Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.
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.
Sunday, September
27, 2020
Inclusion Matters: Wheelchair Swings at Parks
Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum Tickets on Sale Sept. 1
Guest Appreciation Festival Nantahala Outdoor Center NOW ON LINE ONLY
Eliada’s 2020 Annual Corn Maze
Local Apples and Cider Have Arrived! Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Reserve Your Pasture-Raised Turkey Now Hickory Nut Gap Farm
West Village Market NOW OPEN limited hours, pick up + delivery
Art on Main
Art on Main
Bluegrass Brunch
Dobra Tea W. Asheville Zen Patio Open
Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
The Salvage Station is Now Open!
“Empty Bowls” Flat Rock Backpack Program RESCHEDEULED
Sunday Bluegrass Brunch
Check out Archetype on the Cover of Beer Connoisseur “Best in Beer”
Highland Brewing Company Reggae Sundays in the Meadow with Chalwa
Downtown Asheville: Pack Park Meet Up
Shakedown Sundays
Lawn Concert: Hannah Kaminer
Ghosted: Comedy Walking Tour w/ LaZoom
PATIO SHOW: The New Rustics
UniHorn (funk)
Ghosted: Comedy Walking Tour w/ LaZoom
 |
Buncombe County is diverse. Playgrounds should be, too. The spirit of inclusion is straightforward in a recent partnership that has brought swing access for persons of all abilities to the three largest parks in the County’s Recreation Services system.
With support from Dogwood Health Trust, Sand Hill Lions Club, and the citizens of Buncombe County, wheelchair swings can be found at Buncombe County Sports Park, Charles D. Owen Park, and Lake Julian Park that adhere to Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. Front and rear ramps allow easy access onto and off a 32 inch wide platform (the same as standard doorway entries). Wheelchairs can easily navigate on specially engineered mulch that also acts as a safety feature in case a user should fall.
Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021
5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly
Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.
***Tickets go on sale September 1***
NOC’s Guest Appreciation Festival has been a staple in Western North Carolina since 1982. Bringing together families, friends and the community to celebrate another season of outdoor adventure. In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19, we have made the decision to change up GAF for the 2020 season — with a focus on a virtual appreciation event throughout the month of September and no in-person festival the weekend of September 25th – 27th. The recreational releases on the Cascades and Upper Nantahala are still scheduled as normal.
In 2020 the festival format might change — but the spirit is stronger than ever. Let’s celebrate another summer of (socially distanced) adventure with a month full of deals on new and used gear, apparel from the big brands, and last minute savings on fall adventures in the mountains.
It has been a challenging year, but one that has reminded us that outdoor adventure plays a critical role in a healthy lifestyle. As we “space out” what is normally an action-packed weekend in the gorge, we plan to bring offers throughout the month of September that will keep you outfitted for the next adventure, big or small.
Want to be on the inside track? Sign up below to be added to our #GAF2020 list. We’ll be sharing additional updates soon and subscribers will be the first to know when the big deals hit.
Each day, you can pre-purchase tickets during for a specific time slot, allowing us to maintain safety and limit the number of people at the maze at once.
Time slots to choose from:
- 9-11am
- 11:30am-1:30pm
- 2-4pm
- 4:30-6:30pm
-
General Safety Guidelines
- Masks must be worn at all times, except for children under the age of four years old.
- Maintain social distancing with those outside your family.
- There will be a maximum number of attendees at the event at a time. Attendees will register and pre-purchase tickets. You will be able to select the 2-hour block of time you want to attend with your family. Time slots will automatically close once the max limit is reached.
- Please promptly leave the corn maze when your 2 hour time slot is up, so we can do a cleaning before the next group arrives.
- Minimize time indoors. You may use the indoor restrooms, and check-in indoors. We will give you a map for the maze and offer pumpkins, t-shirts, and other fun merchandise. But we won’t let you linger! Time to get outside, stay safe, and have fun!
- Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the event.
.
|
| Our first apples have arrived for the fall season. Check out our online store to shop crisp local apples and fresh cider. |
|
|
We raise all of our turkeys from baby chicks to adulthood directly on Hickory Nut Gap Farmland in Fairview, NC. They spend their entire lives rotationally grazing on pasture, free from antibiotics and added hormones. We offer a limited supply each year and a deposit must be paid in advance to secure your bird.
Price: $6 / lb
Range: 14 – 25 lbs
Please choose an approximate weight and we will tag a turkey with your name and send an invoice for the remaining balance.
Pick ups will start November 19th and run through November 25th.
We are open, with reduced hours!
Delivery and curbside pick-up are encouraged.
Take a tour, and place an order!
Market hours:
Every day: 9am – 1pm and 4pm – 8pm (closed daily from 1-4)
Sunflower Diner:
Call in a pick-up order:
Tuesday thru Sunday 10am – 3pm
Diner is closed on Mondays
Art on Main features fine art and fine craft by gathering distinctive local artists, as well as highly qualified artists from the southeast region of the U.S. More than 100 juried artists sell fine art paintings, in addition to works in clay, metal, wood, fiber, photography, jewelry, etc. For more information call 828-693-8504.
Art on Main features fine art and fine craft by gathering distinctive local artists, as well as highly qualified artists from the southeast region of the U.S. More than 100 juried artists sell fine art paintings, in addition to works in clay, metal, wood, fiber, photography, jewelry, etc. For more information call 828-693-8504.
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.
Dobra Tea will help you kick back, social distance style, with their new and beautiful outdoor patio at their West AVL location. Enjoy a little break from reality right off Haywood Road.
On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m. (weather permitting), Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Garden Promenade.
We are open with new rules and safety measures!
Founded in 2016, Salvage Station is Asheville, NC’s favorite riverfront bar, restaurant, concert hall, and special events venue located in the historic River Arts District along the French Broad River. From music shows and festivals, to community and private events, Salvage Station is an excellent place to hang out and have a truly great Asheville experience.
Less than one half mile from downtown, you can find the most spacious and safe place to social distance outside while enjoying refreshing adult beverages and delicious Creole and Southern soul food from Root Down Kitchen.
In an effort to keep our beloved patrons safe (and our doors open), our staff will have their temperatures checked before each shift, they will wear face masks at all times while at work, and will sanitize their hands and work areas often. You can also feel safe knowing that all employees have completed their Count On Me certification.
We also have new rules in place that we require our patrons to adhere to.
*Face masks required at all times unless seated at your table.
*Parties of 6 or fewer only.
*Ages 21+ only (this is temporary and we hope to allow all ages in again very soon).
*Social Distance! Stay 6 feet apart while standing in line and use our hand sanitizing stations often.
*Do not move any furniture under any circumstances. We have strategically placed our tables in a way that we can safely social distance our guests.
Let’s have fun and stay safe!
Due to current public health concerns with COVID-19, the fourth annual “Empty
Bowls” fundraiser has once again been postponed and with a different format. The fundraiser
was originally set for March 29, and then pushed back to September 27, 2020. Now organizers
have decided to honor only current ticket holders to an event on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
There will be no food or beverages served or any further ticket sales. Original ticket purchasers
will be contacted to pick up a hand-crafted bowl made by a local pottery artist at The Episcopal
Church of St. John in the Wilderness, 1905 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock.
The traditional Empty Bowls event plans to return in the future.
For more information please call 828-693-9783.
Bowls” fundraiser has once again been postponed and with a different format. The fundraiser
was originally set for March 29, and then pushed back to September 27, 2020. Now organizers
have decided to honor only current ticket holders to an event on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
There will be no food or beverages served or any further ticket sales. Original ticket purchasers
will be contacted to pick up a hand-crafted bowl made by a local pottery artist at The Episcopal
Church of St. John in the Wilderness, 1905 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock.
The traditional Empty Bowls event plans to return in the future.
For more information please call 828-693-9783.
For the fourth year, local pottery artists are firing their kilns to help hungry
children in the greater Flat Rock area.
children in the greater Flat Rock area.
EMPTY BOWLS, a community meal benefitting the Flat Rock Backpack Program, will take place inside the Parish
Hall at The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness, 1905 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock.
Hall at The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness, 1905 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock.
There are three seatings with suggested reservations, 12:30pm, 5pm and 6pm.
Tickets are $25 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12 years old.
Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl (all donated by area potters) and a soup-based meal
(a variety of soups, breads and desserts).
Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl (all donated by area potters) and a soup-based meal
(a variety of soups, breads and desserts).
Tickets will be available beginning Monday, March 2 at St. John in the Wilderness Parish House Office, from Backpack team members or at the door on the day of the event.
Please join us for this fun community event. Donations are gratefully accepted throughout the
year.
year.
Enjoy our Bluegrass Brunch every Sunday from 12:30-2:30pm! The Supper Break band out of Asheville will bring you lively Bluegrass tunes while you enjoy our Brunch Food Specials and Artisanal Sandwich menu. $5 Bloody Marys, $6 Mimosas, and $15 Bottles of Bubbly – only at Jack of the Wood!
Join us for Reggae Sundays every week in the Meadow for a cold beer and the sounds of the island with our friends from Chalwa.
Reggae Sundays are dependent on weather and will only occur outdoors in the Meadow.
Jam on, friends!
Come hangout, enjoy the sunshine, air and each other’s knowledge and company. From there, we can walk or meet at a local restaurant. Open to ideas.
Every Sunday Except First of Month.
Join Hannah and her band for an evening of wistful, Americana-style songwriting.
Hannah Kaminer is a folk/Americana artist based in Asheville, NC. Raised in small towns in western North Carolina, she fuses echoes of Appalachian traditions with wistful, Americana-style songwriting. Her clear voice and silvery melodies are a haunting pairing with gut-wrenching lyrics about loss, love, and home.
Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis patio and lawn. Reservations are highly recommended.
GHOSTED: COMEDY WALKING TOUR
COVID has postponed our bus tours, but it won’t stop us from laughing! Our brand new experience is an up tempo theatrical walking tour of haunted Asheville. You and 13 others will depart from the LaZoom Room and follow an undead guide through Asheville’s creepy streets in search of window into the past. Along the way, we’ll encounter real ghosts that will have you jumping out of your skin. Not really! Or really? Take the tour and find out!
The New Rustics have fused elements of folk, rock, jam, and country to create a high-energy, eclectic, and upbeat sound familiar to many, yet still maintaining authenticity. Bound together by instrumental improvisations and meaningful lyrics, they add a modern-day twist to a classic rock style. The New Rustics have been compared to legendary artists such as The Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, Little Feat, Uncle Tupelo, Tom Petty, Arlo Guthrie, and the Drive-By Truckers just to name a few. Their catchy melodies will have you singing in no time, but don’t think you’ve got them figured out just yet! Known to change gears on you, they’ll keep fans on their toes while moving their hips!
UNIHORN SUNDAY NIGHTS @ ICONIC!!
Comprised of some of Asheville’s funkiest musicians UniHorn features explosive brass, sweeping keyboard runs, and high energy tasty beats! Mixing in both original compositions and covers UniHorn knows how to keep the crowd moving and the party raging!!
GHOSTED: COMEDY WALKING TOUR
COVID has postponed our bus tours, but it won’t stop us from laughing! Our brand new experience is an up tempo theatrical walking tour of haunted Asheville. You and 13 others will depart from the LaZoom Room and follow an undead guide through Asheville’s creepy streets in search of window into the past. Along the way, we’ll encounter real ghosts that will have you jumping out of your skin. Not really! Or really? Take the tour and find out!
Monday, September
28, 2020
Black Folks Camp Too Initiative
Guest Appreciation Festival Nantahala Outdoor Center NOW ON LINE ONLY
Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens
Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Adventure Center of Asheville- Adventure Afterschool
Burgers and Bourbon
Black Folks Camp Too launched as a marketing initiative aimed at connecting Black individuals with camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Founder Earl B. Hunter was inspired by his son, Dillion, during a three month RV road trip in which they met only one other black family.
NOC’s Guest Appreciation Festival has been a staple in Western North Carolina since 1982. Bringing together families, friends and the community to celebrate another season of outdoor adventure. In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19, we have made the decision to change up GAF for the 2020 season — with a focus on a virtual appreciation event throughout the month of September and no in-person festival the weekend of September 25th – 27th. The recreational releases on the Cascades and Upper Nantahala are still scheduled as normal.
In 2020 the festival format might change — but the spirit is stronger than ever. Let’s celebrate another summer of (socially distanced) adventure with a month full of deals on new and used gear, apparel from the big brands, and last minute savings on fall adventures in the mountains.
It has been a challenging year, but one that has reminded us that outdoor adventure plays a critical role in a healthy lifestyle. As we “space out” what is normally an action-packed weekend in the gorge, we plan to bring offers throughout the month of September that will keep you outfitted for the next adventure, big or small.
Want to be on the inside track? Sign up below to be added to our #GAF2020 list. We’ll be sharing additional updates soon and subscribers will be the first to know when the big deals hit.
The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!
Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.
Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase.
GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made.
Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant serving GSMR’s freshly cooked pulled pork barbeque rubbed with Cajun spices then slow-roasted to perfection served with southern sweet cornbread muffin with honey butter, coleslaw, and cinnamon apples then finish with a delicious piece of Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake. Riders will also receive their very own Carolina Shine mason drinking jar, refillable with soda beverages and tea throughout the day, and a souvenir GSMR tote bag (1 per couple/party).
Afterschool Fall Fun! Weekly programs designed to supplement an altered school day by providing outdoor, immersive adventures for your 5-8 or 9-15 year-old student. Under the care of our trained adventure staff, participants will explore over 100 acres of beautiful mountain space, conduct experiments while they traverse high ropes and team-building elements, and climb trees combining experimental science with high adventure. Come join us for an unforgettable fall adventure!
- $129/week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Ages 5-8 years old: 12:00 pm-2:45 pm
- Ages 9-15 years old: 3:00 pm-6:00 pm
- Weekly from August 31-October 2 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
Limited spaces available! Reservations are required by calling our welcome center at 828.225.2921
Join Sovereign Remedies every Monday for our limited time Burgers & Bourbon special for $12. This reoccurring event is designed to thank all of you for your support and to get the new week started off properly. You fantastic people seemed to love this event, so we have chosen to keep it going for a little while. Give it a try while we can still offer it.
Sovereign Burger:
Confit garlic aioli, Lusty Monk Mustard, house pickles, carrot catsup, smoked white cheddar, red onion and local lettuce.
Confit garlic aioli, Lusty Monk Mustard, house pickles, carrot catsup, smoked white cheddar, red onion and local lettuce.
Your Bourbon cocktails to select from are Old Fashioned, Whiskey-Ginger (house-made ginger), Bourbon High Ball. We do allow for you to upgrade to a bourbon cocktail of your choosing, for an additional cost.
Social distancing and safety procedures are fully utilized by our staff. Thank you for joining us! Please bring and wear a mask.