A week-long art camp for 3rd to 5th graders focused on fiber art, including weaving, felting, and collage. Led by an experienced local instructor, the program encourages creativity and hands-on exploration of materials.
12 AM–11:59 PMArt & culture$175
Summer Art Camp | Art & Our Environment (Rising 3rd – 5th grade)
A week-long art camp for 3rd to 5th graders exploring environmental themes through mixed-media projects, including recycled collages and clay creatures. Students build creative problem-solving skills and express personal ideas.
A public meeting of the Board of Adjustment held in person at the City of Asheville. Attendees can observe discussions on zoning and land use matters affecting the community.
6 PMLive music$11.30 – $15.36
PATIO SHOW: Woody Wood & Abe Reid of The Blue Rags
A live music performance on the Grey Eagle patio stage featuring Woody Wood and Abe Reid of The Blue Rags, blending soul, blues, and Appalachian roots music in a casual, all-ages setting.
A free movie screening for children at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company, held weekly on Mondays and Thursdays at multiple times. A family-friendly entertainment option in a casual setting.
A relaxed yoga session designed to help professionals unwind after a long workweek. Held at The Whale in South Slope, this class offers gentle stretches and mindful movement.
A free-to-play Magic: The Gathering Vintage Cube night at DSSOLVR Durham. Players draft from a curated cube, build decks, and enjoy casual games with fellow fans and a free drink for the winner.
Tuesday, July 28
9–11 AMCommunity
Canceled: Special Meeting: City Council Closed Session (Virtual)
A canceled virtual closed session of the City Council. This meeting was intended for internal discussion on city matters and is not open to the public.
3–4 PMCommunity
City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance and Infrastructure
A work session of the City Council focused on policy, finance, and infrastructure. Attendees can observe discussions shaping local government priorities and planning.
A regular City Council meeting where officials discuss and vote on local legislation, budgets, and community issues. Open to public observation and participation.
A live performance by The Paper Crowns, a genre-blending duo combining Appalachian folk, blues, and rock. Their dynamic sound features live looping and multi-instrumental arrangements.
A monthly gathering of the WNC Scale Model Club at the North Asheville Public Library. Model builders of all levels share projects and techniques in a relaxed, community-focused setting.
7:45–9 PMLive musicFree
FREE Community Kirtan Supporting Homeward Bound WNC
An evening of Kirtan chanting and community at The Ayurvedic Institute, supporting Homeward Bound WNC. All donations go to homelessness prevention efforts. No experience needed, open to all ages.
Avant-prog metal and experimental theater from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum at Grey Eagle Music Hall. Expect circuitous melodies, homemade instruments, and dark, evocative sounds in a standing-room-only show.
A virtual meeting of the Public Safety Committee hosted by the City of Asheville. Attendees can participate remotely to discuss community safety issues.
The finale of the Standup Comedy Pageant at Pulp, featuring top comics from regional contests. Audience votes for the winner in a lively, adult-only comedy showdown.
A hybrid meeting of the Economy Recovery Board hosted by the City of Asheville. Attendees can join in person or online to discuss economic recovery initiatives.
4 PMFood & markets
Southeastern Permaculture Gathering at Patterson School Foundation!
A three-day gathering at Patterson School Foundation focused on permaculture, sustainable living, and community. Includes foraging, natural health, and farm-to-table meals.
5 PMLive music
Sunrise Community for Recovery & Wellness 10th Birthday DJ Glow Party
A 10th birthday DJ glow party at Grey Eagle Music Hall celebrating Sunrise Community for Recovery & Wellness. Wear black-light outfits and enjoy music and mocktails in a supportive, inclusive space.
A rooftop comedy show at Antidote featuring local and touring comedians. Enjoy drinks and a sunset view while laughing at sharp, energetic performances.
An outdoor music performance on the Grey Eagle Patio Stage featuring bluegrass and Americana artist Beth Lee and collaborators Kevin Smith and Miriam Allen.
West African world music fusion by Adama Dembele & Les Amis at the Grey Eagle Music Hall, blending traditional djembe and balafon with electric instruments.
Adama Dembele & Les Amis perform high-energy world music at The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, fusing West African rhythms with modern instrumentation.
A free public tour of a featured exhibition at the Asheville Art Museum, led by volunteer educators or staff, exploring current art with no reservations needed.
The Nature Boys perform bluegrass at the Grey Eagle Patio Stage, blending traditional string band music with original songs in a lively outdoor setting.
6 PMLive music
Rhiannon Giddens presents American Tunes: Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing
Rhiannon Giddens hosts a celebration of American music at Hellbender by The Orange Peel, featuring Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mavis Staples, and Hurray for the Riff Raff.
Asheville comedian Robin Plemmons returns with her one-woman show 'Throbbin', sharing raw, humorous stories about health, parenting, and life with unflinching honesty.
7:30–10 PMLive music$12.51
Concert #4: Clara & Robert: Equality, Swannanoa NC
A concert exploring the legacies of Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, and Rebecca Clarke through music. Held at Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church in Swannanoa.
Soul Jazz Revival pays tribute to legendary organ jazz artists like Jimmy Smith and George Benson, featuring local Asheville musicians at Hotel Eve Jazz Club.
This summer art camp for rising 6th to 8th graders explores environmental themes through mixed-media projects, including collages and clay creatures. Students develop creativity and environmental awareness in a structured, hands-on setting.
12 AM–11:59 PMArt & culture$175 – Museum members receive a 10% d...
Summer Art Camp | Landscapes: Real, Remembered, and Reimagined (Rising 6th – 8th grade)
A summer art camp for rising 6th to 8th graders focused on landscape art through drawing, painting, and mixed media. Inspired by museum exhibitions, students explore space, color, and personal expression in a creative learning environment.
9 AM–12 PMArt & culture$175 – Museum members receive a 10% d...
Summer Art Camp | Art & Our Environment (Rising 3rd – 5th grade)
This summer art camp for rising 3rd to 5th graders explores nature and creativity through mixed-media projects like animal habitat collages and clay creatures. Designed for young artists to build confidence and environmental awareness.
5:30–7 PMCommunity
Rescheduled: People and Environment Recovery Board (Hybrid)
A hybrid meeting of the People and Environment Recovery Board, addressing community and environmental issues. Attendees can participate in person or online to discuss local recovery initiatives.
Alex Bazemore & Friends perform live at French Broad Brewing, offering a mix of acoustic and electric sets. The show features a laid-back atmosphere with local music in a casual brewery setting.
6:30–8 PMLive musicCouples registering as leader and fol...
Beginner-friendly Argentine tango classes for couples and individuals. Learn the fundamentals of lead-and-follow dancing in a social, improvisational style with traditional music and supportive instruction.
Jerry’s Dead performs an acoustic and electric tribute to Jerry Garcia’s music at the Grey Eagle Music Hall. A lively, all-ages show celebrating the Grateful Dead’s iconic catalog and side projects.
Local Live with Jay Brown features a rotating lineup of regional musicians in an intimate, collaborative setting. The show emphasizes live performance, artist interaction, and spontaneous musical moments.
A free monthly event at Oak and Grist Distilling Company featuring a new speaker and topic. Attendees gather for informal discussion in a relaxed, outdoor setting.
An open mic night for storytellers at The River Arts District Brewing. Share a five-minute true story in a welcoming, casual atmosphere with a local audience and drinks.
7 PMLive music$36.40 to $46.70
Bill Kirchen: “Cat Out of the Bag” Album Release Show
Bill Kirchen celebrates the release of his album 'Cat Out of the Bag' with a live show at the Grey Eagle Music Hall. A seasoned guitarist and songwriter, Kirchen delivers roots rock and Americana with a rich, authentic sound.
DumbAshe Trivia brings fun and friendly competition to Hi-Wire River Arts District. Test your knowledge across pop culture, history, and general trivia with a crew and a drink in a lively, casual setting.
Wednesday, August 5
12–1 PMArt & cultureFree for Members or included with Mus...
Join a volunteer educator for a Slow Art Tour at the Asheville Art Museum, where close observation fosters relaxation and connection. Reservations required.
Farmers and agricultural professionals gather at Burley Stick Farm for a workshop on agritourism, covering legal, insurance, and business expansion strategies.
Catch Rebekah Todd live on the Grey Eagle Patio Stage, a North Carolina-based artist known for her powerful voice and work with Dumpstaphunk and New Dawn Starkestra.
Enjoy a night of live music at AVL Sounds Fest, featuring Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Improvement Movement, and New Dawn Starkestra at The Orange Peel.
The 18th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival features over 30 rising stars of comedy across three days at the Wortham Center. This major comedy showcase draws talent from across the nation and is a highlight of Asheville's cultural calendar.
Friday, August 7
9–11 AMCommunity
Mountain Community Capital Fund Operating Committee (In-person)
The Mountain Community Capital Fund Operating Committee meets in person at the City of Asheville. This is a governance session for community development funding, open to stakeholders and interested residents.
AVL Sounds Fest brings together Asheville’s live music scene across multiple venues, including Asheville Yards. The festival features diverse acts and offers wristbands for access to 15+ participating locations throughout the city.
7–9:30 PMOn stageTickets DO sell out, order in advance...
Asheville Drag Bingo: Beach Bingo Fundraiser for Our VOICE
Asheville Drag Bingo returns with a barnyard-themed evening at the Hilltop Event Center. Hosted by Divine and Nova, the event features bingo, music, and costumes, with proceeds supporting Our VOICE. Ages 21+.
Thursday Nights at Side B Vinyl Bar feature a curated mix of European mid-tempo, African rhythms, and leftfield disco. Hosted by Ruen, the session is a deep dive into rare and overlooked records with no requests or algorithms.
Movies on the Green returns with a screening of School of Rock at UNC Asheville’s Reynolds Green. Attendees can bring blankets, enjoy lawn games, and grab ice cream before the movie begins at dusk.
Spend a serene evening at Missed Path Sanctuary with sunset yoga and live crystal singing bowls, followed by time with rescued horses and a fireside gathering under the stars.
Saturday, August 8
9:30–11 AMWellness$15 for Members; $20 non-members
The Asheville Art Museum hosts a yoga session that combines mindful movement with guided looking at current exhibitions. All levels welcome, with tea and conversation offered afterward in the education center.
Makerspace at the Asheville Art Museum offers a drop-in art activity for all ages. Participants create their own artwork inspired by the museum’s collection, with children required to be accompanied by an adult.
Jessica White leads a letterpress demonstration at the Asheville Art Museum, where visitors can print keepsakes on handmade paper using vintage presses. Her work spans printmaking, books, and crankies.
The Back to School Bash at the City of Asheville is a community event to welcome the new school year, offering resources and connection for residents of all ages.
2–3 PMArt & cultureFree for Museum Members or included w...
Join a guided tour of the Asheville Art Museum's current featured exhibition, led by volunteer educators or staff. No reservations required, and the tour is included with general admission or free for members.
7–10 PMLive musicFree
Saturday Night Live Music at Bear's Back Alley Bar!
Enjoy live music and Kansas City-style barbecue every Saturday at Bear's Smokehouse Barbecue, with no ticket needed and a casual, welcoming atmosphere.
Experience a DJ set by Neptune Spins at After/Glow, a vibrant nightspot in The Radical, where house and garage beats create a dynamic, feel-good atmosphere.
Witness the return of Enter the Garden, a large-scale theatrical pole dance performance exploring themes of rebuilding after loss, featuring 20 acts by local and national performers.
Sunday, August 9
1–2 PMArt & cultureFree for Members or included with Mus...
Art Break | The Art of Paper with co-curator Cynthia Thompson
Join co-curator Cynthia Thompson for a deep dive into the art of paper during this special Art Break at the Asheville Art Museum, part of the museum’s ongoing exhibition programming.
2–4 PMOn stage$12 for Members; $15 for non-members
Exhibition on Screen | John Singer Sargent: Fashion and Swagger
Watch the film 'John Singer Sargent: Fashion and Swagger' at the Asheville Art Museum, exploring the artist’s influence on fashion, identity, and portraiture through his iconic works.
2–3 PMArt & cultureFree for Museum Members or included w...
Take a guided tour of the Asheville Art Museum’s collection and current exhibitions, led by volunteer educators, with no reservations required and a focus on the museum’s history and art.
6:30–8:30 PMLive music$22 for Members; $25 for non-members
Experience a concert by the New Amsterdam String Band in the Windgate Foundation Atrium at the Asheville Art Museum, featuring virtuosic string performances and an intermission to enjoy the art.
See John Mulaney perform his latest stand-up tour, 'Mister Whatever,' at the Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville, featuring his signature storytelling and sharp humor.
Enjoy a night of big band jazz with the Asheville Jazz Orchestra at White Horse Black Mountain, featuring swing era classics and contemporary compositions.
A sound healing session using gongs, bowls, flutes, and other instruments to promote inner harmony and balance. Ideal for those seeking a meditative, immersive experience.
Monday, August 10
4–6 PMFood & marketsFree
Information Session 1: WNC AgOptions 2027 Grant Cycle
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station
via ASAP ↗
An informational session about the WNC AgOptions 2027 grant cycle for farmers, including application guidance and Q&A. Open to all interested in agricultural support programs.
5:30–6:30 PMLive musicDiscounted packages and monthly membe...
An all-ages live performance by The Paper Crowns Band, featuring improvisational jams, soulful harmonies, and original psychedelic rock. A vibrant night of music at a local music hall.
A fun, music-themed bingo game where players identify song clips on their phones. Bring friends and a charged device for a lively, interactive evening.
No dates needed
Always good in Asheville
Hand-picked by people who live here. These can’t go stale.
$13.95 adults / $9.95 kids 3-12
WNC Nature Center
East Asheville
A small, walkable zoo of Southern Appalachian wildlife — black bears, red wolves, otters, and the famous red pandas. The perfect half-day with kids; you'll see every animal without anyone melting down.
Compact hands-on science museum on Patton Avenue — fossils, gems, and interactive STEM exhibits sized for the under-10 crowd. Small enough that one rainy morning covers it all.
434 acres of cultivated gardens and easy trails off the Parkway, including a nationally known bonsai collection. The $25 fee is per car, not per person — pack the whole crew.
Ten quiet acres of Southern Appalachian native plants along Reed Creek next to UNC Asheville. Free, stroller-friendly paths, and the spring wildflower show is one of the best in town.
Riverside park on the French Broad with the paved greenway running through it. The west side (playground, courts) is still rebuilding after Helene, but the east-side lawns, picnic shelter, and greenway are open.
County park on a 300-acre lake in Arden — playground, disc golf, fishing, and paddleboat rentals for a few bucks an hour. Free to enter and rarely crowded on weekdays.
$17 buys unlimited play on about 40 pinball machines and 40 classic arcade games in the old Battery Park building. First-come, first-served and capped at 70 people, so go early on rainy weekends. Closed Tuesdays.
Downtown's main library with an entire floor for kids — puppet stage, story times, and room to sprawl. The easiest free hour downtown with small children.
The Southern Highland Craft Guild's flagship on the Parkway — free galleries of serious Appalachian craft, with live demonstrations most of the year. Worth it even if you think you don't care about quilts.
America's favorite drive runs right through town, free, with overlooks every few miles. Hop on at the Folk Art Center or Highway 191 and you're above the clouds in fifteen minutes.
12,000-acre state forest where short, family-doable walks reach Hooker, Triple, and High Falls. The biggest waterfall payoff per mile of hiking in the region — worth the drive.
Free trail to a 100-foot waterfall near Old Fort, rebuilt in 2024 with boardwalks, staircases, and overlooks. The lower falls are about 3 miles round trip — the closest big waterfall to Asheville.
The locals' default trail network — miles of gentle forest-road loops around Lake Powhatan, ten minutes from West Asheville. Where Asheville kids learn to mountain bike.
Modern, light-filled museum on Pack Square focused on 20th-century and Appalachian American art, with a rooftop terrace. Kids under 6 are free, and the hands-on ArtPLAYce room buys you a real look at the galleries.
Hundreds of working studios in old industrial buildings along the French Broad — walk in, watch artists work, buy straight from the source. Free to wander, and back in full swing after Helene.
Historic craft campus tucked behind the Grove Park Inn — free gallery, sculpture garden, working studios, and an antique car museum (April through December). One of the quietest free outings in town.
Asheville's independent bookstore since 1982 — sharp staff picks, a proper kids' section, and a cafe for the duration. The default rainy-afternoon anchor downtown.
The dessert institution on Pack Square: bean-to-bar truffles, sipping chocolate, and cake by the slice until late. Expect a line on weekends — it moves.
Asheville's original craft brewery, east of town, with a huge meadow, volleyball, disc golf, food trucks, and live music. The rare taproom where kids can actually burn off energy while you finish a pint.
Riverfront campus on Craven Street with a big patio and lawn above the French Broad, brewery tours, and food trucks. Pairs easily with the River Arts District just across the river.
Destination brewery 25 minutes south near the airport — taproom restaurant, tours, a big back porch, an outdoor amphitheater with weekend music, and trails through the woods. Built for families; plan a whole afternoon.
Black Mountain's town lake with a half-mile walking loop, playground, ducks, and mountain views. Twenty easy minutes from Asheville and exactly the right size for short legs.
A free 1.7-mile self-guided loop through downtown, marked by 30 sculptures and plaques telling Asheville's story. Start at Pack Square; kids treat it like a scavenger hunt.
Year-round state farmers market on Brevard Road — open daily with produce sheds, jams, mountain honey, and a greenhouse full of plants. Cheaper and less precious than the tailgate markets.
Audubon-managed wetland boardwalk on Beaver Lake in North Asheville, open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. Free (donations welcome) and flat enough for toddlers — bring binoculars.
The rambling boardinghouse from Look Homeward, Angel, preserved downtown with guided tours on the half hour, Tuesday through Saturday. Five bucks for one of the best literary house tours in the South.
Working glassblowing studio and gallery on South Lexington, where you can watch the team gather, shape, and fire molten glass seven days a week. Kids are mesmerized; so are you.
Asheville's ice cream shop since 1978, now at five locations with serious vegan flavors alongside the dairy. The West Asheville shop on Haywood Road is the classic stop after a park morning.
Two floors of used books inside the historic Grove Arcade, served with champagne, wine, and coffee. Dog-friendly, date-friendly, and the most civilized rainy afternoon downtown.
America's largest home, plus acres of Olmsted-designed gardens, trails, and a winery tasting included with admission. Pricey, but it fills a full day — tickets run cheaper midweek.
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