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
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.

 

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
2021 Brevard Music Center Raffle
Aug 14 all-day
Online

Official 2021 Raffle RulesAudi

PROCEEDS

This raffle is a fundraising event, and all net proceeds benefit the Brevard Music Center (BMC). Brevard Music Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN# 56-0729350

DRAWING

The drawing will take place on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 3:00pm EDT. All mail, phone, and internet orders must be received by 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, November 14, 2021.

TICKETS

The cost to purchase a single entry (“Ticket”) for the Raffle is $125 (U.S. Funds only) and is not tax deductible.

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.

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
2021 Brevard Music Center Raffle
Aug 15 all-day
Online

Official 2021 Raffle RulesAudi

PROCEEDS

This raffle is a fundraising event, and all net proceeds benefit the Brevard Music Center (BMC). Brevard Music Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN# 56-0729350

DRAWING

The drawing will take place on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 3:00pm EDT. All mail, phone, and internet orders must be received by 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, November 14, 2021.

TICKETS

The cost to purchase a single entry (“Ticket”) for the Raffle is $125 (U.S. Funds only) and is not tax deductible.

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!

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.

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
Magnetic in the Smoky Park OUTDOOR SHOW
Aug 17 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

OUTDOOR SHOW

Join us on Tuesday nights for Magnetic’s signature variety show. There will be an exciting mix of comedy, music, theatre, dance, magic and more! Smoky Park Supper Club is offering us their beautiful outdoor venue, and will be selling food and drinks. The event is BYOC (bring your own chair), and we will, of course, be following strict Covid safety protocols. We can’t wait to see you there!

Smoky Park Supper Club + Magnetic Theatre Outdoor Show
Aug 17 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

Join us Tuesday nights, beginning April 13th, as The Magnetic Theatre teams up with the wizards at Smoky Park Supper Club to host a live, outdoor variety show. We’ll be filling Smoky Park’s gorgeous, riverside outdoor space with comedy, theatre, music and so much more.

There will be food and beverages available for purchase.

  • This is a BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Chair) event.
  • In accordance with safety guidelines this show will be staged outdoors, with mask and social distancing protocols enforced. There will also be temperature checks and COVID waivers that need to be signed by each attendee at the gate.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the 7pm showtime.
  • We do require that masks be worn at all times unless you are actively eating or drinking.
Tacos + Trivia Tuesday
Aug 17 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Down Dog

Tacos & Trivia Tuesday

Join us every Tuesday night for Tacos & Trivia!

Twisted Roots will be cooking up a variety of tacos and authentic sides (vegetarian options available) starting at 5 pm.

Trivia will run from 7-8:15 pm. We will be capping the teams at 20 and teams will not be able to join after 7 so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot!

No reservations needed, just grab your thinking caps and get ready for good food, a good time, and a chance to win a $10, $20, or $30 gift certificate to Down Dog!

Aquanet: Goth Night
Aug 17 @ 9:00 pm – Aug 18 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience
Aug 18 @ 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.