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.
人の力 “Hito no Chikara” — The Power of Human Strength
Take a thrilling, high-energy ride through centuries of Japanese tradition, where heart-thumping rhythms explode from a dizzying display of more than 40 Taiko drums. The power of human strength, tenacity and sheer endurance lie at the heart of this new program, which challenges the influence of artificial intelligence on art. Back by popular demand, this troupe’s explosively percussive performances evoke “the pulse of the gods” (Neue Presse, Hanover, Germany) to prove there’s no substitute for the fire of the human spirit.
$65; Child (15 yrs. old and under) $22
The North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund will support long-term recovery and unmet needs in western North Carolina communities affected by Hurricane Helene in the months to come.
With the money from the fund, NCCF will provide grants in the months and years ahead to eligible organizations in affected communities. Fundraising began immediately after the storm and the first grants will be awarded in early 2025.
Donations can be made at nccommunityfoundation.org/DisasterFund or by mailing a check to NCCF at 3737 Glenwood Ave., Suite 460, Raleigh, NC 27612. Write “Disaster Relief” on the memo line of your check. Ages 18+
人の力 “Hito no Chikara” — The Power of Human Strength
Take a thrilling, high-energy ride through centuries of Japanese tradition, where heart-thumping rhythms explode from a dizzying display of more than 40 Taiko drums. The power of human strength, tenacity and sheer endurance lie at the heart of this new program, which challenges the influence of artificial intelligence on art. Back by popular demand, this troupe’s explosively percussive performances evoke “the pulse of the gods” (Neue Presse, Hanover, Germany) to prove there’s no substitute for the fire of the human spirit.
$65; Child (15 yrs. old and under) $22
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, NC
This Valentine’s Day, show your love for Asheville and bid on art recovered from Hurricane Helene.
Tyger Tyger Gallery is hosting a special silent auction on Valentine’s Day of flood-damaged, salvaged and new art by our gallery artists who have generously donated their work to benefit BeLoved Asheville.
Join us on February 14th in Biltmore Village at 8 London Road for a magical evening of connection and community, and collect original art for a cause. We invite you to bring a new sweetie or longtime beloved and support BeLoved Asheville for a memorable date night… or come solo and meet like-minded art lovers! Take home a piece of history and be a part of Asheville’s recovery.
Music by local duo DJ XO SARII. Drinks donated by our friends at Burial Beer Co.
Free street parking.
Billy Strings returns to ExploreAsheville.com at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville on February 6-8 & 14-16, 2025.
A percentage of every ticket sold will benefit Bounty & Soul, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, MANNA Food Bank and American Red Cross Western North Carolina Chapter.
This block therapy workshop we will be focusing on the core and ribs to move stuck energy from pain and trauma. This is a slow and relaxed class focusing on connecting to full conscious breath to open areas where emotions are stored in the fascia. Pain, fear, and stress cause us to hold our breath as a protective mechanism to shield ourselves. When breath becomes paralyzed from trauma pain and stress, there is no movement of that energy out of the body. In this workshop we are going to be releasing past/current patterns of breathing, created by trauma, pain , and stress. Our breath is directly connected to our nervous system, so this practice relaxes the nervous system so the body can get out of flight and flight or freeze and into rest, digest, and heal.
We use a rolled-up towel to begin as this process of unwinding takes time and can cause detoxification symptoms. Please bring a towel with you for the class. A medium sized towel works great.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, NC
Billy Strings returns to ExploreAsheville.com at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville on February 6-8 & 14-16, 2025.
A percentage of every ticket sold will benefit Bounty & Soul, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, MANNA Food Bank and American Red Cross Western North Carolina Chapter.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, NC
Once again, Bertie finds himself suffering the slings and arrows of misfortune at the hands of his relatives, caught between his fierce Aunt Agatha, his plaintive cousin Egbert, a saucy jazz singer, and his future father-in-law. Another priceless predicament calling upon the redoubtable Jeeves to save the day.
For over 32 years, the Frostbite Races have motivated runners and walkers to stay active throughout the colder winter months. Participants brave the chilly temperatures to compete in a series of races, including a challenging 10K, a scenic 5K, or 1-mile fun run. Flurry the Penguin is always encouraging runners and walkers with high fives. The Family Fun Day and Wellness Expo add to the excitement with local vendors, wellness services, live music, and kid’s activities. The Frostbite Races have become a beloved tradition in Fletcher, NC, bringing the community together for a day of fitness and fun.
This 75-minute production tells the story of a character who has lost her inner light, plunging into a wondrous and surreal world where memories come to life and the ordinary becomes ‘extra’ordinary. With over 8 breathtaking acrobatic acts, “Solstice” combines light design, costumes, enchanting music, surreal scenery, and the magic of falling snow to create this celebration of the human spirit. A blend of local and national artists comprise the cast of seven.
Billy Strings returns to ExploreAsheville.com at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville on February 6-8 & 14-16, 2025.
A percentage of every ticket sold will benefit Bounty & Soul, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, MANNA Food Bank and American Red Cross Western North Carolina Chapter.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, NC
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, NC
Six Hours on the Ridge is back for its 8th year! Are you up for the challenge? This annual race features the 6 mile JFA trail with just over 800 feet of elevation gain and fast rolling single track making it the perfect setting for this endurance event. Riders will ride as many laps as they are able within the 6 hour time window.
This race has sold out the past two years so don’t delay sign up today!
THERE WILL BE NO DAY OF REGISTRATION.
The 22nd annual Business of Farming Conference, presented by ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project), will be held Feb. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The conference will take place at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, Henderson County, NC—which is a location change from A-B Tech, as originally announced. The A-B Tech Conference Center is undergoing repairs after serving as a disaster relief location during Hurricane Helene.
The conference focuses on the business side of farming, offering beginning and established farmers financial, legal, operational, and marketing tools to improve farm businesses and make professional connections. This year’s conference will also have a strong emphasis on resilience planning and resources for post-Helene recovery. More than a dozen workshops will be led by innovative farmers and specialists, including You Can’t Do It All: Hiring and Keeping a Productive Team and Planning for Farm Resiliency. A full list of workshops is at asapconnections.org.
Registration is now open at asapconnections.org. The cost is $75 by Feb. 1 and $95 after, with a discount for farm partners registering together. Scholarships are available for limited-resource and BIPOC farmers. The registration price includes a locally sourced breakfast and lunch. Lunch is sponsored by Farm Burger.
Support for the conference is provided in part by Dogwood Health Trust, NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Kiddos are expensive! Their stuff doesn’t have to be! Shop for your entire season’s worth of clothing and toys all in one place with Wee Trade! You are certain to find exactly what your are looking for!
Thursday, February 27 from 9am-3pm
Food Connection and Loving Food Resources are collaborating to bring you a one-of-a-kind fundraiser! Brunk Auction House will be offering their appraisal services for $15/item or $40 for 3 items!
Choose the hour time slot that works best for you and bring in family heirlooms, high-valued finds, and other antiques to be appraised by the professionals! All proceeds from tickets sales go to Food Connection and Loving Food Resources and participants may have the option to consign their items through the auction house and make some money themselves!
BRUNK AUCTIONS – 117 Tunnel Rd, Asheville
Brunk is a private auction house specializing in the sale of fine art, jewelry, Asian art, antique furniture, coins, and countless other areas of collecting – ranging from Contemporary Art to Antiquities. Excellence in connoisseurship is the hallmark of our specialist staff. Consistent and thoughtful client service is the foundation of our 40 years in business.
Ross Gay is interested in joy.
Ross Gay wants to understand joy.
Ross Gay is curious about joy.
Ross Gay studies joy.
Something like that.
Ross Gay — Poet, Essayist, & National Book Critics Circle Award Winner — will visit ACS with a profound mission: to explore and understand joy.
Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. In addition to his poetry, Ross has released three collections of essays— The Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller; Inciting Joy was released in 2022, and his newest collection, The Book of (More) Delights was released in September of 2023.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, NC
Calling all organizations! Join us for Camp Connect and help families gear up for an unforgettable summer. Whether your specialty is outdoor adventures, educational fun, arts and crafts, or action-packed sports, we want you to be part of this exciting event!
Ages 5+
Suitable for Beginners to Advanced Birders
This outing takes place at Lake Julian Park from 8:30-11:30 am. Get to know the birds of Lake Julian, one of Buncombe County’s birding hotspots! We will start with a walk along the shore of Lake Julian and ends with birding on the lake from Lake Julian’s pontoon boat. Free, Registration Required. Binoculars are available upon request but supplies are limited. Dress for the weather!
Registration opens 30 days prior to activity.
For more information email [email protected] or call 828-250-4260.
EcoGardening: Principles in Practice (3 Sessions)
with Nina Shippen
ON-SITE | Sundays, February 16, 23, + March 2 | 10 am – 1 pm
Ecological gardening is a way of thinking in which gardens are no longer seen as a collection of plants, but as an interdependent community of plants, soils, environment and animals. The class introduces ecology-based methods employed in the design process of site assessment, design, installation, and maintenance. A variety of garden conditions are covered in this comprehensive overview. Gardeners of all levels of interest and ability will find this class valuable for learning ecologically-sustainable practices that can be adapted and applied in a variety of landscapes.
Birding for Beginners with Ben Bafaloukos
ON-SITE | Tuesday, March 4 | 9 – 10:30am
Join us on this birding walk around the NC Arboretum gardens and trails in search of a very common year round resident of North Carolina: Carolina wren. We will take an in-depth look at these noisy and “mousey” birds to observe their behaviors while also looking for other common winter bird species in our area. Bring your own binoculars but if you do not have a pair we have some loaner binoculars available to use during the program.
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.
As people all over the country start to grow their own gardens, plant prices continue to rise. These price increases quickly add up when growing your own garden. Starting your own seeds is a much more economical way to grow a large number of plants. Believe it or not many plants also do better when you grow them from a seed. Starting seeds can seem like a very scary task but it doesn’t have to be. Join our education coordinator, Isaac Wyatt, for a course all about starting your own seeds. From what you need to get started to how to get your seedlings in the garden.
*We will also have a selection of seeds to trade. Please feel free to bring any seeds you may be interested in trading!
March 4th, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm. Fee: $20.00.
Lunch & Learn: Hurricanes and Climate Change With NCICS scientists
ON-SITE | Wednesday, March 5 | 11 am – 1 pm
This Lunch & Learn session, led by Carl Schreck from the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, will begin with a presentation and discussion on hurricanes and climate change, with a focus on Hurricane Helene. Discussion topics will include hurricane-related trends, impacts, responses, and resilience. Participants will then head over to the Climate Reference Network (CRN) station on campus (weather permitting), where scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information will describe the history and purpose of the CRN station, the instruments used to measure the weather, and answer any questions. Note that attendees can drive to the weather station, but a small amount of walking is necessary to access the equipment.
Arboretum visitors will witness some of the most surprising animal behavior in the new National Geographic exhibition, “The Greatest Wildlife Photographs.” The very best wildlife pictures from the pages of National Geographic magazine have been chosen to be displayed in this exhibition. Curated by renowned nature picture editor, Kathy Moran, this exhibition is a celebratory look at wildlife with images taken by National Geographic’s most iconic photographers such as, Michael “Nick” Nichols, Steve Winter, Paul Nicklen, Beverly Joubert, David Doubilet and more. Showcasing the evolution of photography, the images convey how innovations such as camera traps, remote imaging, and underwater technology have granted photographers access to wildlife in their natural habitat.
For 115 years, National Geographic has pioneered and championed the art of wildlife photography, and captivated generations of engaged audiences with a steady stream of extraordinary images of animals in nature. From the very first such image to appear – a reindeer in 1903 – National Geographic Society’s publications have broken new ground and push the bar higher again and again, establishing an unmatched legacy of artistic, scientific, and technical achievement. These are the Greatest Wildlife Photographs. This is included with admission to NC Arboretum.
Maintaining the Biodiversity of the Mountains – planting native, removing invasives, restoring habitat and using environmentally friendly landscape management practices.
Western North Carolina is one of the most biodiverse regions of the world. Unfortunately, development and increasing population are threatening the delicate ecosystems of the area. Many of the landscape methods that we utilize have negative environmental repercussions. We can do better.
Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast to learn how we can do things better! In this series of classes Steve will discuss how to manage your landscape in the most environmentally friendly way possible using sustainable gardening practices. Also learn about tree health care and maintenance.
By making simple changes, such as choosing native over exotic plants and removing invasive plants, we can begin to restore habitat at home, at our businesses and throughout the region.
By cultivating and protecting healthy diverse habitats for pollinators, for wildlife, for healthy flora and fauna, we benefit the individuals who live in and enjoy these spaces and for our community, as a whole. By creating natural areas in your yard and leaving the leaves each fall you can benefit many kinds of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals which depend on the native plants and their fallen leaves and seeds for shelter, food and habitat.
March 6, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm.