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, May 1, 2020
Grassroots Aid Partnership (GAP) plans to serve free, plant-based food every Friday – Sunday from 4 -7 p.m.
May 1 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Asheville

Grassroots Aid Partnership (GAP) plans to serve free, plant-based food every Friday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1022 Haywood Road.

Image may contain: 3 people, people standing and text

VIVIAN OPEN for takeout + groceries
May 1 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Vivian

Scoop: VIVIAN OPEN for takeout + groceries

VIVIAN is open for takeout and grocery offerings with curbside service. Check out their Facebook page for daily menus and updates. https://www.facebook.com/vivianasheville

Free Dead Fridays
May 1 @ 5:30 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

Join us at The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall every Friday at 5:30PM for our FREE Acoustic Grateful Dead series Featuring members of Phuncle Sam and great drink and food specials.

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Saturday, May 2, 2020
ASAP Launches Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund
May 2 all-day
ASAP Online

ASAP has launched the Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund to
strategically address the emergency needs of farms during COVID-19 disruptions. Funds will be used for public health preparedness grants to farmers markets, to subsidize essential farm product packaging, and to purchase unsold food for donation to hunger programs. Donations to the Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund can be made online at asapconnections.org or by mail or phone.

Pollinator Garden Certification Program
May 2 all-day
GreenWorks Online
Image

As the growing season ramps up and social isolation continues to define our days, gardening is the perfect way to get outside, ease your mind, and support our local ecosystem – all while maintaining appropriate social distance. Whether you’re nurturing a decade old garden or are using your quarantine time to put plants in the ground for the first time ever, our new program has the tools and certifications for all levels of expertise. Certified gardens receive an official certificate and have the option to purchase one of our Certified Pollinator Habitat signs!

 

Find more information about this program along with tons of resources about pollinators and plants that they love!

The Patchwork Producers Alliance accepting new Producers
May 2 all-day
online

A WNC Initiative to Connect Producers, Consumers, Workers, and Service Providers

The Patchwork Alliance is an online market that allows customers to order each week
from Friday-Monday, and pick up their orders on Thursdays at regional pickup sites, and also
offers home delivery to 2880* zip codes. It has over 35 Producer-Owners, and a variety of meat,
dairy, valued added, produce and more. The demand for more remote ways to access local food
has increased due to the pandemic as individuals don’t want to go to stores or farmers markets
as much and existing aggregators aren’t able to keep up (see article on Mother Earth Foods.)

Patchwork Producers’ Alliance

The Patchwork Producers Alliance is a multi-stakeholder Cooperative. Both Producers and Consumers are Owners enjoying PPA services, Equity Stakes, and Governance Roles.

The Patchwork Producers Alliance is still accepting new Producers, and would love for all types of local growers, makers, and service providers to get in touch. Their Grand Opening of Sales is on Friday, May 1st.

To find out more, go online to patchworkalliance.com.

Virtual Tour Springtime on UNCA Campus
May 2 all-day
UNCA online

With classes and jobs moving online in the wake of COVID-19, the UNC Asheville community is missing being in each other’s company, and we’re missing being on our beautiful campus in the springtime. It’s an especially lovely time of year, and while photos can’t capture the smell of flower blossoms or the warm breeze in the new leaves on the trees, we hope you’ll enjoy this photo tour of our campus in bloom.

https://stories.unca.edu/springtime-on-campus

Kickback AVL—Local Food Delivery
May 2 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Asheville Area Deliveries

KICKBACK. RELAX. WHILE WE DELIVER.

ASAP Farmers Markets: AB Tech’s Main Campus
May 2 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
AB Tech's Main Campus

ASAP Farmers Market map

Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning March 21.

The market will operate for as long as necessary, possibly expanding to other locations and days of the week as opportunity and demand allows.

Market Rules

  • 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. Products will be pre-packaged or bunched.
  • Children, if they must attend with adult shoppers, must be closely supervised.

Anyone failing to comply with these conditions will be directed to leave the market.

The Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale
May 2 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Botanical Gardens

Redbud

 

The Botanical Gardens and numerous local plant vendors will offer a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers. BGA members will get a 10% discount on BGA-grown plants that we sell at the gazebo. As always, this event will take place rain or shine. The Botanical Gardens receives no city, state or federal funds. Instead, we receive our funding exclusively through memberships, donations, gift shop sales and the spring and fall plant sales. Free admission and parking on site or nearby.

2020 Workdays at Sandhill Tree Nursery
May 2 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Buncombe County Sports Park

2020 Workdays at Sandhill Tree Nursery

From Asheville GreenWorks:

Looking to get involved, stay active, and meet some new friends? Public workdays at Sandhill Native Tree Nursery and Edible Orchard take place on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. until noon at Buncombe County Sports Park (58 Apac Circle in West Asheville/Candler). 2020 dates include:

  • Feb. 1
  • March 7
  • April 4
  • May 2
  • June 6
  • July 11 (the second Saturday due to July 4)
  • Aug. 1
  • Sept. 5
  • Oct. 3
  • Nov. 7

Join other volunteers in mulching, pruning, and weeding along with special projects. Please wear work clothes to get dirty and close-toed shoes. Sunscreen, water, and hat are also handy items to have on hand. All other tools and gear will be provided. Contact Gabby Fitts with any questions at (828) 232-7144 or [email protected].

The Sandhill tree nursey is supported with a Buncombe County Community Recreation Grant. Specific native trees are grown at the site and planted in public places throughout the county as a larger plan to plant no less than 500 trees annually. The project allows for a greater variety of fruit and shade trees to support a more diverse ecology.

Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram.

Meals for Non-Contact Pick Up or Delivery #AVLTakeout #Ashevilletakeout
May 2 @ 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Strada
Strada will be closed for dine-in service until further notice. For curbside carryout please call the restaurant at
(828) 348-8448. For delivery, please visit takeoutcentral.com
Margaret & Maxwell retail wine store is open
May 2 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Margaret & Maxwell

Scoop: Open For Business

Service Industry Heroes Complimentary Meal w/ Food Connection
May 2 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
The Asheville Masonic Temple · Asheville, North Carolina

Image may contain: possible text that says 'SERVICE INDUSTRY HEROES complimentary meal by WICKED WEED BREWING'

To our friends who’ve lost their jobs including those in the service industry and hospitality workers: Please join Food Connection for a free “to go” meal lovingly prepared by Wicked Weed Brewing’s Cultura thanks to a generous gift from an anonymous donor! We will be setting up in the parking lot against the Asheville Masonic Temple. We will be offering curbside service distributing meals from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm or until they run out.

For the safety of our beautiful community:
* If you come by car, please stay in your car at all times.
*There is 1 Entrance In By AMT and you will drive through and exit at the back of the lot.
• If you come by foot, please keep a social distance of at least 6 feet.
* Wear a mask if you have one
Thanks, y’all! We hope to see you Saturday!

Grassroots Aid Partnership (GAP) plans to serve free, plant-based food every Friday – Sunday from 4 -7 p.m.
May 2 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Asheville

Grassroots Aid Partnership (GAP) plans to serve free, plant-based food every Friday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1022 Haywood Road.

Image may contain: 3 people, people standing and text

VIVIAN OPEN for takeout + groceries
May 2 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Vivian

Scoop: VIVIAN OPEN for takeout + groceries

VIVIAN is open for takeout and grocery offerings with curbside service. Check out their Facebook page for daily menus and updates. https://www.facebook.com/vivianasheville

Fontana Trestle Train ft. BBQ & Brews
May 2 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Great Smokey Mountain Railroad

Back by popular demand our BBQ & Brews now featured on the Fontana Trestle Train, will roll out this Summer! Featuring slow-cooked BBQ prepared fresh and beer tastings showcasing our local breweries! Family friendly seating will be available on this experience!

Departing from Bryson City, these trains will travel to the Fontana Trestle and beyond remaining parallel to the Fontana Lake stopping at the perfect viewing spot just around sunset for a spectacular view! A delicious BBQ meal will be served during the trip. Returning back to the Bryson City Depot at 9pm.

In the Basket

Each of you will get your own basket of Southern-style barbeque goodness with hand-pulled pork slider, a couple pork ribs, and chicken drumstick accompanied by baked beans and house-made coleslaw.

And, of course, no respectable Southern barbeque would forget to warm up some apple cobbler for dessert.

Featured Breweries

                                

 

March 14                     May 2                      May 23(S)

              

    June 19 and 20       July 17&18(S)                                                 August 22
Sunday, May 3, 2020
ASAP Launches Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund
May 3 all-day
ASAP Online

ASAP has launched the Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund to
strategically address the emergency needs of farms during COVID-19 disruptions. Funds will be used for public health preparedness grants to farmers markets, to subsidize essential farm product packaging, and to purchase unsold food for donation to hunger programs. Donations to the Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund can be made online at asapconnections.org or by mail or phone.

Pollinator Garden Certification Program
May 3 all-day
GreenWorks Online
Image

As the growing season ramps up and social isolation continues to define our days, gardening is the perfect way to get outside, ease your mind, and support our local ecosystem – all while maintaining appropriate social distance. Whether you’re nurturing a decade old garden or are using your quarantine time to put plants in the ground for the first time ever, our new program has the tools and certifications for all levels of expertise. Certified gardens receive an official certificate and have the option to purchase one of our Certified Pollinator Habitat signs!

 

Find more information about this program along with tons of resources about pollinators and plants that they love!

Take a virtual tour of our gardens and see what’s beautiful today at The North Carolina Arboretum
May 3 all-day
The North Carolina Arboretum On Line

Visit Us Virtually

Spring has sprung and we are excited to share with you all the wonderful blooms and plants that are awakening right now. Take a virtual tour of our gardens and see what’s beautiful today at The North Carolina Arboretum.

The Patchwork Producers Alliance accepting new Producers
May 3 all-day
online

A WNC Initiative to Connect Producers, Consumers, Workers, and Service Providers

The Patchwork Alliance is an online market that allows customers to order each week
from Friday-Monday, and pick up their orders on Thursdays at regional pickup sites, and also
offers home delivery to 2880* zip codes. It has over 35 Producer-Owners, and a variety of meat,
dairy, valued added, produce and more. The demand for more remote ways to access local food
has increased due to the pandemic as individuals don’t want to go to stores or farmers markets
as much and existing aggregators aren’t able to keep up (see article on Mother Earth Foods.)

Patchwork Producers’ Alliance

The Patchwork Producers Alliance is a multi-stakeholder Cooperative. Both Producers and Consumers are Owners enjoying PPA services, Equity Stakes, and Governance Roles.

The Patchwork Producers Alliance is still accepting new Producers, and would love for all types of local growers, makers, and service providers to get in touch. Their Grand Opening of Sales is on Friday, May 1st.

To find out more, go online to patchworkalliance.com.

Virtual Tour Springtime on UNCA Campus
May 3 all-day
UNCA online

With classes and jobs moving online in the wake of COVID-19, the UNC Asheville community is missing being in each other’s company, and we’re missing being on our beautiful campus in the springtime. It’s an especially lovely time of year, and while photos can’t capture the smell of flower blossoms or the warm breeze in the new leaves on the trees, we hope you’ll enjoy this photo tour of our campus in bloom.

https://stories.unca.edu/springtime-on-campus

Bluegrass Brunch
May 3 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

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Bluegrass Brunch
hosted by Aaron Woody Wood & The Sufi Brothers

Pickin’ on the Porch w/ Chicken Coop Willaye 1030AM
Bald Mountain Boys 11AM – 12:30PM
Sufi Brothers 12:45PM – 3PM

Be sure to check out our Bloody Mary Bar, the BEST selection of pickled products and other additions in Asheville. The MOJO Kitchen will be serving a special Brunch menu until 3PM as well.

Food & music start at 10:30am
ADULT beverages at Noon.

Meals for Non-Contact Pick Up or Delivery #AVLTakeout #Ashevilletakeout
May 3 @ 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Strada
Strada will be closed for dine-in service until further notice. For curbside carryout please call the restaurant at
(828) 348-8448. For delivery, please visit takeoutcentral.com
Margaret & Maxwell retail wine store is open
May 3 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Margaret & Maxwell

Scoop: Open For Business

Grassroots Aid Partnership (GAP) plans to serve free, plant-based food every Friday – Sunday from 4 -7 p.m.
May 3 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Asheville

Grassroots Aid Partnership (GAP) plans to serve free, plant-based food every Friday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1022 Haywood Road.

Image may contain: 3 people, people standing and text

Monday, May 4, 2020
New Takeout | Delivery Website Asheville Independent Restaurants
May 4 all-day
Asheville Independent Restaurants Online

New Takeout | Delivery Website

Enjoy your favorite dishes from Asheville’s independent restaurants from the comfort of home! Check out AIR’s new website, www.foodinasheville.com for the incredible local restaurants offering take-out or delivery. This website is updated daily, so make sure to check back for what’s new. 

Thank you for supporting local, independent restaurants!

Visit New Website!
Offering meal pick-ups to those in need in our community: H&F Burger Asheville
May 4 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
H&F Burger Asheville

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 11am-2pm, we are offering meal pick-ups to those in need in our community. 200 meals will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

Image may contain: one or more people and food, possible text that says 'FOOD connection. CHEF MEA MEAL DONATIONS for Disaster Relief'

Tuesday, May 5, 2020
New Takeout | Delivery Website Asheville Independent Restaurants
May 5 all-day
Asheville Independent Restaurants Online

New Takeout | Delivery Website

Enjoy your favorite dishes from Asheville’s independent restaurants from the comfort of home! Check out AIR’s new website, www.foodinasheville.com for the incredible local restaurants offering take-out or delivery. This website is updated daily, so make sure to check back for what’s new. 

Thank you for supporting local, independent restaurants!

Visit New Website!
Mother’s Day Plant Sale/Swap
May 5 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Odditorium

Image may contain: flower

Starters, seedlings, succulents oh my! Come to The Odd for our annual Mother’s Day plant sale! We will have vendors, vegetable/fruit starters, pretty plants, and delicious food and drinks. All welcome, rain or shine