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.

Friday, August 13, 2021
Brews and Bears w/ The WNC Nature Center
Aug 13 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
The WNC Nature Center

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  • Watch Black Bears Uno and Ursa enjoy popsicle enrichment
  • Learn how to help bears in the wild with BearWise
  • Walk the park with your favorite drink in hand
  • Support the wild animals you love with this fundraiser!

Highland Brewing beer
Pleb Urban Winery wine
Urban Orchard cider
Gypsy Queen Cuisine food truck
Blunt Pretzels cart
Ice cream treats
Music provided by 105.9 The Mountain
Bear education provided by BearWise

LEAF Sip + Paint
Aug 13 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
LEAF Global Experience

Join us for a relaxing evening of wine (or sparkling juice), painting, and nibbles! Aprons and painting materials are provided and included in your ticket price.

 

A History of Stand-up, Part 1 – America’s Reflection in the Funhouse Mirror
Aug 13 @ 8:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company

Ritch Shydner’s funny and insightful multi-media presentation about the history of an original American art form, stand-up comedy, and what all the jokes and laughter say about America. The stories of forgotten trailblazers, martyred iconoclasts and familiar stars show how the simple act of one joker taking on a crowd became one of our most popular entertainments, and a cultural weathervane. Presented in 2 parts, with talk-backs afterward.

UCW Rap And Wrestling 6: Back to Business
Aug 13 @ 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Asheville Music Hall
Everybody Free Dance Party
Aug 13 @ 10:00 pm – Aug 14 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy

DJ Dance Party with Meseret & Zati 🎧 Every Friday Nigh it’s you, it’s dark house and the dance floor. NO COVER 21+

Saturday, August 14, 2021
Grab Brunch at River’s End
Aug 14 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
River’s End Restaurant

River's End Restaurant exterior

River’s End Restaurant is an iconic spot for locals and visitors to Bryson City. Enjoy spectacular views of the gorge, with paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Stop in for year-round lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch during the summer season, and choose from a wide range of appetizing entrees, burgers, salads, pizza, and sandwiches. Hang out for a while and enjoy a large selection of signature cocktails, wine, and beer, including local favorites.

In River’s End Restaurant, every seat has a view of the river! Enjoy music by the river and views of paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Join our waitlist online to reserve a table or order online and grab your meal to go, for a sunny lunch right by the river!

Bold Souls Morning Yoga
Aug 14 @ 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Bold Rock Hard Cider (Mills River, NC)

Bring your yoga mats to Bold Rock for a mindful way to begin your Saturday! Get your “ohm” on with a local trainer and yoga instructor as they lead a fun and playful yoga session. This class is open to all levels of yoga experience for a $5 suggested donation!
After yoga, feel free to have a cider or some delicious lunch from the food truck.
Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience
Aug 14 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and a specialty boxed lunch. During the month of October. 9am and 2pm departures. 9am will feature the option of a delicious Sausage & Bacon Quiche or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole. The 2pm departure will be serving the popular BBQ meal.

Diesel $109.00 ($114.00 October) Not Permitted
Steam $119.00 ($126.00 October) Not Permitted
Locomotive Adult (21+ Only) Under 21

How to Purchase

You can purchase your tickets online or call our reservations department at (800) 872-4681. Or, you can purchase your tickets the day of in the Bryson City Depot. No matter how you purchase tickets, they’ll be waiting at will call.

$5 Mimosas
Aug 14 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Down Dog

$5 Mimosas

$5 Mimosas every Saturday & Sunday

Chow Chow Culinary Festival: IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Aug 14 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
MAKING WHOLE

Community is central to the human experience, giving us a sense of belonging to something
greater than ourselves. Connecting with others through shared experiences directly impacts
our physical, emotional and mental health. Join Chow Chow for a delicious meal and
discussion celebrating how community is created and nourished in our region, specifically
around the essential element of food. As you dine, you’ll hear from neighbors Sunil Patel,
who created the village-scale Patchwork Urban Farms in West Asheville; April Jones, founder
of Pinehurst Farmers Market, which addresses food sovereignty in Columbia, SC; and
Jeremy French and his team at Making Whole, a fine furniture studio and addiction recovery
program built into the framework of a traditional apprenticeship program, where every day
includes preparing and enjoying a shared meal around a communal dining table.

Chow Chow Culinary Festival: TRIAL TO TABLE
Aug 14 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
FRANNY'S FARM

Join Chow Chow for a journey of agricultural rediscovery and culinary adventure! Based
in Asheville, NC, the Utopian Seed Project is a hands-in-the-earth nonprofit committed
to trialing crops and varieties in the Southeast to support diversity in food and farming.
Chris Smith, Executive Director for Utopian Seed Project will share the organization’s
vision to create an engaged network of growers, gardeners, farmers, foodies, cooks and
chefs to help celebrate this diversity. Over a shared meal showcasing crops and varieties
being grown by the project at Franny’s Farm, we will discuss an overarching vision to
create food security in the face of climate change through diverse and regenerative
agriculture

Screaming Js~ Don’t Fear No BooGie
Aug 14 @ 5:00 pm
One World Brewing West
Join us for Js Boogie at One World Brewing West On 8/14.
Don’t fear the BooGie, cuz really we’re all just stardust and light ✨
Their very own lovalutionary kind of ‘Boogie’ woogie piano music will surely brighten your spirits & move you, as Screaming Js hold
nothing back with their wild and zany performances.
The Screaming Js hail out of the mountains of Western Carolina, where their influences range from New Orleans honky-tonk to prohibition jazz & not-so-traditionals, to rock’n blues & ragtime. Found somewhere in-between a trance-dance animal-house barn party and an Americana trio on a transpersonal revelational psychedelic “trip”, you won’t be disappointed with the infectious energy that is a Screaming Js performance!
Pickin’ and Picnic: A Late Summer Gathering featuring Stepsons of the Pioneers
Aug 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Fairview Library
Relia’s Lost Kitchen: Women in Wine
Aug 14 @ 6:00 pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center

Women behind the wine

Relia’s Lost Kitchen is a series of exclusive pop-up dinner events in honor of NOC founder Aurelia Kennedy and the original restaurant that nourished visitors from all over the globe.

Guests will enjoy a freshly prepared five-course dinner, with each course featuring a thoughtfully selected wine from women in the wine industry. Dine overlooking Relia’s Garden with the Nantahala River just below.

Tables will be set up to seat four guests at a time and guests are required to book in parties of four to maximize seating availability for this exclusive, socially distanced event. Doors will open at 6PM for the 6:30PM dinner service.

Beauty Parlor Comedy featuring Joyelle Nicole Johnson
Aug 14 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Asheville Beauty Academy

JEANNE ROBERTSON
Aug 14 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall
robertson

At 77 years young, Jeanne Robertson continues to charm audiences with her humorous observations about life around her. This former Miss North Carolina, standing tall at six-foot-two, has a vivacious personality, heart, and sense of humor.

Jeanne tours nationally and appears regularly on the Grande ‘Ole Opry.  She has nine nationally released DVDs, four books, hundreds of hours on SiriusXM satellite radio and over 109 million YouTube views.  The demand for Robertson’s family-friendly and engaging brand of comedy has grown exponentially. Some of her most popular anecdotes include “Don’t Go to Vegas Without A Baptist,” “Don’t Bungee Jump Naked“, and “Don’t Send a Man to the Grocery Store.”

Jeanne’s witty depiction of everyday situations never fails to have audiences of all ages rolling with laughter. Don’t miss this performance by a truly funny lady!

Official Website

PEACE CENTER
A History of Stand-up, Part 2 – PC, Cancel Culture and the Line Dancers
Aug 14 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company

Ritch Shydner’s funny and insightful multi-media presentation about the history of an original American art form, stand-up comedy, and what all the jokes and laughter say about America. The stories of forgotten trailblazers, martyred iconoclasts and familiar stars show how the simple act of one joker taking on a crowd became one of our most popular entertainments, and a cultural
weathervane. Presented in 2 parts, with talk-backs afterward.

Kamani ft. Nikki Glaspie, Sput Searight, Xavier Taplin, Kat Dyson + Matt Lapham
Aug 14 @ 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Asheville Music Hall

New funk supergroup KAMANI has just embarked on a run of spring tour dates in the Southeast.
Nikki Glaspie – The Nth Power / Dumpstaphunk / Beyonce
Sput Searight – Ghost-Note, Snarky Puppy, TOTO
Xavier Taplin – Ghost-Note, TOTO
Kat Dyson – Prince / Cyndi Lauper
Matt Lapham – Roosevelt Collier Trio
The new-look KAMANI lineup features drummer Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power), drummer/multi-instrumentalist Robert “Sput” Searight (Ghost-Note, Snarky Puppy), bassist Matt Lapham (Roosevelt Collier Trio), guitarist Kat Dyson (Prince, The OG’s), and keyboardist Xavier Taplin (Ghost-Note), with Snarky Puppy keyboardist Shaun Martin due to stop by at various dates. The group was initially formed in late 2020 for a brief run of shows featuring Nigel Hall instead of Sput and Taplin.
Sunday, August 15, 2021
Dinner with Steven Satterfield & Joseph Lenn
Aug 15 all-day
The Farm at Old Edwards

Please join us in celebrating the height of the summer season in the mountains with James Beard Foundation award-winning chefs Steven Satterfield of Miller Union in Atlanta, and Joseph Lenn of JC Holdway in Knoxville, Tennessee. This dynamic duo, who also happen to be great friends, will present a multi-course menu full of summer’s most delicious flavors alongside pairings from the Old Edwards sommeliers in the beautiful setting of The Farm.
$185 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Grab Brunch at River’s End
Aug 15 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
River’s End Restaurant

River's End Restaurant exterior

River’s End Restaurant is an iconic spot for locals and visitors to Bryson City. Enjoy spectacular views of the gorge, with paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Stop in for year-round lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch during the summer season, and choose from a wide range of appetizing entrees, burgers, salads, pizza, and sandwiches. Hang out for a while and enjoy a large selection of signature cocktails, wine, and beer, including local favorites.

In River’s End Restaurant, every seat has a view of the river! Enjoy music by the river and views of paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Join our waitlist online to reserve a table or order online and grab your meal to go, for a sunny lunch right by the river!

$5 Mimosas
Aug 15 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Down Dog

$5 Mimosas

$5 Mimosas every Saturday & Sunday

Bluegrass Brunch
Aug 15 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

Jack’s Bluegrass Brunch is every Sunday! Our menu kicks off at 12Noon with live tunes by Supper Break from 1-3pm. Try our $6 Bloody Mary or Mimosa, or grab a $15 Bottles of Champagne & OJ! Try one of our tasty brunch specials or order from our artisanal sandwich menu. Sláinte Y’all!

JAZZ BRUNCH Free · One World West
Aug 15 @ 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
One World West Brewing

JAZZ BRUNCH @ ONE WORLD WEST
EVERY SUNDAY FROM 1:30-4PM
FIRST SET BY THE HOUSE BAND & SECOND SET IS A JAZZ JAM
WEEKLY BRUNCH MENU FROM UMAMI MAMI
Winery Visit @ Stone Ash Vineyard
Aug 15 @ 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Stone Ash Vineyard

It’s a little out there, but I think it’s worth the drive. The winery is on a beautiful high point with fantastic views. The wine is dry (heads up if you like sweet wines) and pretty good – best local place I’ve visited. They have an indoor and outdoor seating area, or we can bring some blankets to sit on the grass.
Tastings are $15, but I’m pretty sure they sell by the glass or if a few want to share a bottle, I’m sure that can be made possible. They have some charcuterie boards, but if we want to bring snacks, we can do that too.

https://stoneashevineyards.com/

Food Truck Sundays
Aug 15 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Archetype Brewing

In conjunction with Sunday Sessions Live (and virtual) music: Food Truck Sundays will bring a new or rotating “staff favorite” cuisine each week to the Beechams Curve offerings.
Gan Shan West, our main culinary provider 6 days a week, is closed on Sundays. Enjoy the convenience, delicious variety and the music – all in one Sunday Funday stop!

Jim Gaffigan The Pale Tourist Rescheduled Aug. 2021
Aug 15 @ 7:30 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Due to the current global health crisis as well as travel and performance restrictions, the original August 16, 2020 show on Jim Gaffigan’s The Pale Tourist tour at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC has been rescheduled for August 15, 2021.  This very difficult decision was made following the recommendations of government authorities including the Center for Disease Control to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).  All tickets for the original performance will be honored, so patrons should hold on to their tickets.  For ticket and refund inquiries, please contact point of purchase. For tour information, please visit jimgaffigan.com.

 

The four-time Grammy-nominated comedian, Jim Gaffigan, brings The Pale Tourist tour to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on August 16! The two-time Emmy winning top touring performer, and multi-platinum-selling recording artist is known around the world for his unique brand of humor, which largely revolves around his observations on life.

 

Monday, August 16, 2021
BIKE NIGHT MONDAYS
Aug 16 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Silverados

Join us every MONDAY for our 2021 Summer Bike Night Series with special musical guest Contagious rocking our stage. Fresh catered BBQ Plates will be available for sale. Hop on your bike and come on down for bike nights in the Swannanoa Valley!

Just a friendly reminder, the State of NC requires a MEMBERSHIP to enjoy our venue.

Stand-Up Comedy Class with Ritch Shydner
Aug 16 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company
Long-time, professional comedian Ritch Shydner passes his wisdom to beginners and intermediate hopefuls. The class culminates with a final performance hosted by Shydner himself!
Class Fee: $250 for 5 weeks (10-person maximum)
Dates: Mondays, 7-9pm
August 9, 16, 23, 30
Sept 13
Performance: September 18 at 8pm
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Wilco
Aug 17 @ 6:00 pm
Salvage Station

WILCO

Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in ChicagoIllinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar‘s departure. Wilco’s lineup changed frequently during its first decade, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remaining from the original incarnation. Since early 2004, the lineup has been unchanged, consisting of Tweedy, Stirratt, guitarist Nels Cline, multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone, keyboard player Mikael Jorgensen, and drummer Glenn Kotche. Wilco has released eleven studio albums, a live double album, and four collaborations: three with Billy Bragg and one with The Minus 5.

Wilco + Sleater-Kinney: It’s Time- Summer Tour 2021
Aug 17 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Salvage Station