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
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Sep 28 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

Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Volunteers Needed
Sep 28 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.

Non Profits: Junior League 3rd Annual Volunteer Expo is Now Accepting Applications
Sep 28 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].

Time Traveling Gala
Sep 28 all-day
Preservation Society of Asheville

Leave your passports at home and visit Europe in Asheville!

The party kicks off at a steel foundry turned luxury hotel and then travels from the heart of Asheville to England, Italy and France, with food and cocktails inspired by each location.

The homes we are visiting are historic and guests should be prepared for stairs and uneven surfaces.

Volunteers: Super Hero 5K, Goombay, Urban Odyssey, Under the Stars, Pride Parade
Sep 28 all-day
varies see below

Volunteer Hands

Asheville Running Experience’s Super Hero 5K/Super Villain 10K, Sept. 21

Be a Super Hero and volunteer at the four aid stations along both courses of the Super Hero 5K/Super Villain 10K on Saturday, September 21st from 8:30 a.m through 10:30 a.m.  In return..

Asheville Running Experience is making a donation to the Asheville Museum of Science (if the minimum number of volunteers is exceeded).  If you’re 21 or older, join the after party at the Salvage Station and get one free beer ticket at Salvage Station after you’ve completed your volunteer shift.  To sign up for a shift, please fill out this Google Form and contact AMOS Volunteer/Board Member Bryant Korzeniewski at Bryant.Korzeniewski@gmail.com with questions and/or for more details.

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YMI Cultural Center’s Goombay Festival, Sept 20 – Sept. 22
Drum Roll Please! Volunteers are needed for the 39th Annual Goombay Festival September 20th-22nd at Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville. The YMI Cultural Center’s mission is to help promote intercultural ism and the preservation of cultural identity. For more information and to volunteer please contact Dewana Little
at dlittle@ymiculturalcenter.org

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Asheville Urban Odyssey,  Sept. 22

his urban scavenger hunt will take teams of four around the downtown area via a series of clues to sixteen different locations where they will be required to complete a task before receiving their next clue.  Two volunteers will staff each secret location, checking teams in and out, throughout the day. Contact [email protected] directly if you are interested in assisting with this event or sign up by CLICKING HERE.

8 volunteers from a local nonprofit are requested or 2 groups of 4 volunteers (there is a donation compensation for providing volunteers).

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6th Annual Under the Stars Event at Highland Brewing, Sept. 26

AMOS is seeking volunteers to help out during this event from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 26th.  For volunteering at “Under The Stars”, you get a FREE TICKET to the “Under The Stars” INCLUDING 1 FREE beer token (21+ only), FREE food, and a FREE Daily Family Pass to AMOS.  Additionally, you get a FREE TICKET to the Sirius.B Show that begins after the conclusion of “Under The Stars” at 9 p.m.  To sign up for a volunteer shift, please use this Google Spreadsheet and contact AMOS’ Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@ashevillescience.org with any questions.

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Blue Ridge Pride Festival, September 28

Give us 2-4 hours. Enjoy a day of music and memories — and the knowledge that you helped to bring a community together! You’ll also get a little swag: a 11th Annual Festival Tee Shirt, snacks, a drink ticket, and our new Blue Ridge Pride Center buttons and stickers. Volunteer roles include: setup and breakdown, selling wristbands, beverages or merchandise, and assisting with volunteer check-in or VIP. Learn more and sign up here.

Sand Hill Community Garden Workday
Sep 28 @ 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.

2019 Blue Ridge Pride Festival
Sep 28 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Pack Square Park

Blue Ridge Pride is back and better than ever! The festivities begin on Friday evening with Friday in the Park, an opportunity for youth performers to showcase their talents on the stage at Pack Square Park!

A procession from Scandals Nightclub on Grove St. kicks off Saturday’s event at 10:00 a.m., come out and show your pride all the way from Scandals to Pack Square Park!

Finally, the festival begins at Pack Square Park at 11:00 a.m. The family-friendly environment features exciting vendors of all kinds, food, music at two different stages, dancing, performances, an inflatable bounce house, educational and community resources, and more!

Asheville Greek Festival
Sep 28 @ 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Hendersonville Oktoberfest
Sep 28 @ 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Southern Appalachian Brewery

Celebrate Oktoberfest in Hendersonville with games, food, music, and of course great beer! Things to do for all ages. Small entrance fee at gate. You don’t want to miss this event!

Asheville Coffe Expo
Sep 28 @ 9:00 pm – 1:00 pm
pleb urban winery

A celebration of all that is coffee — the taste, smell, look and feel.

Guided by a team of coffee professionals, the curators of the Asheville Coffee Expo embrace all of the aspects of coffee, not just the caffeine buzz.

Sunday, September 29, 2019
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].

Asheville Greek Festival
Sep 29 @ 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
6th Annual WNC Battle of the Burger
Sep 29 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Salvage Station

VIP tickets are $55 and include a slider from each challenger (12 burgers), complimentary beer provided by Upcountry Brewing, hard sparking water from Bold Rock Cider, and a special VIP area.

The Challengers

The following restaurants will be competing for the title:

Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge
Foothills Local Meats
Salvage Station
The Real Smokehouse BBQ
Mountainview BBQ and Deli
Kitchen 743 at Isis
Biltmore Stable Cafe
The Barrelhouse
Asheville Burger and Mugshakes
White Labs Kitchen & Tap
The Grey Eagle Taqueria
Southern Porch
Zack of All Trades
Sandhill Kitchen

The Bands
Boogi Therapi

DownTown Abby and the Echoes

Asheville Humane’s 35th Anniversary Celebration
Sep 29 @ 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Highland Brewing Company (The Meadow)

This September marks Asheville Humane Society’s 35th Anniversary, and they want to thank our animal-loving community for making their lifesaving work possible! Come cheers to 35 years on Sunday, September 29 from 3 – 7 PM at The Meadow, Highland Brewing’s outdoor space. Pack your fold-up chair or blanket and bring the whole family (pets included!) for a fun-filled day, including:
• Live performances by Ben Phan and the Jim Arrendell Dance Band
• Vegetarian & vegan fare from Gypsy Queen Cuisine, Papa John’s & The Hop Ice Cream will be available for purchase
• Contests and games for you and your pet including Most Talented Pet and Pet/Person Look-alike Contest
• Kid-friendly activities
• Raffle items with proceeds benefiting AHS
• Craft beer will be available for purchase from Highland Brewing
All well-behaved, leashed (or safely contained) pets are welcome!

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].

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.

Reduced Price Growler Fill Wednesdays
Oct 2 @ 8:00 pm – Oct 3 @ 2:00 am
plēb urban winery

Select a wine on draft and fill a plēb urban winery 500mL or 1L growler for a reduced price (see menu for availability and pricing). Growler purchase is separate. Carry out only.

https://www.facebook.com/events/859748727719594/?event_time_id=859748864386247

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.
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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.
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*Children 12 and under may attend at no charge.

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

Thursday, October 3, 2019
Fall Farm To Table Dinner
Oct 3 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Olivette

Enjoy a delicious riverside meal focused on farm-fresh ingredients to celebrate an autumnal bounty. Over Easy Cafe will share their creativity and talents with the table by designing a 5 course meal. 50/Fifty: art of dessert will transform the last course into a sweet work of art. Cordial and Craft will refresh your palate with uplifting farm cocktails and mocktails. This combination of Asheville culinary elite with the back drop of the French Broad River at Olivette’s pristine riverside park will create an unforgettable experience.

Baa’d to the Bone Shakedown Dinner 2019
Oct 3 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Highland Brewing Company

Baa’d To The Bone Shakedown Dinner 2019 -to benefit those living with blood cancers. Come enjoy the greatest tunes of several generations with The Rewind Band, enjoy some of the tastiest beverages from the famous taps of Highland Brewing Company, and fill up with the “baa’d”est of burritos from Baa’d Sheep Burritos Food Truck on October 3, 2019 at the Meadow at Highland Brewing in Asheville, North Carolina AND help those living with blood cancers! This fun, family-friendly event will be the first of many.

Justice Forum Pisgah Legal Jose Antonio Vargas Reception
Oct 3 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium – US Cellular Center

Jose Antonio Vargas is the founder of and CEO of Define American, a nonprofit media and culture organization that uses the power of story to transcend politics and shift the conversation about immigrants, identity, and citizenship in a changing America. He will be telling his story and speaking about the current situation on these topics. 

In 2011, The New York Times published Mr. Vargas’s groundbreaking essay revealing and chronicling his life in America as an undocumented immigrant. He then produced and directed Documented, a feature film about his personal experiences. The film received a 2015 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Documentary. Vargas published a memoir in 2018 called Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen.

Join us for a reception before the Justice Forum, with hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine.

Semi-Wild Women’s Night
Oct 3 @ 9:30 pm – Oct 4 @ 12:00 am
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards

Ladies, please join us the first Thursday of every month** for great wine, great friends, and lots of fun!

**July’s event will not be held because of the 4th.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2190909954570744/?event_time_id=2190909987904074

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.)

Wine Dinner RendezVous
Oct 3 @ 6:00 pm
RendezVous

This last one was so popular, they’re having another wine dinner outdoors! As usual, they will not disclose the menu or the wines beforehand- that’s half the fun! But they will tell you this: this time the theme will be South American. Cost is $75 per person, plus tax and service. To reserve your place, send an email to [email protected]. Put “RendezVous Wine Dinner” in the subject line, and include the number in your party with a contact phone number in your message. Reservations are limited, so please reserve right away

Friday, October 4, 2019
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Oct 4 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

Forestry Camp Bar & Restaurant Opens in South Asheville!
Oct 4 all-day
Forestry Camp

Burial Beer’s much anticipated Forestry Camp is officially open! This culmination of like-minded makers is a celebration of the best bakers, coffee roasters, distillers, wine makers, artists, musicians, brewers, chefs and so much more.  Located at 10 Shady Oak Dr., near Biltmore Village, Forestry Camp showcases these makers and elevates the products into their bar and restaurant. Chef Brian Canipelli (owner of Cucina 24, James Beard nominee) brings his skill and creativity to the kitchen with a seasonal, Appalachian-raised menu inspired by the traditions and spirit of the Basque Country. Check out more here – including the amazing tale of their historical location.

Sunday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Thursday 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Friday 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Burnsville, NC Oktoberfest
Oct 4 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Garden Deli

Burnsville Can’t Miss! Traditional polka music and dance on the covered deck. Dinner served 5pm-8pm inside at Garden Deli. Snap Dragon will have regular hours. Enjoy great food and super fun entertainment!

Concert featuring Trusty Hucksters Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Oct 4 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Live music, family fun and delicious food!

Join us on October 4th for the Trusty Hucksters, an Asheville duo and brain child of Mark Toolan of Halo And The Harlots. This past December Toolan self released “Highways and Area Codes” an album of acoustic driven folksy blues rock.

About our Food:

During the show we serve a complete spread of delicious farm-to-fork dinner options using our own pasture raised meats and locally sourced produce. Meals are prepared fresh by our in-house culinary team and are available for an additional cost along with alcoholic (beer/wine) and non-alcoholic beverage options.  The menu typically consists of 3 meats and 4 sides. The full menu will be advertised on the event Facebook page a few days in advance of the concert.  Be sure to follow us online for the latest updates!

NC Dance Festival
Oct 4 @ 8:00 pm
The BeBe Theatre
Experience the energy and talent of professional dance artists from across NC with the 29th Season of the NC Dance Festival. The Festival aims to support the creation of new choreography and the presentation of high-quality repertory, build and strengthen relationships between dance artists within the state, and provide access to and education about modern and contemporary dance to audiences and students.

Vania Claiborne (Greensboro) presents (Bro)tha/Brother, a duet for two men that celebrates and explores black male joy, friendship, and humanity.

In Studio C Projects (Durham) atmospheric Two, three dancers follow two sets of movement instructions that test the accuracy of memory in response to a shifting environment.

MARO Movement (Southern Pines) explores the sometimes taboo topic of mortality and vulnerability with Impact, inspired by choreographer Matthew Rocks late grandmother.

The multigenerational dancers of Durhams Big Red Dance Project, ranging in age from 38-78 and directed by Gerri Houlihan, reveal the melodic and rhythmic complexities of J.S. Bachs Violin Concerto in A Minor in Dances for the Time Being.

Wilmington’s Alyona Amato presents Its All About Me, an ensemble dance that combines video and movement to capture the sense of competition and self-centeredness that can characterize our modern culture.

Local Asheville company Stewart/Owen presents an excerpt of a new theatrical work that broadly speaks to power, control, vulnerability, and how human beings manifest each of those qualities and surrender to them.

Asheville
Intergenerational Modern Dance
Come join 2019 NCDF Artist Gerri Houlihan as she teaches this intergenerational modern dance class at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts in Asheville!
$5 at the door
October 5 @ 10-11:30 a.m.
Click to register
Henry Labrun Studio in the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, Asheville, NC
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.