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.
Our Ideal Volunteer Tutor
The ideal volunteer tutor is someone seeking to make a one-year commitment of two hours per week to help someone else make the change of a lifetime. For our volunteer tutors, an education background is helpful, but not necessary. The most important qualities are patience, an open mind, and resourcefulness. Tutors also need to be non-judgmental and sensitive to cultural differences. A GED or high school diploma is required. Ideal tutors enjoy seeing concrete outcomes from their efforts and sharing in the life-changing successes of others. See our full tutor position description here.
Featuring a panel of Business Experts for brief “how to use SCORE” followed by Q&A
Panel includes:
Health Care Administrator and Professor Emeritus
Small Business Owner
Commercial Banker
Chief Information Officer and Small Business Owner
Marketing Expert for Major Multinational Companies.
Franchise Business Operations Officer
For over 50 years SCORE’s thousands of working and retired business professionals have volunteered to support the success of small business nationwide. SCORE business mentoring is free and confidential and provide general business advice on every aspect of business planning, startup, management and growth.
It’s over a century old. It’s a cornucopia of sights and sounds—a treat for all your senses. It’s a carnival and an agriculture show. It’s an art show and a game show. There’s food, music, and rides. It’s pure, unfiltered fair entertainment with that unmistakable Cherokee touch.
General admission is $10 per person at the ticket booth (gate), Tuesday through Saturday. Children ages 6 to 10 are $5 per person. Youth under 6 years old will be admitted for free. Enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and other federally recognized tribes will receive free admission with their enrollment card.
Tuesday: Parade Day (gates open at 5:30 p.m. and close at 11 p.m.)
Wednesday: Children’s Day (gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. and from noon until closing, youth 17 years old and younger are admitted for free and will get a wristband to enjoy complimentary rides)
Thursday: Elder’s Day (gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. and all Elder’s ages 59 and a half are admitted for free)
Friday: Veterans’ Day (gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. and all Veterans’ are admitted for free)
Saturday: Community Day (gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. and will feature a variety of traditional competitions for the communities to compete against one another for a chance to win cash prizes)
Call for Volunteers!! We are grateful that the Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo supports conservation of land and water resources — and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Binge volunteers enjoy fun and camaraderie while helping in a variety of ways, from course marshals to Binge party hosting.
UNITE FOR A WORLD WITHOUT BREAST CANCER
Join the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
Join the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on October 12th, at Pack Square to help ignite the fight against breast cancer. Registration begins at 9:00am and the 5K walk starts at 10:00am. Funds raised at this noncompetitive, family-friendly event enable the American Cancer Society to save lives from breast cancer by investing in groundbreaking research; providing free, comprehensive information and support to those touched by the disease; and helping people take steps to reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable. Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit MakingStridesWalk.org/AshevilleNC to sign up and help save lives.
HELP SAVE LIVES FROM BREAST CANCER
Participate in the annual American Cancer Society Walk or Make an Online Donation
Form a team, join a team, walk as an individual, or make a donation for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk on October 12th, at Pack Square. Registration begins at 9:00am, and the walk starts at 10:00am. Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit MakingStridesWalk.org/AshevilleNC to sign up or donate today.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT BREAST CANCER WALK
We need you to help to save lives from breast cancer. Volunteers are needed for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk on October 12th, at Pack Square. Call the American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345 or visit MakingStridesWalk.org/AshevilleNC for details.
It’s over a century old. It’s a cornucopia of sights and sounds—a treat for all your senses. It’s a carnival and an agriculture show. It’s an art show and a game show. There’s food, music, and rides. It’s pure, unfiltered fair entertainment with that unmistakable Cherokee touch.
General admission is $10 per person at the ticket booth (gate), Tuesday through Saturday. Children ages 6 to 10 are $5 per person. Youth under 6 years old will be admitted for free. Enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and other federally recognized tribes will receive free admission with their enrollment card.
Tuesday: Parade Day (gates open at 5:30 p.m. and close at 11 p.m.)
Wednesday: Children’s Day (gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. and from noon until closing, youth 17 years old and younger are admitted for free and will get a wristband to enjoy complimentary rides)
Thursday: Elder’s Day (gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. and all Elder’s ages 59 and a half are admitted for free)
Friday: Veterans’ Day (gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. and all Veterans’ are admitted for free)
Saturday: Community Day (gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. and will feature a variety of traditional competitions for the communities to compete against one another for a chance to win cash prizes)
Community Garden located at the Buncombe County Sports Park.
The mission of Sand HIll Community Garden is to share in garden space, knowledge, and labor with all members of the community. Using organic growing practices we promote community health and wellness by providing fresh produce for garden members and local people in need of food.
Family friendly fun. try out the various games and challenges provided by Buncombe County Recreation Services. Face painters, popcorn, Fire Truck and much more. This is a FREE event.
This annual mountain family tradition is free and open to kids, teens, and adults of all ages. This year’s theme, Get Curious About the Outdoors, is inspired by the adventures of Curious George that feature themes of learning, forgiveness, and playful curiosity. Festival goers are encouraged to attend dressed as their favorite children’s book characters or in another costume.
“Autumn is a special time at Lake Julian, with vibrant colors on the trees and crisp air that’s distinct to our area,” according to Lynn Pegg, Buncombe County Recreation Services Program Manager. “This year, the Fall Festival celebrates the creativity and boundless imagination of Buncombe County’s youngest citizens throughout the park.”
Festival games include an obstacle course, water balloon toss, scavenger hunt, ring toss, baseball target, foam bow and arrow, and alphabet walk. Free face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, and storytelling areas will be set up within Lake Julian Road, the main loop in in the park. Regular park amenities including the pirate-themed playground (installed in 2018), volleyball, horseshoes, picnic tables, walking trails, and disc golf are also accessible at no cost.
Fishing, paddleboats, water trikes, and a boat launch are available for a small fee. Food will be offered for purchase from Frank & Steins Hot Dogs, Kona Shaved Ice, and Papa John’s Pizza. Publix has provided supplies for a free cupcake decorating station. Free water stations are sponsored by Mountain Valley Spring Water. (Please bring your reusable water bottle.)
Other stations include Asheville Museum of Science (learning activities), Buncombe County Fire Marshal (kids’ fire house), Buncombe County Libraries South Asheville Branch (story time), Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office (BEAR CAT tactical vehicle and K9 handler), Lakeview Putt and Play (mini golf), Skyland Fire and Rescue (fire engine), Smokey the Bear and the United States Forest Service (outdoor education), and WNC Safe Kids (safety information).
Celebrating our 5th year in Mills River, Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest welcomes thousands of lederhosen-clad and dirndl-sporting beer lovers to hoist a stein and Prost like a Pro! Join us for a festive night of craft beer, bountiful food, costumes, dancing, raucous music, and more. Dress your best and brush up on your Chicken Dance skills.
A German-inspired celebration featuring our beer (including our new Oktoberfest Collaboration), ample fest food (think brats, kraut, pretzels and way more), live music, glass blowing demonstrations, a Chicken Dance contest, a Flash Your ‘Stache competition, and more!
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
The Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference was inspired by the thriving herbal conferences for women in the Northeast, Northwest, and California, which were founded in the 1990’s. After many years of running Red Moon Herbs and teaching herbal medicine for women, Corinna Wood—student and apprentice of Wise Woman Herbalist Susun Weed—recognized that the Southeast, too, would be eager for this kind of gathering. From our first annual event in 2005 with 200 women attending, we quickly discovered that the community was more than ready, that this event is filling a deep hunger for the Wise Woman Ways in this region. The conference now has a heart and soul of its own. For many, it has become an annual event—with over a thousand women, the October gathering is a tradition in education, inspiration, and sisterhood.
3 Full days of workshops, intensives, gatherings and more.
For a complete schedule visit: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HcEve8IzhO29Qt_ZFRQXF3jcXtsffDk31v5HEbUNm_A/edit#gid=2075348263
Did you know that the Development Services Department offers training opportunities for professional development? Classes are held at Wesley Grant Sr. South Center, 285 Livingston St, Asheville, NC 28801 (unless noted otherwise).
Below is a list of upcoming classes:
- Electrical Journeyman Test: Oct. 15, 8 a.m. to noon. Cost: $50.
- Building Code Class: Nov. 5 and 12 (tentative dates), 1 to 4 p.m. Cost: $65.
- Plumbing Code Class: Dec. 3 and 10, 1 to 4 p.m. (tentative dates). Cost: $65.
Did you know that the Development Services Department offers training opportunities for professional development? Classes are held at Wesley Grant Sr. South Center, 285 Livingston St, Asheville, NC 28801 (unless noted otherwise).
Below is a list of upcoming classes:
- Building Code Class: Nov. 5 and 12 (tentative dates), 1 to 4 p.m. Cost: $65.
- Plumbing Code Class: Dec. 3 and 10, 1 to 4 p.m. (tentative dates). Cost: $65.
Did you know that the Development Services Department offers training opportunities for professional development? Classes are held at Wesley Grant Sr. South Center, 285 Livingston St, Asheville, NC 28801 (unless noted otherwise).
Below is a list of upcoming classes:
- Electrical Journeyman Test: Oct. 15, 8 a.m. to noon. Cost: $50.
- Building Code Class: Nov. 5 and 12 (tentative dates), 1 to 4 p.m. Cost: $65.
- Plumbing Code Class: Dec. 3 and 10, 1 to 4 p.m. (tentative dates). Cost: $65.
Call for Volunteers!! We are grateful that the Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo supports conservation of land and water resources — and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Binge volunteers enjoy fun and camaraderie while helping in a variety of ways, from course marshals to Binge party hosting.
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.
- It’s critical for planners to know how to effectively organize, budget and market a variety of different events to keep the company in the green, out of trouble, and on the minds of donors, business partners, and customers. Earning a certificate in Event Planning will expose you to the many different facets of being an event planner from managing people and projects to increasing exposure and dollars for your organization. Participants can earn a certificate by attending six of the designated event planning workshops (EP), which are offered each semester. Participants do not enroll in the certificate program, but rather complete the workshops at their own pace. Workshops are offered each semester (spring and fall) on either Thursday or Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at WCU at Biltmore Park, Asheville, NC.
Instructors will distribute a case study at the end of each EP workshop, and participants submit the case studies to the program coordinator when all 6 workshops are completed to complete the final requirement for the certificate. The workshop instructors include professionals from the Western North Carolina business and hospitality industry and faculty from Western Carolina University.
Complete 6 of the below EP workshops and earn a certificate.
Fee: $119 per workshop or register for 6 workshops for $640 (a 10% discount!) Workshops include lunch and continuing education credits.
- FIVE-STAR CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY Friday, August 16, 2019
- MAKING EVERY PENNY COUNT: EVENT BUDGETING 101 Friday, September 20, 2019
- CURRENT & TESTED SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR DIGITAL MARKETING Friday, October 18, 2019
- ENGAGE, STRATEGIZE, CULTIVATE – THE ART OF SECURING EVENT SPONSORSHIPS Thursday, October 24, 2019
- MAXIMIZING YOUR RETURN FROM TRADESHOWS, EXPOS AND FAIRS Thursday, November 7, 2019
- CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, LIABILITY AND RISK FACTORS Friday, November 22, 2019
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.
Call for Volunteers!! We are grateful that the Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo supports conservation of land and water resources — and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Binge volunteers enjoy fun and camaraderie while helping in a variety of ways, from course marshals to Binge party hosting.
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.
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! ???
Join local astronomer and author Stephan Martin on a tour of the stars and constellations of the fall night sky above the farm. We’ll discuss some of the myths of the constellations along with the seasonal changes in the sky at this time as well as some of the latest discoveries in astronomy and theories of the universe. All ages are welcome and no background in astronomy or science is required.
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
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.