Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Saturday, October 26, 2024
Homegrown Halloween Market
Oct 26 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Smith Mill Works

Join us for family-friendly day of creativity and community supporting local artists, makers and farmers and their handmade and homegrown treats!

Explore one of our haunted greenhouses, participate in a family friendly DIY Halloween wreath making activity, peruse the Asheville Tool Library Yard Sale and enjoy delicious and healthy food from the Pasta and Prana food truck and more at the:
SMITH MILL WORKS HANDMADE HALLOWEEN MARKET on SAT OCT 26 from 11-3.

TOUCH-A-TRUCK®️ FAMILY FESTIVAL
Oct 26 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Tanger Asheville

TOUCH-A-TRUCK is an annual community-wide event where both kids and kids at heart have the opportunity to see, touch, and learn about vehicles of all types, including public service, emergency, utility, construction, delivery, and public transportation — all in one place! Guests will meet the drivers and operators of these vehicles. Children will be able to “Truck-or-Treat” during the festival, and family-friendly costumes are encouraged (but not required). There will be a quiet hour from 11AM-noon for individuals sensitive to loud noises. Tickets are $5 per person ages 3 and up and can be purchased online or at the gate. Food and additional activities will be available at Tanger Asheville.

House Beautiful’s 2024 Whole Home Renovation – Tour This Innovative New Home!
Oct 26 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
House Beautiful's 2024 Whole Home

House Beautiful announced their seventh annual Whole Home build will take place in the historic city of Asheville, North Carolina. Through a partnership with luxury home builder Living Stone Design & Build, leading designers and industry sponsors, House Beautiful is debuting its first-ever vacation Whole Home.

Join us at this beautiful new home in the Sprout Community showcasing top designers and beautiful furnishings. This year’s 2024 Whole Home build is the ultimate second home, offering a multiplatform experience with fresh ideas for design enthusiasts and renovation solutions small and large. The 3,600-square-foot home will seamlessly blend into the surrounding natural beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains, offering an elevated modern build style and biophilic design with toxin-free materials.

The renovated home will be featured on HouseBeautiful.com and in the November/December 2024 Renovation Issue of House Beautiful, which will hit newsstands on November 26.

A talented team of diverse interior designers with a range of sensibilities will reimagine the mountain property: Living Stone: MA Allen, Rajni Alex, Dane Austin, Erin Coren and Lina Galvão of Curated Nest, Kelsey McGregor, Anne McDonald, Byron Risdon, Laura Sullivan, Heidi Woodman, Anita Yokota, and the Iron House design team.

The home will be open for tours from 12-7pm on October 24th – 27th. Select furniture in the home will be available for auction at the conclusion of the show home. All proceeds from the tour will directly benefit Habitat for Humanity of Henderson County and Thermal Belt. Tickets to tour are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

House Beautiful has also once again partnered with Wellness Within Your Walls, an internationally recognized resource group created to provide education and guidance on toxins in the living environment.

The 14th Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival
Oct 26 @ 12:00 pm
Pack Square Park

Friends, it is time once again for Asheville’s most fantastical festival of freakiness and fun… The Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival! As always, this is a FREE community event, brought to you by Arts 2 People, the organization that put on LAAFF for 15 years downtown.
This year’s festival will be bigger than ever with three music stages, a community storytelling tent, dozens of art vendors, food, beer and other libations, and of course, the highlight of the evening: the sunset performance by Surreal Sirkus.
The main stage at the Amphitheater in front of City Hall will feature live bands and musicians from Asheville and beyond. It will culminate in the Surreal Sirkus Main Show at 7:30 pm, which will showcase an array of performers, including aerialists, fire spinners, puppeteers, jugglers, dancers, and other circus acts.
This year’s show tells the story of one man’s journey after death, and the beings he encounters along the way. Unifire Theater, Street Creature Puppets, and many other local performance groups will take part in the show.
Also, this year, Arts 2 People has partnered with Create Fest, a local organization bringing diverse communities together through the arts. They will host an Open Mic & Showcase on the Reuter Terrace, from noon until 7 p.m. The terrace will also be home to a number of interactive exhibits and spaces for audience participation.
Meanwhile, at North Pack Square, there will be two more performance areas: an EDM stage on the raised lawn featuring some of Asheville’s finest DJ’s, and a Storytelling Tent located on the site of the former Vance Monument.
The latter is intended as a space for folks from around the region to share their personal stories as a way of bringing the community together in a spirit of healing and greater understanding of each other. (If you have a story you’d like to share, please DM us here or email: [email protected])
And of course the Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival will include more than 50 local vendors showcasing their unique artworks and handmade crafts, as well as food, beer, and mixed drinks, which will be available for sale at the Roger McGuire Green.
The Surreal Sirkus has deep roots in the history of the town’s artistic life. It existed as both an annual event and a performance troupe of the same name from 1996 to 2005, when it was a staple of the city’s underground arts scene. It was resurrected in 2021 for the event’s 25th anniversary with the help of Arts 2 People.
The Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival is made possible by support from our sponsors, including:
Arts 2 People
Arts AVL
Buncombe County
North Carolina Arts Council
Create Fest
Create Inc
Café Canna
The Well
JenBen Media
Raven & Crone
Asheville FM
West Village Market & Deli
Dropp Science
Spiral Enterprises
And more to come!

Yala Cultural Tour + Drum Workshop
Oct 26 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts
Visit LEAF Global Arts every Saturday for an in-house cultural exchange with Adama Dembele. Experience the Ivory Coast with our Culture Keeper from the House of Djembe.
Stay for an all-ages Drum Workshop, no experience necessary.
Block Therapy Workshop
Oct 26 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Happy Body

🚨 Back by Popular Demand! 🚨
Our Block Therapy Workshop was such a hit, we’re bringing it back as a 3-part series this fall! Whether you’re looking for deep healing or simply want to explore the benefits, join one, two, or all three sessions with Renata Osorio. Each workshop focuses on different areas of the body to help you release tension and experience lasting relief.
🗓 Workshop Dates:
• Oct 12th | 1-3 PM – Pelvis & Legs
• Oct 26th | 1-3 PM – Shoulders, Arms & Head
• Nov 9th | 1-3 PM – Breast/Pec & Lungs
What is Block Therapy? Block Therapy is a powerful combination of sustained pressure and diaphragmatic breathing that works to release fascial adhesions—tension built up over time that can cause misalignment and pain. This method helps you restore body symmetry by addressing areas where fascia pulls on the bone, blocking blood and oxygen flow.
✨ Benefits Include:
• Improved posture
• Released chronic pain
• Enhanced range of motion
• Boosted lymphatic flow
• Emotional release
Whether you’re seeking relief from tension or exploring somatic healing, Block Therapy offers a unique way to detoxify your mind, body, and soul.
Ready to release what’s holding you back? Sign up today! 🌿
828-277-5741
Ashevillehappybody.com
[email protected]

*All workshops are at our Biltmore Village location – 25 Reed St. Suite 210

CATS
Oct 26 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

An extravaganza of fantasy and theatre magic, CATS has enchanted audiences for decades with its fiercely energetic dancing, showbiz razzle-dazzle, and unforgettable lyrics drawn from T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. As one of the most popular Broadway blockbusters of all time and winner of seven Tony Awards, this certified classic has brought cheer to millions of theatre lovers of all ages! You and your family are sure to leave the theatre tapping your toes and ‘feline’ groovy!

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber &

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Based on ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’ by T.S. Elliot

Masterworks 2: Legacy
Oct 26 @ 2:00 pm
First Baptist Church of Asheville

Darko Butorac, conductor
Terrence Wilson, piano

Iconic, legendary, epic — the Emperor stands alone as an unrivaled titan among concertos. With his fifth and final piano concerto, Beethoven goes beyond the traditions of his early inspirations and ultimately crafts an innovative and epic masterpiece that surpasses his predecessors’ wildest dreams. Sharing the program with Beethoven is one such early inspiration: C.P.E. Bach. Son of J.S. Bach and a master in his own right, C.P.E. Bach left a huge impact on future generations, including Beethoven. Rounding out the program is Brahms, the man perhaps most preoccupied with Beethoven’s legacy. As Beethoven’s de facto successor, Brahms revered, grappled with, and eventually transcended his idol’s legacy through his magnificent symphonies.

Strings of Hope Benefit Concert
Oct 26 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Pisgah Brewing Co.

The Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains is hosting “Strings of Hope”, a concert to support local builders, suppliers, and industry professionals impacted by Hurricane Helene. The event, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, will feature live performances from Cuberow, The Asheville Mountain Boys, Red Clay Revival, and Fireside Collective. Suggested ticket donation: $10.

Misery
Oct 26 @ 3:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

True life becomes stranger than fiction when an acclaimed romance novelist wakes up in the home of his “number one fan.” Rescued from a wintery car crash, Sheldon finds himself incapacitated and convalescing in the secluded home of Annie Wilkes, a seemingly kind nurse. When events take a nightmarish turn, the injured Paul realizes the unhinged Annie has no intention of letting him leave. This spine-tingling, nail-biting stage adaptation traps you in the room with Paul as the story spins out of control. Based on Stephen King’s acclaimed, best-selling novel, the tense cat-and-mouse game will grip you until the very end.

Asheville Official Halloween Bar Crawl
Oct 26 @ 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Urban Orchard Cider Co.

Everybody has that one costume they always wanted to wear and just never got the opportunity to. This year we want you to finally wear that costume to the Pubcrawls.com Halloween weekend Hangover Pub Crawl in Asheville on October 26th, 2024. We are going to have some of the spookiest attractions in the world at this bar crawl. Be ready to have the time of your life as we are offering only the top drink specials and exclusive bar promotions at this bar crawl. This will be one of those nights out with the crew which you never forget.

What Is Included With My Asheville Bar Crawl Ticket?
Over 4+ Venues!
Free Entry Into The Best Bars
2-3 Vouchers Included. (May Be Redeemed For A Drink, Shot, Swag or More)
FREE After Party
Pub Crawls Wristband
Detailed Custom Digital pub crawl map
Generously Low Drink Specials
Tasty Holiday Themed Drinks
Select Food Specials
Thousands Of Crawlers
$2000 Prize Value Social Media Costume Contest
Live Music/Bands/Dj’s at Certain Venues
Photographer and Videographer To Capture The Best Moments
Look out for a feature on our social media!
Helpful Pubcrawls.com Staff On Site

What Should I Wear To The Asheville Halloween Bar Crawl?
It is strongly encouraged to get creative and were that Halloween costume you always wanted to wear! You will see all types of spooky, funny, and sexy costumes roaming the streets for this pub crawl!

USE PROMO CODE EV20 for 20% OFF ON PUBCRAWLS.COM

The Official Halloween Bar Crawl – Asheville – 7th Annual
Oct 26 @ 4:00 pm – 11:59 pm
Catawba Brewing Company South Slope Asheville

🎃 👻 Join the Ultimate Halloween Bar Crawl Experience! 🎃 👻

Get ready for a spooktacular night with Crawl With US at The Official 7th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl!

👽 Join Hundreds Of Spooky Crawlers
🍹 2-3 Drinks or Shots Included With Your Ticket
🚫 No Cover At All Bars, Mid Party, & After Party
🏆 $1000 Costume Contest
📷 Professional Photographers
🥤 Custom Crawl With US Stadium Cups (First 400 Check Ins)
📿 Custom Keychain Lanyards With Bottle Openers (First 400 Check Ins)
🍻 Exclusive Drink Specials
🍔 Food Specials at Select Venues
🔥 Awesome After Party
📛 Custom Halloween Badge
🗺️ Access To Our Asheville Pub Crawl Map

_______________________________________

This isn’t just any bar crawl—it’s the ultimate Halloween party where you and your friends can dress up in your most creative costumes and hit the town for a night you won’t forget.

Meet tons of new people, explore some of the best bars in Asheville, and enjoy an electric atmosphere that only Halloween can provide. Our events are always packed with energy and excitement, making them the perfect way to celebrate the spooky season.

Don’t miss out on the hottest Halloween event of the year! Get your tickets now, dress to scare, and let the hauntingly good times roll! 👻

⬇️ Get your tickets NOW before prices go up! ⬇️
www.crawlwith.us/asheville/halloween

_______________________________________

🎃 CHECK IN TIME 4PM – 6PM 🎃
🎃 CRAWL LOCATIONS 4PM – 10PM 🎃
🎃 AFTER PARTY TIME 10PM – 12AM 🎃

_______________________________________

100% CANCELLATION REFUND GUARANTEE

👌If the event is cancelled for any reason, all tickets will be refunded in full! No vouchers, no credits, just your money back in your bank! Guaranteed!

_______________________________________

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

https://www.crawlwith.us/faq

_______________________________________

🚫 DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE 🚫

We Highly Suggest Using Uber or Lyft To And From The Bar Crawl!

_______________________________________

㉑ ATTENDEES MUST BE 21+ ㉑
Due to the nature of our events, all attendees must be 21+ with a valid government issued ID.

Feast & Flame: A Live Fire Dinner at The Horse Shoe Farm
Oct 26 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Horse Shoe Farm

Locals and guests alike are invited to indulge in the magic of open-flame cooking as Chef Dan prepares a three-course meal using locally sourced ingredients, expertly cooked to perfection over live fire. Marked Tree Vineyard has curated a selection of fine wines to pair, and owners, Lance & Tim, will be in attendance guiding guests through each pairing.

Feast & Flame: A Live Fire Dinner at The Horse Shoe Farm
Oct 26 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Horse Shoe Farm

Locals and guests alike are invited to indulge in the magic of open-flame cooking as Chef Dan prepares a three-course meal using locally sourced ingredients, expertly cooked to perfection over live fire. Marked Tree Vineyard has curated a selection of fine wines to pair, and owners, Lance & Tim, will be in attendance guiding guests through each pairing.

85 South Show Live
Oct 26 @ 7:00 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

DC Youngfly, Chico Bean, and Karlous Miller are bringing 85 South to Greenville October 26!

Dasan Ahanu
Oct 26 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Weaving a spell with emotional, inspirational and expressive poetry, this award-winning writer and spoken-word artist mesmerizes audiences with his unabashed heart, raw energy and profound truths.

CATS
Oct 26 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

An extravaganza of fantasy and theatre magic, CATS has enchanted audiences for decades with its fiercely energetic dancing, showbiz razzle-dazzle, and unforgettable lyrics drawn from T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. As one of the most popular Broadway blockbusters of all time and winner of seven Tony Awards, this certified classic has brought cheer to millions of theatre lovers of all ages! You and your family are sure to leave the theatre tapping your toes and ‘feline’ groovy!

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber &

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Based on ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’ by T.S. Elliot

Misery
Oct 26 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

True life becomes stranger than fiction when an acclaimed romance novelist wakes up in the home of his “number one fan.” Rescued from a wintery car crash, Sheldon finds himself incapacitated and convalescing in the secluded home of Annie Wilkes, a seemingly kind nurse. When events take a nightmarish turn, the injured Paul realizes the unhinged Annie has no intention of letting him leave. This spine-tingling, nail-biting stage adaptation traps you in the room with Paul as the story spins out of control. Based on Stephen King’s acclaimed, best-selling novel, the tense cat-and-mouse game will grip you until the end.

Shakespeare’s Wars of the Roses Richard III
Oct 26 @ 7:30 pm
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre

The Montford Park Players is pleased to announce auditions for its 52nd  Season: 

Muse of Fire: Shakespeare’s Wars of the Roses

Jason Williams, Artistic Director

5/10/2024 5/24/2024   Edward III, directed by Mandy Bean
5/31/2024 6/23/2024   Richard II, directed by Jason Williams
6/28/2024 7/21/2024   Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, directed by Dr. George Brown, Callista Brown and Elizabeth DeVault
7/26/2024 8/25/2024   Henry V, directed by David Doersch
8/30/2024 9/22/2024  Henry VI Parts 1, 2 & 3, directed by Glenna Grant, Ariel Robinson and Adam Kampouris
9/27/2024 10/27/2024 Richard III, directed by Kristi DeVille

Conveniently located in the heart of the Historic Montford District of Asheville, North Carolina, the Outdoor Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre is easy to get to and accessible from I-240 and I-26. And, it’s just a short drive down Montford Avenue from downtown.

The Last Wide Open
Oct 26 @ 7:30 pm
NC Stage Company

Late one night after closing the restaurant where they both work, Lina and Roberto unexpectedly find themselves in conversation. This exquisite play with music renders the near hits and misses that are the reality of life for this waitress and immigrant dishwasher as we watch three alternate realities unfold over the course of the night. 

A love song in three movements. Performances of The Last Wide Open will be held on the days and times listed below. The lobby and concessions area will open one hour prior to showtime. Concessions may be taken into the theatre during the performance.

October 10 – November 3, 2024

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30

Sundays at 2pm

Friday 10/11 and 10/18 at 7:30pm

Friday 10/25 and 11/1 at 2pm

An Evening with Goose
Oct 26 @ 8:00 pm
Harrah's Cherokee Center

An Evening with Goose at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville.

Masterworks 2: Legacy
Oct 26 @ 8:00 pm
First Baptist Church of Asheville

Iconic, legendary, epic — the Emperor stands alone as an unrivaled titan among concertos. With his fifth and final piano concerto, Beethoven goes beyond the traditions of his early inspirations and ultimately crafts an innovative and epic masterpiece that surpasses his predecessors’ wildest dreams. Sharing the program with Beethoven is one such early inspiration: C.P.E. Bach. Son of J.S. Bach and a master in his own right, C.P.E. Bach left a huge impact on future generations, including Beethoven. Rounding out the program is Brahms, the man perhaps most preoccupied with Beethoven’s legacy. As Beethoven’s de facto successor, Brahms revered, grappled with, and eventually transcended his idol’s legacy through his magnificent symphonies.

The Collection Little Deaths Album Release Tour
Oct 26 @ 8:00 pm
Salvage Station

Little Deaths is a nuanced, emotional and intimate step inward for the otherwise hyperbolic band
The Collection, the North Carolina-based indie-pop band founded by frontman David Wimbish.
In their time together, the tightly knit, six members of The Collection have inspired listeners with
their raucous, folk-based indie-pop sound, resulting in an unabashed positivity and participatory
spirit of shared celebration, creating an almost congregational connection with their audience.
The Collection built their familial fan base over three independent albums, 2014’s full-length debut
Ars Moriendi, Listen To The River [2017] and Entropy [2018]. The latter featured “Beautiful Life,”
and its 8.7 million-and-counting Spotify streams, earning the band praise from American
Songwriter, Glide, Parade and more, even landing on NPR Tiny Desk Judges’ Picks This was
bolstered by the band’s riotous and righteous shows touring with the likes of Oh Hello, RIPE, Tall
Heights and Sammy Rae & Friends.

Sunday, October 27, 2024
2024 Asheville Flamenco Festival
Oct 27 all-day
Kittredge Theater / Warren Wilson College

Join Flamenco Appalachia for the 2024 Asheville Flamenco Festival, October 19th through 27th! Experience the passionate rhythms of Flamenco with performances, community events, and classes. Don’t miss the kickoff at LEAF Festival on October 19th. Celebrate with us at our Fiesta Flamenca on October 20th, and immerse yourself in Flamenco dance and guitar classes from October 21st to 26th at Uphora Dance Fitness with the world renowned teacher / choreographer Daniela Tugues. The festival culminates with a special 5:00pm performance at the Kittredge Theater at Warren Wilson College on October 27th. For details, visit FlamencoAppalachia.com.

ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
Oct 27 all-day
online

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.

 

“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”

 

The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.

 

ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.

 

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

DIY River + Road Cleanups
Oct 27 all-day
Asheville Area

Whenever you want!

 

Supplies available at

2 Sulphur Springs Road

If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776.

Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request).

Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information.

Need to know

Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Oct 27 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Hey Asheville: City Comedy Tour • Ages 13+ Only
Oct 27 all-day
LaZoom Room Bar & Gorilla

Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!

Duration

1 hour and 30 minutes

About

Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!

Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!

Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.

Age Restrictions

13 and up. No exceptions.

Stops

10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery

What’s Included

Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop

What’s Not Included

Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.

Mile High Swinging Bridge
Oct 27 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

One of the top highlights and memories of visits to Grandfather Mountain nature park is walking across the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. Since 1952, visitors have “oohed” and “aahed” at the bridge’s 360-degree panoramic views. America’s highest suspension footbridge gives easy access to the spectacular views atop Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak, elevation 5,305 feet.

The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation (hence the name!). To reach the Mile High Swinging Bridge, drive the two-mile, winding scenic road up the mountain to the summit parking area by the Top Shop. Climb 50 stairs adjacent to the parking area or inside the Top Shop to reach the short pathway to the bridge. Also, an elevator in the Top Shop takes you to the third floor for a level walk to the bridge.

Top Shop

Located adjacent to the Bridge, the Top Shop features a gift shop, snacks, restrooms, elevator and second-floor exhibition area. Also get the latest park information and trail maps. Read more.

Accessibility

Inside the Top Shop, an elevator makes the Mile High Swinging Bridge accessible to people with mobility challenges, including those in wheelchairs. From the Top Shop, there is a paved 50-yard path to the bridge. Read more about our accessibility.

Tickets & Hours

Walking across the Mile High Swinging Bridge is included in your Grandfather Mountain admission ticket that includes many other things to do in our nature park. Buy tickets online and book a reservation time to enter the park. You do not need a separate reservation for the bridge. It’s open, weather permitting, every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. See hours.

More to Explore

Before or after visiting the Mile High Swinging Bridge, allow time to enjoy other parts of the mountain: wildlife habitats, Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, restaurant, hiking trails, roadside overlooks, picnic areas and more. See more Things to Do.

Nearby Hiking Trails

Trailheads to many of the Grandfather Mountain hiking trails are located near the Swinging Bridge. In fact, the 0.4 mile Bridge Trail takes you beneath the bridge, starting from the Black Rock parking area just below the summit. For details on our nearby trails, go to our Hiking Guide.

Bridge Tips & Tidbits

  • Does it really swing? Very little — unlike the original one. Today’s bridge is made of steel and reinforced with cables and springs. It has railings on the sides to ensure safety.
  • We suggest you wear rubber-soled shoes and walk with care when crossing the rocks on the far side of the bridge.
  • If heights give you pause, you can still enjoy Blue Ridge Mountain views from the ground before you reach the bridge and even from the parking area.
  • Due to periodic extreme weather conditions at the bridge, it closes when there is area lightning, high wind or icy conditions.
  • The official U.S. Weather Service Reporting Station atop the Mile High Swinging Bridge has provided daily weather observations since 1955. The temperature is usually 10 to 20 degrees cooler than in the flatlands you see below. It’s also one of the windiest locations in North Carolina, with a 124-mph record set in winter 2019. Learn more about our weather.
  • Pets are allowed on the bridge if well behaved and on a leash.
  • Photographs and videos to remember your visit are encouraged. Be mindful of sharp drop-offs along the Linville Peak ridge. Drones are not allowed. See our photography policies.
  • The Singing Bridge? When the wind blows, the Mile High Swinging Bridge “sings” in the same way as a harmonica.
  • In April through October, join Grandfather’s expert naturalists by the Bridge for Interpretive Talks about the our unique weather, climate, flora and fauna. Read more.
  • Need driving directions? The address for Grandfather Mountain’s entrance gate is 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646 (click link for Google Maps). There are no shuttles, so you must have your own vehicle to explore our nature park. No RVs longer than 28 feet in length or hinged vehicles are allowed through the Entrance Gate. See detailed directions.
  • To see much more info, see our Plan Your Visit section.

Mile High Swinging Bridge History

Former North Carolina Tourism Director Charles J. Parker coined the name “Mile High Swinging Bridge” at the Bridge’s dedication in 1952. The term “mile high” refers to the structure’s elevation above sea level (5,280 feet). The term “swinging” refers to the fact that suspension bridges are free to sway.

The original 1952 bridge was designed by Charles Hartmann Jr. of Greensboro, N.C. It was fabricated in Greensboro and then reassembled on top of the Mountain. Erecting the bridge took three weeks, a process slowed by inclement weather created by a hurricane off the North Carolina coast. Cost was $15,000. It was dedicated on Sept. 2, 1952 by North Carolina Gov. William B. Umstead.

The bridge was rebuilt in 1999 using the original towers. The cables, floor boards and side rails were all replaced using galvanized steel. One of the main advantages of the modern building materials is that they do not have to be painted. Now, Grandfather Mountain employees will not have to hang out over the gorge to paint the span. It was redesigned by Sutton, Kennerly & Associates Engineering of Asheville, N.C., and rebuilt by Taylor & Murphy Construction Company of Asheville. The cost of rebuilding was $300,000.

Barn Yoga
Oct 27 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

A Hickory Nut Gap tradition, back by popular demand! Bring your mat and mindfulness to the Big Barn to get centered.

Mary Beth believes yoga should be potent, but playful. She strives to deliver fluid, well balanced vignettes that offer physical expansion and mental restoration. She teaches gentle and vinyasa flow, all levels welcome! Variations encouraged, feel free to bring blocks, blankets or straps.

Make a day of it! Class lets out when the Farm Store opens, come shop the Farm Store for local meats and grocery goodies, grab a beer or beverage and wander the farm grounds to see the animals. Yogis get 10% off meat and eggs on class day.

Time: 9am-10am

Dates: April 28th | May 26th | June 30th | July 28th | August 25th | September 29th | October 27th

Price: $18/class OR Full Season, 7 classes for $100!