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, December 15, 2019
Handle With Care
Dec 15 @ 2:00 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

The Santaland Diaries
Dec 15 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

When an out of work slacker takes a job as an elf in Macy’s Santaland, his hilarious observations of the shoppers and employees are much more naughty than nice. This one-man-act can only be described one way: crazy funny. It’s the 18th year in a row for this show at ACT! Starring Tom Chalmers.

Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 15 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Festival of Lights -Lake Julian
Dec 15 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Come enjoy the holiday lights at Lake Julian Park.

Comedy at Fleetwood’s: Dan Alten
Dec 15 @ 8:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Dan Alten is a goofball from Kentucky who travels the country in his poorly maintained car, bringing his intelligently surreal nonsense to dive bars, punk houses, theaters, art galleries, and comedy clubs. He has opened for Kyle Kinane, Rory Scovel, Sean Patton, Hari Kondabulu, TV’s David Liebe Hart, rapper Open Mike Eagle, punk bands GRLWOOD and Boner City, and a guy at an open mic who tried to throw his father’s ashes into the crowd. If you don’t like him you can punch him in the arm.

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-dan-alten-tickets-83112558901

Monday, December 16, 2019
Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 16 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Festival of Lights -Lake Julian
Dec 16 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Come enjoy the holiday lights at Lake Julian Park.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 17 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

A Christmas Carol, a Dinner with Dickens
Dec 17 @ 6:00 pm
Red Rocker Inn

“A Christmas Carol” appears for one week at the Red Rocker Inn in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

“A Christmas Carol” is a raucous and fun retelling of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. This one-man show will be appearing in December at the Red Rocker Inn for the week before Christmas.

Beautifully staged at the historic Red Rocker Inn Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant in Black Mountain, NC. Always charming, the inn will be lavishly decorated in her holiday finest. Menu includes prime rib and other festive delights served with impeccable style.

“A Christmas Carol” is a call to return to family and to bring love and caring for the less fortunate. The production is one-third Masterpiece Theater and two-thirds live interactive Comedic Theater. Dickens’s biting commentary on a life based on a banker’s balance sheet is as fresh and funny as yesterday’s news.
#

Performance Dates in 2019:
Tuesday December 17th at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, December 18th at 6:00 PM
Friday, December 20th at 6:00 PM
Saturday, December 21st at 6:00 PM

Festival of Lights -Lake Julian
Dec 17 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Come enjoy the holiday lights at Lake Julian Park.

Think Tank Tuesdays Trivia Night
Dec 17 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillman Beer

Hillman Beer’s Trivia Night is on Tuesdays from 7pm-9pm! Get ready to drink some beer, test your wit, and have some fun!

Details:
– Please arrive at 6:30pm
– Max 6 people per team
– First place gets a $50 Hillman Beer Gift Card!

Spamilton: An American Parody
Dec 17 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Open Mic at Vintage Kava every Tuesday
Dec 17 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Vintage Kava

Open Mic at Vintage Kava

Come share your talent with the community! All acts welcome (music, jokes, dancing, poetry, storytelling, etc)

Stop by to sign up for your slot!

Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 18 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Festival of Lights -Lake Julian
Dec 18 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Come enjoy the holiday lights at Lake Julian Park.

Handle With Care
Dec 18 @ 7:30 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

Spamilton: An American Parody
Dec 18 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Thursday, December 19, 2019
Adam Sandler Presale Alert!
Dec 19 all-day
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Adam
                                                          Sandler

The Bon Secours Wellness Arena is about to get 100% Fresher on March 17 when Adam Sandler takes the stage! Get exclusive access to tickets before they go on sale to the public today!

Venue Presale
Valid Wednesday, December 18 at 10am through

Thursday, December 19 at 10pm
Use Code: CHEER
(Available online only)

Presale starts Wednesday, December 18 at 10am

Click HERE to learn how to add the code on Ticketmaster.

Early Bird Special $40 off 23rd annual French Broad River Festival
Dec 19 all-day
French Broad River

 

The 23rd annual French Broad River Festival will be held May 1-3, 2020 at the beautiful Hot
Springs Campground on the banks of the French Broad River.
FBRF has a loyal following and if you’ve been there, you know. Participate in the river cleanup to kick it off, hike the AT, ride bikes, go fishing, soak in the hot springs, get a massage, go whitewater rafting, check out the vendors, and enjoy the music.
The music is diverse and always on point for such a “small” festival and the setting is incredible.
It’s for a good cause, with over $200,000 donated over 20 years to American Whitewater, Hot Springs Community Learning Center, Homeward Bound, Eliada Home, Mountain Area Child & Family Center, Big Brothers / Big Sisters of WNC, Manna Food bank and more.
Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 19 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Festival of Lights -Lake Julian
Dec 19 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Come enjoy the holiday lights at Lake Julian Park.

Handle With Care
Dec 19 @ 7:30 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

Spamilton: An American Parody
Dec 19 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

Brace yourself for a Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution that is chock-full of references to the wonderful world of Broadway!

From the creator of Forbidden Broadway comes the parody of the most talked about Broadway musical phenomenon of the 21st century. Not simply a send-up of the original, this story is interspersed with outrageous references to Chicago, West Side Story, The King And I, Sweeney Todd, and more! Even the stars of the original cast are comically eviscerated and joined by caricatures of living Broadway legends like Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Barbra Streisand, and Bernadette Peters.

Whether you’re a Broadway aficionado or just like to laugh, there’s something for everyone in this fresh, new musical parody!

Asheville Comedy Showcase
Dec 19 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Come laugh with us at The Orange Peel MainStage with some of the funniest comics in Asheville! Doors open at 7:00 pm and the show begins at 8:00 pm! Tickets are $10-$12.

Hosted by Cody Hughes, featuring 10 of Asheville’s funniest and up-and-coming-comics:

Ten comics for only $10!

Becca Steinhoff
Ryan Cox
Morgan Bost
Moira Goree
James Burks
James Harrod
Jake Koll
Derek Boskovich
Kenny Stempien
Katy Hudson

Brought to you by Slice of Life Comedy. For more info contact Michele Scheve at [email protected]

Host Cody Hughes
Cody Hughes is the weirdgod of southeastern comedy. He is a sea urchin – a delicacy but prickly. Cody presents himself first as a reluctant townie, bemoaning the doldrums of the work week, then slowly laces his act with elements of horror, gleefully abrasive crowd work, and feverish improvisations. As the performance opens up, Hughes reveals himself for what he truly is – a circus bear broken loose from his chains yet still wearing his felt crown.
Maria Bamford has described Cody as “a delightful beast” and Samm Severin has proclaimed “A comedy fever dream, Cody Hughes is some kind of wonderful.” Cody is a favorite opener of Lewis Black and has worked alongside John Oliver, Mike Birbiglia, and Rory Scovel

Becca Steinhoff
If you mix a New Jersey dryness with a Southern Appalachian sensibility and add a touch of Jewish guilt, you get the humor that is Becca Steinhoff. Her warm sarcasm and quick wit shows through in her easily annoyed yet bouyant perspective on everyday human interaction. Becca’s ease and appeal has been showcased at events including the Asheville Comedy Festival, clubs such as the DC Improv, and venues including the historic Howard Theatre.

Ryan Cox
Ryan Cox has performed on stages and streets around the globe as a musician and joke-teller. Ryan likes to seek out Kmarts to think about things.

Morgan Bost
A North Carolina native, Morgan Bost has quickly become a mainstay in the Asheville comedy scene. Her comedy captures the embarrassing and often painful parallels between adolescence and “almost-adulthood.” Vibrant yet vulnerable; her high-energy storytelling is influenced by her background as an improviser. She tours all over the southeast and has worked alongside national headliners such as Rob Delaney and Mia jackson.

Moira Goree
Moira Goree is from Asheville,Nc she’s a transgender woman who people have called darkly funny and authentic in her delivery. She’s opened for Shane Torres, Emma Arnold, and Rory Scovel. She performs all over the southeast.

James Burks
James Burks is a Burnsville/Asheville based comedian born and raised south of Orlando, Florida by a Canadian mother who immigrated to the States and an Arizona born redneck father who can make a sump pump from a pillow case and a bag of zip ties. His comedy revolves around his life as a 27 year old glassblowing, goat farming, step-father. He’s been on the main stage of the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC for the Black Out Diaries, featured at The Slice of Life under the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC. and been on Michele Scheve’s “EverythingAVL” podcast.

James Harrod
James Harrod is a comic from Asheville, NC. He has opened for Yedoye Travis, Myq Kaplan, Brandie Posey, Geoff Tate, and many more. In addition to performing all over the Southwest, he also hosts the beloved Comedy Freakshow at the Oddittorium. Although James is very funny he never has excelled at ending his comedy bios. James is also kinda tall.

Jake Koll
Jake Koll is an Asheville based comic with a knack for taking audiences on a carnival like ride into his absurd reality. Jake’s comedic styling is captained by is waning self image and his skewed world view. He has opened for nationally recognized acts such as Andy Sandford and Sean Patton. Both of which said he did a great job, but did not want to hang out after the show.

Derek Boskovich
Derek Boskovich is an Asheville comic originally from Charlotte, NC. His comedic style mixes the observational with the silly and profane. You may have seen him unloading boxes at a warehouse, rolling burritos at a restaurant, or nervously pacing at an open mic near you. Of all the comics working in Asheville right now, Derek is definitely one of them.

Kenny Stempien
Kenny Stempien is an Asheville based comedian whose style is predicated on life experiences and misdirection. Quickly climbing the ranks of the Asheville comedy scene, audience and comics alike are drawn to him and it’s easy to see why he was compelled to tell jokes. At his day job as a traveling salesman, people have often heard he’s a comedian and said “yea, I’m not buying this.”

Katy Hudson
Katy Hudson is creating content clouds. Who’s to say whether that means a calm, collected cumulus, or a brainstorm of ideas that flood the banks of the Stream of Consciousness? They’ve been eager to perform since giving their TEDx talk called “Gay Clouds.” What they’ll do next will surprise everyone, including Katy!

Asheville Comedy Showcase
Dec 19 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Come laugh with us at The Orange Peel MainStage with some of the funniest comics in Asheville!

Hosted by Cody Hughes, featuring 10 of Asheville’s funniest and up-and-coming-comics:

Ten comics for only $10!

Becca Steinhoff
Ryan Cox
Morgan Bost
Moira Goree
James Burks
James Harrod
Jake Koll
Derek Boskovich
Kenny Stempien
Katy Hudson

Brought to you by Slice of Life Comedy. For more info contact Michele Scheve at [email protected]

Sneak Preview Screening of Killer Raccoons! 2!
Dec 19 @ 8:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Come to Fleetwood’s for a sneak preview of the action/comedy feature “Killer Raccoons! 2! Dark Christmas in the Dark!” 8pm

On a cold Christmas Eve, former mild-mannered college student Casey Smallwood is released from prison after serving ten years for underage drinking. Eager to get out of town, he plans to meet his longtime pen pal on a train to Washington, D.C., but after the holiday express enters the winter wilderness, it’s hijacked by an angry gang of domestic terrorists and highly-intelligent, government-trained raccoons! Not one to back down from a raccoon fight, Casey joins forces with a porter on the train to fight the terrorists and help bring down a top secret, raccoon-controlled, military laser satellite!

The long awaited sequel to the Overbites Pictures and Troma Entertainment cult classic “Coons! Night of the Bandits of the Night” is finally here! “Killer Raccoons! 2! Dark Christmas in the Dark” is a send up of several bad action movie sequels, using plot elements from “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory,” “Die Hard 2” and “Speed 2: Cruise Control.”

Tickets $10, will be shown as a double feature with a surprise second film. Also meet and greet with the creators after the screening!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sneak-preview-screening-of-killer-raccoons-2-tickets-83112873843

Friday, December 20, 2019
Early Bird Special $40 off 23rd annual French Broad River Festival
Dec 20 all-day
French Broad River

 

The 23rd annual French Broad River Festival will be held May 1-3, 2020 at the beautiful Hot
Springs Campground on the banks of the French Broad River.
FBRF has a loyal following and if you’ve been there, you know. Participate in the river cleanup to kick it off, hike the AT, ride bikes, go fishing, soak in the hot springs, get a massage, go whitewater rafting, check out the vendors, and enjoy the music.
The music is diverse and always on point for such a “small” festival and the setting is incredible.
It’s for a good cause, with over $200,000 donated over 20 years to American Whitewater, Hot Springs Community Learning Center, Homeward Bound, Eliada Home, Mountain Area Child & Family Center, Big Brothers / Big Sisters of WNC, Manna Food bank and more.
Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 20 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Festival of Lights -Lake Julian
Dec 20 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Come enjoy the holiday lights at Lake Julian Park.

BMCAT presents THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris
Dec 20 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts Theatre

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts Theatre proudly presents…The Santaland Diaries, written by David Sedaris and adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello.

PLOT SUMMARY: When a down-on-his luck wannabe actor arrives in New York City at the end of the year, the only employment he can find is at Macy’s department store — working in Santaland for the holiday season, as a reluctant, but relentlessly cheerful, elf. Newly christened “Crumpet”, our clever anti-hero shares his observations of the mayhem in front of and behind the scenes during one chaotic December, from aggressive parents and drunken Santas, to flirtatious actors, poor hygiene, and the racially charged hazards of being a “Pointer Elf.” Will Crumpet find a moment of pure Christmas spirit? Will he end up in Santa’s cottage with Snowball the elf? Will he escape with his life on Christmas Eve before being torn apart by enraged customers?

This show contains mature content and is for adults only.

Evening performances on Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and matinees on Sundays at 2:00 pm.