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.
Founded in 1991, we are Warren Wilson College’s educational program of summer folk arts workshops held on our campus in the Swannanoa Valley near Asheville in the heart of North Carolina’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Each year, we offer a variety of week-long programs in various forms of folk music and dance over a five-week period in July and August, taught by some of the finest folk artists and instructors in the world.
We invite you to join us.
This month-long Celtic music festival takes place on the campus of Warren Wilson College. The festival’s workshops and public performances are joyous celebrations of Scots-Irish music and dance and the many musical forms they have inspired. Check website for programs, location, dates and time.
July 9-15: Celtic Week
July 16-22: Old-Time Week
July 23-29: Contemporary Folk Week
Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.
- Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
- 90-Minutes – tours run daily
- 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
- $39 per person (ages 13+ only)
Included with admission
Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:
- An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
- A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
- Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels
Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.
Grail Moviehouse in Asheville’s River Arts District continues its popular event series: Music Movie Mondays. Showcasing the best in new, classic and cult films about music, these special screenings feature an introduction by music journalist Bill Kopp (that’s me), followed by a screening of the film and then a moderated discussion about what we’ve just seen and heard.
The latest in the series is HEAD, The Monkee’s 1968 film made to deconstruct their cuddly TV image. Is it weird? Oh, yes indeed. Is it fun? Absolutely. And it’s rarely seen on the big screen. Details are in the attached press release; more info at http://musoscribe.com/movies
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
Named ‘Classical Woman of the Year’ by Performance Today, trailblazing pianist Lara Downes returns to Brevard to share music from her new album, Love at Last, a collection of solo piano works by composers who span generations, continents, and cultures. This music explores themes of love and loss, light and darkness, renewal and redemption, the possibility of peace and compassion, and the everlasting power of love.
PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Auditorium seating is reserved.
Founded in 1991, we are Warren Wilson College’s educational program of summer folk arts workshops held on our campus in the Swannanoa Valley near Asheville in the heart of North Carolina’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Each year, we offer a variety of week-long programs in various forms of folk music and dance over a five-week period in July and August, taught by some of the finest folk artists and instructors in the world.
We invite you to join us.
This month-long Celtic music festival takes place on the campus of Warren Wilson College. The festival’s workshops and public performances are joyous celebrations of Scots-Irish music and dance and the many musical forms they have inspired. Check website for programs, location, dates and time.
July 9-15: Celtic Week
July 16-22: Old-Time Week
July 23-29: Contemporary Folk Week
Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.
- Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
- 90-Minutes – tours run daily
- 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
- $39 per person (ages 13+ only)
Included with admission
Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:
- An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
- A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
- Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels
Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.
 |
| Groovin’ on Grovemont, Swannanoa’s popular outdoor summer concert series, is returning to Grovemont Park for its twenty-first year, with a full schedule of music and family fun on three Tuesday evenings, July 11, July 25 and August 8, beginning at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and come enjoy these free family-friendly evenings of great music and food! Grovemont Park is located adjacent to the Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston Avenue.
As always, a large selection of delicious foods will be available for concertgoers to enjoy, including vegan and gluten free options, as well as smaller portions for the little ones. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the Swannanoa Community Council and Friends of the Swannanoa Library, for the benefit of all those who use and enjoy the library, and Grovemont Park and Playground.
Here’s the entertainment schedule:
Tues., 7/11/23 – Saddletramp: The ultimate 90’s Country Party Band! High-Energy interpretations of all your favorite country hits that will keep you dancing on the green all night long! Saddle up, and hold on tight! www.blakeellegemusic.com
Tues., 7/25/23 – Mama and the Ruckus: The Ruckus is led by “Mama”, aka Melissa McKinney. This intergenerational project is based out of Asheville, and features original music inspired by blues and soul. melissamckinneymusic.com/mama-and-the-ruckus
Tues., 8/8/23 – Queen Bee and the Honeylovers: This dance band performs classic swing, blues and Latin music. Vocal-driven with an infectious groove, the Honeylovers are guaranteed to put a grin on your face and a tap in your toes. www.queenbeeswing.com
Bonus feature during every concert: GIANT USED BOOK SALE from 5 – 8:30 p.m. in the basement of the Swannanoa Library. Come check out the newly-remodeled book sale space. Thousands of great books at unbelievably low prices!
Sponsorships, donations, and volunteers are always welcome and encouraged. If you’d like to support Groovin’ through a sponsorship or donation, or as a volunteer, please call (828) 250-6486 or visit www.GrovemontPark.org. Contributions can be made via PayPal or credit/debit card at |
Andy Grammer will be performing LIVE on the Outdoor Stage at Salvage Station on Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 with Devon Cole opening the show! Doors open at 5:30 PM and the music starts at 6:30 PM. This is an all-ages event and free for children under thee age of 7.
PAID ON-SITE PARKING opens at 4:30 PM and our FREE shuttle service to our satellite lots will be available (see FAQ page for more details). Root Down will be serving their delicious twist on Southern Soul food PLUS we will have several food trucks and FULL bars open for you to enjoy!
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
– ALL AGES
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMIITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE
The Wildmans come from the hills of Floyd, Virginia, in the heart of the Appalachian mountain music tradition. From campsite jamming at festivals and fiddler’s conventions and a college level music education comes the foundation for musical exploration that sets this group apart, taking the audience on a musical journey that reflects the growth and passion of these talented musicians.
The band features award winning players:
- Eli Wildman, first place winner in mandolin at the Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention, 2018 and 2019, first place winner at the Mount Airy Fiddler’s 2017, 2018, 2019
- Aila Wildman, first place winner in Old Time Fiddle and Best All Around Performer at the 83rd annual Galax Old Fiddlers convention in 2018
- Victor Furtado, winner of the 2019 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo, and first place Old Time Banjo at Galax 2015, 2016 and 2019
The group has appeared on stages large and small, performing in festivals such as Red Wing Roots, Chantilly Farm’s Bluegrass and BBQ festival, Grey Fox Bluegrass, Floyd Fest, and The Steep Canyon Rangers’ Mountain Song Festival. They also regularly represent young talent along the Crooked Road in regional fiddler’s conventions. Having shared the stage with talents such as Bela Fleck, The Steep Canyon Rangers, The Steel Wheels, Danny Knicely, Sammy Shelor, Sierra Hull, Billy Strings, and more., these young musicians are making their way in the American stringband scene.
ACT welcomes Buncombe Turnpike for two nights of songs and stories on the Mainstage. As part of the concert, Buncombe Turnpike will celebrate the release of their latest album, “Good Measure”.
Buncombe Turnpike was founded in 1997 and is known for playing traditional and contemporary bluegrass, gospel tunes, and original compositions across Western North Carolina. The band members include Don Lewis, David Hyatt, Korey Warren, Tom Godleski, and George Buckner.
ACT audiences will remember Godleski as the creator of “Snowbound” – the “mountain play with mountain music”, produced by ACT in 2016 and 2018.
The award-winning Jasper String Quartet returns to Parker Concert Hall in a program both intimate and profound, with music that gives voice to the presence of the sublime within the human experience. Golijov’s commemoration of three young Holocaust victims, Esmail’s meditation on Indian ragas, and Beethoven’s transcendent quartet take the audience on a journey in search of spiritual nourishment in our everyday lives.
PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Jasper String Quartet
J Freivogel and Karen Kim, violins
Andrew Gonzalez, viola
Rachel Henderson Freivogel, cello
OSVALDO GOLIJOV Yiddishbbuk
REENA ESMAIL Ragamala
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132
Auditorium seating is reserved.
Founded in 1991, we are Warren Wilson College’s educational program of summer folk arts workshops held on our campus in the Swannanoa Valley near Asheville in the heart of North Carolina’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Each year, we offer a variety of week-long programs in various forms of folk music and dance over a five-week period in July and August, taught by some of the finest folk artists and instructors in the world.
We invite you to join us.
This month-long Celtic music festival takes place on the campus of Warren Wilson College. The festival’s workshops and public performances are joyous celebrations of Scots-Irish music and dance and the many musical forms they have inspired. Check website for programs, location, dates and time.
July 9-15: Celtic Week
July 16-22: Old-Time Week
July 23-29: Contemporary Folk Week
Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.
- Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
- 90-Minutes – tours run daily
- 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
- $39 per person (ages 13+ only)
Included with admission
Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:
- An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
- A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
- Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels
Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.
The music of Andrew Wooten & Caroline’s Roost feels like a pine-covered moonshine still on a foggy mountainside somewhere in the Carolinas. Writing from the heart Andrew seamlessly blends ear-catching vocals and genuine lyrics into a song that will leave you wanting more. This last year has seen Andrew’s career kick into gear as he has signed with Roadside Music Management, was nominated for two Upstate Music Awards in South Carolina, and performed live on Charlotte Today.
The traditional music of the mountains of North Carolina traces its roots back to the Celtic music of Ireland and Scotland. Traditional Celtic music is still played on the porches and in the pubs of the Celtic lands… and also throughout the southern Appalachian mountains.
In true pub fashion, White Horse Black Mountain hosts a traditional Irish style session twice a month, on the second and fourth Wednesdays, starting at 7pm….
……..and there is NO COVER CHARGE.
Sessions are in many ways the heart and soul of Irish traditional music, a place for players to share tunes and socialize. It’s not a performance, but rather an informal situation in which listeners are welcome to participate, whether offering encouragement, singing along on a chorus, or asking questions about the music and instruments. White Horse sessions regularly draws players from as far away as Waynesville, Cullowhee, Rutherfordton and even Clayton, Georgia.
The sessions are hosted by Richard and Melinda Halford.
Drop by for a beer or a cup of tea and get uplifted by some great traditional tunes and a few new songs.
Come join us in a long musical tradition spanning hundreds of years.
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
The Jasper String Quartet collaborates with BMC Artist Faculty in a program of chamber music delights by composers who span two centuries of mastery. Jesse Mongomery’s playful Strum gives way to Florence Price’s epic string quartet. Mendelssohn’s youthful quintet illustrates the brilliance of the teenage phenom – only 17 years old when he started composing this gem
PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Jasper String Quartet
with BMC Artist Faculty
JESSIE MONTGOMERY Strum
FLORENCE PRICE String Quartet No. 2 in A minor
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Viola Quintet No. 1 in A major
Auditorium seating is reserved.
ACT welcomes Buncombe Turnpike for two nights of songs and stories on the Mainstage. As part of the concert, Buncombe Turnpike will celebrate the release of their latest album, “Good Measure”.
Buncombe Turnpike was founded in 1997 and is known for playing traditional and contemporary bluegrass, gospel tunes, and original compositions across Western North Carolina. The band members include Don Lewis, David Hyatt, Korey Warren, Tom Godleski, and George Buckner.
ACT audiences will remember Godleski as the creator of “Snowbound” – the “mountain play with mountain music”, produced by ACT in 2016 and 2018.
Founded in 1991, we are Warren Wilson College’s educational program of summer folk arts workshops held on our campus in the Swannanoa Valley near Asheville in the heart of North Carolina’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Each year, we offer a variety of week-long programs in various forms of folk music and dance over a five-week period in July and August, taught by some of the finest folk artists and instructors in the world.
We invite you to join us.
This month-long Celtic music festival takes place on the campus of Warren Wilson College. The festival’s workshops and public performances are joyous celebrations of Scots-Irish music and dance and the many musical forms they have inspired. Check website for programs, location, dates and time.
July 9-15: Celtic Week
July 16-22: Old-Time Week
July 23-29: Contemporary Folk Week
Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.
- Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
- 90-Minutes – tours run daily
- 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
- $39 per person (ages 13+ only)
Join us at Eliada Home’s campus for a small group guided walking Farm Tour. Tours last approximately 1 hour. Participants will learn about outdoor and greenhouse growing practices, aquaponics, hydroponics, market gardening, corn maze production, and about our equine therapy program.
Reservations required. There is no cost, but donations to the non-profit agency are greatly appreciated.
We recommend bringing the following: comfortable shoes for walking on pavement and grass, hat, sunglasses, and water. This tour is not handicap accessible and will require participants to climb stairs and walk on uneven ground.
Sandburg Home Tours – Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm.
*As of April 2022, tours are free until further notice. See rates below if they change before your visit. Online reservations are available at recreation.gov.
The Sandburg Home is a great place to start your visit! The ground floor of the home contains visitor information, exhibits, tour ticket sales, the park store, and you can watch the park video. The main and top level of the home are furnished with the Sandburg family belongings. Visitors may only access the furnished ares of the home on a guided tour.
- Tour Reservations: Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Tours fill up quickly. Last-minute, in-person tickets may not be available on the day you visit. Plan ahead and reserve house tour tickets at recreation.gov.
- Passes: The park does not currently sell the America the Beautiful– National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes.
*These passes do not waive the house tour fee, but do provide a discount.
*You can purchase a pass online at America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass | USGS Store. - 30-minute house tours are offered year-round, schedule varies by season. Visit recreation.gov for the current schedule.
- Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour.
- Tours are limited to 6 persons.
- Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.
Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee
*Tours are free until further notice, this chart is the rate when fees resume.
(credit card only)
$10.00 for Adults 16 and older
$6.00 for Adults age 62 and older and all interagency pass holders
Free for Children age 15 and under
Included with admission
Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:
- An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
- A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
- Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels
Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.
– ALL AGES
– LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED
THE KRICKETS
What happens when the world turns upside down and a quarantine benches a band’s tour? Something magical. They learn to write and record remotely, self-produce some music and then….release it – bells and whistles be damned. With new single, These Games, The Krickets offer a raw, Americana harmony bath with a retro feel. Described as “powerful and emotive” by American Songwriter, the release is a small part of a big message from a beloved musical community that nothing’s gonna stop the music.
The Krickets are a female Americana group from the gulf coast who’s music is what Paste Magazine called a “a truly stunning, one-of-a-kind sound.” Two-time winner of a 2016 and 2019 Independent Music Award for Song of the Year in both Folk and Alt Country categories, the band’s music is a genre-bending Americana cocktail steeped in their signature folk harmony. Muscles Shaols producer Ben Tanner of Single Lock Records helped them find this sound on their 2016 debut Spanish Moss Sirens and Nashville’s Sam Ashworth (Joy Williams, Lone Bellow), helped them dive further into it on their 2018 sophomore LP, Redbird. New single, These Games, is a true first for them, fully self-produced and dropped June 5th, 2020.
A portion of proceeds from every album sale benefits the Sacred heart Hospital Guild’s “Cricket Fund” in honor of Cricket Russell (namesake of the band) providing screenings to the uninsured in rural north Florida. The “K” was interchanged to give space to Buddy Holly’s fabulous Crickets.
“The Krickets send chills down your spine and lift you sky high…” No Depression
- Live Music, 6:00 p.m. and $8 specialty martinis all day at Leo’s Italian Social