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 for our next Smart Series session, “Your People, Your Power – How Lifting Up Your Employees Attracts Clients & Talent” on Wednesday, December 4, from Noon to 1 PM at the Chamber.
This session will reveal how highlighting your employees’ unique stories can drive recruitment, strengthen marketing, and build a positive workplace culture. Learn why people connect with people—more than just brand logos—and how that connection can translate to growth for your organization.
Award-winning writer and director Chris Bainbridge will guide the discussion, sharing strategies to showcase your team’s personal stories. By celebrating employees’ achievements and lives beyond work, organizations create a culture that attracts top talent and builds customer loyalty.
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Come see us Dec. 6-8 at our Holiday Gem Show! You’ll find everything from affordable treasures to the finest gems, minerals, and jewelry in the Southeast.
Admission is free and this is a fun family friendly event. Food and drink are available daily.
There’s something for everyone, from seasoned rockhounds to new collectors and jewelry lovers. You can visit over 35 locally and nationally known vendors. Our vendors enjoy sharing their expert knowledge and have top quality treasures that make great gifts.
Shop for everything you need for your rock collecting hobby: all kinds of rocks, gems, and crystals, WNC and US gemstones, minerals directly from the rockhound who collected them, sterling silver gemstone jewelry, cabochons and faceted gems, lapidary equipment, slabs, and faceting material, moldavite, tektites, meteorites, trinitite, unusual mineral specimens, polished stones, gemstone animal carvings, and so much more!
The Mountain Area Gem & Mineral Association
M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Holiday Gem Show 2024 hours:
December 6: 9 AM-6 PM
December 7: 9 AM-6 PM
December 8: 10 AM-4 PM
Location:
Land of the Sky Event Venue
39 Spring Cove Rd
Swannanoa, NC
28778
We host the M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Gem Show 4 times a year and this is an event that you can keep coming back to!
Enjoy a uniquely elevated holiday experience created by the partnership of Greenville Convention Center’s Annual Holiday Fair and Rotary Club of Greenville’s Kringle Holiday Village.
Holiday Fair & Kringle Village will delight locals and draw visitors to the Upstate for three days of holiday fun December 5-7, 2024, at the Greenville Convention Center.
Greenville Convention Center will transform into a Winter Wonderland featuring a massive vendor market, roving performers, a European Bier Garden, the North Pole children’s play area, Santa’s Workshop, The Enchanted Tea Party, Little Miss Kringle Pageant, holiday movie night, snowball fights, main stage entertainment, the Grand Carousel, visits with Santa and more!
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Come see us Dec. 6-8 at our Holiday Gem Show! You’ll find everything from affordable treasures to the finest gems, minerals, and jewelry in the Southeast.
Admission is free and this is a fun family friendly event. Food and drink are available daily.
There’s something for everyone, from seasoned rockhounds to new collectors and jewelry lovers. You can visit over 35 locally and nationally known vendors. Our vendors enjoy sharing their expert knowledge and have top quality treasures that make great gifts.
Shop for everything you need for your rock collecting hobby: all kinds of rocks, gems, and crystals, WNC and US gemstones, minerals directly from the rockhound who collected them, sterling silver gemstone jewelry, cabochons and faceted gems, lapidary equipment, slabs, and faceting material, moldavite, tektites, meteorites, trinitite, unusual mineral specimens, polished stones, gemstone animal carvings, and so much more!
The Mountain Area Gem & Mineral Association
M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Holiday Gem Show 2024 hours:
December 6: 9 AM-6 PM
December 7: 9 AM-6 PM
December 8: 10 AM-4 PM
Location:
Land of the Sky Event Venue
39 Spring Cove Rd
Swannanoa, NC
28778
We host the M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Gem Show 4 times a year and this is an event that you can keep coming back to!
Enjoy a uniquely elevated holiday experience created by the partnership of Greenville Convention Center’s Annual Holiday Fair and Rotary Club of Greenville’s Kringle Holiday Village.
Holiday Fair & Kringle Village will delight locals and draw visitors to the Upstate for three days of holiday fun December 5-7, 2024, at the Greenville Convention Center.
Greenville Convention Center will transform into a Winter Wonderland featuring a massive vendor market, roving performers, a European Bier Garden, the North Pole children’s play area, Santa’s Workshop, The Enchanted Tea Party, Little Miss Kringle Pageant, holiday movie night, snowball fights, main stage entertainment, the Grand Carousel, visits with Santa and more!
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Come celebrate our 10th anniversary with us and support local artists & antique vendors that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The market will be held at the beautiful Haywood Park Hotel Event Space, 46 Haywood Street, from 10 am – 4 pm both days.
Admission is FREE! Park on the street or in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center or Wall Street Parking Decks.
Adoptable puppies with Mountain Pet Rescue. This is an INDOOR market and service dogs only are allowed.
Food & coffee onsite
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
The Big Crafty — a hand-to-heart celebration of creative exuberance — returns on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, noon-6 p.m. daily at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena in downtown Asheville. $10 entry on Saturday, free to enter on Sunday.
Now, perhaps more than ever, The Big Crafty believes in supporting creative venturers. As Western North Carolina’s creative community recovers from Hurricane Helene, The Big Crafty offers a space for makers to sell their work and for fans of unique art and craft to support those makers … while also snapping up memorable and meaningful holiday gifts.
Shop for ceramics, prints, jewelry, woodwork and more, while also celebrating the vibrant and resurgent creative community of WNC.
Come see us Dec. 6-8 at our Holiday Gem Show! You’ll find everything from affordable treasures to the finest gems, minerals, and jewelry in the Southeast.
Admission is free and this is a fun family friendly event. Food and drink are available daily.
There’s something for everyone, from seasoned rockhounds to new collectors and jewelry lovers. You can visit over 35 locally and nationally known vendors. Our vendors enjoy sharing their expert knowledge and have top quality treasures that make great gifts.
Shop for everything you need for your rock collecting hobby: all kinds of rocks, gems, and crystals, WNC and US gemstones, minerals directly from the rockhound who collected them, sterling silver gemstone jewelry, cabochons and faceted gems, lapidary equipment, slabs, and faceting material, moldavite, tektites, meteorites, trinitite, unusual mineral specimens, polished stones, gemstone animal carvings, and so much more!
The Mountain Area Gem & Mineral Association
M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Holiday Gem Show 2024 hours:
December 6: 9 AM-6 PM
December 7: 9 AM-6 PM
December 8: 10 AM-4 PM
Location:
Land of the Sky Event Venue
39 Spring Cove Rd
Swannanoa, NC
28778
We host the M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Gem Show 4 times a year and this is an event that you can keep coming back to!
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Come celebrate our 10th anniversary with us and support local artists & antique vendors that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The market will be held at the beautiful Haywood Park Hotel Event Space, 46 Haywood Street, from 10 am – 4 pm both days.
Admission is FREE! Park on the street or in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center or Wall Street Parking Decks.
Adoptable puppies with Mountain Pet Rescue. This is an INDOOR market and service dogs only are allowed.
Food & coffee onsite
The Big Crafty — a hand-to-heart celebration of creative exuberance — returns on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, noon-6 p.m. daily at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena in downtown Asheville. $10 entry on Saturday, free to enter on Sunday.
Now, perhaps more than ever, The Big Crafty believes in supporting creative venturers. As Western North Carolina’s creative community recovers from Hurricane Helene, The Big Crafty offers a space for makers to sell their work and for fans of unique art and craft to support those makers … while also snapping up memorable and meaningful holiday gifts.
Shop for ceramics, prints, jewelry, woodwork and more, while also celebrating the vibrant and resurgent creative community of WNC.
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Hear from economist and author, Ben Harris, from the Brookings Institution at this year’s Annual Economic Outlook at the Omni Grove Park Inn on Wednesday, December 11th.
In light of Hurricane Helene’s impact on our region, Ben will not only provide insights into the economic trends shaping the nation and beyond but will also address the importance of community resiliency in the face of natural disasters.
Please join us for this timely discussion on strengthening our economy and building resilience for the future.
Typically, our year-end event is the Venture 15 Awards. This event celebrated the fastest-growing companies in Asheville, spotlighting achievements in high growth and entrepreneurial success. However, following the challenges brought by Hurricane Helene, our community’s priorities have shifted toward resilience, renewal, and long-term impact. In response, Venture Asheville is excited to present the The Venture Asheville Honors – A Telethon Celebrating Entrepreneurial Resilience—a dynamic re-imagining of our annual celebration.
This year’s event is more than an award show; it’s a rallying call to rebuild and strengthen Western North Carolina’s business ecosystem. Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring live entertainment from bluegrass to hip-hop, tarot card readings, and inspiring interviews with entrepreneurs and community leaders. Hosted live on Facebook and in person, the telethon invites everyone to participate as we aim to raise $1 million in mixed funding for Optimist Ventures, a groundbreaking community-first fund. Come be part of a pivotal moment as we move from recovery to reinvention, championing companies that are committed to growing sustainably and making Asheville a beacon of resilience.
This is a theater-style show with individual tickets (no tables) networking, drinks, and food before and after the show.
Ticket includes entry to the show, one drink ticket, and light food.
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
🌟🎁 Step into a festive wonderland at the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County’s Around the World Christmas Market! Join us on Saturday, December 14th, from 12 PM to 5 PM at the Expo Center for a dazzling day of holiday fun.
🛍️ With over 50 vendors, you’ll find the perfect last-minute gifts for those hard-to-shop-for friends and family members. From unique crafts to artisan goodies, there’s something for everyone!
🍽️ Treat yourself to mouth-watering flavors from four food trucks and enjoy delicious locally sourced baked treats at our concessions.
🎤 Experience the magic with live performances from our talented Club Kids and capture the holiday spirit in every note.
🎅 And don’t miss out on a visit from Santa himself—ready to greet you with a ho-ho-ho and listen to all your Christmas wishes!
🎟️ Tickets: $10 General Admission
🍵 Special Feature: Upgrade your general admission with an Around the World Tea Tasting Package, which includes a tea-tasting experience with a Tea Sommelier, all for just $30.
All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County. Come celebrate the season of giving with us and help spread the Christmas cheer! 🎄✨
The Asheville Nativity exhibit entitled “Oh Tidings of Comfort and Joy: Christmas Crèches from Around the World” returns to First Baptist Church of Asheville December 6-15, 2024. The eighth annual Asheville Nativity exhibit is a gift to the community coordinated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and First Baptist Church of Asheville. Nativity displays may be viewed in the dining room at First Baptist Church of Asheville beginning Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 15. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays 5-8PM, Saturdays 10AM-8PM, and Sundays 12PM-8PM.
School groups, retirement communities, or special press visits can be arranged by emailing [email protected]. The complete schedule can be found at www.ashevillenativity.org. Over 250 Nativity scenes from around the world will be on display. This family-friendly event includes a life-size stable with costumes.
A crèche, often called a Nativity scene, is an artistic representation of the birth of Jesus Christ. While focusing on the central figures of the mother Mary and Christ Child, crèche artists often telescope time and place to bring together a host of earthly and heavenly participants—shepherds, animals, wise men, angels, and commoners.
For centuries, the crèche as an art form has flourished in homes and churches worldwide. Whether the crèche depicts 19th-century Italian villagers dressed in silks and jewels or contemporary African animal herders crafted from clay, each representation reflects the unique talents, circumstances and culture of the artist.
This exhibit is an ecumenical effort to highlight the cultural diversity of each crèche on display, while honoring and celebrating the common theme that runs throughout—the birth of Jesus.
Past events have included participation from seven different Asheville area churches and displayed over 250 unique Nativity sets from seventy countries around the world. Thousands of people attend the exhibit each year. Guest comments included: “Awesome!” “Wonderful!” “Lovely!” “Words cannot express the beauty.” “Impressive and beautifully done.”
The event is free to the public. Donations are welcome. Tax-deductible donations can be made by visiting ashevillenativity.org. More information is available on the website or by emailing [email protected]. First Baptist Church of Asheville is located at 5 Oak Street in downtown Asheville.
“Oh Tidings of Comfort and Joy: Christmas Crèches from Around the World”
First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St, downtown Asheville
Free Admission
Weekdays: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
When the Holidays Hurt: The holidays can be difficult. In this season of sparkling lights, festive songs, and our communal efforts to maintain a sense of joy, it can be hard to find a quiet place that acknowledges both our collective grief and our personal struggles.
Please join UU Asheville’s Ministerial Interns and the Pastoral Care Team on December 15, 2024, at 1:30 PM in the sanctuary at 1 Edwin Place Asheville for an annual service that includes music, readings, quiet reflection and healing ritual. All are welcome.
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
Find the perfect gift this holiday season for everyone on your list at the 10th annual 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽! Shop local, shop small and support local artists, makers, and vintage collectors.
We’ve decked the halls of the Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft in Downtown Asheville. Shop over 100 vendors; housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, apparel, vintage clothes, ornaments, candles, gifts for our furry friends and more.
WHEN:
Open Nov 29 through Dec 24
10am-8pm daily
WHERE:
The Ideation Lab inside the Center for Craft
67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801