ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Have plans for this weekend? If not, check out some of the events below. Music, hot rods, a flea market, arts and crafts and Pride events are all happening in the Asheville area.
Friday, June 20
Downtown After 5 — 5-10 p.m. Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville
Downtown After 5 is more than just a concert series — it’s a community staple that celebrates the diversity and creativity of Asheville. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site alongside a marketplace component where attendees can explore and shop handmade crafts from local makers.
Rodz and Customz in the Valley — 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, 3374 Soco Road, Maggie Valley
This is an open event for all cool cars and trucks, all years, makes and models.
Art in Bloom 2025: Local Garden Tour & Plein Air Artists — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St., Black Mountain
A self-guided tour featuring an array of inspiring local gardens. This multifaceted event, celebrating nature and art, combines two gallery exhibits, live floral arrangements, and a local garden tour featuring working artists.
Early Learner Art Exploration with artist JD de Wit — 10:30-11:30 a.m., Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville
Explore endless creative possibilities using paper with hands-on stations led by artist JD de Wit. Featured activities include no-cut collage, bleeding tissue paper shapes and windsock.
It’s A New Morning In Biltmore Village — 5-8 p.m. New Morning Gallery, 7 Boston Way, Asheville
This reopening reception at New Morning Gallery in Historic Biltmore Village isn’t just a return to its space. It’s a recognition and celebration of the community’s resiliency, creativity and commitment to one another.
Summer Solstice Fest — 5-10 p.m. New Belgium Brewing, 21 Craven St., Asheville
This annual Summer Solstice Fest will feature the release of New Belgium’s new beer, “The High Priestess.” Summer Solstice Fest is an hand-picked curated market with eclectic vendors and offerings. This year it will feature live music with Holler and Crow from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and DJ’s Grimmjoi, Celestial Dreamers and Divine August from 7:45-10 p.m.
Saturday, June 21
5 Points Flea Market — 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Mt. Clare Avenue from Woodrow Avenue to Hillside Street, Asheville
Clean out your closet, showcase your handmade goods, sell vintage clothing, original art or antiques, whatever you want! Seller spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Junior Wild Walk: A Junior Zookeeper Experience — 9:30-11 a.m. Western North Carolina Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville
Embark on a wild adventure! Kids will meet an animal ambassador and step into the shoes of the animal keepers to learn how the center takes care of the animals. This program is for children ages 5-12. An adult is required to attend with the children in a group.
Asheville Art in the Park — 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Pack Square Park, 1 S. Pack Square Asheville
Asheville Art in the Park provides access to some of the finest artists in the region with its market series now in its second decade. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is they are local. You are invited to come out to Asheville Art in the Park, take a stroll around downtown Asheville and experience the textures and forms of a truly unique art garden
Carolina Mountain Woodturners — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Folk Art Center, 382 Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville
See live woodturning demonstrations at the Carolina Mountain Wood Turners’ monthly meeting. Open to the public.
Pride Festival at Grey Hawk Bar & Gardens — 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Grey Hawk Bar & Gardens, 111 Resort Lane, Lake Lure
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Hickory Nut Gorge! This free, family-friendly event will have live music all day long, resource tables, special performers, a glitter station, themed food & drink specials and more. There will also be tasty food (served festival-style, with grab & go options that make it easy for you to hang out with family and friends), beautiful cocktails and bar options, gourmet coffees + teas, plus craft vendors and more.
Appalachian Rib Basket Weaving Workshop with Joe Bruneau — 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mars Landing Galleries, 37 Library St., Mars Hill
Learn how to weave a 14-inch to 16-inch melon or potato basket using locally harvested vines as frames and dyed rattan as primary weaving materials. This is a one-day workshop.
Guided Trail Walk — 10 a.m.-noon, The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville
Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk. This free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Sunday, June 22
Asheville Veganfest – Spring — Noon-5 p.m. Pack Square Park, 121 College St., Asheville
Shop, eat and support the local community. There will be food trucks, a DJ, vegan food, shopping, free face painting and a 360 photo booth.
Fortune Feimster: Takin’ Care of Biscuits Tour — 7 p.m. Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, 87 Haywood St., Asheville
Fortune Feimster is a standup comedian, writer and actor who uses her confessional comedy to bring people together. Through laughter and storytelling, Fortune shows audiences of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations that common ground is only a joke or two away.
Gay Juneteenth — 1-4 p.m. Asheville
Join Youth OUTright for a celebration of the Queerness in revolution. This is a Black-centered event for Queer folks of all generations. All people are welcome, including families and friends. Some food will be provided, but there will also be a potluck, so please feel free to bring something to share (include an ingredient list if you are able to do so)!
Exhibition on Screen Series | Van Gogh Poets & Lovers — 2-4 p.m. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville
Two hundred years after its opening and a century after acquiring its first Van Gogh works, the National Gallery, London is hosting the UK’s biggest ever Van Gogh exhibition. Van Gogh is not only one of the most beloved artists of all time, but perhaps the most misunderstood. This film is a chance to reexamine and better understand this iconic artist.
Mindful Mix & Mingle for Asheville Singles — 2-4 p.m. Botanical Gardens, 151 WT Weaver Blvd., Asheville
Mindful Meet & Mingle at Botanical Gardens. An evening of connection, conversation and conscious community.
To find what’s happening in the 828 area (Asheville and surrounding Western North Carolina), explore the 828newsNOW events page for a variety of activities, from music and art to food and community gatherings.