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.

Thursday, December 17, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 17 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Friday, December 18, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 18 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Saturday, December 19, 2020
Smith-McDowell House Museum Open for Reserved Tours
Dec 19 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
VISIT US! To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we will reopen for timed, private, self-guided, pre-booked tours of the historic Smith-McDowell House and Western North Carolina exhibit rooms.

Tours are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis:

Wednesday – Saturday
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM

Tour reservations last for 1 hour to allow time for cleaning between groups.

All visitors, staff, and volunteers are required to wear masks while inside the building.

Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Proud Mary Theatre Presents: The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever!
Dec 23 @ 8:00 am – 11:45 pm
Online w/ Proud Mary Theatre

Life imitates art imitating life in Proud Mary Theatre Company’s first-ever holiday production, The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever!, streaming over the Christmas holiday weekend December 23-27.

Written by playwright Joe Marshall, this South Carolina (and Virtual) premiere is about a struggling gay theatre company and their efforts to produce a great holiday play with a crazy, drama-addicted team that has just a few weeks to produce…the gayest Christmas pageant ever! This holiday camp-fest is a fast-paced comedy packed with hilarious dialogue and 40 over-the-top characters meant for non-conservative adults of all ages!

Foraging Food Tour
Dec 23 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home

Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!


Pricing

  • Adult (Ages 12+): $75
  • Child (Ages 5-11): $35
  • Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Proud Mary Theatre Presents: The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever!
Dec 24 @ 8:00 am – 11:45 pm
Online w/ Proud Mary Theatre

Life imitates art imitating life in Proud Mary Theatre Company’s first-ever holiday production, The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever!, streaming over the Christmas holiday weekend December 23-27.

Written by playwright Joe Marshall, this South Carolina (and Virtual) premiere is about a struggling gay theatre company and their efforts to produce a great holiday play with a crazy, drama-addicted team that has just a few weeks to produce…the gayest Christmas pageant ever! This holiday camp-fest is a fast-paced comedy packed with hilarious dialogue and 40 over-the-top characters meant for non-conservative adults of all ages!

Friday, December 25, 2020
Proud Mary Theatre Presents: The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever!
Dec 25 @ 8:00 am – 11:45 pm
Online w/ Proud Mary Theatre

Life imitates art imitating life in Proud Mary Theatre Company’s first-ever holiday production, The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever!, streaming over the Christmas holiday weekend December 23-27.

Written by playwright Joe Marshall, this South Carolina (and Virtual) premiere is about a struggling gay theatre company and their efforts to produce a great holiday play with a crazy, drama-addicted team that has just a few weeks to produce…the gayest Christmas pageant ever! This holiday camp-fest is a fast-paced comedy packed with hilarious dialogue and 40 over-the-top characters meant for non-conservative adults of all ages!

Saturday, December 26, 2020
Proud Mary Theatre Presents: The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever!
Dec 26 @ 8:00 am – 11:45 pm
Online w/ Proud Mary Theatre

Life imitates art imitating life in Proud Mary Theatre Company’s first-ever holiday production, The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever!, streaming over the Christmas holiday weekend December 23-27.

Written by playwright Joe Marshall, this South Carolina (and Virtual) premiere is about a struggling gay theatre company and their efforts to produce a great holiday play with a crazy, drama-addicted team that has just a few weeks to produce…the gayest Christmas pageant ever! This holiday camp-fest is a fast-paced comedy packed with hilarious dialogue and 40 over-the-top characters meant for non-conservative adults of all ages!

Carl Sandburg Home Free Tour Days CANCELLED
Dec 26 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Carl Sandburg Home
  • Sandburg Home Free Tour Days and National Park Fee Free Days (when noted)
    Visitors can enjoy free tours of the Sandburg Home on 10 days in 2020. Five days are also fee free days at all national parks.
  • April 11, 2020 (first Saturday of local school spring break)
  • April 18, 2020 – First Day of National Park Week (national fee free day)
  • June 13, 2020 (Sandburgs’ wedding anniversary)
  • August 25, 2020 – National Park Service Birthday (national fee free day)
  • September 26, 2020 – National Public Lands Day (national fee free day)
  • October 17, 2020 (Park Anniversary)
  • November 11, 2020 – Veterans Day
  • December 26, 2020 (Saturday after Christmas)
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 26 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Foraging Food Tour
Dec 26 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home

Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!


Pricing

  • Adult (Ages 12+): $75
  • Child (Ages 5-11): $35
  • Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Proud Mary Theatre Presents: The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever!
Dec 27 @ 8:00 am – 11:45 pm
Online w/ Proud Mary Theatre

Life imitates art imitating life in Proud Mary Theatre Company’s first-ever holiday production, The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever!, streaming over the Christmas holiday weekend December 23-27.

Written by playwright Joe Marshall, this South Carolina (and Virtual) premiere is about a struggling gay theatre company and their efforts to produce a great holiday play with a crazy, drama-addicted team that has just a few weeks to produce…the gayest Christmas pageant ever! This holiday camp-fest is a fast-paced comedy packed with hilarious dialogue and 40 over-the-top characters meant for non-conservative adults of all ages!

Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 27 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Monday, December 28, 2020
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 28 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 29 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 30 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Foraging Food Tour
Dec 30 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home

Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!


Pricing

  • Adult (Ages 12+): $75
  • Child (Ages 5-11): $35
  • Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 31 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Friday, January 1, 2021
Modelface Comedy Presents The Totally Exhausted Women of Atlanta
Jan 1 @ 9:45 pm – 11:45 pm
LaZoom Tours

Lace Larrabee is back with another group of hilarious atlanta ladies for another weekend stand up comedy!!!
Featuring Shelby Tesio, Karen Felix, Heather Tolley-Bauer, and Karen Waygood
Sponsored by

BRÖÖ Haircare
ages+
Tickets $12, VIP $18
VIP tickets come with a bag of BRÖÖ Craft Beer Hair products worth $15!!!
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Foraging Food Tour
Jan 2 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home

Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!


Pricing

  • Adult (Ages 12+): $75
  • Child (Ages 5-11): $35
  • Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
Modelface Comedy Presents The Totally Exhausted Women of Atlanta
Jan 2 @ 9:45 pm – 11:45 pm
LaZoom Tours

Lace Larrabee is back with another group of hilarious atlanta ladies for another weekend stand up comedy!!!
Featuring Shelby Tesio, Karen Felix, Heather Tolley-Bauer, and Karen Waygood
Sponsored by

BRÖÖ Haircare
ages+
Tickets $12, VIP $18
VIP tickets come with a bag of BRÖÖ Craft Beer Hair products worth $15!!!
Thursday, January 7, 2021
2021 Asheville Fringe Festival
Jan 7 @ 8:00 am – 11:30 pm
Online w/ Asheville Fringe Arts Festival
THU JAN 21
Saturday, January 9, 2021
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Jan 9 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Foraging Food Tour
Jan 9 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home

Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!


Pricing

  • Adult (Ages 12+): $75
  • Child (Ages 5-11): $35
  • Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Jan 16 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Foraging Food Tour
Jan 16 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home

Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!


Pricing

  • Adult (Ages 12+): $75
  • Child (Ages 5-11): $35
  • Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Free Fringe: A Turkey is NOT a Rooster
Jan 20 @ 5:00 pm – 5:15 pm
Online w/ Asheville Fringe Arts Festival

A TURKEY IS NOT A ROOSTER: is a one-act play inspired by the Chinese zodiac & a parodic response to anti-Avian sentiment.

Jinna Kim was born in Masan, South Korea and immigrated to the United States as a toddler. Currently she is an award winning interdisciplinary artist who also became a filmmaker during quarantine. She was listed as Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2019. Originally trained in classical music, Jinna began her professional career in arts administration, having graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Illinois. Jinna then moved to New York City to work at the Public Theater, also known for Shakespeare in Central Park and Joe’s Pub, then at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). While in NYC, Jinna received fellowships from Korea Society and the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement. After completing her MBA at the University of Virginia, Jinna moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to work at a major bank. Still based in Charlotte, Jinna continues to act, write and produce films and interdisciplinary art projects.

The Asheville FRINGE Arts Festival 2021 ~ “Walking on Spectrum” by Juliana Heng
Jan 20 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Online w/ The Asheville FRINGE Arts Festival

Juliana Heng is the founder of I Laugh KL Comedy Show, one of the founding members of Parti Komedi Rakyat (PKR) – a comedy troupe, and has been doing stand-up comedy since September 2017. They strive to be a comedian who gets real, talking about issues considered taboo in the Asian society. Juliana has performed in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok) & England (London, Nottingham & Manchester). Recently, they emerged as the Finalist of Bangkok International Comedy Competition 2019, KING GONG at The Comedy Store – London (December 2019) & BEAT THE FROG at The Frog & Bucket Comedy Club, Manchester (January 2020).

A one-hour medley show by this Malaysian stand-up comedian, storyteller and poet explores the different ways to tell one’s life story. Even with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), why not live life with spunk?

NOTE: Matured content, mild sexual innuendos, emotionally triggering, graphical depiction of domestic violence & can be too real

Emo Philips with guest Ryan Cox CANCELLED
Jan 20 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

We regret to inform you that due to circumstances out of our control, this show has been cancelled. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase. Please allow 2 – 4 weeks for refunds to fully process.

Described by Jay Leno as “the best joke writer in America,” by British comedian Gary Delaney as the best joke writer in the world, and by “Weird Al” Yankovic as one of the funniest people on the planet, Emo Philips has performed over 7000 times throughout the English-speaking world, including a multi-week run at the Playhouse Theater in London’s West End. Since starting out in Chicago in 1976 at the age of twenty, Emo has had award-winning comedy albums, several cable specials (including an hour-long one on HBO), and many appearances on network television, both in America and in the UK. He has appeared in films (most notably, as the table-saw demonstrator in UHF) and has lent his distinctive voice to animated TV shows (such as Slacker Cats, Doctor Katz, Adventure Time, and Home Movies), but his first love, stand-up, remains his true one.

Thursday, January 21, 2021
Free Fringe: A Turkey is NOT a Rooster
Jan 21 @ 5:00 pm – 5:15 pm
Online w/ Asheville Fringe Arts Festival

A TURKEY IS NOT A ROOSTER: is a one-act play inspired by the Chinese zodiac & a parodic response to anti-Avian sentiment.

Jinna Kim was born in Masan, South Korea and immigrated to the United States as a toddler. Currently she is an award winning interdisciplinary artist who also became a filmmaker during quarantine. She was listed as Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2019. Originally trained in classical music, Jinna began her professional career in arts administration, having graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Illinois. Jinna then moved to New York City to work at the Public Theater, also known for Shakespeare in Central Park and Joe’s Pub, then at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). While in NYC, Jinna received fellowships from Korea Society and the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement. After completing her MBA at the University of Virginia, Jinna moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to work at a major bank. Still based in Charlotte, Jinna continues to act, write and produce films and interdisciplinary art projects.