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.

Friday, December 20, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 20 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 21, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 21 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 22, 2024
Hendersonville Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Dec 22 @ 12:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thomas Auditorium at Blue Ridge Community College

Hendersonville Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker, an annual tradition since 2019, on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 7pm, Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 3pm and 7pm and Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 3pm at the Thomas Auditorium located on the Blue Ridge Community College campus. Hendersonville Ballet is grateful to be able to put this performance on for the community following the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.

English Country Dance
Dec 22 @ 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Harvest House Community Center
  • 2nd and 4th Sundays – check the calendar on our home page
  • 4 pm – 6:00 pm
  • Mid-Winter English Country Dance Weekend – Feb 2-4, 2024
  • There is also an ECD Wednesday evening from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm; various callers; and recorded music.
  • (This is not an OFB activity) For information contact: [email protected]
  • Mission & Vision

    Our mission is to bring joy to our community by cultivating folk and social dance and music traditions.

    Our vision is of people coming together to experience the joy of dance and music.

    Values

    • Welcoming – A safe and inviting space for dancers, musicians, and callers.
    • Community – We value respect, inclusiveness, diversity, consent, and multigenerational interaction.
    • Ownership – Volunteer investment in the organization.
    • Joy/Smiles – Presence in the moment.
    • Development – Artistic growth and skill of callers, musicians, and dancers.
Winter Lights
Dec 22 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Monday, December 23, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 23 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 24 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 25 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 26, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 26 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

City Dance
Dec 26 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Friday, December 27, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 27 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 28, 2024
Food Box Delivery volunteers needed!
Dec 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

WNCAP (Western North Carolina AIDS Project) Dedicated to preventing new cases of HIV/AIDS and promoting self-sufficiency in people living with HIV. WNCAP provides HIV-related client support, prevention, education and advocacy activities guided by the belief that all people are entitled to equal access to health care and disease prevention.
WNCAP needs volunteers for the 2nd & 4th Saturday morning Food Box Delivery: 10am-noon. Ride with another team member and deliver pre-packed boxes of food to home-bound, food insecure families living in the Asheville/ Buncombe area. Requires ability to lift 50 pounds, good driving record, and confidentiality. More info at [email protected] , 828-252-7489 ext. 315.

Winter Lights
Dec 28 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 29, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 29 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Monday, December 30, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 30 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Winter Lights
Dec 31 @ 6:00 pm
North Carolina Arboretum

Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights! Located at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, this year’s event features favorites like the famously tall 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with enchanting new details designed to delight and surprise. All prices are per vehicle. No pets allowed.

Winter Lights features live entertainment nightly and food and beverages from the Bent Creek Bistro, the Cocoa Shack and the Cocoa Cabin! Open nightly from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 2, 2025
True Home Open Mic
Jan 2 @ 6:00 pm
Flood Gallery

Join us every Thursday from 6:30pm – 8:30pm for music, poetry, comedy and stories performed by our favorite local artists! Feel free to bring your own food/drinks or anything you’d like to share!

Sign up begins at 6pm, show begins at 6:30pm. Each performer will have twelve minutes, and the show is always livestreamed on our Facebook account.

Monday, January 6, 2025
Flooded Poetry
Jan 6 @ 6:30 pm
Flood Gallery

Every Monday, Ivy Rozen, Senior Editor of The Black Mountain Press, will host a poetry-specific open mic from 6:30pm-9pm. Each poet will be able to share 2-3 poems, and occasionally we will have local celebrity poets close out our night with a featured reading (email Ivy at [email protected] if you’d like to be a featured poet)!

Friday, January 10, 2025
Asheville Vaudeville
Jan 10 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Grey Eagle Events and Asheville Vaudeville Present Asheville Vaudeville. Ages 18 and up.

Doors: 7pm // Show: 8pm
$24.60
– AGES 18+
– SEATED SHOWAsheville Vaudeville – Asheville’s LARGEST vaudeville show featuring WNC’s best comedy, juggling, magic, burlesque, acrobatics, aerial arts, short plays, puppetry, sideshow, music, and more!

Thursday, January 16, 2025
THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – “RESET”
Jan 16 @ 7:30 pm
The Grey Eagle

The Grey Eagle and Worthwhile Sounds Present THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – “RESET”. All Ages. Doors: 6:30pm // Show: 7:30pm. $18.45.

The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night’s theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…

RESET:   Prepare a five-minute story about a fresh start. Clean slates and wet paint. When the tide came in and the sandcastle returned to sand. Expunging your past reputation and going back to square one. Cutting bangs after the big breakup. Whether you changed your zip code, career, or outlook on life, tell us about a time you felt new. Tomorrow is another day.

Seating is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the show. Admission is not guaranteed for late arrivals. All sales final. As many as 10 tickets may be available at the door for all of our StorySLAMs on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Friday, January 17, 2025
Rennie Harris Puremovement
Jan 17 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Leave what you think you know about hip-hop at the door: This suite of works is designed to challenge popular perceptions of street dance — shaking the art form at its foundations to reveal the complex narratives and artistic ingenuity at its core. One of the most respected hip-hop choreographers in the country, Rennie Harris leads his company into a progressive new era of dance in “Nuttin’ But A Word,” where individuality, creativity and innovation reign supreme.

Coinciding with Rennie Harris Puremovement’s Asheville performances, Wortham Center Artist-in-Residence Otto Vazquez will host hip-hop dance classes in the performing arts complex’s Henry LaBrun Studio. Joining Harris to lead pre-show discussions on Jan. 17 and 18, Vazquez is a prolific street dancer, choreographer, filmmaker and educator. This season, he partners with the Wortham Center to offer education and community engagement programs and to present events through his production company, Nu Paradigm. ovazquez.net

Connect with the art and artists in classes and pre-show discussions.
Jan. 14 at 7 p.m.: Hip-hop dance pop-up class with Otto Vazquez, Henry LaBrun Studio, Wortham Center
Jan. 17 & 18 at 7 p.m.: Rennie Harris and Otto Vazquez lead pre-show discussions
Jan. 18 at 1 p.m.: Street Dance & Hip-Hop Master Class with Rennie Harris Puremovement company dancers
Feb. 4–March 25 at 7 p.m.: 8-week hip-hop class with Otto Vazquez, Henry LaBrun Studio, Wortham Center

Saturday, January 18, 2025
Rennie Harris Puremovement
Jan 18 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Leave what you think you know about hip-hop at the door: This suite of works is designed to challenge popular perceptions of street dance — shaking the art form at its foundations to reveal the complex narratives and artistic ingenuity at its core. One of the most respected hip-hop choreographers in the country, Rennie Harris leads his company into a progressive new era of dance in “Nuttin’ But A Word,” where individuality, creativity and innovation reign supreme.

Coinciding with Rennie Harris Puremovement’s Asheville performances, Wortham Center Artist-in-Residence Otto Vazquez will host hip-hop dance classes in the performing arts complex’s Henry LaBrun Studio. Joining Harris to lead pre-show discussions on Jan. 17 and 18, Vazquez is a prolific street dancer, choreographer, filmmaker and educator. This season, he partners with the Wortham Center to offer education and community engagement programs and to present events through his production company, Nu Paradigm. ovazquez.net

Connect with the art and artists in classes and pre-show discussions.
Jan. 14 at 7 p.m.: Hip-hop dance pop-up class with Otto Vazquez, Henry LaBrun Studio, Wortham Center
Jan. 17 & 18 at 7 p.m.: Rennie Harris and Otto Vazquez lead pre-show discussions
Jan. 18 at 1 p.m.: Street Dance & Hip-Hop Master Class with Rennie Harris Puremovement company dancers
Feb. 4–March 25 at 7 p.m.: 8-week hip-hop class with Otto Vazquez, Henry LaBrun Studio, Wortham Center

Thursday, January 23, 2025
City Dance
Jan 23 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Saturday, January 25, 2025
Fierce Fitness Dance Fundraiser
Jan 25 @ 10:00 am
The Grey Eagle

The Grey Eagle Presents Fierce Fitness Dance Fundraiser.

All Ages
Saturday, January 25
Doors: 9am // Show: 10am
$29.25
Uphora Dance Fitness is hosting an epic dance fitness fundraiser featuring Fierce Fitness Ty, renowned hip hop and fitness instructor from Orlando. Ty is joined by a stellar line up of dance fitness instructors from all over the region for 90 minutes of nonstop dancing to the latest songs with fierce moves and lit energy. 100% of proceeds from this event will be donated to WNC Hurricane Recovery through Operation Dance, Uphora’s charitable initiative. Get your ticket and invite your friends–don’t miss this opportunity to dance it out, feel empowered, and
Food Box Delivery volunteers needed!
Jan 25 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

WNCAP (Western North Carolina AIDS Project) Dedicated to preventing new cases of HIV/AIDS and promoting self-sufficiency in people living with HIV. WNCAP provides HIV-related client support, prevention, education and advocacy activities guided by the belief that all people are entitled to equal access to health care and disease prevention.
WNCAP needs volunteers for the 2nd & 4th Saturday morning Food Box Delivery: 10am-noon. Ride with another team member and deliver pre-packed boxes of food to home-bound, food insecure families living in the Asheville/ Buncombe area. Requires ability to lift 50 pounds, good driving record, and confidentiality. More info at [email protected] , 828-252-7489 ext. 315.

ASCI 2024 Robert Burns Night Supper
Jan 25 @ 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville - Biltmore

After an over 40 year career of weekly Celtic roots music radio broadcast including NPR’s Thistle and Shamrock, Asheville Sister Cities is excited that Fiona Ritchie will be traveling from Scotland to join us in-person to celebrate Burns Night and the bard of Scotland’s 266th birthday.

Proceeds raised from sponsorships and our 2025 Burns Night Fundraiser charity auction and raffle will be contributed toward regional hurricane disaster relief. Proceeds from ticket sales will be contributed toward the Thistle and Shamrock CD archive project at UNCA.

Entertainment includes piper Alex Stewart, fiddler Andrew Finn Magill, and dancers from the Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance.

Burns Night Seminar will be co-hosted by Fiona Ritchie during cash bar reception with complimentary warm Scottish appetizers.

Optional Whisky Tasting will be hosted by Highland Brewing’s Oscar Wong.

Event includes a full traditional Burns Night ceremony, three course dinner with selection of main course, and wee drams of single-male Scotch Whisky to toast the haggis.

URLs:
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2789424-0?pid=10412
Facebook: https://go.evvnt.com/2789424-2?pid=10412

Price:
General Admission: USD 135.00

Category: Community | Fundraisers | Charities

Date and Time: 25th January 2025 at 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Venue details: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville – Biltmore, 115 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, North Carolina, 28803, United States

Sunday, January 26, 2025
15th Annual Queer Girls Literary Reading
Jan 26 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Eulogy at Burial Beer Co.

Queer Girls Literary Reading Series Celebrates its Fifteenth Anniversary

Asheville, NC—On Sunday, January 26th at 6:00 PM, Eulogy at Burial Beer Company (10 Buxton Avenue in Asheville’s South Slope) will host the Fifteenth Annual Queer Girls Literary Reading, a celebration of Asheville’s queer literary women. This year’s lineup includes local and regional writers, UNCA students, and community members.

Admission to the event is by donation, with a $5-10 suggested donation (more if you can, less if you can’t). Doors will open at 5:30 PM.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Standup Comedy Pageant Finale
Jan 29 @ 7:00 pm
Pulp Lounge

Standup Comedy Pageant Finale
Wednesday January 29, 2025.
7p-9p, doors at 6:30p
The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge, 103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $15 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)

Hosted by Hilliary Begley from Netflix & Amazon Prime!

Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Free snacks while availability lasts! You may bring your own food in (no drinks)!

Participants are WINNERS of three standup contests 9/05, 12 & 19. Pageant Winner gets title and $200 cash prize. Audience votes thru ballot!
Free snacks and outside food allowed.
9/5 winner Zandra Johnson
9/12 winners tied Roman Fraden & Jordan Julius
9/19 winner Jason Reel
Plus mystery wild card contestant!
This show is more than just great standup! Contestants must vie for the title through games. Audience votes thru ballot.

More info contact Michele at [email protected]
Tickets: https://theorangepeel.net/event/standup-comedy-pageant/pulp/asheville-north-carolina/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ECfza5TKK/
IG: @SliceofLifeComedy

Friday, February 7, 2025
Voices of Impact: An Evening of Storytelling, Ideas and Inspiration
Feb 7 @ 6:00 pm
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

February 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the historic Wortham Center for the Performing Arts as Voices of Impact takes the stage to inspire and ignite change. This one-of-a-kind event brings together visionary speakers to explore the profound connections between leadership, community, and the planet through powerful stories, innovative ideas, and inspirational perspectives.

What to Expect:

  • Inspiring Talks: Thought-provoking presentations from changemakers across sectors such as business and leadership, culture, finance, and nature.
  • Interactive Engagement: Opportunities for audience participation and meaningful dialogue.
  • Speaker Q&A: A chance to connect directly with the speakers during a post-event discussion.

Voices of Impact creates a space where ideas flow, voices are amplified, and connections flourish. Come with curiosity, leave with inspiration and practical next steps, and join a community committed to shaping a better future.

We invite business leaders, visionaries, and curious minds to join us in celebrating the power of ideas, leadership, and collaboration.

Seats are limited—don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this extraordinary night!

Saturday, February 8, 2025
Bike Love ’25 @ Eulogy
Feb 8 all-day
Eulogy

Bike Love ’25 @ Eulogy is Asheville on Bikes’ annual fundraiser.

Whether you ride or just love a great party, Bike Love ’25 is where music, community, and high-energy vibes come together. Bring your crew, hit the dance floor, and celebrate the joy of movement—on and off the bike!