Entertainment & Events in Asheville, North Carolina

Special Events

Carolina Bonsai Expo 828-665-2492
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28805
North Carolina Arboretum
The largest Bonsai show in the Southeast, this two day event features outstanding Bonsai, exhibits, demonstrations, a live auction, and a market place. more
Asheville Civic Center 828-259-5736 or 828-259-5544
87 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Located in Downtown Asheville
A major entertainment facility for Western North Carolina, the Asheville Civic Center hosts several dramas, music performances, pageants, conventions and festivals per year in its Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The Center also includes an Exhibition Hall on the bottom level, an Arena Floor immediately above, and a third level complex which includes a glass-enclosed concourse. It has excellent acoustic and lighting systems and is also the performance space for the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. more
Art Walk 828-258-0710 #108
From April to October, the first Friday of every other month, restaurants are filled as people enjoy the surrounding galleries and shops which extend their hours. more
Harvest Home Celebration 828-211-9805
1 Approach Road
Asheville, NC 28801
Located at the Biltmore Estate
Celebrate the changing of the seasons and the Appalachian heritage with craft demonstrations, storytelling, music, and dance at this weekend festival in September. more

Cinema

Regal Hollywood Cinemas 14 828-274-9500
1640 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
Features critically-acclaimed films, alternative productions, restored classics and first-run foreign movies. more
Fine Arts Theatre 828-232-1536
36 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
Located in Downtown Asheville
Housed in an elegant and historic Art Deco building, the Fine Arts Theatre shows an array of first run art and independent films on its two screens. more
Carmike 10 828-298-4452
121 River Hills Road
Asheville, NC 28805
more
UA Beaucatcher 7 828-298-1234
321 Haw Creek Lane
Asheville, NC 28805
Features critically-acclaimed films, alternative productions, restored classics and first-run foreign movies. more

Night Life

Imperial Life, The 828-254-8980
48 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801
A low-light, grown-up bar above Table Restaurant in downtown Asheville, the Imperial Life offers an extensive selection of small batch spirits, local beers on tap, seasonal changing craft cocktails, a wine list with lesser-known and esoteric varietals and an inventive small plate menu that includes house-made charcuterie, artisan cheeses, raw oysters & sashimi, lamb tartare, and salads. more
Orange Peel Social Aid & Pleasure Club, The 828-225-5851
101 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
On the Corner of Biltmore & Hilliard Avenue
"One of the Southeast’s preeminent concert venues," the Orange Peel Social Aid & Pleasure Club features state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment. Acts over the years have included Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, Blondie, Spoon, Sonic Youth, Damien Rice, Arcade Fire, Joan Jett, My Morning Jacket, Lauryn Hill, Ice Cube, Lucinda Williams, Cyndi Lauper, Modest Mouse, the Beastie Boys, and the Smashing Pumpkins. more

Concerts & Performances

Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival 828-298-3325 Ext 3050
Warren Wilson College
This month long chamber music series features 15 concerts of traditional and contemporary composers presenting beautiful music. more
Shindig on the Green 828-258-6101
City/County Plaza
Outdoor Southern Appalachian music and dance evening event that takes place on the 5th, 12th, and 19th of July and includes clogging, bluegrass, and old-time music and dancing. more
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival 828-258-6101
Diana Wortham Theatre
America's original folk festival, this two day festival features three evening performances of old-time and blue grass music by some of the finest traditional musicians in West North Carolina. Traditional Southern Appalachian dancing is also featured during this festival. more
Summer Evening Concerts 828-274-6333
Biltmore Estate
Month long concert event that takes place on the weekends throughout August at the South Terrace of the Biltmore House. Listen to some of the most noted names in entertainment performing an array of outstanding music during these concerts. Reservations are required. more
Grey Eagle 828-232-5800
185 Clingman Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
The Grey Eagle is a listening room-style concert venue with a capacity of 610 for standing room only and 310 for seated events. more

Plays & Productions

Asheville Community Theatre 828-254-1320
35 East Walnut Street
Asheville, NC 28801
This Western North Carolina theater has been offering professional quality productions since 1946 and presents an array of comedies, musicals, and dramas throughout the year. The theater is also involved in education and community outreach programs plus offers an "Act I Mystery Production" troupe to add a bit of fun, mystery, and suspense to any party or event. more
Diana Wortham Theatre 828-257-4530
2 South Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801
Downtown Asheville
This intimate 500-seat theater is host to more than 150 performances annually by professional touring artists and local arts organizations. Dramatic productions, musical concerts, and dance productions are among the performances that are featured. more

Arts & Crafts Shows

Village Art & Craft Fair 828-274-2831
Grounds of All Souls Cathedral in Biltmore Village
Over 120 exhibitors from ten different states will be representing all styles of media during this two day arts and crafts show that features a wide display of paintings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery, glassware, and metal treasures to take home as gifts for all occasions. more
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands 828-298-7928
87 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Held at the Civic Center in Downtown Asheville
The bi-annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands features over 200 craftspeople with fine handcrafted items, live local musicians, and craft educators. more

Festivals & Fairs

Spring Herb Festival 828-689-5974
Brevard Road
Asheville, NC 28805
WNC Farmer's Market
The largest herb festival in the Southwest, this three day festival features over 50 vendors offering a wide assortment of herb plants and herbal products. Educational programs are offered. more
4th of July Celebration 828-529-5800
City/County Plaza
The largest 4th of July celebration in the region, this event features live entertainment, special children's activities, delicious foods, and a grand finale fireworks show. more
Red, White & Blues 828-274-6333
Biltmore Estate Winery
Celebrate the 4th of July during this unique three day holiday celebration that includes live blues and jazz music, fine wines and foods, a variety of games and activities for children, cooking demonstrations, and wine programs. more
Sourwood Festival 828-669-2300
207 Sutton Avenue
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Black Mountain
Two day street festival held every August in downtown Black Mountain. Features over 150 booths filled with arts and crafts, as well as delicious food, live music, an 8K road race, and one-mile Fun Run for kids.
Sponsored By: Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce
Goombay! Festival 828-252-4614
Market & Eagle Streets, Downtown Asheville
A three day outdoor celebration of African-American and African-Caribbean cultures that includes exotic music, dancing, food, crafts, and a children's area. Held every August. more
Heritage Weekend 828-665-2492
382 Blue Ridge Parkway
Asheville, NC 28805
Held at the Blue Ridge Parkway's Folk Art Center
The annual Heritage Weekend features the World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition, traditional music and dancing, storytelling and heritage craft demonstrations. Experts on beekeeping, canning and preserving, coopering, heritage toy making, blacksmithing, natural dyeing, spinning, quilting, whittling, basket weaving and folk pottery will be on hand.
Sponsored By: Southern Highland Craft Guild
Greek Festival 828-253-3754
227 Cumberland Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Celebrating the Greek community in the region, this two day festival features authentic Greek foods and pastries, cooking demonstrations, native Greek folk dancing, live music, and imported Greek novelties. more
National Truffle Fest 919-845-8880
11 Boston Way
Asheville, NC 28803
Grand Bohemian Hotel
This decadent weekend takes place in the rustic beauty of the Grand Bohemian Hotel and pairs some of Asheville's most highly-acclaimed restaurants with outstanding winemakers for a weekend of unforgettable dining. All proceeds generated will be given to the Frankie Lemmon Foundation. more

Seminars & Symposiums

Grandfather Camera Clinic 828-733-2013
Grandfather Mountain
Held annually on the third weekend in August, this two day seminar and clinic will feature presentations by some of the nation's top news photographers and professionals with an emphasis on press photography applications. Professional and serious amateur photographers are invited to attend. more

Sporting Events

Asheville Tourists Baseball Club 828-258-0428
30 Buchanan Place
Asheville, NC 28801
Located at Historic McCormick Field
A minor league Class A Affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, the Asheville Tourists Baseball Club's regular schedule is from April to September. more
Asheville Grizzlies 828-257-2518
515 Hiawassee Avenue
Asheville, NC 28711
Located at Memorial Stadium
Asheville Grizzlies are a Professional Minor League Football Team owned and operated by AGPA, Inc., a non-profit organization "dedicated to providing an avenue for young men to pursue their desire to continue playing the game they truly love and to provide an avenue to develop and hone their skills to make the jump to the next level of Professional Football." Their regular scheduled season is from June to September.

Parades

Montreat Parade 828-669-2911
Montreat, Lake Susan
The whole family will enjoy this fun, and funny, 4th of July parade and festival around the scenic Lake Susan. more
Asheville Holiday Parade 828-251-4147
Downtown Asheville
An Asheville tradition celebrating over 60 years, this year's theme is "Joy to the World - Holiday Celebrations Around the Globe." more

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