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.

Saturday, October 19, 2019
It Didn’t Happen by Judy Calabrese
Oct 19 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

“It Didn’t Happen” by Judy Calabrese
Ages 18+

October 18-19, 2019 • 8 PM 
October 25-26, 2019 • 8 PM
Tina McGuire Theatre

This performance contains nudity and artistic representations of adult themes. Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted.

This raw, darkly comedic exploration of shame and desire takes us on a rollercoaster ride through Judy’s secret sexual relationships with women over a lifetime.

The Flat Rock Playhouse Smoke on the Mountain
Oct 19 @ 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Take a break from the frenzy of everyday life and enjoy Smoke on the Mountain, a wholesome celebration of faith, community, and Appalachian Music. Set in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina around 1938, Smoke on the Mountain brings to life a small-town musical revival featuring the traveling Sanders Family as they play the best of bluegrass, gospel, and hymns. Audiences will recognize beloved songs such as “Rock of Ages”, “The Church in the Wildwood”, “A Wonderful Time Up There,” and more as they are performed by talented actor-musicians. Running October 4th – 19th, Smoke on the Mountain, showcases the power of music to bring us all together and will have audiences singing along.

 

Director, Amy Jones, describes the experience as, “an entertaining and inspirational evening full of rousing gospel music played by the cast while also getting to know the unique dynamics of the Sanders family through their witnessing. The music is beautiful and heartfelt, and the characters are fleshed out in a very real and relatable way.”

LaZoom Comedy: Jono Zalay (saturday)
Oct 19 @ 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Jono Zalay began his standup career in Boston, while simultaneously earning his Doctorate in Neuroscience (he gave cocaine to rats). Since dropping his science hobby to pursue comedy full time, Jono has been named one of Comedy Central’s ‘Comics to Watch,’ and earned international press for his pranks on the DMV. Jono now lives in Los Angeles where he has written comedy for Fox, Amazon, and Comedy Central. He has been featured in over 30 comedy festivals around the country including Bridgetown, Big Sky, Limestone, and New York Comedy Festival.

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-jono-zalay-friday-tickets-70462791105

SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-jono-zalay-saturday-tickets-70463025807

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.

The Wizard of Oz
Oct 20 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

It’s not too early to make your plans to travel down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz! We’re deep into the rehearsal process, are building the sets and the costumes, and are hearing LOTS of super cool ideas from the artistic team!

  • Opening Weekend and Thursday night tickets are cheaper than other performances ($26 for adults vs $30)
  • Tickets for children 17 and under are $15 for any Wizard of Oz performance!
  • Keep up with what’s happening in rehearsals with the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” blog series written by our Cowardly Lion, John O’Neil!
Bold Move Productions presents NAUGHTY with Bold Mama Elle
Oct 20 @ 6:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Bold Move Productions presents NAUGHTY with Bold Mama Elle

This performance takes place in the Tina McGuire Theatre at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.

With every breath and step of the NAUGHTY World Premier, Bold Mama Elle prods the edge of personal and collective freedom. It’s a spell-binding one woman show that meets at an imagined intersection of humanity and Divinity. Critics have called her ability to captivate and delight, through deep vulnerability, “exquisite.” She is an insightful teacher and entertainer who personifies life without fear. The show blends soul-filled singing, dance and storytelling effortlessly, inspiring the audience to re-imagine what it means to be free.

Bold Mama Elle is a spiritual medium who channels “textured” music and movement. Her activated lyrics deeply awaken inner power.  On stage, she tells riveting stories fearlessly with her body and songs. Her “other-worldly” wisdom is  both radical and inspiring. The sound of her voice permeates the performance space creating tangible possibility for all. As the sole songwriter, director, choreographer and vocalist for NAUGHTY, Bold Mama Elle personifies what’s possible when we allow ourselves to truly be free!

VIP Tickets ($38 plus tax and fees): Include VIP floor ticket plus Naughty gift bag and guaranteed entry to post-performance reception.
 
General Admission Souvenir Tickets ($28 plus tax and fees): Include general admission performance ticket plus a show souvenir. 
 
General Admission Tickets ($18 plus tax and fees)

Hamlet presented by The Montford Moppets
Oct 20 @ 7:00 pm
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
Comedy at Fleetwood’s: John Conroy
Oct 20 @ 8:00 pm
Fleetwood's

D.C. native, John Conroy, brings an everyman’s attitude to smart, sharply written material that runs the gamut from shrewd observations to social satire.
Over the next few years he made a rapid transition from opener to headliner, playing hundreds of shows each year and touring the top clubs throughout the country. Conroy is a jovial iconoclast whose good-humored but aggressive act makes a lasting impression.

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-john-conroy-tickets-71543148483

Thursday, October 24, 2019
The Turn of The Screw
Oct 24 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Image

“The Turn of the Screw”
Prepare yourself for a night of suspense, enchantment, and chills as Flat Rock Playhouse brings to life the psychological thriller: The Turn of the Screw. When a new governess arrives at a remote country estate, she discovers that her employer and his children might not be all that they appear to be. Before long, the governess wonders if there might be more figures wandering around the estate than just the children. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for mystery and thrills.

Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM

 

Interested The Horror Show: Tales from the Red Room
Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

THE MAGNETIC THEATRE invites you to the Red Room… where there is no place to run or hide from what haunts you most. The Horror Show is a theatrical homage to cinematic horror anthologies (Creepshow, The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt), featuring eerie, tense and terrifying one-act plays written by some of Asheville’s most innovative writers.

The Turn of The Screw
Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Image

“The Turn of the Screw”
Prepare yourself for a night of suspense, enchantment, and chills as Flat Rock Playhouse brings to life the psychological thriller: The Turn of the Screw. When a new governess arrives at a remote country estate, she discovers that her employer and his children might not be all that they appear to be. Before long, the governess wonders if there might be more figures wandering around the estate than just the children. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for mystery and thrills.

Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM

The Wizard of Oz
Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

It’s not too early to make your plans to travel down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz! We’re deep into the rehearsal process, are building the sets and the costumes, and are hearing LOTS of super cool ideas from the artistic team!

  • Opening Weekend and Thursday night tickets are cheaper than other performances ($26 for adults vs $30)
  • Tickets for children 17 and under are $15 for any Wizard of Oz performance!
  • Keep up with what’s happening in rehearsals with the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” blog series written by our Cowardly Lion, John O’Neil!
To the Severed Head of the Class: Tales & Treats Storytelling for Performance class
Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Performed in 35below. There are some stories that are just so good they need to be shared with an assembled audience. Local actor/comedian Tom Chalmers invites you to take part in what is quickly becoming one of Asheville’s most popular series, Listen to This. A storytelling format in the vein of “This American Life,” Listen to This is an evening hosted by Chalmers with stories and songs from some of Asheville’s most interesting writers, performers, and citizens. Each installment features a central theme (past shows have featured stories about everything from gluttony to mistaken identity). Real people. Real stories. Real good times.

Friday, October 25, 2019
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

Interested The Horror Show: Tales from the Red Room
Oct 25 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

THE MAGNETIC THEATRE invites you to the Red Room… where there is no place to run or hide from what haunts you most. The Horror Show is a theatrical homage to cinematic horror anthologies (Creepshow, The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt), featuring eerie, tense and terrifying one-act plays written by some of Asheville’s most innovative writers.

The Wizard of Oz
Oct 25 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

It’s not too early to make your plans to travel down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz! We’re deep into the rehearsal process, are building the sets and the costumes, and are hearing LOTS of super cool ideas from the artistic team!

  • Opening Weekend and Thursday night tickets are cheaper than other performances ($26 for adults vs $30)
  • Tickets for children 17 and under are $15 for any Wizard of Oz performance!
  • Keep up with what’s happening in rehearsals with the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” blog series written by our Cowardly Lion, John O’Neil!
It Didn’t Happen by Judy Calabrese
Oct 25 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

“It Didn’t Happen” by Judy Calabrese
Ages 18+

October 18-19, 2019 • 8 PM 
October 25-26, 2019 • 8 PM
Tina McGuire Theatre

This performance contains nudity and artistic representations of adult themes. Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted.

This raw, darkly comedic exploration of shame and desire takes us on a rollercoaster ride through Judy’s secret sexual relationships with women over a lifetime.

The Turn of The Screw
Oct 25 @ 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Image

“The Turn of the Screw”
Prepare yourself for a night of suspense, enchantment, and chills as Flat Rock Playhouse brings to life the psychological thriller: The Turn of the Screw. When a new governess arrives at a remote country estate, she discovers that her employer and his children might not be all that they appear to be. Before long, the governess wonders if there might be more figures wandering around the estate than just the children. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for mystery and thrills.

Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM

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

LaZoom Comedy: Sam Tallent (friday)
Oct 25 @ 9:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Known for whip-quick wit and rollicking improvisations, Sam Tallent is one of the sharpest, most original rising talents in comedy today. Fresh off his New Faces debut at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, Sam has been called “the absurd voice of a surreal generation” by the Denver Post, and, when not maintaining a “Black Flag esque tour schedule” (Savage Henry Magazine), Sam has worked alongside many of the biggest names in comedy, including Russel Peters, Ron White, Dave Chappelle, Doug Stanhope, Dana Carvey and Hannibal Buress. He recently won his battle on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle, and was seen on VICELAND’s Flophouse as well as the Chris Gethard Show. His writing has been published on VICE.com. His debut novel, “Running the Light”, will be available this fall wherever fine books are sold. He lives in Denver with his wife and dog.

Featuring Steve Vanderploeg

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-sam-tallent-friday-tickets-70464738931

SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-sam-tallent-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>

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!

Festival of Heroes Montford Park Players
Oct 26 @ 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Montford Park Players Amphitheater

Warriors, Wanderers, Wakandans, & Westerosi!  It is our very great pleasure to announce the next Festival of Heroes & Goblin Market on Saturday, October 26th!  Located at the Montford Park Players‘s beautiful outdoor Shakespearean amphitheater, this will be a wondrous day of skilled fighting and musical entertainment!

This fall Festival of Heroes will feature the Warriors of Ash and their marquee steel sword tournament, a live musical performance by Balkan & Turkish folk band Black Sea Beat Society, medieval battle and dancing with SCA Barony of Hawkwood, Finnish folk band Slack Bird, blessings by our very own SuperVixen Conversationalist, walk-on foam fighting with The Wandering Swordsmen and The Valley of Ashes, and sing-a-longs by the delightful Assemblage of Singing Folk!

We are also delighted to be joining forces with the Goblin Market to bring even more talented artisans, artists, and entertainers to display and offer their beautiful creations!  Of course we will also have Fox Hill Meadery‘s finest on tap and delicious feasts provided by The Wooden Ladle several other area chefs!

This is a FREE and inclusive event that EVERYONE of all ages, from all lands, and in all themes are welcome at!  It will be Rain or Shine!

Artisans, Artists, and Entertainers will be announced shortly.  In the mean time, those interested in joining us are HIGHLY encouraged to register without delay!

The Turn of The Screw
Oct 26 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Image

“The Turn of the Screw”
Prepare yourself for a night of suspense, enchantment, and chills as Flat Rock Playhouse brings to life the psychological thriller: The Turn of the Screw. When a new governess arrives at a remote country estate, she discovers that her employer and his children might not be all that they appear to be. Before long, the governess wonders if there might be more figures wandering around the estate than just the children. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for mystery and thrills.

Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM

 

Interested The Horror Show: Tales from the Red Room
Oct 26 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

THE MAGNETIC THEATRE invites you to the Red Room… where there is no place to run or hide from what haunts you most. The Horror Show is a theatrical homage to cinematic horror anthologies (Creepshow, The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt), featuring eerie, tense and terrifying one-act plays written by some of Asheville’s most innovative writers.

The Wizard of Oz
Oct 26 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

It’s not too early to make your plans to travel down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz! We’re deep into the rehearsal process, are building the sets and the costumes, and are hearing LOTS of super cool ideas from the artistic team!

  • Opening Weekend and Thursday night tickets are cheaper than other performances ($26 for adults vs $30)
  • Tickets for children 17 and under are $15 for any Wizard of Oz performance!
  • Keep up with what’s happening in rehearsals with the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” blog series written by our Cowardly Lion, John O’Neil!
It Didn’t Happen by Judy Calabrese
Oct 26 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

“It Didn’t Happen” by Judy Calabrese
Ages 18+

October 18-19, 2019 • 8 PM 
October 25-26, 2019 • 8 PM
Tina McGuire Theatre

This performance contains nudity and artistic representations of adult themes. Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted.

This raw, darkly comedic exploration of shame and desire takes us on a rollercoaster ride through Judy’s secret sexual relationships with women over a lifetime.