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.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Voices of the River: Art + Poetry Contest
Apr 20 all-day
online w/ RiverLink

Create a river-inspired work of art for our Voices of the River: Art & Poetry Contest. You can make 2D or 3D creations, write poems, haikus or short stories, or even record a dance, skit or song that you create. Winners will receive a variety of prizes donated by local businesses and organizations.

Show Us What the River Means to You!

Every spring we host our Voices of the River: Art & Poetry Contest. We ask kids to use the river as a source of inspiration to showcase their creativity. Each year we are so amazed by the talent of these young artists, poets, and performers. Submissions can include 2D and 3D works in various mediums, poems and creative writings, and video compositions of songs, dances, or skits. Winners are selected by a council of judges made up of local artists, writers, and community leaders. Many generous businesses also donate prizes for winners from each age group and category.

This year we want you to show us “How has the river helped you during this time of isolation?”

All entries are due by Thursday April 22nd

Virtual Lessons: How Rivers Form and Change
Apr 20 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Online w/ RiverLink

Learn How Rivers Form and Change

Rivers are a constantly changing natural feature, and understanding how they change over time is crucial to understanding how to protect them. Check out our virtual lesson using our stream table simulation and learn how our communities can better prepare for these changes.

Wild Art Sculpture Showcase
Apr 20 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
NC Arboretum

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.

Biltmore Gardens Railway
Apr 20 @ 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Biltmore

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.

Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Library Black Out Poetry Kits
Apr 20 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
All Buncombe County Libraries

Photo of typewriter

 

April is National Poetry Month and we invite all poets, would be poets and poetry fans to celebrate with Buncombe County Public Libraries.  We’ll be hosting the following free events at libraries all over the county.  For more information on any of these programs, contact your friendly neighborhood library.

Black Out Poetry Kits Available at the Library
All Month Long
Every Library

Come to any library and pick up a free kit to create a black out poetry masterpiece. Black out poetry doesn’t start with a blank page, it starts with a page of words taken from an old book. Poets will eliminate words to create a poem composed of the words left on the page. Visit any branch of Buncombe County Public Libraries in April to pick up your very own black out poetry kit featuring markers, inspiration and pages of print to begin your creation. When you’re finished, photograph your creation and upload it to facebook or instagram. Tag your library’s account and we’ll feature it as a post! You can also drop your poem by the library and we’ll post it for you. Kits are available while supplies last.

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Woolworth Walk Appalachian Wild Art show
Apr 20 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Woolworth Walk

store-logo

“Take a Woolworth Walk on the Wild Side” – Participating local
artists will donate a percentage of sales of art depicting native wildlife in
a variety of mediums.

Woolworth Walk and participating local artists join to support
Appalachian Wild’s mission to help save injured and orphaned wildlife.
Appalachian Wild provides care for approximately 2,000 animals
annually.

Free Admission Western North Carolina Air Museum
Apr 20 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Western North Carolina Air Museum

The Western North Carolina Air Museum is a center of living history in the popular Hendersonville – Flat Rock region of the state. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to remember flying the way it used to be. Bring your kids, your camera, and your leather jacket. You can view the airplanes in an hour or so, or spend the afternoon hanger-flying with our friendly, informative staff. We can’t guarantee fine weather, but our hangar doors are open rain and shine. And we can’t guarantee that we’ll be flying on the day you visit, but we do promise to propel your imagination back to the golden age of general aviation. Come for the airplanes. Stay for the memories. There’s plenty of both right here at the Western North Carolina Air Museum.

Preserving & Promoting

Our

Carolina Flying Heritage

Kolo Bike Park: Little Rippers Ages 5-8 years old
Apr 20 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The Adventure Center of Asheville

 

$300/MONTH TUES & THURS
MARCH, APRIL, MAY

On Tuesdays & Thursdays this Spring, join the Kolo Afterschool Bike Club to grow your skills and enjoy fun afternoons on bikes!  The club will be working on bike handling and riding all the trails and features of Kolo Bike Park. Students must be comfortable riding bikes off-road, as this is not a club to teach kids how to ride or for beginners.

Kolo is excited to be able to offer local students a great afternoon activity in an open-air environment on over 100 acres.  Come shred and enjoy mountain biking with us!

  • $300/month
  • Ages 9-15 years old:  Big Senders Club from 3:00 -6:00
  • Ages 5-8 years old: Little Rippers from 12:00-3:00 (If need 3:00-6:00 time slot, let us know)
  • March, April, May on Tuesdays & Thursdays only

Limited spaces available! Reservations are required by calling our office at 828.225.2921.

Kolo Bike Park Spring Afterschool: Big Senders Bike Club Ages 9-15
Apr 20 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The Adventure Center
$300/MONTH TUES & THURS
MARCH, APRIL, MAY

On Tuesdays & Thursdays this Spring, join the Kolo Afterschool Bike Club to grow your skills and enjoy fun afternoons on bikes!  The club will be working on bike handling and riding all the trails and features of Kolo Bike Park. Students must be comfortable riding bikes off-road, as this is not a club to teach kids how to ride or for beginners.

Kolo is excited to be able to offer local students a great afternoon activity in an open-air environment on over 100 acres.  Come shred and enjoy mountain biking with us!

  • $300/month
  • Ages 9-15 years old:  Big Senders Club from 3:00 -6:00
  • Ages 5-8 years old: Little Rippers from 12:00-3:00 (If need 3:00-6:00 time slot, let us know)
  • March, April, May on Tuesdays & Thursdays only

Limited spaces available! Reservations are required by calling our office at 828.225.2921 or online at:

Join Our Tar Heel Jr. Historian Club
Apr 20 @ 4:00 pm
Online

Sponsored by the NC Museum of History, WNCHA’s chapter of the Tar Heel Junior Historians Association is nicknamed SMH over History. It is open to school-age students and meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 4:00 pm during the school year. New members are always welcome!

Members receive two magazines per year from the NC Museum of History and there are opportunities in the State Contest program.

The club is open at any time in the year to school-age students (grades 1 – 12). There is a small registration fee of $10 ($5 for each eligible sibling) that helps to defray some costs of programming and supplies. Scholarships are available for students unable to pay the registration fee. Please contact us for more details. Parents generally participate in the meetings and younger siblings are welcome.  New members are always welcome to visit for a couple of meetings before making the decision to join.

Theatrical Design Basics  ​6th – 12th Grades
Apr 20 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online w/ Flat Rock Playhouse/Studio 52

Picture

Dive into the world of theatre design in this introductory course for teens led by CJ Barnwell, Flat Rock’s Resident Lighting and Visual Media Designer. Learn design principles by studying real-world productions, engage with peers in lively discussions, and get creative with a series of artistic prompts (no previous design experience required). Whether you are interested in light, sets, or costumes, this class will give you the confidence, tools, and language to convey your creative ideas!

Grades: 6th – 12th
Virtual Platform: Zoom
Instructor: CJ Barnwell


 Supplies Needed: Internet connection, paper and pencil for notes

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 8
Acting for the Camera ​6th – 8th Grades
Apr 20 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Online w/ Flat Rock Playhouse/Studio 52
Picture

Lights… Camera…Acting! Explore the fundamentals of on-camera acting in a four-week introductory course led by professional actor and producer Marlane Barnes. Best known for her work on The Fosters, iCarly, and Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part II, Marlane will share on-camera tips and technique, advise young actors on how to scale their performances from stage to screen, and give feedback on real-world TV and film scripts. No experience required. 

Grades: 6th – 8th
Virtual Platforms: Zoom/Flipgrid
Instructor: Marlane Barnes

​Supplies Needed: Internet connection, a device (mobile phone, tablet, or computer) with a working camera for video submissions.

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 8
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Nantahala River Rafting Fully Guided
Apr 21 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

guests rafting on the Nantahala River Raft & Duck Rentals in North Carolina trip

A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.

SAVE 15% Outdoor Adventures
Apr 21 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Splash Outside Your Screen

From Zoom Meetings to phone screens and quarantines, we’re all feeling a little trapped. But no more. It’s time to feel the freedom of the great outdoors! Here’s an extra incentive when you book online at noc.com:

BREAK FREE

SAVE 15%

ON SELECT OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Use code GETOUTSIDE21 through April 25th on Whitewater Rafting, Zip Line & Aerial Adventures, Rentals, and Mountain Biking at NOC.

Traveling Trunks – Bring the Museum to your Classroom!
Apr 21 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association

Traveling Trunks and Kits are an economical way to bring the Museum to YOU! Rental fee is a refundable deposit of $15 per trunk. Trunks include many artifacts and a week of lessons.

Trunk deposits are always refundable, but if you choose to donate your deposit, these funds are used to assist students with economic needs to be able to come on field trips or to Living History Days.

Call 828-253-9231 or email [email protected] for information or to schedule your program.

Another way to bring the Museum to YOU is with an In-School Presentation!

A trained museum volunteer or staff person will present any of the above topics in your school. Programs may be presented to as many as 50 students per presentation (some are more hands-on and 25 students would be more appropriate).

Cost is $3 per student.

Choose a program, traveling trunk/kit, or suggest a custom program. Craft topics may include an extra supply fee.

Voices of the River: Art + Poetry Contest
Apr 21 all-day
Online w/ RiverLink

Show Us What the River Means to You!

Art & Poetry contest winner

Every spring we host our Voices of the River: Art & Poetry Contest. We ask kids to use the river as a source of inspiration to showcase their creativity. Each year we are so amazed by the talent of these young artists, poets, and performers. Submissions can include 2D and 3D works in various mediums, poems and creative writings, and video compositions of songs, dances, or skits. Winners are selected by a council of judges made up of local artists, writers, and community leaders. Many generous businesses also donate prizes for winners from each age group and category.

This year we want you to show us “How has the river helped you during this time of isolation?”

All entries are due by Thursday April 22nd

Voices of the River: Art + Poetry Contest
Apr 21 all-day
online w/ RiverLink

Create a river-inspired work of art for our Voices of the River: Art & Poetry Contest. You can make 2D or 3D creations, write poems, haikus or short stories, or even record a dance, skit or song that you create. Winners will receive a variety of prizes donated by local businesses and organizations.

Show Us What the River Means to You!

Every spring we host our Voices of the River: Art & Poetry Contest. We ask kids to use the river as a source of inspiration to showcase their creativity. Each year we are so amazed by the talent of these young artists, poets, and performers. Submissions can include 2D and 3D works in various mediums, poems and creative writings, and video compositions of songs, dances, or skits. Winners are selected by a council of judges made up of local artists, writers, and community leaders. Many generous businesses also donate prizes for winners from each age group and category.

This year we want you to show us “How has the river helped you during this time of isolation?”

All entries are due by Thursday April 22nd

Convenient hourly childcare
Apr 21 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
YWCA

Convenient hourly childcare. No babysitter needed.

Our trained Empowerment Childcare staff are here to take care of children so busy moms and dads can take care of errands, doctor’s appointments, meetings – or take care of themselves with an afternoon or night out!

Pay-by-the-Hour ChildcareEmpowerment childcare offers free childcare for parents in transition

  • Short-term care for children ages 6 weeks – 6 years
  • Ask about availability for older children
  • Up to 4 hours per visit
  • All fees help support providing free or reduced-cost childcare for women and families in transition, working towards stability and economic security. Learn more about YWCA’s Empowerment Childcare.

Hours

  • Monday – Friday: 8 am – 8 pm
    • Session 1: 8 am-Noon
    • Session 2: 1 pm-5 pm
    • Session 3: 4 pm – 8 pm

Make a Reservation

 

 

Virtual Lessons: How Rivers Form and Change
Apr 21 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Online w/ RiverLink

Learn How Rivers Form and Change

Rivers are a constantly changing natural feature, and understanding how they change over time is crucial to understanding how to protect them. Check out our virtual lesson using our stream table simulation and learn how our communities can better prepare for these changes.

Wild Art Sculpture Showcase
Apr 21 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
NC Arboretum

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.

Biltmore Gardens Railway
Apr 21 @ 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Biltmore

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.

Chimney Rock’s Spring Homeschool Day
Apr 21 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock’s Spring Homeschool Day is the perfect time to explore the Park and get to know other homeschool families. The morning engages students through hands-on programs designed to help foster their appreciation of the natural world around us. Stay for a fun-filled afternoon with your choice of options.  Morning Programs are from 9:30am – 12:30pm; some afternoon times will also be available and may vary based on demand. Program details can be found online. Advance registration required, reserve your spot below. Registration closes April 13.

Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Library Black Out Poetry Kits
Apr 21 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
All Buncombe County Libraries

Photo of typewriter

 

April is National Poetry Month and we invite all poets, would be poets and poetry fans to celebrate with Buncombe County Public Libraries.  We’ll be hosting the following free events at libraries all over the county.  For more information on any of these programs, contact your friendly neighborhood library.

Black Out Poetry Kits Available at the Library
All Month Long
Every Library

Come to any library and pick up a free kit to create a black out poetry masterpiece. Black out poetry doesn’t start with a blank page, it starts with a page of words taken from an old book. Poets will eliminate words to create a poem composed of the words left on the page. Visit any branch of Buncombe County Public Libraries in April to pick up your very own black out poetry kit featuring markers, inspiration and pages of print to begin your creation. When you’re finished, photograph your creation and upload it to facebook or instagram. Tag your library’s account and we’ll feature it as a post! You can also drop your poem by the library and we’ll post it for you. Kits are available while supplies last.

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Woolworth Walk Appalachian Wild Art show
Apr 21 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Woolworth Walk

store-logo

“Take a Woolworth Walk on the Wild Side” – Participating local
artists will donate a percentage of sales of art depicting native wildlife in
a variety of mediums.

Woolworth Walk and participating local artists join to support
Appalachian Wild’s mission to help save injured and orphaned wildlife.
Appalachian Wild provides care for approximately 2,000 animals
annually.

Free Admission Western North Carolina Air Museum
Apr 21 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Western North Carolina Air Museum

The Western North Carolina Air Museum is a center of living history in the popular Hendersonville – Flat Rock region of the state. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to remember flying the way it used to be. Bring your kids, your camera, and your leather jacket. You can view the airplanes in an hour or so, or spend the afternoon hanger-flying with our friendly, informative staff. We can’t guarantee fine weather, but our hangar doors are open rain and shine. And we can’t guarantee that we’ll be flying on the day you visit, but we do promise to propel your imagination back to the golden age of general aviation. Come for the airplanes. Stay for the memories. There’s plenty of both right here at the Western North Carolina Air Museum.

Preserving & Promoting

Our

Carolina Flying Heritage

Wednesday Kid’s Night! Chick-fil-A Asheville Mall
Apr 21 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Chick-fil-A Asheville Mall

Join us EVERY Wednesday night for Kid’s Night! Children receive a free four-count kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal. See you on Wednesdays!

Thursday, April 22, 2021
Nantahala River Rafting Fully Guided
Apr 22 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

guests rafting on the Nantahala River Raft & Duck Rentals in North Carolina trip

A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.

SAVE 15% Outdoor Adventures
Apr 22 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Splash Outside Your Screen

From Zoom Meetings to phone screens and quarantines, we’re all feeling a little trapped. But no more. It’s time to feel the freedom of the great outdoors! Here’s an extra incentive when you book online at noc.com:

BREAK FREE

SAVE 15%

ON SELECT OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Use code GETOUTSIDE21 through April 25th on Whitewater Rafting, Zip Line & Aerial Adventures, Rentals, and Mountain Biking at NOC.

Traveling Trunks – Bring the Museum to your Classroom!
Apr 22 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association

Traveling Trunks and Kits are an economical way to bring the Museum to YOU! Rental fee is a refundable deposit of $15 per trunk. Trunks include many artifacts and a week of lessons.

Trunk deposits are always refundable, but if you choose to donate your deposit, these funds are used to assist students with economic needs to be able to come on field trips or to Living History Days.

Call 828-253-9231 or email [email protected] for information or to schedule your program.

Another way to bring the Museum to YOU is with an In-School Presentation!

A trained museum volunteer or staff person will present any of the above topics in your school. Programs may be presented to as many as 50 students per presentation (some are more hands-on and 25 students would be more appropriate).

Cost is $3 per student.

Choose a program, traveling trunk/kit, or suggest a custom program. Craft topics may include an extra supply fee.

Voices of the River: Art + Poetry Contest
Apr 22 all-day
Online w/ RiverLink

Show Us What the River Means to You!

Art & Poetry contest winner

Every spring we host our Voices of the River: Art & Poetry Contest. We ask kids to use the river as a source of inspiration to showcase their creativity. Each year we are so amazed by the talent of these young artists, poets, and performers. Submissions can include 2D and 3D works in various mediums, poems and creative writings, and video compositions of songs, dances, or skits. Winners are selected by a council of judges made up of local artists, writers, and community leaders. Many generous businesses also donate prizes for winners from each age group and category.

This year we want you to show us “How has the river helped you during this time of isolation?”

All entries are due by Thursday April 22nd