Attend a lively musical performance, go dancing at one of the many street festivals planned throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, explore regional gem mines, sample your way across a food and wine festival, or explore a new art exhibit. There’s no shortage of cool things to do here in Western North Carolina. Here’s a list of some of the best events taking place this month.
Statewide Star Party: Bare Dark Sky Observatory
Bare Dark Sky Observatory 66 Energy Exchange Drive, Burnsville, NCThis year, the Bare Dark Sky Observatory will participate in the NC Science Festival's annual Statewide Star Party. The observatory is home to the Sam Scope, a 34" diameter Newtonian telescope — the largest public telescope in North Carolina. The Star Party event will be free to the public, and visitors will have the opportunity […]
RiddleFest
Burnsville Town Center 6 S. Main St., Burnsville, NCOnce a year, musicians, historians and music fans gather in Burnsville to honor the legacy of Yancey County native and musician Lesley Riddle. This year’s RiddleFest takes place Saturday, June 30, with an afternoon seminar and evening concert. Songstress Laura Boosinger and fiddler Josh Goforth headline the concert. Boosinger, an award-winning performer and recording artist […]
Community Viewing Night
Bare Dark Sky Observatory 66 Energy Exchange Drive, Burnsville, NCJoin us for an evening of stargazing as you've never seen before! You will have the opportunity to view the moon, planets and stars through our 34" diameter Sam Scope, as well as our smaller planetary telescope. With the assistance of our observatory manager, up to 25 people will spend two hours viewing and learning […]
Early Morning Stargazing
Bare Dark Sky Observatory 66 Energy Exchange Drive, Burnsville, NCAre you an early bird? Join us for a morning of stargazing as you've never seen before! You will have the opportunity to view the moon, planets and stars through our 34" diameter Sam Scope, as well as our smaller planetary telescope. With the assistance of our observatory manager, up to 20 people will spend […]
Carolina Mountains Literary Festival
Burnsville Town Center 6 S. Main St., Burnsville, NCLovers of reading indulge their inner bookworm at the 13th annual Carolina Mountains Literary Festival in downtown Burnsville. The three-day festival includes more than 50 free and ticketed events, such as readings, talks, discussions, book signings and workshops. This year’s Saturday night keynote speaker is Gail Godwin. She is the author of 14 novels and is […]
Dahlia Daze
Bullington Gardens 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NCBullington Gardens, a horticultural education center and public gardens, invites visitors to wander through its Dahlia Garden while it's in full bloom. The garden showcases dahlias in every form, size and color imaginable. Six hundred dahlia plants grow in Bullington’s Dahlia Garden. Many are award-winning, named bulbs. Brian Killingsworth, renowned dahlia hybridizer, created Bullington’s Dahlia […]
Asheville Fire Department Fire Prevention Kickoff Event
Asheville Outlets 800 Brevard Road, Asheville, NCAFD will hold it's annual Fire Prevention Kick off event on September 29th from 9am - 2pm at Asheville Outlets. This a is family-friendly event sure to be exciting for all! The event is designed to bring awareness of fire prevention to the people of Asheville in an engaging and educational manner. The event will […]
Community Viewing Night
Bare Dark Sky Observatory 66 Energy Exchange Drive, Burnsville, NCJoin us for an evening of stargazing as you've never seen before. You will have the opportunity to view the moon, planets and stars through the 34-inch diameter Sam Scope, as well as our smaller planetary telescope. With the assistance of our observatory manager, guests will spend two hours viewing and learning about the dark […]
Fly Fishing 101
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCJoin the Guides at Headwaters Outfitters for an immersive 101 class. Learn the basic casting, rigging and wading skills to help you jump start your journey into Fly Fishing. Our guides work one on one with you until you are comfortable with your new skills. This class will help you understand how to read water, […]
UNC Asheville Art Hack
UNC Asheville 2500 University Hts, Asheville, NCJoin us Saturday for Asheville's first Mini Maker Faire! New Media students are collaborating with Humanities students at UNCA to create tools for gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures. We'll be using arduino microcontrollers, arts and crafts supplies and much more! Come learn, create, and imagine with us!
Fly Fishing 101
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCJoin the Guides at Headwaters Outfitters for an immersive 101 class. Learn the basic casting, rigging and wading skills to help you jump start your journey into Fly Fishing. Our guides work one on one with you until you are comfortable with your new skills. This class will help you understand how to read water, […]
Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend
Hendersonville, NC Hendersonville, NCAfter a successful first year, this signature three-day weekend returns to celebrate apple blossom season and the fine beverages crafted throughout Henderson County. More than 40 events make up the schedule, which includes tastings, tours, dinners, live music, dances, demonstrations, cooking classes and a food truck festival. Events take place at area cideries and wineries. […]
Paddling 101
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCHeadwaters Outfitters will be hosting a series of Paddling 101 classes in 2019. The focus is to promote paddling skills an safety practices for beginner paddlers. This event is FREE to the public with reservations. Spaces are limited. Head Paddling Guide Danielle Mathews Ennis will go over entry level strokes for canoeing, kayaking and Stand […]
Fly Fishing 101
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCJoin the Guides at Headwaters Outfitters for an immersive 101 class. Learn the basic casting, rigging and wading skills to help you jump start your journey into Fly Fishing. Our guides work one on one with you until you are comfortable with your new skills. This class will help you understand how to read water, […]
Bears Banter + Brews
UpCountry Brewing Comapny 1042 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NCBears Bees + Brews and UpCountry Brewing are celebrating National Black Bear Day, Saturday, June 1st. Join us for a fun and educational evening with two live interactive brewery talks, trivia, and much more: > NC Wildlife Resources Commission biologist Ashley Hobbs: Coexisting with Black Bears > Wildands Network scientist Liz Hillard: The Importance of […]
Free Paddling 101 Clinic
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCHeadwaters Outfitters will be hosting a series of Paddling 101 classes in 2019. The focus is to promote paddling skills an safety practices for beginner paddlers. This event is FREE to the public with reservations. Spaces are limited. Head Paddling Guide Danielle Mathews Ennis will go over entry level strokes for canoeing, kayaking and Stand […]
Free Paddling 101 Clinic
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCHeadwaters Outfitters will be hosting a series of Paddling 101 classes in 2019. The focus is to promote paddling skills an safety practices for beginner paddlers. This event is FREE to the public with reservations. Spaces are limited. Head Paddling Guide Danielle Mathews Ennis will go over entry level strokes for canoeing, kayaking and Stand […]
Free Electric Car Show
Asheville Outlets 800 Brevard Road, Asheville, NCAsheville Outlets (ShopAshevilleOutlets.com), The Blue Ridge EV Club and Tesla Owners Group of Western North Carolina present The Exciting World of Electric Vehicles on Saturday, September 14, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Asheville Outlets as part of National Drive Electric Week. Electric vehicle owners and dealers will be present with the latest long range EVs, […]
Fly Fishing 101
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCJoin the Guides at Headwaters Outfitters for an immersive 101 class. Learn the basic casting, rigging and wading skills to help you jump start your journey into Fly Fishing. Our guides work one on one with you until you are comfortable with your new skills. This class will help you understand how to read water, […]
Free Paddling 101 Clinic
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCHeadwaters Outfitters will be hosting a series of Paddling 101 classes in 2019. The focus is to promote paddling skills an safety practices for beginner paddlers. This event is FREE to the public with reservations. Spaces are limited. Head Paddling Guide Danielle Mathews Ennis will go over entry level strokes for canoeing, kayaking and Stand […]
Fly Fishing 101
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCJoin the Guides at Headwaters Outfitters for an immersive 101 class. Learn the basic casting, rigging and wading skills to help you jump start your journey into Fly Fishing. Our guides work one on one with you until you are comfortable with your new skills. This class will help you understand how to read water, […]
Woodcarvers & Whittlers Festival
Historic Courthouse Square 40 Courthouse Square, Columbus, NC"To promote the unique history of Columbus, carved out of the wilderness, and encourage the continuance of the handmade arts through education, public display, and civic involvement." The Discover Columbus Committee announces an event for the whole family. We are hosting a Woodcarvers and Whittlers Festival on October 19, 2019. The festival promises to be […]
Free Paddling 101 Clinic
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCHeadwaters Outfitters will be hosting a series of Paddling 101 classes in 2019. The focus is to promote paddling skills an safety practices for beginner paddlers. This event is FREE to the public with reservations. Spaces are limited. Head Paddling Guide Danielle Mathews Ennis will go over entry level strokes for canoeing, kayaking and Stand […]
Community Viewing Night
Bare Dark Sky Observatory 66 Energy Exchange Drive, Burnsville, NCEnjoy an evening of stargazing as you’ve never seen before. Through the 34-inch diameter Sam Scope, you can see the craters of the moon in detail, as well as Saturn's rings and the eye of Jupiter. Take part in fun astronomy trivia and gain a greater knowledge of the night sky. No parking is allowed […]
Fly Fishing 101
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCJoin the Guides at Headwaters Outfitters for an immersive 101 class. Learn the basic casting, rigging and wading skills to help you jump start your journey into Fly Fishing. Our guides work one on one with you until you are comfortable with your new skills. This class will help you understand how to read water, […]
Fly Fishing 101
Headwaters Outfitters 25 Parkway Road, Rosman, NCJoin the Guides at Headwaters Outfitters for an immersive 101 class. Learn the basic casting, rigging and wading skills to help you jump start your journey into Fly Fishing. Our guides work one on one with you until you are comfortable with your new skills. This class will help you understand how to read water, […]
Historic Johnson Farm Spring Festival
Historic Johnson Farm 3346 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville, NCJoin us for the 30th Annual Spring Festival at Historic Johnson Farm, a heritage education center. Step back into the past for a family-friendly, entertaining event suitable for all family and individuals of all ages. The event is from 10 am to 4 pm. The festival features heritage crafts and activities, farm animals, house tours, […]
History Cafe Webinar: Preserving the South Asheville Cemetery
Online Swannanoa Valley Museum, Black Mountain, NCAn online zoom lecture on the efforts to preserve the South Asheville Cemetery, a historic African-American cemetery of Asheville.
History Explorers for Kids: Ancient American Indian Artifacts
Black Mountain United Methodist Church 101 Church Street, Black Mountain, NCThis program will encourage children to be “history detectives” as they use their observation skills to infer the uses of ancient American Indian tools and contemporary crafts made by Cherokee artisans. Children will also learn how to play the butter bean game, a historic Cherokee counting game. The program will include a blowgun and atlatl […]
History Explorers for Kids: Ancient American Indian Artifacts
Black Mountain United Methodist Church 101 Church Street, Black Mountain, NCThis program will encourage children to be “history detectives” as they use their observation skills to infer the uses of ancient American Indian tools and contemporary crafts made by Cherokee artisans. Children will also learn how to play the butter bean game, a historic Cherokee counting game. The program will include a blowgun and atlatl […]
History Cafe: “You Have to Start a Thing” Early Women in North Carolina Governance
Online Swannanoa Valley Museum, Black Mountain, NCIn 1894, Asheville became the birthplace of the women’s suffrage movement in North Carolina when Helen Morris Lewis formed the Equal Suffrage Association of North Carolina, the first of its kind in the state. In this online talk via Zoom, Catherine Amos and Katherine Cutshall will explore how Helen Morris Lewis, Lillian Exum Clement Stafford, […]
Historic North Fork Valley Tour of the Asheville Watershed – West
Black Mountain Savings Bank 200 East State Street, Black Mountain, NCJoin us on this exclusive historic driving tour of the west side of the Burnett Reservoir to explore part of the once thriving North Fork Valley community. The caravan will stop for participants to view the impressive chimney that was once part of a large boarding house where travelers on their way to Mt. Mitchell […]
Webinar: Trade, Recruitment and Rebellion- Native Mediation of Spanish Colonization
Online Swannanoa Valley Museum, Black Mountain, NCHow did Native peoples receive and interact with Spanish conquistadors in the mid-16th century? Contrary to popular narratives, Native peoples were not passive victims of Spanish colonization. Instead, Native leaders mediated encounters with the Spanish towards their own goals, from soliciting trade, recruiting the Spanish for military expeditions, and even exterminating them when they posed […]
Webinar: Crisis in Catawba Territory: Catawba Indian Women’s Interactions with Catawba and Non-Catawba Men, 1789-1828
Online Swannanoa Valley Museum, Black Mountain, NCIn this online event, Brooke Bauer will examine Catawba women’s interactions with the men in their world during a period of crisis. She will expand on our understanding of the roles and responsibilities that Catawba women held within their society concerning Catawba land. Oral history, combined with written sources, enhance our knowledge of Catawba women’s […]
Winter Workshop 1 (online): Fermentation Made Easy!
Online Swannanoa Valley Museum, Black Mountain, NCIn this workshop we will talk about why humans ferment food (hint: flavor, preservation, & health), we will discuss some of the history and culture of different fermentations, we will make a small batch of sauerkraut (you can follow along from home if you have a head of cabbage, salt, knife & cutting board, and […]
Winter Workshop 2 (online): Mountain Songs for the Soul
Online Swannanoa Valley Museum, Black Mountain, NC“Mountain Songs for the Soul” comes from the idea that singing traditional ballads and folk songs can strengthen us for hard times as well as help us celebrate the good times. Rooted in Southern Appalachian song traditions, musician Susan Pepper will pick from some of her favorites, explore where they come from —and teach them […]
Winter Workshop 3 (online): Art from your Yard- Natural Pigment Tempera Paint and Smash Flower Art
Online Swannanoa Valley Museum, Black Mountain, NCIn this winter workshop, museum director LeAnne Johnson will teach how to make natural pigment tempera paint using egg yolk and pigments made right from your own yard. Grass for green, rock for gray, daisies for yellow- the colors are infinite! In the second half of the workshop, she’ll show attendees how to unwind with […]
