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.
Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.
- Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
- 90-Minutes – tours run daily
- 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
- $39 per person (ages 13+ only)
“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas! Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century. Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and our popular Cajun seasoned Pulled Pork BBQ with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce cooked in our special spices and slow roasted to perfection! During the month of October, 9am departures will feature the option of a delicious Cheesy Shrimp & Grits or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole while 2pm departures will be served the popular BBQ meal.
Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through September 30, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.
Beverage Service
Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.
Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome
Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)
Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Find more information here.
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Fundraising Concert for Children’s Grief Programs Features An Evening with Darren Nicholson |
Haywood Hospice and the Haywood Healthcare Foundation are proud to announce a special community event taking place in Waynesville this July. “Christmas in July” is a fundraising concert to benefit children’s grief programs in Haywood County. Taking place at the Wells Event Center in Waynesville, North Carolina, on Saturday, July 29, “Christmas in July” invites the community to feel the spirit of giving and enjoy a night of music and fellowship for an important cause.
At 6:00 PM, the evening kicks off with a silent auction as well as a photo opportunity with Smoky Mountain Santa. Light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. Live music from Gary Mehalick, Stephen Feron, and Lizzy Ibarra begins at 7:30, followed by featured performer Darren Nicholson.
- Live Music, 6:00 p.m. and $8 specialty martinis all day at Leo’s Italian Social
tickets: Etix
Join us on select Thursdays from April through September for live Americana music from the Waverly front porch along with great southern fare and cold beverages. Bring a lawn chair and/or blanket from 6-8pm for a great evening in Hendersonville.
May 4: Jess Jocoy, Waverly Front Porch Series
June 1: Letters to Abigail, Waverly Front Porch Series
June 29: The Gathering Dark, Waverly Front Porch Series
July 27: The Last Full Measure, Waverly Front Porch Series
September 7: Angela Easterling, Waverly Front Porch Series
October 5: David Childers, Waverly Front Porch Series
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
Support one of the greatest traditions at Flat Rock Playhouse!
2023 Apprentice Benefactors Charlotte and Bob Otto will match your gift 1:1 up to $25,000.
Flat Rock Playhouse’s 2023 Apprentice Program! Don’t miss this chance to DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT!
For over 65 years, a select group of college-age performers participate in an intensive summer at Flat Rock Playhouse that includes on-stage performance and mentoring from FRP professionals. They also perform Rootabaga stories four times a week at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site and take original educational programs out to schools in four area counties. Apprentices come from prestigious theatre schools across the country and are chosen from more than 1000 students who audition.
Apprentice graduates have gone on to major professional engagements on and off-Broadway, on national tours, and in regional theatres. Notable alumni who have played on Broadway include Michael Luwoye (Hamilton in Hamilton, An American Musical), Adam Kaplan (A Bronx Tale), Ginna Claire Mason (Glinda in Wicked), Jared Goldsmith (Dear Evan Hansen) and Ben Hope (Once).
The YWCA recently learned that our aging HVAC system can no longer reliably heat and cool our building. This means more than discomfort for members and staff – we are required to maintain a consistent and healthy temperature in the building for the well-being and safety of the children in our childcare programs. We are asking for your help to address the immediate need for $60k to replace the first five of our 24 HVAC units and ensure that both of our Childcare programs can continue to provide accessible childcare to working families and the work of the YWCA can continue without disruption.
Let’s get you registered for Outpace Hunger!
Individuals: Choose one (1) registration below. At checkout, you’ll be asked to provide your t-shirt size.
Families/groups/teams: Choose the total number of people participating. At checkout, you’ll be asked to provide t-shirt sizes for all members of your group.
Once you’ve completed the registration, be on the lookout for an email on how to set up your personal fundraising page.
MANNA’s Outpace Hunger campaign is in full swing! People across WNC are “feeding people and their passion” by turning their miles into meals – from running and biking to hiking or walking, and even paddling!
Avid paddlers Liz and Bill have been paddling together since 1980. After reaching 103 miles during last year’s Outpace Hunger challenge, they’re back in the water this summer and asking friends and family to support them along the way! Every $1 raised = 4 meals, and Liz and Bill have already raised more than 1,500 meals for neighbors in our region who are struggling to afford food
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According to a study by Syracuse University, North Carolina ranks last in the country for people likely to have legal representation in their immigration cases. Here in Western North Carolina (WNC), nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) provides most of the free civil legal aid for area immigrants and is working to raise $100,000 by July 1st to support this important work.
“Pisgah Legal Services provides life-changing – and sometimes life-saving – legal representation for immigrants and asylum seekers, and that help is scarce and very hard to come by,” says PLS Chief Development Officer Ally Wilson. “We only have three immigration attorneys to serve our entire 18-county region, and Pisgah Legal provides the majority of free legal aid for immigrants in WNC.”
She continued, “Thanks to generous supporters who have already come forward, we have raised $30,000 towards the $100,000 goal by July 1 for our Together We Dream Giving Challenge. We need additional charitable contributions to keep families together and educated about their rights, to secure legal immigration status and work authorizations and to stop the violence and abuse that many come to the United States to escape.”
Gifts made in the coming week will be matched! “A generous donor has stepped forward to help us build momentum to reach our goal,” says Wilson. “From now until Wednesday, June 21st, all gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. Give today and your gift will have double the impact!”
Want to Help?
Giving online is fast, easy and secure at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/dream or contact Chief Development Officer Ally Wilson by phone 828-210-3444 or via email: [email protected]. Checks may be mailed to Pisgah Legal Services, P.O. Box 2276, Asheville, N.C. 28802
Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.
- Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
- 90-Minutes – tours run daily
- 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
- $39 per person (ages 13+ only)
“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas! Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century. Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and our popular Cajun seasoned Pulled Pork BBQ with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce cooked in our special spices and slow roasted to perfection! During the month of October, 9am departures will feature the option of a delicious Cheesy Shrimp & Grits or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole while 2pm departures will be served the popular BBQ meal.
From the local favorites to new regional acts, all live from the river banks of the Nantahala. Raft, dine, then jam with us with Live Music every Friday and Saturday from 5pm-8pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day!
May 27th 5pm-8pm – Mama and the Ruckus
May 28th 5pm-8pm – The Lefties
June 2nd 5pm-8pm – Christina Chandler Trio
June 3rd 5pm-8pm – Laura Thurston
June 9th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton
June 10th 1pm-4pm – Jacobs Well
June 10th 5pm-8pm – Natti Love Joys
June 16th 5pm-8pm – Rae and the Ragdolls
June 17th 5pm-8pm – Beer and Loathing
June 23rd 5pm-8pm – TBA
June 24th 5pm-8pm – Terry Haughton Trio
June 30th 5pm-8pm – Blue
July 1st 5pm-8pm – Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs
July 7th 5pm-8pm – Bayou Diesel
July 8th 5pm-8pm – Pioneer Chicken Stand
July 14th 5pm-8pm – Wyatt Espalin
July 15th 5pm-8pm – Christina Chandler Duo
July 21st 5pm-8pm – Terry Haughton
July 22nd 5pm-8pm – TG and the Stoned Rangers
July 28th 5pm-8pm – Blue
July 29th 5pm-8pm – Somebody’s Child
August 4th 5pm-8pm – Trial by Fire
August 5th 5pm-8pm – Andy Johnson
August 11th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton Solo
August 12th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton Band
August 18th 5pm-8pm – Big Deal Band
August 19th 1pm-4pm – Mckinney
August 19th 5pm-8pm – Funk N’ Around
August 25th 5pm-8pm – Wyatt Espalin
August 26th 5pm-8pm – Somebody’s Child
September 1st 5pm-8pm – TBA
September 2nd 5pm-8pm – Regatta 69
Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through September 30, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.
Beverage Service
Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.
Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome
Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)
Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Find more information here.
Wanna hear the best local music and drink the best local beers? Hop aboard LaZoom’s Purple Bus and rock out with a local band while we take you on a journey to Asheville’s premiere local breweries.
Every Friday Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country. This week we have Sam Evans from NYC!
Sam Evans is a comic originally from Cincinnati, OH. After winning the 2012 Funniest Person in Cincinnati competition, Sam relocated to New York City in order to pursue comedy further, and was rewarded in 2014, when he was selected as one of the New Faces of the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in 2014. He has been featured on the Audible comedy podcast “Sounds Like America”. In 2020, he released his debut standup album “Sweet Baby Boy” with Blonde Medicine records, which debuted at #1 on iTunes.
ages 18+
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
The Friday Night Music series will present the familiar 50’s and 60’s
classic rock and beach music from a host of different bands. Food vendors like Babbles Ice
Cream, Blue Ridge Hospitality and Eggs Up Grill will provide a some spice. The Carolina
Mountain Car Club will participate as in years past.
Friday Night Concerts
Super 60’s June 9
Gotcha Groove June 16
It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere June 23
Marsha Morgan June 30
Shades of Gray July 7
Thomas Brown July 14
Emporium July 21
Johnnie Blackwell Band July 28
Rock and Roll Reunion August 4
208 Army Band August 11
Night Moves Band August 18
Every Sunday evening Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country
Shaunak Godkhindi is an Atlanta comedian who performs all around the country at clubs and indie venues. He has also been a performer at SXSW, Laughing Skull Fest, Red Clay Comedy Festival, and New South Comedy Fest. Shaunak has opened up for Kyle Kinane, Rory Scovel, Joe Zimmerman, Nore Davis, Sean Patton, Aakash Singh, and many more. His comedy style is energetic, optimistic, and fun. He once made a lady laugh so hard she peed a little and she emailed him after the show saying that her night was ruined.
ages 18+
doors at 9pm, show at 9:30pm
The YWCA recently learned that our aging HVAC system can no longer reliably heat and cool our building. This means more than discomfort for members and staff – we are required to maintain a consistent and healthy temperature in the building for the well-being and safety of the children in our childcare programs. We are asking for your help to address the immediate need for $60k to replace the first five of our 24 HVAC units and ensure that both of our Childcare programs can continue to provide accessible childcare to working families and the work of the YWCA can continue without disruption.
his special artistic weekend will feature the return of husband and wife duo, writer John T. Edge and artist Blair Hobbs.
According to a study by Syracuse University, North Carolina ranks last in the country for people likely to have legal representation in their immigration cases. Here in Western North Carolina (WNC), nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) provides most of the free civil legal aid for area immigrants and is working to raise $100,000 by July 1st to support this important work.
“Pisgah Legal Services provides life-changing – and sometimes life-saving – legal representation for immigrants and asylum seekers, and that help is scarce and very hard to come by,” says PLS Chief Development Officer Ally Wilson. “We only have three immigration attorneys to serve our entire 18-county region, and Pisgah Legal provides the majority of free legal aid for immigrants in WNC.”
She continued, “Thanks to generous supporters who have already come forward, we have raised $30,000 towards the $100,000 goal by July 1 for our Together We Dream Giving Challenge. We need additional charitable contributions to keep families together and educated about their rights, to secure legal immigration status and work authorizations and to stop the violence and abuse that many come to the United States to escape.”
Gifts made in the coming week will be matched! “A generous donor has stepped forward to help us build momentum to reach our goal,” says Wilson. “From now until Wednesday, June 21st, all gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. Give today and your gift will have double the impact!”
Want to Help?
Giving online is fast, easy and secure at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/dream or contact Chief Development Officer Ally Wilson by phone 828-210-3444 or via email: [email protected]. Checks may be mailed to Pisgah Legal Services, P.O. Box 2276, Asheville, N.C. 28802
One of our newest Events is the Smoky Mountain Beer Run! A specialty train excursion featuring 2 samples of local craft beer on-board and a final sample when we stop off at the layover, at Innovation Station in Dillsboro, NC.
Every ‘Beer Run’ has a fun theme to help get into the party mood but also makes every run unique and one of a kind. With Craft Beer and a Themed menu to match, you’ll be treated and transported as we cruise through the Smoky Mountains while enjoying a night in ‘Beer Country.’
Join us as we celebrate Independence Day, the only way we know how! The best craft beer around, a piece of American history still roaring along the tracks and a WHOLE LOT of Red, White & Blue. This is the best way to wet your appetite for a fun 4th of July weekend!
Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.
- Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
- 90-Minutes – tours run daily
- 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
- $39 per person (ages 13+ only)