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.
4 state exhibit – SC, NC, TN, GA
The entries have been chosen for this year’s annual juried exhibition. Thank you to all who entered.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will not be an awards reception this year, but we will make the awards announcements online at 11:00am on 26 September.
The exhibit can be viewed in our Solomon Gallery 15 September – 17 October, during normal business hours.
Tues – Sat 10am – 4pm
Asheville Outlets is pleased to host a drive-thru food donation drive with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) from Monday, October 12, through Friday, October 16, 2020 from
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day at the Food Court entrance.
Drivers can pull up, stay inside their vehicles and hand off donations safely to volunteers, all of whom will be wearing protective gloves and masks. ABCCM works to address poverty issues including hunger, homelessness and access to health care for the under-served in Buncombe County.
Help us Light Up State Street and fill our beautiful downtown with Halloween Cheer with this community pumpkin carving contest! All ages are invited to participate. Children (under 15) are $5 to register, and adults (15 or older) are $10. Pumpkins must be dropped off at BMCA on Tuesday, October 27 or Wednesday, October 28. BMCA will display and illuminate the pumpkins on State Street Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31st. Winners will be chosen in both age groups for 4 different categories: scariest (must be family friendly), funniest, most creative, and art(ist) inspired. Participants must procure their own pumpkin.
How ’bout them Apples?
We post each Thursday morning any ripening updates in the orchard. Remember we are an heirloom apple orchard. Our mission is to save the good stuff…including apple varieties. In addition to trees that fruit during the normal late September/October season in greater quantity, also we plant small batch numbers of heirloom apple trees. Some ripen earlier (an unexpected gift); all have their uses from apple sauce, to butters, to juice and ciders, and just fresh eating off the trees. They won’t all be available all the time. But, when they are, we’ll let you know. Please come and see for yourself.
2020 A YEAR OF COVID, TURMOIL, UNCERTAINTIES, HEROES & HOPE
The year 2020 for better or worse will go down in American history as a pivotal moment. It has been often said that history is written for and by the victors.
But nowadays in a world overwhelmed with 2-second tweets, forgettable social media, conspiracy theories and online rages; modern history seems to be written by the distracted, the delusional and the destructive.
Mountain Made, a local arts & crafts boutique in Grove Arcade, is taking a different approach. We are creating a public history journal of poetry, personal musing, thoughtful insights and yes, rants on “The Year 2020”. They could be funny or serious.
We have setup two interactive art stations inside the gallery:
* The first one is where you can quickly put down your thoughts on some blank paper (the original “i-pad”) and leave it with us.
* The other is a shared, public painting series where you can lay brush to canvas if you are more a visual person.
It is with great excitement that we announce our opening schedule for 2020. We have not been able to reopen since March, when the Covid -19 pandemic hit and North Carolina shut down. Now the State of North Carolina is transitioning into Phase 2.5 of Governor Cooper’s phased reopening plan. Phase 2.5 allows museums to open at 50% capacity. This means the Swannanoa Valley Museum will be open starting Labor Day weekend. We will allow 10 visitors in the museum per hour. Opening hours are Thursday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm. Visitors can sign up on our website for a self-guided tour time or sign up at the museum. We are looking forward to seeing our visitors once more! To book a self-guided tour time click on this link. SVM Self-Guided Tour Reservation
COVID-19 Visiting Policy
Masks are required when entering the museum. This is for the safety of our visitors and our docents. Exceptions will be made according to ADA instructions. Visitors must make a reservation to visit the museum. Self Guided tour reservations are available Thursday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm. To make a reservation you can call (828) 669- 9566, register at the front desk, or click here.
ACCESSIBILITY
The first floor houses our traveling exhibit gallery and our second floor houses “Our Pathways” exhibit. The first and second floor are accessible by ADA standards. A lift is available to take visitors to the second floor.
Upon reopening, the Nature Center will be open seven days a week, from 10 am until 4:30 pm. Asheville residents receive a discounted rate with local ID and children under the age of 3 are free.
Beginning October 7, the three-hour documentary-styled art installation Question Bridge: Black Males will be on view at the Asheville Art Museum. This innovative transmedia project facilitates a dialogue between Black men from diverse and contending backgrounds, and creates a platform for them to represent and redefine Black male identity in America. The work will be on view during regular public hours from October 7, 2020 through March 15, 2021.
Question Bridge: Black Males is a project that explores critically challenging issues within the African American male community by instigating a transmedia conversation among Black men across geographic, economic, generational, educational, and social strata of American society. Question Bridge provides a safe setting for necessary, honest expression and healing dialogue on themes that divide, unite, and puzzle Black males today in the United States.
Adonna Khare, Pool Party, 2015, carbon pencil on paper, 6 × 20 feet. Collection of the Artist. © Adonna Khare, image Phil Hatten.
An exhibition highlighting the works of John James Audubon juxtaposed with the work of 21st-century artists who continue his tradition of animal allegories and metaphors is currently on view at the Asheville Art Museum. The exhibition features more than 40 works and will be on display in the Explore Asheville Exhibition Hall through November 30.
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We are happy to welcome you back
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Presentation: Growing and Caring for Holiday Plants
Presenter: Cynthia Gillooly, BB Barnes Plant Specialist
Presenter: Cynthia Gillooly, Floral Designer at B. B. Barns Garden Center
Program Description: Cynthia demonstrates how to use seasonal plants and grapevine wreaths to create versatile table centerpieces that will decorate your home from Fall, through the holiday season, and into Winter.
Begin with a stroll through your garden to collect natural plant materials. Nature will provide you with a bounty of evergreens, seed pods, mosses, berries, and dried hydrangea blossoms. The simple grapevine wreath will serve as the base for your centerpiece, with the open center becoming the focal point for arranging seasonal plant materials. Cynthia shows you how to incorporate fresh flowers, gorgeous ribbon, or candles. And she shares ways to easily modify your arrangement throughout the changing Fall, Winter, and holiday season.
Join us and have fun exploring your own unique style and creativity with seasonal plant décor.
Bio: Cynthia Gillooly, Floral Designer at B. B. Barns Garden Center, brings decades of both personal and professional experience. She is a talented and interesting speaker who has taught gardening and flower arranging for years. From orchid, flower, and dried arrangements to terrariums, she has the know-how and makes it fun.
Registration: The talk is free, but registration is required. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gardening-in-the-mountains-table-wreath-centerpieces-using-seasonal-plants-registration-94440200181
If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
$125 per person plus tax
Join Washington Post reporters for a discussion on the latest politics.
Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!
The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.
Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13, most Buncombe County Public Library branches will reopen to the public with limited hours and services.
The safety of our patrons and staff is our highest priority, and our General Services staff has been working diligently to finish precautions to allow metered access in accordance with the Governor’s orders for 50 percent capacity. We look forward to welcoming you back in person.
The library schedule will be:
- Tuesday, 2-7 p.m.
- Wednesday, 1-6 p.m.
- Thursday, 1-6 p.m.
- Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Sunday & Monday, Closed
Note: The East Asheville Library remains closed for construction and Pack Library will reopen for service at a later date.
During these hours, the libraries will provide in-person check out and browsing. As we comply with reduced occupancy limits, we are encouraging brief “grab and go” visits to allow us to serve a larger number of patrons. Computer use is available, and seating will be provided for computer users only. The meeting rooms and study spaces will not be available for public use.
In-person library programs, including storytime, will not be offered, however, virtual programs will continue to be available. Learn more here. Curbside hold pickups will stop on Oct. 8. Late fees will resume on Oct. 27.
Our local history room is currently undergoing renovations, but the NC Room staff will continue to provide phone and email research assistance at (828) 250-4740 or [email protected].
Per the Governor’s mandate, all persons over the age of five will be asked to wear a face covering for the duration of their visit in the library. If you don’t have a face covering, we can provide one for you.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
$125 per person plus tax
The eighth annual CiderFest NC fundraiser will be held in a brand-new format this fall that offers loyal guests the chance to celebrate, sample and savor cider safely and responsibly.
While the large annual festival will not be offered this fall in light of current health concerns, the event will continue this year through CiderFest Tours: small-group curated tours of three Asheville cideries that are being offered in partnership with local business Leap Frog Tours.
The tours will allow participants to visit three of Asheville’s cideries — Noble Cider, Urban Orchard Cider Company – West and TreeRock Social Cider House & Mead Bar — for intimate, small-group tasting sessions to sample unique takes on the craft beverage on each of the locations. Proceeds will be shared between Leap Frog Tours, the three participating cideries and Green Built Alliance.
To offer the largest number of people the opportunity to participate, the four-hour tours will be offered from 3 to 7 p.m. on every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday in October.
Tours can be reserved for groups of 2 to 14 individuals, and bookings open up today. To prioritize safety in light of COVID-19, all tours will be private without combining reservations from separate parties. (Visit our website or Leap Frog’s booking page for a full list of COVID-19 precautions being taken for the tours.)
The cost is $85 per person. The price includes a tasting at each cidery, a souvenir CiderFest tasting glass, and transportation by Leap Frog Tours from Aloft Hotel in downtown Asheville.
Since the event has sold out in recent years, people are encouraged to book their tours early. For more information and to book a tour, visit www.ciderfestnc.com.
Celebrating over 15 years of bringing fresh, local produce and handcrafted goods to the community of Flat Rock NC.
Join us every Thursday, May – October at our location at Pinecrest Presbyterian Church at the corner of Upward Rd and Greenville Hwy.
Our Ideal Volunteer Tutor
The ideal volunteer tutor is someone seeking to make a one-year commitment of two hours per week to help someone else make the change of a lifetime. For our volunteer tutors, an education background is helpful, but not necessary. The most important qualities are patience, an open mind, and resourcefulness. Tutors also need to be non-judgmental and sensitive to cultural differences. A GED or high school diploma is required. Ideal tutors enjoy seeing concrete outcomes from their efforts and sharing in the life-changing successes of others. See our full tutor position description here.
Make ‘em laugh in a musical comedy class combining silliness and song! This virtual class integrates acting, singing, improv, and movement as actors use their voices, bodies, and imaginations to develop hilarious Broadway repertoire. At the end of the semester, students will share their uproarious musical revue in a one-of-a-kind virtual showcase.
Sep. 24 – Nov. 19
3rd – 5th Grades
Weekly Zoom class, one 20-minute private lesson
Instructors: Anna Kimmell, Matthew Glover
Vision: For Asheville to be a community of connected pathways that is healthy, safe and accessible for people of all ages.
Mission: To educate the public about bicycle and pedestrian transportation; to advocate for the development and maintenance of safe, convenient and inter-connected facilities; to promote the benefits of walking and biking for individuals and community health.
the bicycle and pedestrian task force meeting is this Thursday, October 15, at 5:30 pm via Google Meet at meet.google.com/bod-rwif-fat. Alternately, you can call in at 1-413-752-4222. The PIN is: 615 397 818#.
Thursdays from 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Sep. 24 – Nov. 19
9th – 12th Grades
Weekly Zoom class, one 20-minute private coaching
Instructors: Anna Kimmell, Matthew Glover
October 8, 15, 22 & 29—Thursdays, 6–8pm
Registration deadline: October 6
This program will take place virtually via Zoom. Space is limited; to register, click here or call 828.253.3227 x122.
In this four-part class, learn how to shoot in manual mode on your digital camera or smartphone. Through a series of weekly assignments, explore the three ways of exposing images (also called the “exposure triangle”), and have more control when shooting motion, depth-of-field, and in extreme lighting situations. Use images from the Museum’s Collection and other sources for inspiration. Class time includes instruction, journaling, group shares, and discussions; individual preparation between classes includes responding to weekly photo prompts and short readings.
This virtual class is designed with beginners, hobbyists, and those with some photography experience in mind. Previous knowledge of digital photography is not needed to participate in and/or benefit from the class. Learning how to use a digital camera is manual mode is the focus; however, the instructor can answer other questions about digital camera functions and use as requested.
| VoteAVL.org for Voter Registration, Candidate Information, Voting Dates – Early Voting Kickoff Party Oct. 15 |
 Vote AVL is a nonpartisan resource to encourage voter turnout in Asheville and Buncombe County. The site offers information on voter registration (deadline Oct.), early voting dates and locations, as well as candidate info.
Vote AVL is hosting a socially distant Early Voting Kickoff Event on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 6-8pm at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown. Join local businesses and nonprofits to learn how you can encourage voter turnout, pick up flyers and resources, grab a snack and enjoy some live music. Masks are required. Learn more at voteavl.org. |
Relax and unwind at the Arboretum’s “ArborEvenings” after hours series. Held every Thursday, June – October, from 6 to 9 p.m., visitors will sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s beautiful gardens while enjoying live music amongst flowers and friends. Local beverages, including beer and wine, are available for purchase along with light food options.
Admission to ArborEvenings is free; however, standard parking fees apply to non-members.
For safety precautions, we are asking that you sign up to attend the conversation group
Looking to practice your Spanish Language skills? Come to the Spanish Conversation Group at Pack! The group meets once a week to practice their language skills and to help each other out when needed. Newcomers are always welcome.
Take a moment away from the busyness of life to breathe in breathtaking vistas as the sun sets before you. Enjoy a 2 mile round trip hike to a mountaintop and sink into a lovely all levels yoga practice on the summit while soaking up the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A unique way to practice self care and social distancing ;)
Need a different date? Sunset hikes are available daily for private groups of 1-20. Message me with your desired date and group size or visit the website at https://ashevillewellnesstours.com/tour/yoga-hikes/ to browse options.
Covid Considerations: for a detailed rundown of the precautions we’re taking, visit our website at https://ashevillewellnesstours.com/tour/yoga-hikes/
No registration First come, first serve, no holds, until the lot is full.
Asheville Parks and Recreation has teamed up with AB Tech and Black orthodontics to present Movies in the Parking Lot. The FREE movie begins at dusk on a giant outdoor screen in the Parking Lot at AB Tech parking lot on Persistence Drive. Celebrate Halloween with a family viewing of the Addams Family, raffles, candy, a parade and more! Please come in your favorite COSTUME!!
Asheville Parks and Recreation will offer the community a chance for a safe, entertaining change of scenery with a FREE drive-in screening of The Addams Family. Dark hilarity ensues after the Addams family relocates to suburban New Jersey. Their macabre traditions are promptly challenged by modern technology and their neighbors’ 21st century norms. PG. 86 minutes.
The movie will be shown in the AB Tech parking lot in the back of the campus on Persistence Drive.
The lot will open at 6:30 p.m. and the movie will begin at sunset, approximately 8 p.m. No “walk-in” viewers will be admitted. In case of inclement weather, the film will not be shown and the parking lot will be closed. Please visit our facebook page for updates.
ENTER/EXIT TRAFFIC FLOW: We ask that guests enter on Persistence Drive off Victoria Road, and exit to the left on Fernihurst to Victoria.
Food trucks will be on-site with food for purchase, and handwashing stations and portable toilets will be provided.
Maintaining six-foot social distancing and mask-wearing are required when viewers visit the food trucks or other facilities. Cars will be parked ten feet apart and viewers are encouraged to remain in their vehicles.