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.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Give the Gift of Literacy
Dec 15 @ 8:30 am – 8:15 pm
Online

Your support makes it happen!

Give the Gift of Literacy to create lasting change this holiday season and beyond.

Pisgah Legal Offer Support w/ Affordable Health Care Enrollment
Dec 15 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Pisgah Legal--Online

The ACA is still the law, and Pisgah Legal is again helping people across WNC understand their options and sign up for Affordable Care Act Health Insurance. Open Enrollment only lasts six weeks – so don’t delay!

Schedule a
Phone Appointment Today! (828) 210-3404

There are no charges for our services.

Contract Tracing Guidelines in Non-Healthcare Workplaces
Dec 15 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Online
The CDC continues to modify and adapt information for businesses on how to address COVID exposure in the workplace. This information has been compiled into one site for ease of access (link below).
The CDC has also released an infographic for quick access to key information regarding steps to follow within the workplace. The infographic can be found HERE.
Donate at The Blood Connection
Dec 15 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
The Blood Connection

We’re proud to call Western North Carolina home. Our dedicated staff work and live in the area, just like you. Whether you’re here for the breath-taking mountain views or the cooler weather, we’re glad you’re here to help us save the lives of your neighbors.

Our centers are the perfect places to give back and kick back. Open every day, yes weekends too, makes it easy to fit donating into your schedule.

You could probably use a little peace, and every Blood Connection center offers that. Clean, spacious, and comfortable, a center getaway may be exactly what you need…it’s exactly what 3 blood recipients need too.

Every donation has the power to save up to 3 lives. Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of a life-saving blood transfusion. You’re 1 person who can make a difference!

Gardener’s Cottage 12 Days Of Christmas | 5% Of Sales Donated to Eblen Charities
Dec 15 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Gardener's Cottage

Shop Local To Give Local
Shop with us on December 15th and 5% of total sales will go to Eblen Charities.
About Our Annual 12 Days Of Christmas Event
It’s time for our annual 12 Days of Christmas Give Back event! Help us support our community from December 13-24th. Each day we will contribute 5% of our sales to a designated charity.
This year more than ever, we’re grateful for the support of our community and eager to show our support as well.
Round Up to Support MANNA FoodBank at Mast Store Asheville
Dec 15 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Mast Store Asheville

MANNA FoodBank and their partner agencies have served an average of 101,000 people each month since March. This is a 70% increase over pre-pandemic levels. The need is deep and persistent across Western North Carolina. MANNA is dedicated to our neighbors in need and is working to end hunger across the mountains of North Carolina. When you round up to support MANNA, they are able to do amazing things. No amount is too small because $1 provides 3.5 meals!

Steady Collective Syringe Access Outreach
Dec 15 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Firestorm Books & Coffee

The Steady Collective is dedicated to promoting the wellness of people who use drugs through empowerment and respectful collaboration. This outreach event is open to all and includes comprehensive harm reduction to improve overall community health by reducing the rate of drug overdose and the spread of infectious disease with education, advocacy, and direct services.

Participants receive educational material, naloxone, syringes, and supplies at no cost.

Barks + Brews
Dec 15 @ 5:00 pm
Barks & Brews

Join us for Barks & Brews. Our donation drive to the Asheville Humane Society. Below is a list of donation items to donate. We will be grilling out at 5pm. Hope to see you all there!
We are collecting the following donations:
Pet Food:
Science Diet cat, dog, kitten and puppy food
Canned dog food
Grain-free, chicken-free dog food
Canned cat or kitten food (no seafood/fish flavors; classic patè preferred)
Any brand of dry dog or cat food for our Pet Food Assistance Program
Animal Training and Enrichment Items:
Dog or cat treats of any kind
Hot dogs
Peanut butter
Cheddar cheese (large blocks are best)
Kong or puzzle/interactive toys
“Easy Cheese” canned cheese in any flavor
Freeze-dried salmon or liver treats for dogs
Rope toys
Cardboard tubes (empty paper towel rolls)
Cat toys that dangle
Cardboard scratching posts
Chewy dog training treats
Inexpensive loop leashes
Nylabone dog chews
North Carolina to Enter Modified Stay at Home Order
Dec 15 @ 10:00 pm – Dec 16 @ 5:00 am
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday, December 8th that North Carolina will begin a Modified Stay at Home Order in response to a rapid increase in North Carolina’s key COVID-19 trends. The Order requires people to stay at home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am, and takes effect Friday, December 11th. The Order is set to remain in place until January 8, 2021.
The Order requires restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, and more to close at 10 pm. Travel to and from work, to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services, or to take care of a family member is exempted from the order. FAQs on the order can be found HERE.
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Greenworks: 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville + Buncombe County
Dec 16 all-day
Asheville NC

Alternate text

Covid-Friendly Clean-Up Stations: #AVLquaranclean

We’ve learned a lot about adapting this year. Back in March, we canceled all of our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. But it didn’t stop you from working to make Asheville cleaner and safer.

So we amped up our Cleanup Supply Station program, fully stocking existing locations and adding on 2 new stations, for a total of 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville & Buncombe County. We threw in our catchy #AVLquaranclean hashtag on top, and you did the rest!

Since March, 132 volunteers used these stations 36 times to collect over 2,700 pounds of litter from creeks and roads on their own time!! We are also incredibly grateful to Mountain Xpress for donating newspaper stands to be repurposed into these supply stations, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County Government for supporting cleanups, and to Mast General Store and Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts for hosting our newest stations.

These stations remain stocked and ready for your quarantine pod’s next outing. Remember to sign out supplies, report the trash back to us afterwards, and return supplies for cleaning and reuse! Read more at https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/latest…/avlquaranclean and contact [email protected] for more information or to schedule supply pick up for larger groups.

Greenworks: Our Fleet of Trash Trout Jrs Expands!
Dec 16 all-day
Greenworks

Since 2015, GreenWorks has been working to perfect the 24/7 litter capturing device.

Enter… the Trash Trout Jr!

 

The litter traps on our Trash Trout Jrs work all day, every day to prevent trash from reaching our rivers. The majority of litter is single-use plastic, and most of it is not recyclable. These devices are less expensive to build and easier to maintain that our larger Trash Trouts, and they are perfect for small streams and tributaries — meaning we’re able to capture and remove litter earlier in its “life in the water.” This all means less photodegradation, less exposure to aquatic life, and less negative impact on water quality.

In 2020, we added 3 new Trash Trout Jr locations: Smith Mill Creek, Haw Creek, and Hayes Run Creek (Madison County). We also built 2 others, to be installed in 2021. These devices are checked regularly, especially after large rain events, and are cleaned out by staff, interns, and volunteers.

Wanna be a hero? We’re kicking off our Adopt a Trash Trout program! If you’d like to get more involved in protecting our waterways, and if you love the Trash Trouts (because who doesn’t?!) – find more information and sign up at https://bit.ly/2W2y0iR

Alternate text

Grants from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina have helped fund our Trash Trout program since 2017, and local sponsors provide support for annual maintenance and cleanouts. Let’s give them all a HUGE thank you:

 

Smith Mill Creek: Sponsored by New Belgium Brewing and Southern Appalachian Anglers

Town Branch Creek: Sponsored by Sitework Studios and Wedge Brewery

Hayes Run Creek: Sponsored by Ivy River Partners and Sustainable Madison

Hominy Creek: Sponsored by Zen Tubing and Pisgah Plants

Mud Creek: Sponsored by Hendersonville, NC City Government and Pisgah Plants

 

Housing Assistance Available for Those Affected by Pandemic-Related Losses
Dec 16 all-day
online w/ Buncombe County Government

Update: Funding must be accessed by Dec. 30, 2020.

Attention Buncombe County residents: If you are struggling to pay your rent, mortgage, or utilities, Buncombe County’s COVID Housing Assistance Program may be able to help. The funds must be accessed prior to Dec. 30.

“If you think you may possibly qualify, please call our office at 250-5500 to learn more,” said Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “Financial assistance is available immediately to support our community members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who need help with rent, mortgage, or utilities, but we have to use these dollars by Dec. 30.”

To qualify to receive relief funds earmarked for the Housing Assistance Program, households must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • The applicant/household lost income due to COVID-19.
  • There is a sustainability plan to pay shelter expenses going forward after the County assists with past due bills.
  • Income limit of 200% of the federal poverty level ($52,400) for a family of four.

Buncombe County is now accepting inquiries and applications. Please fill out the attached form and return to Buncombe County Health and Human Services or call (828) 250-5500 to be connected with a caseworker to start the application process.

NCDHHS Offers Guidance for Fall-Related Events
Dec 16 all-day
Online

As we move toward the Holiday season, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released guidance for fall-related events. The guidance was developed with the goal of safer holiday breaks for college students and private social gatherings.

Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Dec 16 all-day
Online
Pardee UNC Health Care recently shared CDC guidance on who should get tested for COVID.
Considerations for Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
  • People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Click here for a Coronavirus Self-Checker
  • People who have had close contact (link to help you determine your risk) (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, links to local or state ​health departments.
Not everyone needs to be tested. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.
AHNA Annual Holiday Pet Food and Supply Drive
Dec 16 @ 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Animal Hospital of North Asheville

“Warm Hearts * Full Bellies” Holiday Pet Food and Supply Drive
Join us this Holiday Season to help pets in need in our community. During “Warm Hearts * Full Bellies,” AHNA will be collecting donations of wet or dry pet food, much-needed supplies, and monetary donations for the Asheville Humane Society (AHS) and Meals on Wheels of Buncombe County.
Starting Friday, November 27th, and lasting through Saturday, January 2nd, we will be offering several different ways to donate to help these amazing organizations. Due to how the threat of COVID-19 has affected our community, we have made some changes to our annual holiday food drive. We have kept safety in mind.
Donations Accepted:
We will be collecting wet or dry cat or dog food, small animal/rabbit food, cockatiel/parakeet bird food, cleaning supplies, pet supplies (toys, blankets, and more), along with monetary donations at AHNA.
DROP OFF:
We will have a donation bin on our patio at AHNA for donated items. Items can be dropped off during regular business hours (M-F 7:30am-6:00pm, and Sat 8am-5pm).
ONLINE:
Starting in December, we will be offering online donation collections through Amazon wishlist and direct donations to the organizations. Supplies can be ordered online and delivered to AHNA. We will distribute the donations after the first of the year to the Asheville Humane Society and Meals on Wheels.
Direct Donations:
Asheville Humane Society: https://www.ashevillehumane.org/donation-drive
To show our appreciation, Animal Hospital of North Asheville has partnered with Science Diet Pet Food to donate an extra pound of food for every pound (up to 2,000 pounds) of pet food donated during our Holiday Pet Food Drive.
Please, if you want to donate by check, it must be written to the organization of your choice (not to Animal Hospital of North Asheville).
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for fun weekly events, information about these wonderful organizations, and photos of animals your donations will be helping.
Give the Gift of Literacy
Dec 16 @ 8:30 am – 8:15 pm
Online

Your support makes it happen!

Give the Gift of Literacy to create lasting change this holiday season and beyond.

Contract Tracing Guidelines in Non-Healthcare Workplaces
Dec 16 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Online
The CDC continues to modify and adapt information for businesses on how to address COVID exposure in the workplace. This information has been compiled into one site for ease of access (link below).
The CDC has also released an infographic for quick access to key information regarding steps to follow within the workplace. The infographic can be found HERE.
Donate at The Blood Connection
Dec 16 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
The Blood Connection

We’re proud to call Western North Carolina home. Our dedicated staff work and live in the area, just like you. Whether you’re here for the breath-taking mountain views or the cooler weather, we’re glad you’re here to help us save the lives of your neighbors.

Our centers are the perfect places to give back and kick back. Open every day, yes weekends too, makes it easy to fit donating into your schedule.

You could probably use a little peace, and every Blood Connection center offers that. Clean, spacious, and comfortable, a center getaway may be exactly what you need…it’s exactly what 3 blood recipients need too.

Every donation has the power to save up to 3 lives. Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of a life-saving blood transfusion. You’re 1 person who can make a difference!

Gardener’s Cottage 12 Days Of Christmas | 5% Of Sales Donated to Eblen Charities
Dec 16 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Gardener's Cottage

Shop Local To Give Local
Shop with us on December 15th and 5% of total sales will go to Eblen Charities.
About Our Annual 12 Days Of Christmas Event
It’s time for our annual 12 Days of Christmas Give Back event! Help us support our community from December 13-24th. Each day we will contribute 5% of our sales to a designated charity.
This year more than ever, we’re grateful for the support of our community and eager to show our support as well.
Round Up to Support MANNA FoodBank at Mast Store Asheville
Dec 16 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Mast Store Asheville

MANNA FoodBank and their partner agencies have served an average of 101,000 people each month since March. This is a 70% increase over pre-pandemic levels. The need is deep and persistent across Western North Carolina. MANNA is dedicated to our neighbors in need and is working to end hunger across the mountains of North Carolina. When you round up to support MANNA, they are able to do amazing things. No amount is too small because $1 provides 3.5 meals!

Adult Eating Disorder Support Group
Dec 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Online

 

ADULT SUPPORT GROUP
Attending a support group prior to additional therapy or treatment may help an individual begin the recovery process.  Participating in groups may be an important supplement to any type of outpatient eating disorder treatment.  Continuing with support after treatment may help reinforce skills, provide accountability, and increase motivation and commitment to recovery.

Adult Support Group (ASG)
Pro-recovery, gender-inclusive, 18+
Every Wednesday
6:00-7:00 pm
See ADULT SUPPORT GROUP SCHEDULE to reserve your spot and receive the group link!

 

North Carolina to Enter Modified Stay at Home Order
Dec 16 @ 10:00 pm – Dec 17 @ 5:00 am
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday, December 8th that North Carolina will begin a Modified Stay at Home Order in response to a rapid increase in North Carolina’s key COVID-19 trends. The Order requires people to stay at home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am, and takes effect Friday, December 11th. The Order is set to remain in place until January 8, 2021.
The Order requires restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, and more to close at 10 pm. Travel to and from work, to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services, or to take care of a family member is exempted from the order. FAQs on the order can be found HERE.
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Greenworks: 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville + Buncombe County
Dec 17 all-day
Asheville NC

Alternate text

Covid-Friendly Clean-Up Stations: #AVLquaranclean

We’ve learned a lot about adapting this year. Back in March, we canceled all of our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. But it didn’t stop you from working to make Asheville cleaner and safer.

So we amped up our Cleanup Supply Station program, fully stocking existing locations and adding on 2 new stations, for a total of 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville & Buncombe County. We threw in our catchy #AVLquaranclean hashtag on top, and you did the rest!

Since March, 132 volunteers used these stations 36 times to collect over 2,700 pounds of litter from creeks and roads on their own time!! We are also incredibly grateful to Mountain Xpress for donating newspaper stands to be repurposed into these supply stations, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County Government for supporting cleanups, and to Mast General Store and Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts for hosting our newest stations.

These stations remain stocked and ready for your quarantine pod’s next outing. Remember to sign out supplies, report the trash back to us afterwards, and return supplies for cleaning and reuse! Read more at https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/latest…/avlquaranclean and contact [email protected] for more information or to schedule supply pick up for larger groups.

Greenworks: Our Fleet of Trash Trout Jrs Expands!
Dec 17 all-day
Greenworks

Since 2015, GreenWorks has been working to perfect the 24/7 litter capturing device.

Enter… the Trash Trout Jr!

 

The litter traps on our Trash Trout Jrs work all day, every day to prevent trash from reaching our rivers. The majority of litter is single-use plastic, and most of it is not recyclable. These devices are less expensive to build and easier to maintain that our larger Trash Trouts, and they are perfect for small streams and tributaries — meaning we’re able to capture and remove litter earlier in its “life in the water.” This all means less photodegradation, less exposure to aquatic life, and less negative impact on water quality.

In 2020, we added 3 new Trash Trout Jr locations: Smith Mill Creek, Haw Creek, and Hayes Run Creek (Madison County). We also built 2 others, to be installed in 2021. These devices are checked regularly, especially after large rain events, and are cleaned out by staff, interns, and volunteers.

Wanna be a hero? We’re kicking off our Adopt a Trash Trout program! If you’d like to get more involved in protecting our waterways, and if you love the Trash Trouts (because who doesn’t?!) – find more information and sign up at https://bit.ly/2W2y0iR

Alternate text

Grants from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina have helped fund our Trash Trout program since 2017, and local sponsors provide support for annual maintenance and cleanouts. Let’s give them all a HUGE thank you:

 

Smith Mill Creek: Sponsored by New Belgium Brewing and Southern Appalachian Anglers

Town Branch Creek: Sponsored by Sitework Studios and Wedge Brewery

Hayes Run Creek: Sponsored by Ivy River Partners and Sustainable Madison

Hominy Creek: Sponsored by Zen Tubing and Pisgah Plants

Mud Creek: Sponsored by Hendersonville, NC City Government and Pisgah Plants

 

Housing Assistance Available for Those Affected by Pandemic-Related Losses
Dec 17 all-day
online w/ Buncombe County Government

Update: Funding must be accessed by Dec. 30, 2020.

Attention Buncombe County residents: If you are struggling to pay your rent, mortgage, or utilities, Buncombe County’s COVID Housing Assistance Program may be able to help. The funds must be accessed prior to Dec. 30.

“If you think you may possibly qualify, please call our office at 250-5500 to learn more,” said Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “Financial assistance is available immediately to support our community members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who need help with rent, mortgage, or utilities, but we have to use these dollars by Dec. 30.”

To qualify to receive relief funds earmarked for the Housing Assistance Program, households must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • The applicant/household lost income due to COVID-19.
  • There is a sustainability plan to pay shelter expenses going forward after the County assists with past due bills.
  • Income limit of 200% of the federal poverty level ($52,400) for a family of four.

Buncombe County is now accepting inquiries and applications. Please fill out the attached form and return to Buncombe County Health and Human Services or call (828) 250-5500 to be connected with a caseworker to start the application process.

NCDHHS Offers Guidance for Fall-Related Events
Dec 17 all-day
Online

As we move toward the Holiday season, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released guidance for fall-related events. The guidance was developed with the goal of safer holiday breaks for college students and private social gatherings.

Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Dec 17 all-day
Online
Pardee UNC Health Care recently shared CDC guidance on who should get tested for COVID.
Considerations for Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
  • People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Click here for a Coronavirus Self-Checker
  • People who have had close contact (link to help you determine your risk) (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, links to local or state ​health departments.
Not everyone needs to be tested. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.
AHNA Annual Holiday Pet Food and Supply Drive
Dec 17 @ 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Animal Hospital of North Asheville

“Warm Hearts * Full Bellies” Holiday Pet Food and Supply Drive
Join us this Holiday Season to help pets in need in our community. During “Warm Hearts * Full Bellies,” AHNA will be collecting donations of wet or dry pet food, much-needed supplies, and monetary donations for the Asheville Humane Society (AHS) and Meals on Wheels of Buncombe County.
Starting Friday, November 27th, and lasting through Saturday, January 2nd, we will be offering several different ways to donate to help these amazing organizations. Due to how the threat of COVID-19 has affected our community, we have made some changes to our annual holiday food drive. We have kept safety in mind.
Donations Accepted:
We will be collecting wet or dry cat or dog food, small animal/rabbit food, cockatiel/parakeet bird food, cleaning supplies, pet supplies (toys, blankets, and more), along with monetary donations at AHNA.
DROP OFF:
We will have a donation bin on our patio at AHNA for donated items. Items can be dropped off during regular business hours (M-F 7:30am-6:00pm, and Sat 8am-5pm).
ONLINE:
Starting in December, we will be offering online donation collections through Amazon wishlist and direct donations to the organizations. Supplies can be ordered online and delivered to AHNA. We will distribute the donations after the first of the year to the Asheville Humane Society and Meals on Wheels.
Direct Donations:
Asheville Humane Society: https://www.ashevillehumane.org/donation-drive
To show our appreciation, Animal Hospital of North Asheville has partnered with Science Diet Pet Food to donate an extra pound of food for every pound (up to 2,000 pounds) of pet food donated during our Holiday Pet Food Drive.
Please, if you want to donate by check, it must be written to the organization of your choice (not to Animal Hospital of North Asheville).
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for fun weekly events, information about these wonderful organizations, and photos of animals your donations will be helping.
Give the Gift of Literacy
Dec 17 @ 8:30 am – 8:15 pm
Online

Your support makes it happen!

Give the Gift of Literacy to create lasting change this holiday season and beyond.

Contract Tracing Guidelines in Non-Healthcare Workplaces
Dec 17 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Online
The CDC continues to modify and adapt information for businesses on how to address COVID exposure in the workplace. This information has been compiled into one site for ease of access (link below).
The CDC has also released an infographic for quick access to key information regarding steps to follow within the workplace. The infographic can be found HERE.