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, fairs + markets
2026 Houseplant Social | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 6-8 p.m. | B.B. Barns, Arden | $25 | At this ticketed, after-hours shopping event, you can get early access to rare and unique houseplants (plus, 20% off storewide).
Assembly Required presents The Asheville Designer Art-Toy Expo | Saturday, Feb. 7-Sunday, Feb. 8 | Times vary | Battery Park Hall | $12 | In its eighth year, the designer toy expo is showcasing pop surrealist pieces for artists, collectors, and appreciative observers alike.
AVL Shakedown Street for Billy Strings | Tuesday, Feb. 10-Saturday, Feb. 14 | 3 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | Free+ | Local vendors will be showing off all kinds of unique goods outside of the venue to get in the Billy Strings spirit.
Love, Marquee | Thursday, Feb. 12 | 6-9 p.m. | Marquee | Free+ | Raise a glass (filled with a special Valentine’s cocktail) to an evening of love and community, with sweet treats, a love letter wall, and appearances from DJ Ganymede and Street Creatures.
Bluegrass First Class | Friday, Feb. 13-Sunday, Feb. 15 | Times vary | Crowne Plaza Resort | $38+ | Since 1996, the festival has been setting the stage for the world’s best bluegrass musicians.
Bear’s Big Easy Bazaar | Friday, Feb. 13-Sunday, Feb. 15 | Times vary | Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ | Free | The restaurant is hosting a week of Mardi Gras fun, including a family movie night, Masquerade Market, and a pre-parade party.
2026 Asheville Mardi Gras Parade | 3:05 p.m. | South Slope | Free | Let the good times roll at the annual parade and come dressed to embrace this year’s theme, “Life is a Carnival.”
Queen’s Ball at The Funkatorium | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | The Funkatorium | Free | Keep the Asheville Mardi Gras Parade celebrations going at the official after party, with festive food + drink specials, live music, and lots of colorful fun.
Year of the Fire Horse: Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday. Feb. 21 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Highland Brewing Co. | Free+ | Celebrate with a free Fire Horse festival featuring dragon dances, local food, kids’ activities, cocktails, and four limited-edition Lunar New Year beers.
Theatre + comedy
Disclaimer Comedy: Asheville Movie roast of Richie Rich | Sunday, Feb. 22 | 7-9 p.m. | DayTrip | $10+ | A cast of local comedians will roast the Macaulay Culkin flick (which was filmed right here in Asheville) live on stage.
Sal Vulcano: Everything’s Fine Tour | Thursday, Feb. 19 | 7 p.m. | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium | $53+ | Best known for his long-running show “Impractical Jokers,” the comedian is back with brand new material.
Circus EVO’s “Solstice: a Winter Circus Experience” | Wednesday, Feb. 25-Friday, Feb. 27 | 7 p.m. | Diana Wortham Theatre | $39+ | See the captivating blend of contemporary circus, dance, acrobatics, and physical theatre that captures the magic of winter.
Concerts
Friendship w/ Natalie Jane Hill at The Grey Eagle | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $21 | If you like the sounds of local rockers MJ Lenderman and Wednesday, you’ll probably like the indie sound of Friendship, touring for their 2025 album “Caveman Wakes Up.”
Empire Strikes Brass: 12th Annual Mardi Gras Party | Friday, Feb. 6 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $22 | The band is back to bring their infectious energy and electrifying tunes to their annual Mardi Gras show.
Langhorne Slim: The Dreamin’ Kind Tour | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $30 | The “Changes” singer is heading to AVL on The Dreamin’ Kind Tour.
Heated RivalRave | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $24+ | Fans of the hit show “Heated Rivalry” can dance the night away at this themed party.
Saxsquatch | Wednesday, Feb. 18-Thursday, Feb. 19 | 8-11 p.m. | Eulogy | $33 | The furry 7’ tall sax player is coming out of the woods to play two nights at Eulogy.
GEN Z Battle of the Bands | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 5-10 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage | $12+ | Young artists from across WNC have the chance to win a day in the recording studio with Drop of Sun, and a photo shoot with Destinee Blau.
Tyler Ramsey & Carl Broemel - Celestun Tour (Night 1) | Friday, Feb. 27-Saturday, Feb. 28 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $33+ | AVL-based singer-songwriter-guitarist Tyler Ramsey and My Morning Jacket guitarist Carl Broemel will perform from their new album, “Celestun.”
6th Annual Asheville Winter Bluegrass | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 5-11 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville | $25 | Songs From The Road Band and the Tray Wellington Band are back for another year of bold bluegrass.
All about the arts
Groundhog Day Drawing Contest + DJ INFP | Monday, Feb. 2 | 3-9 p.m. | Leveller Brewing Co., Weaverville | Free | See how well you can draw a groundhog from memory — winner gets bragging rights and a $20 gift card to the brewery.
The Little Crafty | Saturday, Feb. 7-Sunday, Feb. 8 | 1-6 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum | Parking fees apply | The Big Crafty’s little sibling returns to showcase regional art in a new setting — pro tip: Sunday, Feb. 8 will be a free Community Day, with the Arboretum’s parking fee waived.
For the fam
Puppy Bowl | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 12-3 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company | Free | Bring your pups to watch the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl XII, explore a doggie vendor market, and meet a squad of adoptable “rookies” looking for a forever home draft.
Kid Hop Hooray! | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $3+ | Drop in for a dance party with a live DJ, free glow accessories, and snacks available for purchase from The Hop.
Asheville Princess Day | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Asheville | $30+ | Little ones can come dressed as their favorite Disney princess for an afternoon of themed stories, songs, dances, crafts, photos, and more.
Painting with Animals | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 2-4 p.m. | Western North Carolina Nature Center | $15+ | The whole fam can participate in step-by-step instruction painting of the Cotswold sheep, Martin — ticket price includes an animal encounter and admission to the park afterwards.
For the foodies
Pasta Class | Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Bargello | $79 | Learn to craft and shape stuffed pasta like ravioli, agnolotti, and tortellini.
Ice Cream for Breakfast Day | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Hop Ice Cream | The Hop is teaming up with Chill Cereal Bar, Bridge and Tunnel Coffee Truck, West End Bakery, and Hole Doughnuts to serve up the sweet breakfast of champions.
Friends of the Enka-Candler Library Chocolate Cake Contest | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 2-5 p.m. | Griff’s Kitchen (Next to the Library), Candler | $5+ | If you’re skilled in the sweets department, enter a rich chocolate cake to support the Friends of the Enka-Candler Library — of course, tasters are welcome to get in on the action.
Asheville Restaurant Week | Tuesday, Feb. 17-Monday, Feb. 23 | 12 a.m. | Asheville | Prices vary | Your favorite local restaurants will offer scrumptious specials, from new dishes to prix fixe menus — participating spots include Ukiah, Table, Quench, and many more.
For a cause
Bike Love | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 7-11:30 p.m. | Eulogy | $35+ | Asheville on Bikes’ annual gala returns with live music, DJs, a silent auction, and a raffle.
Great Buzz Gathering | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 12-2:30 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage | Free | Join Bee City USA to learn how to make your spaces a haven for pollinators and gain wisdom from six speakers who rallied the community to plant natives in public spaces.
Outdoor adventures
Winter Bike to Work Day | Friday, Feb. 13 | 7-9 a.m. | Pritchard Park, Sparky’s Toys & Gifts, and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce | Free | Head out for an early morning ride, and depending on your location, score free breakfast and goodies.
Bird Day | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum | Free | Celebrate all things avian with activities like guided bird walks, live raptor presentations, and a bird art market.
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.