Calendar of Events

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.

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Sunday, October 24, 2021
The Myers Haunted House
Oct 24 @ 7:30 pm
The Myers Haunted House

 

Read more
Categories: Holiday
Monday, October 25, 2021
Scarecrow Festival at Lake Julian Park
Oct 25 all-day
Lake Julian Park

 

Scarecrow Festival at Lake Julian Park

Sugar Skull, Butterfly, and Beetlejuice scarecrows

Though apple picking, leaf peeping, and pumpkin spice in everything define the autumn season for many in the North Carolina mountains, scarecrows are a notable symbol of farms and the fall harvest in Buncombe County. The annual Scarecrow Festival returns to Lake Julian Park with scarecrows on view Oct. 25–31.

Buncombe County community members are invited to construct scarecrows as an individual, family, group, school, business, club, or organization. There is no cost to enter. REGISTER BY OCTOBER 19 >

Entries will be judged on originality/creativity, design, and workmanship. Winners will be announced in the categories of Traditional, Recycle and Reduce, and Cultural. Winners in each category, Judges’ Best of Show, and People’s Choice will each win a free picnic shelter rental. All entries will receive one vehicle admission to Festival of Lights, the immensely popular nocturnal display of winter scenes that has become a mountain tradition. Full contest rules are below.

To vote for your favorite scarecrow, visit Buncombe County Recreation Services on Facebook and Instagram by Oct. 26-28.

To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online.

Contest Rules

Registration:

  • Registration ends on Oct. 19, 2021.
  • All entries must be fully assembled and on site at Lake Julian Park no later than noon on Oct. 25, 2021. Participants are also welcome to construct or drop off entries between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Oct. 21-24, 2021. Information for checking in will be emailed following registration.
  • Scarecrows can be collected any time after 9 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2021.

Specifications:

  • All entries will be displayed outdoors and must be able to withstand the elements.
  • All decorations must be securely attached.
  • Entries must be free standing or have their own support system.
  • All scarecrows must be no larger than 7 feet tall as measured in place from the ground to the highest point of the entry and no wider than 4 feet.
  • Participant name and title of scarecrow must be displayed on a waterproof sign with entry for voting purposes for People’s Choice.

Restrictions:

  • Please keep in mind this is a family-friendly event. Political or controversial statements, hate speech, and adult content are not permitted. Buncombe County reserves the right to deny any entry.
  • No electricity will be available for the displays.
  • No items such as tiki torches, gas-powered generators, or any other flammable objects are allowed to be any part of an entry.
  • Human scarecrows or mechanical scarecrows facilitated by a human are not allowed.
  • Buncombe County is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal items associated with the scarecrow while on display.

Judging:

  • Judges will select a Best of Show winner and winners in three categories:
    • Traditional: Utilize old cloth, straw, and natural supplies to pay homage to scarecrows that have been “scaring crows” from farmers’ fields and gardens for centuries.
    • Recycle and Reduce: Create a scarecrow from recyclable and reusable items – such as old milk jugs, flour pots, gourds, soccer balls, wood, etc. – to highlight our community’s commitment to a sustainable future.
    • Cultural: Real world and historical holidays related to the fall season are plentiful! Which does your scarecrow celebrate: harvest, Halloween, Día de Muertos, Ghost Festival, Guy Fawkes Night, All Saints’ Day, or something else?
  • For the People’s Choice Award, voting will take place online from Oct. 26-28, 2021.
Read more
Categories: Holiday
Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 25 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
Read more
Categories: Business and Networking Community Donations Holiday
Virtual Halloween Costume Contest
Oct 25 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
online

The WNC Nature Center is having a virtual costume contest this Halloween!

Entering is easy – take a picture of your child and/or family in their costume and email it to [email protected] by Wednesday, November 3.

Voting will start November 7 on our Facebook page! Share your spookiest, most creative, and animal/nature themed costumes, and the winners with the most likes will receive prizes valued at $50 or more!

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday
MANNA FoodBank Turkey Drive Drop off 9am–noon, and 1–3pm
Oct 25 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
MANNA’s Volunteer Center

MANNA is continuing to serve more people than we were prior to the pandemic. For the enjoyment of the holiday season, it is important that those families are able to celebrate the holidays like everyone else. Since food is a centerpiece of every holiday, it is our hope that our community will come together to help fill as many plates of food over the holidays as we can throughout WNC.
MANNA hopes to collect hundreds of turkeys this year, and invites the community to join the effort by supporting the Turkey Drive. The community can give in two ways:
1. Donate a frozen turkey, ham or other holiday table entrée to MANNA. Donations will be accepted at MANNA’s Volunteer Center (627 Swannanoa River Road, in East Asheville) Monday – Friday, between the hours of 9am–noon, and 1–3pm.
2. Support our efforts to purchase additional holiday turkeys and hams through our virtual food drive option.
Read more
Categories: Community Donations Holiday
Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Oct 25 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1

Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.

We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.

You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.

We hope you will join us this holiday season!

 

Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Garden Holiday Outdoors
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Help Make a Child Smile this Holiday Season!
Oct 26 all-day
Eliada Homes

Eliada works hard to make the holidays a special time for the children in our care. You can help bring a smile to their face by fulfilling their holiday wishes!
Sponsor a Child:
When you sign up to sponsor a child for the holidays, you’ll receive a Wish List that a young person created. Wish Lists include their favorite things, clothing sizes, and most needed and wanted items. The value of a Wish List is around $150. You can divide that cost with friends, or even sponsor several children.
For most of Eliada’s children and youth, the gifts they receive from sponsors are the only gifts they will get during the holiday season.
Sponsor Multiple Children:
We also have Wish Lists which include items that children will need here at Eliada depending on what program they are in.
Cottage wish lists for youth living at Eliada, for example, include toiletries, bedding and towels, books, games, art supplies, suitcases and kitchen utensils. Many children come to Eliada with a few clothes in a garbage bag. Together we can provide them things that every home should have!
Other wish lists are for our Child Development programs, Foster Care program, Farm program, Summer Camp program, and Recreation programs. Our Equine Therapy program also has some needs this holiday season! We never know when we’ll get a call for a child in Foster Care who needs a home immediately. Let’s help Foster Parents provide these children everything they deserve!
Sponsor a last minute wish:
Some youth living at Eliada won’t arrive until right before the holidays! We won’t receive their wish lists until mid-late November. Can you sign up to help one of these teens at the last minute?
If you don’t have time to shop, Eliada will use your donation to purchase gifts for children who may arrive at Eliada very close to Christmas or right after Christmas. It shouldn’t matter when you arrive at Eliada–your wishes should be fulfilled! You can make a donation here. In the comment field, write “holiday wishes.”
Read more
Categories: Community Donations Holiday
Scarecrow Festival at Lake Julian Park
Oct 26 all-day
Lake Julian Park

 

Scarecrow Festival at Lake Julian Park

Sugar Skull, Butterfly, and Beetlejuice scarecrows

Though apple picking, leaf peeping, and pumpkin spice in everything define the autumn season for many in the North Carolina mountains, scarecrows are a notable symbol of farms and the fall harvest in Buncombe County. The annual Scarecrow Festival returns to Lake Julian Park with scarecrows on view Oct. 25–31.

Buncombe County community members are invited to construct scarecrows as an individual, family, group, school, business, club, or organization. There is no cost to enter. REGISTER BY OCTOBER 19 >

Entries will be judged on originality/creativity, design, and workmanship. Winners will be announced in the categories of Traditional, Recycle and Reduce, and Cultural. Winners in each category, Judges’ Best of Show, and People’s Choice will each win a free picnic shelter rental. All entries will receive one vehicle admission to Festival of Lights, the immensely popular nocturnal display of winter scenes that has become a mountain tradition. Full contest rules are below.

To vote for your favorite scarecrow, visit Buncombe County Recreation Services on Facebook and Instagram by Oct. 26-28.

To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online.

Contest Rules

Registration:

  • Registration ends on Oct. 19, 2021.
  • All entries must be fully assembled and on site at Lake Julian Park no later than noon on Oct. 25, 2021. Participants are also welcome to construct or drop off entries between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Oct. 21-24, 2021. Information for checking in will be emailed following registration.
  • Scarecrows can be collected any time after 9 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2021.

Specifications:

  • All entries will be displayed outdoors and must be able to withstand the elements.
  • All decorations must be securely attached.
  • Entries must be free standing or have their own support system.
  • All scarecrows must be no larger than 7 feet tall as measured in place from the ground to the highest point of the entry and no wider than 4 feet.
  • Participant name and title of scarecrow must be displayed on a waterproof sign with entry for voting purposes for People’s Choice.

Restrictions:

  • Please keep in mind this is a family-friendly event. Political or controversial statements, hate speech, and adult content are not permitted. Buncombe County reserves the right to deny any entry.
  • No electricity will be available for the displays.
  • No items such as tiki torches, gas-powered generators, or any other flammable objects are allowed to be any part of an entry.
  • Human scarecrows or mechanical scarecrows facilitated by a human are not allowed.
  • Buncombe County is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal items associated with the scarecrow while on display.

Judging:

  • Judges will select a Best of Show winner and winners in three categories:
    • Traditional: Utilize old cloth, straw, and natural supplies to pay homage to scarecrows that have been “scaring crows” from farmers’ fields and gardens for centuries.
    • Recycle and Reduce: Create a scarecrow from recyclable and reusable items – such as old milk jugs, flour pots, gourds, soccer balls, wood, etc. – to highlight our community’s commitment to a sustainable future.
    • Cultural: Real world and historical holidays related to the fall season are plentiful! Which does your scarecrow celebrate: harvest, Halloween, Día de Muertos, Ghost Festival, Guy Fawkes Night, All Saints’ Day, or something else?
  • For the People’s Choice Award, voting will take place online from Oct. 26-28, 2021.
Read more
Categories: Holiday
Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 26 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
Read more
Categories: Business and Networking Community Donations Holiday
Virtual Halloween Costume Contest
Oct 26 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
online

The WNC Nature Center is having a virtual costume contest this Halloween!

Entering is easy – take a picture of your child and/or family in their costume and email it to [email protected] by Wednesday, November 3.

Voting will start November 7 on our Facebook page! Share your spookiest, most creative, and animal/nature themed costumes, and the winners with the most likes will receive prizes valued at $50 or more!

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday
MANNA FoodBank Turkey Drive Drop off 9am–noon, and 1–3pm
Oct 26 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
MANNA’s Volunteer Center

MANNA is continuing to serve more people than we were prior to the pandemic. For the enjoyment of the holiday season, it is important that those families are able to celebrate the holidays like everyone else. Since food is a centerpiece of every holiday, it is our hope that our community will come together to help fill as many plates of food over the holidays as we can throughout WNC.
MANNA hopes to collect hundreds of turkeys this year, and invites the community to join the effort by supporting the Turkey Drive. The community can give in two ways:
1. Donate a frozen turkey, ham or other holiday table entrée to MANNA. Donations will be accepted at MANNA’s Volunteer Center (627 Swannanoa River Road, in East Asheville) Monday – Friday, between the hours of 9am–noon, and 1–3pm.
2. Support our efforts to purchase additional holiday turkeys and hams through our virtual food drive option.
Read more
Categories: Community Donations Holiday
Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Oct 26 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1

Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.

We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.

You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.

We hope you will join us this holiday season!

 

Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Garden Holiday Outdoors
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Scarecrow Festival at Lake Julian Park
Oct 27 all-day
Lake Julian Park

 

Scarecrow Festival at Lake Julian Park

Sugar Skull, Butterfly, and Beetlejuice scarecrows

Though apple picking, leaf peeping, and pumpkin spice in everything define the autumn season for many in the North Carolina mountains, scarecrows are a notable symbol of farms and the fall harvest in Buncombe County. The annual Scarecrow Festival returns to Lake Julian Park with scarecrows on view Oct. 25–31.

Buncombe County community members are invited to construct scarecrows as an individual, family, group, school, business, club, or organization. There is no cost to enter. REGISTER BY OCTOBER 19 >

Entries will be judged on originality/creativity, design, and workmanship. Winners will be announced in the categories of Traditional, Recycle and Reduce, and Cultural. Winners in each category, Judges’ Best of Show, and People’s Choice will each win a free picnic shelter rental. All entries will receive one vehicle admission to Festival of Lights, the immensely popular nocturnal display of winter scenes that has become a mountain tradition. Full contest rules are below.

To vote for your favorite scarecrow, visit Buncombe County Recreation Services on Facebook and Instagram by Oct. 26-28.

To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online.

Contest Rules

Registration:

  • Registration ends on Oct. 19, 2021.
  • All entries must be fully assembled and on site at Lake Julian Park no later than noon on Oct. 25, 2021. Participants are also welcome to construct or drop off entries between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Oct. 21-24, 2021. Information for checking in will be emailed following registration.
  • Scarecrows can be collected any time after 9 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2021.

Specifications:

  • All entries will be displayed outdoors and must be able to withstand the elements.
  • All decorations must be securely attached.
  • Entries must be free standing or have their own support system.
  • All scarecrows must be no larger than 7 feet tall as measured in place from the ground to the highest point of the entry and no wider than 4 feet.
  • Participant name and title of scarecrow must be displayed on a waterproof sign with entry for voting purposes for People’s Choice.

Restrictions:

  • Please keep in mind this is a family-friendly event. Political or controversial statements, hate speech, and adult content are not permitted. Buncombe County reserves the right to deny any entry.
  • No electricity will be available for the displays.
  • No items such as tiki torches, gas-powered generators, or any other flammable objects are allowed to be any part of an entry.
  • Human scarecrows or mechanical scarecrows facilitated by a human are not allowed.
  • Buncombe County is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal items associated with the scarecrow while on display.

Judging:

  • Judges will select a Best of Show winner and winners in three categories:
    • Traditional: Utilize old cloth, straw, and natural supplies to pay homage to scarecrows that have been “scaring crows” from farmers’ fields and gardens for centuries.
    • Recycle and Reduce: Create a scarecrow from recyclable and reusable items – such as old milk jugs, flour pots, gourds, soccer balls, wood, etc. – to highlight our community’s commitment to a sustainable future.
    • Cultural: Real world and historical holidays related to the fall season are plentiful! Which does your scarecrow celebrate: harvest, Halloween, Día de Muertos, Ghost Festival, Guy Fawkes Night, All Saints’ Day, or something else?
  • For the People’s Choice Award, voting will take place online from Oct. 26-28, 2021.
Read more
Categories: Holiday
Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 27 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
Read more
Categories: Business and Networking Community Donations Holiday
Virtual Halloween Costume Contest
Oct 27 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
online

The WNC Nature Center is having a virtual costume contest this Halloween!

Entering is easy – take a picture of your child and/or family in their costume and email it to [email protected] by Wednesday, November 3.

Voting will start November 7 on our Facebook page! Share your spookiest, most creative, and animal/nature themed costumes, and the winners with the most likes will receive prizes valued at $50 or more!

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday
MANNA FoodBank Turkey Drive Drop off 9am–noon, and 1–3pm
Oct 27 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
MANNA’s Volunteer Center

MANNA is continuing to serve more people than we were prior to the pandemic. For the enjoyment of the holiday season, it is important that those families are able to celebrate the holidays like everyone else. Since food is a centerpiece of every holiday, it is our hope that our community will come together to help fill as many plates of food over the holidays as we can throughout WNC.
MANNA hopes to collect hundreds of turkeys this year, and invites the community to join the effort by supporting the Turkey Drive. The community can give in two ways:
1. Donate a frozen turkey, ham or other holiday table entrée to MANNA. Donations will be accepted at MANNA’s Volunteer Center (627 Swannanoa River Road, in East Asheville) Monday – Friday, between the hours of 9am–noon, and 1–3pm.
2. Support our efforts to purchase additional holiday turkeys and hams through our virtual food drive option.
Read more
Categories: Community Donations Holiday
Local Carving Pumpkins For Sale
Oct 27 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Starting this weekend, we’ll be selling local heirloom and edible pumpkins from Sandy Mush, NC, and decorative gourds from Union Grove, NC!

Come join us at the farm as we get into the fall spirit & celebrate the harvest 🍂

Read more
Categories: Holiday Market
Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Oct 27 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1

Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.

We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.

You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.

We hope you will join us this holiday season!

 

Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Garden Holiday Outdoors
9th Annual Haunted Trail
Oct 27 @ 6:15 pm – 9:00 pm
Adventure Center of Asheville

The Adventure Center of Asheville is excited to be the 2021 venue for the 9th Annual Haunted Trail presented by Mellow Mushroom. The no-contact outdoor Haunted Trail is the only Halloween event in Asheville that is ideal for children ages 3-12 years old. This Halloween character theatrical performance is presented on an outdoor spooky trail at the Adventure Center.  Experience a family-friendly heart-pumping walk with live actors, spooky sounds, and spectacular props. The younger ghouls can enjoy the (actor-free) “Sweet Peek Tour” of the Trail at 6:30pm before it gets dark.

During the evening, you can also climb on our  Treetops Adventure Park Aerial Glow Trail.  It is available for kids and adults ages 4 and over. Climb on two of our aerial trails while they are illuminated with thousands of colored twinkle and laser lights.

In addition to the Haunted & aerial Glow Trails, there will be:

  • Spooky Live Entertainment
  • Life-size Pirate Ship Escape Room
  • Giant Games (Connect-4, Broom Jousting, Jenga)
  • Kids Play Wall
  • Crafts
  • Live Contests

There will also be Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Doughnuts, Pop Corn, Ice Cream, Local Beer and Coffee/Hot Chocolate for sale.

IT IS A PERFECT WAY TO CELEBRATE THE HALLOWEEN SEASON WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

 

COVID-19 statement:  Based on the most recent CDC guidelines and Buncombe County mandates, face masks are no longer required at the Adventure Center of Asheville for Guests that have completed their vaccine regimen and waiting period while you are outside.  Regardless of vaccine status, when you are inside at our bathrooms, or if you choose to participate in the Pirate Ship Escape Room, face coverings are mandatory.  If you have not completed the vaccination process, we request that you wear a face covering at our activities,  as you will have periods of time when you will not be able to social distance from our staff or other guests. We will provide opportunities to unmask when social distancing is possible.

Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday
Venardos Circus
Oct 27 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Outlets

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Venardos Circus proudly features its own custom-made big-top, a classic red-and-white striped tent, with an intimate feel and limited seating. The circus performers also are the crew in this traveling tour, much like the original circus tradition. There are no animals in Venardos Circus.

 

Parking is free. Festive preshow entertainment begins an hour prior to showtime. Tent concessions will be available when doors open. Classic circus treats like fresh popcorn, cotton candy, house-made all-natural pink lemonade, nachos, hot dogs, packaged candy, and more are available. The main event lasts approximately 90 minutes, with a brief intermission.

  • Wednesday, October 27 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
  • Thursday, October 28 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
  • Friday, October 29 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
  • Saturday, October 30 – 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
  • Sunday, October 31 – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
Read more
Categories: Family Fun Holiday Theatre
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Help Make a Child Smile this Holiday Season!
Oct 28 all-day
Eliada Homes

Eliada works hard to make the holidays a special time for the children in our care. You can help bring a smile to their face by fulfilling their holiday wishes!
Sponsor a Child:
When you sign up to sponsor a child for the holidays, you’ll receive a Wish List that a young person created. Wish Lists include their favorite things, clothing sizes, and most needed and wanted items. The value of a Wish List is around $150. You can divide that cost with friends, or even sponsor several children.
For most of Eliada’s children and youth, the gifts they receive from sponsors are the only gifts they will get during the holiday season.
Sponsor Multiple Children:
We also have Wish Lists which include items that children will need here at Eliada depending on what program they are in.
Cottage wish lists for youth living at Eliada, for example, include toiletries, bedding and towels, books, games, art supplies, suitcases and kitchen utensils. Many children come to Eliada with a few clothes in a garbage bag. Together we can provide them things that every home should have!
Other wish lists are for our Child Development programs, Foster Care program, Farm program, Summer Camp program, and Recreation programs. Our Equine Therapy program also has some needs this holiday season! We never know when we’ll get a call for a child in Foster Care who needs a home immediately. Let’s help Foster Parents provide these children everything they deserve!
Sponsor a last minute wish:
Some youth living at Eliada won’t arrive until right before the holidays! We won’t receive their wish lists until mid-late November. Can you sign up to help one of these teens at the last minute?
If you don’t have time to shop, Eliada will use your donation to purchase gifts for children who may arrive at Eliada very close to Christmas or right after Christmas. It shouldn’t matter when you arrive at Eliada–your wishes should be fulfilled! You can make a donation here. In the comment field, write “holiday wishes.”
Read more
Categories: Community Donations Holiday
Scarecrow Festival at Lake Julian Park
Oct 28 all-day
Lake Julian Park

 

Scarecrow Festival at Lake Julian Park

Sugar Skull, Butterfly, and Beetlejuice scarecrows

Though apple picking, leaf peeping, and pumpkin spice in everything define the autumn season for many in the North Carolina mountains, scarecrows are a notable symbol of farms and the fall harvest in Buncombe County. The annual Scarecrow Festival returns to Lake Julian Park with scarecrows on view Oct. 25–31.

Buncombe County community members are invited to construct scarecrows as an individual, family, group, school, business, club, or organization. There is no cost to enter. REGISTER BY OCTOBER 19 >

Entries will be judged on originality/creativity, design, and workmanship. Winners will be announced in the categories of Traditional, Recycle and Reduce, and Cultural. Winners in each category, Judges’ Best of Show, and People’s Choice will each win a free picnic shelter rental. All entries will receive one vehicle admission to Festival of Lights, the immensely popular nocturnal display of winter scenes that has become a mountain tradition. Full contest rules are below.

To vote for your favorite scarecrow, visit Buncombe County Recreation Services on Facebook and Instagram by Oct. 26-28.

To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online.

Contest Rules

Registration:

  • Registration ends on Oct. 19, 2021.
  • All entries must be fully assembled and on site at Lake Julian Park no later than noon on Oct. 25, 2021. Participants are also welcome to construct or drop off entries between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Oct. 21-24, 2021. Information for checking in will be emailed following registration.
  • Scarecrows can be collected any time after 9 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2021.

Specifications:

  • All entries will be displayed outdoors and must be able to withstand the elements.
  • All decorations must be securely attached.
  • Entries must be free standing or have their own support system.
  • All scarecrows must be no larger than 7 feet tall as measured in place from the ground to the highest point of the entry and no wider than 4 feet.
  • Participant name and title of scarecrow must be displayed on a waterproof sign with entry for voting purposes for People’s Choice.

Restrictions:

  • Please keep in mind this is a family-friendly event. Political or controversial statements, hate speech, and adult content are not permitted. Buncombe County reserves the right to deny any entry.
  • No electricity will be available for the displays.
  • No items such as tiki torches, gas-powered generators, or any other flammable objects are allowed to be any part of an entry.
  • Human scarecrows or mechanical scarecrows facilitated by a human are not allowed.
  • Buncombe County is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal items associated with the scarecrow while on display.

Judging:

  • Judges will select a Best of Show winner and winners in three categories:
    • Traditional: Utilize old cloth, straw, and natural supplies to pay homage to scarecrows that have been “scaring crows” from farmers’ fields and gardens for centuries.
    • Recycle and Reduce: Create a scarecrow from recyclable and reusable items – such as old milk jugs, flour pots, gourds, soccer balls, wood, etc. – to highlight our community’s commitment to a sustainable future.
    • Cultural: Real world and historical holidays related to the fall season are plentiful! Which does your scarecrow celebrate: harvest, Halloween, Día de Muertos, Ghost Festival, Guy Fawkes Night, All Saints’ Day, or something else?
  • For the People’s Choice Award, voting will take place online from Oct. 26-28, 2021.
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Categories: Holiday
Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 28 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
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Categories: Business and Networking Community Donations Holiday
Virtual Halloween Costume Contest
Oct 28 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
online

The WNC Nature Center is having a virtual costume contest this Halloween!

Entering is easy – take a picture of your child and/or family in their costume and email it to [email protected] by Wednesday, November 3.

Voting will start November 7 on our Facebook page! Share your spookiest, most creative, and animal/nature themed costumes, and the winners with the most likes will receive prizes valued at $50 or more!

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Categories: Family Fun Holiday
MANNA FoodBank Turkey Drive Drop off 9am–noon, and 1–3pm
Oct 28 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
MANNA’s Volunteer Center

MANNA is continuing to serve more people than we were prior to the pandemic. For the enjoyment of the holiday season, it is important that those families are able to celebrate the holidays like everyone else. Since food is a centerpiece of every holiday, it is our hope that our community will come together to help fill as many plates of food over the holidays as we can throughout WNC.
MANNA hopes to collect hundreds of turkeys this year, and invites the community to join the effort by supporting the Turkey Drive. The community can give in two ways:
1. Donate a frozen turkey, ham or other holiday table entrée to MANNA. Donations will be accepted at MANNA’s Volunteer Center (627 Swannanoa River Road, in East Asheville) Monday – Friday, between the hours of 9am–noon, and 1–3pm.
2. Support our efforts to purchase additional holiday turkeys and hams through our virtual food drive option.
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Categories: Community Donations Holiday
Local Carving Pumpkins For Sale
Oct 28 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Starting this weekend, we’ll be selling local heirloom and edible pumpkins from Sandy Mush, NC, and decorative gourds from Union Grove, NC!

Come join us at the farm as we get into the fall spirit & celebrate the harvest 🍂

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Categories: Holiday Market
Halloween BINGO at Harvest House
Oct 28 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Harvest House

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Dress up in your best costume and play BINGO at Harvest House. Prizes will be awarded to BINGO winners and for best costume

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Categories: Community Family Fun Games Holiday
Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum
Oct 28 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights returns to the gardens November 19-January 1

Tickets are now sold PER VEHICLE, not per person.

We are thrilled to announce that the 2021 Winter Lights holiday event will welcome members and guests back into the gardens as it returns to the traditional outdoor walk-through open-air show format. The famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden will be back, outfitted with new designs in lights, while throughout the gardens, popular arrangements will mingle with ones never seen before.

You can find everything you need to know about Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition at the tabs above, and be sure to secure your tickets now.

We hope you will join us this holiday season!

 

Winter Lights is the Arboretum’s largest annual fundraiser, and supports many parts of its mission driven programming.

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Categories: Family Fun Garden Holiday Outdoors
9th Annual Haunted Trail
Oct 28 @ 6:15 pm – 9:00 pm
Adventure Center of Asheville

The Adventure Center of Asheville is excited to be the 2021 venue for the 9th Annual Haunted Trail presented by Mellow Mushroom. The no-contact outdoor Haunted Trail is the only Halloween event in Asheville that is ideal for children ages 3-12 years old. This Halloween character theatrical performance is presented on an outdoor spooky trail at the Adventure Center.  Experience a family-friendly heart-pumping walk with live actors, spooky sounds, and spectacular props. The younger ghouls can enjoy the (actor-free) “Sweet Peek Tour” of the Trail at 6:30pm before it gets dark.

During the evening, you can also climb on our  Treetops Adventure Park Aerial Glow Trail.  It is available for kids and adults ages 4 and over. Climb on two of our aerial trails while they are illuminated with thousands of colored twinkle and laser lights.

In addition to the Haunted & aerial Glow Trails, there will be:

  • Spooky Live Entertainment
  • Life-size Pirate Ship Escape Room
  • Giant Games (Connect-4, Broom Jousting, Jenga)
  • Kids Play Wall
  • Crafts
  • Live Contests

There will also be Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Doughnuts, Pop Corn, Ice Cream, Local Beer and Coffee/Hot Chocolate for sale.

IT IS A PERFECT WAY TO CELEBRATE THE HALLOWEEN SEASON WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

 

COVID-19 statement:  Based on the most recent CDC guidelines and Buncombe County mandates, face masks are no longer required at the Adventure Center of Asheville for Guests that have completed their vaccine regimen and waiting period while you are outside.  Regardless of vaccine status, when you are inside at our bathrooms, or if you choose to participate in the Pirate Ship Escape Room, face coverings are mandatory.  If you have not completed the vaccination process, we request that you wear a face covering at our activities,  as you will have periods of time when you will not be able to social distance from our staff or other guests. We will provide opportunities to unmask when social distancing is possible.

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Categories: Family Fun Holiday
Venardos Circus
Oct 28 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Outlets

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Venardos Circus proudly features its own custom-made big-top, a classic red-and-white striped tent, with an intimate feel and limited seating. The circus performers also are the crew in this traveling tour, much like the original circus tradition. There are no animals in Venardos Circus.

 

Parking is free. Festive preshow entertainment begins an hour prior to showtime. Tent concessions will be available when doors open. Classic circus treats like fresh popcorn, cotton candy, house-made all-natural pink lemonade, nachos, hot dogs, packaged candy, and more are available. The main event lasts approximately 90 minutes, with a brief intermission.

  • Wednesday, October 27 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
  • Thursday, October 28 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
  • Friday, October 29 – 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
  • Saturday, October 30 – 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
  • Sunday, October 31 – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. **spooky spectacular**
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Categories: Family Fun Holiday Theatre