Calendar of Events

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.

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Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Buncombe County Democratic Party Phone Banking
Jul 3 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Buncombe County Democratic Party HQ

This year’s election will be won by mobilizing voters who want to preserve our democracy and protect the rights of our citizens. Our phone bankers will be reaching out to likely supporters in your precincts who don’t vote on a regular basis. We will also be making separate calls in your precincts to recruit more volunteers for our efforts.

IF YOU HAVE A LAPTOP, PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING IT TO THE PHONE BANK. If you don’t have one, just be sure you bring your personal email login information (User ID & password) and you can use one of our Chromebooks. If you’ve canvassed or phone banked for Democrats in the past, you likely have an Action ID account, so please be sure to bring that login information as well. Of course, you will also need your cell phone.

Phone banking remains one of the best practices for winning elections and our phone banks are designed to reach those voters who rarely pick up their calls. We’ll leave a message on their voice mail, then also text them the same message. When someone does pick up their call, you’ll possibly have a lively conversation because we are targeting supporters!

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Categories: Community Volunteers
OLD-TIME JAM Old-Time Mountain + Folk Music
Jul 3 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

Grab some dinner and a pint while enjoying our long-running Old-Time jam! Featuring many talented musicians from the local WNC area, our traditional Appalachian mountain music jam runs from 5-9pm every Wednesday night at Jack of the Wood!

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Categories: Food & Drink Music
Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series: Asheville Museum of Science
Jul 3 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pritchard Park

The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Wednesdays: Asheville Museum of Science

Dive into a world of discovery with interactive science activities, including bubbles and noise machines. This family-friendly event promises to engage and entertain all ages with hands-on experiments and demonstrations.

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Categories: Education Family Fun Outdoors
Native Plants for the Garden Workshop
Jul 3 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Dr. John Wilson Community Garden

 

Tickets: $15 (cash, check, or card at event)

Please RSVP to [email protected] so we can prepare for class size, but you are welcome to join regardless.

Join them to learn about the benefits of native plants for us, our gardens, and the ecosystems we call home.

Adam Bigelow, avid organic gardener, will lead us as we immerse ourselves in the diversity of native plants. We will discuss how natives work to attract beneficial insects, beautify vegetable and flower gardens, and provide nutrition to the dinner plate.

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Categories: Garden Garden Events
Pritchard Park Summer Series: Summer of Science w/ the Asheville Museum of Science
Jul 3 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Pritchard Park

Explore hands on activities and experiments while we learn about the Science of Bubbles or the Science of Sound. Every other week we will play and learn together using a variety of tools, instruments, and toys. AMOS has a plethora of science to intrigue the zeal of every learner!

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Categories: Community Education Family Fun Outdoors
Not Your Average Ladies Night
Jul 3 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center

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One of our favorite events of the year where we get to celebrate Women in the Outdoors! Meet us at the Outfitter’s Store for camaraderie, a VIP private shopping experience, a speaker presentation, food and drinks, and prizes.

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Categories: Community
OUTPOST: Bluegrass Jam with Sam Wharton FREE SHOW
Jul 3 @ 6:00 pm
The Outpost
Doors Open: 5:00 PM
– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
– RAIN OR SHINE
 
Sam Wharton is a founding member of the SFTRB with one of the best voices in bluegrass. He is the ultimate ambassador for the music.  Along with developing his own unique style of rhythm guitar, he is one of the finest harmony singers in the world! He grew up singing barbershop quartet in Alabama. He honed his chops in Telluride, but now calls Western North Carolina his home!

Free show! Sit ins are encouraged at this open Bluegrass jam.

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Categories: Music
Sing Your Heart Out
Jul 3 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Sing songs that celebrate Peace & Community, with Resident Teaching Artist Melissa McKinney. Sing, play, drum, and dance while learning songs from the Justice Choir Songbook.

Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
$15 drop-in class
All ages welcome.

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Categories: Community Education Family Fun Music
Asheville Tourists vs. Greenville Drive Independence Day Fireworks
Jul 3 @ 6:35 pm
McCormick Field

Independence Day Fireworks

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Categories: Community Family Fun Featured Holiday Sports
Karaoke Night
Jul 3 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Karaoke Night at Hickory Tavern

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Categories: Food & Drink Music
Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: ARTHUR by The Kinks
Jul 3 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Guitar Bar

Legendary British rock band The Kinks are revered for their early
classics: proto-garage rockers like “All Day and all of the Night” and “You
Really Got Me.” Their hits continued into the ‘70s (“Lola”) and even the
1980s (“Come Dancing”), and the group was inducted into the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Primary songwriter Ray Davies has always displayed a distinctly English
perspective. The group’s seventh studio album, 1969’s Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British
Empire) is today held in high esteem among critics.
The Kinks turned out many critically-acclaimed and popular records, but they were about more that hit songs.
Ray Davies crafted many conceptually-oriented, rock-opera type albums. Arthur is among his best.
As originally conceived, Arthur was planned as the soundtrack for a TV special set to air in late 1969. Beset by
scheduling and financing challenges, the TV special was never completed nor aired. But the conceptually-
oriented Arthur LP arrived in shops in October 1969, and a single from the record, “Victoria” made it onto the
UK charts.

More than a half century later, Asheville-based
musician and songwriter Chris Tullar has drawn
upon Arthur to create a wholly new work, one
that is also a concept album, Not Arthur. For this month’s Music to Your Ears, Chris will join Bill to discuss the
influential Kinks album and talk about how he found inspiration within it.
Join us for live music and lively discussion as we explore The Kinks’ Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the
British Empire). Music to Your Ears takes place on Wednesday, July 3 at 7pm at the Asheville Guitar Bar in the
historic River Arts District.

ABOUT THE DISCUSSION SERIES
Music to Your Ears is Bill Kopp’s monthly discussion series hosted by Asheville Guitar Bar and co-sponsored
by AshevilleFM. On the first Wednesday of each month, music enthusiasts gather to discuss an important
album, artist or musical movement. An interactive evening, MTYE isn’t a lecture; it’s a discussion – and live
music performance – led by experts and designed to enrich the listening experience.

ABOUT BILL KOPP (blog.musoscribe.com)
With over 500 bylines in regional publications (Mountain Xpress, Bold Life, WNC Magazine and more),
Asheville-based speaker, author and music journalist is an acknowledged expert on popular music. Author of
two books – Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon and Disturbing the
Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave – Bill Kopp writes for publications across the country and
abroad. A contributing editor at Goldmine Magazine, he has authored more than 30 album liner note essays
and conducted more than 1100 interviews. He regularly hosts discussions on artists and albums of historical
importance, and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts.

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Categories: Music
“This Land” with Pianist Lara Downes
Jul 3 @ 7:30 pm
Brevard Music Center

Iconoclastic pianist and cultural visionary Lara Downes presents THIS LAND, a musical reflection on American imagination, transformation, migration, and innovation, the cycles of our history, the power of resilience and resistance, and the beauty that grows at the crossroads of our American journeys. Music by Copland, Ellington, Bonds, Still, Joplin, and many, many more.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on May 1. To receive early access to tickets for this event, become a donor today! Donor presale begins March 25.

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Categories: Music
SWANNANOA GATHERING: Fiddle/Mando + Banjo Weeks Concert III
Jul 3 @ 7:30 pm
Warren Wilson College --Kittredge Theatre

On Wednesday, July 3, the Fiddle/Mando & Banjo Weeks Concert III will highlight an extraordinary lineup of great players featuring jazz violinists Sara Caswell and Evan Price and swing mandolinist Joe K. Walsh, bluegrass mandolinists Matt Flinner and Alan Bibey, bassist Kevin Kehrberg and guitarists Ed Dodson and Greg Ruby.

All shows begin at 7:30 pm in the college’s Kittredge Theatre. Tickets are $35 per concert (during Old-Time Week, ticket price includes dances following concerts). Children under 12 are $17. Limited tickets are available for check or cash only in Asheville at Malaprops Bookstore, and in Black Mountain at Acoustic Corner.

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Categories: Music
Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Jul 3 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Asheville Music Hall

Asheville’s longest running comedy open mic happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform can sign up starting at 7pm, and will get four minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

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Categories: Comedy Nightlife
Fifty Year Flood w/ Solvivor Fifty Year Flood w/ Solvivor
Jul 3 @ 8:00 pm
The Pulp
Ages 18+

A fifty-year flood is a remarkable and unforgettable event that lingers in the mind long after the floodwaters have receded. The same can be said of Asheville, NC rock band Fifty Year Flood – their infectious grooves and powerful live show exceed all expectations and leave witnesses dumbstruck.

From the sexy, soulful vocals of lead singer Elise Jones, to the double-threat guitar work of Ken Jones and Chris Stivers, and the indelible groove of drummer Jon Gott and bassist Greg Terhune – their passion for their music rises, crests, and breaks on the shores of all who bear witness, leaving a joyous flotsam in their wake.

Founded by Ken and Elise Jones, Fifty Year Flood’s original sound is hard rocking, hook-laden and soulful – their songs tell stories of joy, desire, and armageddon, of blue-eyed desperation and ecstasy, of guaranteed exits and the healing power of rain.

The band has truly evolved from a husband and wife project into a great fellowship of friends, all contributing their passion and talents to something much greater than themselves. Chris Stivers has evolved into a strong creative voice of the band, with his unique, swampy guitar work brought to the foreground of the band’s new material, while Greg has breathed new life into the rhythmic foundations of FYF’s sound. Newest member, Jon, is proving himself to be the missing piece of the FYF puzzle, elevating the band to new sonic levels with his tight yet fluid grooves.

The band is in high gear, writing their best material to date, so look for them performing at a venue near you. The Flood cometh…”

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Categories: Music
KILLER QUEEN – A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN
Jul 3 @ 8:00 pm
Salvage Station

Killer Queen’s first public shows were at London University, following in the footsteps of the real
Queen who had played their first shows there decades earlier.
Killer Queen’s UK popularity grew to such an extent they soon secured a residency in London’s
Strand Theatre attracting nationwide BBC coverage – the first tribute to have a show in the West
End .

The band’s reputation continued to grow both in the UK and abroad leading to an awards ceremony
in Leicester Square, hosted by Suggs from Madness who presented them with the award for
“Worldwide Best Tribute Band”. They also scored a number one hit when they they were asked to
recreate Queen’s harmonies for “The Real Life” with Fatboy Slim.

By now they were in demand in European arenas playing Ahoy, where the now reformed Queen
would be performing only a few months later. They were delighted to sell out Forest National Arena
where Queen filmed the concert set piece videos such as Hammer To Fall and Don’t Stop Me Now.
Killer Queen then joined forces with Bjorn Again and The Bootleg Beatles for a Waverley
Stadium show in Edinburgh. It was this performance that led to the band being selected to represent
Queen in a re-staged tribute LiveAid concert held by Sir Bob Geldof. They performed with him at
his arena charity concert to raise funds for the homeless.

In 2016 Killer Queen set their sights on America including the awe inspiring Red Rocks Arena in
Colorado – one of the countries most prestigious venues. The Beatles, Springsteen, U2 have all
played there and the band are delighted it’s become a regular fixture on Killer Queen’s tour sheet.
By 2020 the band were pulling huge arena audiences in Cardiff Motorpoint, Liverpool and
Nottingham. 2021 sees them back on the road ready to delight huge audiences the world over.

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Categories: Music
Blowin’ Smoke Comedy Showcase
Jul 3 @ 9:00 pm – 10:30 pm
DSSOLVR

Modelface Comedy presents Blowin’ Smoke Comedy Showcase on the DSSOLVR patio

DSSOLVR Brewing is releasing a new DELUXO vape inspired hard seltzer and we are celebrating with a vape inspired comedy show on the patio.

A group of the best local and regional comics will be telling jokes and vaping on stage! The audience is welcome to vape throughout the outdoor show

featuring: Julia Macias, Christian Lee and many more!

ages 21+
Doors at 8:30pm, show at 9pm

Read more
Categories: Comedy
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Annual July 4th Freedom Gala: Picnic and Ride
Jul 4 all-day
279 Chestnut St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

COME CELEBRATE WITH US!

We are so excited to celebrate once again on Thursday, July 4th, 2024, with good food for a great cause!

The continued political unrest and instability have brought devastating ongoing hardship to the people of Haiti. Despite all of this, our mission to help the children of Haiti with sustainable food, clean water, and medical care has not changed in fact we need your help now more than ever before!

You can be a part of helping our program children and have loads of fun while you’re at it!

Ride. Eat. Do Both. Or, donate.

Through the generosity of Siemens Family Law Group, the Patton Parker House, Downtown Asheville Racing Club (DARC), the Charlotte Street Business Association we are offering multiple bike ride options for both individuals and families.

  • Gravel Ride – starts at 8:30 am

  • Family Ride – starts at 10 am

  • You can purchase tickets to just ride or join us for our meal at 6:00 PM too.

  • All proceeds from this event will go to Consider Haiti to help us meet our yearly budget goals!

Our July 4th picnic starts at 6:00 pm on the Patton Parker House lawn. With gorgeous views of downtown Asheville’s skyline and the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s the perfect way to celebrate with friends and family under the stars.

The meal will be catered by the always fabulous Chop Shop Butchery and will include:

  • Pulled pork

  • Geraldine’s Buns

  • Baked beans (vegetarian)

  • Coleslaw (vegetarian)

  • Potato salad (vegetarian)

  • Salad(vegetarian)

Other Event Details:

  • This event is BYOB. Water and tea will be provided with your meal.

  • To ensure enough seating we suggest bringing your own lawn chairs and blankets although we will be providing seating as well.

  • There will be parking available just North of the Patton Parker House.

  • We are looking for volunteers to help with set-up and tear-down for this event.

  • Please share this event with friends and family (click on the icons below).

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Categories: Benefit Community
Arts Discounts Page
Jul 4 all-day
online w/ ArtsAVL
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Categories: Art & Craft
Calling All Artists
Jul 4 all-day
Artists Collective | Spartanburg

Calling All Artists in SC, NC, GA, TN, & VA
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Categories: Art & Craft
Fall for Art, Open Studio Tour – 2024 Call for Artists
Jul 4 all-day
Art Place Studios Gallery
THE ART LEAGUE  hosts exhibits of throughout the year at Art Place Gallery, the Henderson County Library and other venues throughout the county.  Some exhibits are open only to members.  Each call will include information on eligibility.  The on-line registration for each call will require that you enter your artwork title, size, and price.  You will need to enter an artwork category and these may vary for each call for artists.  You will also pay on-line via credit card.  Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the registration screens and hit submit.  You will receive a confirmation email.  If you do not receive a confirmation email, you are not registered for the call.

 

About the Art League of Henderson County

The Art League of Henderson County is – like art itself – for everyone, and our membership is open to both artists and art lovers. Since its founding in 1972, members of the Art League have believed in the value of the visual arts to our community. The Art League offers diverse opportunities to enrich the cultural life of Henderson County through public programs and art projects throughout the year.

For artists, the League provides opportunities to exhibit their art and improve their skills. These include workshops, artist open studio tours, lectures and demonstrations.  Program events offer an opportunity for members and visitors to interact and learn.  Small, informal groups gather to share ideas, offer advice, and build camaraderie. Field trips to museums and special exhibits are scheduled to a variety of venues.

Adult classes and workshops, open to the public, are offered in a variety of two- and three-dimensional media. Our experienced instructors are experts in their fields, and limits on class size permit ample individual attention to students.

The annual Fabulous Fakes exhibit in April provides an opportunity for artists to create their own fun versions of master works which are exhibited in a variety of gallery venues. Throughout the year, the Henderson County Library hosts exhibits of member works, often featuring a theme or an art medium.

Every spring, the League’s ArtScape Project hangs a new collection of colorful banners in downtown Hendersonville. ArtScape is supported by sponsors from local businesses, artists, and art lovers.  A brochure is available at the Henderson County Visitor Center and in locations around town. Throughout the year, visitors are invited to take a walking tour of this public showcase for our talented artists.

October provides an opportunity to see artists at work and learn about their inspiration and some of their secrets at the Art League’s Open Studio Weekend Tour.  Brochures and maps are available at the Visitor Center for this popular event.

The Art League of Henderson County continues to be committed to the vital role that the arts play in building a strong, vibrant, and diverse community.

View Open Calls View Exhibit Guidelines
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Categories: Art & Craft
Farm Beginnings® Program: Farmer program applications open
Jul 4 all-day
Organic Growers School

Farm Beginnings® is training the next generation of farmers in the many skills required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more.

Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. We support individuals in clarifying their goals and strengths, developing agricultural skills, and growing profitable, equitable, and ecologically sound farm businesses.

The OGS Approach

Guided by our commitment to social justice, our programming is led by farmers and mentors active in food, farming, or social justice. By empowering people with skills, knowledge, and access to resources, together we can build a more diverse, equitable food system that enriches the environment and creates a thriving food and farming community.

We use a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentoring, and an extensive farmer network. The topics of equity and justice in the food systems are woven into the curriculum, including examples of realistic approaches within the scope of your business models.

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

  • Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

  • Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

  • One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

  • Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

  • Access to field days with regional partners

  • Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

  • Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

  • 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

  • Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

  • Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

  • One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

  • Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

  • Access to field days with regional partners

  • Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

  • Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

  • 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

View a sample of the full course schedule here.

Read more
Categories: Education Garden Garden Events
Grant Center Swimming Pool
Jul 4 all-day
Grant Center Pool

Swimming Pools

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

  • Individual – $3 per session
  • Individual Season Pass – $100
  • Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

Events

  • Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.

  • Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

    Dates of Operation:
    Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
    Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
    August 12th through September 2nd

    Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

    Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
    Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
    Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
    Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

    Cost is $3 per person per day

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Categories: Community Family Fun Outdoors
Haunted History + Murder MYstery Tour
Jul 4 all-day
Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville

Sit back if you dare as we illuminate Asheville’s darkest history with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem.

Hear stories of . . .

  The legendary PINK LADY at the Grove Park Inn
  The GHOST of Church Street
  The 1936 UNSOLVED MURDER that shook Asheville
  The CHILD SPIRITS at the haunted hospital
  The architect walled into his own church!
  The KILLING SPREE of 1906
  NAZI AGENTS based in Asheville
  ARSON at hospital that claimed Zelda Fitzgerald

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Categories: Tours
Hey Asheville: City Comedy Tour • Ages 13+ Only
Jul 4 all-day
LaZoom Room Bar & Gorilla

Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!

Duration

1 hour and 30 minutes

About

Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!

Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!

Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.

Age Restrictions

13 and up. No exceptions.

Stops

10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery

What’s Included

Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop

What’s Not Included

Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.

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Categories: Comedy Food & Drink Tours
Hop-on/Hop-off SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Jul 4 all-day
Asheville Area

There is no better way to DISCOVER and EXPLORE Asheville!  Hop-on board one of Gray Line’s nostalgic trolleys for a fully narrated day tour, highlighting the history, homes, hang-outs and hot spots of this “city of surprises.”

Tour Highlights include  .  .  .  Downtown Asheville  |  Montford Historic District  |  The Grove Park Inn and Grove Park Historic District  |  Thomas Wolfe District  |  Pack Square and Asheville Art Museum  |  Grove Arcade  |  River Arts District  |  Biltmore Village

Hop-On and hear the story of a city rich in architecture, history and the arts  . . .

Hop-Off and experience its eclectic shops and galleries; its world class culinary and craft brew scenes.

Tour Duration:  The complete tour (one loop) lasts approximately 90 to 100 minutes.  There is an additional 15 minute stop at the Asheville Visitor Center.  The Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour ticket is valid for TWO consecutive days.

Departure Points: Join the Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour at any of the 10 stops.  If you’re driving in to join the tour, Stop 1, the Asheville Visitor Center may be your best option.  The Visitor Center, located at 36 Montford Ave. just off I-240 at Exit 4C, offers free parking (on a first come-first served basis) and restrooms. The Asheville Visitor Center is the ONLY place to join the Overview Tour.

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Categories: Tours
Mile High Swinging Bridge
Jul 4 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

One of the top highlights and memories of visits to Grandfather Mountain nature park is walking across the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. Since 1952, visitors have “oohed” and “aahed” at the bridge’s 360-degree panoramic views. America’s highest suspension footbridge gives easy access to the spectacular views atop Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak, elevation 5,305 feet.

The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation (hence the name!). To reach the Mile High Swinging Bridge, drive the two-mile, winding scenic road up the mountain to the summit parking area by the Top Shop. Climb 50 stairs adjacent to the parking area or inside the Top Shop to reach the short pathway to the bridge. Also, an elevator in the Top Shop takes you to the third floor for a level walk to the bridge.

Top Shop

Located adjacent to the Bridge, the Top Shop features a gift shop, snacks, restrooms, elevator and second-floor exhibition area. Also get the latest park information and trail maps. Read more.

Accessibility

Inside the Top Shop, an elevator makes the Mile High Swinging Bridge accessible to people with mobility challenges, including those in wheelchairs. From the Top Shop, there is a paved 50-yard path to the bridge. Read more about our accessibility.

Tickets & Hours

Walking across the Mile High Swinging Bridge is included in your Grandfather Mountain admission ticket that includes many other things to do in our nature park. Buy tickets online and book a reservation time to enter the park. You do not need a separate reservation for the bridge. It’s open, weather permitting, every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. See hours.

More to Explore

Before or after visiting the Mile High Swinging Bridge, allow time to enjoy other parts of the mountain: wildlife habitats, Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, restaurant, hiking trails, roadside overlooks, picnic areas and more. See more Things to Do.

Nearby Hiking Trails

Trailheads to many of the Grandfather Mountain hiking trails are located near the Swinging Bridge. In fact, the 0.4 mile Bridge Trail takes you beneath the bridge, starting from the Black Rock parking area just below the summit. For details on our nearby trails, go to our Hiking Guide.

Bridge Tips & Tidbits

  • Does it really swing? Very little — unlike the original one. Today’s bridge is made of steel and reinforced with cables and springs. It has railings on the sides to ensure safety.
  • We suggest you wear rubber-soled shoes and walk with care when crossing the rocks on the far side of the bridge.
  • If heights give you pause, you can still enjoy Blue Ridge Mountain views from the ground before you reach the bridge and even from the parking area.
  • Due to periodic extreme weather conditions at the bridge, it closes when there is area lightning, high wind or icy conditions.
  • The official U.S. Weather Service Reporting Station atop the Mile High Swinging Bridge has provided daily weather observations since 1955. The temperature is usually 10 to 20 degrees cooler than in the flatlands you see below. It’s also one of the windiest locations in North Carolina, with a 124-mph record set in winter 2019. Learn more about our weather.
  • Pets are allowed on the bridge if well behaved and on a leash.
  • Photographs and videos to remember your visit are encouraged. Be mindful of sharp drop-offs along the Linville Peak ridge. Drones are not allowed. See our photography policies.
  • The Singing Bridge? When the wind blows, the Mile High Swinging Bridge “sings” in the same way as a harmonica.
  • In April through October, join Grandfather’s expert naturalists by the Bridge for Interpretive Talks about the our unique weather, climate, flora and fauna. Read more.
  • Need driving directions? The address for Grandfather Mountain’s entrance gate is 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646 (click link for Google Maps). There are no shuttles, so you must have your own vehicle to explore our nature park. No RVs longer than 28 feet in length or hinged vehicles are allowed through the Entrance Gate. See detailed directions.
  • To see much more info, see our Plan Your Visit section.

Mile High Swinging Bridge History

Former North Carolina Tourism Director Charles J. Parker coined the name “Mile High Swinging Bridge” at the Bridge’s dedication in 1952. The term “mile high” refers to the structure’s elevation above sea level (5,280 feet). The term “swinging” refers to the fact that suspension bridges are free to sway.

The original 1952 bridge was designed by Charles Hartmann Jr. of Greensboro, N.C. It was fabricated in Greensboro and then reassembled on top of the Mountain. Erecting the bridge took three weeks, a process slowed by inclement weather created by a hurricane off the North Carolina coast. Cost was $15,000. It was dedicated on Sept. 2, 1952 by North Carolina Gov. William B. Umstead.

The bridge was rebuilt in 1999 using the original towers. The cables, floor boards and side rails were all replaced using galvanized steel. One of the main advantages of the modern building materials is that they do not have to be painted. Now, Grandfather Mountain employees will not have to hang out over the gorge to paint the span. It was redesigned by Sutton, Kennerly & Associates Engineering of Asheville, N.C., and rebuilt by Taylor & Murphy Construction Company of Asheville. The cost of rebuilding was $300,000.

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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors
Recreation Park Swimming Pool
Jul 4 all-day
Recreation Park

Swimming Pools

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

  • Individual – $3 per session
  • Individual Season Pass – $100
  • Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

Events

  • Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.

  • Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

    Dates of Operation:
    Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
    Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
    August 12th through September 2nd

    Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

    Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
    Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
    Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
    Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

    Cost is $3 per person per day

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Categories: Community Family Fun Outdoors Parks & Recreation Sports
Support this year’s Camp Bluebird
Jul 4 all-day
online w/ Pisgah Health Foundation

Camp Bluebird 2024 is coming This September!

Together, We Soar!
Make a Difference in the Lives of Adult Cancer Survivors:

 

Did you know almost 2 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2023 alone? Each year, millions of people are directly impacted by cancer with an estimated almost 40% of Americans being diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes.

 

For those who’ve heard the dreaded three words “You have cancer,” their lives have changed forever, and their new journey is often filled with tears, worry, isolation, and heartache. At Camp Bluebird, we want to help survivors realize their story is not over when they get their diagnosis, they have merely started writing a new chapter…one filled with resilience, hope, and a new sense of determination. And most importantly, we want them to know they are not alone in this journey.

A camp dedicated to survivors and their journeys of healing and hope…What is Camp Bluebird?

 

Camp Bluebird is a 3-day, 2-night camp where survivors join together for companionship, arts, wellness and therapeutic activities, and even a DJ dance party! Our camp is designed to empower survivors on their journeys of healing and rediscovery while making lifelong friendships.

 

This year’s camp will take place September 10-12, 2024 at the Bonclarken Conference Center in historic Flat Rock, NC.

 

 

We hope you will consider helping  as we reach more campers and make a greater impact in the survivor community!

CAMP BLUEBIRD’S MISSION

 

At Camp Bluebird, our mission is to provide space for cancer survivors from all walks of life to come together for support, encouragement, and understanding.  A place where hearts find rest, strength ignites and spirits SOAR as we share in a journey of healing and hope.

Donate Securely Online

With generous donations from our community and friends like you, we can ensure every deserving survivor can experience the magic of Camp Bluebird. Every donation, no matter the size, makes an impact.

 

Donations not only help those with financial hardships, but also help pay for camp activities, programs, and supplies. Will you help make an impact this year?

Your gift today makes a difference in the lives of Cancer Survivors! 
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Categories: Community Donations
The Arts Build Community Grant
Jul 4 all-day
online

The Arts Build Community Grant has supported arts-based community projects for underserved communities since 2018. Grants range from $1,000-$2,500, with priority given to projects based in low-income neighborhoods and communities in need. Funds may be used to cover costs including art supplies, professional artists’ fees, travel, space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, website and electronic media, props, music, and equipment rental. Applications are open June 24 and closes July 22.

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Categories: Art & Craft Education Grants