ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Try on prom dresses, throw some color and check out a bunch of plants in Asheville this weekend. Find more activities in the guide below.

Friday, March 6

The Prom Dress Exchange – 2-6 p.m., Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road

2026 marks the 5th year for The Prom Dress Exchange, a free-of-charge event for students in need of men’s and women’s formal wear. “Prom” may be in the name, but the nonprofit connects its participants with attire for everything from job interviews to weddings. Read more about the event in our story.

Chai Pani Holi Hai – 4-9 p.m., Chai Pani Asheville, 32 Banks Ave.

Chai Pani, Asheville’s beloved Indian restaurant, will celebrate Holi Festival on the South Slope this weekend with good food, color throwing, a live DJ, a photo booth and local vendors.

Hike the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center Loop – 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center

The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is one of Asheville’s lesser-known treasures. In addition to an interactive museum, an information desk and a gift shop, the visitor center is home to a 1.2 mile trail loop, complete with a road crossing on the parkway itself. Read more in our hiking guide.

Saturday, March 7

Winter Sound Music Fest ’26 – 1-11 p.m., Oklawaha Brewing Company, 147 1st Ave. E, Hendersonville

After being postponed due to winter weather earlier this year, Winter Sound Music Fest, a music festival benefiting the Arts Council of Henderson County, will unite eight different bands for an all-day concert at Oklawaha Brewing Company.

Asheville Mall Food Court Play Area Grand Opening – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Asheville Mall

A new food court play area is opening at the Asheville Mall. The new play place will be revealed this weekend with a family-friendly event featuring mall tenants, special coupons, fun activities and a few more surprises.

Bare Root Plant Sale – 10 a.m., Clyde A. Erwin High School, 60 Lees Creek Road

Erwin High School’s annual Bareroot Plant Sale will be held on Saturday morning. Native plants such as yellow prairie grass and strawberries will be sold, as well as selected species at reduced prices in support of riverbank restoration after Tropical Storm Helene. The sale starts at 10 a.m. and will go until sell-out.

Sunday, March 8

Painters Greenhouse Welcome Home Opening Weekend – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Painters Greenhouse, 734 Roy Moore Road, Old Fort

Painters Greenhouse, an Old Fort plant nursery, will celebrate its reopening this weekend with two days of green festivities. The celebration will feature sales, food from Madrona Food Truck, various vendor booths and “fern bathing” opportunities.

Women’s Day Market – 2-5 p.m., The Whale South Slope, 21 Buxton Ave.

The Whale Craft Beer Collective’s South Slope location will celebrate International Women’s Day, Sunday, March 8 with festivities featuring women-owned vendors and beer from women-owned and operated breweries.

Read more. . .