ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The first full weekend of November offers several opportunities to connect with local artists, support community organizations and spend time outdoors across Western North Carolina.

In Weaverville, artists will open their studios to visitors for the fall Art Safari, while downtown Mars Hill and Asheville will host First Friday gatherings. With Veterans Day approaching, a free information fair at Tanger Outlets Asheville will connect veterans and military families with organizations offering employment assistance, wellness programs and other resources.

The weekend also includes concerts, a guided bicycle ride along Asheville’s greenways and an evening of stargazing at UNC Asheville.

Here’s a look at some of the events happening across the region this weekend.

Weekend at a glance

  • Family-friendly and community: Mars Hill First Fridays and Veterans Information Fair at Tanger Outlets Asheville
  • Arts and markets: Weaverville Art Safari and a Saturday flea market
  • Live music: Rumours ATL, The Record Company and Chatham Rabbits
  • Outdoors: Morning Greenway Explorer Ride and Lookout Observatory Public Stargaze
  • Arts and culture: Downtown Art District’s First Fridays

Family-friendly & community

Mars Hill First Fridays
Downtown Mars Hill, Mars Hill
Friday, 5-8 p.m. | Free admission

Mars Hill First Fridays continues with an evening of live music, dance, art, food and shopping in the downtown district. November’s gathering includes performances by the Bailey Mountain Cloggers and BMC Juniors, along with music and activities connected to local businesses.

Tanger Outlets Asheville Veterans Information Fair
Tanger Outlets Asheville, Asheville
Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Free admission

Tanger Outlets Asheville and the Western North Carolina Veterans Collaboration will host a free information fair for veterans, active-duty service members and their families. More than 20 organizations will provide information about employment opportunities, mentorship, health and wellness programs, and community support services.

Participating organizations include NCWorks, Veteran Services of the Carolinas and other groups serving military families throughout the region.

Festivals & fairs

Weaverville Art Safari Studio Tour
Participating artist studios, Weaverville and surrounding North Buncombe communities
Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Free admission

The Weaverville Art Safari invites visitors into artists’ studios for a free, self-guided tour. The event includes artists working in ceramics, glass, jewelry, fiber, painting, photography and other mediums, with opportunities to see their workspaces and learn about their creative processes.

Flea Market
Smoky Mountain Event Center, Waynesville
Saturday, 8 a.m. | Free Admission

The Saturday flea market offers an opportunity to browse secondhand merchandise, collectibles and items from participating vendors.

Live music & performances

Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute
The Orange Peel, Asheville
Friday, 8 p.m. | Ticketed

Rumours ATL performs music from Fleetwood Mac’s catalog, including songs associated with the band’s best-known albums. The tribute group recreates the vocal harmonies and arrangements of Fleetwood Mac’s classic rock recordings.

The Record Company
The Orange Peel, Asheville
Saturday, 8 p.m. | Ticketed

The Record Company performs Saturday at The Orange Peel. The Grammy-nominated rock trio draws from blues, roots rock and American rock traditions, incorporating guitar, harmonica and driving rhythms into its music.

Chatham Rabbits with Murphy Campbell
The Grey Eagle, Asheville
Saturday, 8 p.m. | Ticketed

North Carolina folk duo Chatham Rabbits performs with Murphy Campbell at The Grey Eagle. The husband-and-wife duo of Sarah and Austin McCombie blends traditional string-band influences, vocal harmonies and original songwriting rooted in Southern folk music.

Outdoors & daytime

Morning Greenway Explorer Ride
The Radical, Asheville
Saturday, 9-11 a.m. | Registration required

The Morning Greenway Explorer Ride takes participants on a guided electric bicycle tour along Asheville’s greenway system. Beginning at The Radical in the River Arts District, the route follows paved paths near the French Broad River, passing New Belgium Brewing and continuing toward Carrier Park and the Hominy Creek Greenway.

The ride offers an opportunity to explore portions of the city’s greenways while learning more about the connected trails.

Lookout Observatory Public Stargaze
Lookout Observatory at UNC Asheville, Asheville
Friday evening | Free; advance registration required

UNC Asheville’s Lookout Observatory will host a public stargazing session in partnership with the Astronomy Club of Asheville. Participants can use observatory telescopes to view celestial objects and learn more about astronomy.

Registration is required because of limited capacity. The event is weather-dependent, with Saturday designated as a possible backup date. Attendees should check for weather updates and registration instructions before visiting.

Arts & culture

Downtown Art District’s First Fridays
Participating galleries and studios in the Downtown Art District, Asheville
Friday, 5-8 p.m. | Free admission

Asheville’s Downtown Art District First Friday brings visitors into galleries and creative businesses for an evening of exhibitions, artist demonstrations and other activities.

Participating locations offer opportunities to meet artists, explore new work and collect stamps on a district passport card. Visitors who collect five stamps can enter a drawing for prizes from local businesses.

Event details are subject to change. Check official event listings for updated schedules and information.