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, August 25, 2021
Latin Night Wednesday
Aug 25 @ 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.

Move On Up: Soul/R+B
Aug 25 @ 9:00 pm – Aug 26 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy

“Move On Up” is a night of your favorite and forgotten Soul/RB cuts right after Comedy Night.

Thursday, August 26, 2021
Chow Chow Culinary Festival: FERMENTING CHANGE
Aug 26 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Funkatorium

Explore the world of fermented foods with us! Fermentation is transformation. Fermentation
preserves both our food and our cultural diversity and connects us to thousands of years
of hands-on knowledge and ingenuity. The Southern Appalachian culinary and beverage
community includes many devotees of this time-honored process. Join us for a delicious
and informative dinner that showcases the many creative fermentation processes that are
practiced in our region: kimchi, beer and kombucha, cheeses, chocolates, breads, coffee, sake,
charcuterie, kefir, sour beers, hot sauces, natural wines, miso and pickled Appalachian produce.
Meg Chamberlain of Fermenti will lead an engaging discussion, and guests will enjoy the
opportunity to meet and shop with local makers, to bring some fermented goodness home!

City Dance
Aug 26 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Weekly 30 Minute Meditation for Moms
Aug 26 @ 9:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Online w/ Awakening Asheville

Hosted by Sahaja Yoga Meditation DFW
Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms.

About this Event
We are creating this Meditation space for moms 💟 that can help
🤲 create a supportive community of moms who can come together and meditate
🤲 build a meditation routine
🤲 implement self-care, and take pause in hectic lives
🤲 bring calmness and balance that can reflect on kids and household
🤲 share experiences and learn to grow in this journey together

Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms. Meditation is a simple way to de-stress, and it can help bring peace and balance, especially in these hectic times.

What we’re about

COVID-19 UPDATE: An email was sent out to Awakening Asheville advising all in-person meetups should be postponed or moved to virtual attendance only. Please contact hosts with any questions. Thank you, and be well! Courtney

We are an LGBTQ+ BIPOC safe spiritual group that enjoys the coming together of community lightworkers sharing our journeys. We offer meditations, healing energy, and many different workshops. Come join us!

Salsa Night Thursday
Aug 26 @ 9:30 pm – Aug 27 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy

Spice up your life with Latin sounds by local DJs Nex Millen & Mtn Vibez every Thursday.

Super bonus if you come early and get Dance Lessons from our knowladable instructors and get your body ready with sabor for the night. NO COVER All events 21+

Friday, August 27, 2021
5th Annual Cat Fly Film Fest
Aug 27 all-day
Multiple Venues Including The Orange Peel, The Funkatorium and the Grail Moviehouse

Experience Asheville’s premiere independent film festival! We are a non-profit, competitive festival with the mission to cultivate a spirited collective of homegrown filmmakers. We uplift up-and-coming filmmakers of Asheville and the Southeast with screenings, workshops, music performances and after parties throughout the weekend.

BYOF – Bring Your Own Film

8pm at Fleetwood’s Chapel

496 Haywood Rd
West Asheville, North Carolina

It’s like an open mic, but movies. Bring a USB drive with a film 7 minutes or less and share with the community. First come, first service. 

Open to the public and donations go to future festival screenings.

WORKSHOP #1 – INQUEERY

10am-11:30am at Asheville School of Film

45 S French Broad Ave #120, Asheville, NC 28801

INQUEERY is a creative workshop designed for LGBTQIA2S+ people to connect and reflect on their lived experiences through visualizations, creative writing and story. This offering also includes time to read an excerpt from and discuss Asheville-based feature film script Whistle Down Wind, which is currently in development.

Open to the public and 100% of donations go to the instructors.

WORKSHOP #2 – Comrades Help Comrades Make Movies

12pm-3pm at Asheville School of Film

45 S French Broad Ave #120, Asheville, NC 28801

Running an equitable, inclusive, and sustainable set on a hyper indie budget.

Private Work in Progress screening of the feature film E IS FOR with the Co-Writer/Director, Writer/Producer/Lead, DP and EP in attendance with discussion and feedback opportunities.

Pull up a seat at the table and we’ll deep dive into how we made a feature film during the time of COVID and how our intention to honor the insight and labor of our comrades shaped everything from the budget, size of the crew and much of the creative while preserving and sustaining the mental health and experience of everyone on set. We’ll outline resources, cover funding hurdles, pre-production workflow, paperwork and set ethics.

Open to the public and 100% of donations go to the instructors.

SCREENING – Opening Night

Doors at 7pm, Screening at 8pm at The Barrelhouse at the Funkatorium

147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Arrive dressed to impress in (encouraged) black tie attire to witness the “best of” in indie drama, comedy, and documentary short films.

Buy Tickets Here

AFTER DARK

Doors at 10pm at Cultivated Cocktails Tasting Room

25 Page Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Keep the party going into the night. Featuring a local DJ and exclusive Cat Fly projection installation and living gallery highlighting local and regional animated films.

Included with purchase of any screening.

Rooftop Pool Party

12pm-5pm at Aloft Air Level

51 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina 28801 USA

Present your VIP badge or ticket to any screening to hotel check-in for a key to access the pool.

Included with purchase of any screening.

WORKSHOP #3 – Gillybear Presents: “Garbage Monsters”

3pm-5pm at Asheville School of Film

45 S French Broad Ave #120, Asheville, NC 28801

A look at low-budget, big-impact Special Effects for filmmakers who ain’t got two nickels to rub together.

Open to the public and 100% of donations go to the instructors.

SCREENING – Community Night

Doors at 7pm, Screening at 8pm at The Orange Peel

101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Weird, experimental and off-the-beaten path shorts from up-and-coming filmmakers of Asheville and the Southeast.

Buy tickets here

Daily Meditation + Support
Aug 27 @ 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Online w/ Awakening Asheville

Hosted by: the Buddhist Studies Institute

FREE – ONLINE – 30 MINUTES – DAILY
🌺Guided meditation support and community🌺

🌸Stabilization and Liberation:
In order to liberate our minds– we need stable calm.

🌸Consistency & Commitment:
Stabilizing in calm clear presence takes consistent training.

🌸Support & Community:
Daily Meditation is a container and support for your meditation focus.

Expand your meditation circle- join us online any day or every day!

Formerly known as 100 Days of practice to support a Tibetan Yogis tradition to practice 100 days in the winter, this has now been expanded to continue daily. To learn more and register: https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/100-days-of-practice/

What we’re about

COVID-19 UPDATE: An email was sent out to Awakening Asheville advising all in-person meetups should be postponed or moved to virtual attendance only. Please contact hosts with any questions. Thank you, and be well! Courtney

We are an LGBTQ+ BIPOC safe spiritual group that enjoys the coming together of community lightworkers sharing our journeys. We offer meditations, healing energy, and many different workshops. Come join us!

Everybody Free Dance Party
Aug 27 @ 10:00 pm – Aug 28 @ 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+

Saturday, August 28, 2021
5th Annual Cat Fly Film Fest
Aug 28 all-day
Multiple Venues Including The Orange Peel, The Funkatorium and the Grail Moviehouse

Experience Asheville’s premiere independent film festival! We are a non-profit, competitive festival with the mission to cultivate a spirited collective of homegrown filmmakers. We uplift up-and-coming filmmakers of Asheville and the Southeast with screenings, workshops, music performances and after parties throughout the weekend.

BYOF – Bring Your Own Film

8pm at Fleetwood’s Chapel

496 Haywood Rd
West Asheville, North Carolina

It’s like an open mic, but movies. Bring a USB drive with a film 7 minutes or less and share with the community. First come, first service. 

Open to the public and donations go to future festival screenings.

WORKSHOP #1 – INQUEERY

10am-11:30am at Asheville School of Film

45 S French Broad Ave #120, Asheville, NC 28801

INQUEERY is a creative workshop designed for LGBTQIA2S+ people to connect and reflect on their lived experiences through visualizations, creative writing and story. This offering also includes time to read an excerpt from and discuss Asheville-based feature film script Whistle Down Wind, which is currently in development.

Open to the public and 100% of donations go to the instructors.

WORKSHOP #2 – Comrades Help Comrades Make Movies

12pm-3pm at Asheville School of Film

45 S French Broad Ave #120, Asheville, NC 28801

Running an equitable, inclusive, and sustainable set on a hyper indie budget.

Private Work in Progress screening of the feature film E IS FOR with the Co-Writer/Director, Writer/Producer/Lead, DP and EP in attendance with discussion and feedback opportunities.

Pull up a seat at the table and we’ll deep dive into how we made a feature film during the time of COVID and how our intention to honor the insight and labor of our comrades shaped everything from the budget, size of the crew and much of the creative while preserving and sustaining the mental health and experience of everyone on set. We’ll outline resources, cover funding hurdles, pre-production workflow, paperwork and set ethics.

Open to the public and 100% of donations go to the instructors.

SCREENING – Opening Night

Doors at 7pm, Screening at 8pm at The Barrelhouse at the Funkatorium

147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Arrive dressed to impress in (encouraged) black tie attire to witness the “best of” in indie drama, comedy, and documentary short films.

Buy Tickets Here

AFTER DARK

Doors at 10pm at Cultivated Cocktails Tasting Room

25 Page Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Keep the party going into the night. Featuring a local DJ and exclusive Cat Fly projection installation and living gallery highlighting local and regional animated films.

Included with purchase of any screening.

Rooftop Pool Party

12pm-5pm at Aloft Air Level

51 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina 28801 USA

Present your VIP badge or ticket to any screening to hotel check-in for a key to access the pool.

Included with purchase of any screening.

WORKSHOP #3 – Gillybear Presents: “Garbage Monsters”

3pm-5pm at Asheville School of Film

45 S French Broad Ave #120, Asheville, NC 28801

A look at low-budget, big-impact Special Effects for filmmakers who ain’t got two nickels to rub together.

Open to the public and 100% of donations go to the instructors.

SCREENING – Community Night

Doors at 7pm, Screening at 8pm at The Orange Peel

101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Weird, experimental and off-the-beaten path shorts from up-and-coming filmmakers of Asheville and the Southeast.

Buy tickets here

Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Aquanet: Goth Night
Aug 31 @ 9:00 pm – Sep 1 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Latin Night Wednesday
Sep 1 @ 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.

Move On Up: Soul/R+B
Sep 1 @ 9:00 pm – Sep 2 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy

“Move On Up” is a night of your favorite and forgotten Soul/RB cuts right after Comedy Night.

Thursday, September 2, 2021
Theatre Dance and Movement Ages 9-12
Sep 2 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

And a 5-6-7-8! Have you ever wanted to feel confident in a dance audition or learn awesome choreography to your favorite musical numbers? In this class students will learn basic dance styles used in musical theatre and how to act through their dancing. This course will help dancers prepare to ace an audition and pick up choreography quickly and efficiently.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

Please do not purchase registration prior to applying for a scholarship. Applications must be received by 2:00pm on Thursday, August 26th for consideration.

Weekly 30 Minute Meditation for Moms
Sep 2 @ 9:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Online w/ Awakening Asheville

Hosted by Sahaja Yoga Meditation DFW
Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms.

About this Event
We are creating this Meditation space for moms 💟 that can help
🤲 create a supportive community of moms who can come together and meditate
🤲 build a meditation routine
🤲 implement self-care, and take pause in hectic lives
🤲 bring calmness and balance that can reflect on kids and household
🤲 share experiences and learn to grow in this journey together

Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms. Meditation is a simple way to de-stress, and it can help bring peace and balance, especially in these hectic times.

What we’re about

COVID-19 UPDATE: An email was sent out to Awakening Asheville advising all in-person meetups should be postponed or moved to virtual attendance only. Please contact hosts with any questions. Thank you, and be well! Courtney

We are an LGBTQ+ BIPOC safe spiritual group that enjoys the coming together of community lightworkers sharing our journeys. We offer meditations, healing energy, and many different workshops. Come join us!

Salsa Night Thursday
Sep 2 @ 9:30 pm – Sep 3 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy

Spice up your life with Latin sounds by local DJs Nex Millen & Mtn Vibez every Thursday.

Super bonus if you come early and get Dance Lessons from our knowladable instructors and get your body ready with sabor for the night. NO COVER All events 21+

Friday, September 3, 2021
75th North Carolina Apple Festival
Sep 3 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Downtown Hendersonville

Hendersonville is the official home of the North Carolina Apple Festival, a four-day celebration to recognize the importance of the apple industry to Henderson County and North Carolina.  The Apple Festival is always held during the Labor Day weekend (Friday through Monday). Festival-goers can choose from a variety of events that feature a street fair on Historic Main Street and surrounding event venues.

Some of the other festivities happening during the Apple Festival include apple breakfasts, Gem & Mineral Spectacular, children’s activities, the Western North Carolina Air Museum Open House and

Please leave your pets comfortably at home.

North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation and Henderson County is the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina, producing 85 percent of all the apples grown in the state. The County grows more than 40 varieties of apples including; Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, Stayman, Fuji and Galas.

Daily Meditation + Support
Sep 3 @ 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Online w/ Awakening Asheville

Hosted by: the Buddhist Studies Institute

FREE – ONLINE – 30 MINUTES – DAILY
🌺Guided meditation support and community🌺

🌸Stabilization and Liberation:
In order to liberate our minds– we need stable calm.

🌸Consistency & Commitment:
Stabilizing in calm clear presence takes consistent training.

🌸Support & Community:
Daily Meditation is a container and support for your meditation focus.

Expand your meditation circle- join us online any day or every day!

Formerly known as 100 Days of practice to support a Tibetan Yogis tradition to practice 100 days in the winter, this has now been expanded to continue daily. To learn more and register: https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/100-days-of-practice/

What we’re about

COVID-19 UPDATE: An email was sent out to Awakening Asheville advising all in-person meetups should be postponed or moved to virtual attendance only. Please contact hosts with any questions. Thank you, and be well! Courtney

We are an LGBTQ+ BIPOC safe spiritual group that enjoys the coming together of community lightworkers sharing our journeys. We offer meditations, healing energy, and many different workshops. Come join us!

GOOMBAY 40TH anniversary FESTIVAL
Sep 3 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
YMI

calabar-festival2-scaled.jpeg

Asheville’s Goombay Festival has celebrated African & Caribbean heritage here in Western North Carolina. This year, celebrating 40th Goombay Anniversary!

The festival celebrates the richness and diversity found in the food, music, and art across the African Diaspora.

Goombay is free and open to anyone and everyone who wishes to attend!

40th annual Goombay Festival: A Night on the Block
Sep 3 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
YMI Ray Auditorium

This Labor Day weekend, the YMI will host its 40th annual Goombay Festival, a celebration of Pan African heritage in western North Carolina.
While the festival is broadly an opportunity for our community to come together and enjoy music, food, and art, we’ll also be hosting an intimate event on Friday, September 3 from 6-9pm to celebrate 40 years of Goombay and formally launch our capital campaign.
Held in the Ray Auditorium, Friday night will be a time for us to come together while toasting the past, present, and future of the YMI.
The funds raised will go towards elevating the reach and abilities of the organization, benefiting three specific areas of need: building preservation, program capacity, and sustainability.
We hope you will join us for A Night on The Block and celebrate the next chapter of the YMI!
Everybody Free Dance Party
Sep 3 @ 10:00 pm – Sep 4 @ 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+

Saturday, September 4, 2021
75th North Carolina Apple Festival
Sep 4 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Downtown Hendersonville

Hendersonville is the official home of the North Carolina Apple Festival, a four-day celebration to recognize the importance of the apple industry to Henderson County and North Carolina.  The Apple Festival is always held during the Labor Day weekend (Friday through Monday). Festival-goers can choose from a variety of events that feature a street fair on Historic Main Street and surrounding event venues.

Some of the other festivities happening during the Apple Festival include apple breakfasts, Gem & Mineral Spectacular, children’s activities, the Western North Carolina Air Museum Open House and

Please leave your pets comfortably at home.

North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation and Henderson County is the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina, producing 85 percent of all the apples grown in the state. The County grows more than 40 varieties of apples including; Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, Stayman, Fuji and Galas.

GOOMBAY 40TH anniversary FESTIVAL
Sep 4 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
YMI

calabar-festival2-scaled.jpeg

Asheville’s Goombay Festival has celebrated African & Caribbean heritage here in Western North Carolina. This year, celebrating 40th Goombay Anniversary!

The festival celebrates the richness and diversity found in the food, music, and art across the African Diaspora.

Goombay is free and open to anyone and everyone who wishes to attend!

Monthly Social Swing Dance
Sep 4 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
CONTINUUM ART NC

Join us in our new monthly social swing event on the 1st Saturdays of every month! The music,
open vintage space and wood floors and is guaranteed to have you dancing East Coast and/or
Lindy all night long! A free lesson is offered to kick things off and will include a different
combination of moves each time. No partner or rhythm needed and dress is casual!
7:00-7:30 Beginner Swing Lesson by Ian Fleming and Tola Sun
7:30-9:30 Live Swing Band (new ones every month)
9:30-11:00 DJ (mixture of vintage and modern music)
$12 (cash, card, Venmo, PayPal accepted) on the day of the event

Hip Hop Night: Vinyl Timetravelers
Sep 4 @ 10:00 pm – Sep 5 @ 6:00 pm
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+
Sunday, September 5, 2021
75th North Carolina Apple Festival
Sep 5 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Downtown Hendersonville

Hendersonville is the official home of the North Carolina Apple Festival, a four-day celebration to recognize the importance of the apple industry to Henderson County and North Carolina.  The Apple Festival is always held during the Labor Day weekend (Friday through Monday). Festival-goers can choose from a variety of events that feature a street fair on Historic Main Street and surrounding event venues.

Some of the other festivities happening during the Apple Festival include apple breakfasts, Gem & Mineral Spectacular, children’s activities, the Western North Carolina Air Museum Open House and

Please leave your pets comfortably at home.

North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation and Henderson County is the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina, producing 85 percent of all the apples grown in the state. The County grows more than 40 varieties of apples including; Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, Stayman, Fuji and Galas.

GOOMBAY 40TH anniversary FESTIVAL
Sep 5 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
YMI

calabar-festival2-scaled.jpeg

Asheville’s Goombay Festival has celebrated African & Caribbean heritage here in Western North Carolina. This year, celebrating 40th Goombay Anniversary!

The festival celebrates the richness and diversity found in the food, music, and art across the African Diaspora.

Mountain Makers Craft Market
Sep 5 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Haywood Square Plaza

Mountain Makers Craft Market is a monthly indie art fair designed to cultivate community in Western NC. Located in Downtown Waynesville, we bring together 20+ artisans selling handmade and vintage goods that’ll make you smile! Join us on the first Sunday of each month from 12p-4p at 308 N. Haywood Street, and visit MountainMakersMarket.com

Monday, September 6, 2021
75th North Carolina Apple Festival
Sep 6 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Downtown Hendersonville

Hendersonville is the official home of the North Carolina Apple Festival, a four-day celebration to recognize the importance of the apple industry to Henderson County and North Carolina.  The Apple Festival is always held during the Labor Day weekend (Friday through Monday). Festival-goers can choose from a variety of events that feature a street fair on Historic Main Street and surrounding event venues.

Some of the other festivities happening during the Apple Festival include apple breakfasts, Gem & Mineral Spectacular, children’s activities, the Western North Carolina Air Museum Open House and

Please leave your pets comfortably at home.

North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation and Henderson County is the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina, producing 85 percent of all the apples grown in the state. The County grows more than 40 varieties of apples including; Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, Stayman, Fuji and Galas.

114th Annual Canton Labor Day Festival
Sep 6 @ 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sorrells St. Park Downtown Canton, NC

webpage header 2021 V2.png

The Town of Canton Mayor and Board of Aldermen/women are excited to announce that the 114th Canton Labor Day Festival will take place September 5th and 6th!  This event will be bigger and better than ever and we hope that you make your plans to join us!