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.

Monday, April 6, 2020
#EarthMonth2020 #BackyardChallenge with SAHC
Apr 6 all-day
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC
Get Free Books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Apr 6 all-day
Imagination Library Online

Children under 5 years old can receive free, age-appropriate books each month until their 5th birthday! Read more and sign up here.
Conserving Carolina “Kudzu Warriors” at Norman Wilder Forest
Apr 6 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Norman Wilder Forest parking area/trailhead off of Hwy 176,

Join the Conserving Carolina “Kudzu Warriors” as they continue the fight against Kudzu, a non-native and invasive vine, at the Conserving Carolina owned Norman Wilder Forest off of Hwy 176.

The Kudzu Warriors, named for their hard work eradicating Kudzu on Little Warrior Mountain, have been defending the Conserving Carolina nature preserve from Kudzu (and other exotic species) since 2011 and have made a tremendous impact on the property. Areas that were once a mat of Kudzu vines are now lush with native vegetation! But the fight is not over, and we need your help!

Join us Monday from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the Norman Wilder Forest parking area/trailhead off of Hwy 176, between Tryon and Saluda. GPS points (35.22458, -82.27428)

We will supply tools and gloves, but please bring water and a snack for yourself, dress appropriately and bring your own work gloves if you’d like.

To RSVP or for more information call Pam at 828-697-5777, ext 300 or email [email protected].

LGBTQ Book Club
Apr 6 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop’s Bookstore

Join host Alex Ruiz to discuss a wide-ranging selection of fiction and non-fiction focused on the LGBTQ community.  Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets at Malaprop’s the first Monday of every month at 7:00 pm.

Event date:
Monday, January 6, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, February 3, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, March 2, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, April 6, 2020 – 7:00pm
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
#EarthMonth2020 #BackyardChallenge with SAHC
Apr 7 all-day
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC
Grandfather Mountain CLOSED to all activity
Apr 7 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain will close until further notice, effective Sunday, March 15. The closure means the park will prohibit public access, including from the main entrance gate and hiking trails.

In addition, all special events and programs scheduled through Memorial Day have been canceled or postponed.

WILD (Women in Lively Discussion) Book Club
Apr 7 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Battery Park Book Exchange

Join former Malaprop’s General Manager Linda-Marie Barrett for this woman-only book club that seeks to have fun by reading books (fiction & non) by women writers. Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets at 6:30 P.M. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Battery Park Book Exchange.

Event date:
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 – 6:30pm
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 – 6:30pm
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 – 6:30pm
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 – 6:30pm
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
#EarthMonth2020 #BackyardChallenge with SAHC
Apr 8 all-day
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC
Get Free Books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Apr 8 all-day
Imagination Library Online

Children under 5 years old can receive free, age-appropriate books each month until their 5th birthday! Read more and sign up here.
Grandfather Mountain CLOSED to all activity
Apr 8 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain will close until further notice, effective Sunday, March 15. The closure means the park will prohibit public access, including from the main entrance gate and hiking trails.

In addition, all special events and programs scheduled through Memorial Day have been canceled or postponed.

Malaprop’s Bookstore Home delivery throughout all Buncombe County
Apr 8 all-day
Malaprop's Bookstore

Thank you so much for your support! To care for you and our staff, Malaprop’s is closed to the public and we have ceased curbside pick up. We have also suspended in-store events and bookclubs until May 15th.  Meanwhile, we are exploring new subscription services, delivery options, and more digital content. Please see the ways we are still serving you below. Stay home and stay safe!

  • As always, you can order online 24/7 at malaprops.com. You can also call us at 828-254-6734 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily to order by phone. Yes, we can make suggestions! All orders will require prepayment. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Paypal.

  • We are now offering home delivery throughout all of Buncombe County! The only requirement is a two-book minimum purchase. Deliveries will be made on Tuesdays and Fridays, with any order placed before 5 pm the previous day.  Orders will safely be left on your doorstep.

  • FREE shipping via media mail is available for orders over $50.00 (before tax) sent to addresses in the continental United States. Other orders ship via Priority Mail or other services with prices listed at checkout.

We want to thank you again for your continued support at this time. If you’re looking for other ways to support our staff, you can donate to Malaprop’s via the icon to your right, contribute the Cafe Barista’s virtual tip jar, or to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC), which provides grants to booksellers in times of need. To support other local businesses, visit ashevillestrong.com.

Please take care of yourselves!

Join the Global Tree Inventory Challenge
Apr 8 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Image may contain: possible text that says 'TREES CH CHALLENGE 2020 April I- April 30'

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 25th Anniversary of the GLOBE program, the Buncombe County Library System and NASA are challenging you to make every tree count by using the GLOBE observer app to contribute to a global tree inventory.

Learn more at observer.globe.gov/trees-2020

To join the library team and become a citizen scientist download the free GLOBE observer app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Create an account, go to settings, click on JOIN a GLOBE Team, and type in the referral code: GLIDCTAZ.

You are now part of our Citizen Scientist team, Friends of Treebeard! Follow the directions and head outside!

Happy Earth Day teammate!

Kristin Harmel Virtual Author Event
Apr 8 @ 6:00 pm
Virtual Event

TICKETS:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-event-with-kristin-harmel-tickets-100459611402?aff=odeieiconstantcontact&ctct_id=ec632d0a-4852-42d3-ad6b-2afc96796287_p2&ctct_c=n7-eWakqJPl5z1Mof6u_VRDyx04SH8ALwb3E1yQDZ7haN7jT0a_DIQ==

Interesting times require creativity, so join us for our 1st-ever virtual author event with international bestselling author Kristin Harmel!
About this Event
Your $30 event ticket will give you access to a live online book talk with bestselling author Kristin Harmel, the ability to view a 48-hour replay in case you miss the live event, AND you’ll get an (unsigned) paperback copy of her latest release, The Winemaker’s Wife, shipped directly to you*. You’ll also have the chance to type in questions to be answered during the event Q&A session.
So, buy a bottle of champagne to have on hand and we’ll all toast to Kristin, The Winemaker’s Wife, social distancing, and to resilience in times of crisis!
*BONUS offer!: The author has offered to mail out signed bookplates to all attendees due to the current circumstances. If you do not want us to share your shipping address with the author, please let us know, and we will exclude you from that mailing. In addition, the author will be surprising one lucky attendee with a FREE signed copy of her first book, The Room on Rue Amélie!
Access to the Event
The talk will be hosted at https://www.crowdcast.io/. You can watch through your browser and are not required to download any software (though mobile apps are also available). Once ticket sales cut off 48 hours before the event, we will send you an email with the link to the specific event URL.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
#EarthMonth2020 #BackyardChallenge with SAHC
Apr 9 all-day
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC
Malaprop’s Bookstore Home delivery throughout all Buncombe County
Apr 9 all-day
Malaprop's Bookstore

Thank you so much for your support! To care for you and our staff, Malaprop’s is closed to the public and we have ceased curbside pick up. We have also suspended in-store events and bookclubs until May 15th.  Meanwhile, we are exploring new subscription services, delivery options, and more digital content. Please see the ways we are still serving you below. Stay home and stay safe!

  • As always, you can order online 24/7 at malaprops.com. You can also call us at 828-254-6734 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily to order by phone. Yes, we can make suggestions! All orders will require prepayment. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Paypal.

  • We are now offering home delivery throughout all of Buncombe County! The only requirement is a two-book minimum purchase. Deliveries will be made on Tuesdays and Fridays, with any order placed before 5 pm the previous day.  Orders will safely be left on your doorstep.

  • FREE shipping via media mail is available for orders over $50.00 (before tax) sent to addresses in the continental United States. Other orders ship via Priority Mail or other services with prices listed at checkout.

We want to thank you again for your continued support at this time. If you’re looking for other ways to support our staff, you can donate to Malaprop’s via the icon to your right, contribute the Cafe Barista’s virtual tip jar, or to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC), which provides grants to booksellers in times of need. To support other local businesses, visit ashevillestrong.com.

Please take care of yourselves!

Keeper For A Day at Grandfather Mountain
Apr 9 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Grandfather Mountain

Keeper For A Day

Learn how to interact with the animals, clean up, prepare food and provide enrichments. Observe various training sessions, animal behavior and the inner workings of the animal habitats.

Requirements:

Limited to two persons per day. No pets allowed in habitat area. Keepers for a Day must:

— be 12 years of age or older
— be capable of walking up and down steep, rough terrain
— sign a waiver of liability

Expected Daily Schedule:

Arrive at 8 a.m., meet the keepers, and go to work! Assist as we let out the animals, feed them and clean their habitats. You may be asked to lift and carry animal food, tools or other items. Learn about training and providing enrichments. End your exciting shift at 11 a.m.

What to Wear:

You will get dirty! Please wear appropriate, closed-toe hiking or work boots and no loose jewelry. Coats, jackets, gloves and hats are recommended for cooler weather. Please bring sunscreen.

Weather:

Keeper for a Day will continue on schedule regardless of weather conditions. In the event that weather conditions could affect the opening of the habitats, you will be contacted.

The weather on Grandfather Mountain can change at a moment’s notice. Temperatures are commonly 5 to 10 degrees colder than what they are at the bottom of the mountain in Linville. It is recommended that you dress in layers and be prepared for any weather condition.

2019 Keeper for a Day Dates

Month Days Time Number
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
May 7, 14, 21, 28 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
June 4, 11, 18, 25 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
August 6, 13, 20, 27 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
September 3, 10, 17, 24 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 8 a.m.-11 a.m. limited to two people per day

Reservations:

Keeper for a Day must be booked at least one week in advance by calling (828) 733-8715. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

Price:

The cost is $75 per participant ($60 each for Bridge Club members). Admission to the park is included.

Conserving Carolina “Kudzu Warriors” at Norman Wilder Forest
Apr 9 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Norman Wilder Forest parking area/trailhead off of Hwy 176,

Join the Conserving Carolina “Kudzu Warriors” as they continue the fight against Kudzu, a non-native and invasive vine, at the Conserving Carolina owned Norman Wilder Forest off of Hwy 176.

The Kudzu Warriors, named for their hard work eradicating Kudzu on Little Warrior Mountain, have been defending the Conserving Carolina nature preserve from Kudzu (and other exotic species) since 2011 and have made a tremendous impact on the property. Areas that were once a mat of Kudzu vines are now lush with native vegetation! But the fight is not over, and we need your help!

Join us Monday from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the Norman Wilder Forest parking area/trailhead off of Hwy 176, between Tryon and Saluda. GPS points (35.22458, -82.27428)

We will supply tools and gloves, but please bring water and a snack for yourself, dress appropriately and bring your own work gloves if you’d like.

To RSVP or for more information call Pam at 828-697-5777, ext 300 or email [email protected].

Join the Global Tree Inventory Challenge
Apr 9 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Image may contain: possible text that says 'TREES CH CHALLENGE 2020 April I- April 30'

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 25th Anniversary of the GLOBE program, the Buncombe County Library System and NASA are challenging you to make every tree count by using the GLOBE observer app to contribute to a global tree inventory.

Learn more at observer.globe.gov/trees-2020

To join the library team and become a citizen scientist download the free GLOBE observer app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Create an account, go to settings, click on JOIN a GLOBE Team, and type in the referral code: GLIDCTAZ.

You are now part of our Citizen Scientist team, Friends of Treebeard! Follow the directions and head outside!

Happy Earth Day teammate!

Friday, April 10, 2020
#EarthMonth2020 #BackyardChallenge with SAHC
Apr 10 all-day
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC
Get Free Books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Apr 10 all-day
Imagination Library Online

Children under 5 years old can receive free, age-appropriate books each month until their 5th birthday! Read more and sign up here.
Grandfather Mountain CLOSED to all activity
Apr 10 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain will close until further notice, effective Sunday, March 15. The closure means the park will prohibit public access, including from the main entrance gate and hiking trails.

In addition, all special events and programs scheduled through Memorial Day have been canceled or postponed.

Malaprop’s Bookstore Home delivery throughout all Buncombe County
Apr 10 all-day
Malaprop's Bookstore

Thank you so much for your support! To care for you and our staff, Malaprop’s is closed to the public and we have ceased curbside pick up. We have also suspended in-store events and bookclubs until May 15th.  Meanwhile, we are exploring new subscription services, delivery options, and more digital content. Please see the ways we are still serving you below. Stay home and stay safe!

  • As always, you can order online 24/7 at malaprops.com. You can also call us at 828-254-6734 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily to order by phone. Yes, we can make suggestions! All orders will require prepayment. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Paypal.

  • We are now offering home delivery throughout all of Buncombe County! The only requirement is a two-book minimum purchase. Deliveries will be made on Tuesdays and Fridays, with any order placed before 5 pm the previous day.  Orders will safely be left on your doorstep.

  • FREE shipping via media mail is available for orders over $50.00 (before tax) sent to addresses in the continental United States. Other orders ship via Priority Mail or other services with prices listed at checkout.

We want to thank you again for your continued support at this time. If you’re looking for other ways to support our staff, you can donate to Malaprop’s via the icon to your right, contribute the Cafe Barista’s virtual tip jar, or to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC), which provides grants to booksellers in times of need. To support other local businesses, visit ashevillestrong.com.

Please take care of yourselves!

Join the Global Tree Inventory Challenge
Apr 10 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Image may contain: possible text that says 'TREES CH CHALLENGE 2020 April I- April 30'

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 25th Anniversary of the GLOBE program, the Buncombe County Library System and NASA are challenging you to make every tree count by using the GLOBE observer app to contribute to a global tree inventory.

Learn more at observer.globe.gov/trees-2020

To join the library team and become a citizen scientist download the free GLOBE observer app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Create an account, go to settings, click on JOIN a GLOBE Team, and type in the referral code: GLIDCTAZ.

You are now part of our Citizen Scientist team, Friends of Treebeard! Follow the directions and head outside!

Happy Earth Day teammate!

Mud Creek Workday WNC Earth Month
Apr 10 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Conserving Carolina

Help us restore this wetland by removing non-native invasive species. This property borders the confluence of Mouth of Mud Creek and the French Broad River. We are working to restore this property from farmland to a functional and healthy wetland. It is important to remove the non-native invasive species to allow native species to thrive.

Must be able to walk ~.25 mile and ability to bend over. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water and lunch. Extra snacks will be provided.

Meet at the Hendersonville office at 9:30AM to carpool or at GPS coordinates (35.406279, -82.529429) at 10:00AM.

RSVP or for more information email [email protected] or call Natalie at 828-697-5777 ext. 211

PEANUTS™ Easter Beagle Express CANCELLED
Apr 10 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR) has continued to
follow the rapidly developing concerns and threats due to the impact of COVID19. As it continues to spread, it is important that we follow the current guidance
and recommendations from our state and national officials. Our top priority
remains the safeguard of our visitors, employees, and community.
GSMR will extend the current suspension of passenger train operations until May
1, 2020 or until further notice. This also includes our model train museum and
retail store.
We will continue in providing clear options to offer the best customer service and
booking flexibility. Guests who currently hold reservations will be notified with
the option of rescheduling or cancellation. For all reservations effected by this
suspension we will continue waiving all fees.
Guests may also call our reservations line at 1-800-872-4681 between the hours of
9AM to 5:00PM EST or email us at [email protected]. Calls and emails
will be answered in the order they are received. Please remain patient with us as
our call and email volume will increase.
At this time, we are not announcing any cancellation of service beyond May 1,
2020 as we remain hopeful to see the return of our busy 2020 railroad season very
soon. However, as the situation changes and new information becomes available
our timeline may be altered and we will continue communicating as quickly as
possible.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad welcomes back The PEANUTS™ Easter Beagle Express April 10 & 11! This 4-hour round trip special event train departs the historic Bryson City Depot at 11:00am, and will travel along the Tuckasegee River to the quaint town of Dillsboro, North Carolina for a 1 ½ hour layover of activities.

Passengers will join Snoopy, Lucy, Charlie Brown and our Easter Bunnies for old fashioned Easter fun! Festivities include an on-going Easter egg hunt, crafts, coloring sheets, temporary tattoos, and snacks with Snoopy and more. There will also be plenty of opportunities for pictures, so do not forget your camera! BOOKING IS NOW AVAILABLE!

Saturday, April 11, 2020
#EarthMonth2020 #BackyardChallenge with SAHC
Apr 11 all-day
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC
Get Free Books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Apr 11 all-day
Imagination Library Online

Children under 5 years old can receive free, age-appropriate books each month until their 5th birthday! Read more and sign up here.
Grandfather Mountain CLOSED to all activity
Apr 11 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain will close until further notice, effective Sunday, March 15. The closure means the park will prohibit public access, including from the main entrance gate and hiking trails.

In addition, all special events and programs scheduled through Memorial Day have been canceled or postponed.

Guided Hikes: Grandfather Mountain
Apr 11 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

Interpretive Rangers are available to lead guided hikes, bird walks and wildflower walks for families and groups that visit Grandfather Mountain. To see the mountain in this whole new way, you can schedule an appointment by calling the interpretive ranger office at (828) 737-0833 or emailing [email protected].

Please note that walks and hikes are available for all ability levels, but hikes that take you into Grandfather Mountain’s backcountry require careful footwork, proper footwear and the ability to handle heights. All backcountry hikes require participants to traverse ladders and use cables to navigate steep sections of the trail.

Interpretive Rangers are available year-round (weather permitting) to lead guided hikes to:

MacRae Peak ($15 + park admission)
Attic Window ($25 + park admission)
Calloway Peak ($35 + park admission)

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance, and a minimum of two participants per hike are required. For more information, please call (828) 737-0833.

Malaprop’s Bookstore Home delivery throughout all Buncombe County
Apr 11 all-day
Malaprop's Bookstore

Thank you so much for your support! To care for you and our staff, Malaprop’s is closed to the public and we have ceased curbside pick up. We have also suspended in-store events and bookclubs until May 15th.  Meanwhile, we are exploring new subscription services, delivery options, and more digital content. Please see the ways we are still serving you below. Stay home and stay safe!

  • As always, you can order online 24/7 at malaprops.com. You can also call us at 828-254-6734 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily to order by phone. Yes, we can make suggestions! All orders will require prepayment. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Paypal.

  • We are now offering home delivery throughout all of Buncombe County! The only requirement is a two-book minimum purchase. Deliveries will be made on Tuesdays and Fridays, with any order placed before 5 pm the previous day.  Orders will safely be left on your doorstep.

  • FREE shipping via media mail is available for orders over $50.00 (before tax) sent to addresses in the continental United States. Other orders ship via Priority Mail or other services with prices listed at checkout.

We want to thank you again for your continued support at this time. If you’re looking for other ways to support our staff, you can donate to Malaprop’s via the icon to your right, contribute the Cafe Barista’s virtual tip jar, or to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC), which provides grants to booksellers in times of need. To support other local businesses, visit ashevillestrong.com.

Please take care of yourselves!