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.
From traditional paintings, jewelry, wood, pottery, and glass, to unique photography, furniture, clothing, and mixed media art; the idea behind Artisanville is to have something for everyone to appreciate and to take home.
Artisanville invites its guests to investigate and explore our unique items during a two-day long fine art and craft show. With over 175 regional and national artists—each handpicked and personally invited to the event— this show promises to surprise and entrance you. Visitors can interact with artisans, see live art demos, purchase beautiful artwork, or simply enjoy the craftsmanship behind each piece. When in need of a break, art lovers can also relax, get a drink or snack, listen to live music and log into the Internet at the new Art Patron Lounge area. There are even free drawings for “Artisanville bucks” to spend at the show. Be sure not to miss ARTISANVILLE…the newest Fine Art/Fine Craft Show coming to Greenville, SC!
Smash Don’t Trash is back for its 2nd year in Asheville! Bring out those rotten pumpkins for a smashing good time!
Starting Thursday October 24 at 5pm, Bring your family & friends to join you as you make your way in…and hopefully out of the scariest experience you’ve ever had. Think you can get out? Get your tickets and find out!
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The Grey Eagle’s word-famous Open Mic night in Asheville, NC!
- FREE SHOW
- 6PM Sign Up — 7PM Music
Perform on the historic stage at The Grey Eagle. This is Asheville’s ultimate variety open mic night. Music, comedy, spoken word — you name it!
Admission is FREE. Signups begin around 6PM and performances will start around 7PM.
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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:
- Plumbing Code Class: Dec. 3 and 10, 1 to 4 p.m. (tentative dates). Cost: $65.
Come share your talent with the community! All acts welcome (music, jokes, dancing, poetry, storytelling, etc)
Stop by to sign up for your slot!
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Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale: Reserve your locally-harvested 22” Fraser Fir wreath for $25. Call the Girls on the Run office at 828-713-4290 for more information. Wreaths will also be available for purchase at the Girls on the Run 5K.
Friday, November 8th: Shop at the new Athleta store in Biltmore Park anytime on Friday. A percentage of sales will be donated to GOTR.
Tuesday, November 19th: Shop at the Asheville Outlets Vineyard Vines store on the 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The store will donate 20% of sales to GOTR.
Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.
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- 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
Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale: Reserve your locally-harvested 22” Fraser Fir wreath for $25. Call the Girls on the Run office at 828-713-4290 for more information. Wreaths will also be available for purchase at the Girls on the Run 5K.
Friday, November 8th: Shop at the new Athleta store in Biltmore Park anytime on Friday. A percentage of sales will be donated to GOTR.
Tuesday, November 19th: Shop at the Asheville Outlets Vineyard Vines store on the 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The store will donate 20% of sales to GOTR.
Explore the History of the French Broad Riverfront in Asheville with RiverLink’s Bus Tour
The RiverLink bus tour, offered through Leap Frog Tours, is an opportunity to learn the exciting history of the French Broad River and its important role in the development of Asheville. Participants will also learn about current improvements along the French Broad River and what is expected in the coming years to make the River and Watershed a better place to live, learn, work and play.
Tours run from 10 AM-1 PM on the first Thursday of the month from March-November. Tour groups meet at the parking lot of New Belgium Brewing in the River Arts District of Asheville. Cost is $45 with a portion of the proceeds donated to RiverLink to support their mission to promote the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed.
For more information and to register visit: https://tinyurl.com/BookRiverLinkTourToday
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Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale: Reserve your locally-harvested 22” Fraser Fir wreath for $25. Call the Girls on the Run office at 828-713-4290 for more information. Wreaths will also be available for purchase at the Girls on the Run 5K.
Friday, November 8th: Shop at the new Athleta store in Biltmore Park anytime on Friday. A percentage of sales will be donated to GOTR.
Tuesday, November 19th: Shop at the Asheville Outlets Vineyard Vines store on the 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The store will donate 20% of sales to GOTR.
Please join us for coffee and a one-hour tour of the Literacy Council.
Space is limited. Please RSVP below and click here to use the driving directions from our website.
About This Trip
Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.
December 1, 8 & 15, 2019 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. inside Food Court
Bring your furry friend to meet Santa and capture the moment with a FREE photo package, courtesy of Asheville Outlets. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue will be on-site to share information on fostering, adopting, or volunteering this holiday season. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.
Spend your evening learning about the Red and Grey Wolves of North America. We’ll start with an indoor presentation on these elusive creatures, followed by a trek to our wolf compound located onsite at the Nature Center for a howling session. Discover the legends and lore of these top predators and find out the truth about wolves. Geared toward an adult audience.
About This Trip
Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.
The hilarious Big and Tall Comedy Tour raises money for veterans all across America! A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to American Legion Post 28 and Spartanburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9539!
The show is a hilarious stand-up comedy event featuring comedy veterans Ernesto “Big Ern” Galano and headliner Mike Bova! Big Ern brings 30 minutes of laugh out loud stand-up, and then Mike Bova takes the stage. Mike’s one hour set is a combination of 30 minutes of side splitting stand-up, then he picks up his guitar for the last 30 minutes and sings hysterical parodies, funny songs and adds celebrity impressions. This is a one-of-a-kind show you don’t want to miss and won’t soon forget! Content is R-rated and recommended for adults 18+
About This Trip
Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.
Known for its monumental scale of traditional holiday décor and dazzling lights, this year Biltmore’s annual Christmas at Biltmore celebration will offer even more than ever before.
A yuletide feast for the senses, Christmas at Biltmore begins Nov. 1, 2019. One week later, on Nov. 8, the estate will welcome Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, an immersive experience that celebrates the global hit television series and new feature film.
Biltmore House aglow with five dozen Christmas trees
Biltmore House interiors will shine with the sparkle of more than 50 hand-decorated Christmas trees, ribbons and garlands measured by the mile, and thousands of lights. A majestic 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall is the home’s holiday centerpiece. For the first time, hand-decorated Christmas trees will be displayed on the balcony that wraps around the home’s two-story Library.
Candlelight Christmas Evenings
During Candlelight Christmas Evenings, candlelight, firelight, and live music will create a magical environment that elevates seasonal celebrations inside Biltmore House. A 55-foot Norway Spruce on the home’s front lawn lit with 55,000 lights will greet guests as they arrive to enter Biltmore House.
The warm welcome continues at Antler Hill Village & Winery with a constellation of holiday lights leading to the Winery and estate restaurants. A towering tree of lights will illuminate the Village Green, with a sea of lighted grapevine spheres nestled in the landscaping. Lights cascading from the trees that surround the bonfire area near Antler Hill Barn will offer a unique touch to the experience.
Downton Abbey: The Exhibition
Downton Abbey: The Exhibition will feature interactive elements that connect fans to their favorite characters, fashions, locations, and historic events of the era. Showcased in two estate locations, the exhibition pairs seamlessly with the real-life story of the Vanderbilt family at Biltmore. Amherst at Deerpark will host multimedia presentations and some of the series’ most recognizable sets—including Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and the gossip-fueled servants’ quarters. At The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village, a gallery of more than 50 costumes from the series will be on view.
The exhibition will run through April 7, 2020. Access to Downton Abbey: The Exhibition is included with daytime admission, Candlelight Christmas Evenings admission, or an overnight stay that includes daytime admission.
Christmas at Biltmore 2019 Event Calendar
- Christmas at Biltmore daytime experience – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
- Candlelight Christmas Evenings nighttime experience – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 4, 2020
- Illumination of Antler Hill Village – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 4, 2020, 5:30 p.m. to midnight
- Downton Abbey: The Exhibition at Biltmore’s Amherst and the Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village – Nov. 8, 2019, through April 7, 2020
- A Gardener’s Place How-to Seminar: “Illuminated Holiday Tablescapes” – daily Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.
- Conservatory’s annual seasonal display – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
- Complimentary wine tasting at Biltmore Winery. Winery specialty tours available with additional price and reservations required – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 5, 2020
- Bonfires in Antler Hill Village with s’mores kits available for purchase at The Creamery – Nov. 1, 2019, through Jan. 3, 2020, select dates, 3 to 10 p.m.
- Roving Holiday Carolers in Antler Hill Village – select dates
- Candlelight Winery Tour with a look into the winemaking process and tasting with light cheese pairing. Additional price and reservations required.
- Visits with Santa at the bandstand in Antler Hill Village – select dates
- The Inn on Biltmore Estate’s Annual Gingerbread House Tea – additional price and reservations required – Dec. 14 through 22, 2019, select dates, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Festive holiday meals prepared by award-winning chefs served in all of the estate’s restaurants – ongoing
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Girls on the Run Annual Holiday Wreath Sale: Reserve your locally-harvested 22” Fraser Fir wreath for $25. Call the Girls on the Run office at 828-713-4290 for more information. Wreaths will also be available for purchase at the Girls on the Run 5K.
Friday, November 8th: Shop at the new Athleta store in Biltmore Park anytime on Friday. A percentage of sales will be donated to GOTR.
Tuesday, November 19th: Shop at the Asheville Outlets Vineyard Vines store on the 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The store will donate 20% of sales to GOTR.
Discovery Day: The UNC Asheville Open House takes place on Saturday, Nov. 9, giving college-bound students and their families a chance to talk with current students, meet one-on-one with faculty and staff, tour campus and discuss academic programs, financial aid, scholarships and the application process. Learn more about and register for Discovery Day on the Admission Office website. UNC Asheville is among the nation’s top public liberal arts universities – tied for eighth in the U.S. News & World Report’s “2020 Best Colleges” rankings and included on U.S. News’ Most Innovative Schools list. For those unable to attend Discovery Day, individual and group tours are also available for prospective students and their families.
Forty-five crafters of handmade arts come together to help you get started on your holiday shopping. Wide variety of crafts and gifts in all price ranges. Lunch and refreshments will be available.