Every year on April 22, Earth Day is marked by an estimated one billion people in 192 countries. Whether tree plantings, educational events, or fundraisers, participants work to do their part in keeping our world green and clean. So get ready to clean up your act and celebrate Earth Day in Asheville.
Lend a hand
Earth Day Cleanup | Saturday, April 20 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Various locations, Asheville | Free | Sign up for this Buncombe County Parks and Recreation-sponsored cleanup to pick up litter, help with landscaping or planting, join trail work, and more at either Buncombe County Sports Park or Lake Julian Park.
Earth Day Celebration + Volunteering | Sunday, April 21 | 2-5 p.m. | Root Cause Farm, 26 Joe Jenkins Rd., Fairview | Free | Get your hands dirty for a good cause — help plant 6,000 vegetables to feed the community and enjoy free seeds + soil to take home and grow.
Bike Lane Sweep | Monday, April 22 | 12 p.m. | River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St., Asheville | Free | BYOB (bring your own broom) to help clean up bike lanes of glass, nails, screws, and rocks — Pedal Cab Co. will bring trash bags.
Travel & Hospitality Earth Day Cleanup | Monday, April 22 | 2-4:30 p.m. | Various locations, Asheville | Free | Hosted by Explore Asheville, Asheville GreenWorks, and RiverLink, the cleanup will take place throughout the city — check in at your host venue for supplies, clean your neighborhood for an hour, then head back for some socializing.
Eco education
Earth Day Symposium | Saturday, April 20 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Dr., Asheville | Free | Nature enthusiasts can join the environmental education workshops, free eco crafting, and more as they participate in the cleanups.
Hendo Earth Fest | Saturday, April 20 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Main Street, Hendersonville | Free | Local and regional environmental allies will host hands-on activities and demonstrations to educate and inspire.
Earth Month EV Car Show | Sunday, April 21 | 12-4 p.m. | Tanger Outlets Asheville, 800 Brevard Rd., Asheville | Free | Learn more about electric vehicles, get your questions answered from owners, and even take a test ride.
Get creative
Eco Poetry Creative Writing Event | Friday, April 19 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Swannanoa Library, 101 W. Charleston Ave., Swannanoa | Free | Draw inspiration from the world around you as Warren Wilson College’s Donnie Henry guides you through the creation of an eco poem.
Earth Day Craft | Saturday, April 20 | 1-4 p.m. | Oakley/South Asheville Library, 749 Fairview Rd., Asheville | Free | Drop by with your kids of all ages to make fun Earth Day crafts in the children’s room.
Plants and Paints | Saturday, April 20 | 2 p.m. | The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Ste 10, Asheville | Free | Fill your garden beds with seedlings and saplings from Asheville GreenWorks, enjoy food trucks and drink specials, and play with recycled paints and repurposed canvas from DecoEarth + LEAF Global Arts’ Easel Rider.
Make Newspaper Pots | Tuesday, April 23 | 3-4:15 p.m. | North Asheville Public Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville | Free | Get your kids into sustainable gardening as they create a newspaper pot and plant seeds in it.
Party for a cause
Kids Fest | Saturday, April 20 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Dr. Wesley S. Grant Southside Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | Families with children ages 1-10 can join for nature discovery, face painting, music, food trucks, and more — hosted by Buncombe Partnership for Children and Asheville Parks and Recreation.
Earth Day Celebration | Saturday, April 20 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Kanuga Conference Center, 471 Kanuga Chapel Dr., Hendersonville | $0-$15 | Spend the afternoon canoeing, hiking, playing lawn games, and listening to the sounds of Billy Jonas and Free Planet Radio in support of the nonprofit retreat center.
Earth Day FundBlazer | Saturday, April 20 | 5-8 p.m. | Foundation Studios, 27 Foundy St., Ste. 10, Asheville | Free | Explore info about local environmental advocacy organizations, listen to live music, and enjoy an art display from Hannah Rothstein, limited edition print sales from Asheville Fine Art Printing, and a cannabis booth by Golden Goat Gallery — all in support of Asheville GreenWorks.
2nd Annual Earth Day 5K | Saturday, April 20 | 10 a.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | $25-$40 | The race will support Green Built Alliance’s programs and provide educational opportunities for engaging with the community’s commitment to 100% renewable energy.
Bountiful Bowls | Sunday, April 21 | 1-5 p.m. | UNC Asheville Sherrill Center, 1 University Heights, Asheville | Free | Celebrate Earth Day and Food Waste Reduction Month all in one by filling a beautiful handmade bowl with salad or soup, in support of Bountiful Cities.
MountainTrue Earth Day Celebration | Monday, April 22 | 5-7 p.m. | The Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | Raise a glass to MountainTrue’s volunteers, supporters, and staff — homeowners or business owners can bring their power bill for a drink ticket compliments of Sugar Hollow Solar.
Earth Day Dinner | Monday, April 22 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Bargello, 7 Patton Ave., Asheville | Dine on a five-course meal and enjoy beer pairings from Sideways Farm and Brewery while Executive Chef Tyler Slade guides you through the menu and shares the farm’s story.
Extend the celebration
Earth Day is just the beginning — surrounding the holiday is National Parks Week, a chance to discover programs, explore the great outdoors, and celebrate everything parks. The week kicks off on Saturday, April 20 with waived entrance fees and continues through Sunday, April 28 with a variety of special events.
Closer to home, Asheville Tea Company is launching the Green River blend, inspired by the river that flows just south of Asheville, on Wednesday, April 17. Through the end of May, a portion of the proceeds of the lemony, refreshing brew will be donated to Conserving Carolina.
