Calendar of Events
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.
Engage. Inspire. Enlighten.
Looking for resources that will get your students excited about science? We can help. Duke Energy provides many valuable teaching materials and lesson plans for use inside the classroom – and out. Download helpful fact sheets, lesson plans, experiments and other fun learning tools.
Class activities & lesson plans
https://www.duke-energy.com/energy-education/energy-centers-and-programs/energyexplorium-at-mcguire/teaching-resources
Join us on a video hike through a protected conservation property to learn about lichens! Do you know the difference between mosses and lichens? AmeriCorps Project Conserve member Shay “Sarge” Sargent leads a virtual adventure to answer this question and more.
See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears that are not commonly on display, learn the ins and outs of what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session and find out why the animals call Grandfather Mountain home.
Offered on weekends, April – October.
The N.C. Arboretum is excited to host the 9th annual Mountain Science Expo on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Part of the state-wide North Carolina Science Festival, this family-friendly event features hands-on science demonstrations, guided programs and more than 20 exhibitors from the region. This year’s theme, “Anyone with a Question IS a Scientist” encourages children and adults to find their own “inner scientist” by uncovering common question they may encounter in their everyday lives. During the festival, visitors are encouraged to participate in the City Nature Challenge, a global citizen-science competition held April 24 – 27. The Arboretum is a co-leader for the Western North Carolina team and will host iNaturalist training, nature walks and bioblitzes throughout the day.
The exhibit is on loan from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and has been supplemented with artifacts from the Smith-McDowell House collection. Entrance to the exhibit is included with Smith-McDowell House admission – and is always free for members – and runs through May 16, 2020.
The exhibit seeks to put the local men and women who served in context with the larger events happening in North Carolina, the United States, and the world. In the exhibit, visitors will find displays and interactive elements telling the stories of just a few of our hometown heroes.
Are you and your child interested in seeing the Nature Center like never before? Join us on a Junior Wild Walk: A Behind the Scenes Tour for Kids!
Junior Wild Walk participants will get to have a close up encounter with an animal, check out how meals are made, and even get to help feed an animal! There’s no other opportunity like this at the Nature Center. Don’t miss out on this amazing experience with some of your favorite wildlife! While this tour is geared towards younger children, adults will still enjoy this experience as well. All children must be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian.
Tour lasts from 12 pm to 1 pm.
Register online, in person at the Friends office, or by calling 828-259-8091. Spaces are limited, so sign up soon! Junior Wild Walk tickets also include admission into the Nature Center for the day.
Downtown Asheville is known for its eclectic arts and culture and a vibrant food and drink scene that celebrates independent restaurants and locally-sourced ingredients. Learn about this gorgeous city on a Taste Carolina walking tour and discover why Asheville was hailed by National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine as one of the top 15 places in the world to “treat your taste buds”!
Asheville Downtown Eats & Drinks Tour – Asheville’s Downtown Eats & Drinks Tour is a spirited and delicious way to explore the city! You’ll enjoy substantial bites and sips on this guided walking tour, sampling savory and sweet favorites, most paired with small drink pairings. This tour visits Asheville’s hidden gems, including eclectic restaurants and bars, and specialty food stores. You’ll also learn about the history of the city, the architecture, and the incredible culinary scene from your tour guide. By the end of this tour, you will feel like a local!
Private and custom tours can be arranged for any day or night of the week for groups.
This four-part class led by Learning & Engagement Assistant Paige Taylor explores natural and artificial lighting approaches using digital photography. Through a series of weekly assignments, hone your observation skills, and capture landscapes, portraits, and more in a variety of lighting situations. Use images from the Museum’s Collection and other sources for inspiration. Class time includes instruction, group shares, and discussions; individual preparation between classes includes responding to weekly photo prompts, short readings, and journaling. This virtual class is designed with beginners, hobbyists, and those with some photography experience in mind.MAY 6, 13, 20, & 27—Wednesdays, 6–8pm
Registration deadline: May 5
North Carolina Arts Council, ComeHearNC.com and CLTure present “Under One Roof,” a livestream benefit concert for North Carolina artists.
The event will feature North Carolina musicians spanning multiple genres and generations, including Anthony Hamilton, 9th Wonder, Ben Folds, The Hamiltones NC, Petey Pablo, Tift Merritt, Jim Lauderdale, Steep Canyon Rangers, Chatham County Line, Joe Troop of Che Apalache, Harvey Cummings II, and more to be announced!
Organized in partnership with CLTure.org as part of the North Carolina Arts Council and North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Come Hear North Carolina initiative, “Under One Roof” brings together some of North Carolina biggest names in music to aid the community in these unprecedented times.
Under One Roof will raise funds for the North Carolina Arts Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2013 to promote the growth and sustainability of the N.C. Arts Council. The foundation will send all proceeds raised from Under One Roof to non-profit arts organizations in North Carolina that have established relief funds for artists in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under One Roof will broadcast live on this Facebook event page and Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/clturemedia) from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24, Saturday April 25, and Sunday April 26.
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.
Blue Ridge Eco-Gardener Certificate of Merit
Ecological gardening is a way of thinking about gardens and landscapes in which gardens are no longer seen as a collection of plants, but a community with complex interdependencies between plants, animals, soils and the environment. This certificate program explores ecological principles for creating and managing a healthy, self-sustaining garden and landscape in a changing climate. Students enrolling in the Certificate of Merit program will work to complete 120 hours in core classes on topics including principles of ecological gardening, seasonal plants and tasks and sustainable landscape design along with electives on hardscape, edibles, seed saving and other subjects of interest to participants. View current class offerings for credit in the Blue Ridge Eco-Gardener program here.
To begin your program, complete an application and return it to the Education Center along with a one-time, non-refundable $55 application fee.
Join over one hundred students on a quest to deepen understanding of the natural sciences through the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate of Merit. The program offers adult learners a comprehensive curriculum of study about the natural world of Western North Carolina. Classes meet year round and students work to complete 240 hours in core courses on ecology, botany, geology and plant identification as well as electives on animals, lichens, insects and more. View current class offerings for credit in the Blue Ridge Naturalist program here. All students must complete and present a final project prior to graduation.
To begin your program complete an application and return it to the Education Center along with a a one-time, non-refundable $55 application fee.
If you are reading this, you are most likely a landowner in western North Carolina who is concerned about the future of your land along the French Broad River or one of its tributaries. Perhaps you have a farm or cattle ranch that has been in your family for generations, or maybe you recently purchased your second home in an idyllic rural area. Whatever your situation, many North Carolina landowners face the same dilemma: how do you ensure that the land you love looks the way that it does forever?
Conserving Land
Protected Properties
Parks, Greenways & Blueways
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East Fork Pottery is hosting a raffle this week to raise funds for Pisgah Legal Services. Folks can purchase $5 raffle tickets to win a pot of the winners’ choosing, wheel-thrown by Alex Matisse.
Five winners will be chosen on Wednesday, April 29th. 100% of the proceeds go to Pisgah Legal Services.
Pisgah Legal is working hard to prevent evictions, stop domestic violence, help people sign up for health insurance, and much more – – work that is especially critical during the COVID-9 outbreak.
This raffle can raise a significant amount of support, and we are grateful for it!
https://eastfork.com/products/raffle-ticket-for-pisgah-legal
Getting started gardening can be exciting, and it can feel daunting.
Your teachers, Natalie Bogwalker and Chloe Lieberman share experience-based, practical instruction for growing their top ten vegetables to really fill your plate, belly, and larder. We put together this class so that you can begin with the crops that are most likely to be successful and rewarding. Or, if you’ve got some experience gardening but want to expand your repertoire, this course will help you do so in a way that makes sense and yields abundantly.
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Get to know the nature near you! This year, as part of the City Nature Challenge, the Arboretum’s ecoEXPLORE program has launched a special BioBlitz Bonus Badge. Children in grades K-8 who complete six “challenges” will earn the BioBlitz Bonus Badge and their adult helpers will also receive a North Carolina BioBlitz patch. ecoEXPLORE is an initiative of The North Carolina Arboretum and is free to all North Carolina residents due to the generous support from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and the Duke Energy Foundation.
Be an ecoEXPLORER!
Are you a group or classroom? Choose the “Group” option on the signup form.
How it works:
- Sign up to be an ecoEXPLORER using the form on this page. Then have your parent check their email for an email where they can click a link to give permission for your participation.
- Go outside in your own backyard or at a designated ecoEXPLORE HotSpot to find wildlife species, including plants, reptiles, amphibians, insects and birds.
- Use your own device — or check out an iPod Touch at any LoanSpot location — and photograph your wildlife observation, noting the data, location, time, size, and species observed.
- Login to your ecoEXPLORE profile online and submit your observation.
- Arboretum staff will then review your observation and submit all approved submissions to the iNaturalist Network , which is used by real scientists!
NEW! North Carolina BioBlitz Patch
For adults looking for an extra challenge this spring, the Arboretum has created the North Carolina BioBlitz patch in conjunction with the 2020 City Nature Challenge (April 24 – 27). To earn the patch, participants will need to create a free iNaturalist account; attend the “Intro to iNaturalist” class on April 9 (or watch the recorded version later); make 50 nature observations during the City Nature Challenge; and help identify 50 species during the Challenge’s “identifying” stage (April 28 – May 3). Students in the Arboretum’s Blue Ridge Naturalist and Blue Ridge Eco-Gardener certificate programs can earn three elective credits if they complete the North Carolina BioBlitz program and one credit if they only take the “Into to iNaturalist” class.
Healthy Rivers equal Healthy Communities. RiverLink’s Watershed Resources program works to improve water quality in the French Broad River and its tributaries. These waterways support critical wildlife habitat for many species, such as the hellbender salamander and rainbow trout. Our local economies thrive on water-based recreational tourism. The French Broad River watershed also provides drinking water for many communities. These things are true only if the water is clean. Our Watershed Resources program uses a combination of initiatives, including on the ground projects and community outreach to improve and protect water quality.
Stream Restorations
Stormwater Control
WaterRICH, Water Conservation Program
Watershed Planning
Name That Creek
Engage. Inspire. Enlighten.
Looking for resources that will get your students excited about science? We can help. Duke Energy provides many valuable teaching materials and lesson plans for use inside the classroom – and out. Download helpful fact sheets, lesson plans, experiments and other fun learning tools.
Class activities & lesson plans
https://www.duke-energy.com/energy-education/energy-centers-and-programs/energyexplorium-at-mcguire/teaching-resources
Join us on a video hike through a protected conservation property to learn about lichens! Do you know the difference between mosses and lichens? AmeriCorps Project Conserve member Shay “Sarge” Sargent leads a virtual adventure to answer this question and more.
See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears that are not commonly on display, learn the ins and outs of what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session and find out why the animals call Grandfather Mountain home.
Offered on weekends, April – October.
Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, projects.
We call it the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth – a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness.
Glimpse the future and get inspired!
Downtown Asheville is known for its eclectic arts and culture and a vibrant food and drink scene that celebrates independent restaurants and locally-sourced ingredients. Learn about this gorgeous city on a Taste Carolina walking tour and discover why Asheville was hailed by National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine as one of the top 15 places in the world to “treat your taste buds”!
Asheville Downtown Eats & Drinks Tour – Asheville’s Downtown Eats & Drinks Tour is a spirited and delicious way to explore the city! You’ll enjoy substantial bites and sips on this guided walking tour, sampling savory and sweet favorites, most paired with small drink pairings. This tour visits Asheville’s hidden gems, including eclectic restaurants and bars, and specialty food stores. You’ll also learn about the history of the city, the architecture, and the incredible culinary scene from your tour guide. By the end of this tour, you will feel like a local!
Private and custom tours can be arranged for any day or night of the week for groups.
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the “STAFF ONLY” doors at the Nature Center?
Now’s your chance to find out! Areas visited on the Wild Walk may* include the Small Mammal habitat, the Predator area, and the Animal Kitchen. Don’t miss out on this amazing up-close encounter with some of your favorite wildlife!
Join us for this one of a kind behind-the-scenes tour! Tour lasts from 1:20 to 3:00pm.
Register online, in person at the Friends office, or by calling 828-259-8091.
This four-part class led by Learning & Engagement Assistant Paige Taylor explores natural and artificial lighting approaches using digital photography. Through a series of weekly assignments, hone your observation skills, and capture landscapes, portraits, and more in a variety of lighting situations. Use images from the Museum’s Collection and other sources for inspiration. Class time includes instruction, group shares, and discussions; individual preparation between classes includes responding to weekly photo prompts, short readings, and journaling. This virtual class is designed with beginners, hobbyists, and those with some photography experience in mind.MAY 6, 13, 20, & 27—Wednesdays, 6–8pm
Registration deadline: May 5
North Carolina Arts Council, ComeHearNC.com and CLTure present “Under One Roof,” a livestream benefit concert for North Carolina artists.
The event will feature North Carolina musicians spanning multiple genres and generations, including Anthony Hamilton, 9th Wonder, Ben Folds, The Hamiltones NC, Petey Pablo, Tift Merritt, Jim Lauderdale, Steep Canyon Rangers, Chatham County Line, Joe Troop of Che Apalache, Harvey Cummings II, and more to be announced!
Organized in partnership with CLTure.org as part of the North Carolina Arts Council and North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Come Hear North Carolina initiative, “Under One Roof” brings together some of North Carolina biggest names in music to aid the community in these unprecedented times.
Under One Roof will raise funds for the North Carolina Arts Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2013 to promote the growth and sustainability of the N.C. Arts Council. The foundation will send all proceeds raised from Under One Roof to non-profit arts organizations in North Carolina that have established relief funds for artists in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under One Roof will broadcast live on this Facebook event page and Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/clturemedia) from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24, Saturday April 25, and Sunday April 26.
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.
East Fork Pottery is hosting a raffle this week to raise funds for Pisgah Legal Services. Folks can purchase $5 raffle tickets to win a pot of the winners’ choosing, wheel-thrown by Alex Matisse.
Five winners will be chosen on Wednesday, April 29th. 100% of the proceeds go to Pisgah Legal Services.
Pisgah Legal is working hard to prevent evictions, stop domestic violence, help people sign up for health insurance, and much more – – work that is especially critical during the COVID-9 outbreak.
This raffle can raise a significant amount of support, and we are grateful for it!
https://eastfork.com/products/raffle-ticket-for-pisgah-legal