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 13, 2023
Black Mountain Park Rhythms
Jul 13 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Black Mountain Veterans Park

FINAL_Park_Rhythms2023
Concert-goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to each show. The 2023 series is made possible by the following sponsors: Pisgah AVL, Mark Kleive DDS, Cup of Jomo, Dough House, LEAF Global Arts, Greybeard Realty, Four Sisters Bakery, Acoustic Corner, The Red Radish, and Sarah Sunshine Pottery.

A Chorus Line
Jul 13 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

The “One Singular Sensation,” A Chorus Line, is coming to Flat Rock Playhouse for the first time and we are thrilled to share this award-winning musical with everyone! A Chorus Line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the American Musical Theatre: the chorus dancers. The show follows 17 would-be dancers in their quest to make the cut for a new Broadway Musical. One by one, the dancers come forward to share the stories of their lives, giving it their all and putting themselves on the line to make the cut. Only eight will remain. Capturing the spirit, tension, and hope of an audition, A Chorus Line is the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all out there to make it come true!

A Chorus Line once held the record as the longest running show on Broadway with over 6000 performances, and heralds nine Tony® Awards including Best Musical, Best Director and Best Choreographer, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett. Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban. Co-Choreographed by Bob Avian. Original Broadway production produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival, Joseph Papp, Producer, in association with Plum Productions, Inc.

Friday, July 14, 2023
Asheville Performing Arts Academy Programs 2023-2024 Season
Jul 14 all-day
Asheville Performing Arts Academy

2023-2024 Season

The 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.

Mission

The 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!

November 10-12, 2023

An APAA Cabaret (Company)

 

December 8-10, 2023

Oliver, Jr. (Prep)

 

December 15-17, 2023

Oliver, Jr. (Community)

February 2-4, 2024

Mean Girls, Jr.

(Middle School Community)

 

February 9-11, 2024

Mean Girls HS Version

(High School Community)

 

March/April 2024

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Homeschool Academy)

April 25-28, 2024

Little Shop of Horros (Company)

 

May 10-12, 2024

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. (Prep)

 

May 17-19, 2024

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. (Community)

NOC Paddling School
Jul 14 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

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.

Raffle tickets: Elephant Sculpture to Benefit TFAC
Jul 14 all-day
online w/ Tryon Fine Arts Center
Win this Sculpture!
**********
Excitement is growing for the weekend’s performances of Aanika’s Elephants, and Tryon Fine Arts Center is excited to commemorate this special event with a raffle of the adorned, one-of-a-kind elephant head created in part
by Pam McCarthy.
Raffle tickets are two tickets for $5 or
five tickets for $10.
Raffle tickets can be purchased at the box office through Saturday evening’s performance and
by going to the TFAC website
at
Wild West Adventure Trips w/ Nantahala Outdoor Center
Jul 14 all-day
various locations
Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Jul 14 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

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!

77th Season at Asheville Community Theatre
Jul 14 @ 10:00 am
online
We’ve got magic to do just for you!
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
Find your corner of the sky!
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!
Acting Class for High Schoolers
Jul 14 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Class cost: $180

Min students: 6

Max students: 15

Class Dates: July 10-14

Time: 12 pm-3 pm

Rising 10th-12th grade (14-17 years old)

We do not offer refunds or cancellations for any reason other than medical or family emergencies. If your reason for refund is approved, a $25 cancellation fee will apply.

Class Description
Ever imagined what it would be like to play a role in a TV show? Maybe you dream about being on Broadway? Need a place to start? How about an introduction to acting camp! If you are a high schooler (Rising 10th-12th) and want to learn more about acting, then join Hendersonville Theatre’s Summer Acting Camp! In this camp, you will be introduced to everything from improv to character development to cold readings! A great start for any budding actor.

Summer Animal Encounters
Jul 14 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
Weekdays only at 2pm

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!

Summer Sounds in the Gorge
Jul 14 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center

From the local favorites to new regional acts, all live from the river banks of the Nantahala. Raft, dine, then jam with us with Live Music every Friday and Saturday from 5pm-8pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day!

May 27th 5pm-8pm – Mama and the Ruckus

May 28th 5pm-8pm – The Lefties

June 2nd 5pm-8pm – Christina Chandler Trio

June 3rd 5pm-8pm – Laura Thurston

June 9th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton

June 10th 1pm-4pm – Jacobs Well

June 10th 5pm-8pm – Natti Love Joys

June 16th 5pm-8pm – Rae and the Ragdolls

June 17th 5pm-8pm – Beer and Loathing

June 23rd 5pm-8pm – TBA

June 24th 5pm-8pm – Terry Haughton Trio

June 30th 5pm-8pm – Blue

July 1st 5pm-8pm – Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs

July 7th 5pm-8pm – Bayou Diesel

July 8th 5pm-8pm – Pioneer Chicken Stand

July 14th 5pm-8pm – Wyatt Espalin

July 15th 5pm-8pm – Christina Chandler Duo

July 21st 5pm-8pm – Terry Haughton

July 22nd 5pm-8pm – TG and the Stoned Rangers

July 28th 5pm-8pm – Blue

July 29th 5pm-8pm – Somebody’s Child

August 4th 5pm-8pm – Trial by Fire

August 5th 5pm-8pm – Andy Johnson

August 11th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton Solo

August 12th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton Band

August 18th 5pm-8pm – Big Deal Band

August 19th 1pm-4pm – Mckinney

August 19th 5pm-8pm – Funk N’ Around

August 25th 5pm-8pm – Wyatt Espalin

August 26th 5pm-8pm – Somebody’s Child

September 1st 5pm-8pm – TBA

September 2nd 5pm-8pm – Regatta 69

ArborEvenings
Jul 14 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through September 30, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Beverage Service

Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.

Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome

Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)

Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited. 

Find more information here. 

Brews + Bears Summer Event Series
Jul 14 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
WNC Nature Center

Enjoy the WNC Nature Center in the evening with a beer or cider in hand!

Live Music Oak +Grist
Jul 14 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Oak and Grist Distilling Company
 Come by and listen to some chill tunes with a hand-crafted cocktail in hand.

LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

July 14th Levi Carr & Andy Burns
July 21st Handpan Jam w/ Josh Rivera 
July 28th Kristian Giglietti
August 4th Clara New
August 11th Spencer Cranfill
Pritchard Park Summer Series: Drum Circle
Jul 14 @ 6:00 pm – 9:45 pm
Pritchard Park

The beats of the Friday Night Drum Circle have been rocking Pritchard Park for decades and the circle has become so popular that it is featured in magazines and TV commercials.

Asheville Tourists vs. Winston-Salem Dash — Asheville Blues Night + Fireworks Night
Jul 14 @ 6:30 pm
McCormick Field

$1 Hot Dogs presented by Blossman Gas and Mix 96.5

Come out to McCormick Field to watch your Tourists become the Asheville Blues in honor of the Negro League team that played in the 1940’s and 1950’s!

Promotion: Tourists Fireworks Night

Post Game Fireworks Show presented by Ingles!

Music on Main
Jul 14 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Downtown Hendersonville

The Friday Night Music series will present the familiar 50’s and 60’s
classic rock and beach music from a host of different bands. Food vendors like Babbles Ice
Cream, Blue Ridge Hospitality and Eggs Up Grill will provide a some spice. The Carolina
Mountain Car Club will participate as in years past.

Friday Night Concerts
Super 60’s June 9
Gotcha Groove June 16
It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere June 23
Marsha Morgan June 30
Shades of Gray July 7
Thomas Brown July 14
Emporium July 21
Johnnie Blackwell Band July 28
Rock and Roll Reunion August 4
208 Army Band August 11
Night Moves Band August 18

Yoga With a View
Jul 14 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Cost: Includes Park admission: $35 Adult, $25 Adult Annual Passholder. Advance registration required.

Enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed at this outdoor class led by Namaste in Nature. Enjoy a practice suitable for all levels of expertise as you overlook Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. You won’t find a view like this in any studio!

Montford Park Players: Twelfth Night
Jul 14 @ 7:30 pm
Montford Park Players

All shows will be at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater in the Montford District of Asheville, and all will be presented absolutely FREE of charge!

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Fable Wilde Day
Always an audience favorite, Twelfth Night returns to the MPP stage with all of the mistaken identity, love triangles and general wackiness you may already know and love!

All shows will run Fridays through Sundays and all will be presented at 7:30pm and prime seats can be reserved.

Montford Park Players has been bringing some of theater’s greatest works to Western North Carolina for over 50 years. Montford Park Players continues its mission of bring free theater to the community. The summer season allows everyone to come spend an evening under the stars, seeing some of the best live performances presented in Asheville.

Montford Park Players allows patrons to bring their favorite food and beverages to their shows and sells beer, wine and concessions at the shows. If you’ve never been to the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre for a Montford show, there’s no better season than this one. If you have been, you know why you should come back and catch everything we have to offer!

Rock of Ages
Jul 14 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

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.

A Chorus Line
Jul 14 @ 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

The “One Singular Sensation,” A Chorus Line, is coming to Flat Rock Playhouse for the first time and we are thrilled to share this award-winning musical with everyone! A Chorus Line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the American Musical Theatre: the chorus dancers. The show follows 17 would-be dancers in their quest to make the cut for a new Broadway Musical. One by one, the dancers come forward to share the stories of their lives, giving it their all and putting themselves on the line to make the cut. Only eight will remain. Capturing the spirit, tension, and hope of an audition, A Chorus Line is the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all out there to make it come true!

A Chorus Line once held the record as the longest running show on Broadway with over 6000 performances, and heralds nine Tony® Awards including Best Musical, Best Director and Best Choreographer, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett. Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban. Co-Choreographed by Bob Avian. Original Broadway production produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival, Joseph Papp, Producer, in association with Plum Productions, Inc.

LOTS Burlesque Festival – Geektastic Nerdlesque Revue
Jul 14 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
-AGES 18+
-SEATED SHOW
-LIMITED VIP TICKETS AVAILABLE

This Summer the Land of the Sky Burlesque Festival in Asheville invites you for a night of combined Cabaret, Variety & Performance Art with Burlesque for a Festival unlike any other.

Movies in the Park: Top Gun: Maverick
Jul 14 @ 8:30 pm
Pack Square Park

.: MOVIE SCHEDULE :.
📽️
📽️
📽️
📽️ August 11 – Little Giants, begins around 8:10pm
👉 Asheville Parks & Recreation Rec n Roll Fun Zone activities start an hour before showtime with games, giveaways, and other activities for kids and teens.

.: MAKE A PLAN :.
📍 All movies are free and begin at dusk in Pack Square Park on 80 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville. Approximate showtimes are listed, but plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior. Bring blankets and folding chairs for comfort.
📍 Asheville Parks & Recreation Rec n Roll Fun Zone activities start an hour before showtime.
📍 Bring money for food and treats from local vendors. Smokee’s Pizza is scheduled for opening night on May 12 while Tin Can Pizzeria is scheduled for the remaining dates. Kona Ice of Asheville and Kernel Mike’s World Famous Kettle Corn will be available at all dates.
📍 Free parking is available in marked spaces on city streets and in city-owned lots on Marjorie Street after 6pm.
📍 Pets, smoking, and alcohol are prohibited.
📍 Have fun! Dress up as your favorite characters, invite friends, and celebrate cool summer nights.

Movies in the Park allows people to enjoy blockbusters on the big screen with a spectacular backdrop – Asheville City Hall’s art decor exterior flanked by the rising mountains and a night sky full of stars. As Asheville’s town square, Pack Square Park’s central location allows community members in nearby neighborhoods including East End, Montford, South French Broad, and Southside to easily walk, bike, or ride to the show. Free parking in downtown after 6pm makes it a low-cost night out for those traveling from further away.

Star Gaze
Jul 14 @ 8:45 pm
Grassland Mountain Observatory

This public star gaze will be held at Grassland Mountain Observatory in Madison County, with a weather backup night of Saturday, 15 July. This event is free and open to everyone — registration is not necessary to attend. A temporary gate code, required for entry, will be provided here on the day of the star gaze by 5:00 p.m. Directions to Grassland Mountain Observatory can be found here. These star gazes normally conclude about 3 hours after sunset, and visitors are not permitted to stay past the conclusion time. Sunset occurs at 8:46 p.m.

Saturday, July 15, 2023
NOC Paddling School
Jul 15 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

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.

Raffle tickets: Elephant Sculpture to Benefit TFAC
Jul 15 all-day
online w/ Tryon Fine Arts Center
Win this Sculpture!
**********
Excitement is growing for the weekend’s performances of Aanika’s Elephants, and Tryon Fine Arts Center is excited to commemorate this special event with a raffle of the adorned, one-of-a-kind elephant head created in part
by Pam McCarthy.
Raffle tickets are two tickets for $5 or
five tickets for $10.
Raffle tickets can be purchased at the box office through Saturday evening’s performance and
by going to the TFAC website
at
Wild West Adventure Trips w/ Nantahala Outdoor Center
Jul 15 all-day
various locations
Jackson Park Bird Outing
Jul 15 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Jackson Park

Jackson Park Bird Outing, 8am-10am, Join the Blue Ridge Audubon Society for their monthly
bird walk at Jackson Park, meet at the Administration Building parking lot, located on Glover Street, and join the group to see the
many wonderful birds found at Hendersonville’s largest park

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Jul 15 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

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!

77th Season at Asheville Community Theatre
Jul 15 @ 10:00 am
online
We’ve got magic to do just for you!
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
Find your corner of the sky!
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!