Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
On Animal Enrichment Day, guests will see firsthand how Grandfather Mountain cares for its resident animals. Visitors can enjoy watching demonstrations, talk directly with keepers and participate in family-oriented games and crafts. Included with admission.
FEATURING COUCH, MEMBERS OF THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS & AUNT VICKI – To Benefit Longterm Regional Resiliency
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Footprint Project, Land of Sky Regional Council of Governments and many other local partners stepped in to deploy solar and battery storage microgrid systems with a focus on restoring power, telecommunications, and clean drinking water to communities across Western North Carolina. In the months since this storm devastated the region, these partners continue to deploy clean energy solutions with more than 60 operational battery and solar projects on the ground serving North Carolinians. As part of plans for long-term regional resiliency, these partner organizations are working with local, state, and federal entities to deploy more clean energy solutions to serve the community in these next phases of recovery and to prepare for future storms. Join us for an evening of music at Sierra Nevada’s Mill River taproom to enjoy local artists and support regional recovery through clean energy solutions. Proceeds from this event to benefit Footprint Project and Land of Sky Regional Council of Governments and their efforts to serve Western North Carolina.
The event will also feature short remarks from local leaders and recovery organizations about efforts made to date and future recovery needs that can be supported through clean energy solutions. AMPlify Appalachia will also kick off a recovery summit in the Asheville area hosted by Footprint Project and Land of Sky Regional Council.
Join us at Sierra Nevada’s Mills River High Gravity Room for a benefit concert to remember.
In town for the Spartan Race? Enjoy a fun social time or try out some obstacles with fellow Spartans at Triumph, Asheville’s premier OCR Training Center! Music, vendors, and snacks provided! Outside food welcome. RSVP via text or email: 206-931-5868 [email protected]
A Mid-Summer Night White Party
Featuring HOPE 4 the Future students, Freeflow, Virtuous and the John R. Hayes High-Steppin’ Majorettes and Drum Corps
You’re Invited!
Event Theme: “We Are All One”
Dress Code: All White- Semi Formal
$25 General Admission
Free for youth participating in any summer program- as long as they are wearing white.
Raffle: Includes 1 ticket with admission. More tickets available at the door. 3 prizes will be drawn!
End your week on a high note and join us every second Friday this summer for free live music in Biltmore Park Town Square! Bring your friends and family to dance, play games, and enjoy eats and treats from Biltmore Park restaurants.
“Soul Blue” is a charismatic and entertaining classic Soul/Blues/R&B band whose five members hail from both Asheville, NC and Atlanta, GA. These seasoned musicians come together from a variety of popular bands such as: Daddy’s Money, The XL’s, Banks and Shane, and a good many more; enabling them to create an authentic approach to the music of many best-loved Soul, Blues, and R&B artists.
The 7th Annual Light Up the Night 5K is set for Friday, August 8 th , 2025, and there’s still time
to register for this fun and meaningful event supporting Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (WCRM).
This glow-in-the-dark evening fundraiser brings the community together to walk or run to support life transformation for
the homeless, poor, and addicted populations of Western North Carolina. WCRM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
meeting people in crisis, helping them at their point of need, investing in their future, and walking alongside them until
they can move forward.
The Light Up the Night 5K will take place at Asheville’s Carrier Park, starting at 7:00 p.m., with packet pickup
beginning at 5:30 p.m. Timed by Finish Well Timing, the event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, regardless
of race, ethnicity, gender, or faith. All proceeds will directly benefit WCRM’s programs and services, which provide
shelter, recovery programs, meals, and long-term support to those in need.
Grandfather Mountain’s Junior Ranger Program is now the Junior Naturalist Program — a new program for our new Conservation Campus! Activities throughout the day will be provided specifically for children ages 5-12 to explore their environment and experience all that Grandfather has to offer.
Tanger Outlets Asheville invites shoppers to kick-off the start of the school season in style with its Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 9 from noon – 3 p.m. Families can celebrate their scholars with an array of fun-filled activities, including appearances by Ted. E Tourist and Rocky the UNC Asheville Bulldog, free drink samples provided by Pepsi Cola and free photos by TapSnap Phototainment.
As part of the celebration, Tanger Asheville is teaming up with Mountain Hope for the Kicks for Class New Shoe Collection Drive, benefiting students at Owen Middle School who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. A school bus will be parked near Sportsman’s Warehouse during the event to collect 450 pairs of new shoes. Guests are encouraged to donate new shoes in the following sizes: 3.5-7 youth for girls; 6-9 for women; 4-7 youth for boys; and 6-8 for men.
Tanger Asheville delivers even more value with its Summer of Savings program. Through August, the center will offer the community weekly deals on back-to-school essentials and wardrobe refreshes. Shoppers can expect to find some of the deepest discounts of the year at top brands like Nike, Coach, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, Under Armour and more.
Join us at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center (MHCREC) for our annual Field Day. Since 1949, our station has been a hub of agricultural innovation, with the added addition of Field Day being a long-standing tradition. This year’s event promises an engaging, informative, and hands-on look at the latest in horticultural research and extension activities.
Field Day 2025 will feature a comprehensive showcase of ongoing research programs across a variety of crops such as apples, tomatoes, nursery plants, and other specialty crops. In addition to the featured research, the event will highlight various other projects and initiatives that reflect the breadth of work being done here at MHCREC.
Come for the whole day or drop in for part of it — your choice! Admission is free.
Enjoy a complimentary lunch on us! And of course, don’t miss the chance to make your own fresh tomato sandwich right in the field!
We look forward to welcoming growers, researchers, students, and community members alike for a day of learning, networking, and celebration of agricultural innovation.
Join us for an enchanting evening at the
Flat Rock Playhouse Annual Gala,
“Vagabonds In The Vineyard!”
This year, we’re bringing the vibrant spirit of the Mediterranean to the beautiful
Monday, August 18th
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Marked Tree Vineyards,
623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, NC
Call the DEVO office at 828-693-0403 ext. 205
Premier Table Seating
$250 per person
– Guaranteed seat at one of our limited reserved tables
– perfect for sitting with friends.
– Two complimentary drink tickets.
– Prime location close to the evening’s entertainment
– featuring various artists and performers from the Flat Rock Playhouse.
General Admission
$125 per person
– Seating on the scenic terrace of Marked Tree Vineyards
– One complimentary drink ticket.
– Enjoy the entertainment and ambiance of the evening.
Reserved seating is limited for the Premier Table option, so book early!
Dinner:
Indulge in a delectable array of dishes from
the curated food stations provided by
Evening Schedule:
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Check-in and Happy Hour
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Dinner served from food stations
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Silent Auction open for bidding
7:30 PM: Entertainment featuring Flat Rock Playhouse artists and performers
8:30 PM: Final Encore
Dress Code:
Embrace the spirit of the Mediterranean!
We encourage you to wear light, flowing attire suitable for strolling
the charming streets of Mykonos or Santorini. Think chic and comfortable.
Join us at Olivette’s Riverside Park on Saturday August 23rd for a very special benefit show in support of ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program. HarvestFest is a celebration of local farmers, community and music. Doors open at 3pm with family games and activities and live music.
In honor of our local farmers and all they do to sustain our community, all farmers and their families will have free entry to the event. All ticket proceeds will go towards the ASAP Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program.
RISE: A Fly Fishing Festival
Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins and Uproar Concept are hosting, RISE: A Fly Fishing Festival, taking place on August 24 in Asheville, NC. A portion of proceeds from the one-day event will benefit two local conservation nonprofits: RiverLink & MountainTrue. Both have been vital to recovery efforts in WNC. Borne from Blue Lines, which supports fly fishing guides in Western North Carolina and Tennessee, will host a guide expo during the event in an effort to help them rebuild their customer base after Hurricane Helene.
The riverfront Wrong Way (9 Midnight Drive, on Amboy Road) will host RISE which will be free and open to the public and include activities like casting and fly-tying competitions, clinics, kid-friendly programming, raffles, and shoppable A-frame cabin “takeovers” by outdoor brands. Festival goers will enjoy an eclectic mix of live music in the Wrong Way Meadow and food and drinks from Imposter Pizza Co., Chop Shop Butchery, and featured local breweries.
Gather a team and get ready to spend the day playing 18 holes for our annual, end-of-season Golf Tournament Fundraiser! Hosted at Sprindale Resort in Canton, NC on Thursday, August 28th, 2025, and **NEW THIS YEAR** included in your price of registration is a delicious BBQ Lunch to be served during the Awards Ceremony! Want to play, or interested in becoming a sponsor?
Garden and Adventure Photography Basics
with Cami Calnan
Friday, August 29 | 10 am – 1 pm
Elevate your photography from the level you are currently working from. In this immersive workshop, we will explore the technical aspects of the camera you photograph with. Bring your phone, your slr or point and shoot digital or film camera, and we will explore the concepts behind taking the kinds of photos you are hoping to capture.
This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.
Chasing Dragons and Damsels in WNC
with Shane Myers
Saturday, August 30 | 9 – 10:30am
Dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) are some of our most fascinating insects. Come with us as we talk about their natural history, lives, and ecological importance. We’ll go down to Willow Pond and observe some of these enchanting insects in the wild and up close.
This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.
Plein Air Painting
with Erika Busse
Monday, September 1 | 9am – 11am
There is no better way to relax and connect with your creative side and nature than en plein air painting. In this class, artist Erika Busse will teach you how to paint an original Appalachian inspired artwork outside at the beautiful North Carolina Arboretum. She will take you through each step of the painting process, all skill levels are welcomed and all supplies are provided.
Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC
Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, a Western North Carolina nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, is thrilled to announce its Pawprints & Plates fundraising event. This special “Dine Out for National Wildlife Day” will take place on Thursday, September 4, 2025, with six local establishments supporting the organization’s vital mission.
Community members are invited to dine and drink at any of the participating locations to directly contribute to the care of thousands of wild animals rescued each year.
For the most up-to-date information on participating Pawprints & Plates locations please check Appalachian Wild’s website appalachianwild.org. A list of committed locations are:
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Thai Pearl – 747 Haywood Road
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Ivory Road – 1854 Brevard Rd
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RendezVous – 184 New Haw Creek Rd
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Bebop Bottle Shop – 723 Haywood Rd #101
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Copper Crown – 1011 Tunnel Rd #100
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Burning Blush Brewery – 4891 Boylston Hwy
Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC
Late Summer Tree ID
with Lauren Lampley
Thursday, September 4 | 1 – 4 pm
Join this class as we discuss how to use different characteristics and field guides to identify common trees of Western North Carolina found here at the NC Arboretum. We will look at using different characteristics including habitat, bark, buds, growth pattern, leaf shape, and fruit/nut shape to identify trees.
This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.
Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC
River Systems of the Blue Ridge
With Anton DuMars
Friday, September 5 | 12 – 4pm
Water is essential to life but is also a powerful agent of change. Rivers, through both daily processes and catastrophic floods, shape Earth’s surface through erosion and sediment transport. In River Systems of the Blue Ridge, we will investigate how the Broad River changes character and shapes the landscape along its course from the headwaters, through the Piedmont, and onto the Atlantic Ocean.
Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville Theatre was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, sustaining approximately $100,000 in damages. We invite you to join us for All Together Now!, an international musical revue created by Music Theatre International (MTI), to help our beloved theatre recover and continue serving the community. Featuring songs from beloved Broadway shows performed by local talent, your attendance will directly support disaster recovery efforts.
Tickets include reserved seating, access to the open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and the post-show meet and greet. All proceeds from this special night will go directly to Hendersonville Theatre’s recovery efforts, helping us repair damages and continue providing quality theatre experiences to the community.
By attending this special performance, you will enjoy an evening of exceptional theatre and help Hendersonville Theatre recover from Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact. Your support makes a difference.
If you cannot attend but would still like to support our recovery, please consider making a donation. Your contribution will directly support rebuilding efforts.
Ticket Pricing: $80
Includes heavy hors d’oeuvres cocktail reception, open bar, show, and more!
6:00 PM: Doors open
6:30 PM: Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction
6:30 PM: Auditorium Opens
7:30 PM: Showtime!
9:45 PM: Cast Meet & Greet
The Goombay Festival is back! From September 5–7, 2025, join us in the heart of Asheville for the return of this beloved Afro-Diasporic celebration—a powerful, joyful tribute to the rhythms, resilience, and richness of Black culture.
Now over 40 years strong, Goombay is one of Asheville’s longest-running Black cultural festivals, gathering generations of artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, and community members. This year, as we restore this legacy event, we invite you to be part of something meaningful.
Your donation directly supports:
- Live musical performances and artist fees
- Production needs like stages, sound, and lighting
- Cultural and arts programming beyond the festival, hosted year-round by the YMI Cultural Center
With your support, we not only honor the legacy of Goombay—we build the future of Black arts and cultural expression in Western North Carolina.
Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC
Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC
Celebrate the season at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville, NC! Open daily August 15 through the end of October, enjoy u-pick apples, grapes, flowers, and pumpkins. Explore a 5-acre corn maze, take a weekend wagon ride, bounce on the jump pad, and launch apples from the apple cannon. Don’t miss fresh cider donuts, slushies, plus many more sweet treats and local goods from the Apple House. No admission fee—just pay for what you pick or do. Make it a fall tradition your whole family will love!
📍 steppapples.com | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville, NC