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.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024
CYCLE 1 Art Collective Debut Reception
May 22 all-day
The Radical Third Floor Art Gallery

The Radical will be hosting the debut reception for CYCLE 1, the inaugural art show at The Radical Hotel’s third-floor art gallery. The opening reception for CYCLE 1 will be located in the gallery outside Golden Hour, and wine will be provided.

The show will be on display for three months, featuring works from friends of the brand and artists in the River Arts District including Colton Mitchell Dion, Stephen Louis Lange, Rebecca Harnish, Ignacio Michaud, Elizabeth Porritt Carrington, Shela Anmuth, Shannon Owens, Kevin Andrew, Debbie Michaelson, Molly Sawyer, Dan Reid, Olivia Gamboa, Stacy Kraft, Emery and Belle Epoque. Some participating artists will be in attendance during the opening event.

Digital: ASAP’s 2024–25 Local Food Guide
May 22 all-day
online w/ ASAP

ASAP’s Local Food Guide, the annual free publication for finding local food and farms, is updated for the 2024–25 season. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian GrownTM certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, artisan producers, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to listing content, the 2024–25 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Delia Jovel Dubón of Tierra Fértil Coop (pictured on the cover) talks about creating a sense of belonging for the Hispanic immigrant community in Henderson County. Lyric and Noah East of Wild East Farm in McDowell County detail the journey through their first full year of farming and how they’ve arrived at “a rough draft that’s working.” Kaci Nidiffer of The Liar’s Table in Avery County shares how scaling up and opening several retail spaces have created stronger connections with customers and community. Rounding out the issue are recipes from farmers at Two Trees Farm (Sustainabillies), Lee’s One Fortune Farm, Two Stones Farm + Mill, Carringer Farms, and Terra Lingua Growers.

 

“The Local Food Guide is such a beautiful way to share the stories of this place,” said Sarah Hart, ASAP’s Communications and Engagement Director. “To emphasize that sense of place, listings in this year’s Guide are organized into nine subregions with a short intro on what makes local farms in each area unique.”

 

Look for the Guide at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. Copies of the Guide are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area or if you are interested in distributing Guides at your business.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, location, activities, and more.

 

Funding for the Local Food Guide was made possible in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program, Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. Support was also provided by Dogwood Health Trust, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, and Asheville Regional Airport.

DIY River + Road Cleanups
May 22 all-day
Asheville Area

Whenever you want!

 

Supplies available at

2 Sulphur Springs Road

If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776.

Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request).

Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information.

Need to know

Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup.

Future Organic Growing + Living Programs Survey
May 22 all-day
online w/ Organic Grower School

We want to hear from you about what classes & workshops

you’d be interested in!

We would greatly appreciate if you took a minute out of your day to fill out this quick survey so we can best serve our community through our educational programming.

Grant Center Swimming Pool
May 22 all-day
Grant Center Pool

Swimming Pools

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

  • Individual – $3 per session
  • Individual Season Pass – $100
  • Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

Events

  • Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.
  • Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

    Dates of Operation:
    Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
    Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
    August 12th through September 2nd

    Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

    Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
    Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
    Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
    Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

    Cost is $3 per person per day

Haunted History + Murder MYstery Tour
May 22 all-day
Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville

Sit back if you dare as we illuminate Asheville’s darkest history with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem.

Hear stories of . . .

  The legendary PINK LADY at the Grove Park Inn
  The GHOST of Church Street
  The 1936 UNSOLVED MURDER that shook Asheville
  The CHILD SPIRITS at the haunted hospital
  The architect walled into his own church!
  The KILLING SPREE of 1906
  NAZI AGENTS based in Asheville
  ARSON at hospital that claimed Zelda Fitzgerald

Hey Asheville: City Comedy Tour • Ages 13+ Only
May 22 all-day
LaZoom Room Bar & Gorilla

Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!

Duration

1 hour and 30 minutes

About

Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!

Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!

Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.

Age Restrictions

13 and up. No exceptions.

Stops

10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery

What’s Included

Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop

What’s Not Included

Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.

Hop-on/Hop-off SIGHTSEEING TOUR
May 22 all-day
Asheville Area

There is no better way to DISCOVER and EXPLORE Asheville!  Hop-on board one of Gray Line’s nostalgic trolleys for a fully narrated day tour, highlighting the history, homes, hang-outs and hot spots of this “city of surprises.”

Tour Highlights include  .  .  .  Downtown Asheville  |  Montford Historic District  |  The Grove Park Inn and Grove Park Historic District  |  Thomas Wolfe District  |  Pack Square and Asheville Art Museum  |  Grove Arcade  |  River Arts District  |  Biltmore Village

Hop-On and hear the story of a city rich in architecture, history and the arts  . . .

Hop-Off and experience its eclectic shops and galleries; its world class culinary and craft brew scenes.

Tour Duration:  The complete tour (one loop) lasts approximately 90 to 100 minutes.  There is an additional 15 minute stop at the Asheville Visitor Center.  The Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour ticket is valid for TWO consecutive days.

Departure Points: Join the Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour at any of the 10 stops.  If you’re driving in to join the tour, Stop 1, the Asheville Visitor Center may be your best option.  The Visitor Center, located at 36 Montford Ave. just off I-240 at Exit 4C, offers free parking (on a first come-first served basis) and restrooms. The Asheville Visitor Center is the ONLY place to join the Overview Tour.

LEAF SUMMER CAMPS registration open
May 22 – May 21 all-day
LEAF Global Arts

LEAF Schools & Streets invites your students to join us at LEAF Global Arts for summer camps, which run June 17-August 23 at 19 Eagle Street downtown. Registration is open!

Most camps are for rising first-graders through rising sixth-graders, with the addition of the ‘Making a Music Video’ and ‘Songwriting and Recording’ camps for middleschoolers and highschoolers.

SUMMER CAMPS

• June 17-21 – World Dance

• June 24-28 – West African Culture: Drumming, Dance, Clothing & Food

• July 8-12 – Blues

• July 15-19 – LEAF International Haiti

• July 22-25 – Making a Music Video: Songwriting, Recording, and Film-Making*

• July 29-August 2 – Stop Motion Animation

• August 12-15 – Songwriting and Recording*

• August 19-23 – World-Changing Visual Art

*middle and high school, all others are rising 1st-6th

Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 22 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Mile High Swinging Bridge
May 22 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

One of the top highlights and memories of visits to Grandfather Mountain nature park is walking across the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. Since 1952, visitors have “oohed” and “aahed” at the bridge’s 360-degree panoramic views. America’s highest suspension footbridge gives easy access to the spectacular views atop Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak, elevation 5,305 feet.

The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation (hence the name!). To reach the Mile High Swinging Bridge, drive the two-mile, winding scenic road up the mountain to the summit parking area by the Top Shop. Climb 50 stairs adjacent to the parking area or inside the Top Shop to reach the short pathway to the bridge. Also, an elevator in the Top Shop takes you to the third floor for a level walk to the bridge.

Top Shop

Located adjacent to the Bridge, the Top Shop features a gift shop, snacks, restrooms, elevator and second-floor exhibition area. Also get the latest park information and trail maps. Read more.

Accessibility

Inside the Top Shop, an elevator makes the Mile High Swinging Bridge accessible to people with mobility challenges, including those in wheelchairs. From the Top Shop, there is a paved 50-yard path to the bridge. Read more about our accessibility.

Tickets & Hours

Walking across the Mile High Swinging Bridge is included in your Grandfather Mountain admission ticket that includes many other things to do in our nature park. Buy tickets online and book a reservation time to enter the park. You do not need a separate reservation for the bridge. It’s open, weather permitting, every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. See hours.

More to Explore

Before or after visiting the Mile High Swinging Bridge, allow time to enjoy other parts of the mountain: wildlife habitats, Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, restaurant, hiking trails, roadside overlooks, picnic areas and more. See more Things to Do.

Nearby Hiking Trails

Trailheads to many of the Grandfather Mountain hiking trails are located near the Swinging Bridge. In fact, the 0.4 mile Bridge Trail takes you beneath the bridge, starting from the Black Rock parking area just below the summit. For details on our nearby trails, go to our Hiking Guide.

Bridge Tips & Tidbits

  • Does it really swing? Very little — unlike the original one. Today’s bridge is made of steel and reinforced with cables and springs. It has railings on the sides to ensure safety.
  • We suggest you wear rubber-soled shoes and walk with care when crossing the rocks on the far side of the bridge.
  • If heights give you pause, you can still enjoy Blue Ridge Mountain views from the ground before you reach the bridge and even from the parking area.
  • Due to periodic extreme weather conditions at the bridge, it closes when there is area lightning, high wind or icy conditions.
  • The official U.S. Weather Service Reporting Station atop the Mile High Swinging Bridge has provided daily weather observations since 1955. The temperature is usually 10 to 20 degrees cooler than in the flatlands you see below. It’s also one of the windiest locations in North Carolina, with a 124-mph record set in winter 2019. Learn more about our weather.
  • Pets are allowed on the bridge if well behaved and on a leash.
  • Photographs and videos to remember your visit are encouraged. Be mindful of sharp drop-offs along the Linville Peak ridge. Drones are not allowed. See our photography policies.
  • The Singing Bridge? When the wind blows, the Mile High Swinging Bridge “sings” in the same way as a harmonica.
  • In April through October, join Grandfather’s expert naturalists by the Bridge for Interpretive Talks about the our unique weather, climate, flora and fauna. Read more.
  • Need driving directions? The address for Grandfather Mountain’s entrance gate is 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646 (click link for Google Maps). There are no shuttles, so you must have your own vehicle to explore our nature park. No RVs longer than 28 feet in length or hinged vehicles are allowed through the Entrance Gate. See detailed directions.
  • To see much more info, see our Plan Your Visit section.

Mile High Swinging Bridge History

Former North Carolina Tourism Director Charles J. Parker coined the name “Mile High Swinging Bridge” at the Bridge’s dedication in 1952. The term “mile high” refers to the structure’s elevation above sea level (5,280 feet). The term “swinging” refers to the fact that suspension bridges are free to sway.

The original 1952 bridge was designed by Charles Hartmann Jr. of Greensboro, N.C. It was fabricated in Greensboro and then reassembled on top of the Mountain. Erecting the bridge took three weeks, a process slowed by inclement weather created by a hurricane off the North Carolina coast. Cost was $15,000. It was dedicated on Sept. 2, 1952 by North Carolina Gov. William B. Umstead.

The bridge was rebuilt in 1999 using the original towers. The cables, floor boards and side rails were all replaced using galvanized steel. One of the main advantages of the modern building materials is that they do not have to be painted. Now, Grandfather Mountain employees will not have to hang out over the gorge to paint the span. It was redesigned by Sutton, Kennerly & Associates Engineering of Asheville, N.C., and rebuilt by Taylor & Murphy Construction Company of Asheville. The cost of rebuilding was $300,000.

Recreation Park Swimming Pool
May 22 all-day
Recreation Park

Swimming Pools

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

  • Individual – $3 per session
  • Individual Season Pass – $100
  • Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

Events

  • Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.
  • Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

    Dates of Operation:
    Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
    Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
    August 12th through September 2nd

    Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

    Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
    Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
    Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
    Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

    Cost is $3 per person per day

Summer Adult Kickball League—–registration open
May 22 all-day
online

Play like a kid again in Buncombe County Parks & Recreation’s first summer adult co-ed kickball league! The league will take place over the span of 4 weeks, culminating in a final game where all teams will have the chance to compete for the title. Games will take place on every Tuesday during the month of June from 6-8 p.m. at Charles D. Owen Park (875 Warren Wilson Road in Swannanoa). Each game will last 45 minutes, or 7 innings.

This kickball league prioritizes recreational enjoyment over competitiveness, and emphasizes a social environment where participants can make new friends while having fun. Participants of all skill levels and backgrounds are welcome. “Kickball is a timeless sport that encourages friendly competition, laughter and exercise,” says Program Coordinator, Mac Stanley. “This is a wonderful way to spend time with friends at one of our many beautiful parks.”

Registration for the kickball league opens on May 6, and closes on May 24. There must be 4 teams total, with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 players per team. The cost to participate is $150 per team. All team members must be over 18 years old. The opening game is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4th at 6:00 p.m. on Field 1 at Charles D. Owen Park. A full game schedule will be provided to team captains prior to the start of the season. Teams can register here

Email [email protected] for additional information.

Summer Soiree online auction
May 22 all-day
online w/ Pardee Hospital Foundation

Excitement is in the air as we gear up for our inaugural Summer Soiree on June 21st in support of UNC Health Pardee, and we want YOU to be a part of the action NOW!

Even if you can’t join us in person, you can still make a difference by participating in our thrilling online auction.

Check out Just a Few of the Items Up for Grabs

More Items Being Added Daily!

Boca Grande Luxury Vacation Home

Bodega Bay Wine Country & Golf Package

Sedona – the Ultimate Spa Getaway

Generac GP2500i Residential Portable Generator

VIP Chef Blue Hibachi Dinner

Golf at Hendersonville Country Club

From over a dozen luxurious getaways to tantalizing dining experiences and coveted golf packages, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

And the best part?

New items are added daily, so be sure to check back often to discover the latest treasures available!

By participating in our online auction, you’re treating yourself to incredible experiences and making a meaningful contribution to the Pardee Hospital Foundation. Your generosity will directly impact the lives of individuals in our community by supporting vital healthcare initiatives and programs.

So, whether you’re a seasoned bidder or new to the thrill of auctions, now is your chance to make a difference while indulging in some fantastic opportunities.

PS. Mark your calendars and spread the word to friends, family, and colleagues about the June 21st Summer Soiree at Kenmure. Let’s make this Summer Soiree and online auction an event to remember!

START BIDDING!
Table for Three raffle
May 22 all-day
online

Tickets for our 2024 Table for Three raffle will go on sale March 15, 2024! Table for Three is MANNA’s partnership with the Asheville-area’s nationally-recognized independent restaurant scene. You could win an incredible grand prize: a meal for two at 52 of the Asheville-area’s top local restaurants. That’s a year’s worth of dining out at a value of more than $3,000!

The best part is that each ticket supports MANNA’s vital work to provide food to Western North Carolina neighbors struggling to make ends meet. With every ticket sold, we can provide enough food to feed one person a daily meal … for more than an entire year. That’s why we call it Table for Three!

TICKETS ARE $124

Table for Three raffle tickets are $124 each. This is a very intentional ticket price: $124 is what it costs MANNA to feed one person a meal a day for more than one year. With every ticket purchased, you help set the table for a neighbor facing food insecurity.

THE GRAND PRIZE

The winner will receive gift certificates to 52 different Asheville-area restaurants. The gift certificates are transferrable, so you can share them with friends and family, give them as client gifts, or, of course, use them all yourself!

Gift certificates do not include tax or gratuity and cannot be used for alcohol. Some restaurants may limit use during holidays or special events. Certificates can be used for dine-in or carry-out service in cases where the restaurant offers the carry-out option.

THE WINNER

A single winner will be drawn via livestream on MANNA’s Facebook page on or before Friday, May 15. All raffle ticket holders will be notified in advance of the exact day and time of the drawing. Ticketholders do not need to be tuned into the livestream to win. The winner will be asked to come to MANNA (on a day and time following the drawing, and agreed upon by the winner and MANNA), to claim their prize. And then … let the dining begin!

THE FINE PRINT

Tickets are $124 each. The drawing will take place on/before May 15, 2024, via livestream on MANNA’s Facebook page. Only 500 tickets will be sold. This is a fundraising project, and all ticket sales benefit MANNA FoodBank. Tickets may be sold to MANNA employees, board members, and other affiliated individuals. The Table for Three Raffle is open only to those who are 18 years of age or older as of March 14, 2023, and who possess a valid government-issued ID. Ticketholders do not need to be tuned in to the livestream to win. According to Internal Revenue Service regulations, no portion of the raffle ticket purchase qualifies as a tax-deductible donation.

The AgSouth Growing Our Communities Grant
May 22 all-day
online

Apply Now through June 30, 2024!

APPLY NOW

Keeping the future of agriculture bright 

Each year, AgSouth Farm Credit supports non-profit organizations and farmers markets with grants of up to $5,000 to help in their endeavors and to further the future of agriculture in our region of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Grant Mission & Objectives

The AgSouth Growing Our Communities Grant’s mission is to build strong partnerships and alliances, leveraging the resources within our grant program to preserve and promote the farmer, the family, and our communities. The grant has three main objectives:

  • Invest in the future of agriculture.
  • Enhance and impact the quality of life in the AgSouth territory.
  • Be recognized as a leading corporate citizen in the AgSouth territory.

Applications

The AgSouth Growing Our Communities Grant operates on an application-based grant system. Grants will be awarded for up to $5,000 per organization per year. To be considered for funding, organizations’ values and purpose must align with the grant program’s mission. Applications must be submitted online. You will be asked to attach a copy of your organization’s W9 to the application prior to submission. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. Please make sure you complete all fields prior to submission.

Project Guidance
As part of the application, organizations must submit a project the grant will help fund. Examples of previously funded projects include but are not limited to:

•    Providing farmers market programming for children
•    Purchasing fans for a livestock arena to help cool the animals
•    Developing a comprehensive chick hatching program to give tools and resources to those wanting to raise backyard flocks
•    Opening a demonstration farm in conjunction with a local school district
•    Purchasing grain bin rescue equipment for fire and rescue teams
•    Funding a bee-keeping education program for vulnerable youths
•    Purchasing an irrigation system at a local Farmers Market
•    Expanding a local church garden space and adding fencing
•    Hosting an annual agricultural event
•    Purchasing a cargo trailer to transport livestock equipment
•    Building a school greenhouse

Eligibility Considerations

Grants will be considered for programs only in the 147 counties and geographic areas where AgSouth Farm Credit conducts business. Grants will only be awarded to non-profit organizations and farmers markets and will not be awarded to individuals or private farms.

Funding Cycle

Grant applications will be accepted from April 1 to June 30th, 2024. Proposals will be reviewed and grants will be awarded in Nov-Dec of 2024. Funds awarded maybe utilized by recipients during the 2025 calendar year.

Application Deadline

The 2025 Grant Application period is now open. Applications can be received from April 1 to June 30th, 2024.

The Arts for Schools Grant
May 22 all-day
online

The Arts for Schools Grant supports nonprofit arts organizations and qualified teaching artists in Buncombe County, enabling them to provide arts-focused performances, residencies, workshops, and field trips for students in K-12 public schools. Through 2027, grants will also support arts-focused afterschool programs and camps thanks to an investment from Dogwood Health Trust, which awarded $15 million in multi-year funding grants to support organizations across the region providing high-quality, evidence-based out-of-school-time (OST) programs that have a high impact on young people. Grants for in-school programs range from $500-$2,000, and grants for out-of-school programs (including afterschool and camps) range from $500-$5,000. The application cycle opens May 13 and closes June 17.

The Disney Cruise Raffle
May 22 all-day
online w/ Asheville Community Theatre

Here’s your chance! Asheville Community Theatre is thrilled to offer you the opportunity to win a magical 4-day Disney Cruise for four. By purchasing a raffle ticket, not only do you get a shot at an unforgettable family vacation, but you also support the arts in our community.

Prize Details:

  • A Dream Cruise: The winner and three guests will embark on a 4-day journey to the Bahamas aboard a Disney Cruise ship. You’ll stay in a Veranda Cabin with breathtaking views and top-notch amenities.
  • Customized Experience: Work with our travel agent, David Lloyd of Foothills Travel, to tailor your trip to perfection. Whether it’s exciting onboard activities or exploring the ports, your adventure will be exactly what you’ve dreamed of.
  • Travel Support: We’ve got you covered with an additional $500 to help with transportation to and from Port Canaveral, ensuring a smooth start and end to your magical journey.
  • Complete Assistance: From the moment you win to the end of your cruise, you’ll have personalized support to ensure your trip is seamless and unforgettable.
  • Tickets are just $50 each, making this the perfect opportunity to potentially win a trip valued at $8,800, while supporting Asheville Community Theatre’s mission to enrich our community through the arts.

Don’t miss out on this chance to create lasting memories with your loved ones. Get your tickets now!

Click here to view the complete set of rules.

Transform Lives Through Art: Support the Asheville Art Museum’s Spring Annual Fund
May 22 all-day
Asheville Art Museum

At the Asheville Art Museum, we strive to transform lives through art. We do this by not only inviting people to experience the great works in our galleries, but also by creating opportunities to engage with the rich tapestry of artistic expression unfolding within our city today.

Our dynamic events provide an opportunity for community members and diverse artists to come together, fostering connection and inspiration for all participants. Here’s an example of this work in action: we recently held a Community Day inspired by our latest exhibition The New Salon: A Contemporary View, which celebrates Pop-Surrealist, Graffiti, and Street Art, the event centered around creative activities with a similarly rebellious spirit.

Community members were invited to express the most fantastical corners of their imagination with chalk, visit our Makerspace to design press-on nails with help from Asheville nail artist Rachel Ghazarian, get a glimpse of their future with a tarot reading from Krysta Beth Heidman, or enjoy the perfect soundtrack provided by local DJ Lil Meow Meow. The event concluded with spotlight talks and tours of the exhibition, which includes works from local artists Ian Wilkinson, Maxx Feist, Ishmael Leaver, Danny Reed, and Brian Mashburn, giving visitors the opportunity to engage directly with the works that inspired the day’s activities.

Your generous support is instrumental to initiatives like these, which foster vibrant connections between our community and the talented creatives who make Asheville’s art scene thrive. By contributing to our Spring Annual Fund, you play a crucial role in nurturing artistic excellence and enriching our community through the power of the arts.

Volunteer: Grace Covenant Community Garden
May 22 all-day
YWCA of Asheville

Spring has sprung, and at the YWCA that means that our talented Nutrition team is cooking up new ways to serve fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables to the children in our Early Learning and Empowerment Child Care programs. We are so grateful to be partnering with the wonderful volunteers who operate Grace Covenant’s Community Garden to receive produce grown specifically for our kitchen! The YWCA has been partnering with Grace Covenant for three years, and we have received over 1000 pounds of healthy, local produce from the garden.

YWCA Nutrition Specialist Melinda Aponte works hard to make the most of the bounty from Grace Covenant, and she also nurtures our own YWCA garden to teach kiddos in our childcare programs healthy habits and get them in the garden. Love the idea of helping to feed children fresh, healthy foods? Volunteer with the YWCA Nutrition team this spring and summer to help out in the YW garden space.

XP League Summer Camps
May 22 all-day
XP LEAGUE ASHEVILLE

XP League Camps are designed to engage kids at many different levels. Not only do kids get to meet new friends and improve their skills in the games they love to play, but they will learn about teamwork, communications, sportsmanship, esports health, nutrition, esports psychology, stretching and exercise, mindset and motivation, boosting focus, and so much more.

Led by trained coaches and staff

Designed with on-screen and off-screen activities that focus on teamwork, communication, problem solving, leadership, and critical thinking

Open to all gamers regardless of skill level

Open to gamers ages 7 to 17

CHOOSE XP LEAGUE

WE BUILD CHARACTER, NOT AVATARS.

XP League’s professional coaches teach important skills such as sportsmanship and strategic thinking. Our gamer athletes experience all the benefits of being a part of a youth sports team. XP League is the first esports program to partner with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to ensure that our coaches set the highest standard for competitive youth gaming.

ALL ABILITIES WELCOME

Our programs are designed to fit athletes at all levels. From recreational players to advanced competitive teams, all athletes receive the positive influence and guidance of our experienced coaches.

DOUBLE-GOAL CERTIFIED COACHES

Our coaches aren’t just focused on winning. They want their teams to learn important life lessons as well. Our partnership with PCA, and XP League’s proprietary coach training certification process, equip our coaches with the tools to coach better play while being positive role models for our athletes.

PLAY LIKE THE PROS

All our programs include pro-level game training on professional equipment. We’re the real deal even down to our jerseys.

ACCOUNTABLE, NOT ANONYMOUS

Our athletes are coached to respect the rules and their fellow players. Forget about that anonymous player hiding behind their avatar. We compete hard AND compete fair.

THE HOTTEST GAMES. EPIC EXPERIENCES.

OUR CAMPS

ESPORTS ENTRPRENEUR: RUN YOUR OWN ESPORTS EVENT

Run your own esports event from plan to production and learn how to organize brackets, plan events, create marketing materials, and stream!

MINECRAFT REDSTONE ENGINEERING

Learn how redstone works in Minecraft and how it connects to electrical engineering in real life by building devices!

GAME DESIGN WITH FORTNITE CREATIVE

Learn game design concepts like collision, functions, and conditionals by building games using Fortnite’s Creative mode.

CONTENT CREATION FOR YOUTUBE & TWITCH

Learn how to record and edit video, create your own stream overlays, and learn how to write a script to turn your awesome video ideas into reality!

ESPORTS BOOTCAMP: BETTER PLAYER, BETTER PERSON

Learn the psychology behind rapid improvement and growth while gaining confidence in your skills in your favorite game.

DATES

JUNE 17-21 = Esports Bootcamp: Better Player, Better Person (Featuring Fortnite)*

JULY 8-12 = Esports Entrepreneur: Run your own Esports Event*

JULY 15-19 = Esports Bootcamp: Better Player, Better Person (Featuring Rocket League)*

JULY 22-26 = Game Design with Fortnite Creative*

AUGUST 5-9 = Content Creation for YouTube & Twitch*

AUGUST 12-16 = Esports Bootcamp: Better Player, Better Person (Featuring Fortnite)*

AUGUST 19-23 = Minecraft Redstone Engineering*

*SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO DEMAND

$199 for 5 days of a HALF-DAY morning camp: 8am-12pm

$199 for 5 days of a HALF-DAY afternoon camp: 12:00pm-4:00pm

$349 for 5 days of a FULL-DAY camp – save $50! 8am-4:00pm, bring their own lunch!

YWCA Racial Justice Challenge
May 22 all-day
online
The Racial Justice Challenge

The action component of UJJI, the YWCA Racial Justice Challenge, is also returning this April. The Racial Justice Challenge will begin this year on April 1 and conclude on April 29, and will focus on Bodily Autonomy, Women’s Financial Empowerment, Gun Violence, and Transportation. The YWCA Racial Justice Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. The Challenge works to foster personal reflection, encourage social responsibility, and motivate participants to identify and act on ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.

For four weeks, daily challenge activities (reading an article, listening to a podcast, reflecting on personal experience, etc.) are posted in the Challenge app and on the website, allowing participants to connect with one another, discover how racial and social injustice impact our communities, and identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. Each week covers one of the four featured topics related to equity and social justice. Sign up now, and don’t miss a day of the Challenge.

New Park Pavilion Reservation Software
May 22 @ 8:00 am
online

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is announcing the launch of its new online reservation system for park pavilions.

ACTIVENet, the new online reservation system, allows for a hassle-free user experience for Buncombe County park visitors. With just a few clicks, visitors can make and cancel reservations from the comfort of their home, in addition to checking real-time availability of the pavilions. Park pavilions are located at Lake Jullian, Charles D. Owen, and the Buncombe County Sports Park. Field rental is also available through this new portal.

Key takeaways of the new reservation system include: 

Seamless Interface: The user-friendly layout of the reservation system allows for hassle-free bookings and cancelations.

Real-time Park Pavilion Availability: Users are able to check the availability of the park pavilions at their favorite park, and on their preferred date and time.

Secure Payment: ACTIVENet’s secure payment portal ensures data protection and encryption with Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant technology.

Email confirmations: Once a reservation is made or canceled, users will receive a confirmation email with the details of their booking.

Click here to view a tutorial on how to book a park pavilion. 

To access the new park pavilion reservation system, please visit www.buncombecounty.org/parks. There is a “Reserve & Register” button that will take users directly to the reservation portal. Please note that users must create an account prior to booking a park pavilion. For any inquiries or additional information, please contact [email protected] or call (828) 250-4260.

Less Plastic Asheville Challenge
May 22 @ 9:00 am
Asheville Area
 

This City of Asheville is launching the Less Plastic Asheville Challenge to encourage residents to reduce their consumption of single-use plastics. The campaign has two key features, a social media challenge called Less Plastic Bingo and a Pass on Plastic Pledge. The City will provide information on the impacts of single-use plastic on our community and tips for how our residents can understand and reduce their consumption of single-use plastics at tabling events around town and on our social media platforms. Those participating in the social media challenge can post photos and videos of themselves taking action to reduce single-use plastic consumption.

Those who take the pledge will make commitments to sustainable lifestyle choices such as using reusable grocery bags and refusing single-use plastics. Residents who participate in either the Less Plastic Bingo Challenge or Pass on Plastic Pledge will win great prizes!  The Less Plastic Asheville Challenge will begin in February 14, 2024 and end May 31, 2024. Follow the link at the top of the page to learn more about how you can participate and win these great sustainable items.

 


Background

In October 2022, Asheville City Council directed the Sustainability Department to take a phased approach to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic.

The first phase included an update to Chapter 15 of the City Code to prohibit the use of plastic bags in curbside brush and leaf collection. This ordinance change was approved by City Council on January 10, 2023 and was implemented August 1, 2023. For more information about this change and resources available check out this sanitation webpage.

The second phase included further analysis and stakeholder engagement with area businesses, residents and city staff to inform a recommendation on additional single-use plastic reduction strategies surrounding plastic bags at point of sale and expanded polystyrene (StyrofoamTM) disposable foodware products. To see the results of this engagement read this blog post.

On September 22, 2023 the North Carolina General Assembly approved the state budget that included a law prohibiting local governments from banning single-use plastic products. Due to this regulation, the City cannot adopt an ordinance banning plastic bags or expanded polystyrene (StyrofoamTM) takeout containers. Instead, the City is providing information and resources to residents and businesses to reduce single-use plastic consumption voluntarily through the Less Plastic Asheville Challenge. For more information on the previous plastic-reduction projects go to this webpage.

 


Less Plastic Asheville Challenge

To reduce single-use plastic consumption and litter in our community it will take all of us! We invite you to join us, have a little fun and earn some prizes in the process!

There are two ways to participate in the Less Plastic Asheville Challenge. You can take the Pass on Plastic Pledge and/or play Less Plastic Asheville Bingo. The pledge asks for you to commit to changes in your life to reduce your own plastic footprint, and the Bingo Challenge asks you to spread the word and help educate and inspire others about the issue through social media.

The Pass on Plastic Pledge

The Pass on Plastic Pledge asks you to look at your own habits regarding single-use plastics and commit to practices that cut down your consumption, simple acts that improve our community and the environment. By taking this pledge, you are taking the charge to reduce your own plastic consumption. You can do this in a number of ways and the City of Asheville is here to inspire, support and cheer you on!

When you commit to any one of the sustainable practices in the pledge, you will win plastic reducing prizes from the City.  Your actions alone can reduce hundreds of pounds of plastic waste every year! By taking this pledge, you are showing that you care about the health, cleanliness, and pristine environment of our home in Asheville. It’s a big deal, and the City of Asheville thanks you.

Take the Pass on Plastic Pledge

 

 

Less Plastic Asheville Bingo

This bingo game is a social media challenge. It’s a fun way for you to help spread the word about single-use plastics, and to inspire the people around you to make changes and support sustainable businesses and habits. When you sign up, you will be emailed a bingo card. Once you have your card, follow the steps below in order to earn your swag.

  1. Take videos or pictures to create social media content that matches the descriptions on the bingo card. You can choose any five pieces of content that form a complete bingo row. Content that does not form a straight line bingo will not count.
  2. Post this content on your own social media page (Facebook or Instagram Only) and include the hashtag #LessPlasticAsheville and tag @CityofAsheville.
  3. Copy the links from all five of your posts and send them in a single email to [email protected]. After we check out your great posts we will send you an email with our appreciation letting you know how you can collect your prizes!
  4. If you chose to take the Less Plastic Pledge as one of your bingo items (the center square) please include the email you used to take the pledge as one of your five email items.

Sign up below to receive your Less Plastic Bingo Card.

NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
May 22 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
May 22 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

Summer Splash Water Days
May 22 @ 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Pack Square Park

Splasheville

Splasheville is located in Pack Square Park on 80 Court Plaza. The free splash pad’s regular daily hours are 9.m-8:30pm, but may close for special events or during inclement weather. Check the calendar for scheduled closures.

ART CONNECTIONS TOURS
May 22 @ 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Asheville Art Tour Locations

A morning tour on select Wednesdays and Fridays going to 2 studios – which will always include 1 private glass studio and 1 art studio in a different medium (such as pottery, fiber, books, sculpture, etc).  These will be pre-arranged studio visits – not customized with the participant. Time frame: 9:30a to 12 ~ 12:15p.

Inspired by the Chihuly at Biltmore glass exhibit, this new tour will give participants a chance to meet a local glass artist along with another professional artist in a different medium.  Glass studios included will feature: cast glass, blown glass or cold formed glass.  Glass artists will be one of the following:  Alex Bernstein, Carl Powell, Brad Smith, Robert Stephan or Hayden Wilson.

Dates for the first half of the year are: April 5, 10, 19; May 8, 17, 22; June 12, 14, 21, 26; July 5, 10, 19, 24, 26.

AND If you are a glass collector, or have special interest in meeting more of the regions incredible glass artists, private customized tours are available to book.

 

“Nurtured by Nature” Art Exhibition
May 22 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Village Potters Clay Center 

The Village Potters Clay Center (TVPCC), announces the opening of “Nurtured by Nature”, a special exhibit featuring new works by each of the six resident potters of TVPCC.

When you have six wildly talented, skilled, and creative artists working together, it can be a challenge to pick a singular theme for a show. But it didn’t take long before the resident potters at TVPCC realized that they each had a connection to nature, and it expressed itself in different ways in their lives and work.

Sarah Wells Rolland grew up in Florida near the water and life that grew in and around it. For this exhibit, she has created singular pieces using broad strokes through slip to emulate Water Grass, and her deliciously beautiful glazes invite you to touch. You can almost feel a soft Florida breeze!

Judi Harwood has her work already rooted deeply in nature, using corn husks, bamboo leaves, and other organic materials in her sagger fired vessels. On a recent trip to the beach, she noticed an amazing pattern in the sand from the ebb and flow of the tide dragging shells across the sand. She knew instantly that she needed to carve a similar design in her pieces for Raku and other alternate firing processes, and you will find those pieces in this exhibit.

Caroline Renée Woolard has always had a deep love for nature, in particular the forest and the element of water and the rhythm of waves. You will find these things in the movement of her slip application, and in her carved mushrooms that invite a child-like sense of wonder and joy.

Katie Meili Messersmith is a self-proclaimed math nerd, and she loves the beauty of sequencing and patterning that she achieves in her slip dot applications on her pots. She also sees this beauty of math sequencing in nature, like in the petals of flowers, and has explored this in her work in a stunning series of bowls.

Julia Mann’s work has always been inspired by her love of nature and love of season, as well as her love of women and love of Goddess. Venus of Willendorf remains a guiding influence on her work more than twenty years after carving her first form. Julia has created new Venus pieces as well as pieces inscribed with other symbols of nature that inspire her, from spider webs to trees and mountains.

Lori Theriault grew up on the edge of the woods in central Vermont, and spent many afternoons hiking in the trees, touching each bark to feel what she saw. She also spent many nights star gazing with her father, waiting for an Apollo rocket to fly overhead. Lori represents her love of trees and flowers in functional work with her wax resist designs, and she is exploring more sculptural work in her “Vincent Series” that celebrates her love of a star-filled sky and her love and admiration for Van Gogh’s impasto technique in ‘Starry Night’.

Nurtured by Nature will be on exhibit through the end of June at The Village Potters Clay Center. The gallery is open daily, 10am-5pm.

The Village Potters are Sarah Wells Rolland, Judi Harwood, Lori Theriault, Julia Mann, Katie Meili Messersmith, and Caroline Renée Woolard, along with Director of Operations, Keira Peterson. They comprise an intentional Collective of potters who share a commitment to nurture creative exploration through education, experience, and community. The Village Potters includes a fine craft gallery, a Teaching Center offering ongoing classes in wheel, hand building, and sculpture for adults, an Advanced Ceramic Studies Program, and online demonstrations and workshops. The Village Potters Clay Center is an educational member of The Craft Guild of the Southern Highlands, and is an official distributor for Laguna Clays.

Art Exhibition: Hammer and Hope
May 22 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Center for Craft

Historians estimate that skilled Black artisans outnumbered their white counterparts in the antebellum South by a margin of five to one. However, despite their presence and prevalence in all corners of the pre-industrial trade and craft fields, the stories of these skilled workers go largely unacknowledged.

Borrowing its title from a Black culture and politics magazine of the same name, Hammer and Hope celebrates the life and labor of Black chairmakers in early America. Featuring the work of two contemporary furniture makers – Robell Awake and Charlie Ryland – the pieces in this exhibition are based on the artists’ research into ladderback chairs created by the Poynors, a multigenerational family of free and enslaved craftspeople working in central Tennessee between the early nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Through the objects featured in Hammer and Hope, Awake and Ryland explore, reinterpret, and reimagine what the field of furniture-making today would look like had the history and legacy of the Poynors – and countless others that have been subject to a similar pattern of erasure – been celebrated rather than hidden. Hammer and Hope represents Awake and Ryland’s attempts, in their own words,  “at fighting erasure by making objects that engage with these long-suppressed stories.”

Robell Awake and Charlie Ryland are recipients of the Center for Craft’s 2022 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship. This substantial mid-career grant is awarded to two artists to support research projects that advance, expand, and support the creation of new research and knowledge through craft practice.