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.

Saturday, December 16, 2023
3rd Annual Winter Wonder Walk presented by Asheville Plays
Dec 16 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Adventure Center of Asheville

Winter Wonder Walk is a live action storybook walk, and a memorable winter festival. Guests will walk through an outdoor trail while our actors bring the pages of the giant book to life. Guests set out on a quest through the kingdom of Winterland and try to find Jack Frost while meeting several wonderful characters along the way.
Before or after the trail itself, there is a large festival tent featuring a holiday market, Mrs.Claus meet and greet, a kids play area, cozy cups of hot chocolate and warm eats. Winter Wonder Walk is also the home of Asheville’s largest snowball fight with our friendly and silly ‘Snow Sprites.’ In addition to all of this, the Adventure Center runs their two aerial glow treetops courses.
Every ticket to this event will raise 4 meals for Manna foodbank, it is not only a wonderful holiday experience, it also supports our entire community. This event demonstrates the magic of reading and inspires children to pick up a book. Any child that participates in our reading program and reads 10 books will receive entry to the Winter Wonder Walk. Glow Trail admission is only available with a combo pass. Tickets available online or at the door. www.winterwonderwalk.com 4 and under FREE

A DIckens’ Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts
Dec 16 @ 7:00 pm
Black Mountain Center for the Arts

From the bounty shores of England comes the Styckes-Upon-Thump Repertory Theatre Company, a stuffy old traveling troupe embarking on their fifteenth annual farewell tour of Dickens’ tale. The company includes Sir Selsdon Piddick, the consummate actor, in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, with Mrs. Bettina Salisbury, Dame Rowena Middleton-Lewis, Mrs. Cordelia ffoliet-ffolkes ffortescue Woods, Teddy Shub, and Elyot Crummels in multiple supporting roles. On this fateful Christmas Eve night, various forms of mayhem ensue as this professional company scrambles to keep the show going and everything that could go possibly wrong does, with hilarious, ridiculous results!

double feature: Annie Kids and Oliver Jr.
Dec 16 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Performing Arts Academy

Annie KIDS & Oliver JR

Community Program

December 15-17, 2023

Asheville High School

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of family entertainment with a spectacular double feature: Annie Kids and Oliver Jr.

 

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of family entertainment with a spectacular double feature: Annie Kids and Oliver Jr.

Annie Kids will whisk you away to the heartwarming tale of little orphan Annie, her indomitable spirit, and her quest to find a loving family. With catchy tunes and delightful young performers, this junior version of the classic musical is a treat for all ages.

Then, step into the enchanting world of Oliver Jr. where young Oliver Twist embarks on a remarkable journey through the streets of Victorian London, encountering unforgettable characters and unforgettable melodies. With its captivating choreography and a powerful message of resilience, this show will tug at your heartstrings.

Two timeless stories, one magical evening. Join us for a night of music, merriment, and the enduring themes of hope and family. Don’t miss this double feature that will leave you humming the tunes and inspired by the young stars of the stage.

A Christmas Memory
Dec 16 @ 7:30 pm
St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church

Truman Capote’s beloved short story, A Christmas Memory, will once again be performed as a one-man show by actor and theologian Dr. E.R. Haire, Jr. at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness.

Performances will be held in the Wilderness Room on the following dates:

  • Friday, December 15, at 7:30pm
  • Saturday, December 16, at 7:30pm
  • Sunday, December 17, at 2:00pm
  • Sunday, December 17, at 7:30pm

The show is free to the public, but attendance is limited to 55 people per performance. RSVP is required. If the performance you would like to see is full, please consider a different performance, and/or add your name to the waitlist. Face masks are optional.

A Christmas Memory takes place during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Until he was ten years old, Truman Capote lived with elderly relatives in a small town in rural Alabama. The story is a frankly autobiographical account of those years, especially of his relationship with one of the elderly cousins, Miss Sook Faulk. This is the 21st year Dr. Haire has performed the story, from Los Angeles to Edinburgh, Scotland, with many stops in between.

A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
Dec 16 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

It’s beginning to look a lot like…you got it! Keep the family tradition going. Same great quality, all new show! Come celebrate the season here on ‘The Rock’ with the always popular A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas! Join in and sing along to some of your favorite holiday tunes like, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Jingle Bells,” “O Holy Night,” and many more. With an incredible cast

featuring dancers from Pat’s School of Dance and the Flat Rock Playhouse Chorus, there is truly no better way to kick off your holiday season!

Elf the Musical Jr.
Dec 16 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity.

EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (AND THEN SOME!)
Dec 16 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

By: Michael Carleton, Jim FitzGerald, and John K. Alvarez
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
(www.playscripts.com)

Director: Jonathan Forrester

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours
Rating: PG due to mild language and the truth about Santa

Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told – plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. Part vaudeville and part Complete Works of William Shakespeare…AbridgedEvery Christmas Story Ever Told  is a fast, furious, and slightly irreverent look at holiday traditions. Santa Claus, Rudolph, the Grinch, and just about every other seasonal character, make an appearance in this racy comedy that will have you laughing all the way to the New Year!

Jeeves Takes a Bow
Dec 16 @ 7:30 pm
NC Stage Co.

Written by Margaret Raether

based on the writings of P.G. Wodehouse

 

*Please note, this performance is NOT included in the 2023-24 Season Pass*

tickets are, however, available at a 10% discount with the purchase of a season pass

Join us for an holiday presentation of Jeeves Takes a Bow! The British upper crust meets the New York mob in this witty play. Everyone’s favorite hapless hero, Bertie Wooster, embarks on an American adventure armed only with his handsome fortune, his talent for trouble, and his remarkable manservant, Jeeves. In less than a New York minute, they’re knee-deep in trouble with vengeful gangsters, chorus girls, and a new Broadway musical. 

New Queer’s Eve
Dec 16 @ 7:30 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

A world premiere! Written by Jason Phillips, Abby Auman, Eli Hamilton, and Mickey Poandl and directed by Dwight Chiles.

Maybe it’s much too early in the game, but I thought I’d ask you just the same, what are you doing New Year’s? New Queer’s Eve provides a glimpse into the struggle, absurdity, camaraderie, and joy around this holiday from a LGBTQIA+ lens. The show takes place in one location, and spans several decades of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Through interconnected stories told by a collaboration of queer writers, New Queer’s Eve invites audiences to share in the joys and struggles of queer life through the decades.

*Content notification: language; sensitive subject matter; talk of death; brief burlesque scene (no full nudity.)

December 1 – 16, 2023
Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 4pm

NEW QUEER’S EVE
Dec 16 @ 7:30 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

NEW QUEER’S EVE
Developed by a Collaboration of Queer Writers
Directed by Dwight Chiles

Maybe it’s much too early in the game, but I thought I’d ask you just the same, what are you doing New Year’s? Join us for a look at this holiday through a new lens. New Queer’s Eve takes place in one location over multiple New Year’s Eve celebrations and provides a glimpse into the LGBTQIA+ experience through time. Through interconnected stories told by a collaboration of queer writers, New Queer’s Eve invites audiences to share in the joys and struggles of queer life through the decades.

Sunday, December 17, 2023
London Raffle
Dec 17 all-day
online

The London Raffle is limited to just 250 tickets, giving you great odds to win a travel package value up to $9,000, including flights, hotel stays, and $500 to experience the sights and sounds of London. This raffle ends December 31, 2023 or when tickets sell out.

The London Raffle prize includes:

  • Two (2) round-trip from Charlotte – Non-stop on British Airways Economy Plus
  •  Transfers to and from the airport to your hotel
  • Accommodations for Five (5) nights at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, in a Superior
    Double with Breakfast daily
  • Up to $500 to spend on guided tours or additional theatre tickets
  • Personal consultation with Foothills Travel to customize your trip
  • On-site concierge provided through MyBucketListEvents

The winner of the Asheville Community Theatre London Raffle will work with David Lloyd of Foothills Travel to customize their London adventure.

A Christmas Memory
Dec 17 @ 2:00 pm
St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church

Truman Capote’s beloved short story, A Christmas Memory, will once again be performed as a one-man show by actor and theologian Dr. E.R. Haire, Jr. at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness.

Performances will be held in the Wilderness Room on the following dates:

  • Friday, December 15, at 7:30pm
  • Saturday, December 16, at 7:30pm
  • Sunday, December 17, at 2:00pm
  • Sunday, December 17, at 7:30pm

The show is free to the public, but attendance is limited to 55 people per performance. RSVP is required. If the performance you would like to see is full, please consider a different performance, and/or add your name to the waitlist. Face masks are optional.

A Christmas Memory takes place during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Until he was ten years old, Truman Capote lived with elderly relatives in a small town in rural Alabama. The story is a frankly autobiographical account of those years, especially of his relationship with one of the elderly cousins, Miss Sook Faulk. This is the 21st year Dr. Haire has performed the story, from Los Angeles to Edinburgh, Scotland, with many stops in between.

A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
Dec 17 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

It’s beginning to look a lot like…you got it! Keep the family tradition going. Same great quality, all new show! Come celebrate the season here on ‘The Rock’ with the always popular A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas! Join in and sing along to some of your favorite holiday tunes like, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Jingle Bells,” “O Holy Night,” and many more. With an incredible cast

featuring dancers from Pat’s School of Dance and the Flat Rock Playhouse Chorus, there is truly no better way to kick off your holiday season!

A Swannanoa Solstice
Dec 17 @ 2:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

For more than 20 years, this beloved local holiday tradition has ushered in the winter season with a joyful infusion of performances by the best and brightest artists in our region. This year, the celebration welcomes the next generation of musicians to the stage to spread seasonal warmth, magic and cheer with Celtic, American-roots and world-influenced music, rousing dance and timeless stories — illuminating winter’s darkest day with wonder and peace.

The 2023 A Swannanoa Solstice features performances by:

-John Doyle
-John Goforth
-E.J. Jones & The Piper Jones Band
-Jane Kramer
-Becky Stone
-Zoe & Cloyd

Jeeves Takes a Bow
Dec 17 @ 2:00 pm
NC Stage Co.

Written by Margaret Raether

based on the writings of P.G. Wodehouse

 

*Please note, this performance is NOT included in the 2023-24 Season Pass*

tickets are, however, available at a 10% discount with the purchase of a season pass

Join us for an holiday presentation of Jeeves Takes a Bow! The British upper crust meets the New York mob in this witty play. Everyone’s favorite hapless hero, Bertie Wooster, embarks on an American adventure armed only with his handsome fortune, his talent for trouble, and his remarkable manservant, Jeeves. In less than a New York minute, they’re knee-deep in trouble with vengeful gangsters, chorus girls, and a new Broadway musical. 

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Dec 17 @ 2:00 pm
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

The beloved family tradition is back: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet! Gather your loved ones for the warm-glow-nostalgia of America’s favorite Christmas celebration. Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger than life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes. Don’t miss this chance to experience the wonder of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. Get tickets now!

double feature: Annie Kids and Oliver Jr.
Dec 17 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Asheville Performing Arts Academy

Annie KIDS & Oliver JR

Community Program

December 15-17, 2023

Asheville High School

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of family entertainment with a spectacular double feature: Annie Kids and Oliver Jr.

 

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of family entertainment with a spectacular double feature: Annie Kids and Oliver Jr.

Annie Kids will whisk you away to the heartwarming tale of little orphan Annie, her indomitable spirit, and her quest to find a loving family. With catchy tunes and delightful young performers, this junior version of the classic musical is a treat for all ages.

Then, step into the enchanting world of Oliver Jr. where young Oliver Twist embarks on a remarkable journey through the streets of Victorian London, encountering unforgettable characters and unforgettable melodies. With its captivating choreography and a powerful message of resilience, this show will tug at your heartstrings.

Two timeless stories, one magical evening. Join us for a night of music, merriment, and the enduring themes of hope and family. Don’t miss this double feature that will leave you humming the tunes and inspired by the young stars of the stage.

Elf: The Musical
Dec 17 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Get ready to embrace the spirit of Christmas with Elf: The Musical, a heartwarming and hilarious adaptation of the beloved 2003 holiday film. This enchanting musical follows the journey of Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole who embarks on a journey to New York City to find his real father. Through catchy, uplifting songs and zany comedic antics, Elf: The Musical serves a healthy dose of holiday cheer, laughter, and life lessons about identity, family, and the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a magical, festive spectacle guaranteed to light up the holiday season for all ages!

A talkback with the cast & crew of Elf: The Musical will be held following the performances on December 3rd and 10th.

RTS: Charlotte’s Web
Dec 17 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Come visit the Zuckerman farm where you will meet Wilbur the Pig, Templeton the Rat, the Goose, the Gander, and Charlotte the Spider to witness the miracles that can happen through the simple act of friendship.

EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (AND THEN SOME!)
Dec 17 @ 3:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

By: Michael Carleton, Jim FitzGerald, and John K. Alvarez
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
(www.playscripts.com)

Director: Jonathan Forrester

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours
Rating: PG due to mild language and the truth about Santa

Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told – plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. Part vaudeville and part Complete Works of William Shakespeare…AbridgedEvery Christmas Story Ever Told  is a fast, furious, and slightly irreverent look at holiday traditions. Santa Claus, Rudolph, the Grinch, and just about every other seasonal character, make an appearance in this racy comedy that will have you laughing all the way to the New Year!

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Dec 17 @ 6:00 pm
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

The beloved family tradition is back: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet! Gather your loved ones for the warm-glow-nostalgia of America’s favorite Christmas celebration. Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger than life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes. Don’t miss this chance to experience the wonder of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. Get tickets now!

A Swannanoa Solstice
Dec 17 @ 7:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

For more than 20 years, this beloved local holiday tradition has ushered in the winter season with a joyful infusion of performances by the best and brightest artists in our region. This year, the celebration welcomes the next generation of musicians to the stage to spread seasonal warmth, magic and cheer with Celtic, American-roots and world-influenced music, rousing dance and timeless stories — illuminating winter’s darkest day with wonder and peace.

The 2023 A Swannanoa Solstice features performances by:

-John Doyle
-John Goforth
-E.J. Jones & The Piper Jones Band
-Jane Kramer
-Becky Stone
-Zoe & Cloyd

A Christmas Memory
Dec 17 @ 7:30 pm
St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church

Truman Capote’s beloved short story, A Christmas Memory, will once again be performed as a one-man show by actor and theologian Dr. E.R. Haire, Jr. at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness.

Performances will be held in the Wilderness Room on the following dates:

  • Friday, December 15, at 7:30pm
  • Saturday, December 16, at 7:30pm
  • Sunday, December 17, at 2:00pm
  • Sunday, December 17, at 7:30pm

The show is free to the public, but attendance is limited to 55 people per performance. RSVP is required. If the performance you would like to see is full, please consider a different performance, and/or add your name to the waitlist. Face masks are optional.

A Christmas Memory takes place during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Until he was ten years old, Truman Capote lived with elderly relatives in a small town in rural Alabama. The story is a frankly autobiographical account of those years, especially of his relationship with one of the elderly cousins, Miss Sook Faulk. This is the 21st year Dr. Haire has performed the story, from Los Angeles to Edinburgh, Scotland, with many stops in between.

Elf the Musical Jr.
Dec 17 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity.

Monday, December 18, 2023
Asheville Community Theatre Flex Pass
Dec 18 all-day
Asheville Community Theatre
These passes allow your loved ones to enjoy any combination of performances.  They can attend Matilda: The Musical 3 times, or in a group of 3, or attend the next 3 performances in our mainstage season: Flyin’ West, Matilda: The Musical, and Alfred Hitchock’s The 39 Steps.

Give the gift of live theatre this holiday season.

London Raffle
Dec 18 all-day
online

The London Raffle is limited to just 250 tickets, giving you great odds to win a travel package value up to $9,000, including flights, hotel stays, and $500 to experience the sights and sounds of London. This raffle ends December 31, 2023 or when tickets sell out.

The London Raffle prize includes:

  • Two (2) round-trip from Charlotte – Non-stop on British Airways Economy Plus
  •  Transfers to and from the airport to your hotel
  • Accommodations for Five (5) nights at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, in a Superior
    Double with Breakfast daily
  • Up to $500 to spend on guided tours or additional theatre tickets
  • Personal consultation with Foothills Travel to customize your trip
  • On-site concierge provided through MyBucketListEvents

The winner of the Asheville Community Theatre London Raffle will work with David Lloyd of Foothills Travel to customize their London adventure.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Asheville Community Theatre Flex Pass
Dec 19 all-day
Asheville Community Theatre
These passes allow your loved ones to enjoy any combination of performances.  They can attend Matilda: The Musical 3 times, or in a group of 3, or attend the next 3 performances in our mainstage season: Flyin’ West, Matilda: The Musical, and Alfred Hitchock’s The 39 Steps.

Give the gift of live theatre this holiday season.

London Raffle
Dec 19 all-day
online

The London Raffle is limited to just 250 tickets, giving you great odds to win a travel package value up to $9,000, including flights, hotel stays, and $500 to experience the sights and sounds of London. This raffle ends December 31, 2023 or when tickets sell out.

The London Raffle prize includes:

  • Two (2) round-trip from Charlotte – Non-stop on British Airways Economy Plus
  •  Transfers to and from the airport to your hotel
  • Accommodations for Five (5) nights at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, in a Superior
    Double with Breakfast daily
  • Up to $500 to spend on guided tours or additional theatre tickets
  • Personal consultation with Foothills Travel to customize your trip
  • On-site concierge provided through MyBucketListEvents

The winner of the Asheville Community Theatre London Raffle will work with David Lloyd of Foothills Travel to customize their London adventure.

A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
Dec 19 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

It’s beginning to look a lot like…you got it! Keep the family tradition going. Same great quality, all new show! Come celebrate the season here on ‘The Rock’ with the always popular A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas! Join in and sing along to some of your favorite holiday tunes like, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Jingle Bells,” “O Holy Night,” and many more. With an incredible cast

featuring dancers from Pat’s School of Dance and the Flat Rock Playhouse Chorus, there is truly no better way to kick off your holiday season!

A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
Dec 19 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

It’s beginning to look a lot like…you got it! Keep the family tradition going. Same great quality, all new show! Come celebrate the season here on ‘The Rock’ with the always popular A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas! Join in and sing along to some of your favorite holiday tunes like, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Jingle Bells,” “O Holy Night,” and many more. With an incredible cast

featuring dancers from Pat’s School of Dance and the Flat Rock Playhouse Chorus, there is truly no better way to kick off your holiday season!