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.

Saturday, April 11, 2020
#EarthMonth2020 #BackyardChallenge with SAHC
Apr 11 all-day
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC
A National Unified Leadership Response to shortages of Personal Protective Medical Equipment
Apr 11 all-day
NATIONAL PPE COALITION onlie

Across the nation, thousands of people are stepping up to solve the crisis that is afflicting our heroic frontline health workers and first responders. As hospitals struggle to find safe and reliable supplies, companies, organizations, and individuals are joining forces to get health care workers the personal protective equipment and lifesaving medical devices they need. No single organization can do this alone. In fact, the proliferation of organizations in this space has made it incredibly challenging to navigate.

National PPE Coalition’s goal is to aid that process by enabling connections. We’re working to bring crucial partners – state governments, corporations, manufacturers, non profits, and individuals – together in order to build an efficient, unified supply chain.

By coordinating all emergency PPE crisis efforts, we not only minimize the risk of misdirecting critical supplies to places that may need them less urgently, but increase their individual power exponentially. Working together, the PPE Coalition members are working together to ensure that every shipment of PPE sent is a life-saving shipment.

Grandfather Mountain CLOSED to all activity
Apr 11 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain will close until further notice, effective Sunday, March 15. The closure means the park will prohibit public access, including from the main entrance gate and hiking trails.

In addition, all special events and programs scheduled through Memorial Day have been canceled or postponed.

Guided Hikes: Grandfather Mountain
Apr 11 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

Interpretive Rangers are available to lead guided hikes, bird walks and wildflower walks for families and groups that visit Grandfather Mountain. To see the mountain in this whole new way, you can schedule an appointment by calling the interpretive ranger office at (828) 737-0833 or emailing [email protected].

Please note that walks and hikes are available for all ability levels, but hikes that take you into Grandfather Mountain’s backcountry require careful footwork, proper footwear and the ability to handle heights. All backcountry hikes require participants to traverse ladders and use cables to navigate steep sections of the trail.

Interpretive Rangers are available year-round (weather permitting) to lead guided hikes to:

MacRae Peak ($15 + park admission)
Attic Window ($25 + park admission)
Calloway Peak ($35 + park admission)

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance, and a minimum of two participants per hike are required. For more information, please call (828) 737-0833.

How to Buy Local While Social Distancing: On-Farm Pickups and More
Apr 11 all-day
NC and SC Farms

Many farms across North and South Carolina have added on-farm pickups, home delivery & online pre-orders to accommodate for social distancing in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Please see the listings below for more information, and check out our interactive Google Map for farm locations near you!

Are you a farmer interested in being listed? Email [email protected]

Please:

  • DO NOT show up at farms without prior permission.
  • Follow specific instructions provided by each farm.
  • Stay home if you are feeling ill.
Redesigning Our Future: National Environmental Summit for High School Students
Apr 11 all-day
Catawba College
WNC Farmers Market Open 7am-6pm daily
Apr 11 @ 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
 WNC Farmers Market
• The WNC Farmers Market (570 Brevard Rd.) is open for business daily from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. Find fruits + veggies, plus other staples like meats, cheese, beans, preserves, salsas, honey + condiments.

In a continued effort to provide our community with fresh, locally grown produce, meats and cheeses from area farmers, the market will remain open and operate under normal business hours. The market will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

While most of the market will remain open as usual, there are some exceptions:

Additional updates to vendor schedules will be posted as soon as possible. For specific vendors not listed above, we encourage you to reach out to them directly before coming to the market.

Visitors are encouraged to follow CDC recommendations when visiting the market. A complete list of tips and best practices can be found here.

COVID-19 is not a food-borne illness. It is extremely unlikely that someone will catch it through eating. The virus is most likely to cause illness through respiratory transmission. The routes to be concerned about include being in very close proximity to many people, or coming in contact with high touch surfaces.

Thank you for your continued support during these unprecedented times!

Animal Habitats VIP Tours
Apr 11 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain

See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears that are not commonly on display, learn the ins and outs of what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session and find out why the animals call Grandfather Mountain home.

Offered on weekends, April – October.

Join the Global Tree Inventory Challenge
Apr 11 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Image may contain: possible text that says 'TREES CH CHALLENGE 2020 April I- April 30'

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 25th Anniversary of the GLOBE program, the Buncombe County Library System and NASA are challenging you to make every tree count by using the GLOBE observer app to contribute to a global tree inventory.

Learn more at observer.globe.gov/trees-2020

To join the library team and become a citizen scientist download the free GLOBE observer app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Create an account, go to settings, click on JOIN a GLOBE Team, and type in the referral code: GLIDCTAZ.

You are now part of our Citizen Scientist team, Friends of Treebeard! Follow the directions and head outside!

Happy Earth Day teammate!

Mud Creek Workday WNC Earth Month
Apr 11 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Conserving Carolina

Help us restore this wetland by removing non-native invasive species. This property borders the confluence of Mouth of Mud Creek and the French Broad River. We are working to restore this property from farmland to a functional and healthy wetland. It is important to remove the non-native invasive species to allow native species to thrive.

Must be able to walk ~.25 mile and ability to bend over. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring plenty of water and lunch. Extra snacks will be provided.

Meet at the Hendersonville office at 9:30AM to carpool or at GPS coordinates (35.406279, -82.529429) at 10:00AM.

RSVP or for more information email [email protected] or call Natalie at 828-697-5777 ext. 211

PEANUTS™ Easter Beagle Express CANCELLED
Apr 11 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR) has continued to
follow the rapidly developing concerns and threats due to the impact of COVID19. As it continues to spread, it is important that we follow the current guidance
and recommendations from our state and national officials. Our top priority
remains the safeguard of our visitors, employees, and community.
GSMR will extend the current suspension of passenger train operations until May
1, 2020 or until further notice. This also includes our model train museum and
retail store.
We will continue in providing clear options to offer the best customer service and
booking flexibility. Guests who currently hold reservations will be notified with
the option of rescheduling or cancellation. For all reservations effected by this
suspension we will continue waiving all fees.
Guests may also call our reservations line at 1-800-872-4681 between the hours of
9AM to 5:00PM EST or email us at [email protected]. Calls and emails
will be answered in the order they are received. Please remain patient with us as
our call and email volume will increase.
At this time, we are not announcing any cancellation of service beyond May 1,
2020 as we remain hopeful to see the return of our busy 2020 railroad season very
soon. However, as the situation changes and new information becomes available
our timeline may be altered and we will continue communicating as quickly as
possible.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad welcomes back The PEANUTS™ Easter Beagle Express April 10 & 11! This 4-hour round trip special event train departs the historic Bryson City Depot at 11:00am, and will travel along the Tuckasegee River to the quaint town of Dillsboro, North Carolina for a 1 ½ hour layover of activities.

Passengers will join Snoopy, Lucy, Charlie Brown and our Easter Bunnies for old fashioned Easter fun! Festivities include an on-going Easter egg hunt, crafts, coloring sheets, temporary tattoos, and snacks with Snoopy and more. There will also be plenty of opportunities for pictures, so do not forget your camera! BOOKING IS NOW AVAILABLE!

Sunday, April 12, 2020
#EarthMonth2020 #BackyardChallenge with SAHC
Apr 12 all-day
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC
A National Unified Leadership Response to shortages of Personal Protective Medical Equipment
Apr 12 all-day
NATIONAL PPE COALITION onlie

Across the nation, thousands of people are stepping up to solve the crisis that is afflicting our heroic frontline health workers and first responders. As hospitals struggle to find safe and reliable supplies, companies, organizations, and individuals are joining forces to get health care workers the personal protective equipment and lifesaving medical devices they need. No single organization can do this alone. In fact, the proliferation of organizations in this space has made it incredibly challenging to navigate.

National PPE Coalition’s goal is to aid that process by enabling connections. We’re working to bring crucial partners – state governments, corporations, manufacturers, non profits, and individuals – together in order to build an efficient, unified supply chain.

By coordinating all emergency PPE crisis efforts, we not only minimize the risk of misdirecting critical supplies to places that may need them less urgently, but increase their individual power exponentially. Working together, the PPE Coalition members are working together to ensure that every shipment of PPE sent is a life-saving shipment.

Grandfather Mountain CLOSED to all activity
Apr 12 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain will close until further notice, effective Sunday, March 15. The closure means the park will prohibit public access, including from the main entrance gate and hiking trails.

In addition, all special events and programs scheduled through Memorial Day have been canceled or postponed.

How to Buy Local While Social Distancing: On-Farm Pickups and More
Apr 12 all-day
NC and SC Farms

Many farms across North and South Carolina have added on-farm pickups, home delivery & online pre-orders to accommodate for social distancing in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Please see the listings below for more information, and check out our interactive Google Map for farm locations near you!

Are you a farmer interested in being listed? Email [email protected]

Please:

  • DO NOT show up at farms without prior permission.
  • Follow specific instructions provided by each farm.
  • Stay home if you are feeling ill.
WNC Farmers Market Open 7am-6pm daily
Apr 12 @ 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
 WNC Farmers Market
• The WNC Farmers Market (570 Brevard Rd.) is open for business daily from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. Find fruits + veggies, plus other staples like meats, cheese, beans, preserves, salsas, honey + condiments.

In a continued effort to provide our community with fresh, locally grown produce, meats and cheeses from area farmers, the market will remain open and operate under normal business hours. The market will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

While most of the market will remain open as usual, there are some exceptions:

Additional updates to vendor schedules will be posted as soon as possible. For specific vendors not listed above, we encourage you to reach out to them directly before coming to the market.

Visitors are encouraged to follow CDC recommendations when visiting the market. A complete list of tips and best practices can be found here.

COVID-19 is not a food-borne illness. It is extremely unlikely that someone will catch it through eating. The virus is most likely to cause illness through respiratory transmission. The routes to be concerned about include being in very close proximity to many people, or coming in contact with high touch surfaces.

Thank you for your continued support during these unprecedented times!

Animal Habitats VIP Tours
Apr 12 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain

See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears that are not commonly on display, learn the ins and outs of what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session and find out why the animals call Grandfather Mountain home.

Offered on weekends, April – October.

Join the Global Tree Inventory Challenge
Apr 12 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Image may contain: possible text that says 'TREES CH CHALLENGE 2020 April I- April 30'

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 25th Anniversary of the GLOBE program, the Buncombe County Library System and NASA are challenging you to make every tree count by using the GLOBE observer app to contribute to a global tree inventory.

Learn more at observer.globe.gov/trees-2020

To join the library team and become a citizen scientist download the free GLOBE observer app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Create an account, go to settings, click on JOIN a GLOBE Team, and type in the referral code: GLIDCTAZ.

You are now part of our Citizen Scientist team, Friends of Treebeard! Follow the directions and head outside!

Happy Earth Day teammate!

How to Take Care of our Minds in Difficult Times: Livestream Series
Apr 12 @ 10:30 am – 11:45 am
Livestream

Click on Link Below to Register.
https://www.meditationinasheville.org/product/how-to-care-for-our-minds-in-difficult-times/

Sundays April 12 – May 10 10:30am – 11:45am
Register online and the link and instructions on livestreaming will be emailed to you. $10 per weekly class.

Having woken up to our world looking quite different, what can we do now? Buddhist meditation teachings and practices help us to develop more space in ourself giving us flexibility of mind, from which we can make better choices about how to respond in these challenging times.

By helping us develop a different perspective we will begin to notice special opportunities that we might not have noticed before, for becoming kinder, developing ourselves spiritually, and transforming difficulties into greater peace and meaning in our life. Each Livestream class will included guided meditations and practical teachings.

These Livestream classes are available to those who live in Western North Carolina, and the Vicinity of Greenville, SC and Tennessee.

Monday, April 13, 2020
The Party’s On(line)! Week of the Young Child Celebration
Apr 13 – Apr 17 all-day
Online

Each year, the Week of the Young Child spotlights young children, families, and early educators. Buncombe Partnership for Children usually celebrates with a day of outdoor play and performance, but this year, we’re moving the party online!

It is so important to give hope to our children during what are uneasy times. We are excited for a fun-filled week of music, gardening, art, storytime, and family connection. Knowing that circumstances are different for everyone, we will focus on providing experiences you can enjoy wherever you are celebrating. All activities will be live-streamed and/or posted on YouTube.

There’s something special planned for each day of the week! For more information about Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/216960056254414/.

Harris Teeter: Special Shopping Hours, Delivery Options for Vulnerable Populations
Apr 13 @ 6:00 am – 7:00 am
Harris Teeter

 

Harris Teeter reserves 6-7am on Mondays and Thursdays for in-store shoppers age 60 and older. ExpressLane Online Shopping pickup times from 9am-2pm on Thursdays are reserved for these shoppers with the $4.95 fee waived (use code: SD60). Home delivery is also offered for seniors during these times for $5 (used code: SDDEL).

Join the Global Tree Inventory Challenge
Apr 13 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Image may contain: possible text that says 'TREES CH CHALLENGE 2020 April I- April 30'

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 25th Anniversary of the GLOBE program, the Buncombe County Library System and NASA are challenging you to make every tree count by using the GLOBE observer app to contribute to a global tree inventory.

Learn more at observer.globe.gov/trees-2020

To join the library team and become a citizen scientist download the free GLOBE observer app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Create an account, go to settings, click on JOIN a GLOBE Team, and type in the referral code: GLIDCTAZ.

You are now part of our Citizen Scientist team, Friends of Treebeard! Follow the directions and head outside!

Happy Earth Day teammate!

Women Creating Deeper Connection Amidst Uncertainty-ONLINE
Apr 13 @ 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Facebook

Women, now more than ever, it’s essential to continue building our connection with Self and in turn with others.

To recognize and express our knowing, our truth and feel the fullness of our being. No more apologies, no more waiting for permission to be who we are in the world. Now is the time. The world needs us fully expressed!

No more hiding aspects of ourselves in order to keep others around us comfortable. Let’s be with all of it- our wisdom, our messiness, our hurts, our desires all in a safe and intimate container.

This class is limited to 10 women. Each week will be guided by a powerful theme. We’ll be using the tools of Authentic Relating and Circling to get curious, to be with each other with deep listening, embracing all that arises as we learn to slow down, notice the nuance of our experience, and articulate that with each other.

The Cost: pay what you can. Suggested range $50-$175

Class schedule: Mondays 2:30-4:30pm
April 6th- May 11th
Cost will include a 30 min one on one with Cathy, weekly class, Inclusion in private FB group.

To register go here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-6-week-course-tickets-101458101914

Tuesday, April 14, 2020
A Little Dose of Inspiration: Learn to Love the River series! Tell Us Your River Story
Apr 14 all-day
River Link On Line
A Little Dose of Inspiration

This poem comes to us from a 6th grade student at The Learning Community School. We are always impressed with the creativity and talent of these kids, and we love to hear what the river means to them! Our annual Voices of the River Contest is a showcase of these incredible works. We’re excited to announce this years winners during our virtual Earth Day Kids celebration on April 22nd at 11 AM.

The looking glass

The rippling water

Like the iron in a forge

The beauty

Like the delicate wings of a dragonfly

The Calmness and the stillness

Mixing with the rushing

Forming true peacefulness

The sun rises over the mountain

Kissing the water

Forming small rainbows

The looking glass

The rippling iron water

The beauty

The calmness

With thriving fish

Is the definition

Of tranquility

– Leo B.B.

There are countless stories in our community about the impact the river has had on people. Everyone’s experience with the river is a little different and we’d love to hear about yours! If you would like to share how the river has played a role in your life click below to tell us your story. Our favorites will be featured in future issues of the Learn to Love the River series!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfr1b6tJqIkiUXIAAj0ILyELg2V48w4iKHSISTOOhaR4L41Qg/viewform?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=191b64e9-75b2-483f-909b-c345ee2dc5f9

RiverLink staff is motivated by the stories of our volunteers and the beauty of the French Broad River (FBR) community. We miss you! We want to hear from you. During these uncertain times and this period of social isolation, we could all use some inspiration. Share your story with us, so we can spread enthusiasm to others. Submit a written or oral story following one of our suggested prompts, or create your own! Please keep topics relevant to the local natural environment, RiverLink volunteer experience, or FBR community. We ask you to limit stories to a maximum of 500 words or 5 minutes spoken. Either upload a file to the first tab or type in your story in the second tab.

Suggested Prompts:
-A river memory or experience
-An awe inspiring or life changing experience in local nature
-An exciting or positive volunteer experience with RiverLink
-A story about the resilience of the FBR community
-A reason you love the river or FBR community
-A poem honoring the French Broad River and its inhabitants
-An Earth Day memory or experience

Guidelines:
-500 words maximum (or a video/audio recording- 5 minutes or less)
-Appropriate content for all ages
-Pictures not required, but would be a great addition!

Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate of Merit
Apr 14 all-day
The North Carolina Arboretum

Join over one hundred students on a quest to deepen understanding of the natural sciences through the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate of Merit. The program offers adult learners a comprehensive curriculum of study about the natural world of Western North Carolina. Classes meet year round and students work to complete 240 hours in core courses on ecology, botany, geology and plant identification as well as electives on animals, lichens, insects and more. View current class offerings for credit in the Blue Ridge Naturalist program here. All students must complete and present a final project prior to graduation.

To begin your program complete an application and return it to the Education Center along with a a one-time, non-refundable $55 application fee.

City of Asheville provides hand washing stations to help reduce spread of COVID-19
Apr 14 all-day
City of Asheville
illustration of someone washing hands

 

 

Update:

For a map of temporary, portable hand washing stations and restrooms, visit this link. The map is being updated as new stations are installed.

 

Original post:

With the COVID-19 public health emergency going on it has never been more important to be able to wash your hands. Besides keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, hand washing and sanitation have been identified as important measures in reducing the spread of contagion.

handwashing station
Portable hand washing station on the sidewalk by Pritchard Park.

That’s why the City of Asheville has installed portable hand washing stations in several strategic places around town. We realize that people sometimes have to travel on ART buses to get to work, buy groceries or pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy, for example. Also, our unsheltered population needs places to wash their hands as well.

For these reasons, the City has installed portable hand washing stations at the following locations:

  •         Outside of Pritchard Park, on the sidewalk.
  •         Pack Square Park, downtown
  •         AHope Day Shelter, 19 N. Ann St.
  •         ABCCM Medical Ministry, 155 Livingston St.
  •         12 Baskets, 610 Haywood Road
  •         Haywood Street Congregation, 297 Haywood St.
Portable restroom facilities have been provided outside Pritchard Park, in Pack Square Park and at the ART Station.

 

 

The City of Asheville is coordinating these actions in partnership with Buncombe County Public Health Officials.

 

This is an evolving situation and information is often changing. For resources on prevention best practices and news updates, visit Buncombe Ready. Additional guidance is on the Buncombe County Public Health website.

 

For information on how to sign up for City and County government alerts, visit this link.

FREE Video Course by Wild Abundance: 10 Spring Wild Foods
Apr 14 all-day
Wild Abundance Online

FREE Video Course by Wild Abundance

Discover delicacies growing right outside your door.

Your guide through this course is seasoned Wild Abundance instructor Luke Cannon, who has practiced wild food foraging for over two decades. More than a botanist, Luke is a long-time pursuer and teacher of the magic and medicine of plants. An avid naturalist, Luke draws from a diverse pool of knowledge, combining his natural history studies with his life experience in organic farming, natural building, permaculture, nature-based mentoring, and rural homesteading.

NEW! North Carolina BioBlitz Patch for Adults
Apr 14 all-day
The North Carolina Arboretum

NEW! North Carolina BioBlitz Patch

For adults looking for an extra challenge this spring, the Arboretum has created the North Carolina BioBlitz patch in conjunction with the 2020 City Nature Challenge (April 24 – 27). To earn the patch, participants will need to create a free iNaturalist account; attend the “Intro to iNaturalist” class on April 9 (or watch the recorded version later); make 50 nature observations during the City Nature Challenge; and help identify 50 species during the Challenge’s “identifying” stage (April 28 – May 3). Students in the Arboretum’s Blue Ridge Naturalist and Blue Ridge Eco-Gardener certificate programs can earn three elective credits if they complete the North Carolina BioBlitz program and one credit if they only take the “Into to iNaturalist” class.

Online Hide Tanning Course Return to Ancestral Ways
Apr 14 all-day
Wild Abundance

A video-based program that guides aspiring hide tanners through every step of tanning a deer hide.

Natalie Bogwalker

Natalie is a hide tanner, craftswoman, builder, teacher, mom, and gardener. She founded Wild Abundance 10 years ago because of her passion for sharing real, practical skills that get people closer to the Earth. Hide tanning was one of the first earthskills that she learned, and it changed her life profoundly. That was over 15 years ago! Since then she’s tanned uncountable hides, but more importantly, she’s taught hide tanning to hundreds of students.

Natalie knows what usually trips people up who are new to hide tanning. In this online course she shares a thorough, step-by-step guide to hide tanning, including numerous tips and tricks that will help you succeed.

 

Ingles Special Shopping Hours, Delivery Options for Vulnerable Populations
Apr 14 @ 7:00 am – 8:00 am
Ingles Grocery Stores

Starting on Tuesday, March 24, Ingles will dedicate the first shopping hour from 7 – 8 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to senior shoppers and those with compromised immune systems.