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.

Thursday, November 26, 2020
The 2020 Virtual Parade of Homes Live
Nov 26 all-day
Online

The Asheville Home Builders Association is a trade organization for the building industry in Western North Carolina, focused on being an advocate for the builders in our community. Associated with the North Carolina Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders, the Asheville Home Builders Association represents over 850 members consisting of builders, contractors, real estate agents, suppliers, insurance agents, sub-contractors, and more.

 

Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Nov 26 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Nov 26 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Friday, November 27, 2020
History at Home: Play the Butter Bean Game!
Nov 27 all-day
Online

This is a variation on the tradition Cherokee Butterbean Game. It can be played by several individual players or several teams. Traditionally, this game uses three butterbeans that have been split in half. More…

From the Museum of the Cherokee Indian: Cherokee people began growing a form of corn two thousand years ago. By about a thousand years ago, or 1000 AD, they were growing corn and beans, as we know them today. Corn, beans, and squash was always grown together and was known as the “Three Sisters.” Beans restore nitrogen to the soil while corn depletes nitrogen. The vines of the beans and squash twined up the cornstalks. When corn and beans are eaten together, they provide complete proteins and amino acids for our diet.

Corn was so important to the Cherokee that they had important celebrations and ceremonies called “Green Corn Festivals.” The first of these was held in August, before the sweet corn was ready to eat. The last was held in October or November, when the
field corn was ready to be picked. At these ceremonies, people purified themselves physically and spiritually before feasting together. At this time, people got married and divorced. All old scores were settled and everyone started a new year together.

Self Guided WNC Tours Online
Nov 27 all-day
Online
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.
The 2020 Virtual Parade of Homes Live
Nov 27 all-day
Online

The Asheville Home Builders Association is a trade organization for the building industry in Western North Carolina, focused on being an advocate for the builders in our community. Associated with the North Carolina Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders, the Asheville Home Builders Association represents over 850 members consisting of builders, contractors, real estate agents, suppliers, insurance agents, sub-contractors, and more.

 

Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Nov 27 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Nov 27 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Black Watch Beer Release! Highland Brewery
Nov 27 @ 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Highland Brewery
Each year we await this special Friday, but not for the deals you’ll find at the store… We wait for a beer that is oh so much more 😍 We’re kicking off Black Friday with out Black Watch Double Chocolate Milk Stout release. This popular limited-release brew is basically a brownie in a glass, overflowing with smooth and rich chocolatey flavors.
We’ll have our friends from the Axeville Mobile Unit on site for some axe-throwing fun from 3-8 pm, so make sure to stop by and check it out!
Saturday, November 28, 2020
History at Home: Play the Butter Bean Game!
Nov 28 all-day
Online

This is a variation on the tradition Cherokee Butterbean Game. It can be played by several individual players or several teams. Traditionally, this game uses three butterbeans that have been split in half. More…

From the Museum of the Cherokee Indian: Cherokee people began growing a form of corn two thousand years ago. By about a thousand years ago, or 1000 AD, they were growing corn and beans, as we know them today. Corn, beans, and squash was always grown together and was known as the “Three Sisters.” Beans restore nitrogen to the soil while corn depletes nitrogen. The vines of the beans and squash twined up the cornstalks. When corn and beans are eaten together, they provide complete proteins and amino acids for our diet.

Corn was so important to the Cherokee that they had important celebrations and ceremonies called “Green Corn Festivals.” The first of these was held in August, before the sweet corn was ready to eat. The last was held in October or November, when the
field corn was ready to be picked. At these ceremonies, people purified themselves physically and spiritually before feasting together. At this time, people got married and divorced. All old scores were settled and everyone started a new year together.

Self Guided WNC Tours Online
Nov 28 all-day
Online
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.
The 2020 Virtual Parade of Homes Live
Nov 28 all-day
Online

The Asheville Home Builders Association is a trade organization for the building industry in Western North Carolina, focused on being an advocate for the builders in our community. Associated with the North Carolina Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders, the Asheville Home Builders Association represents over 850 members consisting of builders, contractors, real estate agents, suppliers, insurance agents, sub-contractors, and more.

 

Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Nov 28 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Nov 28 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Foraging Food Tour
Nov 28 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home

Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!


Pricing

  • Adult (Ages 12+): $75
  • Child (Ages 5-11): $35
  • Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
Sunday, November 29, 2020
History at Home: Play the Butter Bean Game!
Nov 29 all-day
Online

This is a variation on the tradition Cherokee Butterbean Game. It can be played by several individual players or several teams. Traditionally, this game uses three butterbeans that have been split in half. More…

From the Museum of the Cherokee Indian: Cherokee people began growing a form of corn two thousand years ago. By about a thousand years ago, or 1000 AD, they were growing corn and beans, as we know them today. Corn, beans, and squash was always grown together and was known as the “Three Sisters.” Beans restore nitrogen to the soil while corn depletes nitrogen. The vines of the beans and squash twined up the cornstalks. When corn and beans are eaten together, they provide complete proteins and amino acids for our diet.

Corn was so important to the Cherokee that they had important celebrations and ceremonies called “Green Corn Festivals.” The first of these was held in August, before the sweet corn was ready to eat. The last was held in October or November, when the
field corn was ready to be picked. At these ceremonies, people purified themselves physically and spiritually before feasting together. At this time, people got married and divorced. All old scores were settled and everyone started a new year together.

Self Guided WNC Tours Online
Nov 29 all-day
Online
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.
The 2020 Virtual Parade of Homes Live
Nov 29 all-day
Online

The Asheville Home Builders Association is a trade organization for the building industry in Western North Carolina, focused on being an advocate for the builders in our community. Associated with the North Carolina Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders, the Asheville Home Builders Association represents over 850 members consisting of builders, contractors, real estate agents, suppliers, insurance agents, sub-contractors, and more.

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 2 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Thursday, December 3, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 3 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Art Travels: Whitney Museum of American Art
Dec 3 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Asheville Art Museum--Online
Until it’s safe to travel together for our popular Art Travels day, overnight, national, and international trips, we’re thrilled to launch virtual trips for armchair travelers each first Thursday evening! On December 3, we travel to the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, NY. For this virtual visit, the Whitney’s assistant curators Jennie Goldstein and Elisabeth Sherman introduce the museum, its collection, and building, then discuss Making Knowing: Craft in Art, 1950–2019. This program takes place via Zoom; space is limited.
Friday, December 4, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 4 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Saturday, December 5, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 5 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Foraging Food Tour
Dec 5 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home

Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!


Pricing

  • Adult (Ages 12+): $75
  • Child (Ages 5-11): $35
  • Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Virtual Tour of Earthaven Ecovillage
Dec 6 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Online
Join Earthaven Member and School of Integrated Living In-Person Programs Director NikiAnne Feinberg for an introductory tour of Earthaven Ecovillage. The tour examines sustainability at Earthaven through social, ecological, and economic lenses. The two-hour session will include a presentation followed by Q&A.
After the tour, you will receive a link to the recording, which will be available for two weeks.
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 9 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Foraging Food Tour
Dec 9 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home

Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!


Pricing

  • Adult (Ages 12+): $75
  • Child (Ages 5-11): $35
  • Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 10 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Virtual Meeting – Discord Server with Unity Game Developers WNC
Dec 10 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Online

Join us virtually on Discord. This week we will meet online in the meetup group’s Discord Server.

This group is for anyone interested in game development, 2D/3D graphics, animation, virtual reality, etc with the Unity game engine. All skills levels are welcome!

YPA Holiday Hoopla- Members Only
Dec 10 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Archetype Brewing Tap Lounge + Venue

Hip Hip, HOORAY for the Holidays! (We could all use some holiday cheer!)
Join us for our annual Holiday Party on Thursday, December 10th from 6:30pm-9:30pm at Archetype Brewing on Broadway (not West Asheville) on their outdoor patio space (yes, we promise there will be heaters!). Their main bar area will be open as well! 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣!
𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴! If beer isn’t your thang- they also have wine as an option. Dress in your 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒎, 𝑪𝒐𝒛𝒚, 𝑻𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒚 𝑺𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 for a chance to win some cool prizes in our Tacky Sweater contest!
Also, we will be running a canned food drive to benefit Manna Food Bank, so brings some canned, non-perishable foods to give back this holiday season.
Like our last social- this event will be capped, 𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗣𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱. In accordance with Phase 3 guidelines, we will cap the attendance at 50 of our members, and you can RSVP at the link provided. We will also be doing quick temperature checks at sign-in to help keep things safe. We look forward to seeing everyone in person, but of course masks are required for the event when not eating or drinking, and we will be following the usual state and local COVID guidelines.
Use the link in this event to sign up for a slot. Not a member, but want to attend? Sign up at www.ypasheville.org.