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.

Thursday, December 31, 2020
Bite Nite! 1/2 off Select Appetizers
Dec 31 @ 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wild Wing Cafe

1/2 Priced Appetizers from our “Start Me Up” menu Thursday Nights from 4-10pm.
(Dine in Only)

Deli Llammma’s first Alpaca Series
Dec 31 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Catawba Brewing Company - South Slope

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Our Asheville South Slope Tasting Room has teamed up with the AVL Llammma Mammas to offer you delicious take home family-style meals and beer every Thursday!
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Deli Llammma’s first Alpaca Series will start on New Year’s Eve with a 4-course dinner guaranteed to bring you luck in 2021!! Each dinner comes with 25% off any to-go beers at Catawba.
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Pre-Order online at https://www.delillammma.com/alpaca-supper-series before Tuesday 12/29 5pm.
Out with the OLD in with the GOLD!!! Hello 2021!
Hickory Nut Gap Farm Holiday Sale
Dec 31 @ 4:04 pm – 5:04 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

HICKORY NUT GAP WILL DONATE A POUND OF OUR PASTURE RAISED MEATS TO FAMILIES IN NEED FOR EVERY SAMPLER BOX PURCHASED BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2020.

Asheville Fit Tribe Group: 60 minute of strength training
Dec 31 @ 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
Carrier Park

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm
Biltmore

Candlelight, firelight and live music bring holiday warmth to Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor during these nighttime tours. Candlelight Christmas Evenings include a self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens, Antler Hill Village and Biltmore Winery. Evening guests can also take advantage of Antler Hill Village & Winery to enjoy free wine tastings.

Tickets may be purchased at www.biltmore.com or by phone (800-411-3812).

Forestry Camp New Years Eve
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Forestry Camp
Ring in the New Year at Camp and kiss 2020 goodbye. Join us this NYE with a four-course meal curated by our Executive Chef, JT DeBrie, a champagne toast, a Forestry Camp commemorative glass, and select bottle of Burial Beer. Tickets are available for 2 and 4 person tables and include a 2.5 hour table reservation. $100 per person.
If you are planning a cozy evening at home, we have you covered with a couple of curated NYE Home Pages of bubbles and charcuterie.
Camp New Year’s Experience tickets and our NYE Home Packages on sale now at shop.forestrycamp.com.
Live Music – Jon Cox Band
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Catawba Brewing Company - South Slope

Join us on NYE for some live music and food from Deli Llammma! The Jon Cox Band will have you boot scooting and bugging to all your favorite country and Southern rock covers.
Free Admission!
NYE with Dirty Dead at Asheville Music Hall
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Music Hall

THIS IS A SEATED SHOW // LIMITED CAPACITY SHOW to ring in 2021 with Dirty Dead!
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Each ticket comes with two raffle tickets and champagne toast!
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TICKETS ON SALE NOW – tickets must be purchased BY TABLE (2-6 top tables available)
Rockin’ New Years Eve with Judaculla Blue
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sweeten Creek Brewing

Come kick this crazy year out with a bang! Judaculla Blue will be here jammin from 5-8! And we’ve got some crazy good food from Breedloves food truck! Oh yeah we’ve got some damn good beer too!

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 31 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2019 and we hope to see you in 2020! 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 13, 2020, and operates through December 31, 2020.

 

Asheville Fit Tribe Group: 60 minute of strength training
Dec 31 @ 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Carrier Park

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum
Dec 31 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The N.C. Arboretum

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” Celebrate the holiday season with the entire family at Winter Lights.

A Party Foul New Years Eve at The Odditorium
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Odditorium

Thursday December 31 Outside at The Odditorium
**Weather Permitting** If cancelled, tickets will be refunded.
Party Foul Drag!!!
Doors 6 PM // Show 7 PM
Seated. Social Distant. Masks Required
$10
Note: No physical tickets will be mailed. Your name will be added to a list.
Candlelight Christmas at Biltmore
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Biltmore

Marilynn will be playing Christmas music in various locations in Biltmore House over the next several weeks. If you’re planning on coming to Biltmore for Candlelight Christmas, try to come on one of the evenings that I will be playing. Hope to see you there!

New Years Eve with the West King String Band
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

Party out 2020 at Jack of the Wood and the West King String Band! Original neo-grassy folk music with clever songwriting and hot pickin’ to roll into 2021. We’ll be having a New Years champagne toast alongside our friends in Dublin @ 7pm! Sláinte Y’all!

Phursdays w/ Gunslinging Parrots – A Phish Experience
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

Genre: Phish Tribute
Music: 6PM-9:30PM
Cover: Donation Based Cover at the Door (100% to Musicians)
Ages: 21+
Gunslinging Parrots
Local Asheville Band providing A Phish Experience who stay true to all things Phishy and always provide a good time with phriends!
Shadrack’s Christmas lights show
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tryon Resort

The light show is also synchronized to music that plays on the radio station indicated at the entrance to the show.

The drive-thru light show is about 30 minutes long, and there are two ticket options for purchase which covers vehicles of up to eight people

  • Dec. 10-13: Rudolph
  • Dec. 17-20: The Grinch
  • Dec. 21-24: The Nativity
Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park Early New Year’s Eve Keg Drop
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm
Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park

This year has looked mighty different for us all, but we still want to ring it out with one of our time honored traditions: The Annual Keg Drop! Join us at Biltmore Park at 6pm on New Year’s Eve (midnight in Belgium!) as we say “See Ya!” to 2020 with our festive golden keg drop. We’ll be tapping our Must Love Coconut IPA with mini party kegs available to go for you to continue your festivities at home!

Asheville Fit Tribe Group: 60 minute of strength training
Dec 31 @ 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm
Carrier Park

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Dec 31 @ 6:40 pm – 7:40 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2019 and we hope to see you in 2020! 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 13, 2020, and operates through December 31, 2020.

Endings, Beginnings A New Year’s Eve Candlelight Vigil of Release + Renewal
Dec 31 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Facebook Live

A New Year’s Eve Candlelight Vigil of Release & Renewal
As the year comes to an end, let us gather to purify the past year’s negativities through chanting the Vajrasattva purification mantra. With the lighting of every candle we renew our commitment to creating a better world for all.
Come in for a minute, a few mantras, or the whole service. A New Year’s Eve Candlelight Vigil of Release & Renewal
As the year comes to an end, let us gather virtually (on Zoom & Facebook live) to purify the past year’s negativities through chanting the Vajrasattva purification mantra. With the lighting of every candle we renew our commitment to creating a better world for all.
Come in for a minute, a few mantras, or the whole service.
Mitch’s Totally Rad Trivia
Dec 31 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

Scoop: Mitch's Totally Rad TRIVIA

Mitch Fortune brings you an irreverent and nostalgia filled night of pop culture trivia every Thursday night 7-9 pm at the One Stop in Downtown Asheville. A potpourri of movies, music, TV show trivia just for you!

New Years Eve with The John Henrys
Dec 31 @ 7:00 pm
Isis Music Hall

Seated Concert with Dinner – reservations highly recommended. Please call the venue for tickets and reservations. 828-575-2737

The John Henrys have been entertaining loyal, local audiences as the house band at 5 Walnut Winebar in downtown Asheville every Tuesday night for ten years . The band features Jon Corbin and Hank Bones on guitars, Taylor Pierson on piano, Kevin Kehrberg on bass, Lyndsay Pruett on violin and Russ Wilson on Vocals. Specializing in a mixture of Gypsy Jazz, Standards (Great American Songbook), Swing, Country and originals the group makes fun, happy music on the fly. This performance is not to be missed!

Come enjoy New Years Eve with an evening of live music, food and drinks to celebrate the END of 2020. Reservations are highly recommended.

Special Pre-Broadway Engagement! 1776
Dec 31 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

show

They knew they would make history, but not what history would make of them.

Fed up with living under the tyranny of British rule, John Adams attempts to persuade his fellow members of the Continental Congress to vote in favor of American Independence and sign the Declaration. But how much is he willing to compromise in the pursuit of freedom? And to whom does that freedom belong?

Direct from the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, visionary director Diane Paulus (Jagged Little PillWaitressPippin) reexamines a pivotal moment in American history in a re-imagining of the Tony Award®-winning musical 1776 prior to its Broadway engagement at Roundabout Theatre Company.

Not recommended for children under 10 years of age. Parental discretion is advised.

North Carolina to Enter Modified Stay at Home Order
Dec 31 2020 @ 10:00 pm – Jan 1 2021 @ 5:00 am
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday, December 8th that North Carolina will begin a Modified Stay at Home Order in response to a rapid increase in North Carolina’s key COVID-19 trends. The Order requires people to stay at home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am, and takes effect Friday, December 11th. The Order is set to remain in place until January 8, 2021.
The Order requires restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, and more to close at 10 pm. Travel to and from work, to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services, or to take care of a family member is exempted from the order. FAQs on the order can be found HERE.
Rotating Local Shuffle
Dec 31 2020 @ 10:00 pm – Jan 1 2021 @ 2:00 am
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

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Friday, January 1, 2021
Asheville Regional Airport: Special “virtual” surprise with Santa Selfie Station
Jan 1 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport
Asheville Regional Airport — Art Gallery (Media is invited at any time to visit the display – the Art Gallery is located in the main lobby of the public area of the terminal.)
A “magic” TV, in the Art Gallery window, brings passengers special messages (and safety reminders) from Santa and an invitation to come into the gallery to take a selfie. Travelers are able to stand with a virtual Santa who poses for pictures in a “COVID-friendly” way.
The holidays look much different this year because of COVID-19, especially during air travel. The airport team wanted to offer some holiday cheer and something unique for its guests. This festive, virtual display is a way to bring a smile to passengers’ faces (behind their masks) to help brighten their travel experience, in a safe and responsible manner.
VISUALS:
  • Virtual Santa, asking travelers to pose for a “selfie”
  • Virtual Santa, offering different poses: Masked Santa; Santa in sunglasses; Santa with arms outstretched; Santa posing for a back-to-back photo
  • Travelers interacting with the display
Call to Artists South Slope Art Project
Jan 1 all-day
Online
Tribute Companies is requesting Artist Qualifications for a permanent art mural(s) for their mixed-use development, The Ironwood, located on Asheland/Coxe Avenue in Downtown Asheville.
This artwork should do the following:
●  Create excitement and interest for the area.
●  Honor the diversity of Asheville’s Southside community.
●  Celebrate the vital role of African American history and culture in Asheville.
●  Connect visually to the site through interpretation of historical and cultural aspects​.
●  Be durable, low maintenance, and appropriate to the location. Integral to creating this artwork(s), is the artists’ willingness to learn about the community and have a dialogue with interested community members to help inspire and guide content creation. A range of materials/applications will be considered, including painted murals and digitally printed murals. If digital, the work must be vector based, printable, and scalable to the site specifications.
Greenworks: 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville + Buncombe County
Jan 1 all-day
Asheville NC

Alternate text

Covid-Friendly Clean-Up Stations: #AVLquaranclean

We’ve learned a lot about adapting this year. Back in March, we canceled all of our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. But it didn’t stop you from working to make Asheville cleaner and safer.

So we amped up our Cleanup Supply Station program, fully stocking existing locations and adding on 2 new stations, for a total of 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville & Buncombe County. We threw in our catchy #AVLquaranclean hashtag on top, and you did the rest!

Since March, 132 volunteers used these stations 36 times to collect over 2,700 pounds of litter from creeks and roads on their own time!! We are also incredibly grateful to Mountain Xpress for donating newspaper stands to be repurposed into these supply stations, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County Government for supporting cleanups, and to Mast General Store and Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts for hosting our newest stations.

These stations remain stocked and ready for your quarantine pod’s next outing. Remember to sign out supplies, report the trash back to us afterwards, and return supplies for cleaning and reuse! Read more at https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/latest…/avlquaranclean and contact [email protected] for more information or to schedule supply pick up for larger groups.

LEAF 2021 announces a few key dates
Jan 1 all-day
LEAF

Spring LEAF Retreat May 13-16 at Lake Eden
LEAF Downtown/ Reimagine August 27-28
Fall LEAF Festival October 14-17 at Lake Eden 
(Size TBD*)

These events will be limited in size but will retain all the LEAF Love. LEAF Members will have priority and at times exclusive access to these events. Please note that Spring LEAF Retreat will be members-only and tickets will be made available on January 4th, 2021. Members have kept LEAF Mission alive and at work in this wild year of 2020! Your membership empowered LEAF to maintain our support of LEAF International Culture Keepers in the 10 countries and local LEAF Schools & Streets Artists. When you support culture, artists and teachers you are investing in the community and young people’s future. Interested in becoming a member? Join membership today!

All $250+ memberships will receive the 2021 LEAF Calendar hot off the press and its going to be a great year!