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.

Saturday, October 19, 2019
Trick or Trail 5k & 1 Mile Spooky Sprint
Oct 19 all-day
Guion Farms (in Dupont Forest)

Runners will experience the beauty of DuPont Forest in a unique nighttime racing format with the option of a 5k trail run or the one mile trail run. This is the only race of its kind in our region! Participants will strap on headlamps and light up the night as they duke it out in the dusk. The twists and turns of DuPont’s famous trail system will dare them to push forward, not knowing what bogies and specters might lurk around each corner! The One Mile Fun Run will be Halloween themed, and a great chance for kids and kids-at-heart alike to break in their costumes a few days early!

7th Run the Forest 5K and 10K Benefits OurVoice
Oct 19 @ 7:00 am
Carolina Day School

Benefits OURVOICE.

Race starts 9 am

Registration 7am

Starts at Carolina Day School

Art and Architecture Day in Hendersonville
Oct 19 @ 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Center for Art & Inspiration
Craft Fair Of The Southern Highlands
Oct 19 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
US Cellular Center

nc craft fair, asheville arts festival, nc pottery, nc clay, asheville events

Meet the artisans of the Southern Highlands exhibiting contemporary & traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, & jewelry.

Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 6pm

Sunday, 10 – 5pm

Open Studio Art Tour at Grovewood Village
Oct 19 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grovewood Village

Grovewood Village will open up their studios to the public, allowing visitors to gain insight into their creative process and view their most recent works. Tours are free and self-guided.

Close-up of Carl Powell's hands working on a glass sculpture in his Grovewood Village studio.

Mars Hill Mountain Lions vs. Limestone Saints
Oct 19 @ 1:30 pm
Meares Stadium

Ticket Prices & Information (Cash only for all events):

Football:

  • $13.00 Adults, $7.00 Students with high school I.D.
  • MHU students, faculty and staff admitted free with valid I.D.
  • Tickets can be purchased on game day at the ticket booth located at the North end of the stadium.
Landscapes of Southern Appalachia by Shawn Krueger Opening Reception
Oct 19 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Grovewood Gallery

Landscape oil painting by artist Shawn Krueger titled Daybreak: Hot Springs.

Join us at Grovewood Gallery on Saturday, October 19 from 2 – 5pm for the opening of Landscapes of Southern Appalachia, a solo exhibition of work by contemporary landscape painter Shawn Krueger. This event is free and open to the public. The show will remain on view through Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Shawn Krueger received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Calvin College in the late 90s. His approach to painting is rooted in the American Arts & Crafts and Tonalist traditions – both based on love and respect for nature, hand-craftsmanship, and good design. Landscapes of Southern Appalachia will feature studio works from plein air studies Krueger did on his recent travels in and around Western North Carolina.

The Flat Rock Playhouse Smoke on the Mountain
Oct 19 @ 2:00 pm
Leiman Mainstage

Take a break from the frenzy of everyday life and enjoy Smoke on the Mountain, a wholesome celebration of faith, community, and Appalachian Music. Set in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina around 1938, Smoke on the Mountain brings to life a small-town musical revival featuring the traveling Sanders Family as they play the best of bluegrass, gospel, and hymns. Audiences will recognize beloved songs such as “Rock of Ages”, “The Church in the Wildwood”, “A Wonderful Time Up There,” and more as they are performed by talented actor-musicians. Running October 4th – 19th, Smoke on the Mountain, showcases the power of music to bring us all together and will have audiences singing along.

 

Director, Amy Jones, describes the experience as, “an entertaining and inspirational evening full of rousing gospel music played by the cast while also getting to know the unique dynamics of the Sanders family through their witnessing. The music is beautiful and heartfelt, and the characters are fleshed out in a very real and relatable way.”

App. State Mountaineers vs. ULM
Oct 19 @ 3:30 pm
Kidd Brewer Stadium

Image result for Mountaineers Logo   vs.  

UNCA Women’s BullDogs Soccer
Oct 19 @ 3:30 pm
Greenwood Soccer Field UNCA
Oct 19 (Sat)3:30 PM
Big South
Hamlet presented by The Montford Moppets
Oct 19 @ 7:00 pm
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
The Wizard of Oz
Oct 19 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

It’s not too early to make your plans to travel down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz! We’re deep into the rehearsal process, are building the sets and the costumes, and are hearing LOTS of super cool ideas from the artistic team!

  • Opening Weekend and Thursday night tickets are cheaper than other performances ($26 for adults vs $30)
  • Tickets for children 17 and under are $15 for any Wizard of Oz performance!
  • Keep up with what’s happening in rehearsals with the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” blog series written by our Cowardly Lion, John O’Neil!
It Didn’t Happen by Judy Calabrese
Oct 19 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

“It Didn’t Happen” by Judy Calabrese
Ages 18+

October 18-19, 2019 • 8 PM 
October 25-26, 2019 • 8 PM
Tina McGuire Theatre

This performance contains nudity and artistic representations of adult themes. Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted.

This raw, darkly comedic exploration of shame and desire takes us on a rollercoaster ride through Judy’s secret sexual relationships with women over a lifetime.

The Flat Rock Playhouse Smoke on the Mountain
Oct 19 @ 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Take a break from the frenzy of everyday life and enjoy Smoke on the Mountain, a wholesome celebration of faith, community, and Appalachian Music. Set in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina around 1938, Smoke on the Mountain brings to life a small-town musical revival featuring the traveling Sanders Family as they play the best of bluegrass, gospel, and hymns. Audiences will recognize beloved songs such as “Rock of Ages”, “The Church in the Wildwood”, “A Wonderful Time Up There,” and more as they are performed by talented actor-musicians. Running October 4th – 19th, Smoke on the Mountain, showcases the power of music to bring us all together and will have audiences singing along.

 

Director, Amy Jones, describes the experience as, “an entertaining and inspirational evening full of rousing gospel music played by the cast while also getting to know the unique dynamics of the Sanders family through their witnessing. The music is beautiful and heartfelt, and the characters are fleshed out in a very real and relatable way.”

LaZoom Comedy: Jono Zalay (saturday)
Oct 19 @ 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Jono Zalay began his standup career in Boston, while simultaneously earning his Doctorate in Neuroscience (he gave cocaine to rats). Since dropping his science hobby to pursue comedy full time, Jono has been named one of Comedy Central’s ‘Comics to Watch,’ and earned international press for his pranks on the DMV. Jono now lives in Los Angeles where he has written comedy for Fox, Amazon, and Comedy Central. He has been featured in over 30 comedy festivals around the country including Bridgetown, Big Sky, Limestone, and New York Comedy Festival.

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-jono-zalay-friday-tickets-70462791105

SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-jono-zalay-saturday-tickets-70463025807

Sunday, October 20, 2019
49th Annual LEAF Festival
Oct 20 all-day
Lake Eden

Image result for leaf festival asheville nc

Fall-leaf-lineup-2019

LEAF Festival sits below Mt. Mitchell with mountain lakes and rolling hills with 600 stunning acres featuring rustic cabins, large camping fields with mountain views, hiking trails,  barns, streams, and lakes for canoeing, swimming, and the zooming zipline. This enchanting land offers lots of outdoors adventures for the whole family!

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.

NCAA Women’s Regional Finals Basketball Tickets on Sale Now
Oct 20 all-day
on line sales for Bon Secours

Craft Fair Of The Southern Highlands
Oct 20 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
US Cellular Center

nc craft fair, asheville arts festival, nc pottery, nc clay, asheville events

Meet the artisans of the Southern Highlands exhibiting contemporary & traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, & jewelry.

Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 6pm

Sunday, 10 – 5pm

The Wizard of Oz
Oct 20 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

It’s not too early to make your plans to travel down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz! We’re deep into the rehearsal process, are building the sets and the costumes, and are hearing LOTS of super cool ideas from the artistic team!

  • Opening Weekend and Thursday night tickets are cheaper than other performances ($26 for adults vs $30)
  • Tickets for children 17 and under are $15 for any Wizard of Oz performance!
  • Keep up with what’s happening in rehearsals with the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” blog series written by our Cowardly Lion, John O’Neil!
Bold Move Productions presents NAUGHTY with Bold Mama Elle
Oct 20 @ 6:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Bold Move Productions presents NAUGHTY with Bold Mama Elle

This performance takes place in the Tina McGuire Theatre at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.

With every breath and step of the NAUGHTY World Premier, Bold Mama Elle prods the edge of personal and collective freedom. It’s a spell-binding one woman show that meets at an imagined intersection of humanity and Divinity. Critics have called her ability to captivate and delight, through deep vulnerability, “exquisite.” She is an insightful teacher and entertainer who personifies life without fear. The show blends soul-filled singing, dance and storytelling effortlessly, inspiring the audience to re-imagine what it means to be free.

Bold Mama Elle is a spiritual medium who channels “textured” music and movement. Her activated lyrics deeply awaken inner power.  On stage, she tells riveting stories fearlessly with her body and songs. Her “other-worldly” wisdom is  both radical and inspiring. The sound of her voice permeates the performance space creating tangible possibility for all. As the sole songwriter, director, choreographer and vocalist for NAUGHTY, Bold Mama Elle personifies what’s possible when we allow ourselves to truly be free!

VIP Tickets ($38 plus tax and fees): Include VIP floor ticket plus Naughty gift bag and guaranteed entry to post-performance reception.
 
General Admission Souvenir Tickets ($28 plus tax and fees): Include general admission performance ticket plus a show souvenir. 
 
General Admission Tickets ($18 plus tax and fees)

Hamlet presented by The Montford Moppets
Oct 20 @ 7:00 pm
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
Comedy at Fleetwood’s: John Conroy
Oct 20 @ 8:00 pm
Fleetwood's

D.C. native, John Conroy, brings an everyman’s attitude to smart, sharply written material that runs the gamut from shrewd observations to social satire.
Over the next few years he made a rapid transition from opener to headliner, playing hundreds of shows each year and touring the top clubs throughout the country. Conroy is a jovial iconoclast whose good-humored but aggressive act makes a lasting impression.

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-john-conroy-tickets-71543148483

Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Unique ikebana techniques, Demonstration and Workshop
Oct 22 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Folk Art Center

Unique techniques of leaf manipulation will be demonstrated by Suzanne Dillingham of the Ichiyo School. Leaves can be changed beyond recognition and provoke a bit of mystery.

A ‘Friendship Through Flowers’ workshop will follow and is open to members and non-members with a paid RSVP. This is an unusual opportunity for non members to participate with skilled ikebanists and stretch their imagination.

Demonstration is free. For workshop participation, contact Suzanne Dillingham by October 18 for details and payment of $20: [email protected]

For more information on our programs, teachers and workshops, contact Lynn Forbes, Chapter President, 828-273.2222; [email protected] or www.ikebanaasheville.org

Thursday, October 24, 2019
The Asheville Marathon & Half at Biltmore Estate Sign Up Now
Oct 24 all-day
Biltmore Estate

Woman running in front Biltmore House.jpg

The Asheville Marathon began 8 years ago with only a marathon option, which sold out quickly in its first year, and again the next year. A nationwide interest in half marathons was becoming popular, so for the 3rd year a half marathon option was added.  In the 4th year, the event expanded to two days of races and a half marathon on each day.  To add a twist in the 5th year the Backyard to Vineyard Challenge was created, where participants race in the Saturday half and Sunday full. The challenge was very popular and for the 6th anniversary, Backyard to Backyard Challenge was added, where participants run both the Saturday half and the Sunday half. Now in its 8th year both days of races, including the challenges, are expected to be sold out, with 3,100 participants.

The Asheville Marathon & Half at Biltmore Estate is held on and run entirely on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, where runners will wind through paved and packed dirt roads to see hardwood forest, meadows, gardens, and extraordinary views of the Biltmore House and Estate. This is the original Asheville Marathon and first race of its kind to come to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina; don’t miss out on being part of history at Biltmore Estate.

For more information about the Asheville Marathon & Half at Biltmore Estate, visit

https://ashevillemarathon.com/. Follow the race on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Turn of The Screw
Oct 24 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Image

“The Turn of the Screw”
Prepare yourself for a night of suspense, enchantment, and chills as Flat Rock Playhouse brings to life the psychological thriller: The Turn of the Screw. When a new governess arrives at a remote country estate, she discovers that her employer and his children might not be all that they appear to be. Before long, the governess wonders if there might be more figures wandering around the estate than just the children. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for mystery and thrills.

Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM

 

Adult League Dodgeball Game
Oct 24 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Johnston Elementary School

Come out and watch the game!

Interested The Horror Show: Tales from the Red Room
Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

THE MAGNETIC THEATRE invites you to the Red Room… where there is no place to run or hide from what haunts you most. The Horror Show is a theatrical homage to cinematic horror anthologies (Creepshow, The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt), featuring eerie, tense and terrifying one-act plays written by some of Asheville’s most innovative writers.

The Turn of The Screw
Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Image

“The Turn of the Screw”
Prepare yourself for a night of suspense, enchantment, and chills as Flat Rock Playhouse brings to life the psychological thriller: The Turn of the Screw. When a new governess arrives at a remote country estate, she discovers that her employer and his children might not be all that they appear to be. Before long, the governess wonders if there might be more figures wandering around the estate than just the children. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for mystery and thrills.

Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM

The Wizard of Oz
Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

It’s not too early to make your plans to travel down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz! We’re deep into the rehearsal process, are building the sets and the costumes, and are hearing LOTS of super cool ideas from the artistic team!

  • Opening Weekend and Thursday night tickets are cheaper than other performances ($26 for adults vs $30)
  • Tickets for children 17 and under are $15 for any Wizard of Oz performance!
  • Keep up with what’s happening in rehearsals with the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” blog series written by our Cowardly Lion, John O’Neil!
To the Severed Head of the Class: Tales & Treats Storytelling for Performance class
Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Performed in 35below. There are some stories that are just so good they need to be shared with an assembled audience. Local actor/comedian Tom Chalmers invites you to take part in what is quickly becoming one of Asheville’s most popular series, Listen to This. A storytelling format in the vein of “This American Life,” Listen to This is an evening hosted by Chalmers with stories and songs from some of Asheville’s most interesting writers, performers, and citizens. Each installment features a central theme (past shows have featured stories about everything from gluttony to mistaken identity). Real people. Real stories. Real good times.