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.
POLLINATOR PHOTO CONTEST… WITH PRIZES!
Now until June 27
Break out your smartphones and cameras this Week and start snapping pics of WNC’s native pollinators!
Enter your best photos in our contest for a chance to win incredible prizes, like a $100 gift card to Reems Creek Nursery, and an Asheville Bee Charmer gift basket!
While you’re out taking photos, consider also participating in our BioBlitz.

The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.

Included with admission
Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.
In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.

You might be aware of the plight of the pollinators. And maybe you’ve heard of issues affecting pollinator health such as pesticides, disease, loss of habitat, and climate change. But did you know that artificial outdoor lighting can adversely affect pollinator health? Recent research is
uncovering some surprising and alarming effects that artificial outdoor lighting can have on nocturnal and diurnal pollinators and the plants that they need to survive. In the last twenty years, light emissions have increased by 70% in residential areas around the world. From reductions in flower visits by pollinators to reduced seed and fruit set in plants, artificial outdoor lighting is impacting natural ecosystems in ways we never before imagined. Join us as we explore the research and effects of artificial lighting as well as mitigation measures we can all take to minimize the effects of the human desire to overcome the darkness of night.
Bryan has spent the past 15-years as a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Asheville, North Carolina. He currently serves as the USFWS – Southeast Region recovery biologist for the federally endangered rusty-patched bumble bee and is the Energy Project Coordinator for the Asheville Field Office where he reviews energy production and development projects such as hydropower, coal combustion, natural gas, solar arrays, and wind farms. His job responsibilities consist of coordinating with energy companies to protect threatened and endangered species and their habitats from impacts associated with energy production projects. His recent efforts have been focused on the conservation of pollinator species with emphasis on the preservation and restoration of native pollinator habitat in North Carolina. He is a founding member of the North Carolina Pollinator Conservation Alliance – a diverse group of dedicated stakeholders from state and federal agencies, educational institutions, businesses, and non-profit organizations that have shared interests in advancing pollinator conservation in North Carolina and an active member of the Asheville Bee City Leadership Committee. In his free time, Bryan enjoys backcountry camping, float fishing the many beautiful rivers of western North Carolina, gardening, and spending time in the outdoors with his family.

Looking to get involved, stay active, and meet some new friends? Sand Hill Community Garden workdays take place on Wednesdays (6-8 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-noon) from Feb. 27-Oct. 30, 2021, at Buncombe County Sports Park. The garden is located on 16 Apac Dr. in West Asheville/Enka-Candler.
Join friends and neighbors as they come together on common ground to raise fresh, organic vegetables and fruits for the Enka community.
Expect to wear a mask and maintain social distance throughout. Tools and hand sanitizer are available, but any gloves, loppers, pruners, or gardening tools you can bring will decrease the amount of contact between volunteers. Please wear work clothes to get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, water, and a hat are also handy items to have on hand.
Sand Hill Community Garden has been growing fresh produce since 2011 and raised over 1,200 lbs. of organic produce last year.
NOTE: Community workdays are weather dependent. Please join the community garden email list (send your info to [email protected]) to stay up on workday tasks and other garden news.
To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
POLLINATOR PHOTO CONTEST… WITH PRIZES!
Now until June 27
Break out your smartphones and cameras this Week and start snapping pics of WNC’s native pollinators!
Enter your best photos in our contest for a chance to win incredible prizes, like a $100 gift card to Reems Creek Nursery, and an Asheville Bee Charmer gift basket!
While you’re out taking photos, consider also participating in our BioBlitz.

The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.

Included with admission
Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.
In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.

Join Sarah Fraser, New Belgium’s Sustainability Specialist, for a tour of their pollinator-friendly landscape. As part of a multi-faceted effort to make their Asheville brewery as sustainable as possible, New Belgium has incorporated an array of native, pollinator-friendly plants into their landscape. Stop by to learn more about what they’re doing to help pollinators and grab a beer afterwards! Please meet outside the Liquid Center.


Big thanks to Wedge Brewing Co for donating the use of their Cloud Room for this event!
Description: With over 500 known species of bees in the state, it is not surprising that their conservation is a bit more complex than planting packets of “pollinator” seeds. We will explore a tiny bit of regional bee diversity; point out species groups of plants that are particularly important to creating that bee diversity and talk about how your property (no matter how small) and community can be a contribution to the harboring, and the conservation of, a diverse group of interesting bees.
Sam Droege is a wildlife biologist at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, part of the US Geological Survey. He is widely published in journals and has been the editor of numerous government publications on birds and insects. His work cataloging and photographing bees has been featured by NPR, The Weather Channel, and the National Wildlife Federation, as well as in numerous publications including Wired, the Wall Street Journal, and Popular Science.
This and other Pollination Celebration events are made possible by Carolina Native Nursery, with additional support from Reems Creek Nursery.
Hosted by Sahaja Yoga Meditation DFW
Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms.
About this Event
We are creating this Meditation space for moms 💟 that can help
🤲 create a supportive community of moms who can come together and meditate
🤲 build a meditation routine
🤲 implement self-care, and take pause in hectic lives
🤲 bring calmness and balance that can reflect on kids and household
🤲 share experiences and learn to grow in this journey together
Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms. Meditation is a simple way to de-stress, and it can help bring peace and balance, especially in these hectic times.
What we’re about
COVID-19 UPDATE: An email was sent out to Awakening Asheville advising all in-person meetups should be postponed or moved to virtual attendance only. Please contact hosts with any questions. Thank you, and be well! Courtney
We are an LGBTQ+ BIPOC safe spiritual group that enjoys the coming together of community lightworkers sharing our journeys. We offer meditations, healing energy, and many different workshops. Come join us!


A year-long program
Individualized to meet you where you are
in your farm business journey
Applications are due by September 18, 2021.
Starting a farm is a formidable challenge, but keeping a farm business going, growing and thriving is even harder! The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for 3 or more years, and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.
This 12-month program starts in November 2021 and ends in October 2022.
What is unique about this program?
Participants can use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals, and make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy. This program is designed to give tailored guidance and support for your farm business to answer questions of: scale, market access, land access, risk management, understanding cash flow, and enterprise innovation. You will leave this program with a responsive, adaptable business plan to help your farm achieve long-term farm viability and resilience.
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POLLINATOR PHOTO CONTEST… WITH PRIZES!
Now until June 27
Break out your smartphones and cameras this Week and start snapping pics of WNC’s native pollinators!
Enter your best photos in our contest for a chance to win incredible prizes, like a $100 gift card to Reems Creek Nursery, and an Asheville Bee Charmer gift basket!
While you’re out taking photos, consider also participating in our BioBlitz.

The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.

Included with admission
Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.
In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.

Hosted by: the Buddhist Studies Institute
FREE – ONLINE – 30 MINUTES – DAILY
🌺Guided meditation support and community🌺
🌸Stabilization and Liberation:
In order to liberate our minds– we need stable calm.
🌸Consistency & Commitment:
Stabilizing in calm clear presence takes consistent training.
🌸Support & Community:
Daily Meditation is a container and support for your meditation focus.
Expand your meditation circle- join us online any day or every day!
Formerly known as 100 Days of practice to support a Tibetan Yogis tradition to practice 100 days in the winter, this has now been expanded to continue daily. To learn more and register: https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/100-days-of-practice/
What we’re about
COVID-19 UPDATE: An email was sent out to Awakening Asheville advising all in-person meetups should be postponed or moved to virtual attendance only. Please contact hosts with any questions. Thank you, and be well! Courtney
We are an LGBTQ+ BIPOC safe spiritual group that enjoys the coming together of community lightworkers sharing our journeys. We offer meditations, healing energy, and many different workshops. Come join us!


Seed Saving 101 Course
Knowing how to save our own seed is an important and fun skill that anyone can learn how to do, and make part of one’s current garden plans. Seed Saving is an accessible craft that can actually make you a better gardener by helping you understand the full life cycle of plants and botany. Learn why, how, and when to save seeds; with a focus on harvesting and processing for viability, good germination, and storage. This class will include demonstrations on low tech seed processing methods.


A year-long program
Individualized to meet you where you are
in your farm business journey
Applications are due by September 18, 2021.
Starting a farm is a formidable challenge, but keeping a farm business going, growing and thriving is even harder! The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for 3 or more years, and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.
This 12-month program starts in November 2021 and ends in October 2022.
What is unique about this program?
Participants can use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals, and make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy. This program is designed to give tailored guidance and support for your farm business to answer questions of: scale, market access, land access, risk management, understanding cash flow, and enterprise innovation. You will leave this program with a responsive, adaptable business plan to help your farm achieve long-term farm viability and resilience.
|
|
POLLINATOR PHOTO CONTEST… WITH PRIZES!
Now until June 27
Break out your smartphones and cameras this Week and start snapping pics of WNC’s native pollinators!
Enter your best photos in our contest for a chance to win incredible prizes, like a $100 gift card to Reems Creek Nursery, and an Asheville Bee Charmer gift basket!
While you’re out taking photos, consider also participating in our BioBlitz.

The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.

Included with admission
Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.
In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.

Virtual attendance via Zoom video and audio internet connection.
Presenter: Kay Green, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer
Love the taste of home-grown vegetables and herbs but have limited space? Try growing them in containers. With a few containers, sun, and water, you can grow your own vegetables on your deck or patio. The presentation will cover:
- the advantages and flexibility of container gardening
- types of containers that work best for vegetables and herbs
- sun requirements
- growing media
- watering, and
- the benefits of mulch and a fertilizer plan.
And did you know? There are vegetables that have been specifically developed for containers. All of this and a great handout to download.
Registration: The talk is free but registration is required. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

Join Tanya LaCorte & Ruth Gonzalez for a tour of Reems Creek Nursery’s pollinator garden. In a very small space we’ve created a beautiful Pollinator Garden that supports pollinators throughout the growing season. During the Garden Tour we’ll have a casual discussion of our favorite plants, why we like them, and demonstrate design considerations. We’ll showcase the native plants in our Habitat as they offer extra benefits to pollinators. Our tour is limited to 15 people per session so we can socially distance

Looking to get involved, stay active, and meet some new friends? Sand Hill Community Garden workdays take place on Wednesdays (6-8 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-noon) from Feb. 27-Oct. 30, 2021, at Buncombe County Sports Park. The garden is located on 16 Apac Dr. in West Asheville/Enka-Candler.
Join friends and neighbors as they come together on common ground to raise fresh, organic vegetables and fruits for the Enka community.
Expect to wear a mask and maintain social distance throughout. Tools and hand sanitizer are available, but any gloves, loppers, pruners, or gardening tools you can bring will decrease the amount of contact between volunteers. Please wear work clothes to get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, water, and a hat are also handy items to have on hand.
Sand Hill Community Garden has been growing fresh produce since 2011 and raised over 1,200 lbs. of organic produce last year.
NOTE: Community workdays are weather dependent. Please join the community garden email list (send your info to [email protected]) to stay up on workday tasks and other garden news.
To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

Heather Davis Studio & Gallery and GRIND have teamed up to bring plants to Pink Dog Creative on the weekends. Whynot Farm, which is affiliated with HDS&G, raises the plants on its farmland in Eastern TN, so they are locally-raised.
The plant sale will take place on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, on the patio at Pink Dog Creative. During the week, select plants will be available for purchase in GRIND.
Our first celebration was such a success that we are doing it again…and again, and again! Join us at Ross Farms (formally Jack Young’s Greenhouse) for a family friendly, COVID cautious celebration of fun on Saturday, June 26th from 12 noon to 4 pm!
Papa’s Express will be there serving yummy Mexican cuisine and John Kirby and the New Seniors will be rockin’ and rollin’ on the main stage. In addition, we will have Red’s Resin Relics vending and a snow cone machine!
Our greenhouses will be open and full of flourishing plants, from annuals to veggie starters and everything between! We’ll bring the bloom, you bring the fun! Ross Farms at Jack Young’s Greenhouse is located at 91 Holbrook Rd, Candler, NC. We are so excited to see you again!
Emily Sampson will lead the group on a tour of the beautiful 600 square foot pocket meadow on the steep bank at Lake Tomahawk in Black Mountain. The meadow, created in the fall of 2019, is a Monarch Waystation and exemplifies the vast benefits that even a small planting space can provide. In its second full year, it’s proving to be easy to maintain while providing a diverse habitat for pollinators. Emily will discuss converting portions of lawns into functional pollinator meadows, methods and techniques that she has implemented, and will touch on slope erosion control using native pollinator plants.
PatchWork Meadows is a Green business, growing and installing native plants for pollinator habitat. Their goal is to convert sections of residential and commercial lawn into beautiful wildflower meadow patches that benefit bees, butterflies, birds and other wildlife.


