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 April. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.
Festivals, fairs + markets
WNC Outdoor Film Fest | Sunday, April 12 | 4-8 p.m. | The Mule | Free | Sit in for a collection of short films highlighting the adventures we chase and the people working to protect these mountains we call home.
Maker Faire Asheville | Saturday, April 18 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center | Free | This all-ages gathering is part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, featuring tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators + tinkerers of all kinds.
The Hobbit Affairs | Saturday, April 18-Sunday, April 19 | 12-8 p.m. | Sweeten Creek Brewing | Free | Dress in your most mystical outfit to celebrate spring in the Shire with music, games, live blacksmith demos, and more.
Asheville Herb Festival | Friday, April 24-Sunday, April 26 | Times vary | WNC Ag Center | Free | The largest herb festival in the US is back for its 36th year, with 80+ herb vendors showcasing the best WNC has to offer, from body care to medicinal plants to fermenting workshops.
Spring Fling 2026 | Saturday, April 25 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Peace Gardens and Market | Free | Come for the epic plant sale and stay for the live music, local vendors, and libations — proceeds from plant sales benefit workforce development programs and free produce boxes for elders.
11th Annual Get in Gear Festival | Saturday, April 25 | 12-5 p.m. | New Belgium Brewery | Free | Inspire your next adventure while browsing this marketplace of the latest outdoor gear and local experiences.
Grove Arcade in Bloom | Saturday, April 25 | 12-4 p.m. | Grove Arcade | Free | The historic plaza will transform into a botanical wonderland, celebrating spring with live music, dance performances, a makers market, and a spritz pop-up bar.
Theatre, dance + comedy
Asheville Comedy Festival-Spring Laugh Invasion | Friday, April 3-Saturday, April 4 | 7-9 p.m. | The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $33+ | Ahead of the annual August festivities, the Asheville Comedy Festival is bringing a lineup of 18 comics to leave you in stitches.
“Hello Dolly!” | Friday, April 10-Sunday, May 3 | Times vary | Asheville Community Theatre | A live 12-piece orchestra will soundtrack this classic musical comedy following matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi’s lively quest for love.
Whose Live Anyway? | Sunday, April 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium | $73+ | The cast of the Emmy-nominated improv TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway? " are bringing their wit on the road, letting the audience supply suggestions.
Concerts
Robert Plant with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian | Wednesday, April 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | $170+ | The former Led Zeppelin lead singer is on the road, touring his latest album of folk, blues, and gospel covers recorded over the past six years.
On The Road To Toe Down | Friday, April 3 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | One World Brewing, West Asheville | $19 | Before making it to Green Mountain for the June music fest, Red Clay Revival and an assortment of Toe Down superstars will start jamming.
Juvenile’s Boiling Point Album Release Tour | Sunday, April 5 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $56+ | The “Back That Azz Up” rapper is hitting the Land of the Sky fresh off his first full-length album in more than a decade.
Bertha: Grateful Drag | Thursday, April 9 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $29 | The world’s first Grateful Drag band has captured the hearts of Deadheads everywhere.
An Evening With Goose | Friday, April 10 | 7 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | $84+ | This Connecticut-based act is on the rise for reinventing the jam band sound, with indie-rock, funk, and electronic elements — act fast, there are only a few tickets left.
Waxahatchee & MJ Lenderman | Tuesday, April 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium | $79+ | The indie rockers will perform both solo and together, singing tracks like “Right Back to It.”
Downtown After 5 | Friday, April 17 | 5-9 p.m. | Pack Square Park | Free | The concert series kicks off with high-energy Appalachian roots, welcoming headliner Sam Burchfield and opening act Hillclimbers and Friends.
Greensky Bluegrass | Friday, April 17 | 6 p.m. | Asheville Yards | $54 | The Americana band marks the venue’s first show of the spring season, alongside Fireside Collective.
Alabama Shakes | Friday, April 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | $64+ | The Grammy-winning modern blues + rock band will bring the house down with hits like “Hold On” and “Sound & Color.”
Bob Dylan: Rough And Rowdy Ways Tour | Sunday, April 19 | 8 p.m. | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium | $178+ | The folk-rock pioneer is still at it, bringing a mix of hits and deep cuts to the Asheville stage — standard admission tickets are sold out, but you can still snag resale.
Willie Nelson & Family | Saturday, April 25 | 7 p.m. | Asheville Yards | $88 | The outlaw country legend will captivate audiences alongside opener Drayton Farley.
All about the arts
Glass, Metal, and Clay Day | Saturday, April 4 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Folk Art Center | Free | Watch master craftspeople at work and learn the processes behind crafts like blacksmithing, glass blowing, metal piercing, and stained glass soldering.
The Village Potters Grand Opening Celebration | Saturday, April 11 | 2-7 p.m. | The Village Potters Clay Center | Free | The center has a new home after Helene, and now it’s time to celebrate with studio tours, live demonstrations, clay-themed activities, and a dramatic kazegama kiln firing.
Color Me Asheville by Goodwill | Friday, April 17 | 6 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $34 | See fabulous fashions grace the runway, all crafted using repurposed materials found at Goodwill.
Echo Mountain Studio Grand Reopening | Sunday, April 19 | 12-6 p.m. | Echo Mountain Recording Studio | Free | Toast to 20 years of music making as you explore the church studio, ask questions, and browse local art.
14th Annual {Re}HAPPENING | Saturday, April 25 | 3 p.m. | Camp Rockmont, Black Mountain | The annual festival + fundraiser summons the participation, performance art, and innovation that made Black Mountain College a force in the international art world.
For the fam
Egg-stravaganza | Saturday, April 4 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | WNC Nature Center | Free with admission | Kids can hop into this egg scavenger hunt and watch the nature center’s bobcats, black bears, and otters enjoy some eggs-traordinary enrichment.
Bastet’s Meow-gical Egg Hunt! | Sunday, April 5 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | House of Black Cat Magic | Free | Kiddos can enjoy a meowgical afternoon egg hunt with feline friends.
Truck City AVL 2026 | Saturday, April 18 | 1-4 p.m. | Tanger Asheville | Free | Get up close to explore the utility trucks, sleek transit buses, and powerful construction vehicles that keep our city moving.
Kids Fest | Saturday, April 25 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center | Free | This jam-packed afternoon of family fun is geared towards kiddos 10 and under, featuring a petting zoo, arts and crafts, face painting, puppets, and more.
For the foodies
Eulogy & VISUALS Presnts: Hallowedland Wine Festival | Saturday, April 4 | 2 p.m. | Eulogy | $57 | Indulge in an afternoon of thoughtfully curated pours, celebrating winemakers and small producers whose bottles reflect the spirit of the land, from Sonoma to Asheville.
J Chong Dinner | Tuesday, April 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Zelda Dearest | $115+ | Indulge in a four-course Cantonese menu, complete with artful wine pairings from Rise Over Run.
Asheville Greek Festival Spring Drive Thru | Friday, April 24-Saturday, April 25 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church | If you’re craving the delicious Greek dishes you normally find at the annual fall festival, this is your chance to indulge.
Sports + outdoor adventures
Asheville Tourists vs. Greenville Drive | Tuesday, April 21 | 6:35 p.m. | McCormick Field | $12+ | Cheer on the Asheville Tourists on Opening Day and explore the exciting new renovations at McCormick Field.
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.