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.

Friday, October 30, 2020
cirque-du-vote Asheville NC
Oct 30 @ 2:00 pm
Pack Square Park

come join us for a free show including live music, juggling, puppetry, bubbles, and a parade to the polls to encourage early voting.

Socially Distanced Trick-or-Treating
Oct 30 @ 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Hi-Wire Brewing Event Space

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We are teaming up with Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County to host a safe and socially-distanced trick-or-treating event for friends and families alike!

We are creating a maze of tables (minimally 6ft apart) for trick-or-treaters to follow stopping at each table to collect a special Halloween treat from volunteers at the Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County.

Check-out the details below:
– Fun Halloween music and decorations throughout the building
– Admission is $10
– Admission gets you (1) Beer Token and up to 6 entries in your group (i.e. 1 Adult & 5 Kids, etc.)
– A special treat for each person in your group at each station
– Only 15 groups allowed per 30-minute session to allow proper social distancing

***All ticket proceeds go directly to the Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County***

 Guess Who: A Costume Quest In-person Outdoor
Oct 30 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

We’re flipping the script on trick or treating this year! Guess Who: A Costume Quest is an outdoor walking tour and interactive game that features costumed actors from past ACT plays and musicals. Guess who’s who, and after you do, there’s a take-home bag of candy and treats for you! This family-friendly night of fun will be held in the parking lots and surrounding grounds of Asheville Community Theatre and the Thomas Wolfe House. Tours will begin at 6:00 pm and start times will be staggered to maintain social distancing.

How will this work? Chanda Calentine explains: “You’ll walk on a path around our building and will encounter 12 different characters along the way. They’ll each share a clue or two about themselves, and you’ll try to guess who they are and which show they’re from. These are recognizable characters from our family friendly shows, and even if you haven’t seen these shows at ACT, we think you’ll still be able to make a good guess! And, at the end of the tour, we’ll have treats for you to take home.

The Haunted Trail at the Adventure Center of Asheville
Oct 30 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Adventure Center of Asheville

Image may contain: text that says 'The= ADVENTURE CENTER Asheville A e.Trail JASHEVILLE'S FAMTLY FRIENDLY HAUNT October 9& 10, 22-25, 29 & 30 NEW LOCATION PRESENTED BY mellow MUSHROO PIZZA BAKERS'

The Adventure Center of Asheville is excited to be the 2020 venue for the 8th Annual The Haunted Trail presented by Mellow Mushroom. The no-touch no-contact outdoor Haunted Trail is the only Halloween event in Asheville that is ideal for children ages 3-12 years old. Experience a family-friendly heart pumping walk with live actors (at a distance), spooky sounds, and spectacular props. The younger ghouls can enjoy the (actor-free) “Sweet Peek Tour” of the Trail at 6:30pm before it gets dark.
This year The Treetops Adventure Park Aerial Glow Trail will also be available for ages 4 and over. Climb on one family-friendly aerial trail while it is illuminated with thousands of colored twinkle and laser lights.
In addition to the Trails, there will also be spooky live entertainment, no touch activities while in line, and food and beverages available including hot chocolate. It is a perfect way to celebrate the Halloween season with the family.
As the Haunted Trail and the Adventure Center are committed to safety, Social Distancing and Wearing Face Masks (for ages 4 years old and over) are required. The Haunted Trail Scenes will have barriers and at least a 10-foot space between guests and the performers. Guests lining up for both activities will be separated into Family Groups.

Saturday, October 31, 2020
5 Factor 5K Fundraiser to Prevent Child Abuse
Oct 31 all-day
Online

Welcome to Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina’s first-ever 5 Factors (virtual) 5k! Because we cannot safely gather in-person this year, we are expanding our annual, one-day event to AN ENTIRE RACE WEEK (Oct. 24-31), packed with all the family-friendly activities we typically host on race day. That means you get to choose when and where you complete your 5k, AND you will have access to an entire week of fun, virtual activities designed for all ages!

When you register below, you will have access to our race week calendar of activities that will run October 24th through October 31st. We are so excited to feature mini events focused on mental and physical health, education, and family entertainment scheduled at different times throughout the week.

Your VIP Race Week includes:

  1. Access to more than 20 family-friendly virtual activities (live and pre-recorded) focused on exercise, entertainment, and education
  1. Pop-up drawings for free swag
  1. Discounts on featured merchandise
  1. Printable customized bib
  1. Printable customized certificate of completion – there is an option for you to submit your time!

VIP Race Week is jam-packed with family fun, all for the low price of $35. We may be physically distant, but we are TOGETHER in preventing child abuse and neglect.

Grace Episcopal Church Pumpkin Patch – Consider Haiti
Oct 31 all-day
Grace Episcopal Church

Beginning Sunday, September 27, and continuing throughout the month of October, the front lawn of Grace Church will once again be filled with pumpkins! And as in years past, proceeds from pumpkin sales will benefit our friends with Consider Haiti.

Annually, the Pumpkin Patch is Consider Haiti’s biggest fundraiser. A year ago, we netted $10,000 that supported programs in community health, sustainable nutrition, clean water and medical care. Consider Haiti’s single most urgent goal is promoting the health and welfare of Haitian children. This year, they will impact the lives of more than 2,000 children and their families. Through the Pumpkin Patch, Grace Church has an opportunity to raise both funds and awareness for the work Consider Haiti is doing, even in the midst of a pandemic. We hope we have made participating as safe and risk-free as possible for you. And we thank you in advance for your on-going support.

For the safety of our volunteer sellers, we have developed a method of no-touch electronic payment that will hopefully eliminate a lot of cash transactions that involved handling money. Wheelbarrows will be on hand for shoppers to load their own pumpkin selections. The idea is to handle money and pumpkins as little as possible. Wipes, masks and disinfectant will be available for use as needed within the Patch

Halloween on Vermont Ave. West Asheville is CANCELLED
Oct 31 all-day

The Annual Halloween Celebration on Vermont Ave. in West Asheville is Cancelled due to the covid-10 pandemic.

Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Oct 31 all-day
Buncombe CountyParks

Buncombe County is diverse. Playgrounds should be, too. The spirit of inclusion is straightforward in a recent partnership that has brought swing access for persons of all abilities to the three largest parks in the County’s Recreation Services system.

With support from Dogwood Health TrustSand Hill Lions Club, and the citizens of Buncombe County, wheelchair swings can be found at Buncombe County Sports ParkCharles D. Owen Park, and Lake Julian Park that adhere to Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. Front and rear ramps allow easy access onto and off a 32 inch wide platform (the same as standard doorway entries). Wheelchairs can easily navigate on specially engineered mulch that also acts as a safety feature in case a user should fall.

Online Education Series – From Mountain Crafts to Arts and Crafts
Oct 31 all-day
Online

When Charlotte Yale and Eleanor Vance arrived in Biltmore Village in 1901, they had no idea how many hundreds of young men and women they would influence over the course of the next fifty years. Together they lead Biltmore Estate Industries and Tryon Toymakers and Woodcarvers into nationally respected Arts and Crafts enterprises, providing young men and women with critical skills in woodworking, woodcarving, toy making, and weaving. This three-part video prepared by author Bruce Johnson traces their lives and their influences, offering a glimpse into their dedication to improving the lives of area young men and women.
The Water Cycle for Kids
Oct 31 all-day
Online

Water Cyle for Kids

Learn about the water cycle: beginners, intermediate and advanced lessons.

Compliments USGS.

Dogtoberfest Howl-O-Ween Pawty
Oct 31 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wagbar

🎉OPENING: Saturday October 31st🎃

Join us for our 1st annual Dogtoberfest Howl-O-Ween Pawty🐾

All Day Event: 8am-11pm

Live music by @the_soulamanders 6pm-9pm!

Enjoy delicious food from @veganitfoodtruck

Dog Costume Contest (Rules & Prizes TBA)

Grandad’s Orchard Family Fun!
Oct 31 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
GRANDADS APPLES N SUCH

Weekend Fun!

Grandad’s has several family fun activities to enjoy on the WEEKENDS, beginning Labor Day weekend, throughout the fall. Including

 

  • Cow Train ($4 per person, and you will need to arrive before 4 PM to enjoy this activity)
  • Jump Pillow (due to COVID-19 and social distancing requirements, we will not open jump pillow this year)
  • Corn Maze ($4 per person, and you will need to arrive before 4 PM to enjoy this activity)
  • Apple Cannon ($4 per person, and you will need to arrive before 4 PM to enjoy this activity)
  • You- Pick Apples varies through the season.  Please call us at (828)-685-1685 to updated information. (You will need to arrive before 4 PM to enjoy this activity Monday – Friday and 5 PM on Saturdays and Sundays)
Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks
Oct 31 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Please note: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!

The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!

 

Tails in Town
Oct 31 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Maple Street, Historic Depot Area

Tails in Town is the ultimate day for dog lovers of all ages and a once a year opportunity to celebrate the companionship, joy and unconditional love that our furry friends bring to our lives. The free event features 40 pet friendly vendors, Strut Your Mutt 5k fun walk/run and new 1 mile Scurry, pet costume pageant, food trucks and Pints for Pups Rescue Fundraiser. For information call 828-692-1600. Rescheduled from May 2nd. Tails in Town is a joint venture between WTZQ radio 95.3 FM, Blue Ridge Humane Society and Historic Downtown Hendersonville.

Justus Orchard Pick Your Own!
Oct 31 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Justus Orchard

Looking forward to the first cool weekend of the year!!
Apples available for UPick are Golden’s, Red Jonagolds, Mutsu, Ambrosia and Asian Pears!!
Apples Available already picked are Golden’s, Gala’s, Early Fuji, Red Jonagold, Stayman Winesap,Mutsu, Ambrosia, Granny Smith, Red Romes and a very few Piñatas!
The Bakery will open in full force all day but remember we stop cooking at 5 pm so don’t wait too long to place your order,
The playground is open every day and the jumping pillow is open Friday’s Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. The cow train, apple cannons and barn tours are open Saturdays and Sundays weather permitting until 5pm
Hoping to see you soon!!
The Justus Family!
Autumn at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Oct 31 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

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Experience the best views of the Fall colors this Autumn at the SkyLift Park and SkyBridge. Numerous photo opportunities, unique Smoky Mountain experiences, hot seasonal drinks, and perfect fall mountain vistas are all waiting for you after conquering the Gatlinburg SkyBridge this Fall. Live music on the SkyDeck will be scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm-9pm. Whether you are riding the iconic yellow SkyLift chair, relaxing on the SkyDeck, fueling up in the SkyCenter, conquering the SkyBridge, or exploring the SkyTrail, there will no shortages of family-fun memories for you to cherish after your visit is complete. Autumn is the most beautiful time of year in Gatlinburg, so make sure to take it all in while “above it all” at the the SkyLift Park.

Eliada’s 2020 Annual Corn Maze
Oct 31 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Eliada Homes

Each day, you can pre-purchase tickets during for a specific time slot, allowing us to maintain safety and limit the number of people at the maze at once.

Time slots to choose from:

  • 9-11am
  • 11:30am-1:30pm
  • 2-4pm
  • 4:30-6:30pm
  • General Safety Guidelines

    • Masks must be worn at all times, except for children under the age of four years old.
    • Maintain social distancing with those outside your family.
    • There will be a maximum number of attendees at the event at a time. Attendees will register and pre-purchase tickets. You will be able to select the 2-hour block of time you want to attend with your family. Time slots will automatically close once the max limit is reached.
    • Please promptly leave the corn maze when your 2 hour time slot is up, so we can do a cleaning before the next group arrives.
    • Minimize time indoors. You may use the indoor restrooms, and check-in indoors. We will give you a map for the maze and offer pumpkins, t-shirts, and other fun merchandise. But we won’t let you linger! Time to get outside, stay safe, and have fun!
    • Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the event.

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Día de los Muertos Art Installation: Catrinas Self-Guided, Physically Distanced Tours
Oct 31 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

Catrinas by Margarita Figueroa Día de los Muertos Self Guided Tours October 21 through November 2 2020

Wortham Center in collaboration with Hola Community Arts presents
Día de los Muertos Art Installation: Catrinas by Margarita Figueroa
Self-Guided, Physically Distanced Tours

In celebration of Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead, Hola Community Arts presents the work of renowned Mexican artist Margarita Figueroa at the Wortham Center for Performing Arts October 21 – November 2.

Margarita Figueroa sculpts whimsical, life-size Catrinas in the Alambroide technique, which consists of wire-structured figures covered with papier-mâché and painted with acrylic colors.

Catrina, an elegant, skeletal woman made famous by printmaker José Guadalupe Posada in the early 1900s, is one of the most recognizable figures in the Day of the Dead holiday and still permeates and influences Mexican Folk Art today.

The Día de los Muertos holiday has expanded beyond its roots in Mexico to provide comfort and community to those who have lost loved ones in cultures around the world.

“Día de los Muertos is distinctly different from Halloween in origin, celebration and culture. Día de los Muertos is truly a joyous celebration of life and the beauty of remembering those who have come before us,” says Adriana Chavela, executive director of Hola Community Arts. “During this celebration, the dead sort of become a part of the living world, as families tell stories and reflect on memories of them.”

The Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd throughout Latin America, but is more closely associated with Mexico, where it originated.

Hola Community ArtsAbout Hola Community Arts 
Hola Community Arts is building bridges between cultures, embracing diversity and creating more economically vibrant communities. We recognize the power of the arts to challenge and shift perceptions, spark creativity and connect people across cultures. HOLA Community Arts is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3). Donations are welcome. Learn more at www.holacommunityarts.org.

The Historic Orchard at Altapass
Oct 31 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Orchard at Altapass
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Still not certain what’s ripe at the O? Call 828-765-9531 and get a recording that will give you the latest information for the weekend’s apple picking and purchasing.
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How ’bout them Apples?

We post each Thursday morning any ripening updates in the orchard. Remember we are an heirloom apple orchard. Our mission is to save the good stuff…including apple varieties. In addition to trees that fruit during the normal late September/October season in greater quantity, also we plant small batch numbers of heirloom apple trees. Some ripen earlier (an unexpected gift); all have their uses from apple sauce, to butters, to juice and ciders, and just fresh eating off the trees. They won’t all be available all the time. But, when they are, we’ll let you know. Please come and see for yourself.

We Are Open! Swannanoa Valley Museum
Oct 31 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Swannanoa Valley Museum


It is with great excitement that we announce our opening schedule for 2020. We have not been able to reopen since March, when the Covid -19 pandemic hit and North Carolina shut down. Now the State of North Carolina is transitioning into Phase 2.5 of Governor Cooper’s phased reopening plan. Phase 2.5 allows museums to open at 50% capacity. This means the Swannanoa Valley Museum will be open starting Labor Day weekend. We will allow 10 visitors in the museum per hour. Opening hours are Thursday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm. Visitors can sign up on our website for a self-guided tour time or sign up at the museum. We are looking forward to seeing our visitors once more! To book a self-guided tour time click on this link. SVM Self-Guided Tour Reservation

COVID-19 Visiting Policy

Masks are required when entering the museum. This is for the safety of our visitors and our docents. Exceptions will be made according to ADA instructions. Visitors must make a reservation to visit the museum. Self Guided tour reservations are available Thursday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm. To make a reservation you can call (828) 669- 9566, register at the front desk, or click here. 

ACCESSIBILITY
The first floor houses our traveling exhibit gallery and our second floor houses “Our Pathways” exhibit.  The first and second floor are accessible by ADA standards.  A lift is available to take visitors to the second floor.

 

WNC Nature Center Reopens!
Oct 31 @ 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
WNC Nature Center

Upon reopening, the Nature Center will be open seven days a week, from 10 am until 4:30 pm.  Asheville residents receive a discounted rate with local ID and children under the age of 3 are free.

Youth Studio: Mask-Making (Grades K–5)
Oct 31 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Registration deadline: October 21

Get creative making masks! Inspired by the Museum’s Collection and the costumes of Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, create three fun (or spooky!) masks, both functional and decorative.

Please note:

  • Youth Studio is held indoors and outdoors. If the weather is cooperating, we’ll do most art activities outside in the courtyard. In the event of inclement weather or the necessity of studio resources, we’ll move inside to the Museum’s Education Center.
  • Space is limited to small groups of up to eight students; face coverings and social distancing are required.
Beachams Curve Trick or Treat Crawl
Oct 31 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Trick or Treat Crawl. Located on Haywood Road

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Join the West Asheville community for a Trick or Treat Crawl. Located on Haywood Road, Archetype Brewing will be distributing individual candy bags for all the monsters & witches. Stop and enjoy a craft beer. Check out the operating hours of other awesome businesses participating:

Flora – 10am – 5pm
Owl Bakery – 8am – 12pm
Pizza Mind – 12pm – 10pm
Gan Shan – 4pm – 9pm

Beary Scary Halloween
Oct 31 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain

Visit Grandfather Mountain for a day of nature programs about animals considered creepy and crawly! This fun-filled celebration includes an opportunity to create special Halloween enrichments for the animals and then trick-or-treat through the animal habitats area. Plus, children in costume are admitted at half-price.

Take a Woolworth Walk on the Wild Side/Appalachian Wild Art Display
Oct 31 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Woolworth Walk

Image may contain: outdoor, text that says 'Takea on the Wild Side! WOOLWORTH WALK An Art Show and Sale to Benefit APPALACHIAN WILDLIFE WOO LWORTH CO. JeffPitmanArt.com OCTOBER 1-31 25 Haywood Street, downtown Asheville Monday Saturday: 11am- 6pm Sunday: 11am 5pm'

Yet another reason to love fall in WNC! The front window display of Woolworth Walk will come alive with wildlife as imagined by 17 local artists. Mark your calendars and visit Woolworth Walk in October to purchase your favorite, these works are sure to sell out fast! Not only will you go home with a beautiful piece of art, but you will be supporting the wild ones and the mission of Appalachian Wildlife Refuge!

Bold Rock Fall Foliage Festival
Oct 31 @ 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Bold Rock

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Bold Rock Hard Cider invites you to celebrate what makes fall great in the Blue Ridge Mountains at our Annual Fall Foliage Festival on Saturday, October 31st at Bold Rock Hard Cider from 12PM – 9PM!

Festival admission is FREE and family/pet friendly! Activities include an artisan fair, live music from Songs From The Road, and fun fall-themed activities!

We hope to see you there!

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Oct 31 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m. (weather permitting), Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Garden Promenade.

The Pumpkin Patch
Oct 31 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
North Carolina Glass Center
Hendersonville Racquet Club Youth Tennis Classes: Ages 5-16
Oct 31 @ 1:00 pm
Hendersonville Racquet Club

HRC Tennis Junior Program Info Fall Session header logo

Registrations in now open for session 2 of our Fall Junior Tennis Group Lessons! Kids are put in groups based on age and ability with seven levels available.  The session is six weeks long and is $79 for members or $99 for non-members for one class a week plus a play day at the end of the session.  Two days a week (12 sessions) is $129/169.

Fall Session II runs October 31 through December 16 (no classes the week of Thanksgiving)

The format for this session is having classes once or twice for six weeks.  Maximum six kids per class.  Each level of class is offered during the weekday and again on Saturday afternoon.  Then the session concludes with a fun “Play Day” where they can get match experience.  All classes are taught by certified tennis professionals and will be held on HRC’s indoor courts.

Age 4-7 (RED) Beginners meet Mondays, Thursdays 5:15-6:00pm and/or Saturdays 12:15-1:00pm

Age 7-10 (ORANGE) Beginners meet Mon 6-7pm, Wed 5-6pm, and/or Sat 1-2pm

Age 9-15 (GREEN) Beginners meet Tuesdays 5-6pm, Thurs 6-7pm and/or Sat 2-3pm

Age 9-15 (YELLOW) Intermediates meet Tuesdays 6-7pm and/or Saturdays 2-3pm

· Classes for all ages and ability!  Open to the public. Call for advanced and tournament/elite class session times.  All classes taught by certified tennis professionals

· Six class (session) package – One day/week – $79 members/$99 for non-members.

· Two days/week $129 /$169.  Drop-In (single) class – $15 for members, $20 for
non-members.  Private lessons may be purchased separately.

Fall Carnival
Oct 31 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Freedom Baptist Church

Image may contain: text that says 'FREEDOM BAPTIST CHURCH FALL CARNIVAL OCTOBER 31st 3-6pm TRUNK FUN |GAMES ACIVITIES OR TREAT 50 Rice Road, Asheville, NC 28806 Not your typical fall festival. Unlike anything we ve ever done before! More information to follow. COVID precautions will be taken. Made.withPosteriMyWall.com'

Fall Carnival.Lots of games, food, activities, treats and loads of fun! We can’t wait to see you there!