captivating characters.
- Pippin
Performances: September 15-October 8, 2023- Elf: The Musical
Performances: December 1-23, 2023- Flyin’ West
Performances: February 9-25, 2024- Matilda: The Musical
Performances: April 12-May 5, 2024- Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps
Performances: June 21-July 7, 2024
Whether you’re seeking the flexibility of choosing individual shows or the perks of a subscription, here’s everything you need to know in order to unlock the theatrical experience that’s right for you.
- June 1, 2023: Re-subscriptions
- Current Season Subscription holders get exclusive access to early bird prices and first choice of seating.
- June 14-27, 2023: Early Bird Subscriptions
- Reduced pricing for Season Subscriptions opens to the public and is available for two weeks.
- June 28, 2023: Season Subscriptions
- Regularly-priced Season Subscriptions go on sale for the remainder of the season.
- July 5-18, 2023: Single Tickets: Opening Weekend Discount
- New this year! Tickets for opening weekends are offered at a discount: musicals are 2 for $60 and plays are 2 for $50 – with no maximum ticket limit. The opening weekend discount is only available during this time period and does not include Elf: The Musical.
- July 19, 2023: Single Tickets
- All tickets for all shows are now on sale!
Monday Imagination Day Our mobile recreation team will be offering a special day of open play geared for younger children to engage and explore. Giant building blocks, tunnels and fun games await. Ages 1-5 years with an adult. Drop in, no sign up required. 10am-12pm FREE
June 13th Weaver aArk
June 27th Hummingbird Park
July 11 Jake Rusher Park
July 18 Kenilworth Park
July 25th Hummingbird Park
August 1 West Asheville Park
August 8 Jake Rusher Park
Pools (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- June 13 – Cane Creek
- June 27 – Hominy Valley
- July 11 – Owen
- July 25 – North Buncombe
- August 8 – ErwinWhat is better than hanging out at a park, pool, or community center? Doing so while participating in fun games! This summer, the Buncombe County Recreation Services will be visiting county pools, parks, and community centers to provide free entertaining activities for anyone in the community.
This includes yard games, pool activities, balls, and other activities for enjoyment. While the games can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age–with something available for anyone–the programming is aimed at those 5 to 15 years of age.
This is part of the CORE program (Community Outreach and Recreation Experiences) which seeks to provide fun to everyone in the community.
“We were interested in expanding recreational opportunities to communities that may or may not have parks and facilities,” says Mac Stanley, program coordinator with the County’s Recreation Services. “Also, an opportunity to expand and collaborate with county community centers such as Big Ivy, Sandy Mush, and Bent Creek Community Park. Core programming is designed to diversify our programming opportunities and outreach into the community.”
From June through August, Recreation Services will be out and about in its CORE van, a green, Ford Transit van outfitted with County logos and a big sasquatch on the back.
Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..
Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.
Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.
Know Before You Go
- Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
- Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
- Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
- Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
- COVID-19 Safety: In order to hear the guide and fully participate in the trail walk, participants will be in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. While face coverings are not required, participants should use their best judgement to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the trails. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate.
- At this time, no more than 6 spaces may be filled by a single family/group through pre-registration for any one Guided Trail Walk. If additional spaces are available on the day of the Walk, additional members of the family/group may participate. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming larger groups in the future.
Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!
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| Groovin’ on Grovemont, Swannanoa’s popular outdoor summer concert series, is returning to Grovemont Park for its twenty-first year, with a full schedule of music and family fun on three Tuesday evenings, July 11, July 25 and August 8, beginning at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and come enjoy these free family-friendly evenings of great music and food! Grovemont Park is located adjacent to the Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston Avenue.
As always, a large selection of delicious foods will be available for concertgoers to enjoy, including vegan and gluten free options, as well as smaller portions for the little ones. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the Swannanoa Community Council and Friends of the Swannanoa Library, for the benefit of all those who use and enjoy the library, and Grovemont Park and Playground.
Here’s the entertainment schedule:
Tues., 7/11/23 – Saddletramp: The ultimate 90’s Country Party Band! High-Energy interpretations of all your favorite country hits that will keep you dancing on the green all night long! Saddle up, and hold on tight! www.blakeellegemusic.com
Tues., 7/25/23 – Mama and the Ruckus: The Ruckus is led by “Mama”, aka Melissa McKinney. This intergenerational project is based out of Asheville, and features original music inspired by blues and soul. melissamckinneymusic.com/mama-and-the-ruckus
Tues., 8/8/23 – Queen Bee and the Honeylovers: This dance band performs classic swing, blues and Latin music. Vocal-driven with an infectious groove, the Honeylovers are guaranteed to put a grin on your face and a tap in your toes. www.queenbeeswing.com
Bonus feature during every concert: GIANT USED BOOK SALE from 5 – 8:30 p.m. in the basement of the Swannanoa Library. Come check out the newly-remodeled book sale space. Thousands of great books at unbelievably low prices!
Sponsorships, donations, and volunteers are always welcome and encouraged. If you’d like to support Groovin’ through a sponsorship or donation, or as a volunteer, please call (828) 250-6486 or visit www.GrovemontPark.org. Contributions can be made via PayPal or credit/debit card at |
We are honored to host the Asheville Community Hoop and Flow Arts Jam in Pritchard Park, located in the heart of our beloved city. This event began in 2008 and we are honored and thrilled to bring you this FREE event open to all ages and all levels of experience! Asheville Hoops provides jammin’ tunes, demo props for all to use and a positive event that promotes movement, creativity, dance and FUN!
2023-2024 SeasonThe Asheville Performing Arts Academy facilitates a life-long appreciation and advocacy of the arts by providing a loving community where students discover the tools needed to navigate life on and off the stage. MissionThe Asheville Performing Arts Academy is a school based on unlimited opportunities for students to explore their interests in music, dance, and drama. We foster a love and appreciation for the arts through student-teacher relationships, which encourage and help you to excel at your dream. We offer high quality instruction and educational experiences because we are committed to the art of teaching and the teaching of the arts. It is our hope to build art and awareness in the community and provide a home for families to pursue their dreams. With classes for students of all ages, the Asheville Performing Arts Academy is your place to discover the love of music, drama, and dance in your life. Asheville Performing Arts Academy… where the arts come alive! |
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February 2-4, 2024 Mean Girls, Jr.
February 9-11, 2024 Mean Girls HS Version
March/April 2024 A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Homeschool Academy) |
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LEARN MORE THIS YEAR |
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Brush up on your wilderness medicine or learn new survival skills! SOLO Southeast & NOC are offering over 200 courses in 2023 and classes in locations across the southeast.
Find your next course with SOLO Southeast and be prepared for the unexpected! |
Included with admission
Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.
Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.
Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!
We are beyond thrilled to invite you to our 77th Season at Asheville Community Theatre! Join us for a year of mystery and magic that is overflowing with spellbinding stories and captivating characters.
- Pippin
Performances: September 15-October 8, 2023- Elf: The Musical
Performances: December 1-23, 2023- Flyin’ West
Performances: February 9-25, 2024- Matilda: The Musical
Performances: April 12-May 5, 2024- Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps
Performances: June 21-July 7, 2024
Whether you’re seeking the flexibility of choosing individual shows or the perks of a subscription, here’s everything you need to know in order to unlock the theatrical experience that’s right for you.
- June 1, 2023: Re-subscriptions
- Current Season Subscription holders get exclusive access to early bird prices and first choice of seating.
- June 14-27, 2023: Early Bird Subscriptions
- Reduced pricing for Season Subscriptions opens to the public and is available for two weeks.
- June 28, 2023: Season Subscriptions
- Regularly-priced Season Subscriptions go on sale for the remainder of the season.
- July 5-18, 2023: Single Tickets: Opening Weekend Discount
- New this year! Tickets for opening weekends are offered at a discount: musicals are 2 for $60 and plays are 2 for $50 – with no maximum ticket limit. The opening weekend discount is only available during this time period and does not include Elf: The Musical.
- July 19, 2023: Single Tickets
- All tickets for all shows are now on sale!
Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club is a weekly educational program designed for children ages 4 to 7 to explore nature with their trusted adult and Cradle naturalist. Programs are 1.5 hours long and begin with the reading of a forest-themed story and include fun activities, games and a craft. Programs run weekly on Wednesdays between June 21 through August 9. Come to one or all eight programs. Great for families vacationing in the Blue Ridge mountains this summer!
The program costs $5 per child and $3 for accompanying adults – All children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults with a Cradle Season Pass get in free.
Programs take place outdoors utilizing our paved trails and outdoor amphitheater.
The program starts promptly at 10:30 A.M. at the outdoor amphitheater at the Cradle of Forestry. Plan to arrive early to find parking and check in at the Forest Discovery Center lobby.
Please ensure all members of your party are dressed appropriately for the weather and are prepared for outdoor exploration. Note that the weather at the Cradle of Forestry is often cooler than nearby Brevard and Asheville.
Please meet at outdoor amphitheater
WHAT TO BRING
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Water Bottle
Jacket
Rain Gear
CANCELLATION POLICY
All ticket purchases are NON-REFUNDABLE. Unused ticket purchases will go to support the mission and work of FIND Outdoors, a 501(c)(3) tax deductible nonprofit organization Tax ID# 56-1302500.
Customers will receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Program Dates (Themes for each week to be announced):
June 21
June 28
Due to generous grant funding from the NC Museum of Natural Sciences the July sessions are FREE for all attendees:
July 5- Free for all attendees
July 12 – Free for all attendees
July 19 – Free for all attendees
July 26 – Free for all attendees
August 2
August 9
COST
Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club – $5 (for each child) There is no discount for child even with a pass.
Accompanying Adult (½ price general admission)- $3
If accompanying adult is a Cradle Season Passholder, their admission free, but not the child’s.
Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!
Explore hands on activities and experiments while we learn about the Science of Bubbles or the Science of Sound. Every other week we will play and learn together using a variety of tools, instruments, and toys. AMOS has a plethora of science to intrigue the zeal of every learner!