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 November. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
Festivals, fairs + markets
Cold Mountain Release Weekend | Friday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Nov. 9 | 12 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company | $10+ | The highly anticipated annual fest will have plenty of live music and unique libations.
RADFest 2.0 | Saturday, Nov. 8-Sunday, Nov. 9 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | River Arts District | Free | Explore local studios, watch art demos, and celebrate the RAD with a day of DJs and food trucks.
Ye Olde Whale Fair | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 1 p.m. | The Whale West Asheville | Free | The merriment at this mini renaissance-style fair is brought to you by the Montford Park Players, who will perform during the afternoon of ale and vendors.
Asheville Holiday Parade | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Asheville | Free | The parade is back with a fleet of floats decorated to match this year’s theme, Toyshop Whimsy.
Stout Bout 2025: The Showdown | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 2-9 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing Biltmore Village | $15+ | Enjoy decadent stouts from 12 breweries and vote for categories like best aroma, flavor, and body — plus, enjoy live music, food, and Urban Combat Wrestling.
Concerts, comedy + theatre
Asheville Sessions | Thursday, Nov. 6-Sunday, Nov. 9 | Times vary | Various locations | Free | Celebrate 100 years of the Asheville Sessions — the first commercial recordings made in Appalachia — with remastered releases, live concerts, and community events honoring the city’s musical legacy.
Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents: Swan Lake | Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 7 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $45+ | See stunning choreography set to Tchaikovsky’s captivating score.
Dwight Yoakam: The Cosmic Roundup & Rodeo Tour | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 7 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | $73+ | The county music legend is bringing the honky tonk to Harrah’s with support from Junior Brown.
Three Nights With They Might Be Giants | Monday, Nov. 17-Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $45 | The “Istanbul” and “Birdhouse in Your Soul” singers will perform three shows.
Blue Ridge Holler | Friday, Nov. 21 | 7 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $12+ | This show from Friends of the Blue Ridge features performances from David LaMotte, Carolina Detour, Newfound Gap, and Pythagoras to support Helene relief.
Aziz Ansari: Hypothetical Tour | Friday, Nov. 21 | 7 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | $69 | The famous comic and “Parks and Recreation” and “Master of None” actor will stop in Asheville on his latest stand-up tour.
The Local Honeys | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $21 | The Appalachian folk duo will take the stage performing tracks like “Cigarette Trees” and “Dying to Make a Living.”
GZA: 30th Anniversary of “Liquid Swords” | Saturday, Nov. 22-Sunday, Nov. 23 | 8 p.m. | Eulogy | $61 | Full disclosure, both shows are sold out — but it’s worth putting your name on the waitlist for a chance to see the Wu Tang legend.
All Aboard AVL: The Last Waltz | Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $24.60 | Asheville natives and members of bands like Snarky Puppy, Toubab Krewe, and the Marshsall Tucker Band will come together to honor The Band’s legendary “Last Waltz” concert film.
Seasonal events
Grove Park Inn 2025 Gingerbread Display | Thursday, Nov. 6-Sunday, Jan. 4 | Times vary | Omni Grove Park Inn | Free | The stunning display of sweets returns after taking a pause last year — there are different viewing hours for the public and hotel guests, so be sure to check before you go.
Winter Lights | Saturday, Nov. 15-Sunday, Jan. 4 | 6-10 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum | $45+ | See the spectacular light display, including six of Thomas Dambo’s trolls — this year, you can also ride in on a trolley from Biltmore Park Town Square.
The 25th Annual Downtown Asheville Turkey Trot | Thursday, Nov. 27 | 8 a.m. | Pack Square Park | $20+ | If you’re serious about the season, jog through downtown streets in costume — a portion of proceeds benefit MANNA FoodBank.
South Asheville Turkey Trot | Thursday, Nov. 27 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Biltmore Park Town Square | $25+ | The Thanksgiving race gives new meaning to “leg day.”
Grove Arcade Holiday Tree Lighting Block Party | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 12-9 p.m. | Grove Arcade | Free | Kick off the holiday season with an artist market, jazz performance, caroling, photos with Santa, and more.
Community gatherings
Saturday Skate Jams | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 2:30-8:30 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | Free | Have a wheely good time hitting the floor with funky beats — there will be family skate and adult skate hours.
MANNA FoodBank’s 23rd Annual Empty Bowls | Monday, Nov. 10 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville – Biltmore | Free | Make a donation to the food bank and receive a one-of-a-kind handcrafted bowl — plus, shop from local art and food vendors all day long.
ReWild AVL Chapter Kick-Off | Thursday, Nov. 13 | 6-8 p.m. | Benjamin Walls Gallery | Free | The program of the NC Wildlife Federation is here to be the voice of Asheville’s animals — join the first meeting, share ideas, and meet local chapter leaders.
A Spot of Tea with Cedar Crest Inn | Sunday, Nov. 23 | 12-2 p.m. | Cedar Crest Inn | $76 | Stop by the historic bright pink inn for afternoon tea, including sweet and savory treats.
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.