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.
Want to farm?
12-Month, Farmer-Led Training Program
Many skills are required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. Using a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network, Farm Beginnings® will help you clarify your goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan, and start building a profitable and sustainable operation. Although students do not need to own land, some farming or production experience is required to get the most out of the program. As we know, farming is more critical than ever. Apply to this program and be prepared when crisis hits!
200+ Hours of Training
- Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses—60 hours—October–March
- ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference—8 hours—February
- OGS Spring Conference & Harvest Conference—20+ hours—March & September
- Mentorship with an experienced Farmer Mentor—15 hours—March–September
- Production Training: WNC CRAFT Tours & Field Days at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm and Living Web Farms—45 hours—April–October
- WNC CRAFT Farmer Network: Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network—April–October
Curriculum & Schedule
Farm Beginnings® Course Schedule & Descriptions 2020-2021
Location of Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses 2020-2021
The locations for the 2020-2021 class will be at the Small Business Center at We will keep our website updated if we shift to online classes.
Organic Growers School’s Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is entering its sixth year offering a year long farmer training. Organic Growers School has graduated 61 farmers in the last 5 years and will graduate 76 by September 2020. Farm Beginnings® is a 12-month training that uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentorship, and an extensive farmer network, tapping into the knowledge of the most innovative & skilled farmers in Western NC. During this current pandemic, the role of farmers and how food gets to our tables has been more at the forefront of conversations. Many individuals right now are expressing interest in growing their own food and developing more self sufficiency and land based skills. If you want to farm, it has never been easy and if you want to get into farming now, it is time to do so with the right support and training on how to be adaptive and resilient, like our Farm Beginnings training.
We have Southeastern native perennials, groundcovers, and some herbs and veggies. Varieties include Bradbury’s Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot, Columbine, Jacob’s Ladder, Showy Goldenrod, Culver’s Root, Great Blue Lobelia, Anise Hyssop, Black Eyed Susan, Carolina Bush Pea, Coreopsis, Golden Alexander, Mountain Mint, Nodding Onion, three varieties of Silphiums, Dragon’s Blood Sedum, and many more. Go to https://m-r-gardens.square.site for a full list plus descriptions.
This unusual spring, we’re encouraging customers to take advantage of our order-ahead option. Reserve your plants on the Square site, then we arrange a pickup day/time that works for you. That allows us time to implement extra sanitation measures.
BGA BUTLER ROOM
Bad luck with rhododendron or some other native plant? Natives present us with a lovely palette of plants that bring beauty and much-needed ecosystem services to our gardens. But, just like humans, native plants enjoy a range of environments and thrive when they are planted in conditions that are well-suited to their nature. In this talk we’ll guide you through best planting practices for a variety of native shrubs and perennials. In addition, we will discuss the growth habits of some favorite natives, what to consider before siting a plant, and designing gardens that showcase the beauty of natives. We will leave time for questions and discussion at the end.
Participants must pre-register and pre-pay for classes: 828-252-5190.
Limit 20
Join moss expert Becky Smucker to learn the basics of seeing and collecting mosses and liverworts in a wooded setting. Scale your focus down to observe the communities of these tiny but vital, ancient and fascinating survivors. Bring a hand lens if you have one. Be ready for rain or shine. Limit 10.
Organic Growers School’s Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is entering its sixth year offering a year long farmer training. Organic Growers School has graduated 61 farmers in the last 5 years and will graduate 76 by September 2020. Farm Beginnings® is a 12-month training that uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentorship, and an extensive farmer network, tapping into the knowledge of the most innovative & skilled farmers in Western NC. During this current pandemic, the role of farmers and how food gets to our tables has been more at the forefront of conversations. Many individuals right now are expressing interest in growing their own food and developing more self sufficiency and land based skills. If you want to farm, it has never been easy and if you want to get into farming now, it is time to do so with the right support and training on how to be adaptive and resilient, like our Farm Beginnings training.
Opening day for ECTM at our new location at AB Tech Enka. We will be in the parking lot of the Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road (across from Ingles, at the traffic light). Please share and invite your friends and family! We know this second season of ECTM is going to be amazing. Thank you for supporting local!
Vendors for 5/7:
Rainbow Ridge Gardens
Myseanica Farm
Bonny Bath natural body products
Whisk bakery
Saturnia Farm and Nursery
Jake’s Farm
Asheville Microgreens
Throwing Copper
Cornerstone Tea
Sustainabillies Nursery and Farm
Sister of Mother Earth herbal products
HeadShrink Farm heritage beef
The Real Molloy Food Truck
Sugar Whirled cotton candy – AB Tech Small Business featured booth.
*Many more vendors as the season goes on! Check out our website for a full list of vendors for the season. https://www.ashevillefarmstead.org/enka-candler-tailgate-market
COVID-19 Precautions:
To start, we will be holding fast to safety precautions listed below. As the CDC and NC governmental regulations soften, we will follow suit. Please know that we are making every effort to keep both our vendors and our community safe and well.
*No-contact payment: Tap’n’Pay , Venmo, Paypal payments only. No cash payments or card swipes will be accepted.
*Handwashing station upon entering Market
*Limited shopper numbers (car queue will be used, if necessary)
*1 customer at vendor table at a time
*Only touch what you are purchasing
*6ft Social Distancing required
*Masks highly encouraged. All vendors and Market staff will wear masks.
*No Music or Kids tent (yet)
*No craft/artisan vendors until non-essential businesses are allowed to open. We are hopeful this will be by June, or earlier.
Relax and unwind at the Arboretum’s “ArborEvenings” after hours series. Held every Thursday, June – October, from 6 to 9 p.m., visitors will sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s beautiful gardens while enjoying live music amongst flowers and friends. Local beverages, including beer and wine, are available for purchase along with light food options.
Admission to ArborEvenings is free; however, standard parking fees apply to non-members.
Organic Growers School’s Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is entering its sixth year offering a year long farmer training. Organic Growers School has graduated 61 farmers in the last 5 years and will graduate 76 by September 2020. Farm Beginnings® is a 12-month training that uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentorship, and an extensive farmer network, tapping into the knowledge of the most innovative & skilled farmers in Western NC. During this current pandemic, the role of farmers and how food gets to our tables has been more at the forefront of conversations. Many individuals right now are expressing interest in growing their own food and developing more self sufficiency and land based skills. If you want to farm, it has never been easy and if you want to get into farming now, it is time to do so with the right support and training on how to be adaptive and resilient, like our Farm Beginnings training.
Organic Growers School’s Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is entering its sixth year offering a year long farmer training. Organic Growers School has graduated 61 farmers in the last 5 years and will graduate 76 by September 2020. Farm Beginnings® is a 12-month training that uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentorship, and an extensive farmer network, tapping into the knowledge of the most innovative & skilled farmers in Western NC. During this current pandemic, the role of farmers and how food gets to our tables has been more at the forefront of conversations. Many individuals right now are expressing interest in growing their own food and developing more self sufficiency and land based skills. If you want to farm, it has never been easy and if you want to get into farming now, it is time to do so with the right support and training on how to be adaptive and resilient, like our Farm Beginnings training.
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May 2 – November 21
Now with special COVID-19 procedures, the North Asheville Tailgate Market features local produce direct from area farmers, local baked goods, crafts, music and more.
PLEASE SEE THE NEW PROCEDURES BEFORE COMING TO CAMPUS. You can find information, including about pre-ordering, and changes in payment and shopping procedures on the market’s website.
Open Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon in UNC Asheville Parking Lot P28. maps.unca.edu
For more information, visit northashevilletailgatemarket.com
- Sandburg Home Free Tour Days and National Park Fee Free Days (when noted)
Visitors can enjoy free tours of the Sandburg Home on 10 days in 2020. Five days are also fee free days at all national parks. - April 11, 2020 (first Saturday of local school spring break)
- April 18, 2020 – First Day of National Park Week (national fee free day)
- June 13, 2020 (Sandburgs’ wedding anniversary)
- August 25, 2020 – National Park Service Birthday (national fee free day)
- September 26, 2020 – National Public Lands Day (national fee free day)
- October 17, 2020 (Park Anniversary)
- November 11, 2020 – Veterans Day
- December 26, 2020 (Saturday after Christmas)
The popular FREE Art and Architecture Walking Tours offered by the Arts Council of Henderson County return for 2020. The 90-minute tour of Downtown Hendersonville gathers at 9:00 am in front of the Center for Art & Inspiration at 125 South Main Street. Tours are led by Doug Gelbert who has created over 400 architectural tours in towns across the United States and Canada. All tours are free of charge and no pre-registration is required. Just show up ready to walk. As always, dogs are welcome to accompany their well-behaved owners on the Art and Architectural Walking Tours. Named “One of the 10 Best Things You Can Do in North Carolina at 9:00 on a Saturday morning”
Organic Growers School’s Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is entering its sixth year offering a year long farmer training. Organic Growers School has graduated 61 farmers in the last 5 years and will graduate 76 by September 2020. Farm Beginnings® is a 12-month training that uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentorship, and an extensive farmer network, tapping into the knowledge of the most innovative & skilled farmers in Western NC. During this current pandemic, the role of farmers and how food gets to our tables has been more at the forefront of conversations. Many individuals right now are expressing interest in growing their own food and developing more self sufficiency and land based skills. If you want to farm, it has never been easy and if you want to get into farming now, it is time to do so with the right support and training on how to be adaptive and resilient, like our Farm Beginnings training.
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BGA BUTLER ROOM
The way humans have treated the earth has resulted in the shocking disappearance of 45% of insect populations in just the past 40 years. This terrifying decline threatens our entire food web and our future as a species. In celebration of National Pollinator Month, insect enthusiast Heather Rayburn of MonarchLover.org will show what gardeners can do to join together as part of a “Victory Garden” style effort to reverse this decline and begin what scientist Doug Tallamy calls the “largest collective conservation effort in history.”
Participants must pre-register and pre-pay for classes: 828-252-5190.
Limit 20
The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
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The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
The popular FREE Art and Architecture Walking Tours offered by the Arts Council of Henderson County return for 2020. The 90-minute tour of the Historic West Side gathers at 6:00 pm in back of the Henderson County Library at 301 Washington Street. Tours are led by Doug Gelbert who has created over 400 architectural tours in towns across the United States and Canada. All tours are free of charge and no pre-registration is required. Just show up ready to walk. As always, dogs are welcome to accompany their well-behaved owners on the Art and Architectural Walking Tours.
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The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
Opening day for ECTM at our new location at AB Tech Enka. We will be in the parking lot of the Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road (across from Ingles, at the traffic light). Please share and invite your friends and family! We know this second season of ECTM is going to be amazing. Thank you for supporting local!
Vendors for 5/7:
Rainbow Ridge Gardens
Myseanica Farm
Bonny Bath natural body products
Whisk bakery
Saturnia Farm and Nursery
Jake’s Farm
Asheville Microgreens
Throwing Copper
Cornerstone Tea
Sustainabillies Nursery and Farm
Sister of Mother Earth herbal products
HeadShrink Farm heritage beef
The Real Molloy Food Truck
Sugar Whirled cotton candy – AB Tech Small Business featured booth.
*Many more vendors as the season goes on! Check out our website for a full list of vendors for the season. https://www.ashevillefarmstead.org/enka-candler-tailgate-market
COVID-19 Precautions:
To start, we will be holding fast to safety precautions listed below. As the CDC and NC governmental regulations soften, we will follow suit. Please know that we are making every effort to keep both our vendors and our community safe and well.
*No-contact payment: Tap’n’Pay , Venmo, Paypal payments only. No cash payments or card swipes will be accepted.
*Handwashing station upon entering Market
*Limited shopper numbers (car queue will be used, if necessary)
*1 customer at vendor table at a time
*Only touch what you are purchasing
*6ft Social Distancing required
*Masks highly encouraged. All vendors and Market staff will wear masks.
*No Music or Kids tent (yet)
*No craft/artisan vendors until non-essential businesses are allowed to open. We are hopeful this will be by June, or earlier.
Relax and unwind at the Arboretum’s “ArborEvenings” after hours series. Held every Thursday, June – October, from 6 to 9 p.m., visitors will sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s beautiful gardens while enjoying live music amongst flowers and friends. Local beverages, including beer and wine, are available for purchase along with light food options.
Admission to ArborEvenings is free; however, standard parking fees apply to non-members.
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The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
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|
May 2 – November 21
Now with special COVID-19 procedures, the North Asheville Tailgate Market features local produce direct from area farmers, local baked goods, crafts, music and more.
PLEASE SEE THE NEW PROCEDURES BEFORE COMING TO CAMPUS. You can find information, including about pre-ordering, and changes in payment and shopping procedures on the market’s website.
Open Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon in UNC Asheville Parking Lot P28. maps.unca.edu
For more information, visit northashevilletailgatemarket.com