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, November 27, 2020
Thanksgiving Weekend Family Animal Encounters Chimney Rock State Park
Nov 27 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

We are lucky to have incredible Animal Ambassadors to help us spread the word on the important roles they play in the Park. Join one of our Park Naturalists for an informal program where your family will love meeting some of our wilder teammates! Kids of all ages are sure to take home some fun facts and special memories.

Saturday, November 28, 2020
Guided Hikes: Grandfather Mountain
Nov 28 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

Interpretive Rangers are available to lead guided hikes, bird walks and wildflower walks for families and groups that visit Grandfather Mountain. To see the mountain in this whole new way, you can schedule an appointment by calling the interpretive ranger office at (828) 737-0833 or emailing [email protected].

Please note that walks and hikes are available for all ability levels, but hikes that take you into Grandfather Mountain’s backcountry require careful footwork, proper footwear and the ability to handle heights. All backcountry hikes require participants to traverse ladders and use cables to navigate steep sections of the trail.

Interpretive Rangers are available year-round (weather permitting) to lead guided hikes to:

MacRae Peak ($15 + park admission)
Attic Window ($25 + park admission)
Calloway Peak ($35 + park admission)

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance, and a minimum of two participants per hike are required. For more information, please call (828) 737-0833.

Chimney Rock State Park Hike with a Naturalist
Nov 28 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

Spend an hour hiking one of our six different trails with a Naturalist. This is educational excursion will give you a better understanding of the flora and fauna that can be found in the Park. You may even learn some of the Park’s history as well.

Thanksgiving Weekend Family Animal Encounters Chimney Rock State Park
Nov 28 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

We are lucky to have incredible Animal Ambassadors to help us spread the word on the important roles they play in the Park. Join one of our Park Naturalists for an informal program where your family will love meeting some of our wilder teammates! Kids of all ages are sure to take home some fun facts and special memories.

Sunday, November 29, 2020
Thanksgiving Weekend Family Animal Encounters Chimney Rock State Park
Nov 29 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

We are lucky to have incredible Animal Ambassadors to help us spread the word on the important roles they play in the Park. Join one of our Park Naturalists for an informal program where your family will love meeting some of our wilder teammates! Kids of all ages are sure to take home some fun facts and special memories.

Saturday, December 5, 2020
Guided Hikes: Grandfather Mountain
Dec 5 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

Interpretive Rangers are available to lead guided hikes, bird walks and wildflower walks for families and groups that visit Grandfather Mountain. To see the mountain in this whole new way, you can schedule an appointment by calling the interpretive ranger office at (828) 737-0833 or emailing [email protected].

Please note that walks and hikes are available for all ability levels, but hikes that take you into Grandfather Mountain’s backcountry require careful footwork, proper footwear and the ability to handle heights. All backcountry hikes require participants to traverse ladders and use cables to navigate steep sections of the trail.

Interpretive Rangers are available year-round (weather permitting) to lead guided hikes to:

MacRae Peak ($15 + park admission)
Attic Window ($25 + park admission)
Calloway Peak ($35 + park admission)

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance, and a minimum of two participants per hike are required. For more information, please call (828) 737-0833.

Chimney Rock State Park Breakfast with the Elves at Old Rock Cafe’
Dec 5 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Chimney Rock State Park
Standard meal prices apply. Does not include Santa on the Chimney event.

Join Mrs. Claus and Santa’s elves for a holiday breakfast, Christmas crafts and a special Christmas story at 10 a.m. You’ll not only enjoy a hearty, festive breakfast, but you’ll also get to share your wish list with Mrs. Claus and learn a little more about Jolly Old St. Nick.

Santa’s Showdown 5K
Dec 5 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Recreation Park

The second Santa’s Showdown will take place on Saturday, December 5 at Recreation Park in East Asheville. This unique 5K will pit runners representing Elves and Reindeer against each other to establish North Pole supremacy for the coming year.

Chimney Rock State Park 23rd Annual Santa on the Chimney
Dec 5 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

Since 1997, Santa has visited Chimney Rock to train for his big night of deliveries. There’s no way Santa could make it down so many chimneys without practice. What better place to prepare and stay in shape than on one of the world’s largest chimneys at Chimney Rock State Park? Make your list and bring it to Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, hot cocoa, cookies and meet live Park animal ambassadors.

Saturday, December 12, 2020
Guided Hikes: Grandfather Mountain
Dec 12 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

Interpretive Rangers are available to lead guided hikes, bird walks and wildflower walks for families and groups that visit Grandfather Mountain. To see the mountain in this whole new way, you can schedule an appointment by calling the interpretive ranger office at (828) 737-0833 or emailing [email protected].

Please note that walks and hikes are available for all ability levels, but hikes that take you into Grandfather Mountain’s backcountry require careful footwork, proper footwear and the ability to handle heights. All backcountry hikes require participants to traverse ladders and use cables to navigate steep sections of the trail.

Interpretive Rangers are available year-round (weather permitting) to lead guided hikes to:

MacRae Peak ($15 + park admission)
Attic Window ($25 + park admission)
Calloway Peak ($35 + park admission)

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance, and a minimum of two participants per hike are required. For more information, please call (828) 737-0833.

Chimney Rock State Park Breakfast with the Elves at Old Rock Café
Dec 12 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Chimney Rock State Park

Join Mrs. Claus and Santa’s elves for a holiday breakfast, Christmas crafts and a special Christmas story at 10 a.m. You’ll not only enjoy a hearty, festive breakfast, but you’ll also get to share your wish list with Mrs. Claus and learn a little more about Jolly Old St. Nick.

Chimney Rock State Park 23rd Annual Santa on the Chimney
Dec 12 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

Since 1997, Santa has visited Chimney Rock to train for his big night of deliveries. There’s no way Santa could make it down so many chimneys without practice. What better place to prepare and stay in shape than on one of the world’s largest chimneys at Chimney Rock State Park? Make your list and bring it to Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, hot cocoa, cookies and meet live Park animal ambassadors.

Saturday, December 19, 2020
Guided Hikes: Grandfather Mountain
Dec 19 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

Interpretive Rangers are available to lead guided hikes, bird walks and wildflower walks for families and groups that visit Grandfather Mountain. To see the mountain in this whole new way, you can schedule an appointment by calling the interpretive ranger office at (828) 737-0833 or emailing [email protected].

Please note that walks and hikes are available for all ability levels, but hikes that take you into Grandfather Mountain’s backcountry require careful footwork, proper footwear and the ability to handle heights. All backcountry hikes require participants to traverse ladders and use cables to navigate steep sections of the trail.

Interpretive Rangers are available year-round (weather permitting) to lead guided hikes to:

MacRae Peak ($15 + park admission)
Attic Window ($25 + park admission)
Calloway Peak ($35 + park admission)

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance, and a minimum of two participants per hike are required. For more information, please call (828) 737-0833.

Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Rec N Roll-Klondyke
Dec 23 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Klondyke

The Rec n Roll mobile recreation unit is headed to your neighborhood! This free program offers all sorts of games and activities the whole family can enjoy. Come out and Play! *Weather Permitting.

Image may contain: text that says 'Rec η Roll'

Rec N Roll: Weaver Park
Dec 23 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Weaver Park

The Rec n Roll mobile recreation unit is headed to your neighborhood! This free program offers all sorts of games and activities the whole family can enjoy. Come out and Play! *Weather Permitting

Thursday, December 24, 2020
City Dance
Dec 24 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Saturday, December 26, 2020
Guided Hikes: Grandfather Mountain
Dec 26 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

Interpretive Rangers are available to lead guided hikes, bird walks and wildflower walks for families and groups that visit Grandfather Mountain. To see the mountain in this whole new way, you can schedule an appointment by calling the interpretive ranger office at (828) 737-0833 or emailing [email protected].

Please note that walks and hikes are available for all ability levels, but hikes that take you into Grandfather Mountain’s backcountry require careful footwork, proper footwear and the ability to handle heights. All backcountry hikes require participants to traverse ladders and use cables to navigate steep sections of the trail.

Interpretive Rangers are available year-round (weather permitting) to lead guided hikes to:

MacRae Peak ($15 + park admission)
Attic Window ($25 + park admission)
Calloway Peak ($35 + park admission)

Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance, and a minimum of two participants per hike are required. For more information, please call (828) 737-0833.

Chimney Rock State Park Winter Break Family Animal Encounters
Dec 26 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

We are lucky to have incredible Animal Ambassadors to help us spread the word on the important roles they play in the Park. Join one of our Park Naturalists for an informal program where your family will love meeting some of our wilder teammates! Kids of all ages are sure to take home some fun facts and special memories.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Rec N Roll: Deaverview
Dec 29 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Deaverview

The Rec n Roll mobile recreation unit is headed to your neighborhood! This free program offers all sorts of games and activities the whole family can enjoy. Come out and Play! *Weather Permitting.

Rec N Roll: Weaver Park
Dec 29 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Weaver Park

Image may contain: text that says 'Rec η Roll'

The Rec n Roll mobile recreation unit is headed to your neighborhood! This free program offers all sorts of games and activities the whole family can enjoy. Come out and Play! *Weather Permitting.

 

Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Rec n Roll French Broad River Park
Dec 30 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
French Broad River Park

The Rec n Roll mobile recreation unit is headed to your neighborhood! This free program offers all sorts of games and activities the whole family can enjoy. Come out and Play! *Weather Permitting.

Image may contain: text that says 'Rec η Roll'

Rec N Roll-Klondyke
Dec 30 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Klondyke

Image may contain: text that says 'Rec η Roll'

The Rec n Roll mobile recreation unit is headed to your neighborhood! This free program offers all sorts of games and activities the whole family can enjoy. Come out and Play! *Weather Permitting.

Thursday, December 31, 2020
Rec N Roll-Spruce Hill Apartments
Dec 31 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Spruce Hill Apartments

Image may contain: text that says 'Rec η Roll'

The Rec n Roll mobile recreation unit is headed to your neighborhood! This free program offers all sorts of games and activities the whole family can enjoy. Come out and Play! *Weather Permitting

Rec N Roll: Westmore Apartments
Dec 31 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Westmore Apartments

The Rec n Roll mobile recreation unit is headed to your neighborhood! This free program offers all sorts of games and activities the whole family can enjoy. Come out and Play! *Weather Permitting

Saturday, January 9, 2021
Exploratory hike Pump Gap
Jan 9 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ingles Weaverville · Weaverville, NC

I’ve done part of this hike and it’s nice but I haven’t done the Pump Gap section. So I don’t know what this part of the trail is like other than it will be downhill and probably rocky. It should be about 3.5 miles one way but could be more.

This is a car shuttle hike meaning we leave cars at each end of the trail head. The hike is located in the Hot Springs so we could possibly have a meal after (but would be based upon COVID restrictions).

Let’s meet at the Ingles in Weaverville (the one across the street from Publix) at 9:45 with a departure at 10 a.m. Park near the gas station, road side. I have a white Hyundai. Suggested car pool donation is $5 each. If you carpool please wear a mask in the car and bring hand sanitizer.

We will drive out to the trailhead in Hot Springs, leave a car and then drive back up to the other trailhead. This part will involve carpooling so please make sure you are ok with that.

Once hiking, we immediately start uphill and this is one of the hardest parts of the hike but it’s short. We will travel along the AT with a gentle uphill most of the way, but it is scenic.

Eventually we will come to the intersection with the Pump Gap trail and take it back down to the trail head. Who knows what the trail holds? It’s about 1 mile down this section.

Please wear proper hiking shoes, hiking poles are recommended. We won’t be stopping for lunch so bring a snack if you want. Don’t forget the water.

I don’t put attendee limits on my hikes so you don’t have to worry about having a spot. Therefore, you can sign up a day before the hike.

Thursday, January 28, 2021
City Dance
Jan 28 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021
World Wetlands Day
Feb 2 all-day
Online w/ Dogwood Alliance

Treasures of the South | Dogwood Alliance

TREASURES OF THE SOUTH

THE TRUE VALUE OF WETLAND FORESTS

online resources

Thursday, February 4, 2021
Hikes for Healing + the African American Experience in Great Smokies Mountains
Feb 4 @ 7:00 pm
Online w/ Western North Carolina Sierra Club
Portrait photo of Stephanie Zykriasis in National Park uniform
Stephanie Kyriazis, Deputy Chief of Resource Education, is the facilitator of Smokies Hikes for Healing, a series of hikes initiated by Superintendent Cash following the killing of George Floyd. The hikes have the goal of melding the restorative power of nature and the healing power of conversation.

Antoine Fletcher is Science Communicator for the Park and its Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob. He will speak about the Park’s African American Experience Project, which seeks to uncover and share the history of the Black experience in the Smokies area over time.

Preregistration information for this program will be available on WENOCA.org soon.


Friday, February 12, 2021
Mountain RV, Boat + Recreation Show
Feb 12 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
WNC Ag Center

The 25th annual Mountain RV, Boat & Recreation Show will kick off Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center. Come see your favorite local dealers with their latest product offerings. The show will showcase industry leading RV, Automotive, Recreation, and Marine Brands.
Visit the show’s Facebook page to stay up-to-date leading up to the show:

www.facebook.com/MountainRvBoatRecreationShow/
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Mountain RV, Boat + Recreation Show
Feb 13 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
WNC Ag Center

The 25th annual Mountain RV, Boat & Recreation Show will kick off Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center. Come see your favorite local dealers with their latest product offerings. The show will showcase industry leading RV, Automotive, Recreation, and Marine Brands.
Visit the show’s Facebook page to stay up-to-date leading up to the show:

www.facebook.com/MountainRvBoatRecreationShow/