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.
The construction of the Mountain Division of the Western North Carolina Railroad is widely considered one of the greatest human accomplishments in regards to both engineering and construction ever undertaken at the time it occurred. The project took place over a period of several years in the late 1800s. Many people are aware that the railroad provided the first dependable access to and from much of Western North Carolina for the rest of the state as well as much of the nation. Many also know the names of some of those who were instrumental in seeing through the completion of this ambitious project. Names such as Colonel Alexander Boyd Andrews, of Andrews’ Geyser fame. However, what most people are unaware of is that at least 95% of the labor which built the railroad across the Blue Ridge Escarpment was completed by inmates from the North Carolina State Penitentiary… and approximately 98% of those inmates were African American men… the majority of whom were unjustly imprisoned…
This project was created to share the true story behind this human endeavor and to honor the memory of those who labored and those who died here.
Western North Carolina has a rich assortment of county historical societies, archives, and museums. The Western North Carolina Historical Association seeks to help researchers, historians, genealogists, and the general public take full advantage of these resources.
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| Western North Carolina is defined as much by the various chains and valleys within the Appalachian Mountains as it is by the various people here. The region contains large swaths of national forest lands and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It contains old rivers and old folkways, along with an increasingly large stream of transplants and temporary visitors. This virtual tour gives a broad overview of our region. |
We’re kicking off our Spring Annual Fund Campaign! With your help, we’ve been able to do some amazing things this past year, from hosting major traveling exhibitions like Across the Atlantic to delivering 1,600 Art Kits for Kids to local students and fostering in-depth conversations about art and artists through virtual programs. Your gift to the Annual Fund supports all of this and more.
Unique outdoor sculptural works by environmental artist Patrick Dougherty, known as “Stick Man,” will reside in Antler Hill Village. Renowned worldwide for his monumental creations, Dougherty weaves saplings and branches into intricate artworks, fashioning whimsical forms ranging from gigantic snares and cocoons to sculptural interpretations of notable buildings. The visual appeal of these large-scale artworks may be appreciated up close as guests are encouraged to walk through and around the creations, affording the opportunity to admire the artistry and technical skills required to make the sculptures.
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Need help with your farm, garden, or homestead?
Contact us for a free 20 minute call helping you to identify your needs and goals and assess which service might be right for you. We offer a wide variety of consulting services—with hourly follow-up support and reduced fees available—including:
- Assessment of land that you own or want to purchase.
- Sustainability systems on your farm, garden, or homestead.
- Guidance for your land-based project.
How the process works:
Step 1: We talk on the phone to identify your goals and needs.
Step 2: We select a service and price that best meets your needs.
Step 3: We set up a time for an in-person site visit or video call
Step 4: We coach you through a self-assessment process.
Step 5: We have our virtual or in-person site visit.
Step 6: We invoice you.
Step 7: We follow up with you with next steps, referrals, report, etc.
Projects Suitable for Consulting
Tarzan Train
Our train and canopy combo trip will start in Bryson City at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train depot. You will ride through the Smoky Mountains, along Fontana Lake and up into the Nantahala Gorge. On your 2 hour train ride, watch paddlers challenge the rapids on the Nantahala River. A delicious Deli Sandwich lunch is included. At the top-of-the-line, you will disembark the train and travel a short distance to Wildwater’s Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours.
The original zipline canopy tour in Western North Carolina, Wildwater’s Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours offers 13 different zip lines and 8 sky bridges. Our two highest platforms have unbelievable views of Clingman’s Dome, Fontana Lake and waterfalls. This gliding experience, naturally fueled by a gradual elevation change, takes you through multiple ecosystems, past hemlocks, into hardwoods and through a deciduous forest packed with native flowering plants. All Canopy Tour Rangers are trained to – and all courses are built and inspected to – ACCT Standards to provide for your well-being and fun. This is a great experience for families.
After enjoying the fully guided zip line tour, check out your photos and buy a t-shirt in Wildwater’s store. Your adventure will end later in the afternoon back at your car in Bryson City, NC. All transportation is included.
Members of your party who can’t – or don’t want to – go on the canopy tour can ride the train round trip. You’ll all meet up shortly after the train’s return in Bryson City, NC.
The City of Asheville has partnered with Asheville GreenWorks to launch the Adopt-A-Spot program. Businesses, organizations, or individuals can choose a City-owned piece of property that they wish to adopt. The responsibility of the adopter will be to maintain either an edible or pollinator garden in this location. The program provides recognition of adopters through dedicated signage at the site. Make a positive impact on Asheville by promoting stewardship of publicly owned places.
Types of Spots to Adopt
As the inaugural Bee City, Asheville is an ideal location for planting pollinator habitats. Pollinators are responsible for ¾ of the world’s food supply and are vitally important to the health of our local urban forest. Pollinator plantings are both beautiful and ecologically sound features of the landscape, attracting butterflies, birds and bees into urban areas. A list of pollinator-friendly plants and local nurseries where they can be purchased can be found at www.beecityusa.org.
Establishing & Maintaining Orchards and Edibles
Fruit producing trees and shrubs growing in neighborhoods, parks and greenways provide fresh, accessible food to Ashevilleans. Through the Adopt-a-Spot program, your group can play a role in developing the urban food forest in Asheville. Projects can range from planting a small patch of blueberries or an entire orchard of fruit trees. The list of recommended edible trees and shrubs and local nurseries where they can be purchased can be found at www.ashevillegreenworks.org
Invasive Plant Removal
Invasive exotic plants disrupt the ecology of natural ecosystems, displace native plant and animal species, and degrade our biological resources. Aggressive invaders reduce the amount of light, water, nutrients and space available to native species. Some cause increased erosion along stream banks, shorelines and roadsides. Common invasive species in this area include kudzu, knotweed, English ivy and privet. Many Adopt-a-Spot projects will require invasive plant removal to prepare the land for planting and to prevent invasives from taking over existing and new plantings.
Planting in Bulb-Outs
Bulb-outs are areas that extend from the sidewalk along the sides of the street. They are typically in place at cross walks or on street parking. These areas can typically be accessed from the adjacent sidewalk. Through Asheville’s Adopt-a-Spot program, bulb-outs can be used for planting edible and/or pollinator gardens. Volunteers must use extra caution when working along streets and roadways.
The Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville is proud to announce The Glass Animals’ “Dreamland” Tour in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium on March 28, 2022. Tickets for the event will go on publicly via ONLINE ONLY on Thursday, May 6 at 10:00am via Ticketmaster.com. Adding to an already incredible year, Glass Animals have announced their North American “Dreamland Tour.” The run kicks off August 30th in Lewiston, NY and takes the band across North America well into 2022. The shows add to their already sold out UK tour dates, previously announced Red Rocks shows and confirmed festival performances at Bonnaroo, Life Is Beautiful, and Outside Lands. For more information about this event, please click here.
In addition, last week the band was selected as 2021 Billboard Music Awards finalists for Top Rock Song “Heat Waves” and Top Rock Album Dreamland. This is the first time the band has been recognized by the BBMAs. The Billboard Music Awards LIVE will take place Sunday, May 23rd at 3pm EST/5pm PT on NBC.
Earlier this month, Glass Animals performed “Heat Waves” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where the band took over Margate’s Dreamland Theme Park and brought it back to life with an electrifying performance—watch HERE. In addition, they performed on The Ellen Degeneres Show where they took over a skate rink and used fan submitted footage to fill the television screens behind their performance—watch HERE.
The One Act Festival is scheduled for June 11-26, 2021. Submissions are free and open to all local playwrights with plays 5-15 minutes long!
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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Please limit your cast to a maximum of six actors
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Scripts with minimal set, costume and prop requirements are preferred
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We are not considering Theatre for Young Audiences at this time
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We will not accept Screenplays or Musicals at this time
The Magnetic Theatre tends to produce plays that have not received major/recent productions in the Asheville area. We respond primarily to plays with a sure command of language, that are accessible to a diverse and discerning audience, and clear dramatic action that truly uses the resources of live theater.
If you wish to submit a play for consideration, please include a complete manuscript, bio, resume, and any other supporting materials (e.g. reviews) that might help pique our interest in you and your work.
This Divided Land is a video produced by our friends at Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH). They discovered a racial covenant in the deed of an AAHH property, and documented how they took steps to address it, with assistance from Pisgah Legal staff attorney, Parker Smith. Here’s how AAHH describes the video: The home is the primary way Americans build wealth, but laws and systems have kept people of color- especially Black Americans- from accessing homeownership. Nationally and here in Asheville, white homeownership rates are significantly higher than people of color, and the racial wealth gap is as wide as it was in 1968 when the Fair Housing Act was passed.
After discovering a racial covenant in a deed of a South Asheville property AAHH developed for affordable housing, they decided to delve deeper and learn more about the history of discriminatory housing practices, how they shaped our city, and how practices like these contributed to current day racial disparities. The result is this 18 minute film, This Divided Land, featuring local partners including Pisgah Legal Services.
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| Contained by its larger growing neighbor (Asheville), the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, and the Southern Railway line, the Town of Victoria existed from 1887 until 1905, when it was absorbed into Asheville. The community—which included the Smith-McDowell House and Fernihurst mansion—originally incorporated into a town to prevent unwanted development (particularly from the Vanderbilts). |
Join us for this virtual tour of three wonderful Asheville homes! The tour link will be sent to you to watch at your convenience. Thank you for your support of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County and our work in the community!
| Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a registered non-profit rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing orphaned and injured wildlife, and serving 18 counties across WNC. They provide conservation education to the community, support the wildlife rehabilitation network, and offer a Wildlife Emergency Hotline to the public. For help with wildlife in need, call 828-633-6364 ext 1 and leave a message or email [email protected], and a member of the hotline team will reach out right away. To learn more and support their cause, visit www.appalachianwild.org |
The Western Arts Agencies of North Carolina (WNC Arts) was established in 1980s as a peer support group for arts councils and agencies in WNC. This group is now working to expand their advocacy support for the arts in WNC.
Work at Tanglewood!
Want to work at Tanglewood this summer? We’re looking for Instructors, Teacher Assistants, Junior Teacher Assistants, and Stage Managers! More information can be found in each application link, and those can all be found HERE!
Starting Saturday, August 1, 2020, the Hominy Valley Wildlife Club will begin hosting a weekly flea market. Spaces will be $15.00 each, maximum of two spaces per seller. Grounds will open at 6 am for seller setup.
For more information contact Lane Brown at 828-231-5408, Bruce Whitt at 828-665-2114, Rachel Godwin at 828-273-6911 or email at [email protected]
Hendersonville Community Coop
Carolina Farm Credit
Duke Energy
Charlotte Sheppard, REALTOR, Keller Williams Mountain Partners
GiveSmart
One Health Direct Primary Care
Underground Baking Co
Since 1980, we have been providing Asheville and the surrounding area with a full range of local, sustainably produced produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, breads, plants, prepared foods and crafts. Day vendors complement the members’ offerings with additional products and services.
The North Asheville Tailgate Market is a weekly, Saturday morning gathering of the best farmers, craftsmen, and bakers. With over 40 vendors and more than 40,000 annual customers, the market’s energetic and warm environment exemplifies the celebrated diversity of our community.
The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.
With the convenience of being open year-round, 7 days a week, the WNC Farmers Market offers a selection of farm-fresh produce at the lowest prices in Western N.C. Our popular retail buildings, providing a selection of non-perishables, fruits, vegetables, crafts and more, are open daily.
About ASAP Farmers Market
The ASAP Farmers Market and the ASAP Winter Farmers Market are designed to protect shoppers and vendors by maintaining social distances and mitigating potential virus transmission points during the COVID-19 pandemic. The market is located on the downtown campus of A-B Tech in the parking lot beside the Bailey Student Services Building (340 Victoria Rd.). Enter via Student Circle and follow market staff directions to park or queue inside your vehicle. Handicapped parking is available and there is a bus stop on the S4 route adjacent. The ASAP Farmers Market and Winter Market offer Double SNAP.
The ASAP Farmers Market is open Saturdays, the first week in April through the third week in December, 9am – noon.
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COVID-19 SAFTEY PROCEDURES
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Please be safe and follow our Covid-19 market procedures.
HOW DO YOU PAY? Vendors accept touch-free credit or debit payments as well as SNAP. Some take exact cash (no change given) or check. SNAP tokens may be purchased at the market table. The market offers Double SNAP (i.e., if you purchase $20 in SNAP tokens, you will receive $40 to spend). Learn more about our Double SNAP program here. Contact vendors directly at the links below to find out if they offer preorders. |
The rose and plant sale sponsored by the Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society and the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Buncombe County will offer a huge selection of plants for any garden spot. Choose among many varieties of roses, and perennials for sun or shade. Expert rosarians will help you choose the perfect rose. Extension Master Gardener volunteers will help you select the right plant for the right place and answer your gardening questions.
Our market is a seasonal Saturday morning community event featuring organic and sustainably grown produce, plants, cut flowers, herbs, locally raised meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheeses, eggs and local arts and handcrafted items. A family event every Saturday from May through November.
River’s End Restaurant is an iconic spot for locals and visitors to Bryson City. Enjoy spectacular views of the gorge, with paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Stop in for year-round lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch during the summer season, and choose from a wide range of appetizing entrees, burgers, salads, pizza, and sandwiches. Hang out for a while and enjoy a large selection of signature cocktails, wine, and beer, including local favorites.
In River’s End Restaurant, every seat has a view of the river! Enjoy music by the river and views of paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Join our waitlist online to reserve a table or order online and grab your meal to go, for a sunny lunch right by the river!
Join us for the 2021 Spring Fling annual rose and plant sale, sponsored by the Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society and the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Buncombe County.
For everyone’s safety, we will follow state regulations for masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene.
The Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society will sell many varieties of roses, including own-root, fragrant, miniature, and old garden roses. Expert rosarians will be on hand to help you choose the perfect rose and to give practical advice on growing and caring for roses.
Extension Master Gardener volunteers will offer a huge selection of plants for any garden spot. Choose among perennials for sun or shade, groundcovers, native plants, plants that attract pollinators, herbs, shrubs, and even a few small trees. Our volunteers will help you select the right plant for the right place and answer your gardening questions.
Rain or shine, we’ll see you there!
Included with admission
Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.
In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.