Calendar of Events
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.

Caamp formed when Taylor Meier and Evan Westfall met and bonded over a shared love of music and a shared love of home, specifically the inspiration they culled from the Midwest lives they grew up in. The two began writing and performing and quickly grew a rabid fan base. A self-titled 2016 debut album took flight, quickly gaining over 170 million streams, with a staggering 70 million streams for their single “ Vagabond ” alone. Evan and Taylor brought on a third member and longtime friend, Matt Vinson, to join on bass just before recording By and By.
In week one of the release of their full-length, By and By on Mom + Pop, Caamp made multiple chart debuts. By and By entered the Billboard Top 200, was the #1 Heatseeker, #1 on the New Artist Alternative Albums, top 5 vinyl album sales for the week, and entered the Alternative and Emerging Artist charts. Caamp then scored their first #1 at radio with their single “Peach Fuzz,” made their late-night television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and followed that up with a killer performance on CBS This Morning Saturday. After a victorious 2019 festival season playing Firefly, Shaky Knees, Forecastle, Outside Lands, Austin City Limits, Great Escape, and many more, Caamp kicked off a major US headlining tour in September of 2019 and sold out show after show.
In early 2020, Caamp performed on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The performance was filmed in Caamp’s hometown of Columbus, OH during quarantine. The trio later released their first live EP Live From Newport Music Hall. The five track recording was taken from one of their seminal hometown shows in Columbus, OH. The recording contains live versions of songs off their most recent album, By and By.
Not long after the release of Live From Newport Music Hall, Caamp kept themselves busy by releasing the singles and companion videos for “Officer Of Love” and “Fall Fall Fall” via their label home, Mom + Pop. The band then celebrated another victory in 2020 with their single “By and By” resting snugly in the Top 5 Most Spun on Sirius XM’s Alt Nation. They’ve kicked off the new year with “Officer of Love” hitting #1 at AAA radio for 2 consecutive weeks. Fans can expect new music from CAAMP in 2021.
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic and Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza & Brewing CoGame Room Comedy Show (must be 18+)
Cocktails, taps & menu available while you laugh the night away to some of the areas best Standup Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!! Comedy Open Mic plus Three Professional featured performers. Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free pizza at comics table]
For more info contact Michele at [email protected]
Thursdays in April 2022 7:30p-till, 18+Doors 6:30p: [Music before show provided by Buzz Radio Asheville, “All Asheville Music & Comedy, All the Time.”]
Comedy Open Mic plus Three Professional featured performers. Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free pizza at comics table]
Buy tix at: https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/location/north/
4/21 Hosted by Blaine PerryComedy Open Mic Featuring Mario Trevizo, Katy Hudson & Christian Lee Villanueva
The Pack A.D. returns to The Grey Eagle in Asheville NC on Thursday April 21st. It’s an ALL AGES show at 8pm and doors open at 7pm.
Destruction and melody, acid wit and bruising vocals-this is the Pack A.D. Singer/guitarist Becky Black and drummer Maya Miller have made a sound so gigantic, so fierce and raw and empowering, that it’s easy to forget there are just two people behind this brilliant, carefully constructed havoc. Shredding and pounding their way through every song, the Pack A.D. swallows you whole inside their fearless Franken-blend of heavy psychpop/garage-rock. Their lyrics are wild nests, human and complex: darkly funny disclosures about depression; indictments of digital excess; grief-stricken fire bombs; sly crusades against stupidity.
Fantømex is an indie punk, post-harcore band from Western North Carolina. The group started with longtime friends, guitarist Isaac Crouch and drummer Edwin Mericle who jammed together off and on since high school. In 2017, they decided to take it to the next level and form an honest-to-goodness band. Add into the mix vocalist Abigail Taylor writing intense, thought-provoking lyrics and counter rhythmic melodies; and Max Miller rounding out the band with his punchy, fast bass lines and his ever-flowing, imaginative songwriting abilities, and you get Fantømex. Influenced by bands like mewithoutYou, Frodus, At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta, David Bowie, The Blood Brothers and so many more, Fantømex’s music is fast, loud and full of angsty female empowerment. Fantømex’s live shows are a hypnotic and high energy performance that borders on theatrical. They are a performance not to be missed.
Fantømex released their debut album: “Consent Agenda” in April 2020. The eleven song LP was recorded in Morganton, NC at Bombhouse Studios. The band is currently set to release their new EP: “Terraformed” in the spring of 2022.

At the annual Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, Henderson County wineries and cideries partner together to create a signature weekend surrounded by all things cider, wine and food! It is an action-packed weekend filled with artisan hard cider, award-winning wines, new releases, grand openings, a variety of food, educational programs, live music, facility tours, friendly faces and much more.
Henderson County’s rich history in agriculture and wonderful climate makes the area ideal for the growing of a variety of apples and grapes. Henderson County is home to North Carolina’s newest wine country, the Crest of the Blue Ridge American Viticulture Area (AVA). Area wineries produce classic wines from European vinifera grapes and French-American hybrid grapes, as well as sweeter wines crafted from grapes native to North Carolina.
There are several types of transportation options available for hire in the Hendersonville area, including taxis and private Transportation Companies.
2022 Cider, Wine & Dine Participants
Click to download the 2022 Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend Event Brochure and an Updated Directional Map
- Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider – the taproom is in a repurposed barn, surrounded by family-owned apple orchards – specializing in Normandy-style hard cider, brandy and pommeau, 749 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, 828-699-7507
- Bold Rock Hard Cider – the North Carolina facility of one of America’s leading hard cider producers – in the heart of the scenic farm country of the Mills River Valley, located at 72 School House Rd., Mills River 828-595-9940
- Burntshirt Vineyards Chimney Rock – this beautiful new tasting room and bistro has views of both Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls, Located at 438 Main St., Chimney Rock, 828-436-2490
- Burntshirt Vineyards Hendersonville – a beautiful, estate winery and event center that overlooks their celebrated vineyards, 2695 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-2402
- Flat Rock Cider Company – Flat Rock Cider Company creates its hard cider in a variety of flavors – from apples grown right here in Henderson County – location TBD! 828-595-2992
- Marked Tree Vineyard – offers 10 wine varieties made with European vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes in a picturesque setting, surrounded by panoramic views, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, 828-513-3773
- Point Lookout Vineyard & World’s Edge Meadery – take in 30-mile views from an elevation of 3,000 feet atop Point Lookout Mountain while you taste a variety of wines and mead, 408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville, 828-393-5793
- Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards – the winery and tasting room are nestled between orchards and vineyards, 588 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-4002
- Sawyer Springs Vineyard – enjoy award-winning wines grown and processed right on the same location as the rustic tasting barn at this laid-back, family-run winery, 124 Sandy Hill Lane, Hendersonville, 828-698-4383
- Souther Williams Vineyard – located on land that has been in the same family for more than 200 years, Souther Williams cultivates well-known varietals like Cabernet Franc, Cynthiana, Reisling and Vidal Blanc, along with lesser-known grapes from Austria, Germany and eastern Europe, 655 Hoopers Creek Road, Fletcher, NC 28732, 828-483-6070
- Stone Ashe Vineyards – this state-of-the-art tasting room rests on a bluff overlooking a pond surrounded by vineyards, 736 Green Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-551-5643
Many events are free. Some events require tickets or reservations, which can be made by contacting the individual venue. Due to COVID-19 the event schedule may change, check back often for updates.
Make a Weekend of It!
North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation, and Henderson County is the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina, producing 85 percent of all the apples grown in the state, including more than 40 varieties of apples. The Cider, Wine & Dine weekend conveniently coincides with when the apple trees are in bloom. Apple trees produce gorgeous, delicate, pink, and white spring blossoms, just waiting on the bees to start pollinating them. This is a great time of year to enjoy the Apple Country Trail, a self-guided scenic driving tour in and around Henderson County’s apple country, to enjoy the sight of the trees in bloom, and to find local apple products to purchase. Click to download the self-guided Apple Country Trail tour.
Click here for lodging or area information, or call the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority at 828-693-9708
Every April, during the presidentially proclaimed National Park Week, we join with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to celebrate America’s treasures. National Park Week is a time to explore amazing places, discover stories of history and culture, help out, and find your park.
Celebrate National Park Week 2022 with us April 16 to 24! Parks across the country will host a variety of special programs, events, and digital experiences. Entrance fees are waived on April 16 to kick off National Park Week and encourage everyone to enjoy their national parks.
Stay connected with national parks during National Park Week as the celebration goes digital. (Video contains footage copyright of More Than Just Parks. All rights protected.)
Theme Days: sPark Connections
This year’s National Park Week theme is “sPark Connections”. With more than 400 national parks and National Park Service programs and partnerships in communities across the country, there is something new for everyone! And a lot closer to home than you may think. Each day of National Park Week, sPark a connection with us exploring a new theme.
April 16: sPark Discovery National Park Week kicks off with a fee-free day to encourage everyone to find something new by visiting a national park, especially one that may be close to home, a park you haven’t considered visiting, or one you never realized is a national park! What new national park will you discover?
Sunday, April 17: sPark Creativity National parks have inspired artistic expression and creativity for generations. What is your park muse? What masterpiece can you create?
Monday, April 18: sPark Collaboration We get along with a little help from our friends. Meet our many partners that help expand our reach and offerings and connect people to parks. How can you get involved or participate in opportunities?
Tuesday, April 19: sPark Innovation The National Park Service incorporates the latest technology to support conservation and preservation efforts while consistently working to improve the visitor experience. How can we surprise you with innovation?
Wednesday, April 20: sPark Opportunities On Workforce Wednesday, learn about the work we do and the employment opportunities available in the National Park Service and with partner organizations. How can you join?
Thursday, April 21: sPark Preservation The National Park Service is a leader and partner in preservation of historic, cultural, natural and recreational resources nationally—and even internationally! How can you get involved in preservation?
Friday, April 22: sPark Action On Earth Day we look at the health of the environment and how we impact its wellbeing and vice versa. What actions can you do to contribute to a healthy world?
Saturday, April 23: sPark Curiosity The National Park Service preserves and protects unique places with fascinating stories and unique landscapes. What are you curious about? What fascinating things can you discover?
Sunday, April 24: sPark Memories Generations of visitors have created lasting memories in national parks. What memories and traditions will you create?
Social Media
Share you National Park Week experiences and memories on social media using hashtags #NationalParkWeek and #sParkConnections. You can also use a special hashtag for each theme day.
April 16: #sParkDiscovery
Sunday, April 17: #sParkCreativity
Monday, April 18: #sPark Collaboration
Tuesday, April 19: #sParkInnovation
Wednesday, April 20: #sParkOpportunities
Thursday, April 21: #sParkPreservation
Friday, April 22: #sParkAction
Saturday, April 23: #sParkCuriosity
Sunday, April 24: #sParkMemories
National Park Week is Official!
Did you know National Park Week is recognized by a presidential proclamation? Each year, National Park Week is declared a special time to celebrate national parks and programs across the country and to encourage everyone to discover the nation’s diverse natural and cultural heritage.

It can be ruff out there for our canine companions, but we have pawsitively great news. Buncombe County’s first-ever dog park is now open at our Sports Park in Candler. While this is a soft open, the park features two fenced-in play areas; one for large dogs and one for smaller pups. “We do have plans to add other amenities and water fountains,” exclaims Recreation Services Program Coordinator Mac Stanley. “People are very excited about this new opportunity. Since it was announced, we have gotten letters of support as well as many emails questioning when will the project be completed.”
So join us in a round of apaws as we celebrate the opening of this new venue for hot dogs and cool people. “It’s an amazing place to bring your dog to run free without a leash and interact with other dogs,” says Stanley. “One of my favorite aspects of this new dog park is being able to cultivate a community. Hopefully, this dog park will be instrumental in connecting dogs as well as people within the community.” Paw-yeah, sounds great.
Location: Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Circle
Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (same as the Sports Park)
Dog park drools rules
Dogs must be:
- On a leash at all times until safely in the fenced-in dog park area
- Vaccinated, licensed, and in good health
- At least four months old to enter
- Wearing a collar with ID tags
- Under voice control of their human and not aggressive
Humans must:
- Be with dogs at all times
- Remove dogs at first sign of aggression
- Pick up poop and dispose of it in receptacles provided
- Be liable for any and all injuries caused by their dogs
Not Allowed:
- Pronged, spike or choke collars
- Aggressive dogs, aggressive humans, or dogs in heat
- Unsupervised children 12 years of age or younger

Recreation Services’ Lake Julian Park Rangers have assembled a new paddle boat fleet that is ship-shape and ready to hit the water. “We have received and assembled 17 brand new paddle boats to complete our fleet of 20 boats at Lake Julian Park,” notes Park Ranger Matt Dixon. “This is a great addition to the park and will be an enjoyable amenity for our park patrons for years to come.”
Lake Julian Park offers paddle boat rentals for $12/ hour and $8/half hour. The boats are available to rent every day the park is open (weather permitting), up until 2 hours before park closing time. Head over to the park on the next sunny day and make your own splash. Learn more at buncombecounty.org/parks.

Who was the visionary who designed some of America’s most iconic gardens and parks? Find out at an all-new exhibit celebrating the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted (FLO).
The exhibit on the man who planned both Central Park (his first major design) and Biltmore in Asheville (his final one), takes center stage in the Baker Visitor Center Exhibit Hall and at select locations in the landscape on the occasion of his 200th birthday. Thanks FLO features a retrospective of Olmsted’s life through landmarks and key moments and shows off a selection of his most iconic designs through vintage postcards, maps and green screen technology.
Step into the designing game and build a park using interactive tools and take a selfie that puts you front and center in iconic Olmsted parks. Outdoor exhibits await discovery and illustrate the design principles Olmsted used while designing and building parks, greenways, campuses and private estates across the United States.
The exhibit is created in conjunction with the National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) in celebration of Olmsted’s 200th birthday on April 26, 2022.
Thanks FLO: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted is presented in participation with Olmsted 200, a nationwide celebration taking place in parks and public spaces across the United States.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, check out all the fun that Bold Rock Hard Cider has to offer! We will have hard cider tastings as well-as pints, flights and locally crafted beer. The Bold Bites Mobile Kitchen prepares fresh food daily and features an expansive Cider Garden ensures plenty of space for guests to spread out and relax. Since a delicious food truck is on-site, outside food is not allowed. We are dog and kid-friendly!
As part of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, join us for our Grand Opening at Souther Williams Vineyard. Be the first to experience our Eastern European and vinifera wines in our open-air pavilion overlooking the vineyards with mountain views. Our tasting crew will guide you through five unique wines. A souvenir glass will be included with purchase. Reservation requested for table service or step up to the tasting bar.
As part of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, come to Souther Williams for their Tasting Room Grand Opening Weekend, when Lobster Dog food truck will be on site. Try a glass, bottle, or flight of our beautiful Eastern European white wines (Traminette, Gruener Veltliner, Rkatsiteli or Riesling) paired with with the award-winning Lobster Dog Food Truck.
As part of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, enjoy a Wine tasting that includes 6 wines served in Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards’ unique tubular wine flights. Enjoy our award winning French vinifera wines while sitting only steps away from the vineyard where the grapes are grown.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, participate in a guided wine tasting of Marked Tree Vineyard staff’s five favorite wines and take home a souvenir glass. Reservations are requested. Indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the vineyard with 360-degree views of the mountains is available.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, join us all day on the farm to enjoy tasting all our locally grown and produced Normandy-style ciders along with local beer by Oklawaha Brewing. We also offer a tasting of three different North Carolina native grape sweet wines. The tasting room is a refurbished 90-year-old barn set in the middle of the orchards where the apples are grown! Great Views, Great Ciders, Wine and Beer!
In their 6th year of writing, performing, and creating art together, the Alex Krug Combo brings their latest single, “My Best” to a dynamic existing collection of music. Along with the newest member, Tina Collins (of Tina and her Pony) the 5 piece band recorded the single at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina, and had it produced and mixed by Michael Selverne.
As with many songs, “My Best” had a unique way of making it to the finish line which included taking a deeper look behind the meaning of the song and its place in the Alex Krug Combo catalog.
“The chord progression and melody were written fairly quickly, but I had to come back and ask the song what it was really about before it all came to me” stated Alex Krug, Founder of the Combo. With Bill Berg on Drums, Kyle Samples on Electric Guitar, Zack Page on Upright Bass, Jackson Dulaney lap steel, Tina Collina with vocal harmony “My Best” has a dynamic soundscape of strings, harmonies, and bass, as well as peaks and valleys that pull your body side to side while you lean in closer, trying to feel and hear the music just a little bit deeper.
“My Best” in a way, signifies the idea that life, love (and the music industry) will always have their ups and downs. But more importantly, it signifies that even in those hard moments there is still a reason to wear your best and to find enjoyment in the cards that are spread out before you.
There was no way that in January of 2020 that we couldn’t have predicted the hand any of us would have been dealt, including members of the Alex Krug Combo. And now, over a year and a half later- with a new song, a creative business concept on the horizon, and the dream of hugging as many music lovers as possible, the Alex Krug Combo, proudly presents to you, their best for today.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, enjoy live music by Brian Ashley Jones Duo on the lawn at Appalachian Ridge. Brian is a Nashville-based performer playing the best Blues and Country tunes. Bonfires will be going, and s’more kits will be available for you to purchase and roast as you sit back and enjoy the view and music. The food truck will be on-site with dinner and snacks. Appalachian Ridge’s ciders, wines and beer will be available for you to enjoy. This is an outdoor event, dress for the weather, but we will have fires going to keep you warm and to toast your marshmallows!

Over the past decade, The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America’s most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 10 albums, 5 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 20 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.
When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.
Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On the Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band.
The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band’s right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning’s Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year’s and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.
Asheville’s LARGEST vaudeville show featuring WNC’s best comedy, juggling, magic, burlesque, acrobatics, aerial arts, short plays, puppetry, sideshow, music and more!
At the annual Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, Henderson County wineries and cideries partner together to create a signature weekend surrounded by all things cider, wine and food! It is an action-packed weekend filled with artisan hard cider, award-winning wines, new releases, grand openings, a variety of food, educational programs, live music, facility tours, friendly faces and much more.
Henderson County’s rich history in agriculture and wonderful climate makes the area ideal for the growing of a variety of apples and grapes. Henderson County is home to North Carolina’s newest wine country, the Crest of the Blue Ridge American Viticulture Area (AVA). Area wineries produce classic wines from European vinifera grapes and French-American hybrid grapes, as well as sweeter wines crafted from grapes native to North Carolina.
There are several types of transportation options available for hire in the Hendersonville area, including taxis and private Transportation Companies.
2022 Cider, Wine & Dine Participants
Click to download the 2022 Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend Event Brochure and an Updated Directional Map
- Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider – the taproom is in a repurposed barn, surrounded by family-owned apple orchards – specializing in Normandy-style hard cider, brandy and pommeau, 749 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, 828-699-7507
- Bold Rock Hard Cider – the North Carolina facility of one of America’s leading hard cider producers – in the heart of the scenic farm country of the Mills River Valley, located at 72 School House Rd., Mills River 828-595-9940
- Burntshirt Vineyards Chimney Rock – this beautiful new tasting room and bistro has views of both Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls, Located at 438 Main St., Chimney Rock, 828-436-2490
- Burntshirt Vineyards Hendersonville – a beautiful, estate winery and event center that overlooks their celebrated vineyards, 2695 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-2402
- Flat Rock Cider Company – Flat Rock Cider Company creates its hard cider in a variety of flavors – from apples grown right here in Henderson County – location TBD! 828-595-2992
- Marked Tree Vineyard – offers 10 wine varieties made with European vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes in a picturesque setting, surrounded by panoramic views, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, 828-513-3773
- Point Lookout Vineyard & World’s Edge Meadery – take in 30-mile views from an elevation of 3,000 feet atop Point Lookout Mountain while you taste a variety of wines and mead, 408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville, 828-393-5793
- Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards – the winery and tasting room are nestled between orchards and vineyards, 588 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-4002
- Sawyer Springs Vineyard – enjoy award-winning wines grown and processed right on the same location as the rustic tasting barn at this laid-back, family-run winery, 124 Sandy Hill Lane, Hendersonville, 828-698-4383
- Souther Williams Vineyard – located on land that has been in the same family for more than 200 years, Souther Williams cultivates well-known varietals like Cabernet Franc, Cynthiana, Reisling and Vidal Blanc, along with lesser-known grapes from Austria, Germany and eastern Europe, 655 Hoopers Creek Road, Fletcher, NC 28732, 828-483-6070
- Stone Ashe Vineyards – this state-of-the-art tasting room rests on a bluff overlooking a pond surrounded by vineyards, 736 Green Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-551-5643
Many events are free. Some events require tickets or reservations, which can be made by contacting the individual venue. Due to COVID-19 the event schedule may change, check back often for updates.
Make a Weekend of It!
North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation, and Henderson County is the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina, producing 85 percent of all the apples grown in the state, including more than 40 varieties of apples. The Cider, Wine & Dine weekend conveniently coincides with when the apple trees are in bloom. Apple trees produce gorgeous, delicate, pink, and white spring blossoms, just waiting on the bees to start pollinating them. This is a great time of year to enjoy the Apple Country Trail, a self-guided scenic driving tour in and around Henderson County’s apple country, to enjoy the sight of the trees in bloom, and to find local apple products to purchase. Click to download the self-guided Apple Country Trail tour.
Click here for lodging or area information, or call the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority at 828-693-9708
National Park Week
Every April, during the presidentially proclaimed National Park Week, we join with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to celebrate America’s treasures. National Park Week is a time to explore amazing places, discover stories of history and culture, help out, and find your park.
Celebrate National Park Week 2022 with us April 16 to 24! Parks across the country will host a variety of special programs, events, and digital experiences. Entrance fees are waived on April 16 to kick off National Park Week and encourage everyone to enjoy their national parks.
Stay connected with national parks during National Park Week as the celebration goes digital. (Video contains footage copyright of More Than Just Parks. All rights protected.)
Theme Days: sPark Connections
This year’s National Park Week theme is “sPark Connections”. With more than 400 national parks and National Park Service programs and partnerships in communities across the country, there is something new for everyone! And a lot closer to home than you may think. Each day of National Park Week, sPark a connection with us exploring a new theme.
April 16: sPark Discovery National Park Week kicks off with a fee-free day to encourage everyone to find something new by visiting a national park, especially one that may be close to home, a park you haven’t considered visiting, or one you never realized is a national park! What new national park will you discover?
Sunday, April 17: sPark Creativity National parks have inspired artistic expression and creativity for generations. What is your park muse? What masterpiece can you create?
Monday, April 18: sPark Collaboration We get along with a little help from our friends. Meet our many partners that help expand our reach and offerings and connect people to parks. How can you get involved or participate in opportunities?
Tuesday, April 19: sPark Innovation The National Park Service incorporates the latest technology to support conservation and preservation efforts while consistently working to improve the visitor experience. How can we surprise you with innovation?
Wednesday, April 20: sPark Opportunities On Workforce Wednesday, learn about the work we do and the employment opportunities available in the National Park Service and with partner organizations. How can you join?
Thursday, April 21: sPark Preservation The National Park Service is a leader and partner in preservation of historic, cultural, natural and recreational resources nationally—and even internationally! How can you get involved in preservation?
Friday, April 22: sPark Action On Earth Day we look at the health of the environment and how we impact its wellbeing and vice versa. What actions can you do to contribute to a healthy world?
Saturday, April 23: sPark Curiosity The National Park Service preserves and protects unique places with fascinating stories and unique landscapes. What are you curious about? What fascinating things can you discover?
Sunday, April 24: sPark Memories Generations of visitors have created lasting memories in national parks. What memories and traditions will you create?
Social Media
Share you National Park Week experiences and memories on social media using hashtags #NationalParkWeek and #sParkConnections. You can also use a special hashtag for each theme day.
April 16: #sParkDiscovery
Sunday, April 17: #sParkCreativity
Monday, April 18: #sPark Collaboration
Tuesday, April 19: #sParkInnovation
Wednesday, April 20: #sParkOpportunities
Thursday, April 21: #sParkPreservation
Friday, April 22: #sParkAction
Saturday, April 23: #sParkCuriosity
Sunday, April 24: #sParkMemories
National Park Week is Official!
Did you know National Park Week is recognized by a presidential proclamation? Each year, National Park Week is declared a special time to celebrate national parks and programs across the country and to encourage everyone to discover the nation’s diverse natural and cultural heritage.

It can be ruff out there for our canine companions, but we have pawsitively great news. Buncombe County’s first-ever dog park is now open at our Sports Park in Candler. While this is a soft open, the park features two fenced-in play areas; one for large dogs and one for smaller pups. “We do have plans to add other amenities and water fountains,” exclaims Recreation Services Program Coordinator Mac Stanley. “People are very excited about this new opportunity. Since it was announced, we have gotten letters of support as well as many emails questioning when will the project be completed.”
So join us in a round of apaws as we celebrate the opening of this new venue for hot dogs and cool people. “It’s an amazing place to bring your dog to run free without a leash and interact with other dogs,” says Stanley. “One of my favorite aspects of this new dog park is being able to cultivate a community. Hopefully, this dog park will be instrumental in connecting dogs as well as people within the community.” Paw-yeah, sounds great.
Location: Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Circle
Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (same as the Sports Park)
Dog park drools rules
Dogs must be:
- On a leash at all times until safely in the fenced-in dog park area
- Vaccinated, licensed, and in good health
- At least four months old to enter
- Wearing a collar with ID tags
- Under voice control of their human and not aggressive
Humans must:
- Be with dogs at all times
- Remove dogs at first sign of aggression
- Pick up poop and dispose of it in receptacles provided
- Be liable for any and all injuries caused by their dogs
Not Allowed:
- Pronged, spike or choke collars
- Aggressive dogs, aggressive humans, or dogs in heat
- Unsupervised children 12 years of age or younger

Recreation Services’ Lake Julian Park Rangers have assembled a new paddle boat fleet that is ship-shape and ready to hit the water. “We have received and assembled 17 brand new paddle boats to complete our fleet of 20 boats at Lake Julian Park,” notes Park Ranger Matt Dixon. “This is a great addition to the park and will be an enjoyable amenity for our park patrons for years to come.”
Lake Julian Park offers paddle boat rentals for $12/ hour and $8/half hour. The boats are available to rent every day the park is open (weather permitting), up until 2 hours before park closing time. Head over to the park on the next sunny day and make your own splash. Learn more at buncombecounty.org/parks.

Who was the visionary who designed some of America’s most iconic gardens and parks? Find out at an all-new exhibit celebrating the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted (FLO).
The exhibit on the man who planned both Central Park (his first major design) and Biltmore in Asheville (his final one), takes center stage in the Baker Visitor Center Exhibit Hall and at select locations in the landscape on the occasion of his 200th birthday. Thanks FLO features a retrospective of Olmsted’s life through landmarks and key moments and shows off a selection of his most iconic designs through vintage postcards, maps and green screen technology.
Step into the designing game and build a park using interactive tools and take a selfie that puts you front and center in iconic Olmsted parks. Outdoor exhibits await discovery and illustrate the design principles Olmsted used while designing and building parks, greenways, campuses and private estates across the United States.
The exhibit is created in conjunction with the National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) in celebration of Olmsted’s 200th birthday on April 26, 2022.
Thanks FLO: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted is presented in participation with Olmsted 200, a nationwide celebration taking place in parks and public spaces across the United States.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, check out Appalachian Ridge for an orchard breakfast and guided farm tour. Breakfast starts at 9:30 with a walking tour of the farm, orchards, and vineyards at 10:30 am. Enjoy coffee, and breakfast on the patio at Appalachian Ridge. The walking tour starts at 10:30, wear comfortable walking shoes!

Spring Volunteer Events
We are thrilled to be partnering with Asheville’s Parks & Recreation Department to host litter cleanups in the Southside Community, once per month in April and May. Last month’s cleanup along Oakland Road resulted in a huge collection of trash! Please join us as we continue to tidy up the streets of the Southside Community.
Work days are scheduled for April 23 and May 28. For each, we will meet at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center (285 Livingston St, Asheville, NC 28801) at 10:00 AM, working until around 12:00 PM.
JOIN US FOR UNCORKED! THIS UNIQUE RAIL LINE AND WINE EXPERIENCE WILL FUSE THE ADVENTURE OF RAILROADING WITH THE LOVE OF GOOD WINE AND GOOD COMPANY.
About This Trip
Passengers will enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride in our First Class cars with a private attendant and plush, well-appointed dining seating. A narrator will accompany the ride to present each pour to guests and share knowledge and history of the wines selected. Passengers on this specialty car will enjoy an exclusive sampling of cheeses and a surf and turf meal prepared fresh.
We have carefully selected our wine samples to accompany the meal. All passengers will receive a GSMR souvenir stemless wine glass, four samples of selected wine, and a dessert that’s perfect
for the season!
Uncorked is offered on the Nantahala Gorge Excursion departing on April 23, May 7, June 4, July 30, Aug 6 & Sept 3.
Tickets for this specialty experience is $139 per person (Adults 21+ only). Due to the exclusivity of this specialty car, tickets will be selling fast so make sure to reserve your seat today!
On Your Plate
- Starters –
- Enjoy a sampling of cheeses.
- Soup –
- Fresh Soup or Salad (Seasonal) served with a Warm Dinner Roll.
- Main Course
- Fresh fish seasonally prepared at Chefs’ discretion. Accompanied by Tender Beef slices topped with a Port Wine Reduction and Carrot Soufflé.
- Dessert
- Chef choice
the Town of Canton will host a public opening for the Chestnut Mountain Nature Park on Hwy 19-23. Situated as a park-within-a-park, the mountain biking Berm Park will simultaneously open the public. The family-friendly grand opening event will include live music, outdoor retailers, a kids pop-up bike park, and food and beverage available to purchase from local vendors.
“We cannot think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day than the opening of this incredible conservation and recreation project,” says Nick Scheuer, town manager. “The importance of Chestnut Mountain Nature Park cannot be overstated and its impact on wildlife protection, quality of life improvements and economic development will impact generations to come. None of this would be possible without our incredible partners at Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.”
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy purchased the 450-acre Chestnut Mountain property in 2020 in an ambitious endeavor to pair permanent protection of habitat and water resources with creation of a conservation-friendly, community-centric space for outdoor recreation. The Town of Canton engaged Equinox Environmental to lead a master planning process for the park, including community input sessions, and Elevated Trail Design worked on trail design for the property. Seth Alvo, creator of the Berm Peak YouTube channel and Seth’s Bike Hacks, galvanized his followers to support development of Berm Park — a mountain biking oasis and park-within-a-park at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park.
“Berm Park is a free, public bike park,” says Alvo. “While it’s just a tiny part of Chestnut Mountain, it will be a big part of the community. Funds to build Berm Park were provided by sponsoring companies and crowd-sourced from Patreon and YouTube followers, who watched the park come to life, week by week and stage by stage, on the internet. The collaboration between recreation and conservation here at Chestnut Mountain will remain an example for other communities in how working together can make big projects come to life. Chestnut Mountain and Berm Park now serve as assets to the area, strengthening the community’s health through recreation, and enriching the lives of many.”
Located in an important wildlife corridor, the large property includes diverse ecological communities, streams that flow into Hominy Creek, and the top of Chestnut Mountain. A portion of the tract was once slated for a motorsports speedway. Although that project never developed, grading work done for the speedway created a space well-suited for mountain bike and hiking trails. Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy partnered with the Town of Canton and an excited group of partners and funders to bring to fruition this vision — a nature park in which habitat and water resources are permanently protected by conservation easements, with areas open for people to enjoy, explore, and learn about nature.
“Forested ridgelines and coves provide diverse habitat for plants and animals,” says Hanni Muerdter, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s conservation director. “This land contains a mosaic of habitat types, with pockets of mature hardwood forest with laurel and rhododendron, forested slopes facing a variety of directions, and an open field and early successional edge area beneficial for birds. We look forward to continuing to study patterns of wildlife movement across the land with our partners at The Wildlands Network. We’re also excited about the potential for the property to be an educational outdoor classroom. The Berm Park biking skills course was placed in a good location because that area was already disturbed, and the majority of the rest of the property will be reserved for forested habitat and single-track trails.”
This year the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is transferring ownership of the land to the Town of Canton, but the nonprofit land trust will continue to monitor the conservation easements permanently protecting the tract in perpetuity. Conservation easements held by the State of NC and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy ensure that the natural resources of the land will remain protected for future generations.
On Saturday, April 23, approximately 35 acres of the total 450-acre tract will open to the public, and will be open for day use afterward. This area includes the mountain biking skills course at Berm Park and a mixed use (hiking and biking) trail that climbs approx. 350 ft. from the parking lot and pedestrian bridge which forms a gateway into the property. The Town of Canton continues to secure funding and plan for infrastructure development outlined in the Chestnut Mountain Nature Park master plan along with other pertinent information. Future hiking trails, recreation areas, and park amenities will open over the next two years.
“While we are excited to open up Chestnut Mountain in its first phase,” continues Scheuer, “this park is very much a work in progress, and we look forward to unveiling trails and amenities throughout the park that every user will be able to enjoy. The Town of Canton is partnering with Haywood Waterways Association on a stream restoration project along Hominy Creek. The next phase of park development will include hiking and biking specific trails, picnic pavilion, kids bicycle playground, scenic overlooks and more. There’s a lot to be excited about this month and in the future.”
Event Details
The April 23 Chestnut Mountain Nature Park Grand Opening event will include music by Life Like Water and food/refreshments available for purchase from Woof Street Bistro, Pig in a Basket BBQ, Pelicans of Asheville, and Papertown Coffee.
Vendors and organizations hosting activities for the event include: Squatch Bikes, Youngblood Bicycles, Rolls Right, Cognitive MTB, Pisgah Area SORBA, Asheville on Bikes, KidCycle Club, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.
The Pigeon River Garden Club’s Earth Day celebration will take place at the Chestnut Mountain Nature Park Grand Opening. The Pigeon River Garden club (PRGC) will be present along with the following organizations: Haywood County Extension Master Gardeners, Haywood Waterways Association, Haywood County Parks & Recreation, Haywood County Public Library, Canton Historical Museum, and Lake Logan – Camp David.
For more info about the Chestnut Mountain Nature Park grand opening, visit CantonNC.org, find Chestnut Mountain Nature Park on Facebook, or contact Brandy Proctor, Town of Canton Communications Officer, at [email protected].
About the Town of Canton:
Nestled in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains on the Pigeon River and a mere 20 miles from downtown Asheville is Canton, NC, a historic mill town with unmatched character and pride. The Town of Canton boasts a relatively mild climate, a fascinating history & picturesque surroundings full of recreation opportunities for the young or the young at heart. More info at www.CantonNC.com.
About Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy:
The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is a nationally accredited, non-profit land trust conserving land and water resources in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Since 1974, SAHC has protected over 80,000 acres of unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland, scenic views, and places for all people to enjoy outdoor recreation. SAHC’s acquisition of the Chestnut Mountain property was made possible with funding from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the NC Attorney General’s Office’s Environmental Enhancement Grant Program, The Pigeon River Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, many private donors, and loans from the The Conservation Fund and from Hudson Land and Timber LLC. More info at Appalachian.org.
As part of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, join us for our Grand Opening at Souther Williams Vineyard. Be the first to experience our Eastern European and vinifera wines in our open-air pavilion overlooking the vineyards with mountain views. Our tasting crew will guide you through five unique wines. A souvenir glass will be included with purchase. Reservation requested for table service or step up to the tasting bar.
As part of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, enjoy a Wine tasting that includes 6 wines served in Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards’ unique tubular wine flights. Enjoy our award winning French vinifera wines while sitting only steps away from the vineyard where the grapes are grown.




