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.

Sunday, December 15, 2019
Handle With Care
Dec 15 @ 2:00 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

The Santaland Diaries
Dec 15 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

When an out of work slacker takes a job as an elf in Macy’s Santaland, his hilarious observations of the shoppers and employees are much more naughty than nice. This one-man-act can only be described one way: crazy funny. It’s the 18th year in a row for this show at ACT! Starring Tom Chalmers.

Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 15 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Montford Park Player’s A Christmas Carol
Dec 15 @ 5:00 pm
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre

Photo of two actors dressed up as characters from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Get ready for a Moppet Holiday!
Scrooge and all of the Spirts of Christmas are back, and the Moppets got ’em!
Now that The Montford Moppets, Asheville’s ONLY Continuing Shakespeare Summer Camp, is year-round, they are returning for the second straight year to bring you their delightful take on Dickens’ holiday classic.
And, for the second-year in a row, A Christmas Carol will be a Moppet affair.
Dynamic duo Ashleigh and Skyler Goff have asked the Teens their hot takes on the famous story, and what they’ve come up with will surely delight kids and their grown-ups alike.
Shows will be presented Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5pm from December 13th through the 22nd, with a special showing on Monday the 23rd.
The Saturday performances will be preceded (starting at 3pm) by Montford Park Players’ Holiday Festival, featuring local food vendors and crafters, delicious baked goods, and many other surprises for the whole family.

Please note, that all of these festivities will be held on the grounds of the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre and are outdoors. Although MPP will provide patio heaters, we ask that you dress very warmly and bring any items or drinks that will help your entire day be filled with warmth.

Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 15 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. Open nightly November 22, 2019 – January 4, 2020, from 6 to 10 p.m. Walk through an outdoor winter wonderland and see the Arboretum’s gardens and landscapes dressed in more than half-a-million holiday lights. Listen to the sounds of your favorite holiday tunes or enjoy a cup of holiday-inspired cocoa, cider or beer.

$18-$8. See website for tickets and specials.

Specials

Friends & Family Discount Night – Tuesdays

Tickets are reduced to $15 for adults and $10 for children. Arboretum members receive an additional $2 off each ticket. (Excludes Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve.)

Available on Thursdays through Saturdays only, this special ticketed event offers visitors the chance to enjoy a holly, jolly ride from downtown Asheville or Biltmore Village to Winter Lights courtesy of The Trolley Company. Upon arrival, guests will receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and access to the Winter Lights. Pick-up is at 6:00 p.m. from the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville and 6:15 p.m. from the DoubleTree Hotel in Biltmore Village. Guests will be dropped back off at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 per person (children 4 & under are free) and can be purchased through The Trolley Company’s website here(Note: Arboretum member discounts do not apply for this tour). For additional questions, please call Eva Ritchey at The Trolley Company at 828.606.8606.

Comedy at Fleetwood’s: Dan Alten
Dec 15 @ 8:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Dan Alten is a goofball from Kentucky who travels the country in his poorly maintained car, bringing his intelligently surreal nonsense to dive bars, punk houses, theaters, art galleries, and comedy clubs. He has opened for Kyle Kinane, Rory Scovel, Sean Patton, Hari Kondabulu, TV’s David Liebe Hart, rapper Open Mike Eagle, punk bands GRLWOOD and Boner City, and a guy at an open mic who tried to throw his father’s ashes into the crowd. If you don’t like him you can punch him in the arm.

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-dan-alten-tickets-83112558901

Monday, December 16, 2019
Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 16 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Makin’ a Difference Monday
Dec 16 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Oskar Blues Brewery

We’ll be at the Tasty Weasel Taproom at Oskar Blues Brewery for Makin’ a Difference Monday on December 16th from 5:30-8 pm. Oskar Blues, Brevard is donating 10% of their taproom sales to Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders so please come support Oskar Blues supporting CRC for ED!

Join the conversation about food, body image, and exercise issues, enjoy a delicious pint and… make a difference with us!

Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders is the only nonprofit in NC supporting individuals, families, and professionals concerned with disordered eating and recovery from eating disorders. For more information about CRC for ED: www.crcfored.com

Oskar Blues works hard to be a positive fixture in the community and that starts with building up others and supporting causes that are meaningful. Makin’ a Difference Monday allows OB to give others the spotlight… to bring awareness and support to nonprofit organizations like CRC for ED. Oskar Blues is excited to feature our organization in December and hopes to help rally support and attention for the work we are doing. https://www.oskarblues.com/location/brevard-nc-oskar-blues-taproom/

Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 16 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. Open nightly November 22, 2019 – January 4, 2020, from 6 to 10 p.m. Walk through an outdoor winter wonderland and see the Arboretum’s gardens and landscapes dressed in more than half-a-million holiday lights. Listen to the sounds of your favorite holiday tunes or enjoy a cup of holiday-inspired cocoa, cider or beer.

$18-$8. See website for tickets and specials.

Specials

Friends & Family Discount Night – Tuesdays

Tickets are reduced to $15 for adults and $10 for children. Arboretum members receive an additional $2 off each ticket. (Excludes Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve.)

Available on Thursdays through Saturdays only, this special ticketed event offers visitors the chance to enjoy a holly, jolly ride from downtown Asheville or Biltmore Village to Winter Lights courtesy of The Trolley Company. Upon arrival, guests will receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and access to the Winter Lights. Pick-up is at 6:00 p.m. from the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville and 6:15 p.m. from the DoubleTree Hotel in Biltmore Village. Guests will be dropped back off at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 per person (children 4 & under are free) and can be purchased through The Trolley Company’s website here(Note: Arboretum member discounts do not apply for this tour). For additional questions, please call Eva Ritchey at The Trolley Company at 828.606.8606.

The Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour
Dec 16 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Departs From: Olde World Christmas Shoppe
  • Hop on board the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley for a fun and festive celebration of the season featuring the sights and soundsof 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.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 17 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Annual Holiday Party! Asheville Community Theatre
Dec 17 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
In the Mainstage lobby ACT

EAT, DRINK and BE MERRY! Join us for a holiday party to celebrate YOU! During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s important to take a break with friends. We have been so busy this past year with shows and classes galore! Stop in for drinks and hors d’oeuvres in the ACT lobby to celebrate all of the successes that we created together over the past year! As always, we look forward to seeing you at the theatre!

A Christmas Carol, a Dinner with Dickens
Dec 17 @ 6:00 pm
Red Rocker Inn

“A Christmas Carol” appears for one week at the Red Rocker Inn in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

“A Christmas Carol” is a raucous and fun retelling of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. This one-man show will be appearing in December at the Red Rocker Inn for the week before Christmas.

Beautifully staged at the historic Red Rocker Inn Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant in Black Mountain, NC. Always charming, the inn will be lavishly decorated in her holiday finest. Menu includes prime rib and other festive delights served with impeccable style.

“A Christmas Carol” is a call to return to family and to bring love and caring for the less fortunate. The production is one-third Masterpiece Theater and two-thirds live interactive Comedic Theater. Dickens’s biting commentary on a life based on a banker’s balance sheet is as fresh and funny as yesterday’s news.
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Performance Dates in 2019:
Tuesday December 17th at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, December 18th at 6:00 PM
Friday, December 20th at 6:00 PM
Saturday, December 21st at 6:00 PM

Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 17 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. Open nightly November 22, 2019 – January 4, 2020, from 6 to 10 p.m. Walk through an outdoor winter wonderland and see the Arboretum’s gardens and landscapes dressed in more than half-a-million holiday lights. Listen to the sounds of your favorite holiday tunes or enjoy a cup of holiday-inspired cocoa, cider or beer.

$18-$8. See website for tickets and specials.

Specials

Friends & Family Discount Night – Tuesdays

Tickets are reduced to $15 for adults and $10 for children. Arboretum members receive an additional $2 off each ticket. (Excludes Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve.)

Available on Thursdays through Saturdays only, this special ticketed event offers visitors the chance to enjoy a holly, jolly ride from downtown Asheville or Biltmore Village to Winter Lights courtesy of The Trolley Company. Upon arrival, guests will receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and access to the Winter Lights. Pick-up is at 6:00 p.m. from the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville and 6:15 p.m. from the DoubleTree Hotel in Biltmore Village. Guests will be dropped back off at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 per person (children 4 & under are free) and can be purchased through The Trolley Company’s website here(Note: Arboretum member discounts do not apply for this tour). For additional questions, please call Eva Ritchey at The Trolley Company at 828.606.8606.

Think Tank Tuesdays Trivia Night
Dec 17 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillman Beer

Hillman Beer’s Trivia Night is on Tuesdays from 7pm-9pm! Get ready to drink some beer, test your wit, and have some fun!

Details:
– Please arrive at 6:30pm
– Max 6 people per team
– First place gets a $50 Hillman Beer Gift Card!

Spamilton: An American Parody
Dec 17 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Open Mic at Vintage Kava every Tuesday
Dec 17 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Vintage Kava

Open Mic at Vintage Kava

Come share your talent with the community! All acts welcome (music, jokes, dancing, poetry, storytelling, etc)

Stop by to sign up for your slot!

Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 18 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Reduced Price Growler Fill Wednesdays
Dec 18 @ 9:00 pm – Dec 19 @ 3:00 am
plēb urban winery

Select a wine on draft and fill a plēb urban winery 500mL or 1L growler for a reduced price (see menu for availability and pricing). Growler purchase is separate. Carry out only.

https://www.facebook.com/events/859748727719594/?event_time_id=859748911052909

Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 18 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. Open nightly November 22, 2019 – January 4, 2020, from 6 to 10 p.m. Walk through an outdoor winter wonderland and see the Arboretum’s gardens and landscapes dressed in more than half-a-million holiday lights. Listen to the sounds of your favorite holiday tunes or enjoy a cup of holiday-inspired cocoa, cider or beer.

$18-$8. See website for tickets and specials.

Specials

Friends & Family Discount Night – Tuesdays

Tickets are reduced to $15 for adults and $10 for children. Arboretum members receive an additional $2 off each ticket. (Excludes Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve.)

Available on Thursdays through Saturdays only, this special ticketed event offers visitors the chance to enjoy a holly, jolly ride from downtown Asheville or Biltmore Village to Winter Lights courtesy of The Trolley Company. Upon arrival, guests will receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and access to the Winter Lights. Pick-up is at 6:00 p.m. from the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville and 6:15 p.m. from the DoubleTree Hotel in Biltmore Village. Guests will be dropped back off at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 per person (children 4 & under are free) and can be purchased through The Trolley Company’s website here(Note: Arboretum member discounts do not apply for this tour). For additional questions, please call Eva Ritchey at The Trolley Company at 828.606.8606.

Handle With Care
Dec 18 @ 7:30 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

Spamilton: An American Parody
Dec 18 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Thursday, December 19, 2019
Adam Sandler Presale Alert!
Dec 19 all-day
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Adam
                                                          Sandler

The Bon Secours Wellness Arena is about to get 100% Fresher on March 17 when Adam Sandler takes the stage! Get exclusive access to tickets before they go on sale to the public today!

Venue Presale
Valid Wednesday, December 18 at 10am through

Thursday, December 19 at 10pm
Use Code: CHEER
(Available online only)

Presale starts Wednesday, December 18 at 10am

Click HERE to learn how to add the code on Ticketmaster.

Early Bird Special $40 off 23rd annual French Broad River Festival
Dec 19 all-day
French Broad River

 

The 23rd annual French Broad River Festival will be held May 1-3, 2020 at the beautiful Hot
Springs Campground on the banks of the French Broad River.
FBRF has a loyal following and if you’ve been there, you know. Participate in the river cleanup to kick it off, hike the AT, ride bikes, go fishing, soak in the hot springs, get a massage, go whitewater rafting, check out the vendors, and enjoy the music.
The music is diverse and always on point for such a “small” festival and the setting is incredible.
It’s for a good cause, with over $200,000 donated over 20 years to American Whitewater, Hot Springs Community Learning Center, Homeward Bound, Eliada Home, Mountain Area Child & Family Center, Big Brothers / Big Sisters of WNC, Manna Food bank and more.
Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 19 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force
Dec 19 @ 5:30 pm
City of Asheville Public Works Building A-109

Dustin Clemons, RADTIP Construction Manager, will be joining us to talk about a plan for improving the RR crossing on Riverside Drive.  Your perspective on this difficult bit of infrastructure is important.

The task force meets the third Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in room A-109 at the City of Asheville Public Works Building at 161 S. Charlotte Street. You can enter the building from the north end, the end where you find the parking lot and bike rack.

Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Dec 19 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. Open nightly November 22, 2019 – January 4, 2020, from 6 to 10 p.m. Walk through an outdoor winter wonderland and see the Arboretum’s gardens and landscapes dressed in more than half-a-million holiday lights. Listen to the sounds of your favorite holiday tunes or enjoy a cup of holiday-inspired cocoa, cider or beer.

$18-$8. See website for tickets and specials.

Specials

Friends & Family Discount Night – Tuesdays

Tickets are reduced to $15 for adults and $10 for children. Arboretum members receive an additional $2 off each ticket. (Excludes Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve.)

Available on Thursdays through Saturdays only, this special ticketed event offers visitors the chance to enjoy a holly, jolly ride from downtown Asheville or Biltmore Village to Winter Lights courtesy of The Trolley Company. Upon arrival, guests will receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and access to the Winter Lights. Pick-up is at 6:00 p.m. from the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville and 6:15 p.m. from the DoubleTree Hotel in Biltmore Village. Guests will be dropped back off at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 per person (children 4 & under are free) and can be purchased through The Trolley Company’s website here(Note: Arboretum member discounts do not apply for this tour). For additional questions, please call Eva Ritchey at The Trolley Company at 828.606.8606.

The Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley Tour
Dec 19 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Departs From: Olde World Christmas Shoppe
  • Hop on board the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley for a fun and festive celebration of the season featuring the sights and soundsof 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.
Bad Santa – A Holiday Murder Mystery
Dec 19 @ 7:30 pm
Antidote

Face it – you’ve been DYING to get away with murder!

$40 tickets are sold in advance, but there are limited tickets. Admission includes your first beer, wine, or craft cocktail. This is an event like none other, and RSVP is necessary. There will not be food available at this event, so make sure you have something before. Join us for great drinks and mysterious happenings!!!

7:00pm-7:30PM Check In

7:30pm-9:00pm Murder Mystery Event

BAD SANTA

A master of deception, the reclusive Christopher Clause tricked many people into attending what he referred to as the ‘most wondrous party of the year.’ After everyone arrived at Clause Manor, Christopher had his staff lock the guests inside with no chance of escape. The party-goers were shocked to see Christopher, wearing a Santa suit in a faraway location, pop onto a monitor in the living room. He warned that someone would be leaving in a coroner’s bag!

The eccentric millionaire was a mastermind and had selected the guest list meticulously. It wasn’t long before tempers flared inside of the holiday pressure cooker while they worked on Chris’s demented riddle. There wasn’t much surprise when a dead body emerged, and a killer lurked among them…

The guests scurried about, interrogating each other until they could turn over no more stones. Once they found the killer, the detainees were able to leave the manor, never to speak of the night’s events again.

This is a MyMysteryParty.com mystery party game, in association with Mystery Men Productions. Tickets subject to Terms and Conditions.

Handle With Care
Dec 19 @ 7:30 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times