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.

Community Garden located at the Buncombe County Sports Park.
The mission of Sand HIll Community Garden is to share in garden space, knowledge, and labor with all members of the community. Using organic growing practices we promote community health and wellness by providing fresh produce for garden members and local people in need of food.


The North Carolina Arboretum’s 24th annual Carolina Bonsai Expo will be held on Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, 2019, in the Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden, Baker Exhibit Center and Education Center.
This nationally known event features juried displays by bonsai enthusiasts hailing from a multi-state region. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the displays, watch free demonstrations and purchase bonsai plants and supplies. Also featured are an invitational show and sale of the work of bonsai potters and a display of floral art by members of the Asheville Chapter of Ikebana International. As the premier annual bonsai event of the Southeast, the Carolina Bonsai Expo offers programs for both the bonsai community and general public.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, October 12
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Arboretum’s bonsai on display in the Bonsai Exhibition Garden; main bonsai exhibit open in the Education Center, 1st floor; ikebana exhibit open in the Education Center, 2nd floor; vendors market open in the Baker Exhibit Center, 1st and 2nd floors; food service available in the Education Center, 1st floor
11 a.m. – Noon Free ikebana educational program (More information to come) in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. 2019 Carolina Bonsai Expo Main Event presentation: “The Art of Bonsai Pottery,” featuring bonsai pottery artist Ron Lang, illustrated lecture program in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor (Pre-registration required; fee charged for this program. Registration is not yet open.)
Sunday, October 13
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Arboretum’s bonsai on display in the Bonsai Exhibition Garden; main bonsai exhibit open in the Education Center, 1st floor; ikebana exhibit open in the Education Center, 2nd floor; vendors market open in the Baker Exhibit Center, 1st and 2nd floors; food service available in the Education Center, 1st floor
1 a.m – Noon Free bonsai educational program, (More information to come), in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Live auction of bonsai and bonsai-related items, in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor (Register onsite Expo weekend; $1 fee charged for this event.)
3:30 p.m. Raffle drawing, presentation of “People’s Choice” award, and closing remarks in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor

Community Garden located at the Buncombe County Sports Park.
The mission of Sand HIll Community Garden is to share in garden space, knowledge, and labor with all members of the community. Using organic growing practices we promote community health and wellness by providing fresh produce for garden members and local people in need of food.

The Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference was inspired by the thriving herbal conferences for women in the Northeast, Northwest, and California, which were founded in the 1990’s. After many years of running Red Moon Herbs and teaching herbal medicine for women, Corinna Wood—student and apprentice of Wise Woman Herbalist Susun Weed—recognized that the Southeast, too, would be eager for this kind of gathering. From our first annual event in 2005 with 200 women attending, we quickly discovered that the community was more than ready, that this event is filling a deep hunger for the Wise Woman Ways in this region. The conference now has a heart and soul of its own. For many, it has become an annual event—with over a thousand women, the October gathering is a tradition in education, inspiration, and sisterhood.
3 Full days of workshops, intensives, gatherings and more.
For a complete schedule visit: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HcEve8IzhO29Qt_ZFRQXF3jcXtsffDk31v5HEbUNm_A/edit#gid=2075348263

The North Carolina Arboretum’s 24th annual Carolina Bonsai Expo will be held on Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, 2019, in the Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden, Baker Exhibit Center and Education Center.
This nationally known event features juried displays by bonsai enthusiasts hailing from a multi-state region. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the displays, watch free demonstrations and purchase bonsai plants and supplies. Also featured are an invitational show and sale of the work of bonsai potters and a display of floral art by members of the Asheville Chapter of Ikebana International. As the premier annual bonsai event of the Southeast, the Carolina Bonsai Expo offers programs for both the bonsai community and general public.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, October 12
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Arboretum’s bonsai on display in the Bonsai Exhibition Garden; main bonsai exhibit open in the Education Center, 1st floor; ikebana exhibit open in the Education Center, 2nd floor; vendors market open in the Baker Exhibit Center, 1st and 2nd floors; food service available in the Education Center, 1st floor
11 a.m. – Noon Free ikebana educational program (More information to come) in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. 2019 Carolina Bonsai Expo Main Event presentation: “The Art of Bonsai Pottery,” featuring bonsai pottery artist Ron Lang, illustrated lecture program in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor (Pre-registration required; fee charged for this program. Registration is not yet open.)
Sunday, October 13
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Arboretum’s bonsai on display in the Bonsai Exhibition Garden; main bonsai exhibit open in the Education Center, 1st floor; ikebana exhibit open in the Education Center, 2nd floor; vendors market open in the Baker Exhibit Center, 1st and 2nd floors; food service available in the Education Center, 1st floor
1 a.m – Noon Free bonsai educational program, (More information to come), in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Live auction of bonsai and bonsai-related items, in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor (Register onsite Expo weekend; $1 fee charged for this event.)
3:30 p.m. Raffle drawing, presentation of “People’s Choice” award, and closing remarks in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor
Take home a native tree for your home!
A new spooky book just in time for Halloween. Caitlin Donovan will present works from her young adult book “In The way of all Flesh” a paranormal fantasy novel; October 17th at 6:30 at the Firestorm bookstore in West Asheville. There will be giveaways, snacks and a Q&A session. Donovan has written for several magazines and blogs including Cracked, Anime feminist and Epicstream. She currently lives in Asheville and is working on a new book. For more information please visit caitlinalisedonovan.com###
– ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE BOOKS, CDs, DVDs, SIGNED BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
– BOOKENDS USED BOOK STORE – 1/2 off our usual low prices.
– COFFEE TABLE and CHILDREN’S BETTER BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
Notes:
– Credit Cards will be accepted.
– Parking: The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands will be at the U.S. Cellular Center; special parking rates will be in effect.
– Safety & Fairness Rules will be observed in Bookends. (No personal rolling carts or baskets.)
– ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE BOOKS, CDs, DVDs, SIGNED BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
– BOOKENDS USED BOOK STORE – 1/2 off our usual low prices.
– COFFEE TABLE and CHILDREN’S BETTER BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
Notes:
– Credit Cards will be accepted.
– Parking: The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands will be at the U.S. Cellular Center; special parking rates will be in effect.
– Safety & Fairness Rules will be observed in Bookends. (No personal rolling carts or baskets.)

| Tuesday, October 22, 2019, 7 – 8pm | |
| Location | Leicester Library – 1561 Alexander Rd. – Leicester |
| Phone | (828) 250-6480 |
| [email protected] | |
| Event Type | Book Club |
| Age Group | Adult |
| Library | Leicester |
| Details |
Build relationships and build your understanding of social justice in this new reading group sponsored by the Leicester Library! Monthly meetings will alternate between the Leicester Library and Firestorm. On October 22, we’ll discuss I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown at the Leicester Library. On November 26, we’ll discuss The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater at Firestorm. On December 17, we’ll discuss How To Be Less Stupid About Race by Crystal Fleming at the Leicester Library. You may check out the book from any BCPL branch, or purchase a copy at a discount from Firestorm. Meetings will alternate monthly between the Leicester Library and Firestorm. Future titles will be selected with guidance from the host librarian and book club participants. |
| Link | www.firestorm.coop… |

Jill Criswell, young adult fantasy author and writing instructor at USC Upstate, will lead a writing workshop for aspiring writers and hobbyists. Focusing on world-building, this workshop will help writers better understand how to add details to their story’s settings and use this as a foundation for their characters and plot. All attendees will be entered in a drawing to win a signed hardcover copy of Criswell’s novel, Beasts of the Frozen Sun.
Bio: Jill Criswell is a writer of young adult fantasy. Born and raised in the swamps of northeastern Florida, she earned degrees in English and Psychology and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida. Her greatest passion, besides reading and writing, is traveling the world; she’s visited fifty countries across six continents, falling in love with places like Iceland, Namibia, and Cambodia. She works as a university English teacher and lives in South Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and daughter (who is named after a volcano in Iceland). Beasts of the Frozen Sun, the first book in the Frozen Sun trilogy, is her debut novel.
Registration is required for this event!
It’s our favorite time of year again! (Who are we kidding? We love to celebrate Geekiness ALL times of the year!)
We are happy to invite all of our Nerd Sanctuary family & friends to ComicFest 2019 Morgan’s Comics style! FREE Comics, Candy, Locally Baked Treats, Costume Contest, Local Artists & two musical Performances.
The Costume Contest is at 6:30- tell your friends!
**We have hundreds of limited edition, rare & Chase POPS! instock.
***We have many different prizes & promotions going for that day! Games & Contests- please message us or come by for details.

The Friends of the Library, Immediate Theatre Project, and Asheville Community Theatre present “The Belle of Amherst” by William Luce, adapted and performed by Sybil Rosen, an award-winning novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and actress.
A funny, wise, poignant, one-woman show that takes us into the vivid heart and mind of America’s favorite poet, Emily Dickinson.
The two performances are a fundraiser where proceeds benefit the Friends of Pack Memorial Library and the Whitesburg, GA Public Library.
Suggested donation: $10.
Everyone is welcome.No ticket required.
The second performance of this show will be Monday, October 28 at 6pm.
*Presented with permission from the Dramatist Play Service
Join the Friends of the North Carolina Room and researcher Benjamin Porter as he shares information about long-time Asheville-based photographer Herbert Pelton, famous for his panoramic shots of the city in a time of rapid change and modernization.


Come into Malaprop’s for a Halloween séance with authors Dale Bailey, Nathan Ballingrud (pictured), Jake Bible, and Alexandra Duncan, sharing new stories transmitted from beyond the grave.

This event creates a space for all of WNC and surrounding communities to join together in honor of fermentation, food preservation, farming and food resiliency in Madison County, NC. All profits & proceeds from the festival will be donated to the Beacon of Hope Food Bank of Marshall, NC. There will be FREE demos on food preservation & fermentation, music, family friendly activities and of course local and regional fermenters, foodies and crafting vendors ranging from local farms to local potters, fermenters, crafters and much more!
Please Check Out More Info Through Our Facebook Event Page!

Smash Don’t Trash is back for its 2nd year in Asheville! Bring out those rotten pumpkins for a smashing good time!
Participants will…
- Learn about different ways to structure labor on your farm including apprenticeship, paid hourly workers, temporary workers, volunteers.
- Discover best practices for managing people on the ground.
- Learn how to incorporate education on the farm.
- Understand legal considerations you need to know about your labor structure.
- Clarify the financial process for paying workers or apprentices.
- Be aware of equity issues with on-farm labor.
- Hear from experienced farmers running successful farms in WNC.


Backyard Composting Workshop
Tuesday, November 12th
6:30-7:30pm
The Jewish Community Center

Join us as Christina Newhouse from Southwestern NC Resource Conservation & Development Council discusses season extension. In this informative workshop, you will learn how to extend your growing and marketing seasons while making more money.
$20 register at: https://appalachian.org/event/farm-workshop-season-extension/?utm_source=SAHC+Default+MC+List&utm_campaign=32340c2ac5-February_2018_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4717684d09-32340c2ac5-144635353&ct=t(February_2018_COPY_02)&mc_cid=32340c2ac5&mc_eid=cccced3ffd
Join us for our Annual Open House and enjoy cookies, hot cider and live music. New Morning Gallery features handcrafted ornaments and gifts by over 1,000 American artists that are housed in an amazing 2 story, 12,000 square foot gallery. There is free parking in beautiful Historic Biltmore Village. Ten percent of sales during our annual Holiday Open House will be donated to the Asheville MANNA Food Bank.
Holiday Open House Dates and Times:
Saturday, November 23rd 10:00am – 7:00pm
Sunday, November 24th 12:00pm – 5:00pm

| Tuesday, October 22, 2019, 7 – 8pm | |
| Location | Leicester Library – 1561 Alexander Rd. – Leicester |
| Phone | (828) 250-6480 |
| [email protected] | |
| Event Type | Book Club |
| Age Group | Adult |
| Library | Leicester |
| Details |
Build relationships and build your understanding of social justice in this new reading group sponsored by the Leicester Library! Monthly meetings will alternate between the Leicester Library and Firestorm. On October 22, we’ll discuss I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown at the Leicester Library. On November 26, we’ll discuss The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater at Firestorm. On December 17, we’ll discuss How To Be Less Stupid About Race by Crystal Fleming at the Leicester Library. You may check out the book from any BCPL branch, or purchase a copy at a discount from Firestorm. Meetings will alternate monthly between the Leicester Library and Firestorm. Future titles will be selected with guidance from the host librarian and book club participants. |
| Link | www.firestorm.coop… |
Join the Elves at Bullington Gardens to shop for Amaryllis, Poinsettias, wreaths, unique holiday crafts, ornaments and so much more!

Join the Elves at Bullington Gardens to shop for Amaryllis, Poinsettias, wreaths, unique holiday crafts, ornaments and so much more!


Cost: $5 to attend (ticket price will be a donation to The Utopian Seed Project). $20 to take home an inoculated log.
If you decide to take home a log at the end of the class and only paid $5 to attend, then we’ll discount the log to $15.
This popular hands on class will leave you with the skills and knowledge to inoculate your own mushroom logs at home. We’ll start with a short presentation inside to give you the technical knowledge to make good mushroom growing decisions, and then move outside to get some hands on time with drilling and inoculating mushroom logs.
A comprehensive handout will be included. Additional mushroom plugs and spare inoculated logs will be sold separately.
Bring warm clothing for the outside section of the class.
We will be limiting the class to 40 people so that everyone can have a fulfilling hands on learning experience.
This one-day workshop will give you an in-depth look at soil health and provide a hands-on opportunity to work with soil monitoring in the field. Participants will learn about how to manage the four ecosystem processes and some simple soil tests you can use to promote soil health and productivity on your farm. A local farmer with experience in holistic management will share the soil management practices that they use to promote soil health, and produce high quality, profitable crops.
Effectively managing weeds can be the most labor-intensive task for ecological crop and vegetable production. This one-day workshop will cover common weed biology, ecology, and identification. You will also learn preventative as well as mechanical and cultural practices you can implement on your farm to reduce weed pressure, save time, and money.

earn the basics of lactofermentation and several recipes to transform root vegetables in season this time of year into fermented food delicacies! Sarah will demonstrate techniques and offer troubleshooting advice on the Dos and Don’ts of home fermentation. Leave with the knowledge and inspiration to create live, probiotic-rich ferments for you and your family!
About the Instructors
Sarah Archer is the Owner and Fermentress behind local business Serotonin Ferments. She has been a fermenting enthusiast for 15 years, and over that time has honed her skills from novice to expert. She is passionate about sharing her love for food, health, and community, and truly believes that Food is our Medicine. Supporting local, organic farmers is a keystone of her process, and her creations are often inspired by what is growing in abundance locally.

