ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — October weekends in Western North Carolina bring a mix of fall traditions, music, theater, outdoor programs and community events, and the Oct. 9-11 calendar includes options across Asheville and nearby mountain towns.
This weekend’s events include pet-friendly gatherings, a haunted trail, a home run derby supporting Special Olympics North Carolina, the Mountain Glory Festival in Marion, concerts across Asheville, food and beverage events, and several stage productions.
Here’s a look at some of the events scheduled for the weekend.
Family-friendly & community
2nd Annual PAW-ty on the Town
Burnsville
Friday, 6 p.m. | Prices vary
PAW-ty on the Town brings a pet-focused community event to the weekend calendar. The event includes activities tied to dogs, local gathering space and support for animal-related causes.
The 14th Annual Haunted Trail by Asheville Plays
Asheville
Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. | Ticketed
The Haunted Trail by Asheville Plays returns for its 14th year with an outdoor Halloween-season experience. The event includes staged scenes, costumed performers and a walk-through trail designed for seasonal scares.
Bats & Badges: Homerun Derby for Special Olympics North Carolina
Asheville
Saturday, 11 a.m. | Prices vary
Bats & Badges brings a home run derby to the weekend calendar in support of Special Olympics North Carolina. The event gives participants and spectators a way to support athletes while taking part in a baseball-themed community fundraiser.
Pet Blessing
Asheville
Saturday, 10 a.m. | Free admission
The Pet Blessing gives pet owners a chance to bring animals for a community blessing. Check the event listing for location details, pet guidelines and any weather-related updates.
Festivals
43rd Annual Mountain Glory Festival
Downtown Marion
Saturday, 9 a.m. | Free admission
The Mountain Glory Festival fills downtown Marion with arts and crafts, food, music and family activities. The festival is a fall tradition in McDowell County and draws vendors and visitors to Main Street.
Live music & nightlife
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Abraham Alexander
Fletcher
Friday, 6 p.m. | Ticketed
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue perform Friday with Abraham Alexander. The concert brings New Orleans funk, brass, rock and soul influences to Asheville.
Music at the Vineyard – Seth and Sara
Hendersonville
Friday, 4 p.m. | Prices vary
Seth and Sara perform as part of a vineyard music event Friday afternoon. The show gives visitors a relaxed early evening option with live music in a winery setting.
Flocktoberfest: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong with Hustle Souls
Asheville
Friday, 6 p.m. | Ticketed
Flocktoberfest features Pigeons Playing Ping Pong with Asheville-based Hustle Souls. The concert brings funk, jam and groove-based music to the weekend lineup.
Celebrating John Prine with Gill Francis and Friends
Asheville
Saturday, 8 p.m. | Ticketed
Celebrating John Prine with Gill Francis and Friends pays tribute to Prine’s songwriting catalog. The performance includes songs associated with the late singer-songwriter and his influence on folk and Americana music.
Bright Eyes
Asheville
Saturday, 7 p.m. | Ticketed
Bright Eyes performs Saturday in Asheville. The indie rock band is known for emotionally direct songwriting, folk-influenced arrangements and a catalog led by singer-songwriter Conor Oberst.
Food and beverage
Afternoon Foodie Brewery Loop
Asheville
Friday, 4 p.m. | Ticketed
The Afternoon Foodie Brewery Loop gives participants a guided way to visit Asheville food and brewery stops. The event combines tastings, local food and beverage stops and a planned route through participating locations.
Outdoors & daytime
Naturalist Walk and Talk – Spiders
Asheville
Friday, 1 p.m. | Prices vary
Naturalist Walk and Talk – Spiders focuses on spider species and their role in the local ecosystem. The guided program gives participants a closer look at web-building, habitat and natural history.
Arts and culture
Little Shop of Horrors
Asheville
Friday-Sunday | Ticketed
“Little Shop of Horrors” continues at Asheville Community Theatre. The musical follows a florist, a mysterious plant and a darkly comic story built around science fiction, music and satire.
Sister Act
Flat Rock
Friday-Sunday | Ticketed
“Sister Act” continues at Flat Rock Playhouse. The musical follows a nightclub singer placed in protective custody at a convent and features gospel-influenced music, comedy and a story about finding community in an unexpected place.
369 Monologue and Short Play Festival part 4: Get Up STAND UP
Tina McGuire Theatre at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, Asheville
Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. | Ticketed
The 369 Monologue and Short Play Festival part 4: Get Up STAND UP features monologues and short plays presented by Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective. The festival includes stories centered on resilience, survival and standing up despite difficult circumstances.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Asheville area, Asheville
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. | Ticketed
“Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” gives the classic vampire story a comic treatment. The production blends gothic material with fast-paced humor and theatrical parody.
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.