Lucky you. You just found AVLtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events that are taking place throughout Asheville each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading into February. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
Festivals
*Assembly Required Designer Toy Expo | Saturday, Feb. 1-Sunday, Feb. 2 | Times vary | Battery Park Hall | $6+ | These aren’t your kiddo’s LEGO creations — more than 50 designers, toy artists, and collectors will showcase their pop surrealist sculptures at this annual expo.
Bluegrass First Class | Friday, Feb. 14-Sunday, Feb. 16 | Times vary | Crowne Plaza Resort | $64+ | For the 30th year, this bluegrass fest will welcome a slate of performers with headliners Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Authentic Unlimited, and One Achord.
For the Love of Craft | Saturday, Feb. 22 | 12-8 p.m. | Battery Park Hall | $43.14+ | The inaugural festival from Asheville Brewers Alliance combines craft beverages and craft mac and cheese (not the blue box stuff) for a celebration of local culinary delights.
Stout Week | Sunday, Feb. 9-Saturday, Feb. 15 | Times vary | Various locations | More than 25 breweries across WNC will celebrate the dark beer with activities like a live brew at Outsider or a brunch at Hi-Wire.
Sports
Stars Servin’ Up Love | Sunday, Feb. 2 | 2:30 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | $56+ | This tournament will be a grand slam, with tennis legends and celebs taking the court to support the Always Asheville Fund, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, and Asheville Tennis Association.
Theater, comedy + concerts
Tyler Ramsey | Friday, Feb. 1 | The Grey Eagle | $26+ | The WNC-based singer-songwriter will play a show, one year after the release of his latest album, “New Lost Ages.”
“Life Be Lifin’” Starring Monét X Change | Tuesday, Feb. 4 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $51+ | The drag queen, R&B singer, actress, and comedian will perform her latest one-woman show, a coming-of-age tale filled with dark humor.
Jeff Dunham: “Artificial Intelligence Tour” | Wednesday, Feb. 5 | 7 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | $80+ | The veteran comedian will be joined by a cast of characters (aka ventriloquist dummies) on his latest tour.
Billy Strings | Thursday, Feb. 6-Sunday, Feb. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | Prices vary | Tickets may be sold out for Billy’s six-night run, but you can still get in on the fun by scooping up resale tickets or hitting up Asheville’s version of Shakedown Street.
Blind Date Live | Friday, Feb. 7 | 6:30 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $22+ | See if you find love at the singles mixer before the show — then take your seat and see if sparks fly as locals take the stage for a live date, sight unseen.
YAMATO The Drummers of Japan | Wednesday, Feb. 12-Thursday, Feb. 13 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $22+ | The group will put on a powerful percussive performance, playing more than 40 Taiko drums to tell a tale of AI’s influence on art.
Rory Scovel and Friends | Wednesday, Feb. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $25+ | Local comedians Hilliary Begley and Cayla Clark will join the comic + actor on stage for a benefit show presented by Asheville Comedy Festival.
Judy Collins | Thursday, Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $66.50+ | See the iconic folk singer perform from her discography spanning more than 50 years.
Get ready for six nights of Billy.
Photo by Jesse Faatz via Wikimedia Commons
Arts
Chihuly at Biltmore | Through Sunday, Feb. 2 | 10 a.m. | Biltmore Estate | $116+ | The first weekend of February marks the end of the mesmerizing glass art exhibit featuring the masterpieces of Dale Chihuly.
Asheville Strong: Celebrating Art and Community After Hurricane Helene | Friday, Feb. 14-Monday, May 5 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum | Pay what you can admission | Attend the opening day of the exhibition displaying works of WNC artists, showcasing collective resilience.
Seasonal events
Taproom Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 1 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Highland Brewing Co. | Price of purchase | Celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake with eats from Master BBQ, live entertainment, kids challenges, and special cocktails.
Shiloh Black History Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 8 | 1-4 p.m. | Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center | Free | Shiloh Community Association members, friends, and neighbors will showcase the deep roots of the Shiloh Community by honoring those who led the way, sharing stories, and reflecting.
6th Annual Cupid is Stupid Car Smashing | Saturday, Feb. 8 | 12-5 p.m. | Hi-Wire Biltmore Village | $5+ | If you’re not feeling the love this Valentine’s Day, take a swing at a car or place a hex on your ex, all to benefit Pink Boots Society, supporting women in the beer industry.
Black History Through the Eyes of Art | Wednesday, Feb. 12 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center | Free | Join the exhibit’s opening reception to see Black history through the eyes of local artists — works will be on display through the end of the month.