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 January. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
Festivals + fairs
Asheville Mardi Gras Twelfth Night | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Wicked Weed Funkatorium | $15+ | Celebrate the start of the Mardi Gras season with live music, dancing, costumery, and king cake — plus, the 2026 King and Queen of Mardi Gras will be crowned.
Asheville Crankie Fest | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 12 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $15 | Celebrate the performers keeping the historic art form alive — crankies are analog storytelling devices that feature illustrations moving through a small viewing window as the artist shares a story or song.
BatchataAVL Asheville Winter Festival | Friday, Jan. 16-Sunday, Jan. 18 | Times vary | Crowne Plaza Resort | $25+ | Some of the best salsa and bachata instructors in the biz will guide a weekend of masterclasses, socials, and performances.
Asheville Restaurant Week | Tuesday, Jan. 20-Monday, Feb. 23 | 12 a.m. | Asheville | Your favorite local restaurants will offer scrumptious specials, from new dishes to prix fixe menus — participating spots include Ukiah, Table, Quench, and many more.
Theatre + comedy
THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM - “NEW LEAF” (1st timers night) | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $21 | This special edition of the open-mic storytelling night is perfect for folks who haven’t taken the stage before.
“Sirenum:" A Lesbian Folk Opera | Friday, Jan. 9-Saturday, Jan. 10 | 8-9:30 p.m. | 35below | $18 | Haunting electronic music sets the scene for this science-fiction and folklore story about a young space traveler, a mysterious ocean world, and two lovers bound by fate.
Asheville Junior Theater presents: “The Lion King JR.” | Saturday, Jan. 10-Sunday, Jan. 11 | Times vary | Diana Wortham Theatre | $25+ | Follow Simba’s epic adventure as he discovers his courage, faces his destiny, and rises to become king, all set to the timeless songs you know and love.
Sam Jay | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $25+ | The stand-up comedian, actress, and SNL writer will bring the heat on her latest tour.
The Acting Company presents: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | 8 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $65 | The acclaimed NYC-based company has launched stars like Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, and Rainn Wilson — see them take on one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays.
Concerts
Caverns Of Gold Showcase Benefit | Friday, Jan. 9 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $21 | The Helene benefit compilation album will be brought to life with performances by local bands PINKEYE, Lower Peaks, Why Why?, and John Kirby Jr & the New Seniors — a warm clothing drive will also be held for ABCCM.
The Get Right Band & Supatight: Summer in the Winter BEACH BASH! | Friday, Jan. 9 | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $15 | Show up in your finest beachy attire and channel summer vibes with the psychedelic indie rock bands.
Ruston Kelly | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $33+ | The Carolina-born contemporary country singer is touring for his latest album, “Pale, Through the Window.”
Michael Nau with Magic Tuber String Band | Friday, Jan. 23 | 8 p.m. | Eulogy | $33 | Blending folk and psychedelic influences, Nau is known for tracks like “Love Survive.”
Sudan Archives | Saturday, Jan. 4 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $30 | If you like the experimental R&B stylings of artists like FKA Twigs, you’ll be captivated by violinist and singer Sudan Archives.
The Wood Brothers (Two Nights) | Friday, Jan. 30-Saturday, Jan. 31 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $41 | The roots band will bring their jazzy Americana sound to the stage for two nights in a row.
Dolly’s 80th Birthday Bash | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $19.75 | Celebrate the Queen of Country with an all-star band and look-alike contest — a portion of proceeds benefit Buncombe County Partnership for Children, the local chapter of Dolly’s Imagination Library.
Wellness opportunities
Start Yoga Now: 5-week series for total beginners | Tuesday, Jan. 6-Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 6-7:15 p.m. | Purna Yoga 828 | $78+ | People new to the practice can learn at a beginner’s pace.
All Bodies Movement Free Community Day | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | All Bodies Movement | Free | Try out a 40-minute class to get a feel for the gym and find your fitness goals for the new year.
Asheville Hot Chocolate Races | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 7-11 a.m. | Isaac Dickson Elementary School | $22+ | Choose between a 1k kids hill climb, 5k, 10k, or half marathon — once you race to the finish line, a hot cup of cocoa awaits.
Community gatherings
Asheville Humane Society Ribbon Cutting | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Asheville Humane Society | Free | Cuddle a cute pup to celebrate the Asheville Humane Society’s Adoption Center now being open seven days a week.
Community Swap Meet: Trade Your New and Gently Used Items | Monday, Jan. 12 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library | Free | Trade your unwanted (but still functional) items to declutter your space and give your goods a new home — think: house plants, home decor, toys, and kitchen appliances.
Make Asheville’s Longest Fabric Snake: A ReMix It Fundraiser | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 1-4 p.m. | The River Arts District Brewing Company | $10+ | Personalize a 10x10 fabric square to be sewn live to create a giant community art piece, displayed at the future creative reuse center.
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.