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.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Bastille Day Lawn Picnic 2021
Jul 14 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum

Live music from Albi & the Lifters, plus a performance featuring Elliott Hove!

Lawn games, food, beverages and a raffle for your relaxing evening with friends and family!

$10 for ASCI members, $15 for non-members.

You can pre-purchase entry tickets or purchase day of (while supplies last). Each ticket includes a free glass of wine (red, white or rose)

Bring a picnic blanket and chairs and enjoy the evening with Asheville Sister Cities!

Food will be available for purchase ahead of time through July 10th. It will also be available at the event (while supplies last).

A directional sign located in Saumur. Donate here to help build a similar version in Asheville. | Photo courtesy of Asheville Sister Cities

Bent Creek Beginner’s Ride
Jul 14 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Bent Creek Rice Pinnacle Parking Area

Bent Creek Beginner's  Ride

**Weather related cancellations will be posted by 3pm the day of the ride**

Wednesday evenings there will be a Beginner oriented trail ride in Bent Creek at the Rice Pinnacle parking area that leaves at 6:00PM. This ride provides a welcoming environment for anyone who might be uncomfortable on intermediate or advanced rides. IF YOU’VE NEVER RIDDEN A TRAIL, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE RIDE FOR YOU!! While we’ll use gravel roads to connect trails, our focus will be on learning to have fun and improve skills on singletrack. While this is beginner focused, it will also be a fun social ride for those with more experience. *THIS IS MOUNTAIN BIKING ON MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS*

Where we ride and what we do will be determined by who shows up, and what we want to learn and explore. Questions from “How do I change a flat tire?” to “How do I ride over a log?” are encouraged and impromptu mini-clinics at trail features might happen.

Details:

• A mountain bike is required – This is critical as bikes with skinny tires are dangerous on trails. NO SKINNY TIRE BIKES.

• Helmets are REQUIRED(!) and biking gloves and eye protection are highly recommended.

• Please bring your own water, snacks, and a spare inner tube.

• If bad weather is predicted we’ll post a cancellation by 3:00PM.

• We’ll leave the lot at 6:00PM: If you can, be there by 5:45PM.

• We’ll try to time our rides to end just before it gets too dark to ride.

• Parking is limited. Arriving early and carpooling are recommended!

• Ride is entirely at your own risk. You assume all responsibility for your own well-being. *THIS IS MOUNTAIN BIKING ON MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS*. We cannot make the trails easier, but we will tailor the pace to Beginners.

Asheville Tourists vs. Greenville Drive
Jul 14 @ 6:35 pm
McCormick Field
BMC Artist Faculty: Shostakovich Piano Quintet
Jul 14 @ 7:30 pm
Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium

BMC Artist Faculty: Shostakovich Piano Quintet

BMC’s esteemed faculty perform one of Shostakovich’s best-known chamber works, written for piano and string quartet.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Quintet
Other works TBA

Latin Night Wednesday
Jul 14 @ 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm
One World Brewing West

Latin Night Wednesday

MTN VIBEZ Presents Latin Night-every Wednesday.  Free Dance Lessons 8:30-9PM-All Skill Levels and All Latin Genres-Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, Reggaeton.

DJ Ephcto spins cultural bass music from 6:30pm-9pm and is a perfect time to come for some dinner prior to the start of Latin night.

Thursday, July 15, 2021
Nantahala River Rafting Fully Guided
Jul 15 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.

Wild Art Sculpture Showcase
Jul 15 @ 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.

Fairy Trail 2021
Jul 15 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Fairy Trail 2021

Join us on the magical Fairy Trail where your imagination is the only limit.

Developed by Fairies and dedicated volunteers, Bullington Gardens’ Fairy Trail is a whimsical treat for the young and the young at heart. Featuring playful vignettes and villages, the fairy trail will charm you with its thoughtful design, eye catching displays and secret woodland trail.

Rules of the trail:

Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.

Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.

Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.

Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.

The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.

P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.

Bullington Gardens and the Fairy Trail are closed on Sundays.

Biltmore Gardens Railway
Jul 15 @ 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.

Summer at Biltmore
Jul 15 @ 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Biltmore

See the source image

Summer at Biltmore offers an abundance of opportunities to explore our 8,000-acre Blue Ridge Mountain backyard and create the kind of memories that last a lifetime. Wander through historic gardens, along winding trails, and within the spacious halls of America’s Largest Home®. Enjoy extraordinary experiences and peace of mind in one spectacular setting: only at Biltmore.

Aston Park Tennis Center
Jul 15 @ 10:00 am – 7:30 pm
Aston Park Tennis Center
people playing on the courts at aston park tennis center

 

Asheville Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce the opening of Aston Park Tennis Center on April 1 for the 2021 season.  The tennis facility will be open seven days a week with two sessions of court availability — a morning session from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an afternoon session from 3 to 7:30 p.m. with a one-hour break for midday cleaning.

Visitors can expect some changes to typical operations to meet current state and local health guidelines including enhanced cleaning, social distancing and mandatory mask wearing except while actively engaged in tennis activity on the court.  The Pro Shop will remain closed to foot traffic, however basic tennis supplies, drinks, and racquet drop-off for restringing will be available at the window.  Court fees will also be accepted at the window by credit card only and water fountains and showers will not be available.

 

Tennis Center prices are the same as they were in 2019, with hourly rates beginning at $6 and $7 and season passes starting at $299 and $399 for City of Asheville residents.  For more information and to purchase a season pass, visit the City’s Parks & Recreation website at www.ashevillenc.gov/parks.

 

The Aston Park Tennis Center, 336 Hilliard Ave.,  is one of the finest public clay tennis court facilities in the US.  The complex is open from April through November and offers 12 lighted courts for play.

 

The City of Asheville Parks & Recreation Department is committed to providing quality facilities and programs in a safe environment for everyone in our community.  For more information about everything Asheville Parks & Recreation offers, visit the website at www.ashevillenc.gov/parks,  Facebook page at www.facebook.com/APRCA or call 828-259-5800.

Asheville Fit Tribe Group: 60 minute of strength training
Jul 15 @ 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
Carrier Park

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

Asheville Fit Tribe Group: 60 minute of strength training
Jul 15 @ 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Carrier Park

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

ArborEvenings
Jul 15 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens and experience our Wild Art outdoor sculpture showcase in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through October 1, 2021, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. ArborEvenings are not scheduled on the following Fridays: July 9, August 6, September 3 and 10.

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Please note: ArborEvenings will not be held in the event of rain. Please check the website or Facebook page by 3 p.m. for any cancellation announcements prior to attending. 

Beverage Service

Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.

Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome

Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, we are pleased to share that they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order this year! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)

Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.

ORDER AHEAD

Musician Schedule

Please note, scheduled performances are subject to change.

Know Before You Go

  • Parking fees will be collected at the gate upon arrival, and members must present valid card for free entry. Pre-registration is not required.
  • Restroom access will be available during ArborEvenings inside the Baker Visitor Center.
  • Guests are invited to explore A Life in the Wild, a breathtaking exhibition of photographs from Thomas D. Mangelsen; however, food and drink are not permitted inside the Exhibit Hall.
  • Leashed dogs are welcome at ArborEvenings, but are not permitted inside of  buildings.
  • To protect our lawn, blankets are not permitted at the event; however, guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs to set up in front of the musicians.
  • Due to existing event bookings, ArborEvenings will not take place on the following Fridays: July 9, August 6 and September 3 and 10.
Chestnut Hill Walking Tour
Jul 15 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Chestnut Hill: Hillside and North Liberty Streets
Join us for a walking tour of Chestnut Hill!  The tour will visit the homes of North Liberty and East Chestnut Streets as well as the homes slated for demolition as part of the proposed 101 Charlotte Street development.  The walk is about 1.5 miles and should take around an hour and half.
When: Thursday, 7/15 at 5:30 pm AND Saturday, 7/17 at 10:00 am
Where: Meet on the corner of Hillside and North Liberty Streets
*Give yourself time to find street parking in the area
Rhythm + Brews: Abby Bryant + The Echoes
Jul 15 @ 5:30 pm
Main Street between Allen & Caswell Streets.

 

The Rhythm & Brews concerts series brings together live music, a variety of food trucks, and locally crafted beer, wine and cider! These free concerts close part of South Main Street to make room for all the fun, as well as a children’s area with games and activities. Tickets and wristbands, for the purchase of beer, wine and hard cider, will be located at the Downtown Hendersonville tent.

The Rhythm & Brews musical line-up includes established acts as well as up-and-coming artists from around the nation playing a wide range of tunes from southern rock, soul to R&B.

The concerts begin with an opener at 5:30 pm followed by the headlining performance at 7:30 pm,on the third Thursday of each month from May – September (2021 the concerts will run July – October) on Main Street between Allen & Caswell Streets.

The Inclement Weather Policy is to delay each act by 30 minutes before moving onto the next act. If headline act is unable to perform by 8:00 pm the show will be canceled.  Follow the weather decisions on Facebook page.

Please leave your pets comfortably at home. A Hendersonville City ordinance allows event organizers to exclude animals from the event space for the health, safety and welfare of the community, dogs, patrons, and vendors and their products.

Free Yoga – The Park at Flat Rock
Jul 15 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Group of people with arms outstretched doing yoga in a park.

Hendersonville yoga studio, YAM, is offering free outdoor yoga at The Park at Flat Rock on Thursdays and Saturdays. Get outside and get moving with these fun and refreshing classes. Click to learn more about YAM’s community yoga.

Sidecar Honey
Jul 15 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
One World Brewing West

Sidecar Honey

This is gonna be one big party as Sidecar Honey brings its six-piece lineup to the One World West stage! Grab a brew and put on your dancing shoes!

Asheville Fit Tribe Group: 60 minute of strength training
Jul 15 @ 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm
Carrier Park

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

Homegrown Music at the East Asheville Library
Jul 15 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
East Asheville Library


Let’s make homegrown music together at the library! Come play, sing, learn, or just listen at these musical East Asheville Library events.

Courtyard Jam Nights

Grab your guitar, fiddle, ukulele, or any other acoustic instrument and join us at the East Asheville Library for our Courtyard Acoustic Jam nights Thursday, July 15 and Aug. 19 from 6:30-8 pm, rain or shine. All ages and abilities are welcome. No amps or electric instruments please.

 

Asheville Tourists vs. Greenville Drive
Jul 15 @ 6:35 pm
McCormick Field
Lawn Concert: Celebrating Linda Ronstadt’s 75th Birthday with Peggy and Paula
Jul 15 @ 7:00 pm
Isis Music Hall

An exciting and critically acclaimed tribute to Linda Ronstadt, Paula Hanke and Peggy Ratusz belt out her hits in perfect harmony, while adding personal stories to celebrate Linda’s 75th birthday! A Must see!

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks on the Isis Music Hall Lawn. Dinner Reservations are required

Open mic Come sing, play, and support fellow artists
Jul 15 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain
Opera’s Greatest Hits
Jul 15 @ 7:30 pm
Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium

Opera's Greatest Hits

Exquisite ensemble pieces from the world’s most beloved operas.

PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Janiec Opera Company of the Brevard Music Center

Please note: Auditorium seating is reserved.  Lawn seating is general admission.

Friday, July 16, 2021
2021 Brevard Music Center Raffle
Jul 16 all-day
Online

Official 2021 Raffle RulesAudi

PROCEEDS

This raffle is a fundraising event, and all net proceeds benefit the Brevard Music Center (BMC). Brevard Music Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN# 56-0729350

DRAWING

The drawing will take place on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 3:00pm EDT. All mail, phone, and internet orders must be received by 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, November 14, 2021.

TICKETS

The cost to purchase a single entry (“Ticket”) for the Raffle is $125 (U.S. Funds only) and is not tax deductible.

Driving Tour with Smith-McDowell House
Jul 16 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
The residents of the Smith-McDowell House and grounds were woven in to the fabric of Asheville.

This driving tour begins at the Smith-McDowell House Museum on the campus of A-B Tech and continues through historic sites related to early occupants of the house.

Into The Fog at The Grey Eagle
Jul 16 all-day
The Grey Eagle

Into the Fog makes their Grey Eagle debut on the patio stage on FRI 7/16. A limited number of reserved seating tickets are available now!
– 5:00PM DOORS / 6:00PM SHOW
– ALL AGES
– SOCIALLY DISTANCED, RESERVED SEATING
– MASKS REQUIRED

Into The Fog is a genre-jumping string band located in Raleigh, North Carolina. With its members having various backgrounds ranging from bluegrass, country, rock, to funk, Into The Fog creates a musical melting pot of sounds in an acoustic/newgrass setting. The band is made up of Brian Stephenson on Vocals and Guitar, Winston Mitchell on Vocals, Mandolin and Dobro, Derek Lane on Vocals and Bass, and Michael Malek on Banjo. The original iteration of the band was formed in Wilmington, NC late in 2017 around an opportunity to play in the band competition for the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival. That cross country trip was recorded by friend of the band and videographer Mason Godwin in his documentary Band #7:The Ride to Telluride.
After the Telluride trip, the band’s lineup restructured around the trio of Stephenson, Mitchell, and Lane. In November 2018 the band went to a cabin outside of Waynesville, NC and spent a week recording their debut album Wishin’ It Would Rain, which was released on February 22, 2019.
“The trio crafts a dynamic mix of songs and sounds, from the gypsy feel of “Caawphonation” to the running-from-Johnny-Law feel of instrumental “Cedar Island Rendezvous.”- Brian Tucker(Star News)
The trio went on to play over 175 shows in 2019 making a name for themselves by frequenting breweries and venues throughout North Carolina and Virginia. By August they were looking to round out their sound as they were transitioning to higher profile gigs, so they added Michael Malek as a full time banjo player. Since the addition of Malek, they have gained momentum through festival performances like Shakori Hills, Groove in the Garden, and The Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival, along with opening slots for acts like Jon Stickley Trio and Sam Bush Band. With their 14 track sophomore album Runnin’ Blind and Chasin’ Time due out in April of 2021 they are looking to make a statement about their sound and gear up for the next chapter of their musical journey.
“While purists might label label their sound as Newgrass, those in attendance respond to the gospel they are preaching and seem perfectly content with the foggy genre, since the sound is so clear”- Donna Davis(The Daily Reflector)

https://intothefogmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Intothefogmusic

https://www.youtube.com/intothefogmusic

Nantahala River Rafting Fully Guided
Jul 16 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.

Peace Broadway! On sale Now!
Jul 16 all-day
Peace Center

Guarantee Your Seats for All 9 Shows!

Premium Seating

Peacekeepers may purchase up to TWO Premium subscriptions per $250 donation. Box seating is available with annual gifts starting at $1,500 for upper boxes and $2,500 for lower boxes. Gifts must be renewed annually to retain season tickets in this section. Please note, due to demand, this seating area is limited.

Patron Accessibility

The Peace Center offers a variety of accessibility services including assistive listening, ASL interpreted performances (Saturday matinees), audio described performances, wheelchair accessible seating, and transfer chairs. For the best experience, please discuss your specific need with a Customer Service Representative. Some services require advance notice.

Rafting
Jul 16 all-day
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Rafting

Available April – October with the morning departure of the Nantahala Gorge Excursion departing Bryson City, NC. Train seating in Open Air Gondola. Booking available by phone only: 1-800-872-4681.

Convenient, Inclusive, and Simple!

  • Adult (13 years and older) $109
    Child (Minimum of 7 years old or 60 pounds) $92

A Fully-Guided Experience

The original Raft & Rail© since 1988: enjoy the two best adventures in the region in one day, great for families. Southern Living Magazine calls this “an ideal adventure for families, first-timers, young or old.” This full-day guided adventure starts with a Wildwater staff member greeting you at the train depot, followed by a scenic train trip, deli lunch with all the fixings, and a Nantahala River whitewater trip with a guide in every boat. Hot showers and a photo show follow immediately after your 8 mile Nantahala River trip. All transportation is included to and from the Bryson City Train Depot.

Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.