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.
The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.
WINTER TREE CARNIVAL
Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE
- $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
- $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
The WNC Nature Center is having a virtual costume contest this Halloween!
Entering is easy – take a picture of your child and/or family in their costume and email it to [email protected] by Wednesday, November 3.
Voting will start November 7 on our Facebook page! Share your spookiest, most creative, and animal/nature themed costumes, and the winners with the most likes will receive prizes valued at $50 or more!
Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1
Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.
We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.
You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.
We hope you will join us this holiday season!
Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.
The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.
WINTER TREE CARNIVAL
Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE
- $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
- $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
 The holidays are right around the corner. We have a few holiday promotions downtown businesses can participate in:
If your business is interested in participating in any of the above, please fill out this short form. |
The WNC Nature Center is having a virtual costume contest this Halloween!
Entering is easy – take a picture of your child and/or family in their costume and email it to [email protected] by Wednesday, November 3.
Voting will start November 7 on our Facebook page! Share your spookiest, most creative, and animal/nature themed costumes, and the winners with the most likes will receive prizes valued at $50 or more!
The 75 Annual Holiday Parade returns to Downtown Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 20. The parade begins at 11am at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and S. Charlotte St. It moves north to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton Avenue ending at South French Broad. The parade features local businesses, nonprofits, school/youth programs, and of course, Santa Claus.
The parade impacts many downtown streets. Please be sure to notify your staff about the parade since access will be affected.
Entries: We have a limited number of spots still available to be part of the parade. If you’re interested, please email [email protected] for more information.
Volunteering: We need a few more volunteers to make the parade happen. You can help with lineup, walk (or bike) with the parade, help with egress and more. Email [email protected] for more information.
FREE Virtual Tree-Raising Event: Watch Online!
A rare, intimate look at a beloved Christmas tradition—the installation and decoration of the Banquet Hall’s majestic 35-foot Fraser fir—is yours with our virtual tree-raising event!
Join us from the comfort of your very own home via YouTube or Facebook to view a mini-documentary. This special event features behind-the-scenes footage of Tree Raising and the talented Biltmore teams as they deck the halls of America’s Largest Home® and the humble tree that becomes its glittering Christmas centerpiece!
This is NOT an in-person event. Please tune in via YouTube or Facebook on Wednesday, November 3 at 5 p.m. to stream this festive premiere!
Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1
Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.
We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.
You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.
We hope you will join us this holiday season!
Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.
Venardos Circus proudly features its own custom-made big-top, a classic red-and-white striped tent, with an intimate feel and limited seating. The circus performers also are the crew in this traveling tour, much like the original circus tradition. There are no animals in Venardos Circus.
Parking is free. Festive preshow entertainment begins an hour prior to showtime. Tent concessions will be available when doors open. Classic circus treats like fresh popcorn, cotton candy, house-made all-natural pink lemonade, nachos, hot dogs, packaged candy, and more are available. The main event lasts approximately 90 minutes, with a brief intermission.
- Wednesday, October 27 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
- Thursday, October 28 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
- Friday, October 29 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
- Saturday, October 30 – 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
- Sunday, October 31 – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.
WINTER TREE CARNIVAL
Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE
- $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
- $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
The holidays are right around the corner. We have a few holiday promotions downtown businesses can participate in:
If your business is interested in participating in any of the above, please fill out this short form. |
The 75 Annual Holiday Parade returns to Downtown Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 20. The parade begins at 11am at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and S. Charlotte St. It moves north to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton Avenue ending at South French Broad. The parade features local businesses, nonprofits, school/youth programs, and of course, Santa Claus.
The parade impacts many downtown streets. Please be sure to notify your staff about the parade since access will be affected.
Entries: We have a limited number of spots still available to be part of the parade. If you’re interested, please email [email protected] for more information.
Volunteering: We need a few more volunteers to make the parade happen. You can help with lineup, walk (or bike) with the parade, help with egress and more. Email [email protected] for more information.
Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1
Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.
We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.
You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.
We hope you will join us this holiday season!
Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.
Venardos Circus proudly features its own custom-made big-top, a classic red-and-white striped tent, with an intimate feel and limited seating. The circus performers also are the crew in this traveling tour, much like the original circus tradition. There are no animals in Venardos Circus.
Parking is free. Festive preshow entertainment begins an hour prior to showtime. Tent concessions will be available when doors open. Classic circus treats like fresh popcorn, cotton candy, house-made all-natural pink lemonade, nachos, hot dogs, packaged candy, and more are available. The main event lasts approximately 90 minutes, with a brief intermission.
- Wednesday, October 27 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
- Thursday, October 28 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
- Friday, October 29 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
- Saturday, October 30 – 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
- Sunday, October 31 – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
The Magnetic Theatre is thrilled to bring back to their stage the incredibly talented Delighted Tobehere for a one weekend engagement of Drag 101: A hilarious, live singing A to Z course in drag!
A wise man once said, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!” Well, we’ll just ignore him for this show! In Drag 101, Delighted Tobehere will leave nothing to the imagination as she reveals ALL of drag’s best kept secrets! She’ll pull from over 20 years of experience to give you a behind the scenes look at the world of drag! Personal stories, gossip, pro tips, how tos, audience participation, side splitting comedy, and yes, 100% live singing entertainment! The judges loved her on America’s Got Talent, and you’re sure to agree!
Find out what it takes to be a Queen! This is a hilarious, live singing, full transformation drag show! Everything that happens in a drag dressing room happens on stage right before your very eyes. Everything. Yes… even THAT!
Find out why Huffington Post labeled her one of the funniest drag queens in America! Get your tickets today! You’ll be DELIGHTED you did!
Drag 101 runs Thursday, November 4th through Sunday, November 7th, at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25, with limited seating. For information and tickets, visit www.themagnetictheatre.org.
The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.
WINTER TREE CARNIVAL
Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE
- $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
- $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
The holidays are right around the corner. We have a few holiday promotions downtown businesses can participate in:
If your business is interested in participating in any of the above, please fill out this short form. |
The 75 Annual Holiday Parade returns to Downtown Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 20. The parade begins at 11am at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue and S. Charlotte St. It moves north to Patton Avenue, then west on Patton Avenue ending at South French Broad. The parade features local businesses, nonprofits, school/youth programs, and of course, Santa Claus.
The parade impacts many downtown streets. Please be sure to notify your staff about the parade since access will be affected.
Entries: We have a limited number of spots still available to be part of the parade. If you’re interested, please email [email protected] for more information.
Volunteering: We need a few more volunteers to make the parade happen. You can help with lineup, walk (or bike) with the parade, help with egress and more. Email [email protected] for more information.
Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1
Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.
We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.
You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.
We hope you will join us this holiday season!
Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.