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

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

Thursday, May 4, 2023
14th Annual Authors for Literacy Dinner + Auction
May 4 all-day
Crowne Plaza Resort Expo Center

We are thrilled to share the news that bestselling author of Southernmost, Silas House, will keynote Literacy Together’s 14th Annual Authors for Literacy Dinner & Auction on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza Resort Expo Center.

House has authored six novels, a book of creative non-fiction, and three plays. He is the executive producer and one of the subjects of the documentary Hillbilly.

House is a former commentator for NPR’s “All Things Considered.” His writing has appeared in Time, The Atlantic, Ecotone, The Advocate, Garden and Gun, and Oxford American. House serves on the fiction faculty at the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Creative Writing and as the NEH Chair at Berea College. Read more about Silas here.

Proceeds from the Authors for Literacy Dinner & Auction will benefit programs to help people of all ages reach their personal and educational goals through the power of literacy. Literacy Together provides volunteer tutors to more than 300 students and sends books to over 5,000 preschool children in Buncombe County.

General admission is $95, and a limited number of VIP passes include a meet and greet with the author.

Sunday, May 7, 2023
7th Annual Filthy Franklin Mud Run
May 7 all-day
The Franklin School of Innovation

Get your old(est) running shoes out and prepare to get seriously muddy! The Filthy Franklin Mud Run happens Sunday, May 7th. Our course is guaranteed to steal at least a few shoes before the day is done!
The races will be a timed trial start and there will be crazy obstacles and lots of mud!! Teen and adult races are approximately 2 miles, children 10 and under run just under a mile. Of course, the army crawl and mud trench will be part of this again, as well as other various challenging obstacles!
The Mud Run raises funds for Bolts Athletics. It helps fund equipment, uniforms and facilities. It is planned and created by Community Council members and student-athletes. OH YEAHHH!
You must register by April 12th to receive a free t-shirt. After the deadline, T-shirts can be purchased the day of the event for $20. Limited quantities.
You can register and purchase tickets at:
https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/…
We will have race day registration as well!
Kids Race at 2:30pm
Adult Race at 3:00pm
Teen Race at 3:30pm
The event is free to attend, but to race registration is $25 for Kids and $40 for Adults & Teens.

Bend + Brew at Hillman Beer
May 7 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Hillman Beer in Old Fort

Ayurveda-Influenced yoga designed for the spring season.

Bring a mat and stay afterward for community

Avoid the fee by sending a venmo to @burning-sage-yoga and put Hillman 5/7 in the notes.

Your amazing instructor Claudia will lead you through a spring flow designed to help you detox your winter and energize your spring.

Stay at Hillman for a great time afterwards!

Friday, May 12, 2023
George Birge Live in Concert
May 12 @ 7:00 pm
UNC Asheville at Sherrill Center

Support your firefighters and paramedics of North Carolina by coming to see the Hottest new artist out of Nashville TN. George Birge with “Give me that drink” song is sweeping the radio stations. Get your tickets now!

Yoga with a View
May 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
Advance registration required.

Enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed at this outdoor class led by Namaste in Nature. Enjoy a practice suitable for all levels of expertise as you overlook Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. You won’t find a view like this in any studio! Lightweight yoga mats will be provided by your certified yoga teacher.

Thursday, May 18, 2023
Bridge the Gap! A Fundraiser for SkillSet Scholarships
May 18 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
UNCA STEAM Studio

You’re invited to an evening of food, fun, and fundraising in honor of the UNC Asheville STEAM Studio’s SkillSet Program!

Join us on Thursday, May 18, from 5 – 7 p.m. to tour the studio, take part in a silent auction, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Tickets for the event are $30 through Eventbrite

Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund for SkillSet, an outreach program of UNC Asheville’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Studio.
SkillSet provides access to life-changing skills through maker-based education. Through SkillSet, community members of all ages can participate in summer camps and day classes, learning everything from making custom electric guitars to programming robotics and building furniture. Students of all skill levels become familiar with tools and develop the technical skills and resilience to create these objects.

SkillSet primarily serves under-resourced communities, female-identified, and gender-expansive students to ensure visibility of diverse identities in STEAM fields and inspire students to consider new interests and career paths.

Over 50% of our families receive financial assistance in the form of pay-what-you-can tuition. Monies raised from this event will help send a kid to summer camp! Help us meet our goal of raising $8000 for the summer 2023 scholarship fund.

Learn more about the STEAM Studio SkillSet Program at www.skillset.tools

Friday, May 19, 2023
Free Yoga at Rabbit Rabbit w/ Asheville Wellness Tours
May 19 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Come join us most Friday evenings,  5-6 for a happy hour yoga class at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville!

Don’t forget to bring your own mat!  

?? Free Class- Tips Appreciated ??

The schedule is constantly changing, please follow Asheville Wellness Tours on instragram @ashevillewellnesstours for updates!

 

Sunday, May 21, 2023
5-Day Juice Cleanse + Yoga Retreat
May 21 all-day
Prama Wellness Center

Appropriate for beginner to advanced Yoga students. Meditation, vegetarian meals. $. Visit www.prama.org. Limited number of sliding scale scholarships offered. Email [email protected].

Benefit Concert for the Eric Anderson Weigel Memorial Fund POSTPONED tba
May 21 @ 4:00 pm
St. John in the Wilderness

This recital, which is free and open to the public, will feature a young promising singer and it has the added
purpose of raising funds for his brother’s Memorial Fund.

David Weigel has been hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as “heroic” and “stentorian” possessing an
“imposing mahogany voice” (Opera News). He is a recent graduate of the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric
Opera of Chicago. On May 21, Mr. Weigel will perform art songs in several languages, opera arias and some
well-known music theatre selections.
A native of Asheville, Mr.Weigel holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University. He pursued
graduate studies at UNC-Greensboro, A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute at the UNC School of the Arts, and
Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Michigan.
“We are thrilled to present Mr. Weigel in concert and recognize that he is destined for a significant career,”
said Dewitt Tipton, Organist, Director of Music for St. John in the Wilderness and creator of Friends of
Music. “We are also pleased to be able to offer this event as a way to contribute to his brother’s Memorial
Fund through the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.”
We cannot adequately express how much we appreciate this effort.  It touches our hearts deeply, and we are
so grateful to you all,” said Larry Weigel, Eric’s and David’s father.
Donations are encouraged. Checks should be made out to St. John in the Wilderness with Eric Weigel
Memorial Fund in the memo line.

Pop Up Outdoor Yoga + Sound Therapy
May 21 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Asheville Salt Cave

Enjoy outdoor yoga + sound therapy in the beautiful Peace garden of Asheville Salt Cave. This 60minute class includes brain-nourishing breathwork, centering meditation, body opening posture flow and guided relaxation under a sound bath by Billy Zanski of Skinny Beats. Open to all levels. Bring your own mat if you are able.

Friday, May 26, 2023
Free Yoga at Rabbit Rabbit
May 26 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Come join us most Friday evenings,  5-6 for a happy hour yoga class at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville!

Don’t forget to bring your own mat!

?? Free Class- Tips Appreciated ??

The schedule is constantly changing, please follow Asheville Wellness Tours on instragram @ashevillewellnesstours for updates!

 

Saturday, May 27, 2023
Love Your Mother (Earth) Concert
May 27 @ 3:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Womansong, Asheville’s longest-running women’s community chorus, invites you to join us in our spring concert, “Love Your Mother (Earth)” a tribute to the beauty of our world. Under the direction of Artistic Director Dr. Allison Thorp, along with Assistant Director Claire Lemke and former Director Althea Gonzalez, this concert will focus on songs celebrating, caring for, and advocating for Mother Earth. The first half of our program will highlight music that expresses love for the earth – appreciation, reflection, connection and joy. The second half will feature music that expresses love for the earth in action – doing, moving, and making change. Among the many inspiring songs are Carrie Newcomer’s If Not Now, Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, Elise Witt’s My Salsa Garden, and the world premiere of Lytingale’s call-to-action composition, Together We Can Change the World.

Friday, June 2, 2023
Yoga with a View
Jun 2 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
 Advance registration required.

Enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed at this outdoor class led by Namaste in Nature. Enjoy a practice suitable for all levels of expertise as you overlook Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. You won’t find a view like this in any studio! Lightweight yoga mats will be provided by your certified yoga teacher.

Saturday, June 3, 2023
Run for Life 5K
Jun 3 @ 8:15 am – 10:45 am
The Park at Flat Rock

Join us for this 5K Run for Life event hosted by Open Arms Pregnancy Center to help support women and teens facing unplanned pregnancies. This will be a run/walk-timed event to be held at The Park at Flat Rock located at 55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock, NC US 28731 June 3,2023 with a start time of 8:30 AM.
Runners should register by May 14 to secure a T-shirt for the race.
Sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/FlatRock/Run4for5k
Those interested in sponsoring the event should contact Open Arms Pregnancy Center by May 15th to learn more. (Marlies Zerressen at [email protected] or Lydia Bright at 864-921-5770)
Open Arms’ ministry is love, our aim: to support and guide, our purpose: to serve God and preserve life. We provide a safe and supportive place for pregnancy related needs with ultrasounds, material and emotional support for those facing difficult circumstances or perhaps the loss of a child.
All are services are Free and Confidential.

Just Brew It
Jun 3 @ 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Pisgah Brewing Company

Just Brew It is a homebrew competition and tasting in Asheville benefiting the work of Just Economics. The festival features 75+ different beers and 30+ amazing homebrewers. The competing homebrewers are some of the finest specialty homebrewers in the region with classic brews from traditional IPAs, lagers, sours, and stouts to unique beers brewed with specialty items like coffee, chocolate, spices, and fruit.

To attend, you must be a current member of Just Economics. This event is not ticketed, so you must purchase a membership prior to the event. Then, all Just Economics members can sample the homebrews and vote for their favorites!

Purchase your membership here: https://www.justeconomicswnc.org/donate/

Memberships are $30, which grants you entry to the event.
Memberships with a VIP package are $50, which grant you entry to the event an hour early (1:00pm) plus a souvenir glass, gourmet pretzel, and more.

This is a local festival you won’t want to miss and your membership supports the work of Just Economics to advance living wages, affordable housing and better transit! Hope to see you there!

Sunday, June 4, 2023
2nd Annual Asheville Honey Festival
Jun 4 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Salvage Station

Looking for a buzz-worthy event? Look no further than Asheville’s 2nd Annual Honey Festival! Join the Center for Honeybee Research and Shanti Elixirs on Sunday, June 4th, from 12-6pm for a day of celebration, education, and community-building.
At the festival, you’ll enjoy live music, food trucks, and vendors showcasing the unique flavors of honey and other artisanal goods. But that’s not all: you’ll also be supporting a great cause, as proceeds from the festival will go towards saving pollinators and our planet.
The Center for Honeybee Research will be offering local and international honey for guests to sample and purchase, and you can even participate in the People’s Choice award for local honey vendors. Plus, we will be featuring the live finals of the 12th Annual International Black Jar Honey competition. Festival goers can watch as local celebrities determine the world’s best tasting honey.
And don’t forget to come dressed in your best pollinator-themed costume! It’s all part of the fun at Asheville’s 2nd Annual Honey Festival.
Personal water bottles are recommended, and families are encouraged to attend. So mark your calendars for June 4th, and come out to celebrate the wonderful world of beekeeping, honey, and all things pollinators. Together, we can help save the bees!

Saturday, June 10, 2023
Summer Bend + Brew at Hillman Beer
Jun 10 @ 10:30 am
Hillman Beer

Ayurveda-Influenced yoga designed for the summer.

Bring a mat and stay afterward for community

Avoid the fee by sending a venmo to @burning-sage-yoga and put Hillman 6/4 in the notes.

Your amazing instructor Claudia will lead you through a summer flow designed to help you stay cool & balanced this summer.

Stay at Hillman for a great time afterwards!

Thursday, June 15, 2023
12 Baskets Cafe: a program of Asheville Poverty Initiative
Jun 15 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Whale

May be an image of ‎3 people and ‎text that says '‎BENEFIT EVENT THURSDAY JUNE 15TH WHALE בו BASKETS CAFE AT THE WHALE IN WEST ASHEVILLE BENEFITING 12 BASKETS CAFE & GARDEN DJ will play from 6 IO 8 pm A PORTION OF BEER SALES WILL BE DONATED TO 12 BASKETS: A PROGRAM OF ASHEVILLLE POVERTY INITITAVE‎'‎‎

📣 Exciting News! We’re thrilled to announce that, as a part of their Thursday night non-profit event, @thewhaleavl has chosen 12 Baskets Café and Garden will be the proud beneficiary next Thursday June 15th!

Join us at The Whale for an incredible evening of fun and philanthropy. We will have a table set up from 5 pm to about 10 pm and from 6-8 pm, you can groove to the beats of a fantastic DJ. And here’s the best part: a generous portion of the beer sales will be donated to support 12 Baskets Café and Garden! 🍻❤️

Gather your friends, spread the word, and let’s make this evening one to remember! Join us on June 15th at The Whale as we come together to support 12 Baskets Café and Garden.🤝🌟

Saturday, June 24, 2023
MOONIEFEST
Jun 24 @ 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Old Orchard Tavern at the Cascades

Please join us for MoonieFest! There will be Live Music & a Karaoke Contest by Thunderstruck Entertainment. Live music includes Misdemeanor, Jeremy Whiteside and Joe Roads. This is a free event that also includes a raffle and cornhole. There will be a food truck, ice cream and drinks available on the premises at cost. MoonieFest is a fundraising event to benefit Stage 4 No More: Search for a Cure. Help Jennifer in her fight to find healing from stage 4 cancer. Donations appreciated.Want to know why it is called “MoonieFest”? Well, come join us and find out. Thank you.
Other ways to help:
https://gofund.me/57aec302
https://givesendgo.com/G9QUV?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campai

GIVE TO THE MUSIC BENEFIT CONCERT WITH ASHEVILLE ROCK ACADEMY
Jun 24 @ 6:30 pm
The Orange Peel

featuring Flashback

 $15 adult
$10 kids under 10
$20 adult day of show
All Ages
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Annual Firefly Gathering 2023
Jun 25 all-day
Deerfields

Near the summer solstice each year, over 1,000 people convene from around the world for The Firefly Gathering. Here, folks come together to connect and share skills with the common goal of expanding our capacity to live well with one another and our beloved Earth.

Days are filled with a wide variety of classes focused on deepening our relationship with the wisdom and rhythms of nature, dipping into the deep wells of ancestral knowledge, and integrating these skills into our daily lives and communities.

Evenings are filled with live music, dancing under the moon and stars, opportunities to connect with each other, and of course–the fireflies–who dazzle us with their beautiful display of light as they communicate in the darkness! A variety of nature connection programs guide children and teens to engage through learning and play.

For many, coming to The Firefly Gathering is a life-changing experience that they return to year after year.

Big Barn Market + Yoga
Jun 25 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Barn Yoga with Breeze!

Back by popular demand, it’s BARN YOGA! We’re hosting the yogis of Breeze Yoga Space every last Sunday of the month, June through October, letting out just in time to enjoy our new Big Barn Market full of local farmers, food makers, crafters and artists…

Embraced by the mountains, the breeze through the trees, the rooted sensation that our farm’s land brings at every visit. Barn Yoga is just a special experience, and we’re so glad to have it back. You may be joined by one of our Farm Interns, a Butcher or Store Staff, so keep an eye out for familiar faces!

Mountaintop Yoga Hike
Jun 25 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Asheville Wellness Tours

Take time away in nature to breathe deep, relax, and immerse yourself in the beauty of our lovely Blue Ridge Mountains!

Enjoy a 2-mile round trip hike along an easy/moderate trail to a mountaintop with stunning views. Once there, we’ll share an hour of yoga for all levels at the summit as we take in the unbeatable, panoramic views and soak up the wide open space.

We’ll bring the mats. You bring your spirit of adventure!

YOGA TACO MOSA
Jun 25 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
The Grey Eagle

yoga All Ages

Saturday, July 1, 2023
Yoga at the Rooftop Terrace: Creative Flow Series
Jul 1 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Asheville Art Museum

In collaboration with West Asheville Yoga join us at the Museum’s rooftop terrace for a unique Creative Flow experience that combines the beauty of art with the power of mindful movement.

All-levels are welcome. Please bring your own mat. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended. In the event of inclement weather, it will be held inside at the Museum’s Atrium.

DATES AND THEMES:

July 1: “Fluidity” – Inspired by the mesmerizing Karen LaMonte glass sculpture, this session will guide you to move like water, embodying grace and fluidity in your practice. Led by Krista Hagman. Register.

July 8: “Synergy” – Explore the synergy of mind, body, and breath, drawing inspiration from the exhibition on Buckminster Fuller. Discover the harmonious connection within yourself. Led by Kim Drye. Register.

July 15: “Abstract Expressionism” – Dive into intuitive movement and expressive shapes, mirroring the essence of abstract expressionism in your yoga practice. Connect with your inner artist and explore the power of spontaneous expression. Led by Kim Drye. Register.

July 22: “Still Life” – Find balance between dynamic action and serene stillness as we explore the concept of still life. Experience a flow that incorporates held pauses, allowing you to delve into the depths of tranquility within movement. Led by Kim Drye. Register.

NONMEMBER: FOUR WEEK REGISTRATION

MEMBER: FOUR WEEK REGISTRATION

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:

Krista Hagman (she/her) has been dedicated to the yoga practice for over 15 years. She has assisted multiple teacher training programs and continues her study of the body through complementary modalities such as Thai Massage, Body-Mind-Centering, Continuum, Contact Improv, Sound Healing, and Plant Medicine. Over the years, Krista has taught yoga in a variety of settings—from studios and assisted living centers to festivals, addiction recovery centers, youth camps, and at-home online. Come join Krista on the mat and experience the transformative power of yoga for yourself!

Kim Drye (she/her) is a highly experienced and skilled yoga instructor with a passion for promoting alignment, therapeutic healing, and restorative practices. She is the proud owner of West Asheville Yoga, where she leads classes and fosters a welcoming environment. Kim’s teaching style revolves around themed slow flows, incorporating detailed technique and alignment breakdowns to enhance her students’ understanding.

Sunday, July 2, 2023
Mountaintop Yoga Hike at Bearwallow Mountain Trail
Jul 2 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Bearwallow Mountain

Enjoy a 2-mile round trip hike along an easy/moderate trail to a
mountaintop with stunning views, Once there, enjoy an hour of yoga for all levels at the summit and take in the unbeatable,
panoramic views and soak up the wide-open space, Mats provided.

Pop Up Outdoor Yoga + Sound Therapy
Jul 2 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Asheville Salt Cave
Independence Day Weekend Fireworks Display
Jul 2 @ 9:00 pm
Orchard Lake Campground

Come to Orchard Lake Campground for a fireworks display that benefits the
Saluda Volunteer Fire Department, Guests are encouraged to arrive by 8pm and are welcome to pay for a day pass to arrive
before 7pm and experience all the fun the campground has to offer, Free but donations accepted ($8 per person for day passes),

Saturday, July 8, 2023
Yoga at the Rooftop Terrace: Creative Flow Series
Jul 8 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Asheville Art Museum

In collaboration with West Asheville Yoga join us at the Museum’s rooftop terrace for a unique Creative Flow experience that combines the beauty of art with the power of mindful movement.

All-levels are welcome. Please bring your own mat. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended. In the event of inclement weather, it will be held inside at the Museum’s Atrium.

DATES AND THEMES:

July 1: “Fluidity” – Inspired by the mesmerizing Karen LaMonte glass sculpture, this session will guide you to move like water, embodying grace and fluidity in your practice. Led by Krista Hagman. Register.

July 8: “Synergy” – Explore the synergy of mind, body, and breath, drawing inspiration from the exhibition on Buckminster Fuller. Discover the harmonious connection within yourself. Led by Kim Drye. Register.

July 15: “Abstract Expressionism” – Dive into intuitive movement and expressive shapes, mirroring the essence of abstract expressionism in your yoga practice. Connect with your inner artist and explore the power of spontaneous expression. Led by Kim Drye. Register.

July 22: “Still Life” – Find balance between dynamic action and serene stillness as we explore the concept of still life. Experience a flow that incorporates held pauses, allowing you to delve into the depths of tranquility within movement. Led by Kim Drye. Register.

NONMEMBER: FOUR WEEK REGISTRATION

MEMBER: FOUR WEEK REGISTRATION

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:

Krista Hagman (she/her) has been dedicated to the yoga practice for over 15 years. She has assisted multiple teacher training programs and continues her study of the body through complementary modalities such as Thai Massage, Body-Mind-Centering, Continuum, Contact Improv, Sound Healing, and Plant Medicine. Over the years, Krista has taught yoga in a variety of settings—from studios and assisted living centers to festivals, addiction recovery centers, youth camps, and at-home online. Come join Krista on the mat and experience the transformative power of yoga for yourself!

Kim Drye (she/her) is a highly experienced and skilled yoga instructor with a passion for promoting alignment, therapeutic healing, and restorative practices. She is the proud owner of West Asheville Yoga, where she leads classes and fosters a welcoming environment. Kim’s teaching style revolves around themed slow flows, incorporating detailed technique and alignment breakdowns to enhance her students’ understanding.

Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Free Yoga at Rabbit Rabbit w/ Asheville Wellness Tours
Jul 12 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Come join us most Friday evenings,  5-6 for a happy hour yoga class at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville!

Don’t forget to bring your own mat!

?? Free Class- Tips Appreciated ??

The schedule is constantly changing, please follow Asheville Wellness Tours on instragram @ashevillewellnesstours for updates!