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.
Discover your strongest self with a 45-minute full-body sculpt class featuring low impact movements to high impact music that’ll get you in the groove.
Join the Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) Wednesday, September 20 at 9AM as we hike to a former mica mine near Burnsville, North Carolina. This event is free but registration is required. Carpooling is necessary as parking is limited.
Join us as we explore the geologic and human history of mining in the Spruce Pine region. We are led by Dr. William Miller, a geologist, and Trevor Freeman, public programs director for the Asheville Museum of History. Local resident John Bennett may join us to discuss some his family history and more about the local mines nearby.
The Mine
The Ray Mine is located in one of scores of igneous rock bodies in the Spruce Pine mining district which began as magmas that were injected into an existing bedrock formation known as the Ashe Metamorphic Suite 375-400 million years ago. The intrusion is made of coarsely crystalline granodiorite which is composed of feldspar, quartz, and muscovite mica, plus lesser amounts of other minerals, including tourmaline, beryl, and apatite.
The Ray was sporadically mined mainly for high quality muscovite from about 1867 until the 1940s. Compared to its sister intrusions currently being mined for high purity quartz and feldspar in Spruce Pine, the Ray is rather puny but one of few designated mineral collecting localities in the National Forest where visitors are allowed to take home the minerals they find on the ground surface and can easily carry.
Nine small shafts/cuts occur at the mine, but they are either partially fenced off and filled with rubble or overgrown with vegetation. The mine site now looks like most other nearby hills but with mineral and rock specimens strewn about.
Details:
Meet: We will carpool from the Roses parking lot in the center of Burnsville, departing at 9:00 AM at the SE corner of US 19E and Reservoir Road intersection. Parking is very limited at the trailhead.
Return to Roses: Approximately 12noon
Hike Length: Approximately 1 mile total, out and back.
Hike Difficulty: Moderate (using National Park Service metric) but rocky
*This is a backcountry hike in a remote area. Please do not attempt if you are unsure of your ability.*
*With a small trailhead parking area, we are limited to 5 vehicles. Please let us know if you prefer to be a driver or passenger when you sign the waiver form*
*Participants may wish to carpool to the initial meeting location at Roses in Burnsville, NC. You will be asked about your preference upon registration, and those interested will be put in contact with one another*
What to Bring:
- Backpack
- Plenty of water (1 liter)
- Bagged lunch or snacks
- Hiking boots or comfortable trail shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing (preferably no cotton)
- Sunscreen
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Hat (recommended)
- Any needed medications.
- You may collect some mineral and rock specimens but only as much as you can carry in your pockets.
- If you bring and use a rock hammer, always wear safety glasses and do not break rocks when other, unprotected people are nearby.
Rain Date: In the event of inclement weather, participants will be notified in advance, no later than 8PM the evening prior if the event is to be rescheduled.
Tickets: This is a free event but registration and emergency contact waiver is required.
*Waiver and Emergency Contact: Registrants must fill out the emergency contact form in advance: https://forms.gle/iQpZAg3Q1RdcCZ1a8
Hike Leaders:
Dr. William Miller is a licensed professional geologist and a professor emeritus at UNC Asheville where he was a professor of environmental studies. Miller focuses on metals, ores, and the geology of the Blue Ridge. He has served on several state and professional boards relating to mining and geology. He has also led several hikes to the Ray Mine.
This hike is co-led by Trevor Freeman, AMoH public programs director. He has an MA in American history and is interested in both Appalachian and environmental history. He is also wilderness first aid/CPR certified.
For questions, please contact Trevor Freeman at [email protected]
(Image: UNCA students on a hike to the Ray Mine with Dr. Miller; An unidentified mica mine in North Carolina, courtesy Forest History Society)
Join us Saturday, September 23, 2023 for the Inaugural TreeTops Trail Races in DuPont State Recreational Forest near Brevard, North Carolina!
The races offer a unique opportunity to explore the spectacular 10,000 acres of rolling hills and towering trees that make up this beautiful forest. Run or walk in the one mile or 5k run/walk events, or take on the 8.5 mile challenging trail race – but beware! With nearly 1,000 feet of elevation gain it’s no walk in the park!
Celebrate your journey through nature with a super unique succulent plant for all participants and a finisher medal for those who tackle the 8.5 mile course. Join us at the Dupont Forest Festival afterwards from 10am – 3pm to visit with vendors, hike, yoga, bike, hunt waterfalls and learn outdoor recreation tips to last you a lifetime. Admission to the festival is FREE!
The TreeTops Trail Races are not just any ordinary event – they’re an exclusive experience only available within Dupont State Forest! So don’t miss out on this tree-mendous event and join us for an unforgettable journey through DuPont State Forest – roots down, branches up!
To honor and celebrate the rich history of environmental stewardship at Chimney
Rock State Park, join us for an after hours sunset hike to the top of the Chimney
with one of the original stewards of the park. Along the way, we will place the
Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail marker on this newly designated trail.
Note: This trail is considered difficult.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Join us in a toast at Chimney Rock Brewing Company to commemorate the newly designated Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail and honor our volunteers. After the toast, stick around for a campfire with s’mores and ghost stories! No registration required.
This unique weekend retreat was developed to refresh stroke survivors and caregivers from the many challenges related to stroke recovery and is open to stroke survivors, caregivers, family members and friends. This is a weekend of education, socialization, relaxation and support, including crafts, games, activities, pampering, rock climbing and nature walks. This is Mission Health’s 8th year sponsoring this event, and it will be held at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain.
Join us in The Solarium to discover your strongest you with a 45-minute full-body sculpt class featuring low impact movements to high impact music that’ll get you in the groove.
Join us for a rejuvenating experience of forest bathing with renowned nature therapist Christa Hebal. This in-person event will take place at Asheville Integrative Psychiatry in Candler, NC, USA. Immerse yourself in the healing power of nature as Christa guides you through a mindful and meditative journey in the beautiful forest. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with the tranquility of the natural world. Don’t miss this opportunity to find peace and harmony in the midst of nature’s embrace. Limited spots available, so reserve yours now!
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It has long been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Looking ahead to cold & flu season, do your future self a favor and prepare for wellness now. Join author, teacher, and homesteader Ashley English as she shares information about and demos how to create the following fall and winter home apothecary remedies: Elderberry & Honey Syrup Ashley English is the author of 11 books, including all 5 books in her “Homemade Living series” (Canning & Preserving, Keeping Chickens, Keeping Bees, Home Dairy, and Home Apothecary), as well as A Year of Pies; Quench; Handmade Gatherings; A Year Of Picnics; The Essential Book of Homesteading; and Southern From Scratch. She holds degrees in holistic nutrition and sociology, and is an alumnus of both The University of North Carolina at Asheville and Clayton College of Natural Health. She has worked over the years with a number of nonprofit organizations committed to social and agricultural issues. She regularly contributes to a number of international, national, and regional print publications. This program is financially supported by the Friends of Fairview Library |
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Distance: 10.5 miles
Difficulty: Very strenuous (10+). 10+ mile hike with significant elevation change.
Cost: FREE for all participants (pre-registration is required)
Join the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to celebrate our “For Love of Beer and Mountains” partnerships. This hike to Clawhammer Mountain, namesake of Highland Brewing Company’s seasonal Clawhammer Oktoberfest Lager, will be a long and strenuous 10+ mile trip along multi-use trails that traverse mountain bike, equestrian, and hiking trails as well as forest service roads. We will follow the trails up a steep climb along a creek, through wildflower patches and rich cove forest. From Clawhammer Cove to the summit, we will climb close to 1,900 feet to finish at 4,072 ft elevation. The cliff-top view at the summit offers scenic views of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Looking Glass in Pisgah National Forest.
This hike is part of our corporate partnership with Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, NC. Highland donates a portion of sales of seasonal releases during the “release party” at the Tasting Room in Asheville to support SAHC’s land and water conservation efforts, and we lead guided hikes for folks to experience and enjoy the natural landscapes for which these seasonal brews are named.
Please Note: There are a couple single log bridges, muddy areas, rocky and steep inclines and a chance of yellow jackets; SAHC wants to provide a fun and safe trip so please be aware of these conditions.
What To Bring: Hiking boots, hiking poles (optional), packed lunch, 2 liters of water, jacket/rain gear. Please dress in layers.
Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash.
Leader: Katie Greer, AmeriCorps Community Engagement and Education member. For questions or more info, contact Katie at [email protected]
Are you ready to fully receive? A life of plenty and great abundance in every aspect of life is your birthright. In this program, Adora will guide you through the mystical practices of manifestation with 3 6 9 and how to harness ancient alchemical practices in a modern-day world. You will then be able to use this knowledge daily to open and receive in more harmonious and abundant ways. You will experience rare and sacred aromatics, crystal healing, and vibrational attunement to open, clear and activate your frequence and elevate your magnetic point of attraction with the universe.
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Join us in The Solarium for a powerful workshop led by Rachele Scevola aka The Breath Nurse.
Rachele will guide you through a transformational breathwork session to help tap into your inner beauty, allowing you to bloom into our most vibrant, abundant, and radiant version of yourself—from the inside out.
For more information and to reserve your spot, purchase your tickets on eventbrite.
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Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders Annual HEAL Conference addresses disordered eating and eating disorders recovery by presenting experts from various sectors of the industry. HEAL offers professional development and networking opportunities as well as education for the general public. This program, now in its 16th year, is expanding through collaboration with MAHEC.
Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders (CRC for ED) and Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) are pleased to present the 2023 HEAL Conference. This program addresses disordered eating and eating disorders recovery by experts speaking on the most current research and practices. HEAL offers professional development and networking for providers as well as education for the general public. The annual conference, now in its 16th year, is expanding through collaboration between CRC for ED and MAHEC.
The 2023 program includes educational sessions, a networking event, and a care-for-the-provider retreat after lunch Friday!
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Join us for the 16th Annual Triad LUNGe Forward 5K Run, Walk & Celebration! It will be a day of celebration and remembrance, as well as a day to take action and provide hope to those impacted by lung cancer, fueling Lung Cancer Initiative’s research, education and access programs right here in our community. Your support will make an impact in the fight against lung cancer.
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Join us for a beautiful sound healing concert inside the Salt Cave. The concert will be preformed by Billy From @Skinny Beats Sound Shop. Come enjoy the sounds of the handpan, gong, crystal bowls as well as many other various instruments. The music will vibrate through the walls of the salt cave and reach to the deepest part of your soul. These two treatments combined create wonderful space for deep healing.
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Western North Carolina’s most popular, scenic, fall half marathon & 8k, mostly flat, lots of fun, and spectator-friendly!
The 4th Annual Black Bear Half Marathon & 8k presented by Hunter Subaru, both wind through Hendersonville, NC (near Asheville) on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. A Virtual Half Marathon and 8k running option is also available for runners who want to be part of the race weekend experience, but are not able to attend the in-person event.
The Black Bear Half & 8k both offer a scenic, mostly flat course along the Oklawaha Greenway during peak leaf season in the fall. The Half Marathon has less than 400 feet of elevation gain and you won’t want to miss it! We’d like to give a huge thanks to our 2023 Half Marathon & 8k presenting sponsor: Hunter Subaru, for all that they do to help create this amazing event.
Both races finish at the same location in Hendersonville, North Carolina at Jackson Park.
EXCITING NEWS!!
The Black Bear Half Marathon & 8k presented by Hunter Subaru is now USATF sanctioned and certified!
Half Marathon USATF Certification Number – NC22016DF
8k USATF Certification Number – NC22015DF