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.
Join us at LEAF Global Arts Festival to connect to the world and each other through cultural exploration, live music, dance, performance arts, healing arts, workshops, nature, and more.
Explore the #1 Kids Festival in Western North Carolina, and one of the best FAMILY festivals in the world. All of LEAF is family friendly with activities spread throughout the magical setting. Family Adventure activities are throughout LEAF and designed to engage and inspire. Watch performances, create, play, and discover whimsical Puppetry shows. Support children’s crafts, hoop and flow, and play boffer games. Immerse into cultural creative arts in Easel Rider with LEAF teaching artists. Swing in the Jelly Dome. Play sports with a global community. Jump, roll, pet, climb, and retreat: life-sized hamster ball, climbing wall, launch rockets! Each festival has different offering and tradition- you. may find Toy Trains on the hill, paper rockets, and Giant slides & bounce houses!
If you have little ones, Elfhaven Childcare in Buckeye Lodge is a world of wonder and time for parents to go play.
Join us at LEAF Global Arts Festival to connect to the world and each other through cultural exploration, live music, dance, performance arts, healing arts, workshops, nature, and more.
Explore the #1 Kids Festival in Western North Carolina, and one of the best FAMILY festivals in the world. All of LEAF is family friendly with activities spread throughout the magical setting. Family Adventure activities are throughout LEAF and designed to engage and inspire. Watch performances, create, play, and discover whimsical Puppetry shows. Support children’s crafts, hoop and flow, and play boffer games. Immerse into cultural creative arts in Easel Rider with LEAF teaching artists. Swing in the Jelly Dome. Play sports with a global community. Jump, roll, pet, climb, and retreat: life-sized hamster ball, climbing wall, launch rockets! Each festival has different offering and tradition- you. may find Toy Trains on the hill, paper rockets, and Giant slides & bounce houses!
If you have little ones, Elfhaven Childcare in Buckeye Lodge is a world of wonder and time for parents to go play.
Acclaimed raconteur Ray Bonneville strips his bluesy Americana down to its essentials and steeps it in the humid grooves of the South, creating a compelling poetry of hard living and deep feeling.
Jim Withers (Montreal Gazette) describes his sound as “folk-roots gumbo… a languid Mississippi Delta groove, seasoned with smooth, weathered vocals and a propulsive harmonica wheeze.” Whether performing solo or fronting a band, playing electric or acoustic guitar, Bonneville allows space between notes that adds potency to every chord, lick, and lyric.
WHERE: Third Room
WHEN: Sunday October 19, 2025
DOORS: 6pm SHOW: 7pm
GENRE: rock n’ roll / jam / funk
TICKETS: $25 GA
PURCHASE: https://tixr.com/e/156199
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind night of music as two powerhouse bands from the Cosmic Country family take the stage together for a special co-headline show at Third Room in Asheville, NC.
Together, these two artists bring their individual styles and visions into focus, while celebrating the roots they share. It’s a night of funk, rock, and soul that promises to push boundaries and light up the Asheville scene.
Freedom Junction is fronted by the electrifying Sugarlegg, best known for his work with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country. With high-energy vocals and a fearless stage presence, Freedom Junction delivers a groove-heavy blend of funk, rock, and soul that’s equal parts raw and uplifting.
On Tuesday, October 21 at 7 pm, the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, will present a chamber concert featuring the music of John Cage, Lou Harrison, Arnold Schoenberg, and Amy Williams. The program highlights music that reshaped 20th century sound and celebrates the experimental spirit of Black Mountain College. This event is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Points in Space: Performance at Black Mountain College, on view at the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (September 5, 2025 – January 10, 2026).
This concert resonates with the history of the 1944 Summer Music Institute at Black Mountain College. That gathering brought together many of Schoenberg’s closest colleagues, including Edward Steuermann, Ernst Krenek, and Roger Sessions, and marked the largest celebration of Schoenberg’s music in America at the time. Sessions later described it as “the most important thing that has ever happened in musical education in America.”
About the program:
The evening begins with pianist and composer Amy Williams performing excerpts from John Cage’s Sonatas and Interludes for prepared piano. Written between 1946 and 1948, this cycle of twenty short pieces uses bolts, screws, and other objects inserted into the strings of a piano to create shimmering, bell-like sounds. Cage was influenced at the time by Indian philosophy and the writings of Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, which shaped the meditative and balanced character of the music. First performed at Black Mountain College in 1948, Sonatas and Interludes is now considered one of Cage’s most important works.
MaxxMusic presents: Joanne Shaw Taylor
Tue, Oct 21 7:30 pm
Joanne Shaw Taylor was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16, quickly earning a spot on tour with his supergroup, D.U.P., and launching a remarkable career. Celebrated for her extraordinary guitar skills, Joanne has garnered acclaim from notables like Jimmy Cliff, Joe Bonamassa, Stevie Wonder, and Annie Lennox. By her 30s, she became one of the most sought-after guitarists in rock.
Joanne released her debut album, ‘White Sugar,’ in 2009 on Ruf Records, showcasing her distinct soulful voice and advanced songwriting. She followed with critically acclaimed albums like ‘Diamonds In The Dir’” (2010) and ‘Almost Always Never’ (2012), which included the UK radio hit “Soul Station.” Her subsequent albums, ‘The Dirty Truth’ and ‘Wild,’ continued to build her reputation, leading to a performance on BBC’s “Later With Jools Holland.”
Her career milestone came with ‘Reckless Heart’ (2019), which broke into the UK Top 20 Album Chart, followed by ‘The Blues Album’ (2021), produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Her next album, ‘Blues From The Heart Live,’ also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Album chart in 2022.
Her latest album, ‘Heavy Soul,’ also produced by Kevin Shirley, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. It has been celebrated for its fusion of contemporary soul-pop and traditional blues roots, praised for its powerful lyrics and soul-stirring melodies. This album marks a significant evolution in her career, showcasing her growth as an artist and solidifying her status as a dynamic force in the blues-rock world.
The critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.
Join us in the intimate 78 seat Tina McGuire Theatre for a night of blues from Mr. Jimmy’s Blues Band.
Award winning, Asheville based Blues artist, Mr. Jimmy is pleased to present his “Tribute to the Blues Masters” show. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Jimmy learned his craft performing with many local legends including Buddy Guy, Little Milton, Junior Wells, Koko Taylor, and James Cotton.
This special concert will pay homage to Jimmy’s mentors, as well as his influences, the Kings of the Blues, BB, Albert, and Freddie, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Elmore James and Otis Rush.
The critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.
The critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.
Pumpkin Fest is a fun, family friendly and fantastic artistic event or great date night with 18 beautiful artist-designed lighted carved pumpkin displays on a newly-paved short walking trail. The event includes talented local musicians, food trucks and coffee house, games, storytelling, face painting, white squirrel scavenger hunt, games, dress ups, and the Silvermont historic mansion and second floor museum open for tours.
Admission $7 per person (ages 13 and over), $5 ages 3-12, and 2 and under free. We accept cards, cash or check with ID.
Onsite parking cost is $5 per car (cash preferred). Free parking is available offsite on nearby streets and Comporium and church parking lots 1 block away. Handicap sticker- free parking onsite.
The critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.
Saturday, October 25th, 2025 at 2pm AND 8 pm
Live at First Baptist Church of Asheville {5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801}
TICKETS – Seats range from $20 to $85 depending on location
The Asheville Symphony will present a performance celebrating the history of Black Mountain College. The Oct. 25th Masterworks Concert traces a journey from European romanticism to American avant-garde with Brahms’s mountain-inspired Second Symphony, Bartók’s ethereal Viola Concerto (written in part during his time in Asheville), and more alongside groundbreaking works by John Cage that emerged from this transformative haven for creatives in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Conducted by Darko Butorac and featuring violist Natalie Brennecke, the program includes Satie’s Gymnopédies No. 3, Cage’s Seventy-Four, Version II and 4’33”, alongside the Bartók and Brahms masterworks.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, Arts 2 People will once again host its The Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival at Pack Square Park, with its unique blend of experimental theater, live music, art vendors, and circus arts that has become a staple of the city’s creative community. The event, as always, is free to the public.
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 Mainstage Show at 8 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 a soul’s journey after death. And it will tie together the story arc of The Tale of the Cosmic Eggs, an eight-part series of performances that Surreal Sirkus has been telling in various venues throughout Asheville over the past year.
Reuter Terrace will feature two stages: a smaller second stage featuring individual performers throughout the day and a spoken word/poetry stage on the Spruce St. side of the park. The terrace will also feature a number of interactive exhibits and spaces for audience participation, including a hands-on exhibit by the Bob Moog Foundation.
Also, this year, Arts 2 People has partnered with Create Ink, a local organization bringing diverse communities together through the arts. They will host an Open Mic & Showcase on the second stage from 4 to 7 p.m. Meanwhile, at North Pack Square, there will be an Electronic Dance Music stage on the raised lawn featuring some of Asheville’s finest DJ’s.
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 critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.
SouthernScape Music Festival – Kannapolis’ Can’t-Miss Fall Weekend
🎶 October 24-25, 2025 | Downtown Kannapolis
Drinks up, sound on, Southern skies — it’s all happening at SouthernScape Music Festival! This 18+ event is more than just incredible live music; it’s a two-day celebration of everything that makes fall in Carolina unforgettable.
Catch top artists like Tyler Hubbard, Switchfoot, Lauren Alaina, Better Than Ezra, LANCO, and Emily Ann Roberts across two stages mixing country, pop, and rock. But the music is just the beginning. From outdoor games and photo ops to a DJ keeping the energy high, plus local food trucks and plenty of beer and wine to sip on, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all weekend long.
Whether you’re here for the bands, the bites, or simply to soak up the good vibes, SouthernScape promises a weekend-long party you’ll never forget.
🎟️ Tickets are on sale now! Grab yours today at SouthernScapeFest.com and get ready for the ultimate fall weekend in Kannapolis.
The critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.
WHERE: Third Room
WHEN: Saturday October 25, 2025
DOORS: 9pm SHOW: 10pm
GENRE: dubstep / edm
TICKETS: $24-$28
The three-headed beast known as Ternion Sound was spawned at Infrasound Music Festival in 2016, when bass music DJ/producers Apparition, Johnny Foreplay, and Nostalgia joined forces for an impromptu B2B set on the Beach stage. The artists’ chemistry was infectious, and immediately obvious. When the three reconvened at Origin-414 Studios in Minneapolis, MN, it was clear that their bond is less ephemeral than the festival magic that forged it. The trio metamorphosed: a new monster was born.
Asheville Vaudeville and special guest, Danbert Nobacon of the legendary anarcho-punk band, Chumbawamba, will collaborate in the upcoming installment of Asheville Vaudeville’s seasonal brunch time entertainment. The performance will feature Danbert Nobacon’s original acoustic music whilst a ragtag group of clowns and freaks come together to create an amusing array of mayhem and maybe even rescue democracy from the threat of a nefarious fascist regime by using their superpowers of comedy, comradery, common sense, sensuality, and an earnest exercising of their collective free-speech muscles. This is an 18+ show.
Asheville Vaudeville and special guest, Danbert Nobacon of the legendary
anarcho-punk band, Chumbawamba, will collaborate in the upcoming
installment of Asheville Vaudeville’s seasonal Sunday noon spectaculars. The
performance will feature Danbert Nobacon’s original acoustic music whilst a
ragtag group of clowns and freaks come together to create an amusing array of
mayhem and maybe even rescue democracy from the threat of a nefarious
fascist regime by using their superpowers of comedy, comradery, common
sense, sensuality, and an earnest exercising of their collective free-speech
muscles.
Asheville Vaudeville is WNC’s largest and longest-running variety show, known
for bringing together a revolving lineup of WNC’s best comedy, juggling, magic,
belly dance, burlesque, acrobatics, aerialists, clowns, short plays, sideshow,
puppetry, music, and more into entertaining Vaudeville revue-style
performances. The ever-evolving group of artists has been collaborating under
this banner since 2002, with notable long-time staples including Toybox,
America’s Favorite Cartoon Witch; Rigel the Clown; Claire Dima, Barefoot
Bellydancer Extraordinaire; and others.
Enjoy an evening of community and music with An Evening for All Souls: A Gathering of Song and Spirit, Sunday, Oct. 26 at Kanuga. The evening begins at 4 p.m. at Kanuga Lake with a community choir workshop, followed by dinner and luminaria making on the Rocking Chair Porch Lawn at 5 p.m., and concludes with a concert by musical artist Roots Grown Deep at 6 p.m., with a luminaria release on the lake at dusk. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. Cost: Concert only, $9.94; Concert & Dinner, $21.33. Location: 471 Kanuga Chapel Dr. in Hendersonville. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.
Bassoonist Rosalind Buda and Northumbrian smallpiper Dick Hensold perform a rollicking blend of traditional Celtic tunes and original music–all delivered with technical flair and joyful ease. Enjoy duets for smallpipes, songs with whistles, dance tunes on Scottish Border pipes and bombard, and the wonderful pairing of pipes and bassoon!
Rosalind Buda Scottish smallpipes, bassoon, bombarde, whistles, voice
Dick Hensold Northumbrian smallpipes, Scottish reel pipes, whistles, voice
As ever, PAN HARMONIA offers Donation-based, Pay-as-You-Can Community
Concerts. All are welcome! panharmonia.org
The critically acclaimed bestselling novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.
Originally formed in Byron Bay, Australia, back in 2014, Parcels now operate in a dual-location setup, with members scattered between Australia and Berlin, Germany. The band’s line-up consists of keyboardist Louie Swain, keyboardist/guitarist Patrick Hetherington, bassist Noah Hill, drummer Anatole “Toto” Serret, and guitarist Jules Crommelin.
With over a billion streams and a sold-out performance at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado in 2024, Parcels are continuing their journey without missing a beat, always expanding the scope of their influence. 2025 promises to be even more exhilarating as the band hits the road again, showcasing their astounding and unique live prowess to audiences around the globe, accompanied by a wealth of new music. This fall, they embark on a significant North American tour, performing at major venues, reflecting their ever-growing impact.
With Special Guest Johnny Mullenax 
THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS
The Infamous Stringdusters are a celebrated American progressive bluegrass band known for their virtuosic musicianship, innovative arrangements, and genre-blending style. The GRAMMY® Award-winning Americana quintet—Andy Falco [guitar], Chris Pandolfi [banjo], Andy Hall [dobro], Jeremy Garrett [fiddle], and Travis Book [double bass]—have musical influences that truly run the gamut, but their common denominator is certainly bluegrass— the sound that has in essence defined the course of their career.
The Infamous Stringdusters stand out as the rare group who can team up with contemporary artists on late night television one night and headline the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre the next, and have recently emerged as proprietors behind their newly found independent record label, Americana Vibes.
Songbird Holler is a captivating folk trio featuring three generations of mountain women dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich musical traditions of the Southern Appalachians. Award-winning banjo player Bayla Davis, fifth-generation ballad singer Donna Ray Norton, and veteran Songbird Holler is a captivating folk trio featuring three generations of mountain women dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich musical traditions of the Southern Appalachians. Award-winning banjo player Bayla Davis, fifth-generation ballad singer Donna Ray Norton, and veteran Appalachian old-time singer Cary Fridley have come together to share folk harmonies, ballads, and banjo tunes, weaving stories and melodies rooted in mountain heritage and authentic Appalachian spirit. Appalachian old-time singer Cary Fridley have come together to share folk harmonies, ballads, and banjo tunes, weaving stories and melodies rooted in mountain heritage and authentic Appalachian spirit.
Tickets at
https://whitehorseblackmountain.org/product/songbird-holler/
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover music inspired by Halloween at Asheville Masonic Temple under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Spooky season is almost here! Halloween special concerts are selling fast. Get your tickets before they fully SELL OUT!
Duration: 60 minutes (doors open 45 mins prior to the start time and late entry is not permitted)
Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Accessibility: this venue is ADA compliant
Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
Tentative Program
Thriller – Michael Jackson
Funeral March of a Marionette – Charles Gounod
String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor (Dresden Quartet), Op. 110: II. Allegro Molto – Dmitri Shostakovich
Tubular Bells (Theme from The Exorcist) – Mike Oldfield
Stranger Things (Theme) – S U R V I V E
Beetlejuice (Theme) – Danny Elfman
The Addams Family (Theme) – Vic Mizzy
Halloween (Theme) – John Carpenter
Prelude from Psycho – Bernard Herrmann
Ghostbusters (Theme) – Ray Parker Jr.
Danse Macabre – Camille Saint-Saëns
Night on Bald Mountain – Modest Mussorgsky
Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Richard O’Brien and Richard Hartley
Medley from The Nightmare Before Christmas – Danny Elfman
WHERE: Third Room
WHEN: Friday October 31, 2025
DOORS: 8pm SHOW: 9pm
GENRE: jam / rock
TICKETS: $20
Join us on Friday October 31st at Third Room in Asheville for a night of sound, visuals and Halloween fun you won’t forget!
Kicking off the night: The J. Lloyd Mashups’ Tribute to Ozzy, a dark and groovy homage to the Prince of Darkness.
Then, Asheville’s own Auspicious Golden Fish takes the stage with their high-energy instrumental psychedelia, wrapped in immersive visuals, lights and Halloween magic.
Come dressed to impress for our Ozzy costume contest! We’re giving away prizes for the most epic, over-the-top Ozzy looks of the night. Think leather, eyeliner, crosses, bats… go wild. 🦇”
Auspicious Golden Fish:
Swimming in an ocean of sound, Auspicious Golden Fish weaves together searing guitar riffs, hypnotic synth textures, and deep funk grooves into a transcendent musical experience. Guitarist/producer Jamie Hendrickson (The Fritz/ElectroLust) assembles a revolving lineup of all-star musicians that bring his compositions to life. The result is a sonic journey—one that invites listeners to dissolve the ego, embrace the present moment, and dance into higher states of consciousness.
J. Lloyd Mashup:
The JLloyd MashUp explores different genres of music including Acid Jazz, Funk, Soul, Afro Beat, Reggae, Break Beat, and Latin. Led and curated by Jonathan Lloyd (The Fritz/ Dubconscious/ Cadillac Jones), the band is made up of some of Asheville’s busiest and hardest working musicians on the scene.