ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — With Halloween just around the corner, there are many opportunities to enjoy seasonal activities in Western North Carolina this weekend. From trick-or-treating at the Asheville Tourists’ ballpark to a Halloween celebration for dogs at the N.C. Arboretum.
The Oct. 23-25 weekend also brings the Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival to Maggie Valley, a new harvest festival in Old Fort, and yoga with highland cows.
Here’s a look at some of the events happening across Asheville and Western North Carolina this weekend.
Weekend at a glance
- Family-friendly: BOO Ridge Halloween Movie Night, Monster Mash Halloween Party and Tricks-n-Treats Dog Festival
- Festivals and fairs: Asheville Blue Ridge Artisan Summit, Old Fort Harvest Festival and Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival
- Live music: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, The Get Right Band, Benjamin Tod and TopHouse
- Outdoors: Asheville on Bikes Pumpkin Pedaller and Yoga with Highland Cows
- Arts and culture: “Misery,” “An Old Fashioned Family Murder,” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Sister Act”
- Food and drink: Addison Farms Vineyard Harvest Dinner and Hot Dog Eating Contest
Family-friendly & community
BOO Ridge Halloween Movie Night
HomeTrust Park, Asheville
Friday, 6-8:30 p.m. | Free admission
BOO Ridge combines trick-or-treating with a Halloween movie night at the Asheville Tourists’ ballpark. Participating local businesses will distribute candy along the concourse before families settle in for a screening of “Hocus Pocus.” Blankets are permitted on the outfield grass, but chairs and outside food are not allowed on the field.
Monster Mash Halloween Party
Reuter Family YMCA, Asheville
Saturday, 6 p.m. | Check listing for admission details
The Monster Mash Halloween Party brings a Halloween-themed gathering to the weekend calendar. Attendees should check the event listing for costume activities, entertainment, admission requirements and other event details.
Tricks-n-Treats Dog Festival
The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville
Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Standard parking fees apply
The North Carolina Arboretum will host a Halloween event for dogs and their owners featuring a dog-themed scavenger hunt, pet-focused vendors, a virtual costume contest and live music. Activities also include opportunities to connect with local animal rescue organizations and participate in pet-related programming.
Festivals & fairs
The Asheville Blue Ridge Artisan Summit: Mountain Crafts & Creator Expo
Pack Square Park, Asheville
Friday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Free admission
Regional artists and makers will gather in downtown Asheville for an outdoor artisan expo featuring handmade goods, mountain crafts and creative work. Visitors can browse vendor displays, meet local creators and learn about the techniques behind their work.
1st Annual Old Fort Harvest Festival
139 Catawba Ave., Old Fort
Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Check listing for admission details
Old Fort will host its inaugural Harvest Festival, bringing a seasonal community gathering to Catawba Avenue. The event offers residents and visitors an opportunity to spend time downtown and take part in activities connected to the fall season.
Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, Maggie Valley
Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Ticketed; free for children 12 and younger
The Haywood County Arts Council’s annual bluegrass festival returns with performances by Balsam Range, Appalachian Road Show, Unspoken Tradition and Red Camel Collective. The festival also includes artist demonstrations, food and vendors, with proceeds supporting the arts council’s programs in Haywood County.
Live music & performances
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings Play Grateful Dead Acoustic Reckoning
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, Asheville
Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. | Ticketed
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings will perform music from the Grateful Dead’s acoustic album “Reckoning” during a two-night engagement in Asheville. The concerts mark the album’s 45th anniversary and feature acoustic interpretations of songs from the recording, along with other selections from the Grateful Dead’s catalog.
The Get Right Band
Pisgah Brewing Co., Black Mountain
Saturday, 7 p.m. | Free admission
Members of The Get Right Band will perform with additional musicians for an evening of improvisational rock and musical collaboration. The performance draws on the Asheville group’s mix of psychedelic rock, funk and experimental sounds.
Benjamin Tod and the Inline Six 2026 Tour
The Orange Peel, Asheville
Saturday, 8 p.m. | Ticketed
Singer-songwriter Benjamin Tod brings his country and Americana songwriting to The Orange Peel. Known for his work with Lost Dog Street Band, Tod’s music draws from traditional country, folk and personal storytelling.
TopHouse
Third Room, Asheville
Sunday, 7 p.m. | Ticketed
TopHouse performs Sunday with a sound that combines folk, bluegrass and acoustic rock. The group’s arrangements feature string instruments, vocal harmonies and influences from several American roots music traditions.
Outdoors & daytime
Asheville on Bikes Pumpkin Pedaller ’26 presented by New Belgium Brewing
New Belgium Brewing, Asheville
Saturday, 1:30-7 p.m. | Free; ride waiver required
Asheville on Bikes will host its annual Pumpkin Pedaller with a community bicycle ride, costume activities and a pop-up bike park. Riders can choose from routes of different lengths, including a shorter option suited to families and newer cyclists. The afternoon begins at New Belgium Brewing, with the main ride departing at 3 p.m. and additional activities continuing afterward.
Yoga with Highland Cows
New Beginnings Historic Farm, Rutherfordton
Saturday, 10 a.m. | Ticketed
This outdoor yoga session takes place at a working farm with Highland cattle in the surrounding pasture. The program combines a guided yoga practice with an opportunity to spend time in a rural setting near the animals.
Arts & culture
“Misery” at NC Stage
North Carolina Stage Company, Asheville
Friday-Sunday | Ticketed
North Carolina Stage Company continues its production of “Misery,” William Goldman’s stage adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. The psychological thriller follows an injured novelist who becomes the captive of an increasingly dangerous fan.
An Old Fashioned Family Murder: Pay-What-You-Can Mystery Play
Black Mountain Center for the Arts, Black Mountain
Friday | Pay what you can
The Encore Players present Joe DiPietro’s “An Old Fashioned Family Murder,” a comedic mystery set at a family estate in 1943. After a revelation about a family inheritance leads to murder, an inexperienced detective and his outspoken mother attempt to identify the killer.
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
MHU Theatre, Mars Hill
Friday, 7 p.m. | Check listing for tickets
The musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” brings Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts characters to the stage through songs and scenes drawn from their everyday lives. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy and their friends explore friendship, childhood challenges and the small moments that shape their world.
Sister Act
Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock
Saturday-Sunday | Ticketed
“Sister Act” continues at Flat Rock Playhouse. Based on the 1992 film, the musical follows a nightclub singer who enters protective custody at a convent and unexpectedly forms friendships with the nuns. The production features gospel-influenced music, comedy and ensemble performances.
Food & drink
Harvest Dinner: An Evening of Appalachian Flavor at Addison Farms Vineyard
Addison Farms Vineyard, Leicester
Friday, 6-9 p.m. | Ticketed, $150 per person
Addison Farms Vineyard will mark the end of the grape harvest with a multi-course dinner prepared by chefs Terri Terrell and Mallory Foster. The menu features seasonal ingredients from regional farms and foragers, with vineyard grapes incorporated into the dishes and Addison Farms wines paired with each course.
Hot Dog Eating Contest 2026!
Oklawaha Brewing Co., Hendersonville
Sunday, 2 p.m. | Registration fee for competitors
Oklawaha Brewing Co. will host a hot dog eating competition featuring participants competing for cash prizes. The event offers spectators a chance to watch the contest at the downtown Hendersonville brewery.
Looking ahead
Halloween activities, fall festivals, live music and community events continue across Asheville and Western North Carolina as October comes to a close. Find more upcoming events on the 828newsNOW events calendar.
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 updated schedules, registration requirements and admission information before attending.