Get ready for celebration + advocacy. | Photo via Blue Ridge Pride
Lucky you. You just found AVLtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events happening in 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.
Festivals
Assembly Required Designer Toy Expo | Saturday, Feb. 1-Sunday, Feb. 2 | Times vary | Battery Park Hall | $6+ | These aren’t your kiddo’s LEGO creations — more than 50 designers, toy artists, and collectors will showcase their pop surrealist sculptures at this annual expo.
For the Love of Craft | Saturday, Feb. 22 | 12-8 p.m. | Battery Park Hall | $43+ | The inaugural festival from Asheville Brewers Alliance combines craft beverages and craft mac and cheese (not the blue box stuff) for a celebration of local culinary delights.
Theater, comedy + concerts
Tyler Ramsey | Saturday, Feb. 1 | The Grey Eagle | $26+ | The WNC-based singer-songwriter will play a show one year after the release of his latest album, “New Lost Ages.”
Blind Date Live | Friday, Feb. 7 | 6:30 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $22+ | See if you find love at the singles mixer before the show — then take your seat and see if sparks fly as locals take the stage for a live date, sight unseen.
Catan Tournament | 6-9 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe | $10 | Build cities, grow your army, and rack up victory points to win the grand prize — a copy of the game and Well Played + Catan merch.
Trivia Tuesdays | 7-9 p.m. | Voodoo Brewing Co., Arden | Gather your group and play for prizes as you answer questions and sip pints.
Wednesday, Jan. 29
Homeward Bound Outreach | 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. | Enka-Candler Library, Candler | Free | The nonprofit will provide information on homelessness resources and hand out cold weather supplies for folks who need them.
Rethinking Disaster Recovery and Rebuilding Post-Helene | 7-8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Warren Wilson College will host a panel of experts, including a representative from MountainTrue, to speak about rebuilding through a coordinated planning and engagement process.
Latin Night Wednesday | 8 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville | $7 | Get dance lessons from 8:30 to 9 p.m. before dancing the night away with DJ MTN VIBEZ providing the tunes.
Thursday, Jan. 30
Tropilachia Club Opening Night | 4-11 p.m. | Little Jumbo Bar | Price of purchase | Little Jumbo will put you on island time, transforming the bar into a tropical oasis through the end of February.
Lovers, Sinners, and Misfits | 5-7 p.m. | The Moxy | $25 per raffle ticket | Enjoy drinks and light bites as a custom pet portrait from local artist Patti Anastasi is raffled off to support the rebuild of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.
On Friday, Jan. 24, Dilbar announced on social media that it has closed, thanking Asheville for the years of support. You can still head next door to support its sister restaurant, Mehfil.
Traffic
The Craven Street bridge has reopened after sustaining significant damage from the storm. The bridge connects West Asheville to the lower RAD, which still faces a significant rebuilding process.
Open
The Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore has reopened. Head to Meadow Road Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. to donate goods or shop — purchases benefit the nonprofit’s New Home Construction and Emergency Disaster Repair programs.
Arts
On Valentine’s Day, Tyger Tyger is hosting a pop-up art auction to spread love to BeLoved Asheville. Grab a free ticket to bid on art salvaged from the storm and new pieces from gallery artists at 8 London Rd. in Biltmore Village.
Biz
After being postponed, the entrepreneurial party called HatchThis is returning from Friday, March 28 to Sunday, March 30. Bring your best ideas to pitch and compete for $20,000 in prizes. Buy tickets to participate or just come to attend the final pitch party on Sunday.
Sports
Drew Pember, the most decorated player in UNC Asheville basketball history, will now play for KK Mornar-Barsko zlato in Montenegro. Pember joined the Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies this summer for the NBA Summer League.
Wellness
Resources for Resilience continues to offer free sessions, including one dedicated to equipping participants with the tools to help others after a crisis, and another offering a safe space to share grief. Find details on how to join the virtual, bimonthly sessions.
Holiday
While Chimney Rock State Park rebuilds, its 20th Annual Groundhog Day celebration will continue at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. On Sunday, Feb. 2, Tater the Groundhog will not only predict the arrival of spring but also the winner of Super Bowl LIX. Attend in person from 12 to 2 p.m. or watch the Facebook livestream.
Civic
Buncombe County will soon begin the first phase of removing abandoned vehicles carried into public right-of-ways by Helene. Vehicles will be marked with an orange tag and towed seven days later.
Cause
Stars Servin’ Up Love Presented by Explore Asheville, the charity tennis match where legends like Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick will play alongside celebrities including Pete Wentz and Jeff Probst is happening this Sunday at Harrah’s Cherokee Center downtown. Grab tickets.*
The perfect Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t exi… Enter: Squishmallows. From ages three to 103, we’re pretty sure these ultra-soft, best-selling stuffed animals will make any age smile. We’re loving these five love day-inspired Squishmallows:
If the viral Dubai chocolate bar has been all over your feed (because same), it’s time to head to Potential New Boyfriend. The dessert shop and wine bar now has a special sundae with chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce, pistachio ganache, and Kataifi crunch. The only bad news is that the recently opened Haywood Road spot is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays — but it’ll be worth the wait.
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