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.

Sunday, June 25, 2023
Wild West Adventure Trips w/ Nantahala Outdoor Center
Jun 25 all-day
various locations
Monday, June 26, 2023
LEAF Global Arts Summer Camp
Jun 26 – Jun 25 all-day
LEAF Global Arts

LEAF SUMMER CAMPS
IN FULL SWING!

LEAF Schools & Streets invites your students to join us at LEAF Global Arts for summer camp. We are offering multiple camps which will run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at LEAF Global Arts at 19 Eagle Street in Downtown Asheville.


Scholarships are available! Qualifications include
:

  • Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch
  • Two of more siblings attending the same week of camp
  • Students registering for 4+ LEAF Summer Camps in 2023 (must pay in full)

To inquire about scholarships, email [email protected].

Snacks will be provided, and students should bring a peanut free bagged lunch and a water bottle to camp each day, and wear clothes and shoes they can move in.

In addition to the main focus of the camp, each week will explore elements of theater art, music, and dance from around the world.

Cost: $230 per week. Extended Day: $60 per week.

• July 10th – 14th: Hip-Hop (FULL)

• July 24th – 28th: A LEAF International Experience

• August 7th – 11th: Songwriting & Recording

• August 14th – 18th: West African Drumming (ALMOST FULL)

• August 21st – 25th: Songs for Peace

Register for Summer Camps

Day camp is one of the joys of summer — a chance to learn new skills while making new friends in a fun and supportive atmosphere. LEAF Global Arts Summer Camp registration is live on our website. The week-long camps take place Monday-Friday, June 12-Aug. 25.

This summer, students will dive into music, art, theatre, and dance from around the world and in our community. Camp themes include celebrating diversity, songs for peace, black history, hip-hop culture, West African drumming, and more. Each camp will culminate in a Friday performance for friends and families, in addition to original recordings made in our ONEmic studio! LEAF’s ONEmic studio is funded by the Bed Gradison Memorial Fund and generous support of LEAF members

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Jun 26 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Pollinator Exploration Kit (Available for Loan)
Jun 26 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Presented by Bee City USA- Hendersonville and Bullington Gardens

For educators: teachers, camp counselors, home-school parents, childcare professionals, summer program leaders, and more, the Pollinator Exploration Kit provides excellent tools. Bee City USA – Hendersonville is eager to help you share the wonder of pollinators with children you teach. The kit includes sets of 12 sturdy child-size insect nets, special bug capture bubbles, bug boxes with magnifying lids, and magnifying glasses. Two pop-up insect habitats and two sets of laminated fold-out field guides (NC Trees & Wildflowers, NC Butterflies & Moths, Bees & Other Pollinators) are also included. The kit can be loaned for up to a week (as available) and may be picked up and returned weekdays 9am-4pm.

Pick-up location:

Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville.

Cost: no charge

Reservation needed: contact [email protected] to check availability and reserve the dates to borrow the Pollinator Exploration Kit.

Summer Animal Encounters
Jun 26 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
Weekdays only at 2pm

Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

BMC ARTIST FACULTY: BEETHOVEN’S ARCHDUKE TRIO
Jun 26 @ 7:30 pm
Parker Concert Hall at Brevard Music Center

One of Beethoven’s best-known chamber works, the Piano Trio No. 7 in B flat Major, Op. 97 for piano, violin, and cello was dedicated to Beethoven’s benefactor, student, and friend–Archduke Rudolf of Austria. Not only was this the last piano trio written by Beethoven, the premier of the Archduke Trio was also one of Beethoven’s final concert performances.


PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS

Auditorium seating is reserved.

HERBIE HANCOCK
Jun 26 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall

Now in the sixth decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: at the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music. In addition to being recognized as a legendary pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960’s. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet that pioneered a groundbreaking sound in jazz, he also developed new approaches on his own recordings, followed by his work in the 70s — with record-breaking albums such as “Headhunters” — that combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music. “Rockit” and “Future Shock” marked Hancock’s foray into electronic dance sounds; during the same period he also continued to work in an acoustic setting with V.S.O.P., which included ex-Miles Davis bandmates Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams.

Hancock received an Academy Award for his Round Midnight film score and 14 Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year for “River: The Joni Letters,” and two 2011 Grammy Awards for the recently released globally collaborative CD, “The Imagine Project.” Many of his compositions, including “Canteloupe Island,” “Maiden Voyage,” “Watermelon Man” and “Chameleon,” are modern standards..

Hancock serves as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and as Institute Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. He is a founder of The International Committee of Artists for Peace (ICAP), and was recently given the “Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres” by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon. In 2011 Hancock was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, and in December of 2013, received a Kennedy Center Honor. In 2014 he was was named the 2014 Norton Professor Of Poetry at Harvard University, completing his lectures series, “The Ethics Of Jazz,” as part of the Charles Eliot Norton Lecture Series for a period of six weeks. His memoirs, Herbie Hancock: Possibilities, were published by Viking in 2014, and in February 2016 he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. A member of The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Hancock is currently in the studio at work on a new album.

LEGENDARY ARTISTS SERIES: AUDRA MCDONALD IN CONCERT
Jun 26 @ 7:30 pm
Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium

Emmy, Grammy, and record-breaking six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald brings her lustrous voice and dramatic incisiveness to a program of beloved Broadway classics, popular standards, and lesser-known treasures. Ms. McDonald will be joined by Andy Einhorn and the Brevard Music Center Orchestra on the big stage at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium.

This performance is made possible by Legendary Artists Series Sponsors:
Drs. Joanne and Tom Parker

and The Robinson-Hill Humanitarian Fund

Outdoor Movie Nights – Remember The Titans
Jun 26 @ 8:00 pm
Silverado's

Silverado’s, located between Swannanoa and Black Mountain at 2898 U.S. 70, is hosting Family Movie Night under the stars every Monday night through August 21. Tickets are $5 per person, and are only available for purchase on the day of the movie. All movie nights are dependent on weather.

Bring your friends and family, and enjoy a blockbuster outdoor movie on a 24 foot screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more info, check the Events tab on the Silverado’s Facebook page.

Tuesday, June 27, 2023
LEAF Global Arts Summer Camp
Jun 27 – Jun 26 all-day
LEAF Global Arts

LEAF SUMMER CAMPS
IN FULL SWING!

LEAF Schools & Streets invites your students to join us at LEAF Global Arts for summer camp. We are offering multiple camps which will run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at LEAF Global Arts at 19 Eagle Street in Downtown Asheville.


Scholarships are available! Qualifications include
:

  • Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch
  • Two of more siblings attending the same week of camp
  • Students registering for 4+ LEAF Summer Camps in 2023 (must pay in full)

To inquire about scholarships, email [email protected].

Snacks will be provided, and students should bring a peanut free bagged lunch and a water bottle to camp each day, and wear clothes and shoes they can move in.

In addition to the main focus of the camp, each week will explore elements of theater art, music, and dance from around the world.

Cost: $230 per week. Extended Day: $60 per week.

• July 10th – 14th: Hip-Hop (FULL)

• July 24th – 28th: A LEAF International Experience

• August 7th – 11th: Songwriting & Recording

• August 14th – 18th: West African Drumming (ALMOST FULL)

• August 21st – 25th: Songs for Peace

Register for Summer Camps

Day camp is one of the joys of summer — a chance to learn new skills while making new friends in a fun and supportive atmosphere. LEAF Global Arts Summer Camp registration is live on our website. The week-long camps take place Monday-Friday, June 12-Aug. 25.

This summer, students will dive into music, art, theatre, and dance from around the world and in our community. Camp themes include celebrating diversity, songs for peace, black history, hip-hop culture, West African drumming, and more. Each camp will culminate in a Friday performance for friends and families, in addition to original recordings made in our ONEmic studio! LEAF’s ONEmic studio is funded by the Bed Gradison Memorial Fund and generous support of LEAF members

The Motet at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Jun 27 all-day
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Amphitheater)

The Motet will be bringing the party to the Sierra Nevada Amphitheater Tuesday, June 27th! Tickets are on sale now!

The Motet:
Since 1998, The Motet have inspired the world with their unique style of dance music. Over the course of nine full-length albums, they’ve traversed the lines between funk, soul, jazz, and rock and built a diehard audience in the process. They’ve headlined Red Rocks Amphitheatre six times and sold out countless legendary venues coast-to-coast. In addition to racking up nearly 20 million total streams and views, they’ve also garnered widespread acclaim from numerous publications including Relix, Glide Magazine, and AXS. The band has also graced the stages of festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bottlerock, Electric Forest, Bumbershoot, Summer Camp, and High Sierra.

Wilderness Medicine + Survival Skills at Nantahala Outdoor Center
Jun 27 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

LEARN MORE THIS YEAR

Brush up on your wilderness medicine or learn new survival skills! SOLO Southeast & NOC are offering over 200 courses in 2023 and classes in locations across the southeast.

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Bryson City, NC
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • Collegedale, TN
  • Greenville, SC

Find your next course with SOLO Southeast and be prepared for the unexpected!

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Jun 27 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Pollinator Exploration Kit (Available for Loan)
Jun 27 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Presented by Bee City USA- Hendersonville and Bullington Gardens

For educators: teachers, camp counselors, home-school parents, childcare professionals, summer program leaders, and more, the Pollinator Exploration Kit provides excellent tools. Bee City USA – Hendersonville is eager to help you share the wonder of pollinators with children you teach. The kit includes sets of 12 sturdy child-size insect nets, special bug capture bubbles, bug boxes with magnifying lids, and magnifying glasses. Two pop-up insect habitats and two sets of laminated fold-out field guides (NC Trees & Wildflowers, NC Butterflies & Moths, Bees & Other Pollinators) are also included. The kit can be loaned for up to a week (as available) and may be picked up and returned weekdays 9am-4pm.

Pick-up location:

Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville.

Cost: no charge

Reservation needed: contact [email protected] to check availability and reserve the dates to borrow the Pollinator Exploration Kit.

Monday Imagination Day w/ Asheville Parks + Rec
Jun 27 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Various Parks

Monday Imagination Day Our mobile recreation team will be offering a special day of open play geared for younger children to engage and explore. Giant building blocks, tunnels and fun games await. Ages 1-5 years with an adult. Drop in, no sign up required. 10am-12pm FREE
June 13th Weaver aArk
June 27th Hummingbird Park
July 11 Jake Rusher Park
July 18 Kenilworth Park
July 25th Hummingbird Park
August 1 West Asheville Park
August 8 Jake Rusher Park

Park + Rec CORE program at Buncombe County Pools
Jun 27 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Buncombe County Pools

Pools (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

  • June 13 – Cane Creek
  • June 27 – Hominy Valley
  • July 11 – Owen
  • July 25 – North Buncombe
  • August 8 – ErwinWhat is better than hanging out at a park, pool, or community center? Doing so while participating in fun games! This summer, the Buncombe County Recreation Services will be visiting county pools, parks, and community centers to provide free entertaining activities for anyone in the community.

    This includes yard games, pool activities, balls, and other activities for enjoyment. While the games can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age–with something available for anyone–the programming is aimed at those 5 to 15 years of age.

    This is part of the CORE program (Community Outreach and Recreation Experiences) which seeks to provide fun to everyone in the community.

    “We were interested in expanding recreational opportunities to communities that may or may not have parks and facilities,” says Mac Stanley, program coordinator with the County’s Recreation Services. “Also, an opportunity to expand and collaborate with county community centers such as Big Ivy, Sandy Mush, and Bent Creek Community Park. Core programming is designed to diversify our programming opportunities and outreach into the community.”

    From June through August, Recreation Services will be out and about in its CORE van, a green, Ford Transit van outfitted with County logos and a big sasquatch on the back.

Guided Trail Walk
Jun 27 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.

Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.

Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Know Before You Go

  • Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
  • Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
  • Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
  • Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
  • COVID-19 Safety: In order to hear the guide and fully participate in the trail walk, participants will be in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. While face coverings are not required, participants should use their best judgement to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the trails. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate.
  • At this time, no more than 6 spaces may be filled by a single family/group through pre-registration for any one Guided Trail Walk. If additional spaces are available on the day of the Walk, additional members of the family/group may participate. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming larger groups in the future.
Summer Animal Encounters
Jun 27 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
Weekdays only at 2pm

Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

Pritchard Park Summer Series: Hoop + Flow Jam Tuesdays
Jun 27 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pritchard Park

We are honored to host the Asheville Community Hoop and Flow Arts Jam in Pritchard Park, located in the heart of our beloved city. This event began in 2008 and we are honored and thrilled to bring you this FREE event open to all ages and all levels of experience! Asheville Hoops provides jammin’ tunes, demo props for all to use and a positive event that promotes movement, creativity, dance and FUN!

Air National Guard Band Of the South
Jun 27 @ 7:30 pm
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts

Headquartered at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base near Knoxville, TN, the Air National Guard Band of the South is the official musical ambassador for the Tennessee Air National Guard, and supports the total Air Force and Air National Guard mission in war and peace by inspiring patriotism and fostering a deep appreciation of the rich history and legacy of the Air Force through exhilarating musical performances.  While the Concert Band is the largest component of the Band of the South, other components include two rock bands, a jazz band, and several small instrumental ensembles.

The Band of the South’s mission is two-fold: first, to enhance and lift the morale and esprit de corps of our fellow Airmen stationed domestically and abroad; and second, to increase the public’s understanding of the importance of airpower, the missions, policies, and programs of the Air Force and the Air National Guard, and the bravery, sacrifice, and dedication of Airmen around the globe.  

The Band of the South performs throughout the entire Southeastern United States at both civilian and military functions, supporting public relations projects and Air Force recruiting.  Often serving as liaisons between the civilian and military world, the Band of the South tells the story of the Air Force and informs the public about what the military is accomplishing here at home and all around the world.

This event is free.  Ticket vouchers are suggested to assure reservations due to limited seating.  Vouchers will be available through the theatre box office at the window or by calling 828-524-1598 beginning May 15 at 10am. All tickets are general admission.

BMC PRESENTS: REVOLUTION: THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES
Jun 27 @ 7:30 pm
Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium

Revolution: The Music of the Beatles brings to life the greatest songs of the Fab Four in a BMC Presents symphonic tribute. Join us on a fun ride with hits such as “Penny Lane,” “Hey Jude,” “All You Need is Love,” and much more! These iconic hits are sure to have you dancing on the lawn and in the aisles!

Lead Sponsor: Fisher Realty


Auditorium seating is reserved.  Lawn seating is general admission.

Robert Plant + Alison Krauss: Raising The Roof
Jun 27 @ 7:30 pm
Harrah's Cherokee Center- Asheville

ROBERT PLANT + ALISON KRAUSS – RAISE THE ROOF

“These are songs that have gone into our hearts way back in time, but got lost in the twists and curves of the passing years,” says Robert Plant. “You hear them and you go ‘Man, listen to that song, we got to sing that song!’ It’s a vacation, really—the perfect place to go that you least expected to find.”

In 2007, Plant and Alison Krauss released Raising Sand, one of the most acclaimed albums of the 21st Century. It was an unlikely, mesmerizing pairing of one of rock’s greatest frontmen with one of country music’s finest and most honored artists, produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett. It entered the Billboard 200 at Number Two and was certified platinum, and it won six Grammy awards, including both Album and Record of the Year.

Now, after fourteen years, the two icons return with Raise the Roof. Nominated for Best Americana Album, Best American Roots Song (“High and Lonesome”) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Going Where The Lonely Go”) at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards, these dozen songs span a range of traditions and styles, extending this remarkable collaboration in new and thrilling directions.

Cruz Contreras (of The Black Lillies) Album Release Show
Jun 27 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
– ALL AGES
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE

CRUZ CONTRERAS
Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Cruz Contreras has roots in Tennessee and Michigan, but has impacted Americana music worldwide.

The frontman, founder, and driving force behind The Black Lillies’ raw and rootsy sound also co-founded Robinella and the CCstringband, and has collaborated with musicians ranging from John Oates to Langhorne Slim. His projects have topped both the Billboard and Americana radio charts, won Independent Music Awards, and earned him a nomination for the Americana Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year award. After over a decade touring and five studio albums as The Black Lillies, Contreras wrapped up the band in 2019 and is performing under his own name.

Over the years, Cruz has appeared on nationally broadcasted television including Late Night with Conan O’Brien, CMT, VH-1, and more. His music has been lauded by outlets as diverse as American Songwriter Magazine, Rolling Stone, NPR’s Morning Edition and Vanity Fair, among others.

As an independent artist, Cruz has played Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry 40 times over the years. Contreras is currently at work on his debut solo album, ‘Cosmico’.

SAMUEL QUINN’S CARTWRIGHT BROTHERS
“somewhere between an endlessly, inaudible sigh and the blurred fingers of a years-long morning, samuel quinn fell in love with music again. it was all around, moving, speaking, exciting and regretfully inescapable. the cartwright brothers took shape both backwardly and without an urgency, giving sonic foundation and contour to this chapter of quinn’s songwriting. quiet but ugly.  pretty and too loud.  honest while joking.  personal yet selfishly universal.  “it is difficult to say what it is i do, but if you are into it, you might also like this,” quinn explicates.”

Wednesday, June 28, 2023
LEAF Global Arts Summer Camp
Jun 28 – Jun 27 all-day
LEAF Global Arts

LEAF SUMMER CAMPS
IN FULL SWING!

LEAF Schools & Streets invites your students to join us at LEAF Global Arts for summer camp. We are offering multiple camps which will run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at LEAF Global Arts at 19 Eagle Street in Downtown Asheville.


Scholarships are available! Qualifications include
:

  • Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch
  • Two of more siblings attending the same week of camp
  • Students registering for 4+ LEAF Summer Camps in 2023 (must pay in full)

To inquire about scholarships, email [email protected].

Snacks will be provided, and students should bring a peanut free bagged lunch and a water bottle to camp each day, and wear clothes and shoes they can move in.

In addition to the main focus of the camp, each week will explore elements of theater art, music, and dance from around the world.

Cost: $230 per week. Extended Day: $60 per week.

• July 10th – 14th: Hip-Hop (FULL)

• July 24th – 28th: A LEAF International Experience

• August 7th – 11th: Songwriting & Recording

• August 14th – 18th: West African Drumming (ALMOST FULL)

• August 21st – 25th: Songs for Peace

Register for Summer Camps

Day camp is one of the joys of summer — a chance to learn new skills while making new friends in a fun and supportive atmosphere. LEAF Global Arts Summer Camp registration is live on our website. The week-long camps take place Monday-Friday, June 12-Aug. 25.

This summer, students will dive into music, art, theatre, and dance from around the world and in our community. Camp themes include celebrating diversity, songs for peace, black history, hip-hop culture, West African drumming, and more. Each camp will culminate in a Friday performance for friends and families, in addition to original recordings made in our ONEmic studio! LEAF’s ONEmic studio is funded by the Bed Gradison Memorial Fund and generous support of LEAF members

Wilderness Medicine + Survival Skills at Nantahala Outdoor Center
Jun 28 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

LEARN MORE THIS YEAR

Brush up on your wilderness medicine or learn new survival skills! SOLO Southeast & NOC are offering over 200 courses in 2023 and classes in locations across the southeast.

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Bryson City, NC
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • Collegedale, TN
  • Greenville, SC

Find your next course with SOLO Southeast and be prepared for the unexpected!

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Jun 28 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Pollinator Exploration Kit (Available for Loan)
Jun 28 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Presented by Bee City USA- Hendersonville and Bullington Gardens

For educators: teachers, camp counselors, home-school parents, childcare professionals, summer program leaders, and more, the Pollinator Exploration Kit provides excellent tools. Bee City USA – Hendersonville is eager to help you share the wonder of pollinators with children you teach. The kit includes sets of 12 sturdy child-size insect nets, special bug capture bubbles, bug boxes with magnifying lids, and magnifying glasses. Two pop-up insect habitats and two sets of laminated fold-out field guides (NC Trees & Wildflowers, NC Butterflies & Moths, Bees & Other Pollinators) are also included. The kit can be loaned for up to a week (as available) and may be picked up and returned weekdays 9am-4pm.

Pick-up location:

Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville.

Cost: no charge

Reservation needed: contact [email protected] to check availability and reserve the dates to borrow the Pollinator Exploration Kit.

Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club
Jun 28 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Cradle of Forestry

Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club  is a weekly educational program designed for children ages 4 to 7 to explore nature with their trusted adult and Cradle naturalist. Programs are 1.5 hours long and begin with the reading of a forest-themed story and include fun activities, games and a craft.  Programs run weekly on Wednesdays between June 21 through August 9.  Come to one or all eight programs. Great for families vacationing in the Blue Ridge mountains this summer! 

The program costs $5 per child and $3 for accompanying adults – All children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults with a Cradle Season Pass get in free. 

Programs take place outdoors utilizing our paved trails and outdoor amphitheater. 

The program starts promptly at 10:30 A.M. at the outdoor amphitheater at the Cradle of Forestry. Plan to arrive early to find parking and check in at the Forest Discovery Center lobby. 

Please ensure all members of your party are dressed appropriately for the weather and are prepared for outdoor exploration. Note that the weather at the Cradle of Forestry is often cooler than nearby Brevard and Asheville. 


Please meet at outdoor amphitheater
 

 

WHAT TO BRING

Comfortable Walking Shoes
Water Bottle
Jacket
Rain Gear

CANCELLATION POLICY

All ticket purchases are NON-REFUNDABLE.  Unused ticket purchases will go to support the mission and work of FIND Outdoors, a 501(c)(3) tax deductible nonprofit organization Tax ID# 56-1302500.

Customers will receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Program Dates (Themes for each week to be announced): 

June 21
June 28

Due to generous grant funding from the NC Museum of Natural Sciences the July sessions are FREE for all attendees: 
July 5- Free for all attendees

July 12 – Free for all attendees
July 19 – Free for all attendees
July 26 – Free for all attendees

August 2
August 9

COST

Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club – $5 (for each child) There is no discount for child even with a pass. 

Accompanying Adult (½ price general admission)- $3

If accompanying adult is a Cradle Season Passholder, their admission free, but not the child’s.

 

Summer Animal Encounters
Jun 28 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
Weekdays only at 2pm

Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

Pritchard Park Summer Series: Summer of Science with Asheville Museum of Science
Jun 28 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Pritchard Park

Explore hands on activities and experiments while we learn about the Science of Bubbles or the Science of Sound. Every other week we will play and learn together using a variety of tools, instruments, and toys. AMOS has a plethora of science to intrigue the zeal of every learner!