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, March 19, 2021
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Mar 19 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 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.

Virtual Justice Matters Tour
Mar 19 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Online w/ Pisgah Legal

Join us for our Justice Matters Tour where we’ll examine the need in our region, discuss how civil legal aid can be an effective anti-poverty tool and share how Pisgah Legal is responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

Please RSVP here if you’d like to join and we will send you instructions on how to join by computer or phone

The Get Right Band 10 Year Anniversary Show
Mar 19 @ 6:30 pm
Salvage Station
Seth Mulder and Midnight Run
Mar 19 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Isis Music Hall

Midnight Run is a high-energy, Tennessee-based bluegrass band that offers up a fresh approach to the “High Lonesome” sound while staying true to the rich traditions of bluegrass music.

Originating in the Gateway of the Great Smoky Mountains, Midnight Run began its journey in February of 2015, at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where they became a permanent staple of everyday life at the distillery. Midnight Run is a high-energy, Tennessee-based bluegrass band made up of five like-minded musicians and graduates of college music programs. They set out to create a group that is tied to the rich traditions of bluegrass music and offers up a fresh approach to the “High Lonesome” sound. Each member draws from their influences in different genres including bluegrass, country, celtic, old-time and rock n’ roll.

Midnight Run stays true to their musical roots with tight harmonies and reverence for “old-style” bluegrass music, all while stretching the boundaries of the genre with their song selection, stage antics, and exciting performance.

Favorites among bluegrass enthusiast and non-bluegrass audiences alike; they keep the energy high and the audience on their feet. Midnight Run knows when they are on stage; it is not only about the music, it is about connecting with the audience and leaving them with a memory that will last a lifetime. Midnight Run has been referred to as one of the most entertaining new acts on the bluegrass scene today.

Now, with over 200 shows a year, they find themselves playing to audiences from all over the world. From the moment they step on stage you’ll feel like you are in the hills of Tennessee, sitting on the front porch, listening to some of the finest music that the Smoky Mountains have to offer. Together Seth Mulder, Colton Powers, Ben Watlington, Max Etling, and Cody Bauer create a powerhouse of music that you do not want to miss!

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis Music Hall. Reservations are highly recommended.

This concert will also be Live Streamed from the Isis Music Hall Facebook Page

The Cybertronic Spree
Mar 19 @ 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
The Grey Eagle

The Cybertronic Spree

  • ALL AGES
  • 9PM SHOW, 8PM DOORS
  • STANDING ROOM ONLY

THE CYBERTRONIC SPREE

More than meets the eye, The Cybertronic Spree are here on Earth with one critical mission: To party like it’s 1986! This band of Transformers has been brought together by the power of rock ’n roll and they can’t be stopped. Join Hotrod, Arcee, Rumble, Unicron, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Shockwave and a Quintesson as they prove they’ve got the power to light your darkest hour. Known across the galaxy for having cast aside their warring factions in the search for the ultimate party, these rockstars in disguise play music from The Transformers: The Movie, hit film and anime songs, and video game covers. They blend their love for the ’80s and ’80s metal into an energon-fueled, unforgettable live show!

Saturday, March 20, 2021
2021 Summer Cuba Agroecology Tour
Mar 20 all-day
Cuba w/ Organic Growers School

 Organic Growers School is partnering with Food First and Altruvistas to offer their fourth Cuba Agroecology Tour and their first such trip in the summer from June 22 through July 1, 2021, with a focus on the country’s intensive sustainable agriculture practices. The tour, to be comprised of growers, community leaders, educators, and activists who are passionate about sustainable agriculture, will begin in Havana and travel to destinations such as Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, and Matanzas. The trip offers participants on-the-ground exposure to Cuban agriculture and the food sovereignty movement and will highlight their engagement with the global food system. The intention is for participants to acquire the knowledge and strategies to create just, sustainable, local, and healthy food systems in their own communities.

Cuba has had a focus on organic agriculture production methods since the 1970s. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 ended Cuba’s access to agricultural inputs overnight, propelling them into what is now known as the “Special Period”—a crisis of reduced resources and increased hunger. The country embarked on a massive and rapid conversion to agroecology in an attempt to boost food production. The tour will focus on small farmers, sustainable food systems, and national security. There are multiple opportunities in Cuba’s diverse agricultural landscape to learn many lessons and insights for the development of a secure and sustainable food system elsewhere.

“The purpose of this tour is not to romanticize or glorify Cuban agriculture,” says Sera Deva, Director of Programs with Organic Growers School and the trip organizer. “It is instead an opportunity to learn about what a country-wide commitment to sustainable, local agriculture can look like. It will broaden and deepen our region’s wisdom regarding alternative food systems. Our goals are to show our participants the importance of cooperative farming models and sustainable farming techniques, as well as encouraging them to think critically about practical and governmental structures that could support a thriving community of organic growers and consumers.”

Local partners will provide an overview of Cuban history, culture, politics, agriculture, and ecology. Additionally, the group will meet with specialists who will provide background on the country’s transition into agroecological farming practices and the national policies that prioritize organic farming and the remediation of hunger. With a firm commitment to sustainability and justice, this tour will connect participants to farmers, consumers, activists, NGOs, policymakers and experts working to transform the global food system.

Tour highlights will include the following:

  • Discuss agroecology with Fernando Funes, co-author of Food First’s book Sustainable Agriculture & Resistance in Cuba.
  • Visit community permaculture and agricultural education, and food conservation projects.
  • Discuss changes in US-Cuba relations and how they might affect the future of tourism and agriculture in Cuba.
  • Meet with the National Association for Small Farmers (ANAP) and the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Meet with a variety of small farmers and farmers’ cooperatives.

For the purposes of this trip, OGS is partnering with Food First, a “people’s think tank” dedicated to ending the injustices that cause hunger and helping communities to take back control of their food systems. Food First has been offering tours to Cuba for more than 20 years with the organizing assistance of Altruvistas, a socially responsible and philanthropic travel company that has facilitated 20,000 travelers to Cuba.

The cost of the trip is $2,950 and will serve, in part, as a fundraiser for Organic Growers School (OGS), a 501c3 non-profit organization. Thanks to a grant from the Christopher Reynolds Foundation, there are a limited number of partial scholarships for farmers and food activists to attend. This tour and all registrants will not be affected by recent political actions to restrict American travel to Cuba. Cuba is considered one of the safest destinations for travel, partially due to their diligent and holistic approaches to healthcare. Due to COVID-19, the traveling climate of the US (as well as tourist restrictions in Cuba) is changing daily. Cuba has implemented many of the same precautionary measures implemented around the world to minimize the spread of COVID-19 including social distancing, limiting travel to the island completely through the summer, and closing schools. In early November 2020, Cuba reopened its borders to travelers.

Potential tour participants can visit the OGS FAQ page which answers questions such as, “Why Cuba?,” “What are the legal considerations when traveling to Cuba?,” “Why ravel with Organic Growers School?,” “What does the tuition cover?,” and “What can I expect to experience?” Traveler testimonials from previous trips, the full itinerary, as well as a photo gallery can also be found on the website.

 

Driving Tour with Smith-McDowell House
Mar 20 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
The residents of the Smith-McDowell House and grounds were woven in to the fabric of Asheville.

This driving tour begins at the Smith-McDowell House Museum on the campus of A-B Tech and continues through historic sites related to early occupants of the house.

Haunted Asheville Tour
Mar 20 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
Asheville, and the surrounding mountains, have also hosted numerous writers, musicians, and folklorists who have promoted (if not possibly created) some of these legends. Perhaps these are some of the reasons lore permeates the streets, hills, and valleys of this mountain city. You can see many of these sites for yourself, if you dare.
Self-Guided WNC Tours
Mar 20 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
Western North Carolina is defined as much by the various chains and valleys within the Appalachian Mountains as it is by the various people here. The region contains large swaths of national forest lands and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It contains old rivers and old folkways, along with an increasingly large stream of transplants and temporary visitors. This virtual tour gives a broad overview of our region.
Victoria: The Forgotten Town Walking Tour
Mar 20 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
Contained by its larger growing neighbor (Asheville), the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, and the Southern Railway line, the Town of Victoria existed from 1887 until 1905, when it was absorbed into Asheville. The community—which included the Smith-McDowell House and Fernihurst mansion—originally incorporated into a town to prevent unwanted development (particularly from the Vanderbilts).
Virtual Arts + Crafts Home Tour
Mar 20 all-day
Online w/ Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County

This year you can join us for the Arts & Crafts Home Tour from the comfort of your home!  Tour Possum Trot and Dogwood Cottages in Albemarle Park and finish with Sondley House in Haw Creek.  Due to location and accessibility, these homes would not normally be included in the tour, so this is a special treat!
Bold Souls Morning Yoga
Mar 20 @ 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Bold Rock Hard Cider (Mills River, NC)

Bring your yoga mats to Bold Rock for a mindful way to begin your Saturday! Get your “ohm” on with a local trainer and yoga instructor as they lead a fun and playful yoga session. This class is open to all levels of yoga experience for a $5 suggested donation!
After yoga, feel free to have a cider or some delicious lunch from the food truck.
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for private, pre-booked tours
Mar 20 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum

We are OPEN Fridays and Saturdays
for private, pre-booked tours at:
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:00 PM

Winter Nantahala Gorge Train Tour Great Smokey Mountains Railroad
Mar 20 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Bryson City Depot Great Smokey Mountains Railroad

GSMR

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains while traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala (nan-tuh-HAY-luh) River.The historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle takes you across Fontana Lake and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available by selecting our First Class Seating option or pre-purchasing one of our boxed lunches, an amazing unique moving dining experience. Arrive at our layover destination in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing!

We are operating under all current COVID-19 safety guidelines and ask that you follow all protocols. Find the information HERE! *Please be aware dining options are currently not available at your layover destination. You are advised to enjoy onboard dining by pre-purchasing a box lunch meal option along with your train tickets.*

Plan on being here by 1 hour before your departure.

Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Mar 20 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 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.

Outdoor Stage: Natti Love Joys
Mar 20 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Salvage Station

Natti Love Joys

Join us on Sunday as the Natti Love Joys take the stage from 5-9pm for live outdoor reggae jamming on the French Broad River. Root Down Kitchen will be serving food and the bar will be open from 4pm-10pm. Masks & Social Distancing required. Show is rain or shine (we have plenty of covered outdoor seating to keep you happy and dry).

 

THE NATTI LOVE JOYS HAVE BEEN ROCKING THE CROWD WITH THEIR FUN REGGAE AND WORLD MUSIC VIBE FOR YEARS AND HAVE OPENED SHOWS FOR JOAN JETT, THREE DOG NIGHT, THE BAND, THE CLASH, THE RAMONES, PSYCHEDELIC FURS, DEBBIE GIBSON, JIMMY CLIFF, AND MANY MORE. NATTI LOVE JOYS OPENED FOR TOOTS & THE MAYTALS AT SALVAGE STATION IN 2019.

Pleasure Chest: Outdoor Stage
Mar 20 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Salvage Station

Pleasure Chest

Pleasure Chest is a high energy Blues, Soul, Rock and Roll band hailing from Asheville NC. With the humor of Bo Diddley and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins to the swampy, dirty grit of Slim Harpo and Elmore James they’re guaranteed to please and get your bootie shaking! Members include – KIP VENO – vocals / harmonica ERICH HUBNER – vocals / guitar WILL TOCABEN – bass TIM NYLANDER – drums KYLE SNUFFER – trombone ALEX BRADLEY – trumpet BEN COLVIN – saxophone

PRESENTING LIVE MUSIC ON OUR OUTDOOR STAGE ON THE FRENCH BROAD RIVER FROM 6-9PM. FULL BAR, AMAZING MENU BY ROOT DOWN KITCHEN! PLENTY OF SPACE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE IN STYLE WITH YOUR POD OF FRIENDS.

21 plus

Chuck Brodsky
Mar 20 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Isis Music Hall

Chuck Brodsky is a storyteller, songwriter, troubadour, modern day bard. His wit & irony, down-to-earth warmth, & quirky, rootsy, finely crafted songs, tell stories of oddball & underdog characters. His songs celebrate the goodness in people, the eccentric, the holy, the courageous, the inspiring, the beautiful. They poke fun at what needs poking & are sworn to tell the truth.

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis Music Hall. Reservations are highly recommended.

Tickets on Sale now – Please Call the Venue

This concert will also be Live Streamed from the Isis Music Hall Facebook Page

OWEDA | The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall
Mar 20 @ 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Driving Tour with Smith-McDowell House
Mar 21 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
The residents of the Smith-McDowell House and grounds were woven in to the fabric of Asheville.

This driving tour begins at the Smith-McDowell House Museum on the campus of A-B Tech and continues through historic sites related to early occupants of the house.

Haunted Asheville Tour
Mar 21 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
Asheville, and the surrounding mountains, have also hosted numerous writers, musicians, and folklorists who have promoted (if not possibly created) some of these legends. Perhaps these are some of the reasons lore permeates the streets, hills, and valleys of this mountain city. You can see many of these sites for yourself, if you dare.
Self-Guided WNC Tours
Mar 21 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
Western North Carolina is defined as much by the various chains and valleys within the Appalachian Mountains as it is by the various people here. The region contains large swaths of national forest lands and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It contains old rivers and old folkways, along with an increasingly large stream of transplants and temporary visitors. This virtual tour gives a broad overview of our region.
Victoria: The Forgotten Town Walking Tour
Mar 21 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
Contained by its larger growing neighbor (Asheville), the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, and the Southern Railway line, the Town of Victoria existed from 1887 until 1905, when it was absorbed into Asheville. The community—which included the Smith-McDowell House and Fernihurst mansion—originally incorporated into a town to prevent unwanted development (particularly from the Vanderbilts).
Winter Nantahala Gorge Train Tour Great Smokey Mountains Railroad
Mar 21 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Bryson City Depot Great Smokey Mountains Railroad

GSMR

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains while traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala (nan-tuh-HAY-luh) River.The historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle takes you across Fontana Lake and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available by selecting our First Class Seating option or pre-purchasing one of our boxed lunches, an amazing unique moving dining experience. Arrive at our layover destination in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing!

We are operating under all current COVID-19 safety guidelines and ask that you follow all protocols. Find the information HERE! *Please be aware dining options are currently not available at your layover destination. You are advised to enjoy onboard dining by pre-purchasing a box lunch meal option along with your train tickets.*

Plan on being here by 1 hour before your departure.

JAZZ BRUNCH Free · One World West
Mar 21 @ 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
One World West Brewing

JAZZ BRUNCH @ ONE WORLD WEST
EVERY SUNDAY FROM 1:30-4PM
FIRST SET BY THE HOUSE BAND & SECOND SET IS A JAZZ JAM
WEEKLY BRUNCH MENU FROM UMAMI MAMI
Food Truck Sundays
Mar 21 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Archetype Brewing

In conjunction with Sunday Sessions Live (and virtual) music: Food Truck Sundays will bring a new or rotating “staff favorite” cuisine each week to the Beechams Curve offerings.
Gan Shan West, our main culinary provider 6 days a week, is closed on Sundays. Enjoy the convenience, delicious variety and the music – all in one Sunday Funday stop!

Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Early TUESDAY Jam ft. The Trilateral Omission LIVE
Mar 23 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

Originally hosted at the legendary Tressa’s, the Early Tuesday Jam has a new home at The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall in Downtown, Asheville.
Early Tuesday Jam at The One Stop features a 4-piece House Band, called The Trilateral Omission.
Every Early Tuesday Jam is LIVE and always different!
We do what we can to allow for as much diversity in song selection/style/genre to reflect a cross-section of the Asheville music scene and our world at large.
See you this Tuesday and next Tuesday
TV Girl w/ Jordana at The Grey Eagle POSTPONED 10-6-21
Mar 23 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

TV GIRL visits The Grey Eagle with special guest Jordana on Tuesday March 23, 2021! It’s an ALL AGES show and tickets are on sale now.
– ALL AGES
– 8PM SHOW / 7PM DOORS
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
TV GIRL
“On the surface, TV Girl is a sunny, throwback splash of ‘60s French pop and southern California soul. Yet, under that shiny veneer lays a dark heart, beating with sharp wit and cynical alienation, and the music is all the more alluring for it. TV Girl, comprised of Brad Petering, Jason Wyman, and Wyatt Harmon, was formed in 2010 by Petering as an outlet to blend the love of Spector-esque girl-group pop with an emerging interest in hip-hop. Featuring shimmering vocals and sampled beats, the self-titled debut EP of the same year turned heads online immediately; the group’s lush vintage rhythms and timeless pop hooks were even making waves on the BBC. They continued to release increasingly popular EPs and mixtapes between tours.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Wednesday Kid’s Night! Chick-fil-A Asheville Mall
Mar 24 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Chick-fil-A Asheville Mall

Join us EVERY Wednesday night for Kid’s Night! Children receive a free four-count kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal. See you on Wednesdays!

Robert’s Totally Rad Trivia
Mar 24 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
12 Bones Brewing

Totally Rad Trivia invades 12 Bones South every Wednesday evening for two hours of Pop Culture Trivia. Grab a beer, some BBQ and buckle in for some fun and challenging Trivia.