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.
We’re delighted to join Mike Guggino and Barrett Smith (members of the famed Steep Canyon Rangers) in a celebration of all things Italian. These talented musicians will share their deep love of traditional Italian folk music. We’ll add our own talents for good food and joyous gatherings. It’s the perfect partnership.
Each ticket includes admission to enjoy live Italian music by Mike + Barrett along with a delicious Italian dinner prepared by our Farm Kitchen. Wine and beer will be available for purchase.
Barn Door Ciderworks is partnering with Amber Amara, head honcho and chef of Bistro Betty Food Truck, for a delicious dinner event on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 6pm at Barn Door Ciderworks. Guests will enjoy cider paired with a delectable four-course meal inspired by rustic Italian traditions. The menu can be adapted to vegetarians upon request.
The evening’s four-course menu begins with happy hour snacks using local cheeses, stuffed olives and focaccia. The first course will be potato & ricotta gnocchi, sun-dried tomato basil gremolata, and seared wild shrimp, followed by a second course of Chicken or eggplant parmigiana, served with Tuscan arugula salad. No rustic meal would be complete without dessert and Amara has orange & cinnamon tiramisu planned.
The pairing ciders will include exclusive Barn Door offerings not yet available to the public. We’ll share tastes from special bottles that we’ll open just for this event. All ciders are barrel-aged to dryness and only use local apples in the production. We never add sugar, sweeteners, other fruits or flavorings.
Visit our website for more information and to get your tickets.
Mountain Science Expo is 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the NC Arboretum. This is a free STEM-oriented science festival where you can interact with scientists, explore nature, and grow your curiosity. For details, visit ncarboretum.org/event/mountain-science-expo-2025.
The women’s orchestra at Auschwitz-Birkenau, composed entirely of prisoners, was unique in the Nazi camp system.
Dr. Susan Eischeid, who spent decades researching the orchestra and interviewing survivors, will present the history of the orchestra. She will also discuss conductor and virtuoso violinist, Alma Rosé, and founder, Maria Mandl, Head Overseer of the women’s camp and one of the worst perpetrators of the Holocaust.
Dr. Susan Eischeid is Professor of Music at Valdosta State University and served as Principal Oboe with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. She is the author of Mistress of Life and Death: The Dark Journey of Maria Mandl, Head Overseer of the Women’s Camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, published in 2024. Susan has also recorded and released an album of Holocaust music, Mystic Chords of Genocide.
The wait is over! The Radical is bringing back the favorite game night to after/glow. Hosted by none other than Miss Blue Ridge Pride, Alexis Black, this event promises rad performances, nonstop music and cocktails that keep the party going. No RSVP necessary.
Step into summer with the Asheville Symphony as we herald the return of the Asheville Amadeus Festival! We’re launching this year’s festival at Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s lively Mills River taproom, where we’re unveiling our festival-exclusive brew — Fables & Folklore Hazy IPA. This enchanting creation weaves together bright pineapple and orange notes in a tropical profile that’s as enticing as a tale passed down through generations — perfect easy drinking for an early- summer festival.
We will be joined by Amadeus Festival co-headliners Time for Three, Ranaan Meyer, Nick Kendall and Charles Yang. Don’t miss this chance to meet the artists and toast the start of 11 glorious days of Amadeus festivities with a pour of our specially crafted beer, delicious fare from Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s kitchen, and live music!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., with 1756 Society entry beginning at 5:00 p.m.
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN BREWING
46 N Mills River Road, Mills River
Wortham Center Student Series Gaspard&Dancers
Friday, May 2, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Grades 6–12 • Show Length: 60 min.
How far can your imagination take you? This renowned dance company, known for its works of haunting beauty and emotional force, dares to find out — and to inspire your students to wonder the same.
Reservations for individuals (9 people or less): $12 each. To reserve, call the box office at 828-257-4530 ext. 1, or email [email protected].
Reservations for groups (10 people or more): $11 each. To reserve, complete the Student Series Reservation Form. Please note that all group reservations require a deposit of $1 per ticket. Please contact the box office if you have questions.
Don your best Derby attire and help us reach the finish line as we raise funds for our school’s Hurricane Helene recovery costs. Join us for a festive evening at our North Campus on the banks of the French Broad River. Dinner provided by Los Gauchos Heroes with libations from Riverside Rhapsody Brewing and Troy and Sons Distillery. We’ll have some Derby themed fun, live music, a silent and live auction, and a raffle for a trip for 2 to Costa Rica.
This Mother’s Day, Tanger Outlets Asheville invites the women at the heart of its community to come and be celebrated with its Spring in Bloom experiential event, celebrating mothers, women and the vibrant spirit of the season. On Sunday, May 4 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., the event will include make-your-own flower bouquets, photo opportunities, giveaways and more. From exclusive activities and interactive pop-ups to curated shopping experiences, this event embodies Tanger’s commitment to creating meaningful moments that connect people, foster community and celebrate women. The family-friendly event, open to the community and free to attend, will be held in the center circle near the Vera Bradley Outlet Store.
As part of Tanger’s continued programming designed to offer engaging and innovative shopper experiences, Spring in Boom blends the latest in beauty and accessories retail trends with culture and community-driven celebrations. Guests are also invited to shop the latest spring fashions with Tanger Deal Days from May 1 – 21! Participating brands including Columbia, Crocs, J. Crew and Under Armour will offer 15% – 25% off, on top of everyday savings.
Come join us at the Bridge & Tunnel Coffee Cafe at the Coman Center at A-B Tech for a wonderful day filled with good food and good people. We are so excited to have a bunch of local vegan vendors get together and show you what they’ve got. You can stop by and get some treats to go or, even better, hang out with us for a while. There will be plenty of seating for eating and socializing. Find out more on Instagram and Facebook @vgnmkt
The event is indoors and is Rain or Shine. There will be some food trucks right out front.
Hours are 11:00 – 4:00.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome. It’s a vegan party & you’re invited!
🍻 Na Zdrowie! Join us May 2-4, 2025 for our 3rd Annual Polish Fest: polka, piwo (beer) and pierogi, need we share more? 😛 Festivities will include live performances from local favorites Wasted Wine and Foothills Oompah Band, as well as Atlanta Polish folk dance group Mazury Folk Dance Ensemble. Remember to keep your pets at home, yet definitely bring your ID, dancing shoes — and your appetite!
Entertainment Schedule:
🍺 Friday, May 2 (5-10 p.m.)
🎶 Wasted Wine 6-9 p.m.
🍺 Saturday, May 3 (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.):
🎶 Foothills Oompah Band (12:30-3:30 p.m.)
🎶 Mazury Folk Dance Ensemble (4-4:30 p.m. & 5:30-6 p.m.)
🍺 Sunday, May 4 (11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.)
🎶 Wasted Wine 2-5 p.m.
🌭 Fireforge’s festy food and beverage menu will include house-brewed “Polka Party” Lager and “Cendrowski” Grodziskie Wheat Ale; pork kielbasa from Asheville’s Chop Shop Butchery made with Fireforge beer and served on a bun with sauerkraut and horseradish beer mustard; potato and cheese pierogies from Polish American sister-owned Jaju Pierogi served with housemade sour cream, caramelized onions and chives; kabanos snacking sausage from Upstate Polish Market, house-made borscht (chilled beet soup) as well as other Polish cuisine-inspired sides and sweets!
Insect Pollinators of the Blue Ridge
with Shane Myers
Friday, May 9 | 1 – 3 pm
BRN – Elective | BREG – Core
Our plants in the Blue Ridge are pollinated by more insects than just Honey Bees. In this course, we will look at common and some less obvious pollinators of the region and discuss their life cycles, the benefits they provide the world, and how to attract them. We will also go outside to look for pollinators doing their work around the Arboretum grounds.
This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.
Join us on Saturday, May 10th, from 1-5 pm for a multi-artist pop-up and shopping event, just in time for Mother’s Day! Garden Party, Ross Pottery, and Melissa Weiss Pottery will host Knook Ceramics, Maggie Boyd Ceramics, Kreh Mellick, Good Goodies, Of June, Crocodile Wine, and Camille Cogswell Baked Goods at Garden Party’s shop in West Asheville. Don’t miss this incredible gathering of artists and shops as we celebrate springtime and all the mothers in our lives!
Golden Hour invites moms and their families to join them for a special feel-good brunch. Bring the whole crew and make some golden memories with Mom.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with this special brunch event! Join us for a delicious meal surrounded by beautiful scenery. Treat your mom to a day she won’t forget with a variety of dishes to choose from. Show your appreciation for all that she does with a lovely meal in a charming setting. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make her day extra special!
Kids, join us for an educational program with the North Carolina Arboretum to learn all about the many different Herptiles that call Western North Carolina their home! What’s a Herptile you ask? Herptiles are reptiles and amphibians! We’ll answer all of our biggest questions about Herptiles, like “Why are some amphibians slimy?” and “Where do Herptiles go in the winter?” Come ready to hear about the ecoEXPLORE program, find out what distinguishes Herptiles from other animals, where they live, what they eat, how they breathe, plus much more! Located at the Black Mountain Library.
The North Carolina Writers Network & The Brandy Bar + Cocktails present ANNE GREEN and NICOLE FARMER as next in their series “In the Company of Writers.”
The program offers a series of personal and conversational dialogues featuring guest writers/poets followed by an open mic forum. These inspirational gatherings will elucidate and entertain those attending. The guest author speaks from 7-8 PM with an open mic from 8 -9 PM. The Chicago blues music of “Hollywood Johnny Cosgrove” (accompanied by Charlie Wilkinson) welcomes you, continues during intermission, and closes the evening. Sign-ups for the open mic are available at the door.
Anne Waters Green, who now lives in Savannah, Georgia, was a resident of Hendersonville from 2005 to 2021.
The Slice of Life Comedy Asheville Spring Standup Contest Series: ROUND 2
Thursday May 14, 7:30p-9:30p, doors at 6:30p
The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge
103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $17 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
These shows sellout!
Hosted by Hilliary Begley from Netflix & Amazon Prime!
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Free snacks while availability lasts! You may bring your own food in (no drinks)!
How it Works:
Comics on the show will do 3-1/2 minutes of comedy. Audience votes for their favorites of the night thru ballot voting. Comics are separated in 3 groups of 7 contestants. This show’s 3 top comics from each category will be paid and be brought back with other show winners to compete in our pageant finale, date TBA.
Comics on the show:
Aiden Lamb, Andy Frampton,
Art Sturtevant, Austin Elfers,
Becca Steinhoff, Ben Jennings,
Clay Jones, Cloud Hudson,
Evelyn Pekarek,
Foster, Issac Truman, James Burks,
Jason Reel, Jordan Ballard, Julia Macias,
Justin Blackburn, Makenzie Manent,
Roman Fraden, Sam Arrowood, Sully
A hands-on workshop celebrating the art of pâté-making—craft classic styles with Butcher Todd Graham, learn about sustainable pork and poultry from our farmers, enjoy charcuterie and drinks during class & take home your own pâté.
Learn how to make altered books and make a page for one of the volumes of Turning the Page on Helene. All supplies are provided free of charge. No previous art experience is necessary.
Turning the Page on Helene is a community-based art project that is using the transformative power of altered books to tell our communities’ stories of Hurricane Helene through the visual arts. The goal is to create a safe space for community members to share experiences of the hurricane as well as their hopes for rebuilding a better and brighter future.
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Explore the Farm and surrounding forest with birder Clifton Avery of Ventures Birding Tours(@bigbaldbirder on IG) to spot the various species of birds that can be found in WNC!
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Edge habitat birding, learn how planned grazing benefits the local avian population.
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We will be hiking in uneven and sometimes steep terrain, so please wear sturdy shoes and be dressed for the weather.
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Learn about our Holistic Land Management from Farm Director Virginia, and how this practice works in tandem with the local flora and fauna.
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Spotted on the farm by our farm crew, staff & neighbors: bluebirds, a rainbow of finches, downy & hairy woodpeckers, vultures, cardinals, mourning doves, robins, red-shouldered hawks, swifts, egrets, blue herons, hermit thrush, golden-winged warblers and this last year we’ve had a resident Bald Eagle!
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The end of May marks the tail end of spring migration and is when breeding is in full swing. We hope to find a few late season passage migrants as well as many nesting birds. A few of the many species we can expect to observe include indigo bunting, blue grosbeak, black-throated green warbler, scarlet tanager, and northern parula.
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Attendees will break for an included biscuit brunch* from butcher Brian’s kitchen, as birding is hungry work. When attending classes, you will receive a 5% discount in the Farm Store & Butchery, just ask for the Savory Student Discount!
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Birding courses are part of our Savory Naturalist Series! A portion of the proceeds for these events and classes support our activities as a Savory Hub, and further the reach of regenerative agriculture.
Cost: $30/person, biscuit brunch is included.
Join us for Hi-Wire Brewing’s RAD Beer Garden Grand Reopening Bash on Saturday, May 24 from 12 to 9pm at 284 Lyman Street in Asheville’s River Arts District.
After nearly eight months closed following Hurricane Helene, we’re reopening our RAD Beer Garden with a full day of music, food, art, and community celebration. We’ve missed this space, this neighborhood, and all of you. Now it’s time to bring it all back to life, one cold beer at a time.
What to expect:
Live Music
* The Log Noggins | 12 to 2pm
* The Brue | 3 to 5pm
* Fully Processed | 6 to 8pm
Food Trucks (12 to 8pm)
* Tin Can Pizzeria
* Happy Belly
* Blunt Pretzels
Plus
* Roaming circus performers
* Local vendor market
* RAD Rising photo booth
* Hi-Wire beer on draft, in cans, and ready to toast
* Specialty cocktails and slushies, plus non-alcoholic options
This isn’t just a reopening. It’s a celebration of a community that never gave up. Come raise a glass with us on May 24th!
Guys & Dolls Dinner Theater + Casino Night
Experience a fabulous night out with Guys and Dolls, the iconic Broadway musical that brings the glitz, glam, and charm of 1950s New York City to life! Enjoy a full evening of entertainment with a professionally catered dinner, welcome reception with hors d’oeuvres, and a decadent dessert grazing table.
After the show, try your luck at our lively Casino Night fundraiser—with blackjack, roulette, and more fun (just for play—no real gambling). It’s the perfect mix of theater, fine dining, and Vegas-style flair—all in support of Asheville Junior Theater!
Ideal for adults and mature kids who can enjoy a show with themes of love and chance. Nothing scary—just great songs, great food, and great fun.
🍽️ Dinner included: Two-course plated meal + hors d’oeuvres + dessert
🎰 Casino Night fundraiser after the show
📍 174 Bradley Branch Rd, Arden, NC 28704
🕠 Doors open at 5:30 PM | Show at 6:30 PM
Tickets must be purchased online – sales close 24 hours before each show. No door sales.
This Memorial Day Weekend, guests and locals can flock to The Silo Cookhouse at The Horse Shoe Farm on Sunday, May 25 for a festive cookout featuring live music, lawn games, and a backyard summer grill menu. Highlights include American classics like burgers, hot dogs, and BBQ chicken, plus grilled shrimp skewers, grilled squash, couscous salad, and even ice cream brownie bars and homemade popsicles to end the night on a sweet note. Tickets start at $80/adult and $50/kid.
Grey Eagle Events Presents Crawfish Boil ft. All Crawfish Go to Heaven
Calling all young storytellers ages 8-13!
Gallery Tales is a 6-week program where kids explore various art pieces in the gallery to spark their imaginations and create incredible stories. Each week, participants will engage in interactive writing lessons, write unique tales, and gain the skills and confidence to become published authors. At the end of the program, every young writer will leave with their very own professionally published book and the opportunity to share their work and accomplishments with an audience of family and friends at a special Kids Open Mic Showcase!
Pricing Tiers:
Standard Tier: $397 (Includes all program materials, publishing, and showcase support)
Supporter Tier: $500 (Covers program materials, publishing, showcase support, and helps provide scholarships for other young writers)
Scholarship Option: Available to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate.
Limited spots are available for this unique program that celebrates art, and creativity, and inspires young writers to shine. Sign up today!
About the Gallery Tales Instructor:
Kate Wargo is a passionate educator with a decade of experience teaching in elementary classrooms. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she brings her expertise in child development and creative learning to every program she designs. Kate is deeply committed to nurturing the whole child, blending art, writing, and community to create meaningful and transformative experiences. As an advocate for bringing the soul and love back into writing and supporting children’s mental health and well-being, she strives to create safe and inspiring spaces where they can discover their voices and shine as confident, creative storytellers.
Spring Bloom Gala: Gather & Grow
A Benefit for Asheville Waldorf School
May 29, 2025 | 5–9 PM
Treska’s on Highland Lake, Flat Rock, NC
Join us for Asheville Waldorf School’s Annual Spring Bloom Gala—an evening devoted to connection, nourishment, and collective flourishing.
In collaboration with Mother Earth Food and Heidi Zellie of Appalachian Watershed Alliance, this year’s gala celebrates the sacred work of raising children, feeding communities, and healing the land. Together, we honor the sanctity of childhood and cultivate a future rooted in food sovereignty, resilience, and hope.
Offerings:
Farm-to-table dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients
Musical performances
Curated silent auction with local art, experiences, and handmade goods
Inspiring keynote speakers: Andrea DuVall, CEO & Founder of Mother Earth Food, Ines Kinchen, Founder, Emerald Ark School & Sanctuary, Grandmaster Tony Morris, Founder, Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts
All proceeds support Asheville Waldorf School, furthering our mission to nurture head, heart, and hands through holistic education.
Dinner Under Dinos is back by popular demand!
Parents- enjoy a night out downtown while treating your kid to a special after-hours event just for them- dinner and a movie at AMOS!
This fun-filled night includes pizza from a local vendor, free exhibit play, custom scavenger hunts for special prizes, and a kid-friendly movie to chill out. Parent drop-off begins at 5:30 with a pickup time between 8:30-9:30, plenty of time to enjoy a meal at any of Asheville’s downtown restaurants.
Dinner Under Dinos is for children 4+. All children must be able to go to the bathroom independently. Children may also bring a water bottle, snacks or an alternative meal. For more info contact [email protected].
Includes:
3 Hours of Museum Play (a G/PG movie will also be playing in the classroom)
Cheese Pizza, H20
Date: May 30th and 31st
Time: 5:30pm-9:00pm (Child(ren) must be picked up no later than 9pm; fees may apply if after 9pm)
Age: 4+ (* All children must be potty-trained to participate.)
Fees:
Per Child = $35.00
Additional Sibling = $30.00
Nancy, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation, currently resides in the Wolftown community of the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, NC. Nancy is passionate about promoting the rich culture and heritage of Cherokee women in today’s society.
Inspired by her father, Nancy has become a renowned storyteller, dedicated to preserving and sharing the traditions and history of the Anikituwah/Eastern Band of the Cherokee people.
As a valued member of the Cherokee storyteller group, she is regularly featured at the Oconaluftee Island Park summer bonfire events.
Nancy will kick off our speaker series with a talk on land stewardship, highlighting cultural knowledge, tradition, and a deep respect for the natural world.
Mountain Valleys RC&D is a conservation non-profit that has served 8 counties in Western NC for over 50 years. We connect farmers, landowners, and small business owners with conservation programs including Shade Your Stream, a grant funded initiative to stabilize eroding streambanks with native plants. In this program, you will learn where to purchase erosion control materials (biodegradable coir matting and stakes), the ideal slope for grading banks, how to apply coir matting, and the best varieties of seeds, live stakes, and native plants to use to establish root systems. We will discuss the benefits of vegetating the riparian zone (the area adjacent to fresh, running water) and the impact riparian zones have on flooding.