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.
Preserving & Promoting
Our
Carolina Flying Heritage

Hit the trails and learn more about the Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with the return of guided trail walks in 2021! In response to COVID-19, new safety measures have been put in place to protect our guests, members, volunteers and staff: Walks will be limited to 10 people, including the guide, and all participants will be required to wear face coverings for the duration of the walk.
This free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks depart from the Baker Exhibit Center Lobby every Tuesday and Saturday at 1 p.m. through the month of October. Walks last 1.5- 2.5 hours and are approximately one to two miles in length, and as such are recommended for guests 14 years or older. Walks are held rain or shine, so all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
Register In Advance
Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. Pre-registered participants must check in at the Baker Information Desk no later than 10 minutes before the scheduled program to keep their spot. Unclaimed spots will be offered to other guests.
Guests may sign up for trail walks in the following ways:
- Pre-register online
- Sign up in-person at the Baker Information Desk.

Mon-Fri from 2-5pm. You have access to high speed internet, work space and HALF-OFF pastries when you present your college ID.
Free pet food giveaways are available for pet owners in need of support. Hosted by Blue Ridge Humane Society, the giveaways are located across Henderson County and open to anyone who needs help.
Blue Ridge Humane Community Outreach staff will host two giveaways this month as well as provide food and support for the Interfaith Assistance Ministry’s Drive-Thru Tuesdays on the fourth Tuesday of the month. T
Cat and dog food will be distributed first come, first serve, as supplies last to those in need or affected by COVID-19. Social distancing and protective measures will be taken by all staff and we ask the public to do the same during the drive-thru pick-up. Masks are required to be worn during pick-up. Additional resources and supplies will also be available first come, first serve.
Since May 2020, over 5,000 animals have been fed through the giveaways that have taken place across the county each month. Access to pet food means that owners with limited resources don’t have to make the difficult choice of feeding themselves or their pet, or surrendering to a shelter.
If a pet owner is in need of food but unable to attend the pick-up, please call or text the BRHS helpline at (828) 393-5832.
Since May 2020, Blue Ridge Humane has hosted distributions on a monthly basis to provide pet food for the community in response to COVID-19, feeding over 5,000 pets though the free giveaways and providing over 50,000 lbs of pet food to local food banks through BRHS’s community outreach programs, where BRHS has seen a 31 percent increase in demand for pet food assistance.
The Blue Ridge Humane Society, Inc., is a 501(c)3 animal welfare organization started in 1950 dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of life for animals in Henderson County and our neighboring communities. BRHS cares for pets awaiting adoption and in foster homes; offers low-cost vaccine clinics, animal education programs, pet training classes, and youth education and projects; coordinates community pet food assistance, emergency vet assistance, and the Spay Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP), which is a collaboration with Henderson County, the City of Hendersonville, and the Henderson County Animal Services Center.



$2.50 Tecate cans + $2.50 hardshell tacos

BROADWAY DANCE BOOTCAMP (In-Person)
Rising 6th – 12th Grades
Get moving in this high-energy dance bootcamp focusing on Broadway-style choreography. Beginning with a traditional jazz warm-up and center exercises, students will learn new vocabulary, hone their dance skills, and practice picking up fun musical theatre choreography! Learn how to fill your movement with meaning and unleash the fun in expressing yourself through dance!
Grades: Rising 6th – 12th
(2021 high school graduates are welcome)

Join us at Enka-Candler Library for our first in-person monthly jazz hour on Tuesday, June 22 at 6:30 PM. This is a celebration of the “Great American Songbook” featuring music by Gershwin, Ellington, Porter, and more! Performers: Michael Jefry Stevens- Keyboard, Todd Wright- Saxophones, Zack Page- Bass
This program will be held outside by our community room. We have some picnic tables, chairs will be available, but also feel free to bring your own. For those not quite comfortable with sitting near people, put your windows down and lay back in your car/truck, we’ll be transmitting the performance on FM radio! We’re excited to announce in the following months Griff’s Kitchen and Bar will be open for seating and they’ll be transmitting the performance as well. Want a beverage or dinner while listening to live jazz? Soon you’ll be able to thanks to our little block in Candler.
This program is free and sponsored by the Friends of Enka-Candler Library.
Maggot Tuesday Workout
Our Maggot workouts take place every Tuesday evening and will make you a stronger and better runner. Challenge yourself. All levels welcome. Leader: Norm When: Tuesdays at 6:30pm Where: Jus’ Running: 523 Merrimon Ave, Asheville 28804 What: Interval-based speed workouts on the streets of North Asheville. All paces are welcome! Please email [email protected] for more information.
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OUTDOOR SHOW
Join us on Tuesday nights for Magnetic’s signature variety show. There will be an exciting mix of comedy, music, theatre, dance, magic and more! Smoky Park Supper Club is offering us their beautiful outdoor venue, and will be selling food and drinks. The event is BYOC (bring your own chair), and we will, of course, be following strict Covid safety protocols. We can’t wait to see you there!

Join us Tuesday nights, beginning April 13th, as The Magnetic Theatre teams up with the wizards at Smoky Park Supper Club to host a live, outdoor variety show. We’ll be filling Smoky Park’s gorgeous, riverside outdoor space with comedy, theatre, music and so much more.
There will be food and beverages available for purchase.
- This is a BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Chair) event.
- In accordance with safety guidelines this show will be staged outdoors, with mask and social distancing protocols enforced. There will also be temperature checks and COVID waivers that need to be signed by each attendee at the gate.
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the 7pm showtime.
- We do require that masks be worn at all times unless you are actively eating or drinking.


Hosted by Sahaja Yoga Meditation DFW
Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms.
About this Event
We are creating this Meditation space for moms 💟 that can help
🤲 create a supportive community of moms who can come together and meditate
🤲 build a meditation routine
🤲 implement self-care, and take pause in hectic lives
🤲 bring calmness and balance that can reflect on kids and household
🤲 share experiences and learn to grow in this journey together
Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms. Meditation is a simple way to de-stress, and it can help bring peace and balance, especially in these hectic times.
Led by experienced instructors, this 30 min guided meditation session will help you feel the much needed calmness
What we’re about
COVID-19 UPDATE: An email was sent out to Awakening Asheville advising all in-person meetups should be postponed or moved to virtual attendance only. Please contact hosts with any questions. Thank you, and be well! Courtney
We are an LGBTQ+ BIPOC safe spiritual group that enjoys the coming together of community lightworkers sharing our journeys. We offer meditations, healing energy, and many different workshops. Come join us!
We welcome everyone and encourage all to share their expertise and offerings. If you have an event or gathering you wish to share, please contact the group organizer for postings. There is no charge to post, but in exchange for being able to promote for free, we encourage event hosts to offer something at no cost at some point, so the knowledge and spiritual expansion of this group can be available to all regardless of their finances.

Hosted by Rising Fire Shamanism
Cultivate presence in your life through direct experience. Join us to learn and use an ancient healing technique during each class.
About this Event
*** JOIN US FOR POWERFUL PRACTICES FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE!***
In response to the economic difficulties brought on by COVID, Rising Fire Shamanism is offering our Tuesday Night Shamanic Practice class for free beginning in February 2021 going through December 2021.
Tuesday Night Shamanic Practice class helps cultivate presence in your life through shamanic practices, sacred play, meditation, and centering techniques.
Learn how to transform and release dense energy from your body, mind and energy field. We do this while strengthening our refined energy, or “sami.” The idea is to build our living energy, our “kausay,” with mindfulness. We focus on different methods of experiencing directly each week to build or to enhance the foundation of your personal work.
This class is for the curious and those who would like to refine their personal practices. You will have the opportunity do something different each week; shamanic breathwork, journeying, meditation and more.
Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tuesday-night-shamanic-practices-tickets-112043045766?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch
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Planning a trip to Italy to celebrate a special anniversary? Have a child in school that needs extra practice in a foreign language? Just want to brush up that language you studied for four years in school, but somehow can’t seem to remember at all? We’ve got you covered.
Buncombe County Public Libraries now offers Transparent Language Online free to all library cardholders. Whether you’re starting at the very beginning or you’re an intermediate learner looking to enhance your vocabulary, Transparent Language Online can help. With over 110 languages to choose from, including English for non-native speakers, there is something for every learner. With mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, learners can enjoy the freedom to learn at home, in the library, or on the go.
Transparent Languages includes learning for kids of all ages. KidSpeak introduces children to English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese. The program teaches words and phrases suitable for learners’ age, needs, and interests. More than 40 activities, puzzles, and songs guide young learners through the basics, along with a cartoon friend who speaks the language.
Transparent Language will be available on NC LIVE beginning Jan. 1, 2021. For all library services, your ID is your library card number and your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number. Contact your library with any questions.
Gardening in the Mountains Presents:
Creating and Managing Pollinator Habitat

This presentation by Bryan Tompkins, Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service covers specific details about prepping, planting, and maintaining pollinator gardens as complete habitats. It will also discuss different opportunities and methods for implementing other pollinator-habitat components into your area—from assessing and developing a habitat suitable to your site to working with others in your neighborhood to create connected and contiguous habitat components. Bryan takes a deeper look into the elements and factors that are needed to go beyond just creating a nice flower garden. Armed with the information in this talk, you can create a habitat!

Tourism is one of the economic drivers for Henderson County and works hand-in-hand with our business community. The Henderson County TDA is asking for input from Henderson County residents and workers through a survey conducted by SMARInsights, an independent research firm, on behalf of the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority. Your answers are anonymous and the survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Second Gear – Nonprofit of the Month = SAHC
Second Gear in Asheville, NC is donating 1% of proceeds from all sales during the month of June to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy – their Nonprofit Partner of the Month. PLUS – as Land Trust Day sponsors, Second Gear will donate 10% of proceeds from sales on Saturday, June 5. Get the outdoor gear you need at a great price, and help support local conservation efforts while you do it – it’s a win-win for everyone!
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COVID-19 vaccines are our best shot to bring back summer and get everyone safely back to the people, places and activities they love. So, we are launching the Bringing Summer Back initiative, a fun, flexible, community-centered approach to help every organization and individual stop the spread of COVID-19 by urging friends and neighbors to get vaccinated.
Bringing Summer Back will run during the following weeks:
- June 6-12
- June 20-26
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Register your organization below. Registered partners will receive an introductory toolkit of resources and materials—from flyers to stickers—to help the people in your community bring summer back. Access a detailed guide for ways to participate and download the toolkit as well.

Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), has reopened all adventure activities and river outposts for the 2021 season featuring new food and beverage venues, expanded courses, and the return of events and live entertainment to main resort campus in Bryson City.
- Launched whitewater rafting on seven rivers in the Southeast and aerial adventures to high demand
- Two new food and beverage venues launching on NOC’s 500-acre campus including a renovated coffee and donut shuttle bus as well as a beer venue featuring New Belgium beer and custom beer blends
- Expanded courses at NOC’s Paddling School for kayakers to learn new skills and experience Southeastern rivers
- Full calendar of live music from local and regional bands, and the return of events like Women’s Paddlefest and river releases
- Relia’s Lost Kitchen dinner series kicking off this month with a sold out Orin Swift Wine Dinner; more to follow through October.

A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.
POLLINATOR PHOTO CONTEST… WITH PRIZES!
Now until June 27
Break out your smartphones and cameras this Week and start snapping pics of WNC’s native pollinators!
Enter your best photos in our contest for a chance to win incredible prizes, like a $100 gift card to Reems Creek Nursery, and an Asheville Bee Charmer gift basket!
While you’re out taking photos, consider also participating in our BioBlitz.

Energy Savers Network
The Energy Savers Network works with volunteers to empower people and restore the climate through free home energy-efficiency assessments and upgrades. They also provide education resources and referrals to other programs. Click the link below for more information if you or someone you know could benefit from these services during the hot summer months. ESN-Flier-email-english-1.pdf (eblencharities.org)

If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s to be ready…
Sign up for BC Alerts, and you’ll get emergency information sent directly to you in real time.
Buncombe County residents have a new, customizable solution for receiving notification and emergency alerts. Buncombe County Government is in the initial phase of migrating to the CodeRED community notification system to send important alerts and time-sensitive messages to staff members and residents. Along with emergency and critical messages, the CodeRED notification system will also enhance community engagement via the release of important but non-emergency information such as vaccine site notifications, inclement weather closures and schedule changes, and other county service information.
Sign up for BC Alerts by texting BCAlert (not case sensitive) to 99411 or visit buncombecounty.org/codered to sign up for the new system.
Notice: If residents have previously signed up for BC Alerts, they will need to re-register in order to continue receiving notifications after June. If you have Spectrum as your wireless provider please select Other from the provider list, and scroll down for more frequently asked questions.
“Upon evaluating our previous notification system and other available options, we chose CodeRED for its innovative features, user-friendly platform, and wide-spread adoption rates across the country,” said Communications and Public Engagement Director Lillian Govus. “Their company-owned redundant data centers help ensure every resident’s data is safe and that messages are delivered quickly and reliably to thousands of individuals within minutes. We’re excited to expand our communication channels with residents to include text, phone, email, and social media platforms, providing the information they need to know to make better informed decisions during an emergency.”
CodeRED Key Benefits
CodeRED will deliver several benefits for residents and enable staff to more efficiently manage and distribute notifications before, during, and after emergency and non-emergency events:
- Registration for this notification service is customized, allowing residents to choose which alerts they’d like to receive, as well as their preferred channel.
- Residents can select several different methods including landline, cell phone, email, text message, TTY, or even a combination. These alerts can be specific to streets, neighborhoods or regions, so individuals within affected areas are sure to receive relevant information.
- Residents and visitors can keep track of alerts in Buncombe County with the CodeRED Mobile App, which notifies smartphone holders of real-time alerts in the area. Similar to the online registration, users choose which notifications they’d like to receive via the app.
- Staff members can also use the system to communicate emergency information with one another. This will help us ensure our emergency response and daily operations are even more efficient.
All residents are encouraged to visit buncombecounty.org/codered or text BCAlert to 99411 to enroll in the CodeRED system. For more information on the CodeRED notification system or registration, please contact [email protected]. or call CodeRED support at 1-866-939-0911.
About CodeRED from OnSolve
OnSolve is a leading global provider of SaaS-based critical communication solutions for enterprise, SMB, and government customers. The company’s CodeRED™ solution provides high-speed notification services capable of reaching millions of people in minutes and has applied its mission-critical capabilities to government, commercial, healthcare and other end markets. More information can be found on the company’s website at www.onsolve.com.
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.






