ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — As Western North Carolina moves into the middle of November, local traditions and community gatherings are beginning to take on a holiday feel.
This weekend, Asheville’s River Arts District will welcome visitors for RADfest, bringing attention to the artists and businesses that continue to rebuild following Hurricane Helene. Highland Brewing will mark 30 years of its Cold Mountain Winter Ale, while families can see Santa arrive at Tanger Outlets Asheville or attend a holiday-themed circus performance downtown.
The Nov. 13-15 weekend also includes live music, outdoor activities and the premiere of a documentary examining how Western North Carolina communities came together in the aftermath of Helene.
Here’s a look at some of the events happening across the region this weekend.
Weekend at a glance
- Family-friendly: A Magical Cirque Christmas, PAWS for Reading, Waynesville First Friday and Santa’s Arrival at Tanger Outlets
- Festivals and fairs: RADfest in Asheville’s River Arts District
- Food and drink: Cold Mountain 30th Anniversary Release Weekend
- Live music: Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast, Music on the Knoll, Same As It Ever Was and Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band
- Outdoors: November Moon Madness and Max Patch Potty Party
- Arts and culture: “Out of a Flood” documentary premiere and “Doubt”
Family-friendly & community
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, Asheville
Sunday, 6 p.m. | Ticketed
“A Magical Cirque Christmas” brings acrobatics, aerial performances, juggling, comedy and magic to Asheville. The touring production features circus performers accompanied by a soundtrack of familiar Christmas music, combining traditional holiday entertainment with contemporary circus acts.
PAWS for Reading at the Fletcher Library
Fletcher Library, Fletcher
Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-noon | Free; registration required
Children can practice their reading skills with certified therapy dogs during PAWS for Reading at the Fletcher Library. Each child receives a 15-minute reading session with a dog, providing a relaxed setting for developing confidence and reading aloud. Families must register in advance and are encouraged to have a book selected before their appointment.
Waynesville First Friday: Shop, Sip, Stroll
Downtown Waynesville, Waynesville
Friday | Free admission
Waynesville’s downtown shopping event encourages residents and visitors to spend time along Main Street, where locally owned shops, galleries and restaurants are part of the evening’s activities. The gathering provides an opportunity to visit downtown businesses as the holiday shopping season approaches.
Santa’s Arrival at Tanger Outlets
Tanger Outlets Asheville, Asheville
Saturday, 4-6 p.m. | Free admission
Tanger Outlets Asheville will welcome Santa with an afternoon of family activities and a holiday tree lighting. The event includes face painting, strolling performers, a DJ, children’s activities and appearances by holiday characters. Santa’s arrival parade begins at 5:45 p.m., followed by the tree lighting at 6 p.m. Families can also visit Santa for photos afterward. A toy collection will accept new, unwrapped gifts for local children.
Festivals & fairs
RADfest
River Arts District, Asheville
Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Free admission
RADfest brings together artists, galleries and creative businesses throughout Asheville’s River Arts District. The weekend features open studios, exhibitions, artist demonstrations, live music and an outdoor art market. Visitors can explore participating locations, meet artists and learn more about their work. The event also provides an opportunity to support businesses and artists in an area significantly affected by Hurricane Helene.
Food & drink
Cold Mountain 30th Anniversary Release Weekend
Highland Brewing Co., Asheville
Friday-Sunday, beginning at noon | Ticketed
Highland Brewing marks the 30th anniversary of its Cold Mountain Winter Ale with three days of seasonal beer releases, live music and activities. Activities include a rooftop silent disco Saturday evening, live performances and family-oriented programming Sunday. Tickets are required to enter Highland Brewing’s campus during the release weekend, including for visitors purchasing packaged beer.
Live music & performances
Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast: Album Release Show
The Grey Eagle, Asheville
Saturday, 8 p.m. | Ticketed
Asheville-based Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast will mark the release of new music with a performance at The Grey Eagle. Led by vocalist Caitlin Krisko, the band combines blues, soul and rock influences with original songwriting and guitar-driven arrangements.
Music on the Knoll
Albert Weaver Room at Weaverville Community Center, Weaverville
Saturday, 6-8 p.m. | Free admission
The town of Weaverville’s Music on the Knoll series continues with a performance by Chronology Music. The community concert provides an opportunity for residents to gather, listen to live music and spend an evening together at the Weaverville Community Center.
Same As It Ever Was: The Ultimate Talking Heads Tribute
Revival Asheville, Asheville
Saturday, 8 p.m. | Ticketed
Same As It Ever Was performs music from the Talking Heads catalog, recreating songs associated with the influential rock band. The tribute act draws from the group’s mix of new wave, funk, art rock and dance music.
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band with Hustle Souls
Asheville Music Hall, Asheville
Friday, 9 p.m. | Ticketed; ages 21 and older
Asheville’s Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band returns to Asheville Music Hall with Hustle Souls. The concert brings together two bands associated with the local music scene, combining funk, soul, rock and improvisational arrangements.
Outdoors & daytime
November Moon Madness at Bare Dark Sky Observatory
Bare Dark Sky Observatory at Mayland Earth to Sky Park, Burnsville
Saturday, 6 p.m. | Advance reservations required
November Moon Madness offers participants a guided astronomy experience focused on observing the moon and learning about its features. The program uses the observatory’s telescopes to explore lunar craters, surface formations and other astronomical subjects.
Max Patch Potty Party
New Belgium Brewing, Asheville
Friday, 6-9 p.m. | Ticketed fundraiser
The Carolina Mountain Club will host a fundraiser to support proposed restroom and parking improvements at Max Patch, one of Western North Carolina’s most visited hiking destinations. The event includes live music from Daniel Shearin of River Whyless, a performance of “A.T.: The Musical” by Appalachian Trail hiker Skip Fredericksen, a silent auction and information about the planned improvements.
The club is raising money to address the lack of restroom facilities and limited parking at Max Patch, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually.
Arts & culture
Out of a Flood: Helene Documentary Premiere
Tina McGuire Theatre at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, Asheville
Saturday, 7 p.m. | Ticketed
Local filmmaker Thomas Flight will premiere “Out of a Flood,” a feature documentary examining the experiences of Western North Carolina residents and volunteers following Hurricane Helene. Filmed during the year after the storm, the documentary follows artists, business owners and residents in Asheville’s River Arts District, Marshall, Swannanoa and Bat Cave. The film focuses on the volunteer networks that emerged as neighbors worked together to survive, recover and rebuild.
Doubt
35below at Asheville Community Theatre and Reuter Center at UNC Asheville, Asheville
Friday-Sunday, 2:30 p.m. | Ticketed
The Autumn Players of Asheville Community Theatre present a script-in-hand reading of John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Doubt.” Friday and Saturday performances take place at 35below at Asheville Community Theatre, while Sunday’s performance moves to the Reuter Center at UNC Asheville. The production addresses mature themes.
Looking ahead
Holiday markets, seasonal performances and community events will continue across Asheville and Western North Carolina in the coming weeks. Find more concerts, festivals, family activities and local events on the 828newsNOW events calendar.
Event details are subject to change. Check official event listings for updated schedules and information.