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.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Fire Cider Sensory Analysis
Oct 22 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Urban Orchard South Slope

Taste and analyze their one of a kind “Fire Ciders”. These ciders were crafted in the spirit of Halloween and in honor of their Anniversary with a variety of hot peppers. The evening of sensory analysis will introduce the sensory techniques used for wine, beer and cider. How to discern between different aroma and flavor compounds and more. You will also be given an in-depth tour of the cider production facility so that you can understand how the cider flavors you taste later are affected by their unique production process.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Oct 23 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Thirsty Monk Pint Nite Benefits Blue Ridge Parkway
Oct 23 all-day
Thirsty Monk
Wands for Wildlife collection has begun!
Oct 23 all-day
October is here!! Wands are being accepted throughout the month. Please go to the website for the form to send in with them and more information. SHARE THIS FORWARD! ????
www.wandsforwildlife.org

Since March of 2017 the Wands for Wildlife program has grown and spread all over the world! Engaging people of all ages and from all walks of life to take action, help the planet and save wild lives.
One Wander (wand donor) from Poland shared, “I am so happy that good people still exist in the world.”
From a Preschool teacher in Illinois, “I was unsure if my preschoolers would understand conservation and pollution, but starting with taking care of animals was the perfect way to start the unit since it was a more concrete idea and something they had prior knowledge about.”
Link to post that went up announcing the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge ‘Wands for Wildlife’ drive for October has begun….
Reduced Price Growler Fill Wednesdays
Oct 23 @ 8:00 pm – Oct 24 @ 2:00 am
plēb urban winery

Select a wine on draft and fill a plēb urban winery 500mL or 1L growler for a reduced price (see menu for availability and pricing). Growler purchase is separate. Carry out only.

https://www.facebook.com/events/859748727719594/?event_time_id=859748881052912

Thursday, October 24, 2019
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Oct 24 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Drink Coffee, Support Special Olympics
Oct 24 all-day
various locations in buncombe county

Buncombe County Special Olympics’ annual Coffee for Champions fundraiser returns for a third year on October 1. During the month of October, local coffee shops donate up to five cents for each cup of coffee purchased at their establishments to support Special Olympics training and competitions for area youth and adults.

“We are a completely volunteer-driven, donation-funded program focused on inclusionary sporting opportunities for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities,” said Karla Furnari of Buncombe County Recreation Services, who is also a Buncombe County Special Olympics coach and Local Coordinator. “Coffee for Champions helps build connections between our athletes and the community. It also allows us to move away from labor intensive fundraising campaigns that often pull volunteers from other critical program needs such as coaching and transporting athletes.”

A map on the organization’s website lists participating coffee shops:

  • Donating Five Cents Per Cup
    • Ivory Road Café & Kitchen (1854 Brevard Road in Arden)
    • Mosaic Café & Coffee House (1 Town Square Boulevard in Biltmore Park)
    • Trout Lily Market (1297 Charlotte Highway in Fairview)
  • Donating One Cent Per Cup
    • Dynamite Roasting Company (3198 US Highway 70 in Black Mountain)
    • PennyCup Coffee Company West (362 Depot Street in Asheville’s River Arts District)
    • PennyCup Coffee Company East (6 Beverly Road in Asheville’s Haw Creek)
    • PennyCup Coffee Company North (857 Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville)
    • Round Earth Roasters (518 Hendersonville Road in Asheville)

Buncombe County Special Olympics is made possible through funding from donors and support from Buncombe County Government. To donate or volunteer, visit buncombecountyspecialolympics.org.

Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy in 1968 to celebrate changing attitudes about the talents of people with intellectual disabilities. Buncombe County Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for youth and adults. Sports include alpine skiing and snowboarding, aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, cheerleading, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, and tennis. The organization also offers the Adaptive Athlete Program in a partnership with South Slope CrossFit and Buncombe County Recreation Services.

Wands for Wildlife collection has begun!
Oct 24 all-day
October is here!! Wands are being accepted throughout the month. Please go to the website for the form to send in with them and more information. SHARE THIS FORWARD! ????
www.wandsforwildlife.org

Since March of 2017 the Wands for Wildlife program has grown and spread all over the world! Engaging people of all ages and from all walks of life to take action, help the planet and save wild lives.
One Wander (wand donor) from Poland shared, “I am so happy that good people still exist in the world.”
From a Preschool teacher in Illinois, “I was unsure if my preschoolers would understand conservation and pollution, but starting with taking care of animals was the perfect way to start the unit since it was a more concrete idea and something they had prior knowledge about.”
Link to post that went up announcing the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge ‘Wands for Wildlife’ drive for October has begun….
7th annual Beer and Bites benefits Pisgah Legal Services
Oct 24 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Wicked Weed Brewing

Enjoy a sampling of small plates and 2 old-world style beers in Wicked Weed’s Downstairs Bar while connecting with other guests and supporting Pisgah Legal Services in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

$15 ticket benefits Pisgah Legal Services.

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.

Give Local Mnt. Express Kick off Celebration
Oct 24 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Salvage Station

Mountain Xpress’ end-of-year giving project to benefit 45 local nonprofits.

KICK OFF Celebration!

Asheville Pizza Brewery Monty Python and The Holy Grail
Oct 24 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Pizza Brewery

THE BEST MONTY PYTHON MOVIE EVER

THIS WILL SELL OUT IN ADVANCE!

Fifty years ago on October 5th, 1969 the first episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus aired, and comedy around the world was changed forever.  Celebrate their birthday with us!

King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table embark on a surreal, low-budget search for the Holy Grail, encountering many, very silly obstacles.  Considered one of the funniest movies ever!  (RUNNING TIME = 1 hour 31 minutes)

Planned Parenthood presents Standing Strong Asheville
Oct 24 @ 7:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Planned Parenthood presents Standing Strong Asheville

Please enjoy an evening with the marvelous co-author of the
best-selling book, The Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Irin Carmon at the Diana Wortham Theatre. This event will support the quality health care and education programs that Planned Parenthood South Atlantic provides in the Asheville community.

For Sponsorship Opportunities, visit standingstrongAVL.ppsat.org or contact [email protected].

Friday, October 25, 2019
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Oct 25 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Wands for Wildlife collection has begun!
Oct 25 all-day
October is here!! Wands are being accepted throughout the month. Please go to the website for the form to send in with them and more information. SHARE THIS FORWARD! ????
www.wandsforwildlife.org

Since March of 2017 the Wands for Wildlife program has grown and spread all over the world! Engaging people of all ages and from all walks of life to take action, help the planet and save wild lives.
One Wander (wand donor) from Poland shared, “I am so happy that good people still exist in the world.”
From a Preschool teacher in Illinois, “I was unsure if my preschoolers would understand conservation and pollution, but starting with taking care of animals was the perfect way to start the unit since it was a more concrete idea and something they had prior knowledge about.”
Link to post that went up announcing the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge ‘Wands for Wildlife’ drive for October has begun….
Wetland Forest Priority Maps
Oct 25 all-day

Cypress Tree

Restoring and protecting wetland forests in the US South will provide extensive financial, social, and environmental benefits. We hope that you’ll visit the Wetland Forest Priority Maps and explore the information and stories found within.

We’ve highlighted fourteen potential watersheds to prioritize for conservation work in wetland forests, including:

  • The Lower Pee Dee Watershed in coastal South Carolina and North Carolina
  • The Apalachicola Watershed in the panhandle of Florida and inland Georgia
  • The Atchafalaya Watershed in Louisiana
  • The Mobile-Bay Tombigbee Watershed in Alabama

These are the watersheds that we may look to when developing relationships with landowners, working with community members on flood resilience, or improving wildlife habitat in the region.

The Wetland Forest Priority Maps identify high priority watersheds based on wildlife, human communities, and threats. Wa

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.

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!
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays MANNA
Oct 26 all-day
MANNA FoodBank

Now through Nov. 15:
Help Make a Local Family’s Table a Bit Brighter and Donate a Turkey to our
TURKEY DRIVE!
This holiday season, we are hoping to fill families’ tables across our region with the staples that we all enjoy during a special holiday meal.
Food with Hope and Dignity
One reality of food banking is that food banks commonly receive holiday-specific food donations after a holiday has already occurred, making it difficult for food banks to provide these food items in a timely way to our neighbors seeking food assistance. We want families across our 16 counties to be able to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the community, and with that hope in mind, we are looking for the community to step up and help us eliminate one more worry for families about how they will fill their own holiday tables.
Donate a Turkey for the Holidays
When you are out shopping, we encourage you to pick up an extra frozen turkey to donate to MANNA! We know that hunger is a daily worry for tens of thousands of people across our region, and something as simple as a holiday turkey can truly give the gift of happiness and hope to people living through the daily experience of food insecurity.
Drink Coffee, Support Special Olympics
Oct 26 all-day
various locations in buncombe county

Buncombe County Special Olympics’ annual Coffee for Champions fundraiser returns for a third year on October 1. During the month of October, local coffee shops donate up to five cents for each cup of coffee purchased at their establishments to support Special Olympics training and competitions for area youth and adults.

“We are a completely volunteer-driven, donation-funded program focused on inclusionary sporting opportunities for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities,” said Karla Furnari of Buncombe County Recreation Services, who is also a Buncombe County Special Olympics coach and Local Coordinator. “Coffee for Champions helps build connections between our athletes and the community. It also allows us to move away from labor intensive fundraising campaigns that often pull volunteers from other critical program needs such as coaching and transporting athletes.”

A map on the organization’s website lists participating coffee shops:

  • Donating Five Cents Per Cup
    • Ivory Road Café & Kitchen (1854 Brevard Road in Arden)
    • Mosaic Café & Coffee House (1 Town Square Boulevard in Biltmore Park)
    • Trout Lily Market (1297 Charlotte Highway in Fairview)
  • Donating One Cent Per Cup
    • Dynamite Roasting Company (3198 US Highway 70 in Black Mountain)
    • PennyCup Coffee Company West (362 Depot Street in Asheville’s River Arts District)
    • PennyCup Coffee Company East (6 Beverly Road in Asheville’s Haw Creek)
    • PennyCup Coffee Company North (857 Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville)
    • Round Earth Roasters (518 Hendersonville Road in Asheville)

Buncombe County Special Olympics is made possible through funding from donors and support from Buncombe County Government. To donate or volunteer, visit buncombecountyspecialolympics.org.

Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy in 1968 to celebrate changing attitudes about the talents of people with intellectual disabilities. Buncombe County Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for youth and adults. Sports include alpine skiing and snowboarding, aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, cheerleading, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, and tennis. The organization also offers the Adaptive Athlete Program in a partnership with South Slope CrossFit and Buncombe County Recreation Services.

Foster Parent Training Classes Announced for 2020
Oct 26 all-day
with in Buncombe County

News
                            article image

You might have heard about the need to recruit more foster parents in Buncombe County. “We currently have 300 kids in foster care in Buncombe County,” says Heather Hill-Pavone, Buncombe County Licensing Social Worker. “Only some of those kids get to stay in Buncombe County as we only have 100 licensed foster homes with BCHHS.” We need your help to let people in our community know about the upcoming Foster Parent Training Classes happening in 2020!

These courses begin the licensure process for becoming a foster parent. They are offered quarterly, for anyone in Buncombe County, who is interested in becoming a foster parent. While the next round of Foster Parent Training Classes starts on September 11, the classes for 2020 are NOW on the calendar! You can sign up by clicking this link.

2020 Schedule: 

  • Winter Classes: Jan 16, 2020 through Feb 20, 2020 (Thursdays) at Buncombe County Health and Human Services in Downtown Asheville
  • Spring Classes: March 25, 2020 through April 29, 2020 (Wednesdays) at Biltmore Church in Arden, NC
  • Summer Classes: June 2, 2020 through July 7, 2020 (Tuesdays) at Biltmore Church in Arden
  • Fall Classes: September 14, 2020 through October 19, 2020 (Mondays) at Buncombe County Health and Human Services in Downtown Asheville
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

Wands for Wildlife collection has begun!
Oct 26 all-day
October is here!! Wands are being accepted throughout the month. Please go to the website for the form to send in with them and more information. SHARE THIS FORWARD! ????
www.wandsforwildlife.org

Since March of 2017 the Wands for Wildlife program has grown and spread all over the world! Engaging people of all ages and from all walks of life to take action, help the planet and save wild lives.
One Wander (wand donor) from Poland shared, “I am so happy that good people still exist in the world.”
From a Preschool teacher in Illinois, “I was unsure if my preschoolers would understand conservation and pollution, but starting with taking care of animals was the perfect way to start the unit since it was a more concrete idea and something they had prior knowledge about.”
Link to post that went up announcing the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge ‘Wands for Wildlife’ drive for October has begun….
PEAK (Parents of Estranged Adult Kids)
Oct 26 @ 8:30 am – 9:45 am
First Congregational Church Library

You adult child won’t speak to you? Find support through our weekly meetings, every Saturday, Sept. 7 – Nov. 9, 2019, 8:30 am to 9:45 am, at First Congregational Church Library, 1735 Fifth Avenue West.  It’s not about who’s right or wrong.  It’s about getting on with life.

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.

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!

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.

Different Strokes! Masquerade Ball
Oct 26 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Henry LaBrun Studio at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Put on your best formal wear, slip into your dancing shoes, and join Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective on October 26 for an elegant, exclusive Masquerade Ball. With a red carpet, live music by Rhoda Weaver (Best Vocalist, Mountain Xpress Best of X 2018), silent and live auctions, and catering by Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Win season tickets to Different Strokes! in the best-decorated mask contest (judged by a panel of experts), and get to party in the brand-new Henry LaBrun Studio at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.

All proceeds benefit Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective and its mission of Making Theatre that Makes a Difference. 

The Rocky Horror Show at The Grey Eagle
Oct 26 @ 10:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

The Rocky Horror Show is a musical with music, lyrics and book by Richard O’Brien. A humorous tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the late 1940s through to the early 1970s, the musical tells the story of a newly engaged couple getting caught in a storm and coming to the home of a mad transvestite scientist, Dr Frank-N-Furter, unveiling his new creation, a sort of Frankenstein-style monster in the form of an artificially made, fully grown, physically perfect muscle man named Rocky Horror, complete “with blond hair and a tan”.

Sunday, October 27, 2019
Asheville Community Band 40th Anniversary Concert
Oct 27 all-day
Lipinsky Hall, on the Campus of UNCA

The Asheville Community Band opens our 2019-2020 season with something very special: our 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert! That’s right, 40 years of community-based musical excellence, serving players and listeners in the Asheville area!
The Asheville Community Band is a community-based symphonic winds band for musicians of all ages and professions. Now composed of over ninety musicians (with more than a dozen new players in Fall 2019!), the band truly represents Western North Carolina with members representing six counties. The all-volunteer band ranges in age from high school to octogenarian. Our 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert will celebrate three things: Great conductors, great music, and great community-based musicianship. Tickets are $12, students and children with paying adults are free.