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.

Saturday, September 9, 2023
Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 9 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Sep 9 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Monday, September 11, 2023
Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 11 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Volunteer for the Annual Pedestrian/Bike Count
Sep 12 all-day
TBA
family of four riding bikes on the greenway

The City’s Transportation Department is gearing up for its Annual Pedestrian/Bike Count to take place again this year. Each year, the counts are held the week after Labor Day. Counts are taken on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday. This year, the dates are Sept 12th – 14th & 16th. The hours are on weekday mornings from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. or afternoons from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. On Saturday, counts are from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Data collected helps staff identify bike/pedestrian trends and also helps in implementation of the recently adopted GAP Plan.

Volunteers are the backbone of this effort. No special skills or previous experience is required to volunteer.

Community members can sign up to volunteer a couple of different ways:

We will do our best to assign volunteers based on their location preferences but ask that folks have some flexibility. Community members are encouraged to sign up by early September.

All volunteers that complete their shift and submit the data they collected will be entered into a random drawing to receive a free annual membership from The Flying Bike (Thank you to The Flying Bike!).

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 12 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Dark City Poet’s Society
Sep 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Writing Workshop: Telling Poems with Eric Nelson
Sep 12 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online

The oldest and most common advice poets hear is “show don’t tell.” But what does that mean, exactly? What is the difference between showing and telling? Why is “showing” better? Most of us write poems to tell readers something, to share our ideas. Many poets—from as far back as John Donne to as recent as Stephen Dunn–do a lot of telling in their poems. So why are we always advised not to tell? In this workshop we will discuss these questions. In the process, we will look at a few well-known poems to see how–or if—they show rather than tell, and we will do some writing exercises that may help us arrive at some conclusions about this persistent advice.

This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Microsoft Teams for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop at workshop link

Eric Nelson’s most recent poetry collection, Horse Not Zebra, won both a Da Vinci Eye Award for cover art and an Honorable Mention in Poetry from the 2023 Eric Hoffer Book Awarda. His poems have appeared in many journals, including Poetry, The Sun, The Oxford American, and The Missouri Review. Among his awards are the 2014 Gival Press Poetry Book Award for Some Wonder; the 2004 X.J. Kennedy Poetry Award for Terrestrials, chosen by Maxine Kumin; the Arkansas Poetry Award for The Interpretation of Waking Life (1991); the Split Oak Press Chapbook Award for The Twins (2009); the Georgia Author of the Year Award (2005), and fellowships to the Hambidge Center for the Arts and the Virginia Center for Creative Arts. He taught writing and literature courses at Georgia Southern University for twenty-six years before retiring in 2015 and moving to Asheville, where he lives with his wife, Stephanie Tames, and teaches in the Great Smokies Writing Program. www.ericnelsonpoet.com.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Volunteer for the Annual Pedestrian/Bike Count
Sep 13 all-day
TBA
family of four riding bikes on the greenway

The City’s Transportation Department is gearing up for its Annual Pedestrian/Bike Count to take place again this year. Each year, the counts are held the week after Labor Day. Counts are taken on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday. This year, the dates are Sept 12th – 14th & 16th. The hours are on weekday mornings from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. or afternoons from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. On Saturday, counts are from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Data collected helps staff identify bike/pedestrian trends and also helps in implementation of the recently adopted GAP Plan.

Volunteers are the backbone of this effort. No special skills or previous experience is required to volunteer.

Community members can sign up to volunteer a couple of different ways:

We will do our best to assign volunteers based on their location preferences but ask that folks have some flexibility. Community members are encouraged to sign up by early September.

All volunteers that complete their shift and submit the data they collected will be entered into a random drawing to receive a free annual membership from The Flying Bike (Thank you to The Flying Bike!).

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 13 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Working Wednesdays: Invasive Removal
Sep 13 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

Meet a Ranger at the Rumbling Bald Climbing access as we hack trough some invasive plants that threaten the biodiversity of the gorge. Tools provided. Wear sturdy boots, bring gloves, and water. No registration required.

Note: This event takes place at the Rumbling Bald park access.

Burial Volunteer Day + Lunch and Learn
Sep 13 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Burial Brewing South Slope

 

Join RiverLink in partnership with Burial Brewing for a volunteer opportunity from 10am-12pm next Wednesday, September 13. Volunteers will receive a $20 gift card to Burial and are invited to join us at Burial’s South Slope location from 12pm-1pm for a “Lunch & Learn” to learn more about RiverLink and the work we do.

To sign up, please email [email protected] with your contact info and the subject line “RiverLink Volunteer.”

Thursday, September 14, 2023
Volunteer for the Annual Pedestrian/Bike Count
Sep 14 all-day
TBA
family of four riding bikes on the greenway

The City’s Transportation Department is gearing up for its Annual Pedestrian/Bike Count to take place again this year. Each year, the counts are held the week after Labor Day. Counts are taken on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday. This year, the dates are Sept 12th – 14th & 16th. The hours are on weekday mornings from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. or afternoons from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. On Saturday, counts are from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Data collected helps staff identify bike/pedestrian trends and also helps in implementation of the recently adopted GAP Plan.

Volunteers are the backbone of this effort. No special skills or previous experience is required to volunteer.

Community members can sign up to volunteer a couple of different ways:

We will do our best to assign volunteers based on their location preferences but ask that folks have some flexibility. Community members are encouraged to sign up by early September.

All volunteers that complete their shift and submit the data they collected will be entered into a random drawing to receive a free annual membership from The Flying Bike (Thank you to The Flying Bike!).

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 14 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Visiting Writers Series: An Evening with Poet Donika Kelly and Memoirist Melissa Febos
Sep 14 @ 7:00 pm
Highsmith Student Union, Blue Ridge Room (202/203)

Poet Donika Kelly and memoirist Melissa Febos will present a reading at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14 in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith Union, Blue Ridge Room.

Donika Kelly is the author of “The Renunciations,” winner of the Anisfield-Wolf book award in poetry, and Bestiary, the winner of the 2015 Cave Canem Poetry Prize, a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and a Kate Tufts Discovery Award. A recipient of a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, she is a Cave Canem graduate fellow and founding member of the collective Poets at the End of the World. Her poems have been published in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Paris Review, and elsewhere. She is an assistant professor in the English Department at the University of Iowa, where she teaches creative writing.

Melissa Febos is the bestselling author of four books, including “Girlhood,” which won the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism and has been translated into seven languages; and “Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative.” Her fifth book, “The Dry Season,” is forthcoming from Alfred A. Knopf. Her work has recently appeared in The Paris Review, The New Yorker, The Sun, The New York Times Magazine, The Best American Essays, Vogue, and New York Review of Books. Febos is a professor at the University of Iowa.

Friday, September 15, 2023
Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 15 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Saturday, September 16, 2023
Volunteer for the Annual Pedestrian/Bike Count
Sep 16 all-day
TBA
family of four riding bikes on the greenway

The City’s Transportation Department is gearing up for its Annual Pedestrian/Bike Count to take place again this year. Each year, the counts are held the week after Labor Day. Counts are taken on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday. This year, the dates are Sept 12th – 14th & 16th. The hours are on weekday mornings from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. or afternoons from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. On Saturday, counts are from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Data collected helps staff identify bike/pedestrian trends and also helps in implementation of the recently adopted GAP Plan.

Volunteers are the backbone of this effort. No special skills or previous experience is required to volunteer.

Community members can sign up to volunteer a couple of different ways:

We will do our best to assign volunteers based on their location preferences but ask that folks have some flexibility. Community members are encouraged to sign up by early September.

All volunteers that complete their shift and submit the data they collected will be entered into a random drawing to receive a free annual membership from The Flying Bike (Thank you to The Flying Bike!).

Build Crew Work Days Hendersonville Theatre
Sep 16 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

We’re putting our build crew back together and we’d love to have you join us. Every 2 weeks, we’ll meet at 9 am for hands-on set construction! Whether your talents are building, painting, or you just want to learn, come out and join us every other Saturday for some creative fun. Tools and work gloves are helpful but not required

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 16 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Sep 16 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Monday, September 18, 2023
Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 18 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 19 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Tree Nursery Workdays
Sep 19 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sand Hill Tree Nursery

Join us for workdays in the Sand Hill native tree nursery. Tasks vary and often include repotting, weeding, mulching, and other special projects to improve infrastructure and function.

First – third Tuesdays of the month
10am – 12pm

Need to know

Please come dressed in work clothes with close toed shoes. Bring water and sun protection. All other gear and supplies are provided.

Fall Phonebank Launch
Sep 19 @ 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Buncombe Democrats HQ

Whether you are an experienced, reluctant or new & curious phone banker, this brief training will prepare you for making important calls to people in our most rural precincts who tend to vote for Democrats, but not often enough! Bring your fully charged phone and laptop so you’ll be all set to make calls.

Snacks, drinks, and lots of camaraderie on hand!

All Buncombe Democrats who are willing to make phone calls should attend.

Dark City Poet’s Society
Sep 19 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 20 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Working Wednesdays: Trail Work
Sep 20 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Cost: Free

Meet a Ranger at the Eagle Rock Access as we move some dirt on the Weed Patch Mountain Trial. Tools provided. Wear sturdy boots, bring gloves, and water. No registration required.

Note: This event takes place in the Eagle Rock park access.

Thursday, September 21, 2023
Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 21 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Friday, September 22, 2023
Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 22 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

Saturday, September 23, 2023
Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers
Sep 23 @ 9:00 am
 Verner Center for Early

Verner Center for Early Learning needs volunteers!

For over 20 years, Verner Center is a local nonprofit in Asheville that primarily serves children ages 0-5 years who are living in high-risk vulnerable situations. They have a variety of needs – ranging from holding babies, helping with clerical duties, keeping their library tidy and up to date with books donated, teaching the children in the garden they have planted, general upkeep and maintenance of the garden, and reading with the children.

They have two locations – one in Swannanoa and one in West Asheville.

36th Annual WNC Big Sweep
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Zen Tubing

Join us for the 36th annual WNC Big Sweep! During Big Sweep, volunteers across North Carolina are taking action by cleaning litter on their streets or in their waterways. For this event, we will be in the river collecting trash!

We rely on financial support from our community to offer public programs. You can reserve your spot with a donation of any amount starting at $1 — if cost is a barrier to your participation, please call us at (828) 254-1776, and we will register you. Your gift today helps us continue keeping our environment clean and fighting the disproportionate impacts of climate change. If you can’t attend but would still like to make a gift, please visit ashevillegreenworks.org/donate.

Need to know

For this event, we will be IN THE RIVER! Please wear swim gear, quick dry shorts, and tops. River sandals, tevas, chacos, water socks, and old sneakers are all great. Please, no bare feet, flops, or slides. Ages 13+ with a parent or guardian. Please bring along a towel for the ride home.

Our friends at Zen Tubing have offered to shuttle us to our put-in location (220 Amboy Rd, Asheville, NC 28806). Then we will float down the French Broad and make our way back to Zen Tubing, where we will have our afterparty celebration!

We will let everyone know the day before if we need to cancel the trip due to changing river conditions or thunderstorms.

We look forward to getting in the water with you.