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.
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
The 8th annual Highlands Food & Wine festival will feature world-class food from renowned local and regional chefs from across the Southeast and music from today’s top artists, as well as fine wine and spirits, specialty dinners and more. Tickets are on sale starting at $270 per person. All tickets include specialty plates from featured chefs, a selection of wines, craft beer, spirits and live music from headliners including Greensky Bluegrass, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Love Canon and Wilder Woods. Daily events include the popular Grand Tasting (Thursday, Nov. 7), Truckin’ (Friday, Nov. 8), Main Event (Friday, Nov. 9) and Sunday’s A Shot at Redemption brunch (Sunday, Nov. 10). For more information and ticket sales, visit highlandsfoodandwine.com
Meet local authors and illustrators at the third annual Write Local, Read Local Fair! Drop-in between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Authors will be selling and signing copies of their work throughout the library and author readings will occur during the afternoon. This event is FREE to the public and no purchase is necessary.
We thank the Friends of the Black Mountain Library for their generous support.
Note: Author slots for this year’s fair are full. If you’re interested in participating next year, please contact the library at [email protected].
Don’t miss out on this literary celebration—mark your calendar and support your local writers and illustrators!
The North Carolina Writers Network and The Brandy Bar + Cocktails present
KATHY SMITH BOWERS & LEE STOCKDALE as next in their series “In the Company of Writers.”
The program offers a series of personal and conversational dialogues featuring guest writers/poets followed by an open mic forum that occurs the 2nd Wednesday of each month. These inspirational gatherings will elucidate and entertain those attending. The guest author speaks from 7-8 PM with an open mic from 8 -9 PM. The Chicago blues music of “Hollywood Johnny Cosgrove” (accompanied by Charlie Wilkinson) welcomes you, continues during intermission, and closes the evening. Sign-ups for the open are available at the entrance.
Cathy Smith Bowers, a former Poet-Laureate of North Carolina, lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The North Carolina Writers Network and The Brandy Bar + Cocktails present
KATHY SMITH BOWERS & LEE STOCKDALE as next in their series “In the Company of Writers”
The program offers a series of personal and conversational dialogues featuring guest writers/poets followed by an open mic forum that occurs the 2nd Wednesday of each month. These inspirational gatherings will elucidate and entertain those attending. The guest author speaks from 7-8 PM with an open mic from 8 -9 PM. The Chicago blues music of “Hollywood Johnny Cosgrove” (accompanied by Charlie Wilkinson) welcomes you, continues during intermission, and closes the evening. Sign-ups for the open are available at the entrance.
Cathy Smith Bowers, a former Poet-Laureate of North Carolina, lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
The original and best tattoo festival is back in Asheville once more for the Fifth Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival! Hosted by Villain Arts at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, this event will feature hundreds of tattoo artists, some from across the country, and a few from around the world, specializing in all different tattooing styles. Some artists you may already even know, like Anwon Boneface Johnson (Ink Master seasons 8, 9 & Grudge Match), Big Jaz (Ink Master season 12), or Charles Whitfield (VH1.) Attendees can enter their new or existing ink in tattoo competitions! Or shop among our numerous vendors selling everything from clothing and jewelry to oddities and more. The festival will also feature live entertainment, including sideshow acts and human suspension! There truly is something here for everyone to enjoy. So, don’t delay! Join the fun and get some ink this weekend at the Fifth Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival!
Event Hours by Day:
Friday 15th 2pm-11pm
Saturday 16th 11am-11pm
Sunday 17th 11am-8pm
Tickets:
$25 for a 1-day pass
$50 for a 3-day pass
Free admission for children under 12
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Asheville, NC — This year, Asheville’s Annual Holiday Parade will take on a fresh twist as it transforms into a vibrant Holiday Jamboree at Pack Square Park, presented by Bojangles! Produced by the Asheville Downtown Association in partnership with the City of Asheville, the Jamboree is a family-friendly celebration of holiday cheer and community spirit, happening on Saturday, November 23.
The Holiday Jamboree will bring the community together with crafts, games, and fun activities for all ages. Stroll through the festive Holiday Market, featuring local artists and retailers, and savor delicious food and drink from popular food trucks and beverage vendors. Santa himself will be on-site for free photos, thanks to the NC Arboretum, and families can enjoy lively performances from local bands, school groups, and dance troupes on the Pack Square stage.
Holiday Jamboree Highlights
11 AM – 3 PM Festive performances from community groups on the Pack Square stage
11 AM – 3 PM Free photos with Santa, sponsored by NC Arboretum
11 AM – 5 PM Holiday Market featuring unique gifts, crafts, and goodies
DJ Phantom Pantone keeping the holiday spirit alive with great tunes, courtesy of AVL Free Events
U LEAF STAGE Performances by local musicians all day at Pack Square Plaza
Plus, the Holiday Jamboree offers an opportunity to celebrate Asheville’s local heroes. Mayor Esther Manheimer will serve as Grand Marshal, honoring our city’s first responders, civil servants, and volunteers who have shown incredible dedication to the community.
Get Involved!
This joyful event invites everyone to experience the magic of the season in downtown Asheville. Those interested in participating as vendors or sponsors are welcome to visit ashevilledowntown.org for more information.
Celebrate the Holidays Together
Bring your family and friends to Pack Square Park for a day filled with food, fun, and holiday spirit. We can’t wait to see you on November 23 for the Holiday Jamboree!
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Dark City Poets Society is a completely free poetry group that is open to writers of all ages and experience levels.
Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6:00-7:30 pm on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) feedback group.
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!
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!
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!
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Blue Ridge Humane Society (BRHS) invites the community to participate in their 4th Annual Historic 7th Avenue District Pup Crawl Paw-liday Edition, presented by Hunter Subaru, on Saturday, December 7th, from 12-5 pm. Participants will purchase “Pawsports” and
enjoy a pet giveaway or treat and a unique pet-themed activity at participating dog-friendly food and beverage businesses, earning stamps at each stop for a chance to win a grand prize.
The event, originally scheduled for October 19th but postponed due to the impact of Hurricane Helene, will now have a holiday theme with a new activity for pets and pet owners: photos with Santa. Pet owners are asked to bring their own cameras. The Brandy Bar + Cocktails, Celtic Creamery, Guidon Brewing Co., M&T Distilling, Southern Appalachian Brewery and White Duck Taco Shop are the host businesses participating in Pup Crawl. The community is encouraged to support these businesses by purchasing food, drinks and/or gift cards regardless of whether they have a Pawsport.
Pawsports are $20 for one dog and $40 for 2 or more dogs from the same household, if purchased by December 4th. After that date, Pawsports can only be purchased on the day of the event and pricing increases to $30 for one dog and $50 for 2 or more dogs from the same household. Human-only Pawsports can be purchased for the same price that will allow participants to collect all six stamps and
be entered into the grand prize drawing. Dogs must be leashed at all times and current on vaccinations. Event will be held rain or shine.
Pawsports are available on the BRHS website, https://www.blueridgehumane.org/get-
involved/events/pupcrawl or by calling (828) 692-2639 ext. 304.
Fletcher Park will have Christmas vendors, Santa Claus, Horse Carriage rides, and live music, food trucks, and more!
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
From holiday spirits to festive brews, revel in the merry-making with drink specials designed to warm your heart and ignite holiday cheer. Whether you’re Santa, an elf, or any other holiday character, make this night an epic adventure with friends old and new.
What’s Included With Your Bar Crawl Ticket?
OVER 4+ VENUES!
WAIVED COVER FEES!
JOIN THE MERRIEST BAR CRAWL EVER!
GENEROUSLY LOW DRINK SPECIALS!
FREE AFTER PARTY!
LIVE DJ AT SELECT VENUES!
TAG US FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED ON OUR SOCIALS
HUNDREDS OF SANTAS!
Don’t miss out on this epic event! Grab your tickets now and let’s make memories together.
Free Tickets Galore!
Want to experience the festive fun on the house? You can earn 2 free tickets by spreading the word! Simply invite your Facebook friends to the event and shoot us a message with the magic words “Free tickets” at https://www.messenger.com/t/pubcrawlsusa. It’s that easy! Limited time offer so hurry before it expires December 1st!
Event Information Cancellations, Refunds, and Event Guidelines
Event Guidelines: As you prepare for this exciting adventure, please remember to drink responsibly. Our event is all about enjoying the moment, but safety is paramount. Never drink and drive – let’s keep the roads as safe as our party! If you have any questions or need more information, be sure to check out our FAQs page at https://pubcrawls.com/faq/. We’ve got answers to all your queries.
Contact Us: Our dedicated customer service team is available 24/7 to assist with any inquiries. Whether it’s regarding tickets, event details, or anything else, we’re here to help. Your questions are important to us, and we guarantee prompt responses. Contact us via email at [email protected]. Visit www.pubcrawls.com for more information and exclusive discounts.
Disclaimer: Must be 21 years or older to participate in our events. All participating bars and their food or drink specials may be subject to change at the venue’s discretion. Free tickets do not include any beverages, shots, promotional items, or supplies provided as part of the paid bar crawl. Must present your ticket at check-in before check-in time ends to receive your wristband. All sales are final, no returns, refunds, or exchanges for services once purchased.
Group Rate :: 4 Single Santas Check In 1pm-4pm: USD 10.99,
General Admission :: Check In 1pm-4pm: USD 19.99
Urban Orchard Cider Co., 24 Buxton Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina, 28801, United States
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Our New Year’s Eve bar crawl isn’t just another party; it’s an exhilarating experience filled with endless memories. Gather your crew and join the thrilling journey from bar to bar, where lively DJs, creative cocktails, and unbeatable vibes await. The atmosphere is electric, with hundreds of NYE revelers coming together for an unforgettable celebration as we toast to 2025!
Why This Bar Crawl is a Must-Do for NYE 2025
Dress to impress and prepare for a night that exceeds all expectations. This New Year’s Eve, immerse yourself in the festive spirit with perks that include:
Digital Bar Crawl Map – Plan your route and hit the best spots in town!
Champagne Toast – Welcome the New Year with a celebratory toast.
Live DJs – Dance to the beats of live music at select venues.
Social Media Feature – Capture unforgettable moments with friends and get featured!
Drink Specials – Enjoy exclusive drink deals all night long.
Free Entry – Skip the cover charges at participating bars.
Photographer/Videographer – Look out for our event photographers to capture the magic.
On-Site Staff – Friendly staff will be on hand to help and guide you.
With your ticket, enjoy waived cover fees, fantastic drink specials, and a digital map that guides you to each venue on the crawl. The best part? Each stop offers a unique New Year’s experience, ensuring your night is packed with energy and fun!
Date: Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
Check-In: 6pm-9pm
After-Party – Keep the excitement going with our exclusive after-party, ensuring your NYE celebration continues well into the night.
Important Information New Years Eve Information
Event Guidelines: As you gear up for this festive adventure, remember to drink responsibly. It’s not a race; it’s a marathon of merry moments. Never, ever drink and drive – let’s keep the roads as joyful as our party! Have burning questions or need more info? Check out our FAQs page. We’ve got answers to all your queries.
Contact Us: Our dedicated customer service team is on standby 24/7, ready to address any inquiries sent to our desk nationwide. Whether it’s ticket issues, event confusion, or anything in between, reach out to us, and we’ll gladly tend to every question you have. Your questions are our priority, and we guarantee timely responses. www.pubcrawls.com Contact Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer: Must be 21 years or older to participate in our events. All participating bars and their food or drink specials may be subject to change at the venue’s discretion. Free tickets do not include any beverages, shots, promotional items, or supplies provided as part of the paid bar crawl. Must present your ticket at check-in before check-in time ends to receive your wristband. All sales are final; no returns, refunds, or exchanges for services once purchased.
Prices:
Group Rate :: 4 or More NYE Bar Crawl + Party: USD 19.99,
Early Bird :: Check In 6pm-9pm: USD 24.99,
After Party :: Check In 8pm: USD 29.99
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)!
NC Writers Network & The Brandy Bar + Cocktails feature author Tony Robles as the next poet in their series “In the Company of Writers.” The program offers a series of personal and conversational dialogues featuring guest writers/poets followed by an open mic forum. These inspirational gatherings will elucidate and entertain those attending. The guest author speaks from 7-8 PM with an open mic from 8 -9 PM. The Chicago blues music of “Hollywood Johnny Cosgrove” (accompanied by Charlie Wilkinson) welcomes you, continues during intermission, and closes the evening. Sign-ups for the open mic are available at the entrance.
Born in San Francisco, Tony Robles now makes his home in Hendersonville. His latest poetry collection, Where the Warehouse Things was published in late 2024 by Redhawk Publications in Hickory, NC. This book focuses on masculinity, set against the backdrop of mechanical parts, tools, and the rough language of men. This, his fourth poetry collection, follows the 2023 collection Thrift Store Metamorphosis (Redhawk Publications). Among his honors, Tony was short-listed for Poet Laureate of San Francisco in 2017, named Carl Sandburg Writer in Residence by the Carl Sandburg Historic Home in 2020 and twice nominated for the Pushcart Prize. He holds an MFA in creative writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is working on his first novel.
HEAVY MOUNTAIN MUSIC & BEER FEST
$95 VIP
Originally scheduled for 10/26/24. Previously purchased tickets will be honored.
Ages 18
Heavy Mountain Music and Beer Fest returns for Halloween weekend of 2024! Bolstering two days of heavy music and spooky vibes, Heavy Mountain makes its way to the Orange Peel and Burial Beer’s Eulogy. Featuring an array of iconic artists and genre spanning acts, exclusive pours from the area’s finest breweries, and hair-raising visual installations to set the mood for the Southeast’s heaviest Halloween Party!
First wave lineup announcement includes legendary atmospheric black metal from Washington’s Wolves in the Throne Room, dark medieval stylings of black metal heroine Hulder, and immersive fantasy/doom from NYC’s Castle Rat. In addition, the fest will feature highly anticipated album release sets from East Tennessee progressive sludge powerhouse Generation of Vipers and Asheville death metal outfit Harsh Realm.
The fest will also include a pre party with Chicago’s post metal pioneers Pelican & an after party of cover sets by local favorites both hosted at Burial Beer’s Eulogy. Heavy Mountain promises a blood curdling weekend of evil. Sure to please Halloween heads, metal maniacs and beer buffs alike with costumes, cover sets, and plenty of beverages.
For more info and tickets visit heavymountainfest
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.
Celebrating its seventh year running in 2025, the *Assembly Required Designer Toy Expo returns to Asheville, and it’s bigger than ever! With a record 50+ artists descending upon Downtown Asheville in February from 21 states including Colorado, South Dakota, Texas, Rhode Island, as well as Canada. As the premiere destination for independent designer, bootleg and art toy artists and collectors from across the North America, *Assembly Required honors this melting pot of artistic expression, inspired by pop culture and street art.
Saturday, February 1, 2025: 11a-5p
Sunday, February 2, 2025: 11a-4p
More information can be found at www.assembly-required.net
Parental discretion is advised.
Led by a certified Inward & Artward Creative Facilitator, Tikva Kingrea, this second annual, pre-Valentine’s Day workshop offers space to connect + craft a love letter from the heart. We’ll talk about the history of love letters complete with examples, what elements go into its writing, how to find and capture meaningful moments, and provide the needed materials to complete a written letter. This is a multi-disciplinary workshop focused around writing. Playful. Meaningful. Connective. Open to lovers of all types! Participants will walk away with:
– creative letter-writing
– a wax-sealed envelope and letter
– meaningful connection exercises
– a shared experience
– snacks
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.
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.