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.
Fern Way Farm School summer camps are open to and inclusive of EVERYONE! All the camps are set at a sliding-scale price system, and families may pick the respective price option that works for their budget and family. Fern Way believes everyone should have access to beautiful places to tend, play and explore.
Descriptions of the camps are below! More info can be found here:
• The Fern Way Farm School Family Camp June 13-17 offers outdoor fun for all ages. Hike our 6+ miles of trails and cool streams, do some gardening, play with our chickens, cook together with fresh produce and stay in our cozy cabins together.
• Marvel & Mystery summer camps this July are for kids in grades K-5. They will spend their days outside exploring trails, learning about forest plants and creatures, gardening and spending time with chickens.
• At Fern Way Farm School’s Curiosity & Connection Overnight Camp for middle schoolers from July 27-30, campers will get to choose from fun and educational sessions involving wildcraft skills, nature art, outdoor cooking + more!
• High schoolers may attend an overnight camp June 28-July 2, where they will spend time outdoors gardening, hiking and exploring, learning about interconnection in our beautiful, yet often uncertain and confusing, world.
• Girls will have SO MUCH FUN at a special Girls on the Run summer camp! Designed specifically for girls in grades 3-5, campers will be empowered to learn about positive self-esteem and community engagement through gardening, hiking and other outdoor activities. This camp integrates the powerful Girls on the Run curriculum and is supported by Girls on the Run of WNC
A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.
Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.
The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!
The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.
Each day, campers will get to experience a different adventure at the Adventure Center of Asheville and Wildwater, Ltd. including:
- Asheville Treetops Adventure Park
- Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures
- KidZip
- KOLO Bike Park
- Wildwater Ltd. Whitewater Rafting on the Pigeon River
- TreeQuest
In addition, campers enjoy a daily swim at Asheville Racquet Club Pool in the afternoons.
Then the rest of their day is filled with facilitated activities like team building and field games, outdoor education such as forest walks and shelter building, and creative learning led by our talented and trained staff. And of course, lots of fun!!!!
At the Adventure Center of Asheville our team of professional outdoor leaders take pride and care in providing our Guests with an excellent experience.
2021 Summer Adventure Camp will be under the leadership of our new Camp Director, Lauren Brown, who joined us last year as the co-director of our Adventure Afterschool program. With a B.S. degree in Environmental Science and 12 years experience working at summer camps, we are excited to share Lauren’s passion for the environment, science and the fun of camp!
Our camp counselor team is made up of certified teachers and young adults whose passion is working with youth and sharing their love for life and adventure. Our Asheville Summer Adventure Camp is staffed by 4 to 5 full-time day camp team members. Campers are regularly divided into smaller, age appropriate groups to manage group size and allow campers to excel in each activity at their personal skill level and comfort zone. Great care is taken to assure campers are comfortable with each activity while encouraging them to stretch their comfort zone further. Counselors provide individual attention and unique experiences that campers will remember for the rest of their lives!
- 8:30 – 4:00 daily, with optional late pick up until 5:00 for $10/day/person
- Multiple Week Discount ($20 off/additional week)
At the Kolo Bike Summer Camp, campers will ride daily on purpose-built mountain bike trails and skill elements designed for all levels of rider to experience flow on a bicycle. Kolo Bike Park is a great way for young riders to build confidence and skill in a controlled environment.
Experienced mountain bike counselors will accompany and coach riders through the week on our:
- Pump tracks
- Jumps
- XC Trails
- Skills Area
Other activities include a warm-up each day and climbing the Treetops Adventure Park and games throughout the week.
The camp is for kids age 8-15 years who can comfortably ride a two-wheel bicycle. Some off-road experience is recommended but not required.
- Multiple Week Discount ($20 off/additional week)
Kolo Kiddie Camp is all the fun of our kolo flow summer camp, but for the littlest shredder. Experience a week-long day camp focused on easing campers into all the park has to offer and preparing them to attend our Kolo Flow Camp. The day will focus predominantly on bikes and bike skills but with plenty of time off the bike to keep the littles engaged. Riders will be chaperoned around the park by our experienced camp counselors and participate in a wide range of activities that help build confidence on and off the bike.
Campers MUST be comfortable riding a two-wheeled pedal bike off-road. This camp is not for stryder balance bikes or to teach your child to ride 2 wheels.
There will be no swim time for this camp.
- Multiple Week Discount is $20 off per additional week.
Fairy Trail 2021
Join us on the magical Fairy Trail where your imagination is the only limit.
Developed by Fairies and dedicated volunteers, Bullington Gardens’ Fairy Trail is a whimsical treat for the young and the young at heart. Featuring playful vignettes and villages, the fairy trail will charm you with its thoughtful design, eye catching displays and secret woodland trail.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
Bullington Gardens and the Fairy Trail are closed on Sundays.
Global Citizen Songwriting for middle school & older! Led by Melissa & Kayla Lynn McKinney of The Change and One Voice Project. Students learn to write lyrics, explore various instruments, dive into the world of music recording, and focus on what makes a global citizen.
Separate workshops for students in grades 1-3 and grades 4-9
9-3pm Monday-Friday and Friday performance at the end of camp $300
Early and late care available for an additional fee of $50 (7:45am drop off and 5pm pick up)
Let’s explore musicals in which CHILDREN rise up and inspire social change! Matilda used her powers to get rid of Trunchbull with the help of the other REVOLTING CHILDREN. Annie escaped from Ms. Hannigan after spending a “Hard Knock Life” in the orphanage. The NEWSIES went on STRIKE and showed them all that they were the KING OF NEW YORK. There’s so much inspiration when you pay a little extra attention to these awe-striking stories. A really beautiful way of feeling that power bubbling inside each of us, in the big (and small) ways each and every day.
Fantastic Food: Artists find inspiration everywhere! Students create a variety of artwork inspired by food using varied media, from three-dimensional fruit sculptures to two-dimensional paintings of doughnuts.
Please note:
- Summer Art Camp is held primarily indoors in the Museum’s John & Robyn Horn Education Center.
- Space is limited to small groups of students; face coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing/sanitization are required.
Join the Museum for Summer Art Camp in our bright and spacious studio! Camp is offered to rising kindergarten through 12th-grade students. All classes are age-appropriate. Sessions include drawing, painting, mixed-media, and more. Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Richard C. Karwoski, Breeze Hill series, circa 1983, watercolor, 22 1/4 × 30 inches. Gift of Richard H. Steinman, 1984.6.22. © Estate of Richard C. Karwoski.
Come join in on the magic, music and merriment of Hogwarts Camp of Violin and Musicality. We will have wand practice, a Quidditch game, field trip(s), as well as plenty of music making.
This camp is for string students with at least 6 months of experience on their instrument. But, we do have a new Harry Potter themed camp for very beginners, July 18-23! Scroll back up to learn more.
Learn more about Paul Stroebel in this exclusive interview!
*NOTE*
This is our fifth consecutive year of our Harry Potter-themed Suzuki String Camp celebrating what we love about the Harry Potter series and its correlations with music. AMS does not endorse J.K. Rowling’s recent comments, nor does our summer camp have any official endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation with the Harry Potter franchise. This camp was created by AMS teachers for AMS students.
Tanglewood Youth Theatre has long been a successful and inspirational part of children’s creative education in Western North Carolina. Our theatre camp has been extremely popular and is well-suited for any young person interested in exploring the exciting world of theatre. Our faculty represents some of the finest talent in the area, and we are thrilled to have them at Tanglewood.
For each session, classes include acting, music, movement, film, and design. Each session ends with a showcase for family and friends!
For ages 8-13:
All camp sessions will meet 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Each session will enroll up to 30 students total split into 3 groups of 10 students. Masks will be required. This summer, there will not be a final showcase for an audience of family and friends. Tuition: $275 / Scholarships available.
Included with admission
Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.
In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.
Preserving & Promoting
Our
Carolina Flying Heritage
4 Week Session with 1 Weekend of digital performance
Rehearse – Monday through Friday 12-2(3)pm (July 13th – August 7th)
Shows – pre-recorded and streamed, Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 5:30 pm August 7, 8, 9
w/live Q & A after
Limit 20 Participants
Class Cost : $100 (plus $8.00 online processing fee if paid by credit card)
Limited number of Scholarships available by request. Applications MUST be submitted. Email Ashleigh at [email protected]
Mixed-Up and Messy: Explore the messy side of art! Students experiment with painting, printmaking, and much more. Students explore different artists and how they use their messy styles to create art and inspire the world around us.
Please note:
- Summer Art Camp is held primarily indoors in the Museum’s John & Robyn Horn Education Center.
- Space is limited to small groups of students; face coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing/sanitization are required.
Join the Museum for Summer Art Camp in our bright and spacious studio! Camp is offered to rising kindergarten through 12th-grade students. All classes are age-appropriate. Sessions include drawing, painting, mixed-media, and more. Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Deacon Trust, Life Is a Landscape in Green and Gray, 2004, house paint on canvas, 10 × 10 × 1 1/2 inches. Gift of George R. & Olivia M. Shelley, 2006.03.02.20. © Deacon Trust.
Unlock your imagination in this fun, on-your-feet virtual improv class! Students will learn to think outside of the box, collaborate, quickly develop characters, and build on a creative idea by saying “yes! and…” Through exercises, improv games, and creative prompts young artists will learn to take risks, access creativity, gain confidence, meaningfully connect with peers, and discover the FUN in fundamental improvisation.
REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 19
Thank you for supporting early learning for children and families at Verner! Please join us for a fun-filled evening connecting with Verner staff and friends as we celebrate 20 years! Please RSVP to help us plan for the event. Thank you!
We appreciate Catawba Brewing for supporting our 20th anniversary event!
A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.
Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.
The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!
The North Carolina Arboretum is going wild for art and nature in 2021 with Wild Art! On view April 1 through September 26, this outdoor sculpture exhibition features works by 17 local and national artists drawing inspiration from the natural environment. Situated throughout the Arboretum’s spacious, open-air gardens, the show offers guests a doorway into the wild world from the comfort and safety of cultivated landscapes transformed by art.
The 18 sculptures on display represent a variety of approaches to the theme of “wild art,” from the literal to the abstract, and are crafted from a diverse array of materials that will delight and inspire. Let your imagination take you on a wild journey into the world of plants and animals near and far with Wild Art at The North Carolina Arboretum.
The exhibit is available to all guests during normal Arboretum hours, and there is no admission cost to view the sculptures beyond our usual parking fee of $16 per personal vehicle.
Fairy Trail 2021
Join us on the magical Fairy Trail where your imagination is the only limit.
Developed by Fairies and dedicated volunteers, Bullington Gardens’ Fairy Trail is a whimsical treat for the young and the young at heart. Featuring playful vignettes and villages, the fairy trail will charm you with its thoughtful design, eye catching displays and secret woodland trail.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
Bullington Gardens and the Fairy Trail are closed on Sundays.
Included with admission
Our fun-for-all-ages botanical model train displays invite you to experience our grounds in an engaging new way. Located in the Conservatory in the Walled Garden, the displays feature replicas of structures connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Each beautifully executed piece was handcrafted from such natural elements as leaves, bark, and twigs.
In compliance with state and local mandates related to COVID-19, all guests must enter the Conservatory via the ADA entrance in the back and follow a one-way route.
This program’s theme is Slimy & Scaly Creatures! Children ages 4 to 7 will learn about local reptile and amphibians, exploring what makes them unique and different. Children will enjoy a story, fun games, hands-on activities, and a craft. All children must be accompanied by an adult. You must pre-register for this program. Click this link to register online. Prices: $5 per child (includes site admission fee + program fee) $3 per Adult (includes 1/2 off site admission fee)
Join a Park Naturalist to meet some of our resident Animal Ambassadors. Participants will learn what kind of wildlife inhabits the Park and their important role in the ecosystem. You might even leave with a newfound appreciation for critters you once misunderstood.
Preserving & Promoting
Our
Carolina Flying Heritage
Join us EVERY Wednesday night for Kid’s Night! Children receive a free four-count kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal. See you on Wednesdays!
A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.
Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.
The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!