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.

Thursday, December 30, 2021
Read: “The Long Wat to a Small Angry Planet” by Becky Chambers
Dec 30 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
White Labs Brewing Co - Asheville Kitchen & Tap
 Read: "The Long Wat to a Small Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers

Read: “The Long Wat to a Small Angry Planet” by Becky Chambers

Come join us even if you don’t read/finish the novel!

Hurricanes vs. Canadiens
Dec 30 @ 7:00 pm
PNC Arena

More Info for Hurricanes vs. Canadiens

Spider-Man: No Way Home
Dec 30 @ 7:00 pm
Asheville Pizza Brewing Co

Visual search query image

BE ONE OF THE FIRST IN WNC TO SEE IT!

THE MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIE OF THE YEAR!

For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a Superhero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange, the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.  (Running Time = 2 hours 30 minutes)

 

The Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour
Dec 30 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Departs From: Olde World Christmas Shoppe

  • FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED ONBOARD AT ALL TIMES.

    Highlights

    • Hop on board the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley for a fun and festive celebration of the season featuring the sights and sounds of the holidays!
    • This seasonal favorite features an entertaining blend of holiday storytelling and traditional Christmas caroling.  Enjoy stories of local lore and holiday traditions, then join-in with our on-board musician singing classic carols and songs of Christmas. And all the while the Holly Jolly Trolley is rolling past festive holiday decorations in downtown Asheville, Biltmore Village and the Montford and Grove Park neighborhoods.
    • This has all the makings of a jolly good family tradition!

    Good to Know

    • Haven’t been caroling in a while?  Not to worry! Songbooks will be provided for use during the tour.
    • Please note, you will see Christmas lights on this tour, however, it is not a “lights tour.” Caroling and storytelling take center stage on the Holly Jolly Trolley.
    • Trolleys are heated and enclosed with clear vinyl roll-down curtains.

    Exclusions

     

    • Gratuities
Weekly Bitcon Meetup
Dec 30 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverside Rhapsody Beer Company
Weekly Bitcon Meetup

Details

The intention of this meetup is to socialize and get to know other Bitcoiners. We’ll be hanging out at Riverside Rhapsody from 7:00-9:00pm.

For those of you who haven’t jumped in, but are ready to get your feet wet, set up an account with Swan Bitcoin and earn $10 of free bitcoin in the process. https://swanbitcoin.com/CraigyD

The Kruger Brothers
Dec 30 @ 7:30 pm
Isis Music Hall--The Main Stage

In an ever-expanding body of work, Jens Kruger (banjo, vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar, lead vocals), and Joel Landsberg (bass, vocals) personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition.

Originally from Switzerland, brothers Uwe and Jens Kruger began playing North American folk music at an early age and were particularly inspired by recordings of Doc Watson, Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and other progenitors of country, bluegrass and folk music. Their first public performances were as a duo, busking on the streets of cities throughout eastern and Western Europe. After gaining a recording contract as well as a radio show on SRG SSR, the Swiss public broadcaster, they teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, inaugurating a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. Landsberg is an American citizen from New York, NY. The first re- cording project to include Landsberg was Behind the Barn, Vol. 2, released in 1997. The Kruger Brothers moved to the United States in 2002, and are based in Wilkesboro, NC.

Reserved Seat Tickets are available with Dinner reservations – You must call the venue at 828-575-2737 to make dinner reservations and secure those tickets.

General Admission Tickets are available for the main stage balcony only. Seating in the balcony is first come, first serve. Dinner service is NOT currently being offered for general admission tickets.; drink service is available at the downstairs bar on the main floor.

You must call the venue at 828-575-2737 for Reserve Seat Tickets and to make dinner reservations.

Proof of Vaccination or Negative Covid Test w/i 48 Hours :: Masks are Required

THE MARCUS KING BAND: HOMETOWN THROWDOWN
Dec 30 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall
The Marcus King Band: Hometown Throwdown

Chairman’s Circle, Backstage Players, and Corporate Partners
(Donors giving $1,000+) • Now

Peacekeepers
(Donors giving $500+) • Wednesday, November 3, 10 am
(Donors giving $250+) • Wednesday, November 3, 2 pm
(Donors giving $125+) • Thursday, November 4, 10 am

Maggie Rose
Dec 30 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Exceptionally versatile singer-songwriter Maggie Rose released her highly anticipated album, Change The Whole Thing, September 21, 2018. The album was named by Rolling Stone as one of the “Best Albums of 2018”. Stamped with her affinity for finely crafted melodies and intricate storytelling, the project encompasses a blend of American music melding Rock, Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Country and Gospel. Recorded entirely live at the famed Starstruck Studios in Nashville, TN and released to overwhelming critical-acclaim, Rose marked major milestones with first-time performances on NBC’s “Today Show,” Southwest’s Live at 35, a debut at AmericanaFest with a show-stopping performance as part of WMOT/NPR’s Wired In series, AOL Build, Paste Sessions and more.

Implementing an impressively demanding method highlighting an artist in complete command of her ever-evolving creative process: live with her 13-piece “family band” in one take, no overdubs, no bullshit and a sound that is best described by the following quote from Rolling Stone:

“Maggie Rose has come into her own with this current earth-conscious, trippy country-soul stage of her ever-evolving musical persona…Rose’s performances showed her embracing her inner soul diva, belting with fire on ‘It’s You’ and the pulverizing ‘Pull You Through.’ Just to drive the point home, Rose and her band even stretched out on a swinging cover of ‘The Letter,’ doing a more-than-respectable impression of the funky Mad Dogs & Englishmen arrangement originally sung by Joe Cocker.”

Rose’s ability to embrace her creative freedom in the studio as an independent artist and capture the synergy of her live performances continued to open the floodgates. Critics raved about her live performances including Rolling Stone who named her in their list of 20 Must See Acts (out of 700), USA Today who named her in their list of “…performers who’ll go above and beyond, define a moment…,” and The Nashville Scene who called her performance, “…visually striking, full-sounding, and highly entertaining…” The Washington Post shared, “…louder, looser, more spontaneous…her voice, which has always threatened to incinerate the eyebrows of anyone sitting in the front row…” and Columbus Alive added that her voice “…could run circles around most of the singers on country and pop radio today…

In addition to her head-turning live performances, critics applauded Rose’s independent rise, after nearly a decade at various labels, both independent and major, and her ability to transcend genres performing with a range of artists. This past year, she toured nationwide on her headlining Change The Whole Thing tour, and made first-time festival appearances aboard the Cayamo Cruise, Peach Music Festival, and opened select tour stops with Rock icons Heart and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, and pop superstar Kelly Clarkson.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Dec 30 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel and Harrah's Cherokee Center

*Tickets only available packaged with the Arena 54 NYE show on Friday, December 31 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – ExploreAsheville.com Arena

Hailed as “musical explorers” by Rolling Stone, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong first took flight roughly a decade ago at the University of Maryland, and the pysch-funk trailblazers have since gone on to play more than a thousand shows across 44 states. In just the past two years alone, the band has co-billed at Red Rocks, played halftime at Madison Square Garden, performed on Adult Swim’s FishCenter Live, celebrated the tenth anniversary of their beloved music festival, Domefest, and even earned their first headlining arena show. The Baltimore quartet’s latest album, ‘Presto,’ is their most sophisticated and joyful collection to date, drawing on everything from funk to rock to electronic music as it builds off the group’s unparalleled live energy and hits new heights of emotional and technical maturity. At a time when America seems to grow more divided by the day, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong still believes in the power of music to bring people together, and ‘Presto’ is a big, bold album all about celebrating the present and sharing it with the ones we love most.

Weekly 30 Minute Meditation for Moms
Dec 30 @ 9:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Online w/ Awakening Asheville

Hosted by Sahaja Yoga Meditation DFW
Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms.

About this Event
We are creating this Meditation space for moms 💟 that can help
🤲 create a supportive community of moms who can come together and meditate
🤲 build a meditation routine
🤲 implement self-care, and take pause in hectic lives
🤲 bring calmness and balance that can reflect on kids and household
🤲 share experiences and learn to grow in this journey together

Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms. Meditation is a simple way to de-stress, and it can help bring peace and balance, especially in these hectic times.

What we’re about

COVID-19 UPDATE: An email was sent out to Awakening Asheville advising all in-person meetups should be postponed or moved to virtual attendance only. Please contact hosts with any questions. Thank you, and be well! Courtney

We are an LGBTQ+ BIPOC safe spiritual group that enjoys the coming together of community lightworkers sharing our journeys. We offer meditations, healing energy, and many different workshops. Come join us!

Friday, December 31, 2021
 Give!Local: Literacy Together
Dec 31 all-day
online
1-Month Free and No Join Fee* with the YWCA Health and Wellness Center
Dec 31 all-day
YWCA


1-Month Free and No Join Fee*

Our YWCA Health and Wellness Center is so much more than just a gym and pool. We welcome all people who want to belong to a fitness community that values diversity and dignity, body-positivity, promotes health, wellness, and nurtures children. Where being a member means you are part of a community whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.

This winter season we are offering incentives for members who join before January 8, 2022, including a fitness center orientation that will help you make the most of your membership, and an entry for a chance to win a no-cost one-year membership. Additionally, every new member who chooses an annual commitment plan will receive the 13th month free, and enrollment fees are waived.

Check out our YWCA rate chart for more information, or give us a call at (828) 254-7206 today to learn more.

2022 Season Hendersonville Theatre on sale Now!
Dec 31 all-day
Hendersonville Theatre

ON SALE NOVEMBER 26, 2021

Because we know that everyone’s schedules are different, Hendersonville Theatre offers four excellent Season Ticket packages that will get you the best seats in the house and save you money.

SHOWS INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE:

Nunsense Jamboree
Red, White & Tuna
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The Haunting of Hill House
Five Carols for Christmas & JingleJacks

Asheville Art Museum From Home
Dec 31 all-day
online
WORK OF THE WEEK
Jeff Koons’s One Ball Total Equilibrium Tank (Spalding Dr. J Silver Series) is currently on view in the Museum’s Artistic Tribute: Representation of the Athlete exhibition. Keira Ezzo, summer 2021 communications – multimedia storytelling intern, shares her take on this work for our Work of the Week. Read more about this work on the blog.

ENGAGE WITH THE MUSEUM FROM HOME

Check back often for new content that provides inspiration, calm, comfort, and yes, even some fun during this unprecedented time.

Asheville Art Museum Holiday Gift Guide 2021
Dec 31 all-day
Online w/ Asheville Art Museum

The holiday shopping season has begun and we’re here to help with gift ideas! From kids and students, to teachers, art lovers, bookworms, and that person who has everything, you’re sure to find something unique at the Museum for those on your list. Scroll down for a selection of our favorite ideas!

 

Asheville Gallery of Art’s December Exhibit, Joyful Light
Dec 31 all-day
Asheville Gallery of Art

Asheville Gallery of Art

December 2021 Exhibit

“Joyful Light”

Each of us would benefit by having more joy and light into our lives and our world, after the last two difficult years. The December exhibit at the Asheville Gallery of Art focuses on visual images that remind us to welcome the joy and light of the season into our hearts and homes.

“Joyful Light” runs from December 1-31 during gallery hours, 11am-6pm, and features works by numerous artists in a variety of mediums. A gathering to meet the artists will be held on First Friday, December 3 from 5-8pm at the gallery at 82 Patton Avenue. Please join us during this special time of year to view the wonderful medley of offerings!

Patricia Veatch – “Merry Berry”, Oil
“Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. I love Christmas most of all for the opportunity to be with family and share our traditions. After a very isolated zoom Christmas last year, our family is going to celebrate with gusto!”

Sally Lordeon – “Sunlight Thru the Trees”, Acrylic

“As the days shorten, we are reminded of nature’s eternal gift of gleaming sunlight that shines through the thickest forest and brings us the joy of another beautiful day.”

Raquel Egosi – “Terpsichore”, Acrylic

“While mostly abstract, this painting is inspired by the dynamic flow of the joy of dance, the exuberance of life, and the creativity of performance and stage lights.”

Robin Altman – “Mountain Sunflower”, Acrylic
“This little painting is a reminder to get up each day with the intent to shine a light on the world in some way. Just as nothing stops nature, we must stand up and be counted.”

The Asheville Gallery of Art is open 7 days a week. For more information about this show, contact the gallery at (828) 251-5796, visit the gallery website at www.ashevillegallery-of-art.com, or go to the gallery’s Facebook page.

Be an Arts Ally Raffle
Dec 31 all-day
online

Be an Arts Ally

Join or renew your arts council membership between now and December 31st for your chance to win this raffle package, including a Wheel Thrown Shape vase from East Fork, truffles from Chocolate Fetish, a card set from Noir Collective, and two bottles wine from Marked Tree vineyard.

Bob Moog Foundation And Moogseum Membership Programs
Dec 31 all-day
online

A wide range of Membership Program packages are available, offering benefits and perks including one-time or unlimited admission to the Moogseum for a year, guest passes, gift membership packages, access to virtual archival galleries and live streamed events, free or discounted admission to in-person and virtual events, and even private Moogseum tours. Membership packages are offered at price points from $25 – $500 per year.

Become a member of the Bob Moog Foundation and the Moogseum, which allows you access to tangible, members-only benefits and allows you to be an advocate in support of Bob’s legacy and contributions that revolutionized music!

Your membership provides invaluable resources and funding to support our mission to innovate, inspire, and ignite creativity.

 

Review the Membership Packages below and choose the one that best suits you!*

All packages include the Members-only “Synth-Insider” newsletter, sent quarterly,

and a 10% discount on Bob Moog Foundation Merchandise.

Bullington Gardens Virtual Holiday Sale
Dec 31 all-day
online

Join us for our virtual holiday sale. Trees, wreaths, holiday decor, ornaments and so much more! Easy ordering and contactless pick up.

Buncombe County Extends Indoor Mask Mandate to Jan. 4, 2022
Dec 31 all-day
Buncombe County
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has extended the county-wide face covering requirement for all indoor public spaces through Jan. 3, 2022. The indoor mask requirement also extends to Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville, and Woodfin.
In Buncombe County, COVID-19 case rates continue to be high, and per the CDC definition, the County remains an area of high transmission. The percent positivity remains in the moderate category, and the death rate remains in the substantial category.

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases continue to increase after a high level plateau. The percent positivity is now consistently above 5% again, and we are likely to see a further increase after the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Public Health Director Stacie Saunders. “Transitioning to living with COVID-19 means doing what we can now to reduce transmission and burden of new infections. Our goal is to dampen as much as possible any surge we may see during this holiday season with the hope of achieving decreasing case rate and spread as we enter the new year.”

Businesses Get in the Local Food Guide!
Dec 31 all-day
online w/ ASAP
Get in the Local Food Guide!
2021 Local Food Guide and Full Share: A CSA GuideEvery year, ASAP calls more than 1,400 businesses to update our Local Food Guide and CSA guide so that we get the most accurate information about connecting with local food and farms. We’ve started making calls for 2022!
Want to get a head start on updating your listing? You can give us a call (828-236-1282) or do it yourself online (click login in the upper right of appalachiangrown.org). The deadline to be included in the print Local Food Guide is Jan. 31 (or Dec. 31 for CSA farms).⁣
Have a new farm, restaurant, retail outlet, or other locally sourcing food business that you want to be listed? Go to appalachiangrown.org and click Get in the Guide.⁣ An online listing is completely free.
Christmas at Biltmore
Dec 31 all-day
Biltmore

November 5, 2021 – January 9, 2022: 47th Annual Christmas at Biltmore

Holidays arrive at America’s largest home in style. More than a century ago, George Vanderbilt chose the holiday season as the time to unveil his new home to family and friends. This year’s Christmas at Biltmore promises another extravagant celebration, complete with dozens of Christmas trees, miles of ribbon, garland and lights. Festive menus in estate restaurants and holiday wine tastings make for a memorable visit.

Curatorial Fellowship
Dec 31 all-day
online with Center for Craft

Fellowship program supporting emerging craft curators to explore and test new ideas about craft.

Details

  • Award Amount:
  • Up to $5,000
  • Grant Period:
  • Through 2023

Timeline

  • Applications Open:
  • Nov 16, 2021
  • Orientation:
  • January 14, 2022
  • Deadline:
  • Feb 14, 2022
  • Notification:
  • Apr 2022
  • Grant Period begins:
  • May 2022
  • Grant Period ends:
  • Through 2023
Deck The Trees
Dec 31 all-day
Monte Vista Hotel

Come experience the charm of Black Mountain and get in the Christmas spirit. You will discover 35 (and possibly more) beautifully decorated Christmas trees situated at the Monte Vista Hotel and in stores and businesses throughout Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley area. Each tree, uniquely decorated around the theme: A Black Mountain Christmas, will be created by businesses, organizations, or individuals to help raise funds for the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund. Come join us! Share in the Christmas spirit and support your favorite tree by donating with cash, check, or on-line at svcmblackmountain.org.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dec 31 all-day
online

Driving Tour with Smith-McDowell House
Dec 31 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
The residents of the Smith-McDowell House and grounds were woven in to the fabric of Asheville.

This driving tour begins at the Smith-McDowell House Museum on the campus of A-B Tech and continues through historic sites related to early occupants of the house.

Farm to School Jumpstart Grants from Growing Minds
Dec 31 all-day
online

Growing Minds has announced a new Jumpstart Grant for farm to school projects. Pre-K through 12 schools, homeschool groups, teacher and nutrition education programs, and community organizations serving children and families within the 23 westernmost counties of North Carolina may apply for $500-$1,000 to provide children with positive local food and agriculture experiences. Eligible projects include edible school gardens, farm field trips, local food taste tests, or meals. In addition to funding, grantees may request supplemental training and/or technical assistance from the Growing Minds staff to help implement their project.

Grant applications are due Jan. 15, 2022.

Give the gift of live theatre with Flat Rock Playhouse gift certificates
Dec 31 all-day
online with Flat Rock Playhouse
Give the gift of live theatre at
              Flat Rock Playhouse!

Gift Certificates Available!

Looking for a great stocking stuffer or holiday gift?

Why not give the gift of live theatre?

The 2022 season will be announced on January 10th, and an experience is an unforgettable gift.

Contact the Box Office at (828)693-0731 to purchase.

Gift certificates purchased after Friday, December 17th, 2021 at 5:00pm will be mailed on Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 when Flat Rock Playhouse reopens from the Holiday’s.

Give the Gift of Theatre!
Dec 31 all-day
online
Flat Rock Playhouse Gift
                Certificate sits on a decorated Christmas tree

If you are looking for a great stocking stuffer or Hanukkah gift, why not give the gift of live theatre? The 2022 season will be announced soon and an experience is an unforgettable gift. Contact the Box Office at 828.693.0731 to purchase.

Also, consider making a donation designated to underwrite the cost of tickets which will be offered to first responders in the area. For the person who doesn’t need anything, but loves the arts, this could be a very special gift you give in their honor. Contact the Development Office for more information. 828.693.0403 x220.

GivingTuesday with Homeward Bound
Dec 31 all-day
online
Image

 

Giving Tuesday 2021 is only two weeks away. This year, every dollar you donate on Giving Tuesday will be matched up to $50,000.

Let me tell you about Zach.

When Zach was 23 he was involved in a horrific car crash. He sustained a traumatic brain injury, severed his spinal cord, and was paralyzed from the neck down. Along with tremendous pain came addiction to prescription pain-killers, depression and anxiety. Eventually Zach lost his job, his marriage, and soon after he was homeless.

$27 a day will provide housing and case management support for one person for a year. Your Giving Tuesday donation to Homeward Bound will help folks like Zach get into their own homes this holiday season.

Here’s how you can best prepare to help folks like Zach this year:

 

Mark your calendar. Giving Tuesday is two weeks from today, on November 30, 2021.

 

Give! Now through December 31, 2021, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 as part of our Creating Hope and Homes Matching Gift Challenge! 

 

Spread the word! Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to join you in Giving Tuesday 2021. Share on social media what our mission means to you, and tag us on Facebook [@homewardboundwnc] or Instagram [@homeward_bound_wnc] so we can share it!