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.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 11 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Preserving the Season’s Harvest – Fermenting Roots
Dec 11 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Sew True Seeds

Dec 11 2019: Preserving the Seasons Harvest, Fermenting Roots

earn the basics of lactofermentation and several recipes to transform root vegetables in season this time of year into fermented food delicacies! Sarah will demonstrate techniques and offer troubleshooting advice on the Dos and Don’ts of home fermentation. Leave with the knowledge and inspiration to create live, probiotic-rich ferments for you and your family!

About the Instructors

Sarah Archer is the Owner and Fermentress behind local business Serotonin Ferments. She has been a fermenting enthusiast for 15 years, and over that time has honed her skills from novice to expert. She is passionate about sharing her love for food, health, and community, and truly believes that Food is our Medicine. Supporting local, organic farmers is a keystone of her process, and her creations are often inspired by what is growing in abundance locally.

 

Handle With Care
Dec 11 @ 7:30 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Dec 11 @ 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
The One Stop

isclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Thursday, December 12, 2019
“Dressing for the Occasion: Mid-Century Sandburg as Celebrity and Family Man”
Dec 12 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Carl Sandburg Home

Sandburg Clothing on Exhibit

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.

Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 12 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Handle With Care
Dec 12 @ 7:30 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

Friday, December 13, 2019
“Dressing for the Occasion: Mid-Century Sandburg as Celebrity and Family Man”
Dec 13 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Carl Sandburg Home

Sandburg Clothing on Exhibit

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.

Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 13 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

BMCAT presents THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris
Dec 13 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts Theatre

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts Theatre proudly presents…The Santaland Diaries, written by David Sedaris and adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello.

PLOT SUMMARY: When a down-on-his luck wannabe actor arrives in New York City at the end of the year, the only employment he can find is at Macy’s department store — working in Santaland for the holiday season, as a reluctant, but relentlessly cheerful, elf. Newly christened “Crumpet”, our clever anti-hero shares his observations of the mayhem in front of and behind the scenes during one chaotic December, from aggressive parents and drunken Santas, to flirtatious actors, poor hygiene, and the racially charged hazards of being a “Pointer Elf.” Will Crumpet find a moment of pure Christmas spirit? Will he end up in Santa’s cottage with Snowball the elf? Will he escape with his life on Christmas Eve before being torn apart by enraged customers?

This show contains mature content and is for adults only.

Evening performances on Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and matinees on Sundays at 2:00 pm.

Handle With Care
Dec 13 @ 7:30 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

LaZoom Comedy: Andrew Michael
Dec 13 @ 8:00 pm – 8:00 pm
LaZoom Room

Andrew Michael is an Atlanta raised comic who is fueled by his love for comedy, claw machines, and chimichangas. Andrew provides a goofy yet intimate look into his life and the people that surround it. Andrew’s comfortable presence on stage has made him a favorite in the Atlanta comedy scene. In 2015 Andrew was audience choice for “Best Local Comedian” and his show WonderComedy won “Best Comedy Night” in the Creative Loafing ATL’s “Best of Atlanta” issue in 2015 & 2018. Andrew is a regular at the world famous Laughing Skull Lounge in Atlanta where he performs on weekend “Best of Atlanta” showcase shows and opens for headliners. He’s also performed at the Crom Comedy Festival, The Fest in Florida, Red Clay Comedy Festival, Altercation Comedy Festival. The Laughing Skull Comedy Festival and the High Plains Comedy Festival in Denver.

featuring Shaunak Godkhindi

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-andrew-michael-tickets-73164189059

The Santaland Diaries
Dec 13 @ 9:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

When an out of work slacker takes a job as an elf in Macy’s Santaland, his hilarious observations of the shoppers and employees are much more naughty than nice. This one-man-act can only be described one way: crazy funny. It’s the 18th year in a row for this show at ACT! Starring Tom Chalmers.

Saturday, December 14, 2019
Adult Studio Drawing Journey Journals Asheville Art Museum
Dec 14 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Asheville Art Museum

Sign up by November 8! In Drawing Journey Journals, travel the Museum’s galleries, drawing as you go in handmade journals with watercolor pencils; then, transform your sketches into paint in the Studio. Engage in basic drawing exercises during each class, as well as learn tips and tricks to inform your drawing with the elements of composition, light, perspective, and color. Carry drawing and writing techniques used in class over into your personal travel journals, plein air painting, and self-expression.

Click the button below to learn more, or call 828.253.3227 x122 to register by phone.

“Dressing for the Occasion: Mid-Century Sandburg as Celebrity and Family Man”
Dec 14 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Carl Sandburg Home

Sandburg Clothing on Exhibit

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.

Handle With Care
Dec 14 @ 2:00 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 14 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

BMCAT presents THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris
Dec 14 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts Theatre

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts Theatre proudly presents…The Santaland Diaries, written by David Sedaris and adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello.

PLOT SUMMARY: When a down-on-his luck wannabe actor arrives in New York City at the end of the year, the only employment he can find is at Macy’s department store — working in Santaland for the holiday season, as a reluctant, but relentlessly cheerful, elf. Newly christened “Crumpet”, our clever anti-hero shares his observations of the mayhem in front of and behind the scenes during one chaotic December, from aggressive parents and drunken Santas, to flirtatious actors, poor hygiene, and the racially charged hazards of being a “Pointer Elf.” Will Crumpet find a moment of pure Christmas spirit? Will he end up in Santa’s cottage with Snowball the elf? Will he escape with his life on Christmas Eve before being torn apart by enraged customers?

This show contains mature content and is for adults only.

Evening performances on Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and matinees on Sundays at 2:00 pm.

Handle With Care
Dec 14 @ 7:30 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

LaZoom Comedy: Kyle Ayers
Dec 14 @ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
LaZoom Room

Kyle Ayers is a comedian writer, actor, and producer. He is the creator of Boast Rattle, a Compliment Contest, the head-to-head comedic compliment show, which is now the television series Nice One on Quibi (which Kyle also created and is the Executive Producer on). Boast Rattle is also its own show on SiriusXM, running regularly.

He has appeared on Fuse, Comedy Central, VH1, and more, as well as in the film Box Elder, as Phil Ryerson. He’s been heard on Comedy Central Radio, SiriusXM, Bob & Tom, and more.

He has performed multiple times at the prestigious Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, where Time Out New York heralded him as a “breakout star.” He’s headlined all over the world, including Bonnaroo, The New York Comedy Festival, RIOT LA, The World Comedy Summit in Copenhagen, High Plains Comedy in Denver, and more.

His live show Never Seen It, where comedians rewrite famous movies and TV shows they’ve never seen, is now a top iTunes charting podcast on Starburns Audio, featuring Dan Harmon, Henry Zebrowski, and more, and has been featured at festivals around the US and Canada.

He also founded, constructed and runs the heralded underground sketch-acting-theater production-weirdness comedy show, “First Comes Love,” where comedians and actors act out anonymously written adult film scripts from actual aspiring adult film writers, solicited via Craigslist. The show was optioned by MTV for a pilot that Kyle will gladly show you because it should be on TV.

Kyle has written for CBS, Comedy Central, TBS, contributed to Roasts, as well as Huffington Post, CNN, The New York Times, Wired, the weekly sports-comedy show Sports Balls, and more.

He was the tweeter behind the internet sensation #roofbreakup, where he stumbled upon a couple breaking up on his roof in Brooklyn, and the entire world joined in. #roofbreakup was viewed over 10 MILLION times worldwide, appeared on NPR, BBC, Yahoo, Buzzfeed (2+ million views), and was even reenacted by Jerry Springer. The viral sensation haunts Kyle to this day.

If you’re still reading, now we’re into the fun stuff. Kyle created/hosted the viral podcast Faking A Murderer, where he talked with eight comedians for eight hours about the show Making a Murderer, but did not tell his guests that he’d never seen the show. He also wrote and put on the satirical play Glengarry Glenn Beck, which is pretty much what you think it is. He has a dozen more ideas that he wants to sell you, and would be extremely excited to talk to you about.

Featuring Gilbert Lawand

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-kyle-ayers-tickets-79792881657

The Santaland Diaries
Dec 14 @ 9:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

When an out of work slacker takes a job as an elf in Macy’s Santaland, his hilarious observations of the shoppers and employees are much more naughty than nice. This one-man-act can only be described one way: crazy funny. It’s the 18th year in a row for this show at ACT! Starring Tom Chalmers.

Sunday, December 15, 2019
City of Asheville shares Code PURPLE network resources
Dec 15 all-day
City of Asheville

As temperatures begin to drop we want to make sure people know where to go when frigid weather strikes. If you or someone you know needs shelter, the following sites are available when the Asheville-Buncombe CODE PURPLE is in effect.

 

Code Purple is a voluntary effort among private sector shelter providers, coordinated by the Asheville Homeless Coalition. The City of Asheville does not fund, direct, coordinate, or manage any aspects of Code Purple, but information on when Code Purple is in effect may be found at this link on the City of Asheville website

 

In extremely cold conditions, the Code Purple shelter providers will provide shelter beyond their normal program capacity. Code Purple does not include natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, or tornadoes; in these events, all citizens will be able to access services at the community disaster shelters.

 

Code Purple network sites:

  • ABCCM Veteran’s Quarters, 828-259-5333: Overnight emergency shelter, men only.
  • Homeward Bound A-Hope, 828-252-8883: Day center.
  • Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, 828-254-0471: Indoor space during the day (all); overnight emergency shelter for women and children only; identification required; police escort required after 6 p.m.; background check necessary to assure individual is not registered sex offender.
  • Steadfast House, 828-259-5365: Limited space availability/overnight emergency shelter for women and children only.

 

   Code Purple network partners:

    • United Ways 2-1-1 information and referral line: Dial 211 or 828-252-HELP (4357)
    • ABCCM Steadfast House, transitional housing: 828-259-5365.
    • American Red Cross (crisis services)
    • BEACON members (crisis services)
    • Helpmate, overnight domestic violence shelter: Call 24-hour crisis line, 828-254-0516
    • Trinity Place (overnight shelter for ages 7-17 only: Amy Hobson,  828-777-5715

 

The City of Asheville is deeply grateful for the work of all homeless shelter providers. We know they do everything they can do to get people indoors during extreme weather events. We also recognize that despite everyone’s best efforts, there may always be people who choose to remain outdoors, even in the coldest months.

“Dressing for the Occasion: Mid-Century Sandburg as Celebrity and Family Man”
Dec 15 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Carl Sandburg Home

Sandburg Clothing on Exhibit

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.

WNC Nature Center: Behind the Scenes!
Dec 15 @ 1:15 pm – 3:00 pm
WNC Nature Center

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the “STAFF ONLY” doors at the Nature Center?

Now’s your chance to find out! Areas visited on the Wild Walk may* include the Small Mammal habitat, the Predator area, and the Animal Kitchen. Don’t miss out on this amazing up-close encounter with some of your favorite wildlife!

Join us for this one of a kind behind-the-scenes tour! Tour lasts from 1:20 to 3:00pm.

Register online, in person at the Friends office, or by calling 828-259-8092.

BMCAT presents THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris
Dec 15 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts Theatre proudly presents…The Santaland Diaries, written by David Sedaris and adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello.

PLOT SUMMARY: When a down-on-his luck wannabe actor arrives in New York City at the end of the year, the only employment he can find is at Macy’s department store — working in Santaland for the holiday season, as a reluctant, but relentlessly cheerful, elf. Newly christened “Crumpet”, our clever anti-hero shares his observations of the mayhem in front of and behind the scenes during one chaotic December, from aggressive parents and drunken Santas, to flirtatious actors, poor hygiene, and the racially charged hazards of being a “Pointer Elf.” Will Crumpet find a moment of pure Christmas spirit? Will he end up in Santa’s cottage with Snowball the elf? Will he escape with his life on Christmas Eve before being torn apart by enraged customers?

This show contains mature content and is for adults only.

 

Handle With Care
Dec 15 @ 2:00 pm
North Carolina Stage Company

“In this bilingual romantic comedy, circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman, who has little command of English, and a young American man, who has little command of romance. Is their inevitable love an accident … or is it destiny, generations in the making?”

“a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy” – The New York Times

The Santaland Diaries
Dec 15 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

When an out of work slacker takes a job as an elf in Macy’s Santaland, his hilarious observations of the shoppers and employees are much more naughty than nice. This one-man-act can only be described one way: crazy funny. It’s the 18th year in a row for this show at ACT! Starring Tom Chalmers.

Holiday City Comedy Tour
Dec 15 @ 3:00 pm
LaZOOM Tours

The Holidays have never felt so magical! Get on Asheville’s homegrown purple bus tour and experience a sightseeing history tour injected with enough seasonal cheer to make your belly laugh like a bowl full of jelly. We explore Downtown, the South Slope, Historic Montford, and the River Arts District. This 90 minute holiday extravaganza only happens in December. Get your tickets now!

 

Comedy at Fleetwood’s: Dan Alten
Dec 15 @ 8:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Dan Alten is a goofball from Kentucky who travels the country in his poorly maintained car, bringing his intelligently surreal nonsense to dive bars, punk houses, theaters, art galleries, and comedy clubs. He has opened for Kyle Kinane, Rory Scovel, Sean Patton, Hari Kondabulu, TV’s David Liebe Hart, rapper Open Mike Eagle, punk bands GRLWOOD and Boner City, and a guy at an open mic who tried to throw his father’s ashes into the crowd. If you don’t like him you can punch him in the arm.

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-dan-alten-tickets-83112558901

Monday, December 16, 2019
“Dressing for the Occasion: Mid-Century Sandburg as Celebrity and Family Man”
Dec 16 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Carl Sandburg Home

Sandburg Clothing on Exhibit

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.