ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Community events take several forms across Western North Carolina this weekend, from the Asheville Quilt Show in Fletcher and Brews & Bears at the WNC Nature Center to emergency preparedness programming in Barnardsville and trail repair work in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
The Aug. 14-16 calendar also includes festivals, concerts, theater, food events and family-friendly activities in Asheville and nearby mountain communities.
Here’s a look at some of the events scheduled for the weekend.
Weekend at a glance
- Family-friendly: Brews & Bears, Asheville Quilt Show or Summer Market Series
- Community: Buncombe Ready Barnardsville
- Festival: Picklepalooza or Eurofest Maggie Valley
- Live music: Saylor Brothers, Sweet Baby James or Abacab
- Health and wellness: Appalachian Mountain Health Fair
- Outdoors: Hickory Branch Trail Volunteer Day
- Arts and culture: “Ethnically Ambiguous,” “RENT” or Béla Fleck’s Blue Ridge Banjo Concert
Family-friendly & community
Brews & Bears
WNC Nature Center, Asheville
Friday, 5 p.m. | Ticketed
Brews & Bears is an after-hours event at the WNC Nature Center. The evening includes access to the nature center, local beer, food vendors and live music.
Asheville Quilt Show
WNC Agricultural Center, Fletcher
Friday-Sunday | Ticketed
The Asheville Quilt Show includes quilt displays, textile art, demonstrations and vendors. The event highlights the work of the Asheville Quilt Guild and other quilters, with traditional and contemporary pieces on display.
Summer Market Series: Locally Made Arts and Crafts
The Grey Eagle, Asheville
Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Free admission
The Summer Market Series features locally made arts, crafts and handmade goods at The Grey Eagle.
Buncombe Ready Barnardsville: Preparedness Event
Barnardsville area, Barnardsville
Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Free admission
Buncombe Ready Barnardsville is part of a county preparedness event series. The event includes resources, tools, demonstrations and information intended to help residents prepare for emergencies and strengthen community resilience.
Festivals
Picklepalooza
Asheville Sports Club, Asheville
Friday, 6-10 p.m. | Ticketed
Picklepalooza combines pickleball, quick pickling and food-related activities. The event includes a pickleball tournament, activities for children and information about fermentation.
Eurofest Maggie Valley 2026
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, Maggie Valley
Saturday | Ticketed
Eurofest Maggie Valley brings European vehicles to the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. The event includes cars, vendors and activities centered on European auto culture.
Live music & nightlife
Abacab
The Orange Peel, Asheville
Friday, 8 p.m. | Ticketed
Abacab performs the music of Genesis, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel. The tribute show is scheduled for Friday night at The Orange Peel.
Friday Music at New Belgium – Saylor Brothers
New Belgium Brewing, Asheville
Friday, 5 p.m. | Free admission
The Saylor Brothers perform Friday at New Belgium Brewing in Asheville. The show gives visitors an early evening live music option near the French Broad River.
Sweet Baby James: The #1 James Taylor Tribute
Tryon Fine Arts Center, Tryon
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. | Ticketed
Sweet Baby James is a James Taylor tribute performance by singer-songwriter Bill Griese. The show features music from Taylor’s catalog.
Health & wellness
4th Annual Appalachian Mountain Health Fair
Appalachian Mountain Health, Asheville
Saturday, 11 a.m. | Free admission
The Appalachian Mountain Health Fair includes community health resources, wellness information and health-related services. Check the event listing for participating organizations and available screenings.
Outdoors & daytime
Hickory Branch Trail Volunteer Day – Helene Repairs
Hickory Branch Trail, Barnardsville area
Saturday, 8 a.m. | Registration required
Hickory Branch Trail Volunteer Day focuses on trail repair work connected to Hurricane Helene recovery. Volunteers should check the event listing for registration, meeting location, tools, clothing and safety requirements.
Arts & culture
Ethnically Ambiguous
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, Asheville
Friday-Sunday | Ticketed
“Ethnically Ambiguous” opens at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. The production is part of the venue’s August theater schedule and continues on select dates through the month.
RENT
Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock
Friday and Saturday | Ticketed
Flat Rock Playhouse continues its production of “RENT,” Jonathan Larson’s musical based on Puccini’s “La Bohème.” The production follows young artists and friends living in New York City and includes adult themes and strong language.
BMC Presents: Béla Fleck’s Blue Ridge Banjo Concert
Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium at Brevard Music Center, Brevard
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. | Ticketed
Béla Fleck’s Blue Ridge Banjo Concert brings banjo music to Brevard Music Center. The concert is connected to Blue Ridge Banjo Camp and features Fleck alongside other musicians.
Looking ahead
Additional concerts, festivals, markets and outdoor events are scheduled across Asheville and Western North Carolina in August. Find more local listings on the 828newsNOW events calendar.
Note: Event details are subject to change. Some events may be delayed, rescheduled or canceled because of weather or other conditions. Check official event listings for the latest updates before attending.