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.

Sunday, October 13, 2019
15th anniversary Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference
Oct 13 all-day
near Asheville

The Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference is a weekend for women to learn, celebrate and connect. Come share inspiration, celebration and practical learning about earth-based healing and women’s health. Surrounded by the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains, our venue at Kanuga Lake offers a serene backdrop for over 50 workshops and classes in herbalism, nutrition, personal growth and natural healing.

2019 featured speakers include Karen Rose, Sally Fallon, Dr. Jody Noe, Gina Breedlove and many more!

For all of the details and easy online registration visit www.sewisewomen.com

Muse on the Loose
Oct 13 all-day
Sugar Britches

Spend a weekend with Artist and Creativity Coach, Elizabeth Foley, nurturing yourself with creative play. Experiencing a transformational art process that will embolden and reignite the creative spirit that lives inside you.

Let go of the resistance that holds you back from committing to creative expression and feel the power of being in community as we share laughter and deep connection with a small group of supportive, encouraging women.

When we allow ourselves the freedom to express our unique creative voice we open space to feel more freedom, more alignment with our true selves and a heightened sense of wellbeing.

Join us for Muse on the Loose and return to your life inspired by your self-discovery and creative expansiveness.

This is art for anyone – no experience or skills necessary!

Carolina Bonsai Expo @ The NC Arboretum
Oct 13 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Arboretum Property

The North Carolina Arboretum’s 24th annual Carolina Bonsai Expo will be held on Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, 2019, in the Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden, Baker Exhibit Center and Education Center.

This nationally known event features juried displays by bonsai enthusiasts hailing from a multi-state region. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the displays, watch free demonstrations and purchase bonsai plants and supplies. Also featured are an invitational show and sale of the work of bonsai potters and a display of floral art by members of the Asheville Chapter of Ikebana International. As the premier annual bonsai event of the Southeast, the Carolina Bonsai Expo offers programs for both the bonsai community and general public.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, October 12

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Arboretum’s bonsai on display in the Bonsai Exhibition Garden; main bonsai exhibit open in the Education Center, 1st floor; ikebana exhibit open in the Education Center, 2nd floor; vendors market open in the Baker Exhibit Center, 1st and 2nd floors; food service available in the Education Center, 1st floor

11 a.m. – Noon   Free ikebana educational program (More information to come) in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor

1 p.m. – 5 p.m.   2019 Carolina Bonsai Expo Main Event presentation: “The Art of Bonsai Pottery,” featuring bonsai pottery artist Ron Lang, illustrated lecture program in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor (Pre-registration required; fee charged for this program. Registration is not yet open.)

Sunday, October 13

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.   Arboretum’s bonsai on display in the Bonsai Exhibition Garden; main bonsai exhibit open in the Education Center, 1st floor; ikebana exhibit open in the Education Center, 2nd floor; vendors market open in the Baker Exhibit Center, 1st and 2nd floors; food service available in the Education Center, 1st floor

1 a.m – Noon   Free bonsai educational program, (More information to come), in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.   Live auction of bonsai and bonsai-related items, in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor (Register onsite Expo weekend; $1 fee charged for this event.)

3:30 p.m.   Raffle drawing, presentation of “People’s Choice” award, and closing remarks in the classrooms of the Education Center, 1st floor

Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Storytime & Art Enka-Candler Library
Oct 16 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Enka-Candler Library

Come join in the fun with stories and songs, then make a hands-on art project just for the little ones! The Education Department staff is visiting public libraries for preschool storytime at locations near your neighborhood.

Storytime & Art takes place at Enka-Candler Library on third Wednesdays at 10:30am.

Our program for preschool-aged students accompanied by an adult is at a library near you! During the school year, come join in the fun with stories and songs, then make a hands-on art project just for the little ones.

Thursday, October 17, 2019
ha!ppenings
Oct 17 all-day
ha!

Visit ha! for Third Thursdays Marshall as we celebrate…so many things! Playful and show-stopping Kantha cloth jackets and vests by local artist Janice Schmidt, needle felted flora and fauna objects by Heidi Bleacher, new works in the shop for fall and holiday and Marshall’s own Walnut Schoolhouse serving up decadent Scandinavian treats. And let’s raise a toast to the a in ha!, Amber M. Jensen, for bringing home the Our State Magazine “Made in NC” win with our Classic Patchwork Pack. We can’t wait to invite you in!

Fall Harvest Days Antique Engine and Tractor Show
Oct 17 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

Gate 7 opens Thursday.   8AM to 5 PM rain or shine

Adult Admission $8 a day or $20 for 3 days includes ACAETA pulls
Children under 12 free with paid adult.
Unreserved selling spaces $40, free admission to qualified exhibitors,
limited 2 people per registration; 3rd and above pay admission.

– Pulls –
Farm Tractors 1964 & earlier on Saturday at 10:00 am
Tractor Pulls will be under the covered arena – enter through Gate 7.

Craft Fair Of The Southern Highlands
Oct 17 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
US Cellular Center

nc craft fair, asheville arts festival, nc pottery, nc clay, asheville events

Meet the artisans of the Southern Highlands exhibiting contemporary & traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, & jewelry.

Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 6pm

Sunday, 10 – 5pm

Storytime & Art Skyland/South Buncombe Library
Oct 17 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Skyland/South Buncombe Library

Come join in the fun with stories and songs, then make a hands-on art project just for the little ones! The Education Department staff is visiting public libraries for preschool storytime at locations near your neighborhood.

Storytime & Art takes place at Skyland/South Buncombe Library on third Thursdays at 10:30am.

Our program for preschool-aged students accompanied by an adult is at a library near you! During the school year, come join in the fun with stories and songs, then make a hands-on art project just for the little ones.

Friday, October 18, 2019
Fall Harvest Days Antique Engine and Tractor Show
Oct 18 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

Gate 7 opens Thursday.   8AM to 5 PM rain or shine

Adult Admission $8 a day or $20 for 3 days includes ACAETA pulls
Children under 12 free with paid adult.
Unreserved selling spaces $40, free admission to qualified exhibitors,
limited 2 people per registration; 3rd and above pay admission.

– Pulls –
Farm Tractors 1964 & earlier on Saturday at 10:00 am
Tractor Pulls will be under the covered arena – enter through Gate 7.

Craft Fair Of The Southern Highlands
Oct 18 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
US Cellular Center

nc craft fair, asheville arts festival, nc pottery, nc clay, asheville events

Meet the artisans of the Southern Highlands exhibiting contemporary & traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, & jewelry.

Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 6pm

Sunday, 10 – 5pm

Saturday, October 19, 2019
Fall Harvest Days Antique Engine and Tractor Show
Oct 19 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

Gate 7 opens Thursday.   8AM to 5 PM rain or shine

Adult Admission $8 a day or $20 for 3 days includes ACAETA pulls
Children under 12 free with paid adult.
Unreserved selling spaces $40, free admission to qualified exhibitors,
limited 2 people per registration; 3rd and above pay admission.

– Pulls –
Farm Tractors 1964 & earlier on Saturday at 10:00 am
Tractor Pulls will be under the covered arena – enter through Gate 7.

Farm Game Challenge
Oct 19 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC AG Center
The Antique Engine & Tractor Club will host “The Farm Game Challenge” set for Saturday October 19th at the Western North Carolina Ag Center.
Teams of four to five Teen’s are encouraged to participate in the Farm Games, which will include but not be limited to Straw/Hay Bale Stacking Timed Event , Corn Shucking Timed Event, Corn On the Cob Eating Timed Event, Sheath Toss, and other games.  The Teams will compete against each other with an elimination challenge.  Small Children will get to “Find the Prize” in the Straw/Hay Stack.
All Four Henderson County High Schools have been notified of the games and are encouraged to submit teams to the Farm Game Challenge.  Teams within each school will compete to see which Team will represent it against the other High Schools, Winning teams from each school will compete against each other to claim First Prize in the Farm Games.
To sign up for the Farm Games, please e mail [email protected] with name of team, and  team members.  Teams may be all male, all female, or Co-ed. Teams are limited to Four to Five Members.
The 34th Fall Harvest Days run from October 17-19,2019.  Antique Engines, Tractors, Crafts, Food and Kids activities will be available.  Antique Tractor Pull, Saturday.
For more information contact the web site www.applecountry.org
Art and Architecture Day in Hendersonville
Oct 19 @ 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Center for Art & Inspiration
Craft Fair Of The Southern Highlands
Oct 19 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
US Cellular Center

nc craft fair, asheville arts festival, nc pottery, nc clay, asheville events

Meet the artisans of the Southern Highlands exhibiting contemporary & traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, & jewelry.

Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 6pm

Sunday, 10 – 5pm

Open Studio Art Tour at Grovewood Village
Oct 19 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grovewood Village

Grovewood Village will open up their studios to the public, allowing visitors to gain insight into their creative process and view their most recent works. Tours are free and self-guided.

Close-up of Carl Powell's hands working on a glass sculpture in his Grovewood Village studio.

Bears Bees + Brews
Oct 19 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
New Belgium Brewing

We’re celebrating and learning about human-wildlife coexistence and conservation from trusted organizations, while enjoying lively, family-friendly entertainment, sweet+savory bites, and tasty brews, all in one place.

Join our guest list and spread the word.

We’ll see you there! ???

Landscapes of Southern Appalachia by Shawn Krueger Opening Reception
Oct 19 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Grovewood Gallery

Landscape oil painting by artist Shawn Krueger titled Daybreak: Hot Springs.

Join us at Grovewood Gallery on Saturday, October 19 from 2 – 5pm for the opening of Landscapes of Southern Appalachia, a solo exhibition of work by contemporary landscape painter Shawn Krueger. This event is free and open to the public. The show will remain on view through Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Shawn Krueger received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Calvin College in the late 90s. His approach to painting is rooted in the American Arts & Crafts and Tonalist traditions – both based on love and respect for nature, hand-craftsmanship, and good design. Landscapes of Southern Appalachia will feature studio works from plein air studies Krueger did on his recent travels in and around Western North Carolina.

Sunday, October 20, 2019
?Fall LEAF Festival Lineup Release! ?
Oct 20 all-day
Lake Eden
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Oct 20 all-day
various locations see details

August 23, Appalachian Ridge Hard Cidery in Hendersonville
August 24, HiWire Brewing Company at the Big Top
Sept. 22, UpCountry Brewing on Haywood Road
Sept. 28, Southern Appalachian Brewery in Hendersonville
Oct. 4, Garden Deli in Burnsville
Oct. 6, Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School in West Asheville
Oct. 10, Highland Brewing Company and
Oct. 20, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard in Hendersonville

49th Annual LEAF Festival
Oct 20 all-day
Lake Eden

Image result for leaf festival asheville nc

Fall-leaf-lineup-2019

LEAF Festival sits below Mt. Mitchell with mountain lakes and rolling hills with 600 stunning acres featuring rustic cabins, large camping fields with mountain views, hiking trails,  barns, streams, and lakes for canoeing, swimming, and the zooming zipline. This enchanting land offers lots of outdoors adventures for the whole family!

The 1st LEAF Festival premiered Fall 1996, and has become a tradition twice a year, May and October. The name Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) was chosen to honor the lake and the former Lake Eden Inn & Resort. “Arts” embraces a broad creative palate and of course it was to be a “festival”. In envisioning LEAF, we sought to embrace world cultures, reflect the creativity of the Asheville area, and to complement the stunning landscape. The location and size, attendance is limited to 6,000  people on site per day, makes LEAF Festival one of the best small festivals in the world. The right place, the right size.

Craft Fair Of The Southern Highlands
Oct 20 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
US Cellular Center

nc craft fair, asheville arts festival, nc pottery, nc clay, asheville events

Meet the artisans of the Southern Highlands exhibiting contemporary & traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, & jewelry.

Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 6pm

Sunday, 10 – 5pm

Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Unique ikebana techniques, Demonstration and Workshop
Oct 22 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Folk Art Center

Unique techniques of leaf manipulation will be demonstrated by Suzanne Dillingham of the Ichiyo School. Leaves can be changed beyond recognition and provoke a bit of mystery.

A ‘Friendship Through Flowers’ workshop will follow and is open to members and non-members with a paid RSVP. This is an unusual opportunity for non members to participate with skilled ikebanists and stretch their imagination.

Demonstration is free. For workshop participation, contact Suzanne Dillingham by October 18 for details and payment of $20: [email protected]

For more information on our programs, teachers and workshops, contact Lynn Forbes, Chapter President, 828-273.2222; [email protected] or www.ikebanaasheville.org

Friday, October 25, 2019
Asheville Alleyway Kidnapper
Oct 25 – Nov 2 all-day
Escape Out

This is an immersive experience,in Downtown Asheville. It’s not just a Haunted House, it’s a survival experience.

Bigfoot Festival
Oct 25 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Main Street

5:30 pm 5k Squatch Stroll

     More details to come!

6:30 pm Volunteer/Sponsor Appreciation

                Dinner

7:30 FREE Kid’s Movie – Smallfoot

8:00 FREE Movie – The Legend of Boggy Creek

LaZoom Comedy: Adam Mamawala (friday)
Oct 25 @ 9:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Adam Mamawala is a stand-up comedian based out of New York City. Named one of Funny or Die’s “Top 30 Under 30: Comedians to Watch”, Adam has appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, BET and SeeSo, and his debut album One of the Good Ones debuted at #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts in December of 2017. Adam has headlined over 200 colleges across more than 35 states and his recent festival appearances include the NBC/Second City Breakout Comedy Festival, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, and New York Comedy Festival. Adam has been a freelance contributor to Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update and a writer for Someecards.

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adam-mamawala-at-lazoom-friday-tickets-70464738931

SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adam-mamawala-at-lazoom-saturday-tickets-70464921477

Saturday, October 26, 2019
The Weave October 26th Fall pop-up market @ Salvaterra Pottery in Weaverville
Oct 26 all-day
Salvaterra Pottery

This Fall outdoor market will feature over 25 local artists and small businesses. Watercolor paintings, wire bonsai tree art, jewelry, organic clothing, natural home cleaning products, locally sourced seasonings and herbs, leather goods, home décor, Hemp/CBD Products and much more!
October 26th 10am-4pm

Bigfoot Festival
Oct 26 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Main Street

9:00 am Parade

         SIGN UP>

10:00 – 10:00 pm Food and Craft Vendors

        Contests

11:00 Bigfoot Costume Contest – under 17

11:30 Bigfoot Costume Contest – 17 and up

12:00 Big “Foot” Contest – women

12:30 Big “Foot” Contest – men

2:00 Tree Knock Contest – under 17

2:30 Tree Knock Contest – 17 and up

3:00 Bigfoot Look-a-like Contest

4:00 Bigfoot Calling Contest – under 17

4:30 Bigfoot Calling Contest – 17 and up

Live Music

11:00 Tugalo Holler

1:00 Those Guys

4:15 Diamonds and Whiskey

7:15 The Eric Scott Band

         MUSIC>

Guest Speakers

in the Westminster Music Centre

         SPEAKERS>

Asheville Fine Art Show
Oct 26 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pack Square

Asheville, North Carolina, and its surrounding communities are well-known for its vibrant art scene and historic architecture.  From the dome-topped Basilica of Saint Lawrence, to the 19th-century Biltmore Estate, and an Art District filled with galleries and museums, Asheville is an excellent place to host up to 150 renowned Juried Artists. Come join us and see for yourself why the Asheville Fine Art Show was voted as one of the Top 100 art shows in America!

Meet renowned glass artist, Jack Pine Oct. 26 – 27
Oct 26 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Bellagio Art to Wear

Meet renowned glass artist, Jack Pine, and preview his new collection featured at Bellagio Art to Wear in Historic Biltmore Village.

Saturday, Oct. 26th 10am – 6pm
Sunday, Oct. 27th 12pm – 5pm

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Having grown up in Southwestern Ohio, which is the birth place of the North American Studio Glass Movement, Jack was constantly exposed to glass artists and their varied techniques. As a child, Jack would experiment with molten bottle glass in campfires on his family’s farm. Today he is the creative force behind Jack Pine Studios, which has become a mecca for talented soft glass artisans. At the heart of the studio are the designs and techniques developed by Jack.

“I enjoy the intense demand on my skill and the focus involved with working with molten glass. All the energy I use to create a piece is captured in the glass, and thus is frozen in time forever.”
— Jack Pine

Bold Rock Fall Foliage Festival
Oct 26 @ 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Bold Rock Mills River Cidery

Bold Rock Hard Cider invites you to celebrate what makes fall great in the Blue Ridge Mountains at our Annual Fall Foliage Festival on Saturday, October 26th at Bold Rock Hard Cider from 11:30 – 10 PM!

Festival admission is FREE and family/pet friendly! Activities include an artisan fair from 12-5pm, live music from The Pitching Fits from 1-4pm, tunes from Flashback Band from 6-9pm, food trucks and other food vendors, as well as fun fall-themed activities!

Stay tuned for more details and if you’re an interested vendor, please reach out to [email protected] for more information on how you can get in on the fun!

We hope to see you there!