• Cold Mountain Release Weekend | Friday, Nov. 10-Monday, Nov. 13 | 12-11 p.m. | Highland Brewing, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | $10-$20 | Celebrate the release of Highland’s annual ale with a weekend of dinner, live music, small-batch releases + more.
• ZeroProof Fest | Friday, Nov. 10-Saturday, Nov. 11 | Times vary | The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | $50-$100 | The inaugural two-day event invites everyone to a specially curated nonalcoholic social experience — sample NA brands while you enjoy food, music, and connection.
• Spontaneous Play: An Improvised Living Room Drama | Friday, Nov. 10-Saturday, Nov. 11 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Be Be Theatre, 20 Commerce St., Asheville | $18 | Nothing is planned during this living room drama entirely made up from audience suggestions.

• Pickle Fest | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Provisions Mercantile - West Asheville, 728 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Shop around, nosh on some local pickles + pickled goodies, then cast a vote for your flavorful favorite.
• Holiday Farm Fest | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Ross Farm, 91 Holbrook Rd., Candler | Free | The greenhouses are transformed into a winter wonderland for you to explore plants, goodies, vendors, unique plants, holiday music, and cozy beverages.
• Gluten-Free Comedy | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 7-9 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Dr., #100, Asheville | $15-$18 | Spend an evening at this comedy showcase, featuring Dan Carney, Eli Olsberg, and more hilarious comedians.

• English Country Dance | Sunday, Nov. 12 | 4-6 p.m. | Harvest House Community Center, 205 Kenilworth Rd., Asheville | Free | Channel your inner Jane Austen, and learn the favorite jigs of peasants and royals alike.
• On the Danube’s Shore | Sunday, Nov. 12 | 7 p.m. | First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St., Asheville | $17-$29 | The Asheville Symphony Chorus will present a night of musical magic and poetry from the shores of the iconic European river.
• Poetry Slam by Beasts of the Mountain | Sunday, Nov. 12 | 7-10 p.m. | The Pot Stirred, 191 Lyman St., Asheville | $5-$25 | Gather your best original pieces to compete against other local poets during this monthly slam — or just join the audience and listen.

• This Saturday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, and you’ve got plenty of opportunities to commemorate the holiday. Explore the events — like ceremonies + a parade — going on throughout the weekend to honor local veterans.

• To be frank, the 5th Annual Sausage Festival is the place to be to get your fill of beer, cider, pretzels, polka, and of course, Hickory Nut Gap Farm’s sausage and salami. Stop by the farm this Saturday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for all things sausage + games, vendors, demonstrations, and no-holds-barred musical chairs.

• Explore the art that came out of an era of unrest — Asheville Art Museum’s new exhibition “American Art in the Atomic Age: 1940–1960" opens this Friday, Nov. 10 with works from artists in the experimental printmaking studio, Atelier 17. The art will be on display through Monday, Apr. 29.

• Thinking about adding a furry friend to the family? Well this might be the perfect time — Asheville Humane Society has got a full house and is waiving adoption fees through this Saturday, Nov. 11. All adoptions come with a spay or neuter, microchip, up-to-date vaccinations, initial flea and heartworm prevention, and even food to get you started.

Why go?

• It is known as the oldest and first European settlement in America (founded in 1565).
• In 2022, the Nation’s Oldest City opened Asado Life, offering a live grilling culinary experience.

Act like a local:

• Outdoors: Tour the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument – it’s a great photo op.
• Learn: Check out Flagler College, ranked No. 3 out of 132 Regional Colleges South by U.S. News.

Where to stay:

• Vrbo: The Luxury Historic Island Dog House of Downtown St. Augustine (~$202/night)*