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.

Sunday, March 16, 2025
2025 Spring Conference | Organic Growers School
Mar 16 all-day
Mars Hill University

Join the Southeast’s largest gathering of farmers, gardeners, and sustainability advocates at Organic Growers School’s (OGS) 2025 Spring Conference! This year’s theme, Resilience, Recovery, and Renewal, focuses on building stronger, more sustainable communities.

Highlights include:
🌱 32+ workshops across 8 tracks (Gardening, Soils, Mushrooms, and more)
🌱 New tracks on off-grid systems, mutual aid, and resilience practices
🌱 Inspiring expert speakers like Dan Brisebois, Pam Dawling, and Chris Smith

Special Features:
Community Room, exhibitor hall, Southeastern Seed & Plant Exchange, and delicious local meals.

🎟️ Early Bird Deal: 50% off weekend and single-day passes! Register now: organicgrowersschool.org/spring-conference

Drawn to Nature
Mar 16 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Drawn to Nature with Matt Reyna

ON-SITE  |  Sunday, March 16  |  10am – 12:30pm

Join us for a Sunday morning reserved for creative self-care. Using basic mark-makers (pencils, graphite, etc) we’ll explore the instinctual, yet undervalued act of drawing–through the lens of nature. Choose your own focus – capture grand mountain views from our classroom, work on a collective nature still life, or hone in on the small details of nature on your own. Weather depending, students may choose to sketch outside.

Basic art materials, hot tea, and a welcoming atmosphere will be provided. All skill levels welcome! Feel free to bring your own materials, but kindly keep wet media (paints, etc) at home.

This program takes place both indoors and out. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Monday, March 17, 2025
Grow Your Own: Basics of Vegetable Gardening
Mar 17 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Late winter is the perfect time to start planning for summer gardens, and what better way to begin than with our Basics of Vegetable Gardening class! Join us to learn the essentials of starting your own vegetable garden, including information about plants that do best in our area.

In this class, experienced teacher and former director John Murphy will guide you through the fundamentals of vegetable gardening. You’ll discover the best practices for soil preparation, seed selection, planting, and maintaining a thriving garden. This class will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to grow your own fresh and healthy vegetables.

Get ready to dig in and start your journey to a bountiful summer harvest. March 17, 2025, 1-3pm.

Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Chamber Networking meeting
Mar 18 @ 8:30 am
Holiday Inn Biltmore West

If you’re looking to grow your network and boost your business, join us on Tuesday, March 18, from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM at the Holiday Inn Biltmore West for Mega Networking, a fast-paced, structured event designed to maximize your connections in just one morning.

Held only twice a year, Mega Networking’s round-robin format allows you to meet professionals from a variety of industries, gain exposure for your business, and leave with valuable leads – all in a friendly, low-pressure setting.

Registration is required. $50 for Chamber members, $85 for non-members. Space is limited to one attendee per organization and five per business category!

IBN Biz Lunch – Arden
Mar 18 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Wild Wing Cafe

Incredible Business Networking: IBN Biz Lunch – Arden

3rd Tuesday Monthly, 11:30am-1pm, Wild Wing Cafe (https://www.wildwingcafe.com/location/asheville-south-nc), 65 Long Shoals Rd., Arden 28704

Meeting Leaders:
Mark and Cheryl Chambers of XP League (https://asheville.xpl.gg/home)

Why Attend IBN Biz Lunches?

Free To Attend, No Dues Or Fees
No Membership Required
No Attendance Requirements
No Category Restrictions
No Exclusions – All Inclusive!
Buy Food/Drink If You Wish (Optional)

All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts. Bring a big stack of business cards / flyers and invite your business contacts to attend.
Have a Door Prize? (optional) Bring one if you like.

IBN Biz Lunch events are free to attend thanks to these companies, our Incredible Business Networking Sponsors!

Mr. Rooter Plumbing WNC
https://www.mrrooter.com/asheville

One Health Direct Primary Care
https://www.onehealthdpc.com

PMI Mountain & Main Property Management
https://www.ashevillepropertymanagementinc.net

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More

Home

Pisgah Roofing and Restoration

Home

The Super Signguy

Home

Michael Freas Photography
https://michaelfreas.com

Get Lifted Auto Sales and Repair
https://www.getliftedavl.com

Scouting the First Signs of Spring
Mar 18 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Scouting the First Signs of Spring with Lauren Lampley

ON-SITE  |  Tuesday, March 18  |  2 – 4 pm

Blue Ridge Naturalist – Elective Credit

Spring is an exciting time of the year and even more so this year after the destruction following Tropical Storm Helene last year. Join Lauren on an exploration to find the first signs of spring! During this class we will also discuss the study of phenology and it is important to record the timing of spring’s events especially for climate scientists.

This program takes place outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Birdsong Vespers
Mar 18 @ 5:00 pm
Kanuga

Birdsong Vespers offers an inclusive, informal and earth-based evening service with Kanuga’s musician-in-residence Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil. Guests are invited to sing, share poetry and prayer and experience the gifts of birdsong and the sounds of nature as spring returns to the mountains. Experience this free event in person or online. Learn more at kanuga.org/celtic.

WNC Real Estate Investing Expo
Mar 18 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Highland Brewing - Event Center

Details
🌟 WNC’s Largest Real Estate Investing Expo! 🌟 Calling all real estate investors—whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro! This is your opportunity to build your dream team and gain expert insights from WNC’s most successful real estate professionals. What to Expect:
🏗️ Build Your Team: Connect with construction pros, wholesalers, STR experts, mortgage brokers, and more to support your investing journey.
🎙️ Learn from the Best: Attend sessions led by 5 local real estate investing experts on a variety of topics to help you take your investments to the next level.
💼 Expert Lounge: Have burning questions? Get personalized advice from our seasoned members in the exclusive Expert Lounge. Includes food and drink ticket.
🤝 Network & Partner: Meet like-minded investors, form valuable connections, and grow your network to open doors to new opportunities.
🎟️ Tickets: This is a FREE event for all attendees. Expert Lounge is an additional $25 charge at the door.
Don’t miss WNC’s premier event for real estate investing professionals! It’s time to dream bigger, invest smarter, and build stronger partnerships.
👉 Register now and take your investing to the next level!: https://bit.ly/creia-expo
🌟WANT TO BE A VENDOR: Learn more here: 🌟https://www.creianc.org/Page.aspx?ID=Vendor-EXPO-2025

Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Geology of the Blue Ridge I
Mar 19 @ 12:00 pm – 3:45 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Geology of the Blue Ridge I with Anton DuMars

ON-SITE  |  Wednesday, March 19  |  12 – 4 pm

Blue Ridge Naturalist – Geology of the Blue Ridge Core Credit

This is the first class of a two-part Geology course that explores the geologic history of the Southern Appalachian Mountains with lecture presentations, discussions and self-guided explorations in the field. The course begins with a discussion of the earth’s interior and plate tectonics, progresses to a model for the formation of the southern Appalachians and then describes the surficial processes that generate the current mountain topography. Discussion will also include an overview of geologic processes that affect these mountains today: earthquakes, mass movements and floods.

Thursday, March 20, 2025
Spring Equinox Concert with Simon de Voil
Mar 20 @ 5:30 pm
Kanuga

The Spring Equinox Concert, held on Kanuga’s labyrinth, ushers in the season of renewal with music to soothe the soul and nourish the spirit. As dusk falls to starlight and birdsong gives way to the frog chorus, Kanuga’s musician-in-residence Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil invites guests to honor the balance and energy of spring while immersed in nature under the open sky. The buffet-style dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and the concert follows at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $30 for the concert and buffet or $10 for the concert only.

Friday, March 21, 2025
Wild Sanctuary: A Celtic Spirituality Retreat with The Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil
Mar 21 @ 12:00 am – 10:00 am
Kanuga

Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil is an ordained interfaith/inter-spiritual minister, trained to be a sacred presence outside the conventions of traditional religion. As a sacred musician, spiritual mentor, and worship leader, he incorporates chant, ritual, poetry, storytelling, and mindful practice to create a space for profound connection and sacred witness. Simon provides music for worship, ceremony, and prayer in a wide variety of churches and non-religious spiritual communities. He particularly loves to create music for meditation, healing services, and rites of passage.

Simon is also an experienced workshop and retreat leader, drawing on 15 years of study, training, and practice that grew from his time living and working in Iona Abbey. Although influenced by many traditions, Simon’s spiritual path and teaching are deeply rooted in Celtic Christianity, the wisdom of the earth, and the Scottish land where he’s spent most of his life. simondevoil.com

Join Simon for his spring residency at Kanuga for this special retreat. With Kanuga’s beautiful forested landscape as our sanctuary, each day will include a blend of wisdom teachings in the Celtic tradition, contemplative practices including song, chanting, and silence, and personal time for reflection.

Other retreat highlights include:
*Daily Birdsong Vespers, an inclusive outdoor worship that welcomes the evening with song and prayer, online and in person
*Tools and practices to support finding our place in the web of creation
*Spring Equinox Concert in celebration of spring equinox: Thursday, March 20, 7:15 p.m.

As evening falls and birdsong gives way to starlight and the frog chorus, welcome the return of spring with music to soothe the soul and nourish the spirit. Rain location: Chapel of The Transfiguration.

TICKETS & LODGING INFORMATION

Rev. Simon Ruth deVoil at Kanuga

Saturday, March 22, 2025
WNC Build and Remodel Expo
Mar 22 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
WNC Ag Center

The WNC Build and Remodel Expo is the one-stop destination for inspiration, advice, and practical tools to rebuild, remodel, or refresh your home. The Expo is set for Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23 at the WNC Agricultural Center.  Learn practical tips and innovative ideas from building & remodeling professionals, discover the latest offerings from vendors and visit the Makers Market featuring local artisans. There’s fun for the whole family with interactive kids’ activities.  To learn more about the Expo and purchase a ticket, please visit https://www.buildandremodelasheville.com/.

Saturday, March 22 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 23 – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

WNC Ag Center – Davis Arena
Gate 5
765 Boylston Hwy
Fletcher, NC 28732

General admission $10. Free for kids 12 & under. Seniors 65+, Military, First Responders, Educators Ticket $5.

Purchasing a ticket gives you access to both days of the Expo. Tickets are non-refundable. Single day tickets will also be available at the event: https://checkout.map-dynamics.com/tickets/?Show_ID=8703

Value Jam | Collaborate and Progress Your Business Ideas
Mar 22 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Hatchworks

You will walk away with more clarity on the highest value of your business or idea, and how to communicate it.

This is an event for people in idea stages:

You have some business or startup ideas to work through, or you are in the early stages of your existing business, or maybe you are adding a new aspect or direction to your business.
It’s also great for people who just want to learn by helping others through those stages.

This event pairs perfectly with Hatch This, the weekend after. You’ll be able to get clear on your startup idea, and build confidence before Hatch This!

This is a collaborative learning event. You will work with just a few other people, presenting your ideas for feedback, and providing feedback for others. You will be guided by one of the mentors (listed below), who will provide a unique approach to dig deep and really define the how, what, and why behind your business or idea.

 

Forest Bathing Retreat: Spring Awakening & Renewal
Mar 22 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Forest Bathing Retreat: Spring Awakening & Renewal with Asheville Wellness Tours

ON-SITE  |  Saturday, March 22  |  1 – 4 pm

The changing seasons are rich with wisdom and guidance. Winter is a time for rest and dreaming, followed by spring, ripe with opportunities for renewal and growth. Cultivate those winter dreams and invite them to birth into reality during this enlivening afternoon retreat. Let your most authentic Self emerge from within and flourish amidst the beauty of the early spring!

Your guide, Kelly Bruce, will lead you on a gentle journey through the awakening forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) and nature therapy together for a restorative afternoon at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the Spring Equinox in community, enjoying a wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks. Bring an open mind and an open heart. All are welcome. Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours.

This program takes place outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Soil Health for Gardeners
Mar 22 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Soil Health for Gardeners with Laura Lengnick

ON-SITE  |  Saturday, March 22  |  1 – 4 pm

Blue Ridge EcoGardener – Core

Learn why healthy soils are critical to the well being of our communities and how to cultivate landscapes that promote soil health. This practical, hands-on course will teach you how to conduct simple soil tests using tools you can find in your kitchen to monitor the health of your soil. Participants can bring a soil sample from their garden to test in this class.

Sunday, March 23, 2025
WNC Build and Remodel Expo
Mar 23 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
WNC Ag Center

The WNC Build and Remodel Expo is the one-stop destination for inspiration, advice, and practical tools to rebuild, remodel, or refresh your home. The Expo is set for Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23 at the WNC Agricultural Center.  Learn practical tips and innovative ideas from building & remodeling professionals, discover the latest offerings from vendors and visit the Makers Market featuring local artisans. There’s fun for the whole family with interactive kids’ activities.  To learn more about the Expo and purchase a ticket, please visit https://www.buildandremodelasheville.com/.

Saturday, March 22 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 23 – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

WNC Ag Center – Davis Arena
Gate 5
765 Boylston Hwy
Fletcher, NC 28732

General admission $10. Free for kids 12 & under. Seniors 65+, Military, First Responders, Educators Ticket $5.

Purchasing a ticket gives you access to both days of the Expo. Tickets are non-refundable. Single day tickets will also be available at the event: https://checkout.map-dynamics.com/tickets/?Show_ID=8703

Lunch + Learn: Wildfire Mitigation in Southern Appalachia
Mar 23 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Lunch + Learn: Wildfire Mitigation in Southern Appalachia with Troy Harrison

Sunday, March 23  |  12pm – 1pm

The Southern Appalachian ecosystem is home to a diverse landscape filled with a unique combination of wildlife and vegetation.  It is hardly surprising that Western North Carolina is a popular destination for those seeking a pace to settle down or build a second home.  However, living in close proximity to nature can carry a risk of damage or loss from wildfire.  This program will explore a brief history of wildfire suppression in our area, along with specific measures anyone can take to reduce risk of property damage.

 

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Natural History Interpretation
Mar 25 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Natural History Interpretation (3 sessions) with Brad Daniel

Tuesdays, March 25, April 1 + 8  |  12 – 4 pm

Natural history interpreters provoke interest and curiosity in our natural and cultural heritage. This course will introduce the basic principles of environmental interpretation and is designed for Blue Ridge Naturalists who will be leading nature walks, teaching natural history to adults or children, and delivering talks to community groups. Participants will learn how to create nature education talks or walks that are purposeful, enjoyable, informative and organized. Students will be given an opportunity to develop their own programs and practice their presentation and communication skills. This class fulfills a Capstone Core requirement for the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate and should be completed near the end of a student’s studies in the program.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
IBN Biz Lunch – Asheville (West)
Mar 26 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Yao Buffet

Incredible Business Networking: IBN Biz Lunch – Asheville (West)

4th Wednesday Monthly. 11:30am-1pm, Yao Buffet (https://yaoavl.com), 153 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville 28806

Meeting Leaders:
Nick Gomez, Mountain Vantage Properties (https://mvpwnc.com)
Super Rob, The Super Signguy (https://thesupersignguy.com)

Why Attend IBN Biz Lunches?

Free To Attend, No Dues Or Fees
No Membership Required
No Attendance Requirements
No Category Restrictions
No Exclusions – All Inclusive!
Buy Food/Drink If You Wish (Optional)

All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts. Bring a big stack of business cards / flyers and invite your business contacts to attend.

Have a Door Prize? (optional) Bring one if you like.

Incredible Business Networking – Western North Carolina is Sponsored by the following fine companies that make it possible for everyone else to attend for free!:

Mr. Rooter Plumbing WNC
https://www.mrrooter.com/asheville

One Health Direct Primary Care
https://www.onehealthdpc.com

PMI Mountain & Main Property Management
https://www.ashevillepropertymanagementinc.net

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More

Home

Pisgah Roofing and Restoration

Home

The Super Signguy

Home

Michael Freas Photography
https://michaelfreas.com

Get Lifted Auto Sales and Repair
https://www.getliftedavl.com

Introduction to Appalachian Ecology
Mar 26 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Introduction to Appalachian Ecology with Dan Lazar

ON-SITE  |  Wednesday, March 26  |  1 – 4 pm

From the flood plain of the French Broad River to the summit of Mount Mitchel, we will explore the diverse ecological communities that make up the Blue Ridge Bioregion. We will learn why spruce trees are found only on the summits of our highest mountains: why the Southern Appalachians are the lungless salamander capital of the world; and how deer and ants determine where trilliums grow. Part illustrated lecture and part on-site field trip, this class serves as an introduction to all Special Topics in Ecology classes offered through the Blue Ridge Naturalist Program.

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Thursday, March 27, 2025
IBN Biz Lunch – Woodfin
Mar 27 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
The Village Porch

Incredible Business Networking: IBN Biz Lunch – Woodfin

4th Thursday monthly. 11:30am-1pm, The Village Porch (https://www.thevillageporch.com), 51 N. Merrimon Ave, Woodfin 28804

Meeting Leaders:
Diane Simmons, eXp Realty (https://www.dianesellsashevillehomes.com)
Joel Thum, Joel Thum CPA (https://www.thumcpa.com)

Why Attend IBN Biz Lunches?
Free To Attend, No Dues Or Fees
No Membership Required
No Attendance Requirements
No Category Restrictions
No Exclusions – All Inclusive!
Buy Food/Drink If You Wish (Optional)

All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts. Bring a big stack of business cards / flyers and invite your business contacts to attend.
Have a Door Prize? (optional) Bring one if you like.

Incredible Business Networking – Western North Carolina is Sponsored by the following fine companies that make it possible for everyone else to attend for free!:

Mr. Rooter Plumbing WNC
https://www.mrrooter.com/asheville

One Health Direct Primary Care
https://www.onehealthdpc.com

PMI Mountain & Main Property Management
https://www.ashevillepropertymanagementinc.net

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More

Home

Pisgah Roofing and Restoration

Home

The Super Signguy

Home

Michael Freas Photography
https://michaelfreas.com

Get Lifted Auto Sales and Repair
https://www.getliftedavl.com

Slice Standup Comedy Contest
Mar 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Pulp Lounge

Thursday March 27, 7:00p-9:00p, doors at 6:30p

The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge
103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $17 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
These shows sellout!
Hosted by Hilliary Begley from Netflix & Amazon Prime!
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Free snacks while availability lasts! You may bring your own food in (no drinks)!
How it Works:
Comics who are on the show will do 3-5m of comedy depending on how many sign up to participate. The show’s top comics will be selected by the paid audience in an anonymous ballet after all comics perform their sets.
Audience will select their favorite top comics of the evening who will be brought back to compete in our next round, date TBA. There are 3 competition rounds and a finale 5 comic Pageant who will vie for the crown, Asheville top-comic title & cash prize.

Friday, March 28, 2025
IBN Breakfast Club – Asheville (West)
Mar 28 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Regina's

Incredible Business Networking: IBN Breakfast Club – Asheville (West)

4th Friday monthly. 9am – 10am, Regina’s Westside (https://reginaswestside.com), 1400 Patton Ave, Asheville.

Meeting Leaders:
Jessica O’Connor, Pisgah Roofing and Restoration (https://pisgahroofingandrestoration.com)
Dr. Cory Noll, Edgewood Holistic Chiropractic Center (https://www.edgewoodwellness.com/)

Why Attend IBN Breakfast Club?
Free To Attend, No Dues Or Fees
No Membership Required
No Attendance Requirements
No Category Restrictions
No Exclusions – All Inclusive!
Buy Food/Drink If You Wish (Optional)

All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts. Bring a big stack of business cards / flyers and invite your business contacts to attend.
Have a Door Prize? (optional) Bring one if you like.

Incredible Business Networking – Western North Carolina is Sponsored by the following fine companies that make it possible for everyone else to attend for free!:

Mr. Rooter Plumbing WNC
https://www.mrrooter.com/asheville

One Health Direct Primary Care
https://www.onehealthdpc.com

PMI Mountain & Main Property Management
https://www.ashevillepropertymanagementinc.net

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More

Home

Pisgah Roofing and Restoration

Home

The Super Signguy

Home

Michael Freas Photography
https://michaelfreas.com

Get Lifted Auto Sales and Repair
https://www.getliftedavl.com

Rooted in Beauty: Orchid Culture & Care Class
Mar 28 @ 2:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Discover the secrets to keeping your orchids thriving! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the essentials of orchid care, from proper watering techniques to ideal light conditions. We’ll guide you step-by-step through repotting your orchid into a provided terracotta pot with fresh potting media. Bring your own orchid, and leave with the skills and confidence to keep it blooming beautifully! Perfect for beginners and orchid enthusiasts alike. Let’s grow together!

Terracotta pot and potting media included.

March 28, 2:00-4:00. Maximum of 20 students.

24th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Arcadia”
Mar 28 @ 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

24th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Arcadia”

March 28, 2025 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.

March 29 – 30, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Education Center

The Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North Carolina’s greatest annual plant shows: the 24th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Arcadia” from March 28-30, 2025. This will be an American Orchid Society sanctioned judging event.

World-class orchid growers and breeders along with regional orchid societies will exhibit at the annual festival, with hundreds of orchids presented in carefully crafted displays.

Admission to the Asheville Orchid Festival is $5.00 for everyone over the age of 12 years old, and free for Western North Carolina Orchid Society members. A regular parking fee for The North Carolina Arboretum applies for all attendees with the exception of Arboretum Members.

Thousands of orchids will be for sale by vendors from Ecuador and across the United States. There will be something for all orchid lovers, and attendees should expect rare species and cutting-edge hybrids. All orchid exhibits, orchid programs, and educational lectures are included with the admission fee and children 12 and under can enter free. All admission proceeds benefit WNCOS, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and help expand the society’s mission of “sharing the excitement and joy of cultivating orchids and promoting orchid conservation

For more information, please visit wncos.org

Saturday, March 29, 2025
24th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Arcadia”
Mar 29 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

24th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Arcadia”

March 28, 2025 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.

March 29 – 30, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Education Center

The Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North Carolina’s greatest annual plant shows: the 24th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Arcadia” from March 28-30, 2025. This will be an American Orchid Society sanctioned judging event.

World-class orchid growers and breeders along with regional orchid societies will exhibit at the annual festival, with hundreds of orchids presented in carefully crafted displays.

Admission to the Asheville Orchid Festival is $5.00 for everyone over the age of 12 years old, and free for Western North Carolina Orchid Society members. A regular parking fee for The North Carolina Arboretum applies for all attendees with the exception of Arboretum Members.

Thousands of orchids will be for sale by vendors from Ecuador and across the United States. There will be something for all orchid lovers, and attendees should expect rare species and cutting-edge hybrids. All orchid exhibits, orchid programs, and educational lectures are included with the admission fee and children 12 and under can enter free. All admission proceeds benefit WNCOS, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and help expand the society’s mission of “sharing the excitement and joy of cultivating orchids and promoting orchid conservation

For more information, please visit wncos

Botany by Family: The Key to See, with Marc Williams
Mar 29 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Asheville Botanical Garden

Did you know that April is national Native Plant Month, celebrating the fabulous beauty and diversity of our native flowers? If you’re new to the area or just interested in learning more about your woodland neighbors, try out Marc Williams’ upcoming class at Asheville Botanical Garden, March 29, 1 to 4:30 p.m., to learn more about the plants around us. Nearly 350,000 species of flowering plants are known to global science, and these species have been grouped into over 400 flowering plant families. Learning to recognize plant family patterns helps to demystify the “green wall” of plant species around us. In this class, Marc Williams will focus our attention on the top 30 plant families growing around us, teaching us to recognize plants everywhere we go. After an indoor presentation on the major plant families common to the Southeastern U.S., Marc will reinforce our plant identification skills with a walk in the Garden to observe family patterns in leaf, flower, and fruit types. We’ll also discuss edibility, medicinality, craft, wildlife support, and landscape beauty as you gain a more holistic understanding of the major plants comprising Southern U.S. flora and their potential ecological and ethnobotanical applications. Preregistration is required. Visit https://ashevillebotanicalgardens.square.site/classes to register.

Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers
Mar 29 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers with Alexandra Holland

ON-SITE  |  Saturday, March 29  |  1 – 3 pm

Spring is here, and the natural world is waking from its winter rest! Naturalist and botanist Alexandra Holland leads this wildflower walk at the Arboretum, pointing out the array of spring wildflowers emerging and in bloom. Learn some basics of wildflower ecology and identification while taking in the beauty of spring.

This program takes place outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Sunday, March 30, 2025
Spring Bird Walk at Asheville Botanical Garden, with Dr. Andrew Laughlin
Mar 30 @ 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Asheville Botanical Garden

Join us for an easy morning bird walk in the Garden led by Dr. Andrew Laughlin, longtime birder and UNCA Associate Professor of Environmental Science. He will guide us with tips about habitat and habits, as we look for, listen to, and enjoy the birds. Participants will learn to recognize songs and calls. Field guides are helpful but not required. Bring binoculars if you have them and dress for the weather, from drizzle to sunshine.

24th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Arcadia”
Mar 30 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

24th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Arcadia”

March 28, 2025 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.

March 29 – 30, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Education Center

The Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) and The North Carolina Arboretum will once again host one of Western North Carolina’s greatest annual plant shows: the 24th Asheville Orchid Festival “Orchid Arcadia” from March 28-30, 2025. This will be an American Orchid Society sanctioned judging event.

World-class orchid growers and breeders along with regional orchid societies will exhibit at the annual festival, with hundreds of orchids presented in carefully crafted displays.

Admission to the Asheville Orchid Festival is $5.00 for everyone over the age of 12 years old, and free for Western North Carolina Orchid Society members. A regular parking fee for The North Carolina Arboretum applies for all attendees with the exception of Arboretum Members.

Thousands of orchids will be for sale by vendors from Ecuador and across the United States. There will be something for all orchid lovers, and attendees should expect rare species and cutting-edge hybrids. All orchid exhibits, orchid programs, and educational lectures are included with the admission fee and children 12 and under can enter free. All admission proceeds benefit WNCOS, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and help expand the society’s mission of “sharing the excitement and joy of cultivating orchids and promoting orchid conservation

For more information, please visit wncos