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.

Friday, August 6, 2021
WNC Farmers Market Open Daily
Aug 6 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Farmers Market

NCDA&CS - Marketing Division - Western North Carolina Farmers Market

With the convenience of being open year-round, 7 days a week, the WNC Farmers Market offers a selection of farm-fresh produce at the lowest prices in Western N.C. Our popular retail buildings, providing a selection of non-perishables, fruits, vegetables, crafts and more, are open daily.

Mount Mitchell Craft Fair
Aug 6 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Burnsville’s Town Square

IMG_3771 cherry with turqouise and coppe 2016 cf 379.JPG

Everybody is ready to hit the road and take part in something they missed out on last year, and we’re excited to have them come to Burnsville,” says Christy Jones, who was named executive director of the Burnsville-Yancey Chamber of Commerce this past October. “Considering the struggles we’ve all endured, we hope this year’s Crafts Fair will be one of the best ever.”

The Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair has an established reputation in the crafts world as a juried event that avoids mass-produced and resale items. Jones, who oversaw a large arts and crafts fair in Kansas, plans to build on the fair’s reputation by involving more top-notch artists from the surrounding Toe River Valley.

To accomplish that, Jones and her team developed incentives to entice area artists and crafters to participate in 2021.

“Yancey County has a wealth of talent, and we want them to be a big part of the fair,” Jones says. “Local artists and crafters who set up at the fair also become ambassadors for the arts scene in Burnsville and Yancey County. We see this initiative as important for the entire area.”

The juried entry process ensures a variety of crafts, from ceramics and wood carvings to jewelry, blown and sculpted glass, metalwork, textiles and woven baskets.

Favorite traditions, such as bluegrass music and clogging underneath the shade trees on the Town Square, will continue. Food trucks will complement the offerings from downtown eateries

Brunch B’yahad Virtual
Aug 6 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Online w/ Asheville Jewish Community Center

Brunch B’Yahad is now available through Zoom meeting here.   

Join new and old friends for light brunch, socialization and lively discussion.  Featured guest speakers, and relevant cultural and timely topics will fill our minds.

Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience
Aug 6 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and a specialty boxed lunch. During the month of October. 9am and 2pm departures. 9am will feature the option of a delicious Sausage & Bacon Quiche or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole. The 2pm departure will be serving the popular BBQ meal.

Diesel $109.00 ($114.00 October) Not Permitted
Steam $119.00 ($126.00 October) Not Permitted
Locomotive Adult (21+ Only) Under 21

How to Purchase

You can purchase your tickets online or call our reservations department at (800) 872-4681. Or, you can purchase your tickets the day of in the Bryson City Depot. No matter how you purchase tickets, they’ll be waiting at will call.

East Asheville Tailgate Market
Aug 6 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
East Asheville Tailgate Market
Riyen Roots Concert
Aug 6 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Continuum Art

Riyen Roots is an American blues, soul and roots artist residing in the music-rich mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. He is currently among the busiest performing acts in the Southeast, having played 150+ annual shows for the past fifteen years. Come see him at Continuum on August 6th at 5pm. $5 cover, we’re supplying free beer from Ocklawaha Brewing and you’re welcome to BYOB (under 16% alcohol content)!

The Get Right Band Live in the Meadow
Aug 6 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Highland Brewing Company
Everybody Free Dance Party
Aug 6 @ 10:00 pm – Aug 7 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy

DJ Dance Party with Meseret & Zati 🎧 Every Friday Nigh it’s you, it’s dark house and the dance floor. NO COVER 21+

BIG SOMETHING STRIKES BRASS WITH UNIHORN
Aug 6 @ 10:30 pm
Salvage Station

Big Something Strikes Brass

Fusing elements of rock, funk, and improvisation, Big Something takes listeners on a
journey through a myriad of musical styles. It’s no secret why this group has quickly
become one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the Southeast. Huge rhythms
paired with soaring guitars, E.W.I (electronic wind instrument), synths, horns and
alluring vocal hooks rise to the top of their infectious collection of songs and represent a
sound that has landed the band marquee appearances at Bonnaroo, Peach Music
Festival, Lock’n, Summer Camp and Electric Forest as well as critical acclaim from the
likes of Billboard, Guitar World, Glide Magazine and Jambase.
With 6 full-length studio albums produced by Grammy-nominee John Custer, and even
their own Summer music festival: The Big What?, the band has carved out their own
niche in the live music community and continues to grow nationally with sold out
headlining performances throughout the United States.

Saturday, August 7, 2021
Henderson County Tailgate Market
Aug 7 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
100 N King St

This is the 42nd year for this weekly tailgate market, where vendors sell fresh-picked seasonal vegetables, blueberries, fruit, local honey, cut flowers, plant starts and more.

Hendersonville Farmers Market
Aug 7 @ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Hendersonville Farmers Market

The market will take place every Saturday from May 8-Oct 30, 8am-1pm at the Historic Train Depot on Maple Street in downtown Hendersonville.
Shoppers can expect at least 30 vendors, live music and kids activities every Saturday. We are a producer-only market, so all vendors are offering homegrown or handmade products!
We’ll be offering Double SNAP again this year, so come double up on your SNAP/EBT dollars (thanks to Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project)!
All vendors accept cash. A few vendors accept card. If you don’t have cash, come to the Information Booth to pay with a card for tokens. All vendors will accept tokens.
For more information about the market, or to become a sponsor, volunteer or vendor, visit downtownhendersonville.org or contact the market manager at [email protected].
Hendersonville Farmers Market is sponsored by:
Hendersonville Community Coop
Carolina Farm Credit
Duke Energy
Charlotte Sheppard, REALTOR, Keller Williams Mountain Partners
GiveSmart
One Health Direct Primary Care
Underground Baking Co
Mills River Farmers’ Market
Aug 7 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mills River Elementary School

This weekly market is a producer-only market, selling only products raised or produced within 50 miles. Special events include live music, educational stations, a demonstration station and a Kid’s Zone. Vendors will be selling items including vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, high-quality crafts and more. Open 8am-12pm each Saturday through Oct 30 at Mills River Elementary School. This is a SNAP/EBT Retailer with Double Dollars Program.

North Asheville Tailgate Market
Aug 7 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
North Asheville Tailgate Market

Shoppers at the market

Since 1980, we have been providing Asheville and the surrounding area with a full range of local, sustainably produced produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, breads, plants, prepared foods and crafts. Day vendors complement the members’ offerings with additional products and services.

The North Asheville Tailgate Market is a weekly, Saturday morning gathering of the best farmers, craftsmen, and bakers. With over 40 vendors and more than 40,000 annual customers, the market’s energetic and warm environment exemplifies the celebrated diversity of our community.

WNC Farmers Market Open Daily
Aug 7 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Farmers Market

NCDA&CS - Marketing Division - Western North Carolina Farmers Market

With the convenience of being open year-round, 7 days a week, the WNC Farmers Market offers a selection of farm-fresh produce at the lowest prices in Western N.C. Our popular retail buildings, providing a selection of non-perishables, fruits, vegetables, crafts and more, are open daily.

2021 ASAP Farmers Market season
Aug 7 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
ASAP Farmers Market

Listing

About ASAP Farmers Market

The ASAP Farmers Market and the ASAP Winter Farmers Market are designed to protect shoppers and vendors by maintaining social distances and mitigating potential virus transmission points during the COVID-19 pandemic. The market is located on the downtown campus of A-B Tech in the parking lot beside the Bailey Student Services Building (340 Victoria Rd.). Enter via Student Circle and follow market staff directions to park or queue inside your vehicle. Handicapped parking is available and there is a bus stop on the S4 route adjacent. The ASAP Farmers Market and Winter Market offer Double SNAP.

The ASAP Farmers Market is open Saturdays, the first week in April through the third week in December, 9am – noon.

COVID-19 SAFTEY PROCEDURES
Please be safe and follow our Covid-19 market procedures.

  • No customers or vendors exhibiting symptoms may enter the market.
  • Maintain 6 feet of social distance at all times.
  • One customer at a time for each vendor table.
  • Only handle product you are purchasing. Vendors will pre-package or bunch products.
  • All vendors and shoppers are required to wear masks. Customers who are not able to wear a mask may arrange to pre-order from vendors. Market staff will direct you to a separate parking area and deliver prepaid items to the car.
  • Children, if they must attend with adult shoppers, must be closely supervised.
  • Please leave your pets at home.

HOW DO YOU PAY? Vendors accept touch-free credit or debit payments as well as SNAP. Some take exact cash (no change given) or check. SNAP tokens may be purchased at the market table. The market offers Double SNAP (i.e., if you purchase $20 in SNAP tokens, you will receive $40 to spend). Learn more about our Double SNAP program here. Contact vendors directly at the links below to find out if they offer preorders.

Black Mountain Tailgate Market
Aug 7 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Black Mountain Tailgate Market

Pearl St 2017 2.jpg

Our market is a seasonal Saturday morning community event featuring organic and sustainably grown produce, plants, cut flowers, herbs, locally raised meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheeses, eggs and local arts and handcrafted items. A family event every Saturday from May through November.

Grab Brunch at River’s End
Aug 7 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
River’s End Restaurant

River's End Restaurant exterior

River’s End Restaurant is an iconic spot for locals and visitors to Bryson City. Enjoy spectacular views of the gorge, with paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Stop in for year-round lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch during the summer season, and choose from a wide range of appetizing entrees, burgers, salads, pizza, and sandwiches. Hang out for a while and enjoy a large selection of signature cocktails, wine, and beer, including local favorites.

In River’s End Restaurant, every seat has a view of the river! Enjoy music by the river and views of paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Join our waitlist online to reserve a table or order online and grab your meal to go, for a sunny lunch right by the river!

Mount Mitchell Craft Fair
Aug 7 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Burnsville’s Town Square

IMG_3771 cherry with turqouise and coppe 2016 cf 379.JPG

Everybody is ready to hit the road and take part in something they missed out on last year, and we’re excited to have them come to Burnsville,” says Christy Jones, who was named executive director of the Burnsville-Yancey Chamber of Commerce this past October. “Considering the struggles we’ve all endured, we hope this year’s Crafts Fair will be one of the best ever.”

The Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair has an established reputation in the crafts world as a juried event that avoids mass-produced and resale items. Jones, who oversaw a large arts and crafts fair in Kansas, plans to build on the fair’s reputation by involving more top-notch artists from the surrounding Toe River Valley.

To accomplish that, Jones and her team developed incentives to entice area artists and crafters to participate in 2021.

“Yancey County has a wealth of talent, and we want them to be a big part of the fair,” Jones says. “Local artists and crafters who set up at the fair also become ambassadors for the arts scene in Burnsville and Yancey County. We see this initiative as important for the entire area.”

The juried entry process ensures a variety of crafts, from ceramics and wood carvings to jewelry, blown and sculpted glass, metalwork, textiles and woven baskets.

Favorite traditions, such as bluegrass music and clogging underneath the shade trees on the Town Square, will continue. Food trucks will complement the offerings from downtown eateries

Bold Souls Morning Yoga
Aug 7 @ 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Bold Rock Hard Cider (Mills River, NC)

Bring your yoga mats to Bold Rock for a mindful way to begin your Saturday! Get your “ohm” on with a local trainer and yoga instructor as they lead a fun and playful yoga session. This class is open to all levels of yoga experience for a $5 suggested donation!
After yoga, feel free to have a cider or some delicious lunch from the food truck.
Mars Hill Farmers + Artisans Market
Aug 7 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Mars Hill Farmers + Artisans Market

We are a producer only tailgate market located on the campus of Mars Hill University. We are located on College Street. The market will be held every Saturday morning from 10am-1pm, from April to October.

We offer fresh local produce, herbs, garden and landscape plants, cut flowers, cheeses, meats, eggs, baked goods, jams, honey, soaps, tinctures, crafts & more!  We can now accept Credit & Debit Cards, as well as EBT/SNAP Benefits. We have also been approved to participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program in 2021! Throughout the season we plan to have local musicians and cooking & craft demonstrations.  Sign up for our e-newsletter to get the latest weekly updates!

The market is now accepting new vendors!  To apply, check out “Become a Vendor” page and fill out an application.

Please excuse the construction here as we revamp our website.

We look forward to seeing you at the market!

Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience
Aug 7 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and a specialty boxed lunch. During the month of October. 9am and 2pm departures. 9am will feature the option of a delicious Sausage & Bacon Quiche or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole. The 2pm departure will be serving the popular BBQ meal.

Diesel $109.00 ($114.00 October) Not Permitted
Steam $119.00 ($126.00 October) Not Permitted
Locomotive Adult (21+ Only) Under 21

How to Purchase

You can purchase your tickets online or call our reservations department at (800) 872-4681. Or, you can purchase your tickets the day of in the Bryson City Depot. No matter how you purchase tickets, they’ll be waiting at will call.

$5 Mimosas
Aug 7 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Down Dog

$5 Mimosas

$5 Mimosas every Saturday & Sunday

Continuum Art Gallery and Venue: GRAND OPENING
Aug 7 @ 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
CONTINUUM ART NC

Continuum Art gallery and venue’s grand opening is going down August 7th, 2021! Featuring a free to the public art market from 12-5pm, and live music all day! This event will set the stage for all that’s to come at Continuum Art. Stop by and meet some local artists and makers, enjoy dance performances from two local troupes, and take in the sounds of local acoustic, rock and blues musicians. FREE event and we’re supplying free beer from Ocklawaha Brewing and you’re welcome to BYOB (under 16% alcohol content)!

Hip Hop Night: Vinyl Timetravelers
Aug 7 @ 10:00 pm – 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy

Hip Hop Turntablism party with DJs Kutzu & Chubby Knuckles & the Vinyl Time Travelers first Saturday of the month.
Every First Saturday 10pm to 2am
All events 21+
BIG SOMETHING WITH THE MANTRAS
Aug 7 @ 10:30 pm
Salvage Station

Big Something

Fusing elements of rock, funk, and improvisation, Big Something takes listeners on a
journey through a myriad of musical styles. It’s no secret why this group has quickly
become one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the Southeast. Huge rhythms
paired with soaring guitars, E.W.I (electronic wind instrument), synths, horns and
alluring vocal hooks rise to the top of their infectious collection of songs and represent a
sound that has landed the band marquee appearances at Bonnaroo, Peach Music
Festival, Lock’n, Summer Camp and Electric Forest as well as critical acclaim from the
likes of Billboard, Guitar World, Glide Magazine and Jambase.
With 6 full-length studio albums produced by Grammy-nominee John Custer, and even
their own Summer music festival: The Big What?, the band has carved out their own
niche in the live music community and continues to grow nationally with sold out
headlining performances throughout the United States.

Sunday, August 8, 2021
Hendersonville Farmers Market
Aug 8 @ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Hendersonville Farmers Market

The market will take place every Saturday from May 8-Oct 30, 8am-1pm at the Historic Train Depot on Maple Street in downtown Hendersonville.
Shoppers can expect at least 30 vendors, live music and kids activities every Saturday. We are a producer-only market, so all vendors are offering homegrown or handmade products!
We’ll be offering Double SNAP again this year, so come double up on your SNAP/EBT dollars (thanks to Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project)!
All vendors accept cash. A few vendors accept card. If you don’t have cash, come to the Information Booth to pay with a card for tokens. All vendors will accept tokens.
For more information about the market, or to become a sponsor, volunteer or vendor, visit downtownhendersonville.org or contact the market manager at [email protected].
Hendersonville Farmers Market is sponsored by:
Hendersonville Community Coop
Carolina Farm Credit
Duke Energy
Charlotte Sheppard, REALTOR, Keller Williams Mountain Partners
GiveSmart
One Health Direct Primary Care
Underground Baking Co
WNC Farmers Market Open Daily
Aug 8 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Farmers Market

NCDA&CS - Marketing Division - Western North Carolina Farmers Market

With the convenience of being open year-round, 7 days a week, the WNC Farmers Market offers a selection of farm-fresh produce at the lowest prices in Western N.C. Our popular retail buildings, providing a selection of non-perishables, fruits, vegetables, crafts and more, are open daily.

Grab Brunch at River’s End
Aug 8 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
River’s End Restaurant

River's End Restaurant exterior

River’s End Restaurant is an iconic spot for locals and visitors to Bryson City. Enjoy spectacular views of the gorge, with paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Stop in for year-round lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch during the summer season, and choose from a wide range of appetizing entrees, burgers, salads, pizza, and sandwiches. Hang out for a while and enjoy a large selection of signature cocktails, wine, and beer, including local favorites.

In River’s End Restaurant, every seat has a view of the river! Enjoy music by the river and views of paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Join our waitlist online to reserve a table or order online and grab your meal to go, for a sunny lunch right by the river!

$5 Mimosas
Aug 8 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Down Dog

$5 Mimosas

$5 Mimosas every Saturday & Sunday

Bluegrass Brunch
Aug 8 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

Jack’s Bluegrass Brunch is every Sunday! Our menu kicks off at 12Noon with live tunes by Supper Break from 1-3pm. Try our $6 Bloody Mary or Mimosa, or grab a $15 Bottles of Champagne & OJ! Try one of our tasty brunch specials or order from our artisanal sandwich menu. Sláinte Y’all!