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.

Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing for the Uninsured

Aug 5 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Brevard Music Center Main Parking Lot

Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing For the Uninsured

The Brevard Music Center in association with the Pisgah Health Foundation announces a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing site exclusively for those on Medicare and those who are uninsured.When: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. Testing begins on Wednesday, July 15.

Where: Brevard Music Center Main Parking lot (entrance on Music Camp Road off Probart Street)

Who: Testing available exclusively to those who are uninsured and those on Medicare. (Please note: This testing is not available to persons holding private health insurance or on Medicaid. Please consult your doctor for testing.)

Questions: For more information, visit our website or email [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Keystone Laboratory of Asheville will administer the COVID-19 tests and antibody tests, with results available within 96 hours.

Categories: Community Health & Wellness

Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens

Aug 5 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Bullington Gardens

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.

Categories: Family Fun Garden Outdoors

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Buncombe County Area Meal Sites

Aug 6 all-day

Buncombe County

Find locations around Buncombe County working hard to feed our community.

FOR STUDENTS: text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.

View meal sites by geographical area, day of the week, and/or service type offered.

Categories: Community Health & Wellness

Grounding and Centering Morning Meditation

Aug 6 all-day

Online

Enjoy a relaxing 20 minute guided meditation with didgeridoo from Robin and Corey, recorded live from their home in Asheville.

Categories: Health & Wellness

Stay Active with Your Library Card

Aug 6 all-day

Online

You don’t need to give up your fitness or workout routine just because COVID-19 has you spending more time at home. If you’ve got a library card and access to WiFi, it’s easy to stay active with digital resources. (If you need a new library card or renewal, call Ask a Librarian at (828) 250-4700 or follow these steps.)

North Carolina Digital Library

Categories: Health & Wellness

The Blood Connection: FREE Bloomin’ Onion voucher! at Outback

Aug 6 all-day

The Blood Connection

donate blood and earn Outback Steakhouse rewards

VISIT:

https://thebloodconnection.org/outback/?fbclid=IwAR1atg5dOe3gxhuljqpCF1myxtpVmhy9iw-I60scxKkk_U69G-iZjO5fYCU to find your nearest location and timea!

Give back, Outback, repeat. Every Thursday during August, all blood donations made at a TBC Center will receive 400 reward points and a FREE Bloomin’ Onion voucher! You can also cash in those points for an Outback Steakhouse – National gift card and make it a whole meal! To find out more or to make an appointment: thebloodconnection.org/outback/

Categories: Community Health & Wellness

Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing for the Uninsured

Aug 6 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Brevard Music Center Main Parking Lot

Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing For the Uninsured

Where: Brevard Music Center Main Parking lot (entrance on Music Camp Road off Probart Street)

Questions: For more information, visit our website or email [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Keystone Laboratory of Asheville will administer the COVID-19 tests and antibody tests, with results available within 96 hours.

Categories: Community Health & Wellness

Keeper For A Day at Grandfather Mountain

Aug 6 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Grandfather Mountain

Keeper For A Day

Learn how to interact with the animals, clean up, prepare food and provide enrichments. Observe various training sessions, animal behavior and the inner workings of the animal habitats.

Requirements:

Limited to two persons per day. No pets allowed in habitat area. Keepers for a Day must:

— be 12 years of age or older
— be capable of walking up and down steep, rough terrain
— sign a waiver of liability

Expected Daily Schedule:

Arrive at 8 a.m., meet the keepers, and go to work! Assist as we let out the animals, feed them and clean their habitats. You may be asked to lift and carry animal food, tools or other items. Learn about training and providing enrichments. End your exciting shift at 11 a.m.

What to Wear:

You will get dirty! Please wear appropriate, closed-toe hiking or work boots and no loose jewelry. Coats, jackets, gloves and hats are recommended for cooler weather. Please bring sunscreen.

Weather:

Keeper for a Day will continue on schedule regardless of weather conditions. In the event that weather conditions could affect the opening of the habitats, you will be contacted.

The weather on Grandfather Mountain can change at a moment’s notice. Temperatures are commonly 5 to 10 degrees colder than what they are at the bottom of the mountain in Linville. It is recommended that you dress in layers and be prepared for any weather condition.

2019 Keeper for a Day Dates

Month	Days	Time	Number
April	2, 9, 16, 23, 30	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
May	7, 14, 21, 28	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
June	4, 11, 18, 25	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
July	2, 9, 16, 23, 30	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
August	6, 13, 20, 27	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
September	3, 10, 17, 24	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
October	1, 8, 15, 22, 29	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day

Reservations:

Keeper for a Day must be booked at least one week in advance by calling (828) 733-8715. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

Price:

The cost is $75 per participant ($60 each for Bridge Club members). Admission to the park is included.

Categories: Family Fun Outdoors

Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens

Aug 6 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Bullington Gardens

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.

Categories: Family Fun Garden Outdoors

NC Arboretum’s “Arbor Evenings”

Aug 6 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The North Carolina Arboretum

Relax and unwind at the Arboretum’s “ArborEvenings” after hours series. Held every Thursday, June – October, from 6 to 9 p.m., visitors will sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s beautiful gardens while enjoying live music amongst flowers and friends. Local beverages, including beer and wine, are available for purchase along with light food options.

Admission to ArborEvenings is free; however, standard parking fees apply to non-members.

Categories: Food & Drink Garden Outdoors

ArborEvenings

Aug 6 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

The North Carolina Arboretum

The Arboretum’s popular ArborEvenings summer after hours series will return this season with a special LEGO twist. Held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July through September, from 8 to 11 …

Categories: Outdoors Parks & Recreation

Friday, August 7, 2020

Buncombe County Area Meal Sites

Aug 7 all-day

Buncombe County

Find locations around Buncombe County working hard to feed our community.

FOR STUDENTS: text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.

View meal sites by geographical area, day of the week, and/or service type offered.

Categories: Community Health & Wellness

Cades Cove Loop Lope

Aug 7 all-day

Cades Cove Loop Lope

Carpooling is essential to maximizing participation in this race. Only 100 vehicle passes will be available for purchase for an additional fee when registration opens. Registrants who do not purchase a vehicle pass must either carpool with a passholder they know or utilize the group transportation option which will be provided by Friends of the Smokies.

Event Date: Sunday November 8, 2020

EVENT: VIRTUAL 5K – 10/25/20-11/8/20

Can’t join us in person? Participate virtually! A virtual race can be run (or walked!) anywhere, even indoors on a treadmill, and anytime. This is a great way to support Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a day, time, and place that works for your schedule. All virtual runners will receive a race t-shirt and undated finisher’s medallion via mail.

Price: $75.00 Race Fee + $4.50 SignUp Fee

Categories: Outdoors Sports

Grounding and Centering Morning Meditation

Aug 7 all-day

Online

Enjoy a relaxing 20 minute guided meditation with didgeridoo from Robin and Corey, recorded live from their home in Asheville.

Categories: Health & Wellness

Stay Active with Your Library Card

Aug 7 all-day

Online

North Carolina Digital Library

Categories: Health & Wellness

UNC Weight Research Program: Free 8-week program Health-E From Home

Aug 7 all-day

Online

Health-e from Home is a free 8-week program designed to help you make a few small changes to your everyday health habits – and it can be done at home, or anywhere. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are evaluating the acceptability and usage of this free online program that is designed to help people who are spending more time at home due to COVID-19 build healthier habits. Those who join the study will receive access to weekly lessons and tailored feedback from the study team that will encourage small changes to their eating, small increases in activity, and simple activities to promote well-being. Participants will complete a brief, 20-minute survey at the beginning and end of the program, as well as weekly check-in questions to help the study team provide personalized feedback to help individuals meet their health goals. Those who are interested in focusing on maintaining or losing weight will also be invited to a private Facebook group to join other study members working to meet weight goals during the study. To learn more and find out if you are eligible to participate, please visit http://healthefromhome.org.

Categories: Health & Wellness

Your Voice Matters: Advocate for those experiencing poverty

Aug 7 all-day

Online

MANNA’s mission is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger, and an important part of this mission is advocating for those living in and experiencing the effects of poverty.

As a non-partisan organization, dedicated to sharing information about the issues affecting the people we serve together, MANNA does not endorse political parties or candidates. We simply ask people to work with our elected officials to make legislation that works for us all, and makes our region, our state, and our country stronger from the ground up.

If you are interested in receiving advocacy-related emails from MANNA FoodBank, please follow link. By clicking here, you are signing up to receive information from MANNA about ways you can use your voice, and actions you can take, to help work towards our vision of a hunger-free Western North Carolina.

Categories: Community Health & Wellness Volunteers

Tour d’Apple 2020

Aug 7 @ 7:00 am – 10:00 am

Blue Ridge Community College

Unlike so many canceled events, the Tour d’Apple will take off on Labor Day, September 7, 2020 with rolling starts beginning at 7:00am until 10am from Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC! Tour d’Apple invites up to 350 cyclists to ride from 25-100 miles one of four scenic routes around the apple orchards and beautiful mountains of Henderson County, NC.

New for 2020

To help with social distancing, this year the ride has been limited to 350 participants.

All staff/volunteers will be required to wear a face covering during the event. These will be provided to volunteers if necessary. Participants must wear a face covering (the free TDA buff meets this requirement) until the event starts, at all rest stops, and after they finish the event.

Participants will not be permitted to form in groups. They must maintain 6 foot distancing while in the start/finish area, in the event hub, and at all rest stops.

Custom Tour d’Apple buffs will be given to all 350 participants to register. The deadline to register and receive a free buff is August 15th.

An optional Virtual event experience is being offered so riders can participate in this cycling event from anywhere. Ride from your home, the park, or anywhere else you choose and submit your results online.

New Packet Pick-up Procedures: The packet, numbered bib and swag for this event can be shipped before the ride for $10, an option that is available when you register. Deadline to have packets mailed is August 15th. For those who do not want their packets mailed, there is a Drive-thru Packet Pick-up the day prior to the event (September 6th) from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Blue Ridge Community College Parking lot. To encourage social distancing, there will be no packet pickup or registration on the morning of the ride.

Look for updates on the Tour d’Apple website http://tourdapple.com/ for updates and changes as Labor Day approaches. We have also published a Blog Post on what we are doing to adhere to the NC guidelines.

Free Ride T-shirt

Those cyclists who register by August 14th will receive a free Tour d’Apple t-shirt if registered prior to August 14th at midnight. After that, shirts will be available on a limited basis for an additional $10.

Categories: Outdoors Sports

Grandfather Mountain

Aug 7 @ 8:00 am – 7:00 pm

Grandfather Mountain

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.

Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.

Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.

Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:

Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)

Categories: Family Fun Hiking Outdoors Parks & Recreation

Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens

Aug 7 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Bullington Gardens

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.

Categories: Family Fun Garden Outdoors

Hemp Xpress Trolley: Cruisin’ Asheville

Aug 7 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Carolina Hemp Company

The Hemp X Hot Box:Roll with us Fridays from 5-10pm as we coast a route through West Asheville and Downtown. Stops at UpCountry Brewing, One World Brewing West, Foggy Mountain, and The One Stop. We’ll have smokable and edible hemp products for purchase to enjoy alongside any wine or beer you bring yourselves (closed containers only). We’re happy to provide an affordable way for locals and visitors to Roll Up, Stay Safe and Party Down! Cruisin Asheville July 10th, July 31st, August 7th, August 21st. More dates to come!

Purchase Tickets on board! One Way Pass $3 and All Night Unlimited Pass $5

Private Rentals: Spark up your next Asheville area celebration with our personalized rental platform! We offer several packages at different price tiers to best cater to your party’s needs! Our team is dedicated to working with you to create an experience that will leave your guests (and your smoke) blown away!

The Hemp Xpress is dedicated to the safety of the Asheville community; public routes and experiences are operating at half capacity within social distance guidelines. Hand sanitizer is readily available to riders, and surfaces are regularly sanitized. Buncombe County requires a face mask be worn in public places.

Categories: Food & Drink Health & Wellness Tours

Music On Main

Aug 7 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Main Street, Hendersonville

Note: Some or all of the Summer Music Series Concerts may be cancelled or postponed. Events will be held in accordance with North Carolina restrictions, of crowd size and distancing, to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Check regularly for updates.

The Music on Main concerts feature a diverse line-up ranging from pop, oldies, rock, to contemporary music – there’s something for every musical taste. The concerts this year will be held August 21 – September 25 at the Visitor Center, located at 201 South Main Street in Downtown Hendersonville, NC.

Several modifications have been made this year to comply with state and federal health guidelines. To accommodate these mandates, the designated dance area in front of the stage will be used to distance the audience from the performers. Dancing will not be allowed for public safety. In addition to the Visitor Center parking lot, the block in front of the Visitor Center, between Allen & Barnwell Streets, will be dedicated to seating, which will give the audience more room for seating to listen to the concert.

Categories: Music Outdoors

Music on Main featuring Home Brood CANCELLED

Aug 7 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Visitors Center

The weekly Music on Main concert series on August 7th will feature Home Brood.

Bring a chair and enjoy an evening of live music from 7pm-9pm. The audience seating area opens after 5:30pm, early admission is prohibited. Admission is free. Alcoholic beverages, backpacks, or coolers are prohibited. Please leave your pets comfortably at home. A Hendersonville City ordinance allows event organizers to exclude animals from the event space for the health, safety and welfare of the community, dogs, patrons, and vendors and their products.

The concert series is held every Friday evening from July 24 through September 18, at the Visitor Center, located at 201 South Main Street in Downtown Hendersonville, NC.

In case of inclement weather the concert will be postponed until 8pm. If the weather does not improve by 8pm the performance will be cancelled.

Categories: Music Outdoors

ArborEvenings

Aug 7 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

The North Carolina Arboretum

The Arboretum’s popular ArborEvenings summer after hours series will return this season with a special LEGO twist. Held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July through September, from 8 to 11 …

Categories: Outdoors Parks & Recreation

Saturday, August 8, 2020

Buncombe County Area Meal Sites

Aug 8 all-day

Buncombe County

Find locations around Buncombe County working hard to feed our community.

FOR STUDENTS: text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.

View meal sites by geographical area, day of the week, and/or service type offered.

Categories: Community Health & Wellness

Cades Cove Loop Lope

Aug 8 all-day

Cades Cove Loop Lope

Event Date: Sunday November 8, 2020

EVENT: VIRTUAL 5K – 10/25/20-11/8/20

Price: $75.00 Race Fee + $4.50 SignUp Fee

Categories: Outdoors Sports

Chill with Carolina Hemp Company in the latest #digAVL Video

Aug 8 all-day

Online

Meet Brian Bullman of Carolina Hemp Company. What better way to kick back and relax and help keep your immune system up then with some local hemp. Brian tells us all about the newest additions to their lineup of immunity-boosting and anxiety-reducing hemp. Find out more by checking out the video.

See the video interview here!

While we’ve all had to adjust to the “new normal” (whatever that is), our local business owners and managers each have their own story to tell about how they’ve been affected and what they are doing during these unprecedented times. Dig Local is proud to partner with our friend, Ann Smith, at Leap Frog Tours to interview some of the awesome folks who make Asheville, Asheville.

Categories: Community Health & Wellness

COVID-19 Business Resources

Aug 8 all-day

Online

As our community responds to COVID-19, our staff are monitoring the situation and working to bring you information and resources. Please watch this page for news updates and emerging resources.

Categories: Community Health & Wellness

COVID-19 Testing in Buncombe County

Aug 8 all-day

Online

COVID-19 Testing in Buncombe County

COVID-19 testing is suggested for people experiencing symptoms, those who have been identified as a close contact to a confirmed case regardless of symptoms, and for those who work in congregate living settings with concerns of a potential outbreak.

Testing is widely available at urgent cares, federally qualified health centers, and through some primary care providers for those who need it however, it remains important to focus on the prevention of COVID first and foremost to keep the virus from spreading further into the community and to loved ones.

FIND TESTING NEAR YOU:

If you DO NOT HAVE a healthcare provider who offers testing for COVID-19 and you need to get tested, there are several ways to find testing near you.

Visit the Find My Testing Place website to find a clinic or pop up testing site near you.
People in Buncombe County can access testing by completing the Buncombe County Self-Checker online to set up an appointment at one of the county’s open-air, drive-through sites. People can also call the Ready Team at (828) 419-0095 from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm., Monday – Friday to be pre-screened for testing at these sites.
You can call the Buncombe County nurse line at (828) 250-5300 to find out where you can get tested (Press OPTION #1 to speak with a nurse) from 8 am to 5:30 pm.

Categories: Community Health & Wellness

Grounding and Centering Morning Meditation

Aug 8 all-day

Online

Enjoy a relaxing 20 minute guided meditation with didgeridoo from Robin and Corey, recorded live from their home in Asheville.

Categories: Health & Wellness

August 2020 Aug 2020

Calendar of Events

North Carolina Digital Library

Keeper For A Day

Requirements:

Expected Daily Schedule:

What to Wear:

Weather:

2019 Keeper for a Day Dates

Reservations:

Price:

North Carolina Digital Library

COVID-19 Testing in Buncombe County

FIND TESTING NEAR YOU: