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.

Saturday, August 1, 2020
Grandfather Mountain
Aug 1 @ 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain


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)

Environmental Impact II Exhibit
Aug 1 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

This exhibit will reopen on Wednesday, July 1, and will be on display daily through Sunday, August 2. On display daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside the Baker Exhibit Center, Environmental Impact II features more than 50 artworks, including paintings, photography, sculptures and film, focused on generating public attention surrounding environmental issues and unintended consequences…

To help protect the safety of our guests and staff, a one-way route will be enforced inside the exhibit hall. All guests ages 11 years and older will be required to wear a face covering while inside the Baker Exhibit Center. Thank you for your cooperation! 

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 1 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m. (weather permitting), Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Garden Promenade.

ArborEvenings
Aug 1 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

The Arboretum’s popular ArborEvenings summer after hours series will return this season with a special LEGO twist. Held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July through September, from 8 to 11 …

Sunday, August 2, 2020
Notice of Public Comment Period: Hellbender Regional Trail Plan
Aug 2 all-day
Online
The French Broad River MPO has been working with local governments and community stakeholders in the region over the last year to develop a plan for a regional trail network, the Hellbender Regional trail. This plan connects the various bicycle, pedestrian, and greenway plans developed locally in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties to illustrate existing and planned trails that may someday connect to form a regional network for bicycle and pedestrian travel.
Unlike highway and roads, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the various local governments in our region so the Hellbender Regional Trail Plan does not intend to usurp local brands or mandate designs, but intends to make the various sections of planned and existing networks greater than the sum of its parts through increased coordination and partnerships. This plan focuses on regional connections, but does not deprioritize more locally-focused infrastructure. It is primarily focused on multi-use paths (paved trails, greenways, rail-to-trails, sidepaths, etc.) but may include some sections with on-street and other connections where constraints may require exceptions to a typical off-road path. This is also a long-range plan. At more than 150 miles, the full build-out of this network would reflect a nearly ten-fold increase in the miles of multi-use paths in the region- a task that will likely take a considerable amount of time at current funding levels. At this point, organizers are inviting the public to comment on the Draft Hellbender Regional Trail Plan that reflects the work of the work group and stakeholders as well as the countless hours put into developing the local plans in our region on which the Hellbender Regional Trail Plan is based.
The Draft Hellbender Regional Trail Plan is available on the MPO’s website and comments bay be sent in by Friday, August 21st via the google doc form available on the website or by emailing [email protected].
Environmental Impact II Exhibit
Aug 2 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

This exhibit will reopen on Wednesday, July 1, and will be on display daily through Sunday, August 2. On display daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside the Baker Exhibit Center, Environmental Impact II features more than 50 artworks, including paintings, photography, sculptures and film, focused on generating public attention surrounding environmental issues and unintended consequences…

To help protect the safety of our guests and staff, a one-way route will be enforced inside the exhibit hall. All guests ages 11 years and older will be required to wear a face covering while inside the Baker Exhibit Center. Thank you for your cooperation! 

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 2 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m. (weather permitting), Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Garden Promenade.

Monday, August 3, 2020
100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day
Aug 3 all-day
Online

100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day

FIND INFO AT:  https://www.lwv.org/blog/100-days-and-100-ways-get-ready-election-day?utm_source=MonthlyHighlights&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=July2020

Don’t Waste Durham: Reduce Waste Survey
Aug 3 all-day
Online
Customer Survey about Takeout “Extras”
This survey is 17 questions long and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Responses will be recorded anonymously unless contact information is provided following completion.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? Don’t Waste Durham thanks you VERY much for taking this survey. Your responses are important to understanding whether and how much people are using the takeout “extras” (plastic forks, paper napkins, etc) that restaurants give you with your takeout/delivery. THANK YOU!

Tuesday, August 4, 2020
100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day
Aug 4 all-day
Online

100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day

FIND INFO AT:  https://www.lwv.org/blog/100-days-and-100-ways-get-ready-election-day?utm_source=MonthlyHighlights&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=July2020

Don’t Waste Durham: Reduce Waste Survey
Aug 4 all-day
Online
Customer Survey about Takeout “Extras”
This survey is 17 questions long and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Responses will be recorded anonymously unless contact information is provided following completion.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? Don’t Waste Durham thanks you VERY much for taking this survey. Your responses are important to understanding whether and how much people are using the takeout “extras” (plastic forks, paper napkins, etc) that restaurants give you with your takeout/delivery. THANK YOU!

Wednesday, August 5, 2020
100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day
Aug 5 all-day
Online

100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day

FIND INFO AT:  https://www.lwv.org/blog/100-days-and-100-ways-get-ready-election-day?utm_source=MonthlyHighlights&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=July2020

Don’t Waste Durham: Reduce Waste Survey
Aug 5 all-day
Online
Customer Survey about Takeout “Extras”
This survey is 17 questions long and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Responses will be recorded anonymously unless contact information is provided following completion.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? Don’t Waste Durham thanks you VERY much for taking this survey. Your responses are important to understanding whether and how much people are using the takeout “extras” (plastic forks, paper napkins, etc) that restaurants give you with your takeout/delivery. THANK YOU!

Thursday, August 6, 2020
100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day
Aug 6 all-day
Online

100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day

FIND INFO AT:  https://www.lwv.org/blog/100-days-and-100-ways-get-ready-election-day?utm_source=MonthlyHighlights&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=July2020

Don’t Waste Durham: Reduce Waste Survey
Aug 6 all-day
Online
Customer Survey about Takeout “Extras”
This survey is 17 questions long and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Responses will be recorded anonymously unless contact information is provided following completion.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? Don’t Waste Durham thanks you VERY much for taking this survey. Your responses are important to understanding whether and how much people are using the takeout “extras” (plastic forks, paper napkins, etc) that restaurants give you with your takeout/delivery. THANK YOU!

Notice of Public Comment Period: Hellbender Regional Trail Plan
Aug 6 all-day
Online
The French Broad River MPO has been working with local governments and community stakeholders in the region over the last year to develop a plan for a regional trail network, the Hellbender Regional trail. This plan connects the various bicycle, pedestrian, and greenway plans developed locally in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties to illustrate existing and planned trails that may someday connect to form a regional network for bicycle and pedestrian travel.
Unlike highway and roads, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the various local governments in our region so the Hellbender Regional Trail Plan does not intend to usurp local brands or mandate designs, but intends to make the various sections of planned and existing networks greater than the sum of its parts through increased coordination and partnerships. This plan focuses on regional connections, but does not deprioritize more locally-focused infrastructure. It is primarily focused on multi-use paths (paved trails, greenways, rail-to-trails, sidepaths, etc.) but may include some sections with on-street and other connections where constraints may require exceptions to a typical off-road path. This is also a long-range plan. At more than 150 miles, the full build-out of this network would reflect a nearly ten-fold increase in the miles of multi-use paths in the region- a task that will likely take a considerable amount of time at current funding levels. At this point, organizers are inviting the public to comment on the Draft Hellbender Regional Trail Plan that reflects the work of the work group and stakeholders as well as the countless hours put into developing the local plans in our region on which the Hellbender Regional Trail Plan is based.
The Draft Hellbender Regional Trail Plan is available on the MPO’s website and comments bay be sent in by Friday, August 21st via the google doc form available on the website or by emailing [email protected].
ArborEvenings
Aug 6 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

The Arboretum’s popular ArborEvenings summer after hours series will return this season with a special LEGO twist. Held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July through September, from 8 to 11 …

Friday, August 7, 2020
100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day
Aug 7 all-day
Online

100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day

FIND INFO AT:  https://www.lwv.org/blog/100-days-and-100-ways-get-ready-election-day?utm_source=MonthlyHighlights&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=July2020

Don’t Waste Durham: Reduce Waste Survey
Aug 7 all-day
Online
Customer Survey about Takeout “Extras”
This survey is 17 questions long and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Responses will be recorded anonymously unless contact information is provided following completion.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? Don’t Waste Durham thanks you VERY much for taking this survey. Your responses are important to understanding whether and how much people are using the takeout “extras” (plastic forks, paper napkins, etc) that restaurants give you with your takeout/delivery. THANK YOU!

Notice of Public Comment Period: Hellbender Regional Trail Plan
Aug 7 all-day
Online
The French Broad River MPO has been working with local governments and community stakeholders in the region over the last year to develop a plan for a regional trail network, the Hellbender Regional trail. This plan connects the various bicycle, pedestrian, and greenway plans developed locally in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties to illustrate existing and planned trails that may someday connect to form a regional network for bicycle and pedestrian travel.
Unlike highway and roads, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the various local governments in our region so the Hellbender Regional Trail Plan does not intend to usurp local brands or mandate designs, but intends to make the various sections of planned and existing networks greater than the sum of its parts through increased coordination and partnerships. This plan focuses on regional connections, but does not deprioritize more locally-focused infrastructure. It is primarily focused on multi-use paths (paved trails, greenways, rail-to-trails, sidepaths, etc.) but may include some sections with on-street and other connections where constraints may require exceptions to a typical off-road path. This is also a long-range plan. At more than 150 miles, the full build-out of this network would reflect a nearly ten-fold increase in the miles of multi-use paths in the region- a task that will likely take a considerable amount of time at current funding levels. At this point, organizers are inviting the public to comment on the Draft Hellbender Regional Trail Plan that reflects the work of the work group and stakeholders as well as the countless hours put into developing the local plans in our region on which the Hellbender Regional Trail Plan is based.
The Draft Hellbender Regional Trail Plan is available on the MPO’s website and comments bay be sent in by Friday, August 21st via the google doc form available on the website or by emailing [email protected].
Grandfather Mountain
Aug 7 @ 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain


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)

ArborEvenings
Aug 7 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

The Arboretum’s popular ArborEvenings summer after hours series will return this season with a special LEGO twist. Held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July through September, from 8 to 11 …

Saturday, August 8, 2020
100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day
Aug 8 all-day
Online

100 Days and 100 Ways to Get Ready for Election Day

FIND INFO AT:  https://www.lwv.org/blog/100-days-and-100-ways-get-ready-election-day?utm_source=MonthlyHighlights&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=July2020

Don’t Waste Durham: Reduce Waste Survey
Aug 8 all-day
Online
Customer Survey about Takeout “Extras”
This survey is 17 questions long and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Responses will be recorded anonymously unless contact information is provided following completion.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? Don’t Waste Durham thanks you VERY much for taking this survey. Your responses are important to understanding whether and how much people are using the takeout “extras” (plastic forks, paper napkins, etc) that restaurants give you with your takeout/delivery. THANK YOU!

Notice of Public Comment Period: Hellbender Regional Trail Plan
Aug 8 all-day
Online
The French Broad River MPO has been working with local governments and community stakeholders in the region over the last year to develop a plan for a regional trail network, the Hellbender Regional trail. This plan connects the various bicycle, pedestrian, and greenway plans developed locally in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties to illustrate existing and planned trails that may someday connect to form a regional network for bicycle and pedestrian travel.
Unlike highway and roads, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the various local governments in our region so the Hellbender Regional Trail Plan does not intend to usurp local brands or mandate designs, but intends to make the various sections of planned and existing networks greater than the sum of its parts through increased coordination and partnerships. This plan focuses on regional connections, but does not deprioritize more locally-focused infrastructure. It is primarily focused on multi-use paths (paved trails, greenways, rail-to-trails, sidepaths, etc.) but may include some sections with on-street and other connections where constraints may require exceptions to a typical off-road path. This is also a long-range plan. At more than 150 miles, the full build-out of this network would reflect a nearly ten-fold increase in the miles of multi-use paths in the region- a task that will likely take a considerable amount of time at current funding levels. At this point, organizers are inviting the public to comment on the Draft Hellbender Regional Trail Plan that reflects the work of the work group and stakeholders as well as the countless hours put into developing the local plans in our region on which the Hellbender Regional Trail Plan is based.
The Draft Hellbender Regional Trail Plan is available on the MPO’s website and comments bay be sent in by Friday, August 21st via the google doc form available on the website or by emailing [email protected].
Grandfather Mountain
Aug 8 @ 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain


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)

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Aug 8 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m. (weather permitting), Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Garden Promenade.

 Online Costume Drama: A Fashion Show 
Aug 8 @ 7:30 pm
Online streaming

August 8, 2020 * 7:30 pm
Presented as an online streaming event

For the first time in its 9 year history, Costume Drama: A Fashion Show will be performed in YOUR living room!

Fifteen local designers have been working hard to create jaw-dropping garments from unconventional materials. So far, we’ve seen a few detail photos – keyboards and watches, tarps and cellophane, cardboard and office supplies – and we can’t wait to see the completed pieces! That will happen later this month, when we’ll be working with BClip Productions to film Costume Drama. We’ve scheduled one designer/model pair at a time and will film over several days so that we can meet safety guidelines.  

Go ahead and circle AUGUST 8 on your calendar! Tickets will go on sale for Costume Drama next week (don’t worry, we’ll send a reminder!)

Chimney Rock Park: Nature at Night: August Evening Adventure
Aug 8 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Chimney Rock Park
Advance registration required. Includes Park admission.

Ever wonder what Chimney Rock looks like after sundown? Find out during this nighttime excursion, led by an expert naturalist. You will want to bring a headlamp or flashlight, dress appropriately for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water. Space is limited to 15, and advance registration is required. Reserve your spot below.

ArborEvenings
Aug 8 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

The Arboretum’s popular ArborEvenings summer after hours series will return this season with a special LEGO twist. Held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July through September, from 8 to 11 …