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, June 30, 2019
2019 Asheville Percussion Festival
Jun 30 all-day
Multiple Venues in Downtown Asheville

THE ASHEVILLE PERCUSSION FESTIVAL ENCOMPASSES A WHOLE WEEK OF EVENTS -MONDAY, JUNE 24th THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 1st- INCLUDING: immersive workshops in frame drum, doumbek, handpan, djembe, samba, marimba, gamelan, and more, as well as concerts and demos for those who enjoy listening more than playing. Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
.
This year’s theme, Rhythms of Diversity, brings percussionists from around the globe to Asheville to share their musical expertise, including four-time Grammy Award winner, Glen Velez; rhythm vocalist, Loire Cotler; and Balinese Gamelan Ensemble from New York, Yowana Sari. We also welcome back Persian daf and tonbak player, Naghmeh Farahmand, and versatile musical prodigy, Adam Maalouf, as well as djembe player, Adama Dembele, from Ivory Coast and members of the Asheville-based Samba group, Zabumba.

Check out the Residency Artists page on our website (http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/artists) to learn more about the stellar lineup of talent for the 2019 festival. These inspiring musicians will create original compositions during the week to perform in a Masters Concert on Saturday evening, June 29th. Some of the featured artists will also offer workshops during the week-long intensive program and facilitate a sound meditation together on Sunday, June 30th, while several local musicians will facilitate the free community workshops on Saturday, June 29th.

This year’s Festival events, including the intensive program, are offered à la carte; create your own experience! This flexibility allows you to select the festival events you would like to attend, customized to fit your work and travel schedule.

Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info

ALL TICKETS ARE DISCOUNTED 15% UNTIL MAY 1.
Please note: separate tickets are required for EACH event, including concerts and free workshops, even for intensive participants.

Monday, July 1, 2019
2019 Asheville Percussion Festival
Jul 1 all-day
Multiple Venues in Downtown Asheville

THE ASHEVILLE PERCUSSION FESTIVAL ENCOMPASSES A WHOLE WEEK OF EVENTS -MONDAY, JUNE 24th THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 1st- INCLUDING: immersive workshops in frame drum, doumbek, handpan, djembe, samba, marimba, gamelan, and more, as well as concerts and demos for those who enjoy listening more than playing. Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
.
This year’s theme, Rhythms of Diversity, brings percussionists from around the globe to Asheville to share their musical expertise, including four-time Grammy Award winner, Glen Velez; rhythm vocalist, Loire Cotler; and Balinese Gamelan Ensemble from New York, Yowana Sari. We also welcome back Persian daf and tonbak player, Naghmeh Farahmand, and versatile musical prodigy, Adam Maalouf, as well as djembe player, Adama Dembele, from Ivory Coast and members of the Asheville-based Samba group, Zabumba.

Check out the Residency Artists page on our website (http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/artists) to learn more about the stellar lineup of talent for the 2019 festival. These inspiring musicians will create original compositions during the week to perform in a Masters Concert on Saturday evening, June 29th. Some of the featured artists will also offer workshops during the week-long intensive program and facilitate a sound meditation together on Sunday, June 30th, while several local musicians will facilitate the free community workshops on Saturday, June 29th.

This year’s Festival events, including the intensive program, are offered à la carte; create your own experience! This flexibility allows you to select the festival events you would like to attend, customized to fit your work and travel schedule.

Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info

ALL TICKETS ARE DISCOUNTED 15% UNTIL MAY 1.
Please note: separate tickets are required for EACH event, including concerts and free workshops, even for intensive participants.

Thursday, July 4, 2019
Fireworks Extravaganza
Jul 4 all-day
Tweetsie Railroad

Celebrate July 4th with a day of family fun at Tweetsie Railroad, followed by the High Country’s most spectacular fireworks display. The park will remain open until 9:00 pm and fireworks begin at 9:30 pm.

Saturday, July 6, 2019
Cool Summer Nights
Jul 6 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Every Saturday in July the park stays open late, until 9:00 p.m., so you can make more time for family memories. Enjoy evening train and stage shows, rides at dusk, and fun throughout the park.

Guided Walking Tour (High Impact)
Jul 6 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

This tour goes exploring through our 80 acres of working farmland. Head to the top of UFO hill for a spectacular view, walk alongside the creek through forest, see the grazing animals on pasture, and learn about regenerative agriculture. You will get an overview of our farm history but a more in-depth look at our farming practices. We will be traversing over rough terrain, so suitable hiking attire is suggested.

Friday, July 12, 2019
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Jul 12 – Jul 14 all-day
Tweetsie Railroad

Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo will be appearing at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Extra appearance during Cool Summer Night, Saturday evening at 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 13, 2019
Cool Summer Nights
Jul 13 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Every Saturday in July the park stays open late, until 9:00 p.m., so you can make more time for family memories. Enjoy evening train and stage shows, rides at dusk, and fun throughout the park.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019
FinklepottsFairyHair.com at Sierra Nevada
Jul 17 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sierra Nevada

Come get SPARKLED with Finklepott’s Original Fairy Hair!
Sierra Nevada Brewing IN LOWER PARK
100 Sierra Nevada Way Mills River, NC 28732
***ENTRANCE FEE REQUIRED***
Sign up here to reserve your spot and for more information:
http://bit.ly/SierraNevada07172019

Saturday, July 20, 2019
Cool Summer Nights
Jul 20 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Every Saturday in July the park stays open late, until 9:00 p.m., so you can make more time for family memories. Enjoy evening train and stage shows, rides at dusk, and fun throughout the park.

Brevard Music Center “Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert”
Jul 20 @ 8:30 pm
Brevard Music Center Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium
Indiana Jones comes to three big screens at BMC—with live orchestra—

Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert

 Brevard Music Center (BMC) will present Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert at its open-air, lakeside Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium (WPA). Relive the magic of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster 1981 adventure film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, with John Williams’ epic score performed live to picture by a full symphony orchestra, under the direction of conductor Nicholas Buc. Movie screens will be situated on both the WPA main stage as well as the WPA lawn for this BMC concert. Popcorn, beverages, and casual concessions fare will also be available, plus there will be an appearance by Indiana Jones at the BMC photo booth that evening! (*The 8:30 PM timing reflects a special late start due to the movie.)

“The film that gave the world one of its greatest movie heroes, Indiana Jones, is back and better than ever before—with live orchestra!” said Brevard Music Center President & CEO Mark Weinstein. “Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert, with its glorious score by John Williams, is the perfect way to introduce classical music to a young audience and one of the many family-friendly events featured at our 2019 summer festival season. Please join us for an unforgettable evening of film, music, and memories!”

Tuesday, July 23, 2019
PEPPERPALOOZA Festival at the West Asheville Tailgate Market
Jul 23 @ 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Grace Baptist Church

ASHEVILLE, JULY 23, 2019– The West Asheville Tailgate Market will be hosting their very first “Pepperpalooza” in the parking lot of the Grace Baptist Church, 718 Haywood Road, from 3:30-6:30pm. Pepperpalooza is a festival dedicated to celebrating the pepper is all it’s many colors, shapes, sizes, flavors…and levels of heat intensity.

Pepperpalooza is a fundraiser for the West Asheville Tailgate Market and all proceeds will go toward the growth of the market including kids activities, food tastings, cooking demos, and partnerships with other local non-profits for food-based educational programs in the future.

This at-market festival has several components including a raffle, hot pepper eating contest (for adults), bell pepper tastings (for kids), local hot sauce tastings, pepper roasting, ristra making, kids crafts, and a talk on the history of peppers. And of course, Pepperpalooza wouldn’t live up to its name without some rockin’ live music from local musicians.

The raffle includes 5 big prize packages including an assortment of food and crafts from WATM vendors. Raffle tickets are just $5 to enter or $12 for 3 and can be purchased on the WATM website or in person at the Pepperpalooza festival on July 23rd.

The main event will be the hot pepper eating contest where those who enter will get to eat their way up the Scoville Scale in intensity (milk and bread will be available to contestants once they tap out). The person who can take the most heat will win $50 in market bucks and a WATM t-shirt. The kiddos can play too! We’ll have a colorful bell pepper tasting where they can eat the rainbow of sweet peppers to pick which color they like best.

All those who yearn to feel the burn can taste an assortment of hot sauces which are being donated from local companies. For $3 you get a bowl of chips as a blank canvas to taste an assortment of sauces. That same $3 enters you into a raffle to win a bottle of all the hot sauces in the tasting.

Thursday, July 25, 2019
City Dance
Jul 25 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Saturday, July 27, 2019
Exploring Appalachia (Day Trip Package)
Jul 27 @ 8:30 am – 6:30 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Discover the beauty of the Appalachia’s both wild and rural. Your day begins with the expansive views of Chimney Rock State Park where your group is welcome to enjoy one of the many leisure or intensive hiking trails on the property. Lunch at the award-winning Old Rock Cafe is included with this package to enjoy at your leisure after 11am. At 2pm, join the park’s animal educators for the Animal Encounter, an interactive experience where you can touch, feel, and learn about the wildlife at the park. After meeting the animals of the wild, your group will drive an easy 20 minutes North up 74A for the evening portion of your day trip.

Starting at 4pm, your evening encounter begins with an in-depth tour of the farm’s history and agricultural model along with a meet-and-greet of our farm animals. Choose our standard top-tier tour or upgrade to a horseback ride for an intimate farm experience. Immediately following the tour, your group will be treated to a plated Farm-to-Fork meal prepared by our expert catering chef including an adult beverage of your choice. Finish the day with engaging conversations and gorgeous long-range views as the sun sets.

Cool Summer Nights
Jul 27 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Every Saturday in July the park stays open late, until 9:00 p.m., so you can make more time for family memories. Enjoy evening train and stage shows, rides at dusk, and fun throughout the park.

Back to School Blessing
Jul 27 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
New Covenant Church

You are invited to the 2nd Annual Back to School Blessing on Saturday, July 27, 2019. Last year we gave away over 700 backpacks filled with school supplies and had over 1,000 people in attendance. This year we have a goal to give away 1,000 backpacks filled of school supplies and expect 2,000 people in attendance. The 2nd Annual Back to School Blessing will also include food, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, inflatable attractions, raffle prizes and more, all for FREE! For more information and to register for FREE backpacks, visit newcovenantchurch.com.

Guided Walking Tour (High Impact)
Jul 27 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

This tour goes exploring through our 80 acres of working farmland. Head to the top of UFO hill for a spectacular view, walk alongside the creek through forest, see the grazing animals on pasture, and learn about regenerative agriculture. You will get an overview of our farm history but a more in-depth look at our farming practices. We will be traversing over rough terrain, so suitable hiking attire is suggested.

Sunday, July 28, 2019
K-9s In Flight Frisbee Dogs
Jul 28 all-day
Tweetsie Railroad

These incredible dogs have delighted audiences nationwide at halftime shows and on television. Don’t miss them live at Tweetsie Railroad! Shows at 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Saturday evening show at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 3, 2019
Kick It Tickets LEAF Downtown
Aug 3 all-day
Various locations Downtown Asheville

Kick It Ticket grants access to the Get Down Lounge
& the Capella on 9 Cocktail Hour.

Plus, get these sweet perks:

BITES & BEVS

  • Private Bar featuring Sierra Nevada, Pisgah, HI-Wire, and Wicked Weed brews. Titos, wine and more! Non-alc options also available.
  • Complimentary food refreshed throughout the weekend
  • 6 Drink Tickets per guest

SPACE TO RELAX

  • Private viewing area next to Pack Stage
  • Private Restrooms
  • Reserved Parking

SWAG FOR DAYS

  • Automatic raffle entry for a chance to win a pair of Fall LEAF Festival day tickets
  • Swag Bags full of goodness

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Lace up! Register Now for LEAF Art Dash 5K
Aug 3 all-day
Pack Square

RUN YOUR ASH OFF for Cultural Arts Education!
Your run (or walk) 100% supports LEAF Schools & Streets
Saturday, August 3rd @ 9am

Lace up your shoes for the LEAF ART DASH,
for an art filled family-friendly 5K in downtown Asheville.
Costumes Encouraged | Pets Welcome
Art Dash kicks off Saturday LEAF Downtown AVL festivities!

This 3.1 mi COURSE will travel through the city,
complete with live roaming Artists & interactive arts.
It feels like a LEAF Parade! 
#RunYourAshOff

Model Airplane Show
Aug 3 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Buncombe County Sports Park

Image may contain: grass, outdoor and nature

The Asheville-Buncombe Aeromodelers R/C Flying Club in cooperation with Buncombe County Recreation Services present the annual Flying Model Demo & Exhibit.

Weather permitting, there will be:
– Flying demonstrations, possibly including:
– Electric Ducted Fan (EDF) Jets
– Helicopters
– Quad Racers
– Ultra Aerobatic (3D) Planes
– Warbirds
– Vintage Aircraft
– Try your hand at flying with an instructor
– First Person View (FPV) video monitor

If the weather is bad, we will still have:
– Static displays with opportunities for questions and answers
– Information about the flying club
– A raffle for your chance to win a ready to fly (RTF) XK X520 VTOL provided by Motion RC. There is no cost for the tickets, but you must be present to win.

Sunday, August 4, 2019
60th Annual NC Mineral and Gem Festival
Aug 4 all-day
The Spruce Pine Commons Shopping Center

For the last 60 years, Spruce Pine has welcomed rockhounds and gem and mineral enthusiasts to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!

Welcome to the North Carolina Mineral, Gem & Jewelry Festival website! Since the early 1950’s Spruce Pine, North Carolina has been the host of the Festival and welcomed visitors from around the world to shop for beautiful jewelry, gemstones, minerals, beads, crystals, fossils and more! Even celebrities have been spotted at the Festival selecting their jewelry, gemstones and gifts! The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget. Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a special stone for your own setting, a custom designed piece of jewelry or a special crystal display for your home, you can’t miss the NC Mineral and Gem Festival.

Celebrating our Diamond Year!
August 1-4, 2019

One of the oldest & most popular mineral and gem shows in the country!

Admission $5 adults, $3 Seniors, Kids 10 & under free

Festival Times:
Thursday- Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 10, 2019
25th Annual Twin Rivers Multimedia Festival & Film Screenings
Aug 10 all-day
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Film screenings of award-winning international/national/local films, premieres & official selections. Feature Film “Beautiful Jinn” by Bayram Fazli screens on Friday, 8-10pm. Screenings of Short Drama Animation, Short Dramas, Experimental Films, and Documentaries will run Saturday 11am – 6pm. Vote for Audience Award!
TRMF has become the festival of choice for filmmakers and film lovers who are seeking a unique Western North Carolina high quality cinema experience and a place to indulge their passion for film. The Festival connects audiences to compelling documentaries, award-winning international releases with tantalizing discussions with visiting filmmakers. This year the festival will be screening 46 films from 26 countries which also includes two selected films from Western North Carolina.

Sourwood Festival downtown Black Mountain
Aug 10 all-day
Downtown Black Mountain

The Sourwood Festival fills downtown Black Mountain with wholesome entertainment for both adults and children in August each year.

Over 30,000 people from all over America will be in attendance at the festival which grows in popularity each year.

Music, dancing, arts & crafts, super food, kid’s rides and games, face painting and more in a no alcohol environment make it the perfect event for you and your entire family.

With about 200 vendors you will discover lots of local and unique arts and crafts and there will be something to please every palate with BBQ and vegetarian faire, custom-crafted ice cream and funnel cakes and jellies.  Summertime favorites include the sausages and corn on the cob.

Add to that the honey and bee demos as well as the gourmet sourwood honey – you don’t want to miss this event!

Sunday, August 11, 2019
Sourwood Festival downtown Black Mountain
Aug 11 all-day
Downtown Black Mountain

The Sourwood Festival fills downtown Black Mountain with wholesome entertainment for both adults and children in August each year.

Over 30,000 people from all over America will be in attendance at the festival which grows in popularity each year.

Music, dancing, arts & crafts, super food, kid’s rides and games, face painting and more in a no alcohol environment make it the perfect event for you and your entire family.

With about 200 vendors you will discover lots of local and unique arts and crafts and there will be something to please every palate with BBQ and vegetarian faire, custom-crafted ice cream and funnel cakes and jellies.  Summertime favorites include the sausages and corn on the cob.

Add to that the honey and bee demos as well as the gourmet sourwood honey – you don’t want to miss this event!

Monday, August 12, 2019
Moog Filtered Ale Returns for Moogmentum Grand Opening Celebration
Aug 12 all-day
Moogseum

 

Moog Filtered Ale Returns for Moogmentum Grand Opening Celebration

The Bob Moog Foundation and Asheville Brewing Company are proud to announce a very limited release of Moog Filtered Ale, a specially brewed ale named in honor of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog. This unique pale ale will be available beginning Monday, August 12, 2019, in celebration of Moogmentum, the series of events marking the grand opening of the Foundation’s Moogseum, taking place August 13th-15th in downtown Asheville, NC. All profits from the sale of the beer will be donated to the Bob Moog Foundation to benefit the Moogseum.

Moog Filtered Ale will be available on draft exclusively at Moogmentum events at the Asheville Masonic Temple and the Asheville Music Hall, as well as at Bottle Shop 604 in west Asheville and the Asheville Brewing Company in downtown Asheville.

“Moog Filtered Ale is a dry hopped pale ale with big citrus and tropical flavor and aroma,” stated Pete Langheinrich, Asheville Brewing Company’s head brewer. “Moog has always been a huge part of our brewery’s soundtrack and we’re very excited to work with such a true music pioneer. This brew showcases classic and modern American brewing techniques and reflects the passion and ingenuity of both Bob Moog and Asheville Brewing Company.”

Sunday, August 18, 2019
Riders In The Sky
Aug 18 all-day
Tweetsie Railroad

Come hear America’s favorite Cowboys, as this Grammy Award-winning quartet sing and entertain audiences “the Cowboy Way”. Performances at Noon and 3:00 p.m.

-Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.
-Reservations are not required for the shows.
-Shows included with regular park admission.

Thursday, August 22, 2019
City Dance
Aug 22 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Friday, August 23, 2019
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Aug 23 all-day
various locations see details

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

Saturday, August 24, 2019
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Aug 24 all-day
various locations see details

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

Native Tree Nursery Weed Eater Workday
Aug 24 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Asheville GreenWorks Nursery/ Buncombe County Sports Park

Image

The Asheville GreenWorks nursery is in need of some TLC. After multiple break-ins, vandalism, and theft of tools like weedeaters and chainsaws, we need your help more than ever.

For this workday, we are asking you to bring your weed eaters, if you can, and help clear out the brush in the nursery and hoop house. Don’t have a weed eater? That’s okay! In addition, we will do some hand weeding and other maintenance.

If getting in a good sweat and some hard work isn’t enough incentive, we’ll be sending you home with a native tree of your choosing. At the end of the workday, harvest some apples from the orchard and leave with a tree as well.

Wear work clothes to get dirty and close-toed shoes. Sunscreen, water, and hat are always a good idea. We will also provide some beverages.

All other tools and gear will be provided by GreenWorks.