A members-only reception at the Asheville Art Museum for the exhibition 'The Art of Paper,' featuring handmade paper works by prominent 20th and 21st-century artists. Ideal for art enthusiasts and museum members.
An all-ages seated show at Grey Eagle Music Hall featuring Benjamin Falcon and Daniel Shearin performing classic Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel songs in an intimate, nostalgic tribute to the folk duo's iconic catalog.
An 18+ concert at The Orange Peel featuring Australian rock band Spacey Jane on their 'If That Makes Sense' tour, known for their dynamic and melodic indie rock sound.
Friday, June 12
12 PM–1 PMArt & cultureFree for Members or included with Mus...
A guided slow art experience at the Asheville Art Museum where participants explore artworks through extended observation, promoting mindfulness and deeper connection.
An all-ages patio show at Grey Eagle featuring singer-songwriter Brendan Lane and The Sugar Packets, performing original music with roots in Southern rock and indie folk.
An 18+ concert at The Orange Peel featuring Modest Mouse on their 'Silver Triplets of the Rio Hondo' tour, known for their alternative rock sound and energetic live performances.
An all-ages rock show at Grey Eagle Music Hall featuring Drivin N Cryin, a Southern rock band known for their gritty, storytelling-driven sound and enduring live energy.
A rock concert at The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub featuring Drivin N Cryin, performing their classic Southern rock and folk-infused songs in a full-band live setting.
Join Bear's Smokehouse BBQ for a World Cup watch party with $3 pints, giveaways, and swag. Cheer on the USA against Paraguay in a festive, food-filled atmosphere.
Discover the importance of native plants for local ecosystems in this informative session at Winding Stair Farm. Learn how to integrate them into your garden for biodiversity.
Join a guided tour of a featured exhibition at the Asheville Art Museum. Explore current shows with volunteer educators or staff in an interactive setting.
Enjoy a free outdoor concert on the Grey Eagle Patio Stage with The Nature Boys, a bluegrass band from Asheville playing original and traditional tunes.
Catch a concert at Asheville Yards featuring Hot Mulligan, Joyce Manor, and Koyo in a pop-punk lineup. A night of music and food in a mixed indoor-outdoor venue.
See Shakespeare’s Othello performed live at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. A timeless tale of love, jealousy, and betrayal set in an outdoor summer setting.
7:30 PM–9:30 PMArt & culture
Wise Women & Fearless Sisters | An Evening of Storytelling
Experience an evening of personal stories at Story Parlor with Wise Women & Fearless Sisters. A literary event featuring real-life narratives in a welcoming space.
Shakespeare's tragedy Othello is performed outdoors at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. The show starts at 7:30 PM and is free to attend with no tickets required. Bring a chair or find a spot on the lawn.
Modest Mouse performs at The Orange Peel, a music venue in the south-slope neighborhood. The show starts at 8 PM with doors opening at 7 PM. Attendees must be 18 or older.
The Grey Eagle hosts a free country brunch with JoJo Harnish on Sunday, June 14, from 11 AM to 2 PM. All ages are welcome, and tickets are not required.
2 PM–4 PMOn stage$12 for Members; $15 for non-members
Experience the award-winning film 'Exhibition on Screen: Frida Kahlo' at the Asheville Art Museum. The documentary explores the life and art of the iconic Mexican painter using new technology and personal letters.
3 PM–4 PMArt & cultureFree
CANCELLED: Public Tour: Discovering Art in Asheville
Join a free public tour at the Asheville Art Museum to explore the museum’s history and collection. No reservations are required, and the tour is led by volunteer educators or staff.
Julianna Jade performs at the Grey Eagle Patio Stage on Sunday, June 14, at 5:30 PM. The show is all ages with limited patio seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
7 PMLive musicSuggested Donation
LIVE SHOW featuring Julie Odell + Joshua Carpenter
An all-femme comedy show featuring top comedians and a secret headliner takes place at River Arts District Brewing. The show starts at 7 PM and is for ages 18 and up.
Auditions for the play 'Clyde’s' by Lynn Nottage are held at the Asheville Community Theatre. The show explores themes of redemption and community through a story set in a truck stop sandwich shop.
Monday, June 15
12 AM–11:59 PMArt & culture$175
Summer Art Camp | Appalachian Arts & Crafts (Rising 6th – 8th grade)
A summer art camp for rising 6th to 8th graders at the Asheville Art Museum focuses on Appalachian crafts like barn quilts, weaving, and needle felting. The camp runs all week and is hands-on and creative.
12 AM–11:59 PMArt & culture$175 – Museum members receive a 10% d...
Summer Art Camp | Ancient to Modern: Mixed Media Traditions Reimagined (Rising 6th – 8th grade)
This summer art camp for middle schoolers at the Asheville Art Museum explores ancient art techniques like batik and encaustic, reimagined through modern mixed media and personal storytelling.
EmBark Orientation at UNC Asheville is a required program for incoming first-year and transfer students. It helps new students connect with campus resources and build community before the semester begins.
NOW! Karaoke Band performs at Grey Eagle Music Hall with an all-ages standing room only format. Join the singing and enjoy a night of interactive karaoke in a lively music venue.
A free community drum class led by Larry McDowell at The Well. No experience necessary—bring your own drum or use one provided for a shared, meditative experience.
WOLFMOTHER performs their debut album in full at The Orange Peel as part of their 20th anniversary tour. An electric rock show for fans of high-energy live music.
A virtual meeting of the Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee. Discusses city planning, sustainability, and economic growth strategies.
A pop-up mezze event at Treska’s on Highland Lake featuring seasonal Mediterranean-inspired small plates, local flatbreads, and vegan and non-vegan options.
Decoda and Ringdown present a genre-blending chamber music concert at the Asheville Art Museum, featuring Caroline Shaw and Danni Lee Parpan in a collaborative performance.
6:30 PMLive musicFree
People Behind the Care: Honoring Mission Health employees past and present!
A free tribute concert honoring Mission Health employees at Grey Eagle Music Hall. Live music celebrates the dedication of healthcare workers in the community.
Join Luke Bennett as he shares his 2,650-mile thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, reflecting on nature, personal growth, and the importance of public lands. A compelling talk for outdoor enthusiasts and storytellers.
A confidential, supportive gathering for men focused on authentic connection, self-reflection, and emotional growth through guided sharing and presence-based practices.
Experience a high-energy musical performance by the Keys Ablaze Tour at Cross Hollow Arena, featuring dynamic stage production and electrifying live music.
The Asheville Art Museum hosts a Third Thursday evening with live music, art making, and cocktails, featuring chamber ensembles from the Decoda Festival.
Curators Susan Gosin and Cynthia Nourse Thompson discuss the evolution of handmade paper art in a major exhibition featuring works from the 20th and 21st centuries. A deep dive into collaboration among artists, printers, and papermakers.
A Thursday night staple in Black Mountain, this live music event brings local energy to the Old Town District with an intimate, no-frills vibe. A must for fans of underground and indie sounds.
Karaoke night at Silverados with KJ Hamza Vandehey. Sing your heart out in a fun, high-energy setting with a mix of classic and modern hits. No experience needed—just bring your voice.
7:30 PMLive music$22.21
THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – “AMERICAN DREAMS”
The Moth’s Asheville StorySLAM features true, personal stories on the theme of 'American Dreams.' Open mic storytelling with five-minute tales of ambition, failure, and resilience.
A Tony Award-winning musical celebrating community, heritage, and hope in New York’s Washington Heights. A vibrant blend of hip-hop, salsa, and soul with unforgettable songs and characters.
LAZR LUVR brings an authentic 1980s tribute experience to The Orange Peel with high-energy performances, retro fashion, and a non-stop party celebrating the decade’s iconic music.
8 PMLive music$36.40
Squirrel Nut Zippers: Celebrating 30 Years of “Hot”
Squirrel Nut Zippers celebrate 30 years of their platinum debut album 'Hot' with a live performance blending swing, jazz, blues, and Southern storytelling in a nostalgic, high-energy show.
The Uptown Hillbillies perform classic country hits from legends like Hank Williams and Conway Twitty in their final 2024 show. A heartfelt tribute to traditional country music.
Brittany Carney brings her sharp, witty comedy to Green Man Brewery’s outdoor stage. A stand-up night with a mix of storytelling, satire, and audience interaction.
A free, interactive drag karaoke night at Dalton Distillery featuring singing, sass, roasts, and community fun. Hosted by a comedy drag queen in a lively, inclusive atmosphere.
Saturday, June 20
9:30 AM–11 AMWellness$15 for Members; $18 for non-members
A yoga session at the Asheville Art Museum combining mindful movement with guided looking at current exhibitions. Includes tea and conversation in a serene, art-filled space.
10 AMLive musicFree
Summer Market Series: Locally Made Arts and Crafts
Local artisans showcase handmade crafts at this free outdoor market. Enjoy unique, locally made items and support regional makers in a vibrant summer event.
Learn to identify safe and dangerous mushrooms with experts from Resting Point Farms. This hands-on workshop covers local species and foraging safety in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
12 PM–4 PMLive musicFree for Members or included with Mus...
Experience a fusion of music and art at the Asheville Art Museum with live performances, interactive workshops, and a self-guided musical tour through the galleries.
Support youth music education at this benefit concert featuring Asheville’s Rock Academy performing a tribute to MTV. A night of rock, community, and inspiration.
See Robyn Hitchcock perform with his full band in a high-energy show at Grey Eagle Music Hall. A legendary singer-songwriter known for surreal, poetic rock.
Experience a dazzling burlesque brunch at Grey Eagle Music Hall with an all-BIPOC cast. A seated, adult-only show blending glamour, music, and performance art.
Join a free public tour at the Asheville Art Museum to explore the collection and exhibitions. No reservations needed—just come and discover art in the city.
6:30 PM–8 PMWellness
The Once and Future Forest: Restorying our wild imagination
Immerse yourself in ancient Irish myths and storytelling at Story Parlor. A reflective, artistic event blending myth, music, and poetry in a communal setting.
A Father's Day-themed comedy show featuring dad jokes and performances by comedians from across the country. Ages 16+; tickets are $18, with dads getting in free.
Monday, June 22
12 AM–11:59 PMArt & culture$175
Summer Art Camp | Art Around the World (Rising 3rd – 5th grade)
A summer art camp for rising 3rd to 5th graders exploring global art traditions through drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and collage. Students create a multicultural portfolio over five days.
12 AM–11:59 PMArt & culture$175
Summer Art Camp | Paper and Book Making (Rising 3rd – 5th grade)
A summer art camp for rising 3rd to 5th graders focused on paper-making and book creation, including snake books, picture journals, and decorated covers using handmade paper.
9 AM–12 PMCommunity
Special Meeting: Mountain Community Capital Fund Operating Committee (In-person)
A weekly trivia night at Old Town District with unique questions, prizes, and gift cards for top teams. Open to all ages, with a lively social atmosphere.
A tribute concert honoring the music of Gordon Lightfoot, featuring songs like 'Sundown,' 'If You Could Read My Mind,' and 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,' performed by Robin Bullock.
Matt Heckler performs a dynamic set of global folk music on fiddle, banjo, and guitar, blending Irish ballads, Romani tunes, and original compositions in a timeless style.
Tuesday, June 23
10 AM–11:30 AMCommunity
Rescheduled: People and Environment Recovery Board Joint Meeting (In-Person)
A public work session for Asheville City Council to discuss policy, finance, and infrastructure. Open to residents who want to observe city planning and governance in action.
3 PM–6 PMFood & markets
Drip by Drip: Intro to Irrigation Plumbing Principles
A hands-on workshop teaching the fundamentals of drip irrigation plumbing, including system design, filtration, and real-world troubleshooting at a community garden.
A trauma-informed series focused on releasing neck and shoulder tension through self-release techniques, breathwork, and movement. Suitable for those seeking physical and nervous system relief.
A fun, casual trivia night at a brewery with a mix of pop culture and general knowledge questions. Bring friends and enjoy drinks while testing your knowledge.
7 PM–9 PMOn stage
Robert's Totally Rad Trivia Every Tuesday at French Broad River Brewery
A showcase concert featuring talented musicians from the Creative Strings Workshop & Festival, highlighting solos and ensemble performances on string instruments.
A lively trivia night at a distillery featuring a mix of pop culture, music, and random facts. Enjoy award-winning spirits while testing your knowledge.
Pleasantly Wild performs at Pulp in Asheville's south-slope neighborhood. This all-ages show features live music with doors opening at 7 pm and the show starting at 8 pm.
Thursday, June 25
1 PM–3 PMCommunity
Special Meeting: Urban Forestry Commission (In-Person)
The Urban Forestry Commission holds an in-person special meeting at the City of Asheville. This public meeting is part of ongoing community planning efforts and may include discussions on city tree management and green space policy.
6 PMLive musicFree
Reverb of Resistance: A Night of Music and Art to Benefit LGBT+ Artists
Reverb of Resistance is a night of music and art supporting LGBT+ artists at Grey Eagle Music Hall. The event features a mix of performances and donations are welcome, with proceeds benefiting Southern Equality Studios.
The Creative Strings Showcase features over 20 emerging string musicians performing solos and ensemble works. The event is part of a two-week workshop and festival in Black Mountain, NC.
Spring Awakening is a theatrical production at Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville. The show is a dramatic performance with a focus on youth and identity, presented in a professional theater setting.
7:30 PM–11 PMLive musicFree
Old Farmers Ball: Nic Coker and Friends with Christine Merryman calling
Old Farmers Ball features a free dance event at Bryson Gym in Swannanoa, NC. A free lesson runs from 7:30 to 8 pm, followed by dancing from 8 to 11 pm.
The Standup Comedy Pageant Finale brings together top local comedians in a competitive showcase at Pulp. Winners of previous contests battle for the title and a cash prize, with audience voting and a lively adult atmosphere.
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, free 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, free tours, a big back porch, an outdoor amphitheater with free 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 — free to walk in and 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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