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.
Carolina Memorial Sanctuary leads a conversation about death preparation, home funerals, and the cathartic act of participating in a loved one’s burial, Thurs. October 16 at Kanuga. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series, the event begins with a forest bathing nature walk (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. followed by the Carolina Memorial Sanctuary presentation at 11 a.m. Enjoy a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall after the presentation. Cost: $20 (plus tax and fees). 471 Kanuga Chapel Dr. in Hendersonville. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.
Vote for your favorite comic of the night!!
The Slice of Life Comedy Asheville Fall/Winter Standup Contest – round 2
Thursday October 16, 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:
Audience votes thru ballot. Comics on the show will do 4 minutes of comedy. This show’s 3 top comics will be brought back with winners from round one to compete in our pageant finale, date TBA.
Want to compete? These limited spots go fast. Free to signup if room is still available. Contact Michele at [email protected]!
The 44th annual Western North Carolina Parade of Homes, happening October 11-12 and 18-19, is a free, self-guided tour of new and remodeled homes by top builders throughout Asheville, Hendersonville, Black Mountain, Fairview, and beyond. Visitors can explore a wide variety of homes in person or take advantage of virtual tours. Whether you’re dreaming, designing, or actively building, the Parade offers inspiration at every price point. Sponsored by the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For more information, visit wncparadeofhomes.com.
Hear from Buncombe County Commission Chair Amanda Edwards and Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder at this re-envisioned Legislative Update event. You’ll gain insights on Buncombe County’s progress towards rebuilding and recovery along with envisioning the future. In this intimate conversation moderated by Chamber VP of Public Policy Casey Gilbert, our panelists will discuss how planning initiatives underway (such as parks, small area plans, infrastructure, childcare, housing and economic mobility) intertwine to build back a stronger, more resilient community.
Please join us to celebrate how far we’ve come – and to hear how the community’s feedback is shaping where we go from here.
43 Town Square Blvd.
Asheville, NC 28803
Marking Progress, Envisioning the Future: A Conversation with County Leaders
Hear from Buncombe County Commission Chair Amanda Edwards and Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder at this re-envisioned Legislative Update event. You’ll gain insights on Buncombe County’s progress towards rebuilding and recovery along with envisioning the future. In this intimate conversation moderated by Chamber VP of Public Policy Casey Gilbert, our panelists will discuss how planning initiatives underway (such as parks, small area plans, infrastructure, childcare, housing and economic mobility) intertwine to build back a stronger, more resilient community.
Please join us to celebrate how far we’ve come – and to hear how the community’s feedback is shaping where we go from here.
3377 Sweeten Creek Rd.
Arden, NC 28704
Come join us for Business After Hours at B.B. Barns!
For 37 years, B.B. Barns has been at the heart of Asheville’s gardening community. What began as a humble outdoor outfitter in Oakley has grown into a 4.5-acre destination garden center on Sweeten Creek Road—and for the past 20 years, one of the region’s premier landscaping companies. From their welcoming shopping experience and expansive inventory of plants, garden supplies, and gifts, to their talented landscape design team and crews, they proudly bring beauty, creativity, and inspiration to homes and gardens across Western North Carolina.
During your visit, you’ll experience a magical transformation into a Christmas wonderland. Stroll through festive display trees, explore seasonal décor, and discover a wide selection of gifts—including garden-inspired treasures, locally crafted goods, and unique finds. Beyond the holiday shop, you’ll find their extensive nursery brimming with trees, shrubs, and perennials, seasonal annuals for year-round color, and one of the area’s best selections of houseplants. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, B.B. Barns has everything you need to grow and thrive.
B.B. Barns excited to partner with their neighbors at The Flying Squirrel Pub, who will be providing delicious bites from their menu along with beer and wine for the evening. If you haven’t visited The Flying Squirrel before, prepare to be delighted by their fresh flavors, creative offerings, and lively atmosphere.”We can’t wait to welcome you to what so many of our guests fondly call their ‘happy place.'”
Ample parking is available on site for this event. Upon arrival, enter through the greenhouse doors on the right-hand side.
Pisgah Legal’s Justice Forum will be held at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in downtown Asheville on Thursday, October 23rd. There will be a ticketed, pre-event reception at 5:30 pm followed by the free Justice Forum at 7:00 pm. There will be an option for live-streaming for those that prefer to join virtually and there will be several Regional Watch Parties in communities across WNC. Ticket sales and registration will be available August 13, 2025.
Pumpkin Fest is a fun, family friendly and fantastic artistic event or great date night with 18 beautiful artist-designed lighted carved pumpkin displays on a newly-paved short walking trail. The event includes talented local musicians, food trucks and coffee house, games, storytelling, face painting, white squirrel scavenger hunt, games, dress ups, and the Silvermont historic mansion and second floor museum open for tours.
Admission $7 per person (ages 13 and over), $5 ages 3-12, and 2 and under free. We accept cards, cash or check with ID.
Onsite parking cost is $5 per car (cash preferred). Free parking is available offsite on nearby streets and Comporium and church parking lots 1 block away. Handicap sticker- free parking onsite.
Join AVL Clay for a day of creativity, connection, and clay!
AVL Clay, Asheville’s new membership-based pottery studio, invites the community to its Grand Opening Open House on Sunday, October 26, 10 AM–1 PM at 4 Mulvaney St, Asheville.
Explore the beautifully restored 1920s studio along the Swannanoa River, meet founder Arleen Ferrara, and enjoy live pottery demos, guided tours, raffles, one-day-only class specials, and refreshments.
AVL Clay was founded to rebuild creative space lost after Hurricane Helene and to foster meaningful community through clay.
Free and open to all! Family-friendly, drop in anytime, and pets are welcome.
Asheville Vaudeville and special guest, Danbert Nobacon of the legendary anarcho-punk band, Chumbawamba, will collaborate in the upcoming installment of Asheville Vaudeville’s seasonal brunch time entertainment. The performance will feature Danbert Nobacon’s original acoustic music whilst a ragtag group of clowns and freaks come together to create an amusing array of mayhem and maybe even rescue democracy from the threat of a nefarious fascist regime by using their superpowers of comedy, comradery, common sense, sensuality, and an earnest exercising of their collective free-speech muscles. This is an 18+ show.
Join naturalist and educator, Jessie Wilder, for a thoughtful conversation on the benefits of living a place-based life, Thurs. November 20 at Kanuga. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series, the event begins with a forest bathing nature walk (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. followed by the conversation with Jessie Wilder at 11 a.m. Enjoy a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall after the presentation. Cost: $20 (plus tax and fees=$24.74). KANUGA, 471 Kanuga Chapel Dr. in Hendersonville. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.
Event registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-and-learn-discovering-a-sense-of-place-with-jessie-wilder-tickets-1849253971409
Details:
10–11AM, Forest Bathing with Aimee Bostwick: Join Aimee for a time to ground ourselves by engaging our senses and tuning into our relationship with Nature. Dress comfortably for the weather and be sure to wear comfortable shoes. We will end this time with a cup of tea and sharing.
11AM–12PM, Jessie Wilder on Sense of Place: Join us for a conversation with naturalist Jessie Wilder as she shares with us about our deep connection to place and how it forms us. Consider where you currently live and ask yourself this: I live here, but how much do I really know, love, and inhabit this place as home?
12–1:30PM, Lunch and Discussion in the Dining Hall
Standup Comedy Picture Show with headliner Petey Smith McDowell
Comics on the show do standup with slide show pictures to illustrate their sets. This is sure to keep you in your seats figuring out what you just looked at!
Thursday November 20, 7:30-9p in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind).
$17 tickets available at door or The Orange Peel’s website
Host is Hilliary Begley voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” and Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Feature Cloud Hudson is a comedian, lighting designer, and weather forecaster (licensed meteorologist) with a knack for finding the silver lining around every storm cloud. Their comedy blurs the lines between science and magic in a quest for collective understanding. But don’t let this intellectual spirituality fool you- Cloud uses only the most unhinged examples of the disgustingly divine to draw clouds of laughter from crowds that matter.
Plus comedians Derek Boskovich & Aaron Naylor!
For more info contact Michele at [email protected]
Join us for an evening of connection, collaboration, and creativity! Meet local actors, directors, and producers, share stories, and discover you next great project.
Free Headshots — 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Silent Auction featuring selected local artworks
Screening of 3 International Award-winning 48HFP Shorts — 7:00 to 8:00 PM
Special DJ Set & Appearance by “Mirror Man” — 8:00 to 9:00 pm
Suggested Contribution: $10
What a year. Let’s wrap it up by taking off our anxious hats and putting on our party hats, as we celebrate getting through this strange, shocking, infuriating, frightening, one-of-a-kind year. The resistance is growing, the balance is tipping, and we’ve had some strong wins in 2025. So let’s get together to kick back and relax, as we get ready to hit 2026 strong!
Featuring food, fun, prizes, and your end-of-year chance to schmooze with activist pals. See you there!
Indivisible Asheville/WNC is an independent, grassroots nonprofit organization whose mission is to build a more just, equitable, and representative democracy by organizing locally for advocacy, accountability, and voter engagement.
🎄 Second Annual Christmas Spectacular! 🎄
Step into a Winter Wonderland and experience the magic of the season at our Second Annual Christmas Spectacular— a joyful holiday showcase filled with music, dance, and festive fun for the whole family!
This year’s show features an Enchanted Forest theme, complete with festive holiday songs, tap and jazz dancing, and breathtaking aerial silks performances. You’ll also enjoy reimagined Christmas classics and a show-stopping hip-hop Nutcracker number that’s sure to bring the house down!
Enjoy performances by our 1-Year Choir students, Chamber Choir, and Performance Media Crew (dance troupe), plus a special preview number from our upcoming production of The Lion King Jr. at Wortham Center for the Arts (Jan. 10 & 11).
✨ 3 Showtimes:
Friday, December 12 – 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 13 – 2:00 PM
📍 Location:
174 Bradley Branch, Unit 4/5, 28704
(Please enter from the front side of the building.)
☕ Refreshments will be available for sale, with all proceeds benefiting AJT.
❄️ Expect an indoor snowstorm and plenty of sparkle and surprises along the way!
🎫 Seating is general admission (first come, first served).
🌟 Tickets will sell out quickly! Last year’s two shows completely sold out — so this year we’ve added a third performance to make room for everyone. Don’t wait — grab your tickets early and join us for this heartwarming, high-energy holiday celebration!
🎟️ Purchase your seats today for a truly spectacular Christmas experience!
🌟 Winter Solstice Sound Bath 🌟
Join me in celebrating the Winter Solstice with a deeply restorative Sound Bath! ❄️✨
This sacred turning point invites renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. It’s a beautiful time to release what no longer serves you and welcome new beginnings. 🌙🌅
🕯️During the meditation, you’ll experience the energies of the stars and the gentle warmth of the rising sun as its healing rays bathe your body in peace and renewal. 🌞💫
🧘♀️ What to Bring:
A mat, blanket, and pillow for comfort — you’ll be lying down for the session.
Wear warm, flexible, and cozy clothing.
💰 Sliding Scale $10-20
📍 Location: Center for Spiritual Living Asheville (Education Building, upstairs)
🕘 Arrive at 12:45 PM to choose your space — doors close promptly at 1:00 PM.
🚗 Parking: Accessible parking is available in the upper lot off S. Bear Creek Rd (between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd). A boardwalk walkway connects the lot to the building entrance.
(📍 See map in comments)
✨ Come rest, renew, and realign with the returning Light. ✨
🌟 Begin Your New Year in Sacred Intention + Self-Love 🌟
Step into 2025 by nourishing your spirit and opening your heart through the healing vibrations of a Serenity Sound Bath. Allow the frequencies to wash over you, realign your energy, and awaken the peaceful wisdom within. ✨💖🌙
Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour sacred sound immersion, where crystal tones and soothing vibrations gently clear what no longer serves you and invite harmony, clarity, and divine connection. 🎶💜✨
Experience the stillness. Feel the light within. Return home to yourself.
🧺 What to Bring:
A yoga mat, pillow, and/or blanket for comfort as you rest on the floor. Come in warm, cozy, flexible clothing that supports deep relaxation. 🧘♀️💫
📍 Location:
Upstairs in the Education Building at the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville.
Arrive beginning at 12:45 PM to choose your space. Doors will close promptly at 1:00 PM to honor the sacred container we create together. 🔔✨
💰 Sliding Scale: $10–$20
Accessible parking is available in the upper parking lot off S. Bear Creek Rd. A boardwalk walkway leads directly to the entrance. 🚗💫
✨ Give your soul the gift of presence.
✨ Let the sound gently reset your energy.
✨ Step into the New Year aligned, open, and renewed.
ASHEVILLE JUNIOR THEATER PRESENTS
The Lion King JR.
Saturday & Sunday, Jan 10 & 11 • 2 pm & 6 pm
From the company that brought you Frozen JR., Shrek JR., and The Wizard of Oz: Bluegrass Style! comes our most breathtaking production yet—The Lion King JR.!
Join us on an unforgettable journey to the PrideLands in this professional-caliber musical event that’s perfect for audiences of all ages. With soaring vocals, eye-popping costumes, and powerful performances, this show will wow audiences of all ages.
Follow Simba’s epic adventure as he discovers his courage, faces his destiny, and rises to become king—all set to the timeless songs you know and love, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “He Lives in You,” and “Hakuna Matata.” Along the way, you’ll meet beloved characters like wise Rafiki, brave Nala, the hilarious Timon and Pumbaa, and the villainous Scar in a heartwarming and action-packed story about friendship, responsibility, identity, and the enduring power of the Circle of Life.
This is not just a junior theater production—it’s a full-scale theatrical experience.
Our shows are unparalleled in Asheville. With jaw-dropping costumes, professional staging, and the kind of heart you can only find at Asheville Junior Theater, The Lion King JR. is a must-see.
Tickets WILL sell out.
Don’t miss your chance to see why Asheville families return to our shows again and again.
The Circle of Life is calling—get your tickets today and experience the magic! Run time is approximately 75 minutes.
Slice Standup Comedy Pageant Winter Finale
Thursday January 15, 2026
7:30p-9:00p, doors at 6:30p
The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge, 103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $18 (available at door or 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)!
Participants are 4 WINNERS of Fall/Winter Contests 8/21 & 10/16
Pageant Winner gets title and $150 cash prize.
Audience votes thru ballot!
Contestants:
8/21 winner Ryan Gordon
8/21 winner Derek Boskovich
10/16 winner Min McWilliams
10/16 winner Zakiya Bell-Rogers
Plus a runners-up battle for the wild card featuring comics who had the most votes but didn’t win a spot:
10/16 1st runner up Josie Beers
10/16 2nd runner up Zach Stephens
8/21 2nd runner up Aaron Naylor
The final pageant is more than just great standup! Contestants must vie for the title through games & questions from our celebrity judges. Audience votes thru ballot.
More info contact Michele at [email protected]