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, September 23, 2021
LEAF Announces Fall LINE UP Global Citizen
Sep 23 all-day
online
Chow Chow Culinary Festival: RECIPES FROM RABBIT’S MOTEL
Sep 23 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

Opened in 1948 by Fred “Rabbit” Simpson, Rabbit’s Motel was a crown jewel of Black-owned
Tourist Courts for African-American travelers in the segregation-era South, and provided
lodging and soul-food dining for many Black travelers. Rabbit’s Motel sat in the heart of
Southside, a flourishing African-American community that was one of many early-Asheville
vibrant Black communities in Asheville. SoundSpace@Rabbit’s, opened in 2020, will create a
creative arts hub in Asheville including music rehearsal studio space, soul food kitchen and
artist studios, and will promote historic pride while embracing a model of diversity in the most
authentic way possible, through music, art, community, and food. Join us for a lively event
featuring music, drinks and bites inspired by the original Rabbit’s Motel and Cafe

Friday, September 24, 2021
Artist Support Grant
Sep 24 all-day
online

Artist Support Grant

Now accepting applications for the Artist Support Grant (formerly Regional Artist Support Grant). Artist Support Grants will be distributed to eligible applicants by Haywood County Arts Council in the following counties: Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania. Grants will range in awards from $500 to $2,000. The deadline is September 30.

Artist Support Grants Now Available
Sep 24 all-day
online

Emerging and established artists in NC can apply for $500-2,000 in aid

The North Carolina Arts Council understands the important role artists contribute to the vitality, unity and resiliency of our communities. NCAC has established the North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant (ASG) as a regional grant program to support individual artists during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The program funds professional and artistic development for emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences.

Funds are granted through 18 regional partners across the state, to ensure a more equitable disbursement of funds to artists in rural and urban areas across the state. Buncombe County is part of Region 17, which includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties.

Last year, Region 17 received 126 applications and awarded 32 awards totaling $30,088– supporting artists from a variety of different mediums.

This year, applicants have the opportunity to apply for up to $2,000– double what was offered last year. Applicants will also apply directly through the NCAC website to help simplify the application process. Instructions and a virtual application workshop video are available on the AAAC website.

The deadline to apply is September 30.

Center for Craft Craft Research Fund
Sep 24 all-day
online

Center for Craft Craft Research Fund

Apply for the 2022 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship, Exhibition Grant, or Project Grant with the Center for Craft. Applications are due October 4, 2021

Guest Appreciation Festival Nantahala Outdoor Center
Sep 24 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

guests standing outside looking at canoe

Guest Appreciation Festival is our annual celebrating bringing together guests, visitors, paddlers, and staff for a weekend festival of incredible sales, whitewater, outdoor fun, and gratitude!

Snag the best in outdoor gear and apparel at stunningly low prices from our new and used gear sale with names including The North Face, Chaco, Dagger Kayaks, KEEN and more. Boaters can take advantage of free shuttles for the Cascades and Upper Nantahala recreational releases. Shop crafts and handmade goods from regional and local vendors. Join in on the fun with our family-friendly riverside games and activities including giant Jenga, face painting, and more! Dance the night away to live music on the banks of the Nantahala River. Enjoy a weekend of fun and community in the Nantahala Gorge!

LEAF Announces Fall LINE UP Global Citizen
Sep 24 all-day
online
12th annual Dirty Dancing Festival 2021 Kick-Off Party
Sep 24 @ 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Lake Lure

Picture

Experience The Time of Your Life at the 12th annual Dirty Dancing Festival in Lake Lure, NC!

Whether you have been coming for years, or always wanted to see what the hype is all about, we have a chance for you to WIN a weekend getaway to the namesake film’s backdrop where It’s all Crazy for Swayze.

Join us for singalongs, watermelon carrying, Lift Scenes, lots and lots of dancing, and much more on September 24-25, 2021. Proceeds benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and festival organizers, The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge.

Show-stopping Dance Performances

Live Music  by The Soul Psychedelique Orchestra

The return of Hot Lake Lure Nights dance lessons
hosted by Coach Natalie Foreverland

A Message from PanCAN

Nighttime Lakeside Screening of Dirty Dancing

Picture

Saturday, September 25, 2021
Artist Support Grant
Sep 25 all-day
online

Artist Support Grant

Now accepting applications for the Artist Support Grant (formerly Regional Artist Support Grant). Artist Support Grants will be distributed to eligible applicants by Haywood County Arts Council in the following counties: Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania. Grants will range in awards from $500 to $2,000. The deadline is September 30.

Artist Support Grants Now Available
Sep 25 all-day
online

Emerging and established artists in NC can apply for $500-2,000 in aid

The North Carolina Arts Council understands the important role artists contribute to the vitality, unity and resiliency of our communities. NCAC has established the North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant (ASG) as a regional grant program to support individual artists during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The program funds professional and artistic development for emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences.

Funds are granted through 18 regional partners across the state, to ensure a more equitable disbursement of funds to artists in rural and urban areas across the state. Buncombe County is part of Region 17, which includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties.

Last year, Region 17 received 126 applications and awarded 32 awards totaling $30,088– supporting artists from a variety of different mediums.

This year, applicants have the opportunity to apply for up to $2,000– double what was offered last year. Applicants will also apply directly through the NCAC website to help simplify the application process. Instructions and a virtual application workshop video are available on the AAAC website.

The deadline to apply is September 30.

Center for Craft Craft Research Fund
Sep 25 all-day
online

Center for Craft Craft Research Fund

Apply for the 2022 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship, Exhibition Grant, or Project Grant with the Center for Craft. Applications are due October 4, 2021

Guest Appreciation Festival Nantahala Outdoor Center
Sep 25 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

guests standing outside looking at canoe

Guest Appreciation Festival is our annual celebrating bringing together guests, visitors, paddlers, and staff for a weekend festival of incredible sales, whitewater, outdoor fun, and gratitude!

Snag the best in outdoor gear and apparel at stunningly low prices from our new and used gear sale with names including The North Face, Chaco, Dagger Kayaks, KEEN and more. Boaters can take advantage of free shuttles for the Cascades and Upper Nantahala recreational releases. Shop crafts and handmade goods from regional and local vendors. Join in on the fun with our family-friendly riverside games and activities including giant Jenga, face painting, and more! Dance the night away to live music on the banks of the Nantahala River. Enjoy a weekend of fun and community in the Nantahala Gorge!

LEAF Announces Fall LINE UP Global Citizen
Sep 25 all-day
online
12th annual Dirty Dancing Festival 2021
Sep 25 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Lake Lure

Experience The Time of Your Life at the 12th annual Dirty Dancing Festival in Lake Lure, NC!

Whether you have been coming for years, or always wanted to see what the hype is all about, we have a chance for you to WIN a weekend getaway to the namesake film’s backdrop where It’s all Crazy for Swayze.

Join us for singalongs, watermelon carrying, Lift Scenes, lots and lots of dancing, and much more on September 24-25, 2021. Proceeds benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and festival organizers, The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge.

Picture

Picture

Professional Dance Lessons to the Original
Movie Soundtrack

Film-Inspired Dance Performances by the Asheville Ballet

Top-notch  Live Music by  DJ Michael Sprouse,  Envision, and ACE Party Band.

Watermelon Races for PanCAN

Selfie  Portraits with scenes from Dirty Dancing filmed here in Lake Lure

A Car Show featuring the 1957 Chevy Bel Air “Swayze” look-alike car

A variety of Movie-inspired Games

The Lake Lift Competition

And much more!

 

Mountain Heritage Day
Sep 25 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
WCU's Intramural Field

dancing in front of stage

Enjoy one of the top 20 events in the Southeast with live entertainment, 130+ food and craft vendors, tons of family-friendly activities, interactive kids area, along with performances and demonstrations celebrating the Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Mountain Heritage Day is diligently working to create a safe environment for everyone, whereby booths and seating are spaced for physical distancing.

Chow Chow Culinary Festival: BURTON STREET GARDEN GATHERING
Sep 25 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
PEACE GARDENS & MARKET

The past, present, and future of African-Americans in Asheville is a story of resilience. Join
DeWayne Barton and Hood Huggers International for a Garden Gathering in the Peace Gardens
& Market in West Asheville. Hood Huggers builds greater communication, connection and
wealth in systematically marginalized neighborhoods in the Affrilachian region through
the arts, environment, and social enterprise. The Peace Gardens & Market–a labor of love in
the heart of the Burton Street Community–is a sanctuary for positive action, designed to
create neighborhood food security, community cohesion, and a vibrant, sustainable local
economy. The Gardens are also a vibrant sculpture park, featuring installations created by
DeWayne Barton and other artists, telling a compelling story of social and environmental
justice and black history. The Gardens will be activated with food, drink, art, music, poetry and
performance

Sunday, September 26, 2021
Artist Support Grant
Sep 26 all-day
online

Artist Support Grant

Now accepting applications for the Artist Support Grant (formerly Regional Artist Support Grant). Artist Support Grants will be distributed to eligible applicants by Haywood County Arts Council in the following counties: Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania. Grants will range in awards from $500 to $2,000. The deadline is September 30.

Artist Support Grants Now Available
Sep 26 all-day
online

Emerging and established artists in NC can apply for $500-2,000 in aid

The North Carolina Arts Council understands the important role artists contribute to the vitality, unity and resiliency of our communities. NCAC has established the North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant (ASG) as a regional grant program to support individual artists during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The program funds professional and artistic development for emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences.

Funds are granted through 18 regional partners across the state, to ensure a more equitable disbursement of funds to artists in rural and urban areas across the state. Buncombe County is part of Region 17, which includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties.

Last year, Region 17 received 126 applications and awarded 32 awards totaling $30,088– supporting artists from a variety of different mediums.

This year, applicants have the opportunity to apply for up to $2,000– double what was offered last year. Applicants will also apply directly through the NCAC website to help simplify the application process. Instructions and a virtual application workshop video are available on the AAAC website.

The deadline to apply is September 30.

Center for Craft Craft Research Fund
Sep 26 all-day
online

Center for Craft Craft Research Fund

Apply for the 2022 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship, Exhibition Grant, or Project Grant with the Center for Craft. Applications are due October 4, 2021

Guest Appreciation Festival Nantahala Outdoor Center
Sep 26 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

guests standing outside looking at canoe

Guest Appreciation Festival is our annual celebrating bringing together guests, visitors, paddlers, and staff for a weekend festival of incredible sales, whitewater, outdoor fun, and gratitude!

Snag the best in outdoor gear and apparel at stunningly low prices from our new and used gear sale with names including The North Face, Chaco, Dagger Kayaks, KEEN and more. Boaters can take advantage of free shuttles for the Cascades and Upper Nantahala recreational releases. Shop crafts and handmade goods from regional and local vendors. Join in on the fun with our family-friendly riverside games and activities including giant Jenga, face painting, and more! Dance the night away to live music on the banks of the Nantahala River. Enjoy a weekend of fun and community in the Nantahala Gorge!

LEAF Announces Fall LINE UP Global Citizen
Sep 26 all-day
online
The Gathering Festival At Paint Rock Farm
Sep 26 all-day
Paint Rock Farm
Chow Chow Culinary Festival: FOOD STORIES
Sep 26 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
FUNKATORIUM

Food is universal and central to all our lives. Chow Chow brings together diverse community
leaders who will be paired with chefs to tell their stories through food. Each lived experience
will inspire a multi-course, paired beverage tasting dinner, interpreting the personal stories
through food. The Chefs & Narrators will share with us their stories, and the process for
transforming a life story into a meal

Monday, September 27, 2021
Artist Support Grant
Sep 27 all-day
online

Artist Support Grant

Now accepting applications for the Artist Support Grant (formerly Regional Artist Support Grant). Artist Support Grants will be distributed to eligible applicants by Haywood County Arts Council in the following counties: Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania. Grants will range in awards from $500 to $2,000. The deadline is September 30.

Artist Support Grants Now Available
Sep 27 all-day
online

Emerging and established artists in NC can apply for $500-2,000 in aid

The North Carolina Arts Council understands the important role artists contribute to the vitality, unity and resiliency of our communities. NCAC has established the North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant (ASG) as a regional grant program to support individual artists during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The program funds professional and artistic development for emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences.

Funds are granted through 18 regional partners across the state, to ensure a more equitable disbursement of funds to artists in rural and urban areas across the state. Buncombe County is part of Region 17, which includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties.

Last year, Region 17 received 126 applications and awarded 32 awards totaling $30,088– supporting artists from a variety of different mediums.

This year, applicants have the opportunity to apply for up to $2,000– double what was offered last year. Applicants will also apply directly through the NCAC website to help simplify the application process. Instructions and a virtual application workshop video are available on the AAAC website.

The deadline to apply is September 30.

Center for Craft Craft Research Fund
Sep 27 all-day
online

Center for Craft Craft Research Fund

Apply for the 2022 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship, Exhibition Grant, or Project Grant with the Center for Craft. Applications are due October 4, 2021

LEAF Announces Fall LINE UP Global Citizen
Sep 27 all-day
online
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Artist Support Grant
Sep 28 all-day
online

Artist Support Grant

Now accepting applications for the Artist Support Grant (formerly Regional Artist Support Grant). Artist Support Grants will be distributed to eligible applicants by Haywood County Arts Council in the following counties: Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania. Grants will range in awards from $500 to $2,000. The deadline is September 30.

Artist Support Grants Now Available
Sep 28 all-day
online

Emerging and established artists in NC can apply for $500-2,000 in aid

The North Carolina Arts Council understands the important role artists contribute to the vitality, unity and resiliency of our communities. NCAC has established the North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant (ASG) as a regional grant program to support individual artists during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The program funds professional and artistic development for emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences.

Funds are granted through 18 regional partners across the state, to ensure a more equitable disbursement of funds to artists in rural and urban areas across the state. Buncombe County is part of Region 17, which includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties.

Last year, Region 17 received 126 applications and awarded 32 awards totaling $30,088– supporting artists from a variety of different mediums.

This year, applicants have the opportunity to apply for up to $2,000– double what was offered last year. Applicants will also apply directly through the NCAC website to help simplify the application process. Instructions and a virtual application workshop video are available on the AAAC website.

The deadline to apply is September 30.

Center for Craft Craft Research Fund
Sep 28 all-day
online

Center for Craft Craft Research Fund

Apply for the 2022 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship, Exhibition Grant, or Project Grant with the Center for Craft. Applications are due October 4, 2021