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.

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.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
West Asheville Tailgate Market Holiday markets and special events feature local food, wellness, and gifts for the season
Dec 8 @ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
West Asheville Tailgate Market

Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and handmade goods, such as wreaths, pottery, jewelry, and more.

WATM Flier.png

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
Weaverville Tailgate Market + Winter Market
Dec 9 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Weaverville Tailgate Market

Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and handmade goods, such as wreaths, pottery, jewelry, and more.

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.

Friday, December 11, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 11 @ 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 12, 2020
ASAP Farmers Market Holiday markets and special events feature local food, wellness, and gifts for the season
Dec 12 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
ASAP Farmers Market

ASAP Farmers Market at A-B Tech

The market is located in A-B Tech parking lot A-13, adjacent to the A-B Tech/Mission Health Conference Center (16 Fernihurst Dr.). Enter the market via Fernihurst Dr. off Victoria Rd., following campus signs to the conference center.

Market staff will control the number of shoppers in the market area at one time by limiting the number of cars in the parking lot.  When you arrive at  the market, please follow signs and staff directions to queue inside your vehicle until instructed to park your car in the parking lot.  There may be a 15 – 30 minute wait to park during peak shopping times.

Dates and Hours

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon until December 19th…

The ASAP Winter Market will run Saturdays, 10am – 1pm, January 9th until March 27th in the same location.

Market Rules

  • No customers or vendors exhibiting symptoms may enter the market.
  • Maintain 6 feet of social distance at all times.
  • One customer at a time for each vendor table.
  • Only handle product you are purchasing. Vendors will pre-package or bunch products.
  • All vendors and shoppers are required to wear masks. Customers who are not able to wear a mask may arrange to pre-order from vendors. Market staff will direct you to a separate parking area and deliver prepaid items to the car.
  • Children, if they must attend with adult shoppers, must be closely supervised.
  • Please leave your pets at home.

Staff will direct anyone failing to comply with these conditions to leave the market.

Paying for Purchases

Vendors accept touch-free credit or debit payments as well as SNAP. Some take exact cash (no change given) or check. Thanks to generous support from the community, we are offering Double SNAP.

The ASAP Holiday Farmers Market
Dec 12 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
ASAP Holiday Farmers Market

Visit the ASAP Farmers Market between Thanksgiving and Christmas to shop for locally-made, quality gifts, including: art, jewelry, dried flowers and wreaths, soap, body care, CBD products, gourmet specialty foods and more!
While you are at it, shop with our farmers for the freshest vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, mushrooms, bread, and pastries!
Protocols, such as limiting the number of customers at a time, are in place to ensure your shopping experience is safe. The market is located outdoors in a parking lot (16 Fernihurst Drive) at the downtown AB Tech Campus
North Asheville Tailgate Market/The Holiday Bazaar
Dec 12 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
North Asheville Tailgate Market

Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and handmade goods, such as wreaths, pottery, jewelry, and more.

Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 12 @ 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 12 @ 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
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
West Asheville Tailgate Market Holiday markets and special events feature local food, wellness, and gifts for the season
Dec 15 @ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
West Asheville Tailgate Market

Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and handmade goods, such as wreaths, pottery, jewelry, and more.

WATM Flier.png

Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 16 @ 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 16 @ 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
Weaverville Tailgate Market + Winter Market
Dec 16 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Weaverville Tailgate Market

Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and handmade goods, such as wreaths, pottery, jewelry, and more.

Thursday, December 17, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 17 @ 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.

Friday, December 18, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 18 @ 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 19, 2020
ASAP Farmers Market Holiday markets and special events feature local food, wellness, and gifts for the season
Dec 19 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
ASAP Farmers Market

ASAP Farmers Market at A-B Tech

The market is located in A-B Tech parking lot A-13, adjacent to the A-B Tech/Mission Health Conference Center (16 Fernihurst Dr.). Enter the market via Fernihurst Dr. off Victoria Rd., following campus signs to the conference center.

Market staff will control the number of shoppers in the market area at one time by limiting the number of cars in the parking lot.  When you arrive at  the market, please follow signs and staff directions to queue inside your vehicle until instructed to park your car in the parking lot.  There may be a 15 – 30 minute wait to park during peak shopping times.

Dates and Hours

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon until December 19th…

The ASAP Winter Market will run Saturdays, 10am – 1pm, January 9th until March 27th in the same location.

Market Rules

  • No customers or vendors exhibiting symptoms may enter the market.
  • Maintain 6 feet of social distance at all times.
  • One customer at a time for each vendor table.
  • Only handle product you are purchasing. Vendors will pre-package or bunch products.
  • All vendors and shoppers are required to wear masks. Customers who are not able to wear a mask may arrange to pre-order from vendors. Market staff will direct you to a separate parking area and deliver prepaid items to the car.
  • Children, if they must attend with adult shoppers, must be closely supervised.
  • Please leave your pets at home.

Staff will direct anyone failing to comply with these conditions to leave the market.

Paying for Purchases

Vendors accept touch-free credit or debit payments as well as SNAP. Some take exact cash (no change given) or check. Thanks to generous support from the community, we are offering Double SNAP.

The ASAP Holiday Farmers Market
Dec 19 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
ASAP Holiday Farmers Market

Visit the ASAP Farmers Market between Thanksgiving and Christmas to shop for locally-made, quality gifts, including: art, jewelry, dried flowers and wreaths, soap, body care, CBD products, gourmet specialty foods and more!
While you are at it, shop with our farmers for the freshest vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, mushrooms, bread, and pastries!
Protocols, such as limiting the number of customers at a time, are in place to ensure your shopping experience is safe. The market is located outdoors in a parking lot (16 Fernihurst Drive) at the downtown AB Tech Campus
North Asheville Tailgate Market/The Holiday Bazaar
Dec 19 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
North Asheville Tailgate Market

Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and handmade goods, such as wreaths, pottery, jewelry, and more.

Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 19 @ 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.

Tuesday, December 22, 2020
West Asheville Tailgate Market Holiday markets and special events feature local food, wellness, and gifts for the season
Dec 22 @ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
West Asheville Tailgate Market

Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and handmade goods, such as wreaths, pottery, jewelry, and more.

WATM Flier.png

Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Foraging Food Tour
Dec 23 @ 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
Weaverville Tailgate Market + Winter Market
Dec 23 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Weaverville Tailgate Market

Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and handmade goods, such as wreaths, pottery, jewelry, and more.

Saturday, December 26, 2020
Carl Sandburg Home Free Tour Days CANCELLED
Dec 26 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Carl Sandburg Home
  • 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)
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 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.

Foraging Food Tour
Dec 26 @ 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 27, 2020
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 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.

Monday, December 28, 2020
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 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.