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.
Age: All Ages
Join us Saturday, August 1st at the Tsali Recreational Area for the 2020 Paddle Grapple, a 3 or 6 mile flatwater kayak, canoe and SUP race on beautiful Fontana Lake, which is nestled at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, just a few miles from the Nantahala Outdoor Center. This popular event will take participants on a beautiful loop on Fontana Lake that will give you incredible views of the highest peaks in the National Park. Come enjoy the cool water, and hot competition at the 2020 Paddle Grapple.
Event Information
Distance: 3 or 6 miles
Course Map: Click HERE
For more information please visit Nantahala Racing Club’s Website.
Pre-Registration:Â Online Registration will open June 15, 2020 and close at 11:59AM on Wednesday, July 29th. Cost is $40 for each class.
Onsite Registration:Â A $10 Late Fee applies. You may register from 8-9:30AM at the NRC Event Tent next to the boat ramp.
2020 Schedule of Events | Tsali Recreation Area Boat Ramp
| Saturday, August 1st | Time |
|---|---|
| Onsite Registration | 8-9:30AM |
| Vendor Demos | 9AM |
| Competitor’s Meeting | 9:30AM |
| Race START | 10AM |
| Awards Ceremony | 1PM |
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
Unlike so many canceled events, the Tour d’Apple will take off on Labor Day, September 7, 2020 with rolling starts beginning at 7:00am until 10am from Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC! Tour d’Apple invites up to 350 cyclists to ride from 25-100 miles one of four scenic routes around the apple orchards and beautiful mountains of Henderson County, NC.
New for 2020
To help with social distancing, this year the ride has been limited to 350 participants.
All staff/volunteers will be required to wear a face covering during the event. These will be provided to volunteers if necessary. Participants must wear a face covering (the free TDA buff meets this requirement) until the event starts, at all rest stops, and after they finish the event.
Participants will not be permitted to form in groups. They must maintain 6 foot distancing while in the start/finish area, in the event hub, and at all rest stops.
Custom Tour d’Apple buffs will be given to all 350 participants to register. The deadline to register and receive a free buff is August 15th.
An optional Virtual event experience is being offered so riders can participate in this cycling event from anywhere. Ride from your home, the park, or anywhere else you choose and submit your results online.
New Packet Pick-up Procedures: The packet, numbered bib and swag for this event can be shipped before the ride for $10, an option that is available when you register. Deadline to have packets mailed is August 15th. For those who do not want their packets mailed, there is a Drive-thru Packet Pick-up the day prior to the event (September 6th) from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Blue Ridge Community College Parking lot. To encourage social distancing, there will be no packet pickup or registration on the morning of the ride.
Look for updates on the Tour d’Apple website http://tourdapple.com/ for updates and changes as Labor Day approaches. We have also published a Blog Post on what we are doing to adhere to the NC guidelines.
Free Ride T-shirt
Those cyclists who register by August 14th will receive a free Tour d’Apple t-shirt if registered prior to August 14th at midnight. After that, shirts will be available on a limited basis for an additional $10.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.
Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.
Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.
Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:
Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)
The 2nd Annual Light Up the Night 5K is set for Friday, August 7th at Carrier Park, Asheville, North Carolina and this year the nighttime charity run means more than ever. We want to send a HUGE thank you to the key sponsors who are helping to make this event happen: AdventHealth, Hensley Cloninger Law Firm and Owle Construction. Proceeds from this event directly benefit the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, which exists to serve the homeless, poor and addicted populations of Western North Carolina.
Since COVID-19 hit our community in March, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (WCRM) has served double the amount of individuals in need with hot meals, and has seen a nearly 200 percent increase in grocery support.
iDaph Events is proud to help support the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries by presenting the 2nd Annual Light Up the Night 5k: A fundraising, glow-in-the-dark, nighttime, walk/run event that welcomes all people regardless of ability, race, color, ethnicity, gender or faith. New for this year: A 5K Virtual Run/Walk that can be completed ANYWHERE.
Last year the run started at WCRM in downtown Asheville and wound through the streets of Montford. It was a huge success, raising over $7,000 to help combat homelessness in our local area thanks to the support of our community members, runners and members of WCRM.
https://raceroster.com/events/2020/32195/light-up-the-night-5k
Unlike so many canceled events, the Tour d’Apple will take off on Labor Day, September 7, 2020 with rolling starts beginning at 7:00am until 10am from Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC! Tour d’Apple invites up to 350 cyclists to ride from 25-100 miles one of four scenic routes around the apple orchards and beautiful mountains of Henderson County, NC.
New for 2020
To help with social distancing, this year the ride has been limited to 350 participants.
All staff/volunteers will be required to wear a face covering during the event. These will be provided to volunteers if necessary. Participants must wear a face covering (the free TDA buff meets this requirement) until the event starts, at all rest stops, and after they finish the event.
Participants will not be permitted to form in groups. They must maintain 6 foot distancing while in the start/finish area, in the event hub, and at all rest stops.
Custom Tour d’Apple buffs will be given to all 350 participants to register. The deadline to register and receive a free buff is August 15th.
An optional Virtual event experience is being offered so riders can participate in this cycling event from anywhere. Ride from your home, the park, or anywhere else you choose and submit your results online.
New Packet Pick-up Procedures: The packet, numbered bib and swag for this event can be shipped before the ride for $10, an option that is available when you register. Deadline to have packets mailed is August 15th. For those who do not want their packets mailed, there is a Drive-thru Packet Pick-up the day prior to the event (September 6th) from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Blue Ridge Community College Parking lot. To encourage social distancing, there will be no packet pickup or registration on the morning of the ride.
Look for updates on the Tour d’Apple website http://tourdapple.com/ for updates and changes as Labor Day approaches. We have also published a Blog Post on what we are doing to adhere to the NC guidelines.
Free Ride T-shirt
Those cyclists who register by August 14th will receive a free Tour d’Apple t-shirt if registered prior to August 14th at midnight. After that, shirts will be available on a limited basis for an additional $10.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.
Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.
Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.
Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:
Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)

Hikers will first stop at Bull Creek Valley Overlook, overlooking the Riceville valley, to learn about the history of the community, named after Joseph Marion Rice, who settled in the region in the 1780s. From the Tanbark Ridge Tunnel, hikers will travel up to the ruins of Rattlesnake Lodge. In 1903, Dr. Chase Ambler, realizing the health benefits of the mountains, commenced construction of a summer home for his growing family. Remembered as one of the most unique summer residences in Western North Carolina, Rattlesnake Lodge also boasted stables, tennis courts, and a pool.
Difficulty:Â Â Moderate, 2 miles
Note:Â This event is repeated on August 9th in order to adhere to social distancing and group gathering guidelines for the state of North Carolina.
UPDATE: In order to follow state regulations concerning the coronavirus, the Swannanoa Valley Museum has created new guidelines for its 2020 hikes. These guidelines and the 2020 hike schedule, will continue to evolve as the COVID situation changes. Please email [email protected] with any questions.Â
New hike guidelines:
- Sign-ins will be conducted outdoors, at the parking lot of the Black Mountain Savings Bank.
- There will be no carpooling, no pickup truck / driver shuttles, and a new limited hike size. All the series hikes have been redesigned to be either be out/back or loop hikes and the museum discourages any carpooling to the trailheads, unless with family members or trusted friends.
- No one exhibiting symptoms will be allowed on the hikes.
- Hikes are limited to 25 hikers (20 hikers plus leaders).
- SVM will not shuttle drivers in cars or pickup trucks as in the past.
- Hikers will be required to bring a mask. Masks should be worn at the sign-in / registration table and at any time hikers are in a close group, such as at trailheads, history talks, or rest breaks.
- Social distancing requested on the trails.
- Series hikers have the opportunity to make up these hikes at any time in the future. If hikers do not feel comfortable taking part in hikes in 2020, this is more than understandable.
Note:Â This hike is part of a series, which goes on sale January 2, 2020. Hikers who wish to register for individual hikes may add their name to the waitlist by sending an email to [email protected]. Additional spaces for individual hikers on the waitlist may open up if a full series hiker cancels their registration.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.

Click Here for our COVID-19 statement and info.
The preliminary 2020 Mountain Ride Daily Schedule is now available! The schedule will be updated as we finalize details, so be sure to check back often!
The Cycle North Carolina Mountain Ride is a perfect weekend getaway for any outdoor enthusiast and their families. The ride is a 3-day cycling festival featuring a variety of route options each day that focus on showcasing the beautiful landscapes that Western North Carolina has to offer. The event kicks off on Friday afternoon with a warm-up ride led by our Cycle North Carolina Route Developers. Once your legs are warmed up, you’ll be all set to spend Saturday and Sunday meandering along the rivers and streams through the Blue Ridge Mountains on one of our various route options ranging from 15 miles to 70 miles.
The grand finale of the 16th Annual Lake Lure Olympiad – a 3-day family sports festival showcases the beautiful scenery of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. The Race to the Rock is a challenging 5k run or 25-mile bike race that climbs 900 feet in the last 3 miles (a 7-9% grade) to finish at the base of Chimney Rock. The rewarding 75-mile views from the finish line overlooking Lake Lure are enough to take your breath away… or what’s left of it! This is the ONLY TIME you can ever run or bike up the Park road.
Register for this event at lakelureolympiad.com. Spectators get in free if in the Park before 7:30am.


Join us for Chamber Challenge training designed for ALL fitness levels. Live training sessions with YMCA Personal Trainer Jesse Hyder will be held on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm, for six weeks, beginning August 4. Everyone participating will be asked to adhere to all health & safety restrictions. Masks required to enter building for restrooms. The training sessions are free and open to the public. Y membership not required.
The Chamber Challenge 5K is virtual this year. Run or walk on the day of your choice, at your preferred time, between Sept. 14-25. To learn more about the challenge and to register, visit. https://www.chamberchallenge.org
iDaph Events has a new event series: Pop-up 5k in the Park! This is our newest, creative and
socially distant event. No frills – just running! Our iDaph Team will be at Fletcher Park every 2nd
and 4th Wednesday from July through September to offer participants a bib and a chip timed 5K
event for $10. Sign up for all 6 races for just $50 to receive a super comfy, awesome t-shirt and
a commemorative series medal, and to be included in our series scoring and win prizes.
Location:Â (Bill Moore Park is formerly known as Fletcher Park and is located at 85
Howard Gap Road in Fletcher, NC). Virtual option can be run anywhere.
Start Time: 6-8pm Show up anytime

Join us at Archetype Brewing in West Asheville every Wednesday as we kick-off the Jus’ Running Pub Run for 2020!
GUIDELINES:Â Due to Covid, we have enacted new Pub Run guidelines and will be practicing proper social distancing.
**Rolling Start: Participants will begin their run anytime between 6:00pm and 6:30pm which is meant to disperse runners.**
**Participants must have masks “on-hand” at all times. Masks must be worn when at the brewery (unless at your table). Masks are not required to be worn when actually running, but you must have one in your possession “ready to deploy” if necessary.**
Where: Archetype Brewing West at 265 Haywood Rd
When:Â Every Wednesday, rolling start from 6pm-6:30pm
What: A casual 4-mile or 2.5-mile jog through West Asheville. Route is similar to last year’s with minor modifications.
All paces are welcome! Please email [email protected] for more information or visit our Pub Run Facebook page.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.
Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey.
Two-guest minimum, Four-guest maximum
*Price is in addition to estate admission and subject to change. Must be 8 years of age or older to participate. Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
Passholders and guests of The Inn and Village Hotel receive a 10% discount.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.
Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.
Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.
Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:
Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)

