Award-winning professional theatre in downtown Asheville connecting people with entertaining and exceptional plays that illuminate our shared human experience. NC Stage is a local hit, voted best local theatre many times over, and has received national recognition with accolades from the American Theatre Wing. Opening week specials and student discounts available.
Arts & Entertainment
Established by artists and incorporated in 1948, the Asheville Art Museum is committed to being a vital force in community and individual development and to providing lifelong opportunities for education and enrichment through the visual arts. The Museum’s mission is to engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. The newly renovated 54,000-square-foot building opened in November of 2019 and the Museum presents a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions throughout the year featuring American art of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance brings innovative dance to the community of Asheville as well as the state of North Carolina through concert performances; collaborations with local and nationally known artists and arts organizations; and outreach programs for children of all cultural and economic backgrounds designed to delight, enlighten and educate.
Located in the heart of Grovewood Village, this humble one-room museum tells the fascinating story of Biltmore Industries, a force in American craft that was originally backed by Edith Vanderbilt. Adjacent to the Omni Grove Park Inn.
Asheville’s arts-focused community — home to generations of writers, musicians and artists — has sustained the Asheville Symphony for nearly 60 years, embracing the orchestra’s endless creativity, artistic expression and collaborative explorations.
The actors and technicians of the Montford Park Players are all volunteers. In any given year, about one hundred fifty people donate their time, talent, and expertise to our productions. What we all hold in common is a love of Shakespeare and a delight in presenting his plays to our friends and neighbors in Western North Carolina.
When you’re in Asheville, you’re just over an hour away from the nation’s leading home furnishings resource and a shopping experience you’ll never forget. See a thousand lines in nearly a hundred beautiful factory stores, outlets and galleries. Ideas galore. Famous North Carolina prices. On-site hotel, restaurant, shipping service. Visit hickoryfurniture.com.
Adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn is one of Asheville’s hidden gems. Known today as Grovewood Village, this site once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, a force in American craft that was originally backed by Edith Vanderbilt. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 11-acre property is now home to Grovewood Gallery, 8 working artist studios, the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum, and the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum.
One of Asheville’s premier art galleries featuring contemporary fine art and craft by artists of the Southeastern United States.
Every year since 1946 ACT has offered Western North Carolina superb productions of comedies, dramas, and musicals, and this year will be no exception.
The State Theatre of North Carolina, and one of the finest local playhouses in the United States. Highly acclaimed throughout the theater world. The Playhouse’s dual mission of producing the performing arts and providing education in the performing arts includes a ten-show professional series; a summer and fall college apprentice and intern program; performances and cabaret series by the YouTheatre; year-round classes and workshops for students from kindergarten through adults. Flat Rock Playhouse now hosts over 90,000 patrons annually and is a major contributor to the local economy and the Arts in North Carolina.
Brevard Little Theatre provides excellent amateur and professional theatre in Transylvania County and encourages young and old alike to develop and maintain lifelong relationships with the theatre arts, whether through participation or attendance.
SART’s purpose has been to produce quality theatre by a professional non-profit company and to present plays concerning Appalachia that portray the rich culture and heritage of its people and to promote the development of original plays.
American Folk Art & Framing is a small gallery, tucked on the edge of downtown Asheville representing approximately 25 artists and 12 potters. It opened in 2001 and has been an important core to the Asheville art community ever since.
The Asheville Area Arts Council was founded more than forty years ago as a community arts council serving the needs of Western North Carolina. Designed as an umbrella service organization, AAAC is dedicated to developing cultural resources, city and audience development, fund raising and grant allocations, and administrative assistance.
The AVMRC has two free open house’s every week that have been enjoyed by grandparents and grandchildren, as well as kids of all ages for over 2 decades. We offer two operating model RR’s with our inside HO scale layout having 2,000 feet of track. Our new outside layout is a larger G scale. Kids can run a Thomas or Emily train while there. Additionally, we have many historic pictures and items about railroads on display. Admission is free!
Whole Foods in downtown Asheville is a full service natural foods store dedicated to bringing you and your family the freshest and healthiest foods and products available. The downtown Asheville located at 70 Merrimon Ave offers grocery delivery, custom cakes, a vast selection of beer and wine, growlers, and plenty of parking!
This intimate 500-seat theater is host to more than 150 performances annually by professional touring artists and local arts organizations. Performances normally last around two hours.
This award-winning Waynesville-based company will performs several times thoughout the season. Most shows take place at the Waysville Performing Arts Center, 250 Pigeon St.
The Vanishing Wheelchair, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity. We perform a monthly live magic show at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 337 Charlotte Street in Asheville. “Magic, Mirth & Meaning” acts as a fundraiser for the non-profit and showcases the talents of people with disabilities and those who wish to help them.
Since 1966, Hendersonville Theatre (formerly known as Hendersonville Little Theatre) has provided an inviting and nurturing environment for live theatre, as well as high-quality, affordable entertainment for the residents of Hendersonville and surrounding areas.
Song O’Sky Chorus invites all women 18 and over to join the fun of singing. We sing many different genres–gospel, blues, Broadway show tunes, folk songs–just to mention a few. No previous musical instruction is required; you don’t have to be able to read music. A good ear, a love of harmony, and the desire for instant friends and fellowship are all that’s necessary.
The Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) is Western North Carolina’s home for experiential science learning, discovery, and exploration. AMOS strives to spark the imagination and foster lifelong curiosity. Featuring science-based exhibits and programs on-site and educational programming in schools and the community, AMOS strives to give science lovers of all ages a hands-on, interactive experience.
Since 1984, Gallery of the Mountains has featured handmade crafts by more than 100 local and regional artists living in the Southern Appalachian region. Discover curated collections of artisan-made clothing, jewelry, home decor, unique gifts and Asheville-made mementos. Gallery of the Mountains is located in the Sammons Wing of The Omni Grove Park Inn, set atop Sunset Mountain in Asheville, NC.
Pack Place, Downtown
“Come see Asheville’s premier opera company as it makes a ‘quantum leap of artistic development.’ (ACT) in Western North Carolina, a full season of opera is to be experienced by all fans of the opera.
Attic Salt is a one-stop drama shop for adults and kids alike. Fun children’s theatre, local theatre, and acting classes for adults. Come see a show or sign up for a class!
If you are planning a visit to the Asheville area for the color season, you might want to plan a visit to the Smith-McDowell House Museum. Built circa 1840 by James McConnell Smith, the Smith McDowell House is Asheville’s oldest surviving house and the oldest brick house in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Small admission fee.
Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Folk Art Center is the home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, representing craft artists fromSouthern Appalachia. The Allanstand Craft Shop carries the work of over 300 of these guild members. Open: Jan-March 9am-5pm daily; April-Dec 9am-6pm daily.
Lost objects, found treasures. A very special gift shop. An old attic of a place where you can discover objects of beauty or find treasures that have been given new life through creativity and, ocassionally, a [smallish] glass of vino blanco.
Welcome music, science and history lovers! The Moogseum, located in downtown Asheville, is the museum bringing Bob Moog’s pioneering legacy to life through experiential historical exploration, multi-sensory interactive educational exhibits and the opportunity for guests to play both Theremins and Moog synthesizers. Museum shop offers an array of items for sale to celebrate your visit and gifts for discerning friends.
For years, the 18,000 square foot YMI building was the social and economic center of Asheville’s Black community. Currently YMI is a cultural center operating with support from the City of Asheville. Its impressive Tudor-style structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features four galleries and a 300-seat performing arts theatre.
The Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre’s work includes family oriented dance theatre productions, collaborative shows, community involvement, dance networking, educational training, touring shows and presentations, and an international exchange program.
The brightest stars…the greatest music…the finest performances…the Hendersonville Symphony.
P. O. Box 1811, Hendersonville, NC 28793
Nestled in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, this premier summer music festival and comprehensive music center has set the highest standards in performance and education for nearly seven decades.
They offer over 80 performances over seven weeks, from mid-June through early August. 828-862-2100.
Pan Harmonia is an independent repertory company based in Asheville, North Carolina, directed by flutist Kate Steinbeck. Nationally recognized for its artistic excellence and creative vision, Pan Harmonia offers a mosaic of concerts, educational residencies and community outreach.
The Magnetic Theatre seeks to connect Asheville audiences to original, artist-driven theatre. We support emerging local playwrights and produce exciting work that has not been seen in this region. We work to encourage new perspectives by illuminating the human condition through diverse, challenging projects and cultivating a passionate creative community.