Quintessential fall fun

Fall festivals + events

Spooky season shenanigans

• Matt and Kim | Wednesday, Sept. 20 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $30-$35 | See these veterans of the indie electronic scene take the stage with support from Babe Haven.

• Asheville StorySLAM - Drive | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $15 | Prep a five-minute story about what kicks you into high gear at this event presented by The Moth.
• Educators Night Out | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 5-8 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | Free | Teachers of all grade levels are invited to tour current exhibitions, create art, vibe to live music, and learn about the museum’s resources for teachers — advanced registration is encouraged.

• Asheville Greek Festival | Friday, Sept. 22-Saturday, Sept. 23 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 277 Cumberland Ave., Asheville | $3-$5 | Explore the tastes, sights, and sounds of Greece at this annual festival.
• Pack Square Artisan Market | Friday, Sept. 22 | 1-8 p.m. | N. Pack Square, Asheville | Free | This family-friendly street festival features handmade goods from local + independent artists.

• 6th Annual LOTSAR Housing Fair | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Hilltop Event Center, 21 Restaurant Ct., Asheville | Free | Get information on affordable rentals, paths to affordable homeownership, renter’s rights, and more from local organizations, businesses, and government representatives.
• Ikebana Exhibition and Demonstration | Saturday, Sept. 23-Sunday, Sept. 24 | Times vary | The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville | Free with admission | Explore the Japanese art of flower arranging with various designs on display — plus, members of the Asheville chapter of Ikebana International will answer your questions.

• WSET Level 1, 2 & 3 Awards in Wine | Monday, Oct. 23-Wednesday, Feb. 7 | Times vary | Asheville School of Wine at Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte St., Asheville | $350-$1,499 | These certification courses are among the most prestigious wine industry qualifications in the world and are ideal for beginners, connoisseurs, and wine and food industry professionals.**

• Golden Hour: Wood-fired pub and chophouse with full bar centered around locally-sourced, farm-driven ingredients; open daily for dinner and brunch on weekends
• Afterglow: Breakfast, lunch, and lounge spot offering espresso, drip, housemade bread and pastries in the a.m.; cocktails, light bites, and party vibes in the p.m.
• The Roof: Dramatic sunsets, stunning views of the French Broad, plus cocktails, food, and revelry

• Neng Jr.'s is on a roll. The restaurant earned a spot on the New York Times’ Restaurant List, which highlights 50 standout eateries across the US. The news comes shortly after the restaurant was named one of Bon Appétit’s 24 Best New Restaurants and Chef Silver Iocovozzi was honored as one of the TIME 100Next. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Handmade tortillas, and grilled chicken + ribs — is your mouth watering yet? Try all three offerings at the newly opened Margarita’s Grill at 1996 Hendersonville Rd. The restaurant has been operating in Mexico since 1989, but the new South Asheville location is the first to appear in WNC. (WLOS)

• Calling all artists. Buncombe County Special Collections (BCSC) is seeking proposals for the third year of its creative residency program. Local artists ages 18+ can apply to create a project using BCSC resources and have their work presented in the Carolina Record Shop. Find application information.

• How do you like them apples? Flat Rock’s Sky Top Orchard ranked No. 4 in the country in USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Series for best apple orchards. If you’re looking to take your pick of fresh apples, consult our apple-picking guide to learn when your favorites will be ready. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• See the artwork of the Southern LGBTQIA+ community projected on the outside of Twin Leaf Brewery and the inside of The Funkatorium on Saturday, Sept. 30 as part of Blue Ridge Pride. Plus, LGBTQIA+ creatives are welcome to submit their art + photography by Wednesday, Sept. 27 to be considered for inclusion.

• On Saturday, Oct. 14, the annular partial solar eclipse will dazzle the sky. Remember, it’s never safe to look at the sun without special eyewear — find guidelines for viewing. You can also snag tickets to see the eclipse at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, complete with an education session, lunch, museum tour, and more.

• Want to freshen up your fitness routine this fall? Take your pick from virtual or in person Les Mills group exercise classes at the YMCA of WNC. See the fall schedule.*

• Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

• Fueling up for a drive to see fall foliage this weekend? Get real cash back on that gas (and an extra 25 cents per gallon on your first tank) when you download this free app and use code AVL25.*

• Menopausal symptoms can show up as early as your mid-30s. Test your hormones + walk through your results with a specialist with Wellcore’s $99 At-Home Assessment Kit.*

• Hello fall, we’re glad you’re here. Six & Main has everything you need this season from refreshing cocktails to cozy candles. Shop fall essentials.

• Last week, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch 9 — which means you can get a great deal on the Apple Watch 8. Snag it for Amazon’s lowest price in 30 days.

• It doesn’t get more luxurious than the Drowsy sleep mask, which is silky smooth on skin and completely light-blocking for the deepest sleep.

• The Bentgo stackable lunch box includes two stackable containers, built-in silverware, and dividers to snugly fit food portions into individual compartments.