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.

Saturday, September 28, 2019
Monarch Butterfly Day at Arboretum
Sep 28 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Known for their stately colors and elegant wings, millions of monarch butterflies travel more than 2,000 miles from across North America to Mexico each fall, where they cluster in about a dozen small areas. Unfortunately, the monarch population has declined from 556 million in 2004 to a historic low of 33.5 million in 2014. This is due to the butterflies’ dramatic loss of habitat and food sources, including the milkweed plant.

As part of a national effort to stave off the decline of monarch butterflies, The North Carolina Arboretum will host its fifth annual Monarch Butterfly Day on Saturday, September 28, inside the Arboretum’s Education Center and throughout its gardens. As part of this free event, participants will learn ways to help monarch butterflies, have the opportunity to purchase milkweed, create make-and-take butterfly crafts and witness monarch butterfly releases.

Nuts as Staple Foods Workshop
Sep 28 @ 1:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Mills River Educational Farm

Nut based agroforestry offers a huge potential to increase the ecosystem functions of human habitats. Osker Brown, of Glorious Forest, will discuss all aspects of harvest, storage, processing, and culinary use of acorns, hazelnuts, chestnuts, hickories, and black walnuts. We will show and tell tools and methods for processing, and sample some treats. We will also cover tending wild habitats for these crops, as well as cultivation of them in managed landscapes, and integration with livestock and annual cropping systems.

Sunday, September 29, 2019
Asheville Quilt Show
Sep 29 all-day
WNC Ag Center

The 37th Asheville Quilt Show includes Demonstrations, Gift shop, Silent Auction, Special Exhibits, Kids Sewing, Quilts for Sale, Opportunity Quilt and food on site. Over 300 quilts from across the country will be exhibited.

Non Profits: Junior League 3rd Annual Volunteer Expo is Now Accepting Applications
Sep 29 all-day
accepting applications

The Junior League of Asheville, Inc. (JLA) will hold its third annual Volunteer Expo, on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the Crowne Plaza Expo Center from 10am to 3pm. Modeled after a job fair, this free event will feature more than 70 local nonprofits looking to fill ongoing and future volunteer needs. Nonprofits in almost every area of community concern will be present at the event: health, poverty, legal aid, environmental stewardship, women’s issues, arts, civic leadership, technology, education and animal welfare.

Excitement for the Volunteer Expo continues to grow, with nonprofit participation growing year over year.  The 2019 event featured over 70 non-profits with attendance at well over 1,000 community members coming to network and sign up to volunteer with nonprofit organizations.

The 2020 Volunteer Expo will be accepting applications starting in September. Due to the increase in interest for booths at the Expo, this year the League plans to review all applications received instead of awarding booths on a first come first serve basis.  They hope this will ensure a good mix of volunteer opportunities in a variety of service areas as well as allow new nonprofits the chance to have a booth at the event.  There will be a silent auction fundraiser, Cheers to Volunteers, the evening before the Volunteer Expo from 6pm to 9pm at the Masonic Temple in downtown Asheville.  All community members are invited to attend both events. If you are a nonprofit interested in participating in the 2020 Volunteer Expo, please email us at [email protected].

Monday, September 30, 2019
Non Profits: Junior League 3rd Annual Volunteer Expo is Now Accepting Applications
Sep 30 all-day
accepting applications

The Junior League of Asheville, Inc. (JLA) will hold its third annual Volunteer Expo, on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the Crowne Plaza Expo Center from 10am to 3pm. Modeled after a job fair, this free event will feature more than 70 local nonprofits looking to fill ongoing and future volunteer needs. Nonprofits in almost every area of community concern will be present at the event: health, poverty, legal aid, environmental stewardship, women’s issues, arts, civic leadership, technology, education and animal welfare.

Excitement for the Volunteer Expo continues to grow, with nonprofit participation growing year over year.  The 2019 event featured over 70 non-profits with attendance at well over 1,000 community members coming to network and sign up to volunteer with nonprofit organizations.

The 2020 Volunteer Expo will be accepting applications starting in September. Due to the increase in interest for booths at the Expo, this year the League plans to review all applications received instead of awarding booths on a first come first serve basis.  They hope this will ensure a good mix of volunteer opportunities in a variety of service areas as well as allow new nonprofits the chance to have a booth at the event.  There will be a silent auction fundraiser, Cheers to Volunteers, the evening before the Volunteer Expo from 6pm to 9pm at the Masonic Temple in downtown Asheville.  All community members are invited to attend both events. If you are a nonprofit interested in participating in the 2020 Volunteer Expo, please email us at [email protected].

Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Council on Aging Offers Free Medicare Classes August-September
Oct 1 all-day
various see below

The Council on Aging of Buncombe County in conjunction with the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) announces its classes “Introduction to Medicare – Understanding the Puzzle” for August – September 2019. The classes will explain how Medicare works, the enrollment process, how to avoid penalties, and ways to save money.

The classes are free and open to the public.

Residents who are new to Medicare, caregivers, and others who help senior citizens with their Medicare insurance should consider attending this informative class. The information presented is unbiased and accurate. No products are sold, recommended, or endorsed.

Medicare Classes:  August – September 2019

  • Aug. 21, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. PM Blue Ridge Health, 2579 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville
  • Aug.  23, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Goodwill, 1616 Patton Ave, Asheville
  • Aug. 28, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Brian Berg Dr, Brevard
  • Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Reuter YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd, Asheville
  • Sept. 13, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. OLLI/Reuter Center, UNCA, One University Heights, Asheville
  • Sept. 17, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Woodfin YMCA, 40 N Merrimon Ave #101, Asheville
  • Sept. 20, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Goodwill, 1616 Patton Ave, Asheville
  • Sept. 25, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Black Mountain YMCA, 25 Jane Jacobs Rd, Black Mountain
  • Oct. 1, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Ferguson YMCA, 31 Westridge Market Pl, Candler
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Volunteers Needed
Oct 2 all-day
various

Call for Volunteers!! We are grateful that the Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo supports conservation of land and water resources — and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Binge volunteers enjoy fun and camaraderie while helping in a variety of ways, from course marshals to Binge party hosting.

Catch the Wave Celebration
Oct 2 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
French Broad River Academy

Join us for a night of celebration and fun October 2nd for our second annual Catch the Wave event hosted by RiverLink! We’ll have live music provided by The Barsters, awesome raffles, food, refreshments, and informational sessions providing updates on the project.

All proceeds from the event will help build the Greenway & Blueway so grab your friends and get ready for a good time!

For more information and tickets please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/woodfin-greenway-blueway-2nd-annual-catch-the-wave-celebration-tickets-69998580639

Special thanks to our amazing co-hosts: Asheville GreenWorks, MountainTrue, Connect Buncombe, and French Broad River Academy

RiverLink is the proud fundraising partner of the Town of Woodfin and Buncombe County Greenways.
__________________________________________________________________
AWESOME RAFFLE PRIZES
Grand Prize Items:
Homeslice Whitewater Kayak from Liquidlogic Kayaks
Raft, Zipline, Yurt Package from Wildwater Ltd.
Bike from Motion Makers Bicycle Shop
Jackson Cruise FlexDrive Fishing Kayak from Southern Raft Supply
Alloy Rim Wheelset and stem by Industry Nine

There will also be a dozen additional runner-up prizes

There will be a separate drawings for each. Raffle participants will put their ticket(s) toward whichever item(s) they wish.

**** YOU NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN**** For those unable to attend the event, tickets for the raffle may be purchased online, and we’ll enter them for you. Winners will be notified by email.
__________________________________________________________________

*Children 12 and under may attend at no charge.

Learn more about the project at https://riverlink.org/

Thursday, October 3, 2019
Protect Your Employees & Business Through Insurance Assessment Seminar
Oct 3 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Chamber of Commerce Board Room
Event Description:
Join Jared Bellmund and Mike Alessi to assess your small business insurance.
Mike will focus on health Insurance plus explore combining health, life, dental and other ancillary benefits. Updates on association health plans (AHP) that is currently in legislation.
Jared specializes in protecting businesses with the following commercial insurances: business liability, worker’s compensation, property, business auto, umbrella, errors and omissions, employment practices liability and directors/officers liability.

Mike Alessi is an independent health insurance agent who represents multiple carriers and plan options.  Exclusively offering health insurance has positioned the agency to be very knowledgeable in the field and up to date with the constant changes in this product offering.

Jared Bellmund is with All Choice Insurance and his goal is to help others grow and prosper.  His passion for helping others translates into work as an insurance agent and he wants to protect the things that matter most to his clients.

Beef Butchering Class
Oct 3 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Chop Shop Butchery

Watch and learn as our Head Butcher breaks down an entire front quarter of dry-aged Apple Brandy beef. In this class – Watch our head butcher completes a live demonstration of breaking down the front quarter of a steer. Learn about different beef cuts, including Denver, Chuck-Eye, Rib-Eye, Skirt Steak, and more! Discover the differences between often-confused names of popular cuts and learn about cuts you’ve probably never heard of-Learn the cooking techniques for different cuts of beef (and as you’ll discover, we’ll teach you how to maximize the meals you can cook from this section of a beef.) Enjoy local and house made charcuterie and cheeses. Sip beer from a local brewery, or enjoy a glass (or two) or our favorite wines. Take home a nice cut of beef just in time for the weekend! Take home PDF notes and recipes from the class. Early Bird Tickets – $100. Class Tickets: $110 VIP Tickets: $140 (Take home a pound of Chop Shop Bacon and your choice of a Chop Shop t-shirt or hat.)

Friday, October 4, 2019
RETR3AT Cybersecurity Conference
Oct 4 all-day
Montreat Collge, Anderson Auditorium

On October 4, 2019, Montreat College’s Center for Cybersecurity Education and Leadership will host RETR3AT, a conference designed to engage, educate, and raise awareness about cybersecurity in Western North Carolina and beyond. In its fifth year, RETR3AT goes beyond the “1s and 0s” approach to cybersecurity training, challenging attendees to think about how to lead in protecting their organization’s information within an ethical framework.

Saturday, October 5, 2019
Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Volunteers Needed
Oct 5 all-day
various

Call for Volunteers!! We are grateful that the Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo supports conservation of land and water resources — and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Binge volunteers enjoy fun and camaraderie while helping in a variety of ways, from course marshals to Binge party hosting.

Sand Hill Community Garden Workday
Oct 5 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
BC Sports Park

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.

Creating Peace Within and Without
Oct 5 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Unity of The Blue Ridge
Creating Peace Within and Without
Oct 5 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Unity of The Blue Ridge
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Bach Flower Essence Workshop
Oct 6 all-day
Crystal Visions

Flower Essences are energetic remedies and one of Mother Nature’s many healing
gifts to us. As our souls journey through this human experience, we encounter various challenges that require us to evolve beyond our limiting patterns, programs and
beliefs. Flower essences assist us in a gentle and loving way to move beyond our limitations and step into our soul’s greatness. Mental, emotional and spiritual issues
can be transformed through the subtle powers imbued within flowers.

In this workshop we will explore the many aspects of flower essence therapy including:
• Dr. Edward Bach and the history of Flower Essences
• understanding Bach’s 38 remedies
• how to combine flower essences to make effective therapeutic remedies
• working with chronic vs acute conditions
• the art of case taking and finding the key symptoms
• working with intuition, and much more…
• There will also be live case taking with class volunteers
This course is for both lay people and healers who wish to add another powerful therapy to their practice.

Monday, October 7, 2019
Literacy Council Volunteer Orientation
Oct 7 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Literacy Council

Our Ideal Volunteer Tutor

The ideal volunteer tutor is someone seeking to make a one-year commitment of two hours per week to help someone else make the change of a lifetime. For our volunteer tutors, an education background is helpful, but not necessary. The most important qualities are patience, an open mind, and resourcefulness. Tutors also need to be non-judgmental and sensitive to cultural differences. A GED or high school diploma is required. Ideal tutors enjoy seeing concrete outcomes from their efforts and sharing in the life-changing successes of others. See our full tutor position description here.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Volunteers Needed
Oct 9 all-day
various

Call for Volunteers!! We are grateful that the Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo supports conservation of land and water resources — and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Binge volunteers enjoy fun and camaraderie while helping in a variety of ways, from course marshals to Binge party hosting.

Thursday, October 10, 2019
Volunteer Orientation Literacy Council
Oct 10 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Literacy Council

Our Ideal Volunteer Tutor

The ideal volunteer tutor is someone seeking to make a one-year commitment of two hours per week to help someone else make the change of a lifetime. For our volunteer tutors, an education background is helpful, but not necessary. The most important qualities are patience, an open mind, and resourcefulness. Tutors also need to be non-judgmental and sensitive to cultural differences. A GED or high school diploma is required. Ideal tutors enjoy seeing concrete outcomes from their efforts and sharing in the life-changing successes of others. See our full tutor position description here.

Seminar: How to SCORE in Business
Oct 10 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Henderson County Chamber of Commerce
Event Description:
How to SCORE in Business
Featuring a panel of Business Experts for brief “how to use SCORE” followed by Q&A
Panel includes:
Health Care Administrator and Professor Emeritus
Small Business Owner
Commercial Banker
Chief Information Officer and Small Business Owner
Marketing Expert for Major Multinational Companies.
Franchise Business Operations Officer

For over 50 years SCORE’s thousands of working and retired business professionals have volunteered to support the success of small business nationwide.  SCORE business mentoring is free and confidential and provide general business advice on every aspect of business planning, startup, management and growth.

Friday, October 11, 2019
PEANUTS™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express Railroad Smokey Mountains
Oct 11 @ 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Bryson City Depot

 

Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:

  • campfire marshmallows
  • coloring station
  • temporary tattoos
  • trick or treating
  • bouncy house (weather permitting)
  • wagon rides

And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.

 

Pumpkin Fest at Silvermont
Oct 11 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Silvermont Park- multiple dates Oct 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26

Fri and Sat Oct 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 from 7-9 pm
and Sat. Oct. 26 5-9 pm (following Halloween Fest in downtown Brevard)
Family friendly, great date night, and fantastic artistic fun with beautiful lighted pumpkin trails, local musicians, food trucks, games, storytelling, face painting, dress up like a pirate for kids, white squirrel scavenger hunt, historic mansion open. Accessible trail for strollers and wheelchairs. Fundraiser for Friends of Silvermont to help park and historic mansion. Admission $5. Parking onsite $5. Cash or check with ID only. Silvermont Park 364 E. Main St. Brevard, NC 28712
Free parking offsite on nearby streets and parking lots one or two blocks away.
Food and Drink- Tin Roof Pizza and Bill’s Boilerhouse Coffee

Music schedule 7-9 pm except Oct. 26- 5-9 pm
Oct 11: Hammond George and Friends
Oct 12: Unpaid Bill and the Bad Czechs
Oct 18: Marc Brown & Friends
Oct 19: Marion Boatwright & Friends
Oct 25: Tom Anderson & Friends
Oct 26: North Carolina Slim and the Dangerous Gentleman (Brian Phillips and Eddie Martin)

https://silvermont.org/
Facebook sites:
Pumpkin Fest at Silvermont Park in Brevard, NC: https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinpatchrevenge/
Silvermont Park: https://www.facebook.com/silvermontpark/

Saturday, October 12, 2019
Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Volunteers Needed
Oct 12 all-day
various

Call for Volunteers!! We are grateful that the Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo supports conservation of land and water resources — and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Binge volunteers enjoy fun and camaraderie while helping in a variety of ways, from course marshals to Binge party hosting.

MAking Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk
Oct 12 all-day
Pack Square Park

UNITE FOR A WORLD WITHOUT BREAST CANCER
Join the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Join the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on October 12th, at Pack Square to help ignite the fight against breast cancer. Registration begins at 9:00am and the 5K walk starts at 10:00am. Funds raised at this noncompetitive, family-friendly event enable the American Cancer Society to save lives from breast cancer by investing in groundbreaking research; providing free, comprehensive information and support to those touched by the disease; and helping people take steps to reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable. Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit MakingStridesWalk.org/AshevilleNC to sign up and help save lives.

HELP SAVE LIVES FROM BREAST CANCER
Participate in the annual American Cancer Society Walk or Make an Online Donation

Form a team, join a team, walk as an individual, or make a donation for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk on October 12th, at Pack Square. Registration begins at 9:00am, and the walk starts at 10:00am. Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit MakingStridesWalk.org/AshevilleNC to sign up or donate today.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT BREAST CANCER WALK
We need you to help to save lives from breast cancer. Volunteers are needed for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk on October 12th, at Pack Square. Call the American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345 or visit MakingStridesWalk.org/AshevilleNC for details.

Sand Hill Community Garden Workday
Oct 12 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
BC Sports Park

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.

PEANUTS™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express Railroad Smokey Mountains
Oct 12 @ 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Bryson City Depot

About This Trip

Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:

  • campfire marshmallows
  • coloring station
  • temporary tattoos
  • trick or treating
  • bouncy house (weather permitting)
  • wagon rides

And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.

PEANUTS™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express Railroad Smokey Mountains
Oct 12 @ 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Bryson City Depot

 

Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:

  • campfire marshmallows
  • coloring station
  • temporary tattoos
  • trick or treating
  • bouncy house (weather permitting)
  • wagon rides

And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.

 

Sunday, October 13, 2019
15th anniversary Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference
Oct 13 all-day
near Asheville

The Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference is a weekend for women to learn, celebrate and connect. Come share inspiration, celebration and practical learning about earth-based healing and women’s health. Surrounded by the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains, our venue at Kanuga Lake offers a serene backdrop for over 50 workshops and classes in herbalism, nutrition, personal growth and natural healing.

2019 featured speakers include Karen Rose, Sally Fallon, Dr. Jody Noe, Gina Breedlove and many more!

For all of the details and easy online registration visit www.sewisewomen.com

Southeast Wise Woman Herbal Conference
Oct 13 all-day
Kanuga Conference & Retreat Center

conferencelogo

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

PEANUTS™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express Railroad Smokey Mountains
Oct 13 @ 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Bryson City Depot

About This Trip

Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:

  • campfire marshmallows
  • coloring station
  • temporary tattoos
  • trick or treating
  • bouncy house (weather permitting)
  • wagon rides

And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.