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, September 26, 2020
ArborEvenings
Sep 26 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

The Arboretum’s popular ArborEvenings summer after hours series will return this season with a special LEGO twist. Held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July through September, from 8 to 11 …

Sunday, September 27, 2020
Buncombe County Parks Playgrounds Open with New Guidance
Sep 27 all-day
Buncombe County Parks

Hiker with camera on a log

Playground openings.

Some areas remain closed including restrooms and picnic shelters. Paddle boat, water trike, and Jon boat rentals will not be available until further notice.

Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. Parks are open spaces to exercise for no or little cost, places for hurried individuals to reconnect with nature, and community areas to connect with neighbors and preserve culture. While these facilities and areas can offer mental and physical health benefits, it is important that you follow the steps below to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Guidance for Park Visitors

  • Remember that ongoing community spread of COVID-19 continues. Practice the three Ws:
    • Wear a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth when you go out or are around others.
    • Wait at least six feet apart from and avoid close contact with others who do not live in your household.
    • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
  • Stay home if you are sick or exhibiting symptoms.
  • Wash your hands before leaving home and bring sanitizer or wipes, water, and sunscreen. No restrooms or water fountains are currently open.
  • Maintain at least six feet of physical distance between yourself and anyone who does not live in your household.
  • Outdoor gatherings are limited to 50 persons.
  • Playgrounds are subject to regular cleaning, but the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread when kids touch contaminated objects, and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Picnic shelters remain closed.
  • Keep it moving when using trails and step aside to let others pass. At some parks, trails may be marked as one-way only.
  • Limit your park time so that others can also safely enjoy the space.
  • Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter to help minimize invasive species, bank erosion, and water pollution.
  • Let us know how you’re enjoying your parks! Tag Recreation Services on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #IHeartBCParks.
Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Sep 27 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.

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Sep 27 @ 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.

Thursday, October 1, 2020
Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Oct 1 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.

Friday, October 2, 2020
Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Oct 2 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.

Saturday, October 3, 2020
Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Oct 3 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.

Naturalist Niche: Fall Birding Walk
Oct 3 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Chimney Rock Park
Advance registration required. Includes Park admission.

Fall bird migration is an active time in the North Carolina mountains. It is here that migratory birds are preparing to journey south to their wintering grounds in the Southeastern U.S., Caribbean, Central America, and South America. This makes Chimney Rock a great hotspot to catch a glimpse of a lot of northern birds before their mass, seasonal exodus. Join a local birding expert during this two-hour excursion to locate and identify some of these “snowbirds”.

Stream Monitoring Information Exchange (SMIE) Training
Oct 3 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Environmental Quality Institute (Virtually)

Virtual Zoom lab session in the morning and socially distanced stream side demonstration at the Big Ivy River in the afternoon!

Have fun sampling local streams for water quality! This regional effort trains adults (17+) in water quality monitoring methods. Topics covered include: basic stream ecology, how to report water quality problems, aquatic insect identification, and field sampling skills. No experience necessary. Donations accepted to defray materials cost (not required for participation).
After training, volunteers work in small groups with a Group Leader to sample sites in Haywood, Madison, Buncombe, Yancey, and Mitchell counties in the spring and fall each year. Fall Sampling Start Date TBA!

RSVP required: [email protected] or 828-333-0392
EQI website: eqilab.org

Community Garden Workday
Oct 3 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Buncombe County Sports Park
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Oct 3 @ 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 Fall Color Ramble
Oct 3 @ 2:00 pm – 2:20 pm
Grandfather Mountain

From Oct. 3-11, guests can enjoy 20-minute guided walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors.

Sunday, October 4, 2020
Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Oct 4 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.

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Oct 4 @ 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 Fall Color Ramble
Oct 4 @ 2:00 pm – 2:20 pm
Grandfather Mountain

From Oct. 3-11, guests can enjoy 20-minute guided walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors.

Monday, October 5, 2020
The Fall Color Ramble
Oct 5 @ 2:00 pm – 2:20 pm
Grandfather Mountain

From Oct. 3-11, guests can enjoy 20-minute guided walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors.

Tuesday, October 6, 2020
The Fall Color Ramble
Oct 6 @ 2:00 pm – 2:20 pm
Grandfather Mountain

From Oct. 3-11, guests can enjoy 20-minute guided walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020
The Fall Color Ramble
Oct 7 @ 2:00 pm – 2:20 pm
Grandfather Mountain

From Oct. 3-11, guests can enjoy 20-minute guided walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors.

Thursday, October 8, 2020
Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Oct 8 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.

The Fall Color Ramble
Oct 8 @ 2:00 pm – 2:20 pm
Grandfather Mountain

From Oct. 3-11, guests can enjoy 20-minute guided walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors.

Friday, October 9, 2020
Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Oct 9 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.

The Fall Color Ramble
Oct 9 @ 2:00 pm – 2:20 pm
Grandfather Mountain

From Oct. 3-11, guests can enjoy 20-minute guided walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors.

Saturday, October 10, 2020
Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Oct 10 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.

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Oct 10 @ 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 Fall Color Ramble
Oct 10 @ 2:00 pm – 2:20 pm
Grandfather Mountain

From Oct. 3-11, guests can enjoy 20-minute guided walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors.

Sunday, October 11, 2020
Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Oct 11 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.

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Oct 11 @ 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 Fall Color Ramble
Oct 11 @ 2:00 pm – 2:20 pm
Grandfather Mountain

From Oct. 3-11, guests can enjoy 20-minute guided walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors.

Thursday, October 15, 2020
“Find Your Color” Photo Contest Chimney Rock
Oct 15 @ 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Chimney Rock Park

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Fall “Find Your Color” Photo Contest

Time: Park hours
Cost: No additional cost to enter.

It’s during this time of year that the mountains explode with color. Capture photos of the fall season and enter them into our “Find Your Color” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

Winners will be notified and announced on Chimney Rock’s social media channels. F

Friday, October 16, 2020
“Find Your Color” Photo Contest Chimney Rock
Oct 16 @ 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Chimney Rock Park

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Fall “Find Your Color” Photo Contest

Time: Park hours
Cost: No additional cost to enter.

It’s during this time of year that the mountains explode with color. Capture photos of the fall season and enter them into our “Find Your Color” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

Winners will be notified and announced on Chimney Rock’s social media channels. F