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
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.

Bears Bees + Brews
Oct 19 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
New Belgium Brewing

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! ???

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.

Fall Stargazing and Cosmic Storytelling
Oct 19 @ 9:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

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.

Sunday, October 20, 2019
?Fall LEAF Festival Lineup Release! ?
Oct 20 all-day
Lake Eden
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Oct 20 all-day
various locations see details

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

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.

DIYSigns Free Tool Designed to Help Educate about What’s Recyclable
Oct 20 all-day
online tool
The Recycling Partnership announced the public beta launch of DIYSigns, the debut of a free online resource that anyone can use to help people know what to throw into the recycling. Whether at home, at the office, at school, at a sports stadium, or anywhere, education is needed to show what is recyclable and where.

 

“We know that consumer confusion is one of the top reasons why trash still ends up in recycling bins and carts. Our community partners have asked for our help in creating free and customizable posters, labels and signs and we were happy to deliver. Anything we can do to help public and private sector recycling succeed is a boost for the industry,” said Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership.

 

DIYSigns is an online tool with editable templates available in a variety of sizes from a bumper sticker to a poster – to fit just right wherever it’s needed.  Check out DIYSigns!
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

Monday, October 21, 2019
Financial Permaculture – How to Start Your Own Community Savings Pool
Oct 21 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Lenoir-Rhyne University

Join us for the evening for this practical training organized by Co-operate WNC

(a regional mutual aid network), Transition Asheville, and Lenoir Rhyne University.

A community savings pool is a resource-sharing technique whereby a trusted group of 15-25 people

pool their individual savings and then collectively loan money to each other for personal needs and

goals, community projects, business startups and expansions and so on.

Co-operate WNC has identified savings pools as one of the most powerful strategies to

pursue its mission: empowering a regional society of local organizers to grow a mutual aid

network of physical community centers that meet human needs and act as organizing hubs

for climate resilience.

We’ll play a savings pool game, and briefly discuss other cooperative financial tools and mutual aid

practices to improve your community’s life, respond to climate chaos, and grow a regenerative culture

and economy in our region. This discussion will include considerations around the bigger picture of

equity and access in our region and how our community organizing activities can either reinforce or

transform oppressive historical patterns.

You’ll leave with a tangible sense of how to organize and run a savings pool, the benefits

and risks of participation, tools for doing it successfully, and next steps in your own life for

starting or participating in one.

Please consider attending this event with some friends/family/colleagues, as the hope is that you can

go home and start a savings circle with people you trust.

 

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
EVENT PLANNING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Oct 24 all-day
WCU Biltmore Park
  • 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
Asheville residents City-owned downtown properties Council Meeting
Oct 24 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall

The City of Asheville is moving forward with the  creation of a master concept plan for City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue. With the help of the award-winning consultant team Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, residents can anticipate up to three conceptual designs for Council consideration for the acre of land at the intersection of Haywood and Page in downtown Asheville.

The two public sessions will take place on October 24 at the , 87 Haywood St., and on site around the property.

  • Meeting #1:

    • Noon — Food truck lunch at 68 Haywood Street and site walk-throughs

    • 1:15 p.m. — Presentation at U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall

  • Meeting #2:

    • 5:30 p.m. — Food truck dinner at 68 Haywood Street and site walk-throughs

    • 6:45 p.m. — Presentation at U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall

During the meetings  the consultant team will walk residents through a mapping exercise, followed by a site walk with community dossiers at key points of interest in and around the site.

During this phase, the primary objective will focus on creating bold and vibrant designs for the Haywood/Page property. Based on the meetings, the City and the consultant team will bring back designs to the community in winter.

Lunch and dinner will be provided. Parking  in the Civic Center Garage is free of charge, attendees should see staff for a validation sticker. RSVP is appreciated, but not required. Register here. For more information, please visit ashevillenc.gov.

Friday, October 25, 2019
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair
Oct 25 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
WNC Ag Center,

THE FAIR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Join us for 3 days of fun for the entire family! See spinning, knitting, weaving, felting, sheep, goats and much more! Join a workshop class to improve your skills or just enjoy browsing and shopping the beautiful and unique apparel and wearables.

Bigfoot Festival
Oct 25 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Main Street

5:30 pm 5k Squatch Stroll

     More details to come!

6:30 pm Volunteer/Sponsor Appreciation

                Dinner

7:30 FREE Kid’s Movie – Smallfoot

8:00 FREE Movie – The Legend of Boggy Creek

LaZoom Comedy: Adam Mamawala (friday)
Oct 25 @ 9:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Adam Mamawala is a stand-up comedian based out of New York City. Named one of Funny or Die’s “Top 30 Under 30: Comedians to Watch”, Adam has appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, BET and SeeSo, and his debut album One of the Good Ones debuted at #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts in December of 2017. Adam has headlined over 200 colleges across more than 35 states and his recent festival appearances include the NBC/Second City Breakout Comedy Festival, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, and New York Comedy Festival. Adam has been a freelance contributor to Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update and a writer for Someecards.

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adam-mamawala-at-lazoom-friday-tickets-70464738931

SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adam-mamawala-at-lazoom-saturday-tickets-70464921477

Saturday, October 26, 2019
DIYSigns Free Tool Designed to Help Educate about What’s Recyclable
Oct 26 all-day
online tool
The Recycling Partnership announced the public beta launch of DIYSigns, the debut of a free online resource that anyone can use to help people know what to throw into the recycling. Whether at home, at the office, at school, at a sports stadium, or anywhere, education is needed to show what is recyclable and where.

 

“We know that consumer confusion is one of the top reasons why trash still ends up in recycling bins and carts. Our community partners have asked for our help in creating free and customizable posters, labels and signs and we were happy to deliver. Anything we can do to help public and private sector recycling succeed is a boost for the industry,” said Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership.

 

DIYSigns is an online tool with editable templates available in a variety of sizes from a bumper sticker to a poster – to fit just right wherever it’s needed.  Check out DIYSigns!
The Weave October 26th Fall pop-up market @ Salvaterra Pottery in Weaverville
Oct 26 all-day
Salvaterra Pottery

This Fall outdoor market will feature over 25 local artists and small businesses. Watercolor paintings, wire bonsai tree art, jewelry, organic clothing, natural home cleaning products, locally sourced seasonings and herbs, leather goods, home décor, Hemp/CBD Products and much more!
October 26th 10am-4pm

Bigfoot Festival
Oct 26 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Main Street

9:00 am Parade

         SIGN UP>

10:00 – 10:00 pm Food and Craft Vendors

        Contests

11:00 Bigfoot Costume Contest – under 17

11:30 Bigfoot Costume Contest – 17 and up

12:00 Big “Foot” Contest – women

12:30 Big “Foot” Contest – men

2:00 Tree Knock Contest – under 17

2:30 Tree Knock Contest – 17 and up

3:00 Bigfoot Look-a-like Contest

4:00 Bigfoot Calling Contest – under 17

4:30 Bigfoot Calling Contest – 17 and up

Live Music

11:00 Tugalo Holler

1:00 Those Guys

4:15 Diamonds and Whiskey

7:15 The Eric Scott Band

         MUSIC>

Guest Speakers

in the Westminster Music Centre

         SPEAKERS>

Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair
Oct 26 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
WNC Ag Center,

THE FAIR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Join us for 3 days of fun for the entire family! See spinning, knitting, weaving, felting, sheep, goats and much more! Join a workshop class to improve your skills or just enjoy browsing and shopping the beautiful and unique apparel and wearables.

Asheville Fine Art Show
Oct 26 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pack Square

Asheville, North Carolina, and its surrounding communities are well-known for its vibrant art scene and historic architecture.  From the dome-topped Basilica of Saint Lawrence, to the 19th-century Biltmore Estate, and an Art District filled with galleries and museums, Asheville is an excellent place to host up to 150 renowned Juried Artists. Come join us and see for yourself why the Asheville Fine Art Show was voted as one of the Top 100 art shows in America!

Meet renowned glass artist, Jack Pine Oct. 26 – 27
Oct 26 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Bellagio Art to Wear

Meet renowned glass artist, Jack Pine, and preview his new collection featured at Bellagio Art to Wear in Historic Biltmore Village.

Saturday, Oct. 26th 10am – 6pm
Sunday, Oct. 27th 12pm – 5pm

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Having grown up in Southwestern Ohio, which is the birth place of the North American Studio Glass Movement, Jack was constantly exposed to glass artists and their varied techniques. As a child, Jack would experiment with molten bottle glass in campfires on his family’s farm. Today he is the creative force behind Jack Pine Studios, which has become a mecca for talented soft glass artisans. At the heart of the studio are the designs and techniques developed by Jack.

“I enjoy the intense demand on my skill and the focus involved with working with molten glass. All the energy I use to create a piece is captured in the glass, and thus is frozen in time forever.”
— Jack Pine

Bold Rock Fall Foliage Festival
Oct 26 @ 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Bold Rock Mills River Cidery

Bold Rock Hard Cider invites you to celebrate what makes fall great in the Blue Ridge Mountains at our Annual Fall Foliage Festival on Saturday, October 26th at Bold Rock Hard Cider from 11:30 – 10 PM!

Festival admission is FREE and family/pet friendly! Activities include an artisan fair from 12-5pm, live music from The Pitching Fits from 1-4pm, tunes from Flashback Band from 6-9pm, food trucks and other food vendors, as well as fun fall-themed activities!

Stay tuned for more details and if you’re an interested vendor, please reach out to [email protected] for more information on how you can get in on the fun!

We hope to see you there!

Festival of Heroes Montford Park Players
Oct 26 @ 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Montford Park Players Amphitheater

Warriors, Wanderers, Wakandans, & Westerosi!  It is our very great pleasure to announce the next Festival of Heroes & Goblin Market on Saturday, October 26th!  Located at the Montford Park Players‘s beautiful outdoor Shakespearean amphitheater, this will be a wondrous day of skilled fighting and musical entertainment!

This fall Festival of Heroes will feature the Warriors of Ash and their marquee steel sword tournament, a live musical performance by Balkan & Turkish folk band Black Sea Beat Society, medieval battle and dancing with SCA Barony of Hawkwood, Finnish folk band Slack Bird, blessings by our very own SuperVixen Conversationalist, walk-on foam fighting with The Wandering Swordsmen and The Valley of Ashes, and sing-a-longs by the delightful Assemblage of Singing Folk!

We are also delighted to be joining forces with the Goblin Market to bring even more talented artisans, artists, and entertainers to display and offer their beautiful creations!  Of course we will also have Fox Hill Meadery‘s finest on tap and delicious feasts provided by The Wooden Ladle several other area chefs!

This is a FREE and inclusive event that EVERYONE of all ages, from all lands, and in all themes are welcome at!  It will be Rain or Shine!

Artisans, Artists, and Entertainers will be announced shortly.  In the mean time, those interested in joining us are HIGHLY encouraged to register without delay!

Watercolor Class with local artist Joan Doyle
Oct 26 @ 2:00 pm
Skyland/South Buncombe Library


Join us for a free watercolor class with local artist Joan Doyle.  Class limited to 10 participants – teens over 15 and adults. No group sign ups please. All materials provided.

13th Annual Lynn Boggess Exhibition Opening Reception
Oct 26 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
The Haen Gallery

Lynn Boggess is one of the most unique and noteworthy American landscape painters of the 21st Century. He resides in West Virginia, a state whose diverse mountains, forests, and rivers provide abundant inspiration for the artist’s plein air paintings. In place of brushes he uses palette knives and trowels to thickly layer the broad sweeping strokes and exquisite fine detail that capture all the colors of the seasons in rushing rivers, snow covered hillsides, and thick forest vegetation.

Mr. Boggess’ work is recognized internationally for its incredible three-dimensional texture, rendered solely in oils. These remarkable paintings combine elements of Abstract Expressionism and Photorealism to create a style that is totally unique and original.

To preview the exhibition catalog, please click here.

Sunday, October 27, 2019
DIYSigns Free Tool Designed to Help Educate about What’s Recyclable
Oct 27 all-day
online tool
The Recycling Partnership announced the public beta launch of DIYSigns, the debut of a free online resource that anyone can use to help people know what to throw into the recycling. Whether at home, at the office, at school, at a sports stadium, or anywhere, education is needed to show what is recyclable and where.

 

“We know that consumer confusion is one of the top reasons why trash still ends up in recycling bins and carts. Our community partners have asked for our help in creating free and customizable posters, labels and signs and we were happy to deliver. Anything we can do to help public and private sector recycling succeed is a boost for the industry,” said Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership.

 

DIYSigns is an online tool with editable templates available in a variety of sizes from a bumper sticker to a poster – to fit just right wherever it’s needed.  Check out DIYSigns!
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair
Oct 27 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
WNC Ag Center,

THE FAIR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Join us for 3 days of fun for the entire family! See spinning, knitting, weaving, felting, sheep, goats and much more! Join a workshop class to improve your skills or just enjoy browsing and shopping the beautiful and unique apparel and wearables.

Asheville Fine Art Show
Oct 27 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pack Square

Asheville, North Carolina, and its surrounding communities are well-known for its vibrant art scene and historic architecture.  From the dome-topped Basilica of Saint Lawrence, to the 19th-century Biltmore Estate, and an Art District filled with galleries and museums, Asheville is an excellent place to host up to 150 renowned Juried Artists. Come join us and see for yourself why the Asheville Fine Art Show was voted as one of the Top 100 art shows in America!

Oscar-winning “Period. End of Sentence.” producer to speak
Oct 27 @ 4:00 pm
Kittredge Theatre, Warren Wilson College

Oscar-winning producer Melissa Berton, creator of the short documentary “Period. End of Sentence.” will speak at Warren Wilson College on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.

“Period. End of Sentence.” follows a group of women in rural India as they learn how to operate a machine that makes low-cost, biodegradable sanitary pads, which they sell to other women at affordable prices. The film won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject this year, and it sparked a worldwide conversation about menstrual justice and menstrual equity.

Berton, who is a graduate of Warren Wilson’s MFA in Creative Writing, works as a high school English teacher at Oakwood School in Los Angeles. After learning that the lack of hygienic sanitary products and taboos around menstruation cause nearly a third of Indian girls to miss school during their periods, her class became inspired to raise money for a pad machine and to create a documentary. They raised funds by doing bake sales and yogathons.

At the lecture at Warren Wilson College, Berton will speak about the importance of girls staying in school and how youth voices can contribute to the global movement for education. She will also give an overview of “how that whole crazy journey took place.”

The lecture will be followed by a showing of the documentary and Q&A session. The event is free and open to the public. It will take place in Warren Wilson College’s Kittredge Theatre. Register online at www.warren-wilson.edu/lecture.