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.

December 2020 Dec 2020
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Saturday, December 12, 2020
Geminid Meteor Shower Stargazing
Dec 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm
meteor shower sky

Geminid Meteor Shower Stargazing

Join us at the farm as we view the “king” of the meteor showers, the Geminid meteor shower, now gracing our skies during time. While we’re looking for meteors we’ll also explore some of the spectacular late fall and winter stars and constellations that are visible during this time of year, along with some of the stories associated with them.

Note: BYO chair and/or blanket. Please dress as warmly as possible, as it will be cold! Hats, gloves, scarves, long-johns, the whole nine yards.

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Categories: Education Family Fun Outdoors
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Deep Remembering – 10 month Nature Immersion Program
Dec 13 all-day
Holistic Survival School

2021 Earth-Skills
Adult Immersion Course

With Nature-Connected Community
Led by Luke McLaughlin

Ten month program running March – December of 2021.

One, four-day weekend, per month.

Blue Ridge Mountains, near Asheville, North Carolina

(traditional Cherokee territory )

Read more
Categories: Health & Wellness Outdoors Spiritual
Rooftop Grand Opening Archetype Brewing
Dec 13 @ 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Archetype Brewing

The Archetype Brewing West Asheville taproom invites the public to a holiday event for the rooftop deck grand opening celebration on December 13th with a much anticipated beer release and a packed afternoon full of special offerings.
Food Truck ˙ Live Music ˙ Beer Tastings ˙
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Categories: Food & Drink Music Outdoors
Silent Cinema: Love Actually
Dec 13 @ 5:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit
Show | 5pm // Doors | 4pm
 $5 per person
$7 per person with table heater
Rabbit Rabbit Silent Cinema tickets include 1 pair of RF wireless personal headphones so that you can listen to the movie’s audio without violating time limits on amplified sound. The headphones are sanitized thoroughly with an EPA-approved cleaning agent between our weekly events, and stored in a no-touch, safe and sealed manner to allow further decontamination so that they are completely safe.
Read more
Categories: Film Food & Drink Outdoors
Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Dec 13 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Lake Julian Festival of Lights
Dec 13 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Ranger Station holiday light display

  • $10 for personal vehicles (standard cars/vans)
  • $25 for sprinter vans, trailblazers, and conversion vans
  • $50 for buses and motorcoaches
  • 20% of the proceeds benefit Special Olympics Buncombe County

Lake Julian Festival of Lights has become a tradition for many mountain families and visitors. Visitors are invited to watch the lights twinkle over the lake and to turn on Rewind 100.3, the local station playing holiday hits from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Lake Julian Festival of Lights takes place nightly from December 1-23 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Please check our Facebook page for information on closings due to winter weather.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Monday, December 14, 2020
Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Dec 14 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Outdoor Movie Night: Home Alone
Dec 14 @ 5:45 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Show | 5:45pm // Doors | 4:45pm
 $5 per person
$7 per person with table heater
NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS
Read more
Categories: Family Fun Film Outdoors
Lake Julian Festival of Lights
Dec 14 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Ranger Station holiday light display

  • $10 for personal vehicles (standard cars/vans)
  • $25 for sprinter vans, trailblazers, and conversion vans
  • $50 for buses and motorcoaches
  • 20% of the proceeds benefit Special Olympics Buncombe County

Lake Julian Festival of Lights has become a tradition for many mountain families and visitors. Visitors are invited to watch the lights twinkle over the lake and to turn on Rewind 100.3, the local station playing holiday hits from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Lake Julian Festival of Lights takes place nightly from December 1-23 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Please check our Facebook page for information on closings due to winter weather.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Dec 15 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Outdoor Movie Night: Home Alone 2 Lost In New York
Dec 15 @ 5:45 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Show | 5:45pm // Doors | 4:45pm
 $5 per person
$7 per person with table heater
NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS
Read more
Categories: Family Fun Film Outdoors
Lake Julian Festival of Lights
Dec 15 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Ranger Station holiday light display

  • $10 for personal vehicles (standard cars/vans)
  • $25 for sprinter vans, trailblazers, and conversion vans
  • $50 for buses and motorcoaches
  • 20% of the proceeds benefit Special Olympics Buncombe County

Lake Julian Festival of Lights has become a tradition for many mountain families and visitors. Visitors are invited to watch the lights twinkle over the lake and to turn on Rewind 100.3, the local station playing holiday hits from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Lake Julian Festival of Lights takes place nightly from December 1-23 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Please check our Facebook page for information on closings due to winter weather.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Dec 16 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Lake Julian Festival of Lights
Dec 16 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Ranger Station holiday light display

  • $10 for personal vehicles (standard cars/vans)
  • $25 for sprinter vans, trailblazers, and conversion vans
  • $50 for buses and motorcoaches
  • 20% of the proceeds benefit Special Olympics Buncombe County

Lake Julian Festival of Lights has become a tradition for many mountain families and visitors. Visitors are invited to watch the lights twinkle over the lake and to turn on Rewind 100.3, the local station playing holiday hits from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Lake Julian Festival of Lights takes place nightly from December 1-23 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Please check our Facebook page for information on closings due to winter weather.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Mountain Music Jam Every Wednesday at Oklawaha Brewing
Dec 16 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Oklawaha Brewing

A Wednesday tradition at Oklawaha Brewing Company

The French Broad Valley Music Association: FBVMA jam session is focused on regional fiddle tunes and songs. Carol Rifkin and John Mitchell cohost weekly, bring an instrument to play or just enjoy the music, its free, kid friendly, donations encouraged.

Key Players are intermediate to advanced but beginners are most welcome and encouraged to attend to listen, learn/quietly play along. More experienced players sit in the inner circle and take turns choosing fiddle tunes or songs. Guests, families and kids are invited to listen and often sing along. This style of community play has been used to entertain and pass down music to kids for generations.

The French Broad Valley Music Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization formed to celebrate local musical heritage. “Our community. Our music. Our sense of place.”

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Categories: Food & Drink Music Outdoors
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Land Conservation Volunteers for Karen Cragnolin Park w/ Riverlink
Dec 17 all-day
Karen Cragnolin Park

Land Conservation

We’re looking for a team of dedicated volunteers to commit to monthly service days at the site of the future Karen Cragnolin Park. Volunteers will work outside at a safe social distance to remove invasive species. We will be working in groups of 15 or less, and wearing masks to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If you are interested in helping please click here to fill out a survey to help us determine the best day and time to offer this monthly day of service.

Read more
Categories: Outdoors
Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Dec 17 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Silent Cinema: Die Hard
Dec 17 @ 5:45 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Show | 5:45pm // Doors | 4:45pm
$5 per person
$7 per person with table heater

Rabbit Rabbit Silent Cinema tickets include 1 pair of RF wireless personal headphones so that you can listen to the movie’s audio without violating time limits on amplified sound. The headphones are sanitized thoroughly with an EPA-approved cleaning agent between our weekly events, and stored in a no-touch, safe and sealed manner to allow further decontamination so that they are completely safe.

NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Film Outdoors
Lake Julian Festival of Lights
Dec 17 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Ranger Station holiday light display

  • $10 for personal vehicles (standard cars/vans)
  • $25 for sprinter vans, trailblazers, and conversion vans
  • $50 for buses and motorcoaches
  • 20% of the proceeds benefit Special Olympics Buncombe County

Lake Julian Festival of Lights has become a tradition for many mountain families and visitors. Visitors are invited to watch the lights twinkle over the lake and to turn on Rewind 100.3, the local station playing holiday hits from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Lake Julian Festival of Lights takes place nightly from December 1-23 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Please check our Facebook page for information on closings due to winter weather.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Friday, December 18, 2020
Deep Remembering – 10 month Nature Immersion Program
Dec 18 all-day
Holistic Survival School

2021 Earth-Skills
Adult Immersion Course

With Nature-Connected Community
Led by Luke McLaughlin

Ten month program running March – December of 2021.

One, four-day weekend, per month.

Blue Ridge Mountains, near Asheville, North Carolina

(traditional Cherokee territory )

Read more
Categories: Health & Wellness Outdoors Spiritual
Land Conservation Volunteers for Karen Cragnolin Park w/ Riverlink
Dec 18 all-day
Karen Cragnolin Park

Land Conservation

We’re looking for a team of dedicated volunteers to commit to monthly service days at the site of the future Karen Cragnolin Park. Volunteers will work outside at a safe social distance to remove invasive species. We will be working in groups of 15 or less, and wearing masks to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If you are interested in helping please click here to fill out a survey to help us determine the best day and time to offer this monthly day of service.

Read more
Categories: Outdoors
LEAF 2021 announces a few key dates
Dec 18 all-day
LEAF

Spring LEAF Retreat May 13-16 at Lake Eden
LEAF Downtown/ Reimagine August 27-28
Fall LEAF Festival October 14-17 at Lake Eden (Size TBD*)

These events will be limited in size but will retain all the LEAF Love. LEAF Members will have priority and at times exclusive access to these events. Please note that Spring LEAF Retreat will be members-only and tickets will be made available on January 4th, 2021. Members have kept LEAF Mission alive and at work in this wild year of 2020! Your membership empowered LEAF to maintain our support of LEAF International Culture Keepers in the 10 countries and local LEAF Schools & Streets Artists. When you support culture, artists and teachers you are investing in the community and young people’s future. Interested in becoming a member? Join membership today!

All $250+ memberships will receive the 2021 LEAF Calendar hot off the press and its going to be a great year!

Read more
Categories: Art & Craft Community Family Fun Festivals Music Outdoors
Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Dec 18 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Lake Julian Festival of Lights
Dec 18 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Ranger Station holiday light display

  • $10 for personal vehicles (standard cars/vans)
  • $25 for sprinter vans, trailblazers, and conversion vans
  • $50 for buses and motorcoaches
  • 20% of the proceeds benefit Special Olympics Buncombe County

Lake Julian Festival of Lights has become a tradition for many mountain families and visitors. Visitors are invited to watch the lights twinkle over the lake and to turn on Rewind 100.3, the local station playing holiday hits from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Lake Julian Festival of Lights takes place nightly from December 1-23 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Please check our Facebook page for information on closings due to winter weather.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Deep Remembering – 10 month Nature Immersion Program
Dec 19 all-day
Holistic Survival School

2021 Earth-Skills
Adult Immersion Course

With Nature-Connected Community
Led by Luke McLaughlin

Ten month program running March – December of 2021.

One, four-day weekend, per month.

Blue Ridge Mountains, near Asheville, North Carolina

(traditional Cherokee territory )

Read more
Categories: Health & Wellness Outdoors Spiritual
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.

Read more
Categories: Hike Outdoors
Land Conservation Volunteers for Karen Cragnolin Park w/ Riverlink
Dec 19 all-day
Karen Cragnolin Park

Land Conservation

We’re looking for a team of dedicated volunteers to commit to monthly service days at the site of the future Karen Cragnolin Park. Volunteers will work outside at a safe social distance to remove invasive species. We will be working in groups of 15 or less, and wearing masks to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If you are interested in helping please click here to fill out a survey to help us determine the best day and time to offer this monthly day of service.

Read more
Categories: Outdoors
LEAF 2021 announces a few key dates
Dec 19 all-day
LEAF

Spring LEAF Retreat May 13-16 at Lake Eden
LEAF Downtown/ Reimagine August 27-28
Fall LEAF Festival October 14-17 at Lake Eden (Size TBD*)

These events will be limited in size but will retain all the LEAF Love. LEAF Members will have priority and at times exclusive access to these events. Please note that Spring LEAF Retreat will be members-only and tickets will be made available on January 4th, 2021. Members have kept LEAF Mission alive and at work in this wild year of 2020! Your membership empowered LEAF to maintain our support of LEAF International Culture Keepers in the 10 countries and local LEAF Schools & Streets Artists. When you support culture, artists and teachers you are investing in the community and young people’s future. Interested in becoming a member? Join membership today!

All $250+ memberships will receive the 2021 LEAF Calendar hot off the press and its going to be a great year!

Read more
Categories: Art & Craft Community Family Fun Festivals Music Outdoors
Rigs and Coffee
Dec 19 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Mills River Brewing Co.

We were thrilled to have Mills River Brewing Co as our home base for Rigs & Coffee in Asheville, North Carolina.
Rigs & Coffee is a reoccurring “Meetup” every 3rd Saturday of the month from 9am – 11am. It’s open to ALL Rigs! ALL makes, ALL models, ALL styles.
Just good people, hanging out with good company, enjoying a good conversation. Share ideas, experiences and show off your Rig! Maybe you might learn something new too. Who knows!

Image may contain: text

Read more
Categories: Outdoors Sports
Hominy Creek Greenway Workday
Dec 19 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hominy Creek Greenway
Picture

We’re planting Pawpaws, Box Elder and Green Ash along the Trolly Tract section of the Hominy Creek Greenway. If we have time, we will also clear back privet and bittersweet from the trees. This workday is limited to 10 volunteers, so registration is required.

We’re planting Pawpaws, Box Elder and Green Ash along the Trolly Tract section of the Hominy Creek Greenway. If we have time, we will also clear back privet and bittersweet from the trees.

Tools will be provided.
Please bring your own work gloves if you have them.
Please plan to wear a mask for the entirety of the project.

Safety is our top priority during the COVID crisis. As this event is limited to 10 volunteers, please let us know if you can no longer make it, so that we can open up the spot to someone else. Please review Asheville GreenWorks Communicable Disease Policy.

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Read more
Categories: Outdoors Volunteers