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.
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and the Success Equation, an initiative of Children First/Communities in School, are bringing people together to discuss and reflect on one of the biggest current issues facing Asheville and the country- affordable housing- by hosting a free film screening of Owned: A Tale of Two Americas 7 pm Thursday, October 17 at the Fine Arts Theater. After the film, a panel discussion comprised of local housing advocates will take place so people can consider housing issues and solutions and learn how to get involved locally.
What: Film screening of Owned. Free entry. Following the film, a panel discussion with local housing advocates will take place. Watch the trailer here.
When: Thursday, October 17. The film begins at 7 pm and will end at 8:25, followed by a panel discussion of diverse, local housing advocates.
Where: Fine Arts Theater – 36 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville
Why: Across the nation 1 in 6 households spend half or more of their income on housing and right here in Buncombe County thousands struggle to afford a decent place to live.
Owned presents an opportunity to learn about the history of American housing policy and how this affects our housing choices today. By coming together through film and a panel discussion, residents can engage in thoughtful and critical dialogue, consider housing issues and solutions, and learn how to get involved locally.
How: Secure your free ticket here.
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Through Habitat homeownership and home repair programs, more than 1,600 adults and children in Buncombe County have achieved the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future. A decent place to call home and an affordable mortgage enables Habitat homeowners to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities and have greater financial stability. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat, a Charity Navigator 4-star non-profit, and how you can get involved at ashevillehabitat.org.
Everyone is invited to this free event.
- 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.

- Friday: 5-8pm
- Saturday: 11am-8pm
- Sunday: 11am-6pm
-
Special Events: We offer field trip, birthday party, and corporate night experiences. Contact Chris Rainwater at [email protected] to schedule your event.Volunteer:Volunteers may work 3 hours shifts at one of our many attractions. Volunteers receive 2 FREE tickets to the Corn Maze for every shift served. More information at EliadaCornMaze.com.

Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:
- campfire marshmallows
- coloring station
- temporary tattoos
- trick or treating
- bouncy house (weather permitting)
- wagon rides
And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.
- Length of the fake movie trailers must be between 30-60 seconds.
- The fake movie trailers can be any of any genre, but must follow the rules and content guidelines to qualify (link below). Please stress this.
- It is open to all ages, and any resident of Western North Carolina.
- Submissions are now open and the deadline to submit a video is Sunday, November 10th at 11:59pm.
- Qualifying entries will be shared on our Facebook/Instagram pages and also will play in our pre-show entertainment before movies at our Merrimon movie theater.
- JURY AWARDS = $300 for 1st Place / $150 for 2nd Place / $100 for 3rd Place
- PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS = We’ll post all of the qualifying videos to both our Facebook and Instagram pages, and let the public vote on their favorites. The winners receive Asheville Brewing Co. gift cards.

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.

- Friday: 5-8pm
- Saturday: 11am-8pm
- Sunday: 11am-6pm
- $10 ticket price for all ages.
- Like every year prior, children 3 and under may still enter the event FREE.
- $8 per person for groups of 12 or more. We suggest you book ahead [email protected].

Quiet Hour*: 11-Noon * No Sirens or Horns
Asheville Outlets (Parking lot next to Field and Stream on the south side of the building off of Ridgefield Blvd.)
Touch-A-Truck is a community wide event where both kids and kids at heart have the opportunity to see, touch, climb and learn about vehicles of all types, including public service, emergency, utility, construction, garbage, transportation, and delivery—all in one place! Children will even get to sound the horns and meet the drivers and people who operate these vehicles. Children can also truck-or-treat throughout the festival—costumes are encouraged but not required.
Additional activities on-site will be food and beverage stations; not-for profit organizations, activity/educational tents; and several other special attractions. Parental supervision is required and cameras are highly recommended to capture the day’s adventures
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! ???

About This Trip
Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:
- campfire marshmallows
- coloring station
- temporary tattoos
- trick or treating
- bouncy house (weather permitting)
- wagon rides
And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.

Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:
- campfire marshmallows
- coloring station
- temporary tattoos
- trick or treating
- bouncy house (weather permitting)
- wagon rides
And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.
Join us for “Saturday Night Lights,” a family-friendly event at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC, happening every Saturday evening May through October featuring FREE carousel rides, pony rides, bounce house, face painting, entertainers and live music, plus horse show competition. General admission and parking are also free and open to the public. With onsite dining options, concessions, shopping, and lodging, come for the night or for a vacation getaway! Learn more at Tryon.com/SNL.
Phone: 828-863-1000
Email: [email protected]

ONE NIGHT ONLY IMMERSIVE PHOTO BOOTH EXPERIENCE!
The Haunted Trail opens early for one night for an Instagram-centric photo booth experience where one can immerse themselves in the magic of the Haunted Trail scene installations.
The highly Instagrammable scenes have been designed for optimal lighting and staged with props, costumes and ring lights to help you capture the spirit of Halloween. The interactive exhibits will include 10 exhibits, all primed for photo opps.
Proof of purchase to this event rewards you with 50% off admission to the Haunted Trail.

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.
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.
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.
- Length of the fake movie trailers must be between 30-60 seconds.
- The fake movie trailers can be any of any genre, but must follow the rules and content guidelines to qualify (link below). Please stress this.
- It is open to all ages, and any resident of Western North Carolina.
- Submissions are now open and the deadline to submit a video is Sunday, November 10th at 11:59pm.
- Qualifying entries will be shared on our Facebook/Instagram pages and also will play in our pre-show entertainment before movies at our Merrimon movie theater.
- JURY AWARDS = $300 for 1st Place / $150 for 2nd Place / $100 for 3rd Place
- PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS = We’ll post all of the qualifying videos to both our Facebook and Instagram pages, and let the public vote on their favorites. The winners receive Asheville Brewing Co. gift cards.

Spend some time with your family detoxing naturally in the Salt Cave. Adults $25, 4-12 years old $15, 3 and younger are free.

- Friday: 5-8pm
- Saturday: 11am-8pm
- Sunday: 11am-6pm
-
Special Events: We offer field trip, birthday party, and corporate night experiences. Contact Chris Rainwater at [email protected] to schedule your event.Volunteer:Volunteers may work 3 hours shifts at one of our many attractions. Volunteers receive 2 FREE tickets to the Corn Maze for every shift served. More information at EliadaCornMaze.com.

About This Trip
Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:
- campfire marshmallows
- coloring station
- temporary tattoos
- trick or treating
- bouncy house (weather permitting)
- wagon rides
And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.
Do you love cars? If so, then join us at Asheville Outlets (ShopAshevilleOutlets.com) for Cruise ‘In, a monthly car show featuring an exciting display of cars, trucks, motorcycles and special interest vehicles behind the Food Court on Sundays, May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20 and November 17, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cruise ‘In is free to car owners and spectators.
Join Aloft and Charlie’s Angels for a howling good time at our Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Party on Sunday, October 20! From 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., party with your pooches and compete in our costume contests to win fun prizes. Lounge around w xyz Bar for drink specials and tasty treats for humans and dogs alike.
Does your pup have what it takes to strut their stuff? Check-in for the dog parade and costume contest begins at 4:30 p.m. followed by the parade and costume contest at 5:00 p.m. Furry friends can be registered based on small, medium or large breeds and the top three winners will receive a prize! All dogs who enter the contest will receive a treat and owners will receive a $5 voucher to w xyz Bar.
Are you and your pup a package deal? Enter in our dog and family costume contest for the change to take home the first-place prize! Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. and the contest will begin at 6:00 p.m.
A minimum $5 donation is required for entry. Call 828-232-2838 for more details and be sure to RSVP on Facebook. We’ll see you there!



