Things are looking ghoulishly good for Halloween festivities in the 828 this year, so we’re highlighting some of the events that most excite us.
Pro tip: Because schedules + policies can change rapidly due to COVID-19, be sure to call before you head out. It’s also a good idea to double check if they have masking + proof of vaccination policies.
Is it even the Halloween season without pups in costume? We think not. I Photo by @melmelsmamafood
Carolina Pumpkin Spelltacular | Weekends, Oct.15-31 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Tryon International Equestrian Center | $15+ | This immersive, family-friendly experience features 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins, a monster party, autumnal eats, a haunted gold mine + more. 🎃
The Witches' Coven Drag Brunch | Sat., Oct. 17 | 12 p.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St. | $32 | Watch local drag queens serve spooky lewks while you serve yourself a buffet brunch with a complimentary mimosa or bloody mary. 🍹
Doggoween Dog Costume Contest | Sun., Oct. 24 | 3-6 p.m. | Getaway River Bar, 790 Riverside Dr. | Free | This howlingly cute contest showcases dogs dressing up in costumes and being judged by local celebs. 🐶
Scarecrow Festival | Mon., Oct. 25-Sun., Oct. 31 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Lake Julian Park, 37 Lake Julian Rd. | Free | Pay homage to the fall harvest at this annual fest featuring scarecrows constructed + decorated by the community. 👻
Zombie Disco | Sun., Oct. 31 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St. | Free | Bust a move and show folks how the undead get down on the dance floor. 💃
Halloween Mimosa Yoga | Sun., Oct. 31 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St. | Free | Beginners and advanced yogis alike are welcome at this Halloween-themed class, which features spooky music, a costume contest + candy. 🧘
And there's more where that came from. 👇
Today
- Film Screening and Talk | Fri., Oct. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Virtual or Haywood Street Congregation, 297 Haywood St. | Free | Join award-winning documentary filmmaker Chris Zaluski for a screening and discussion about the Haywood Street Congregation’s fresco mural.
- Antique and Collectible Book Sale | Fri., Oct. 15-Sat., Oct 16 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. | Free | Proceeds from this annual sale support programming for the library. 📚
Saturday
- Apple Harvest Festival | Sat., Oct. 16 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Downtown Waynesville | Free | Find ~200 arts + craft booths, food concessions, music, cloggers, and apple treats galore at this 34th annual fest. 🍎
- Cellarfest | Sat., Oct. 16 | 12 p.m. | Cellarest Beer Project, 395 Haywood Rd. | Free | Enjoy live music, art, Oktoberfest-inspired eats, and lots of beer at this inaugural event. 🍺
- Buzz E-Bike Pop-Up | Sat., Oct. 16 | 1-3 p.m. | Bhramari Brewing Company, 101 South Lexington Ave. | Free | Test ride the brand’s newest e-products while enjoying a beer. 🚴
- Scrivener Essentials with Charlotte Lit's Paul Reali | Sat., Oct. 16 | 1-5 p.m. | AB Tech, 29 Tech Dr. | $100 | Learn how to use this writing + organizing software created for writers by writers.
- Parade of Homes | Sat., Oct. 16-Sun., Oct. 17 | 1-5 p.m. | Various locations | Free | Gather inspiration, meet folks from the building industry, and peek inside of some of WNC's newest homes during the last weekend of in-person tours for the 40th Annual Parade of Homes. 🏠 Ⓟ
- Fall Warehouse Sale + Artisan Market | Sat., Oct. 16 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Atelier Maison & Co., 121 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Free | Enjoy big sales, food, live music + up to 40% off curated warehouse items. Ⓟ
Sunday
- RAIL Memorial | Sun., Oct. 17 | 3:30 p.m. | Andrews Geyser, 2111 Mill Creek Rd., Old Fort | Free | Join the unveiling of The Railroad and Incarcerated Laborer Memorial Project.
- Queer Girls Literary Reading | Sun., Oct. 17 | 4:30 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave. | $5+ | The 12th annual gathering features original work by “literary queer girls.”
- Reiki & Restore PRIDE Class | Sun., Oct. 17 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Down Dog, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Price varies | As part of Down Dog's Pints for Pride fundraiser for Youth Outright, Allé of Trans Yoga Teacher will lead a reiki and restore yoga class for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. Ⓟ
- Sunset Rooftop Yoga with Live Drumming | Sun., Oct. 17 | Aloft Hotel, 51 Biltmore Ave. | $25 | Local soundscape artist Billy Zanski will play the drums to create a peaceful atmosphere to assist in relaxation while Down Dog Yoga Studio leads a yoga class during golden hour. Ⓟ
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 81º | Sunny | 9% chance of rain
Civic
- Want to make a difference locally? You’re in luck. From the ABC Board to the Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee, the City of Asheville’s Boards and Commissions currently have several vacancies. The application deadline is 5 p.m., Mon., Nov. 1. Get more info. 🏢
Announced
- The inaugural Winter Tree Carnival is coming to Rabbit Rabbit (75 Coxe Ave.) Nov. 15-Jan. 2. The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank. Purchase your tree. 🎄
Learn
- The 8th annual African Americans in Western North Carolina & Southern Appalachia Conference returns to UNC Asheville Nov. 6 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The free virtual event will feature local + national experts sharing knowledge, insights, and next steps for racial justice. Register.
Cause
- Winter is coming, and the folks at Farmshire Animal Sanctuary are holding a blanket drive to help keep its animals warm + cozy during the chilliest time of year. Got blankets, sheets, or towels you can get rid of? Email the sanctuary for drop off deets. 🐖
Eat
- In honor of NC Oyster Week (Oct. 11-15), the Thomas Wolfe Memorial has 2 great Wolfe family recipes to enjoy these mollusks: oyster stew and oyster dressing. Is the family’s cooking on par with the writing? It sounds tasty, but we’d love it if you let us know. 🦪
Active
- UNC Asheville’s Turning of the Maples Virtual 5K is back. Registration gets you a commemorative t-shirt + sticker, plus apple cider mix and a maple leaf cookie recipe. Run or walk it between Oct. 28-30 and share a pic of your results with #UNCAvl and #TurningoftheMaples. 👟
State
- Gov. Roy Cooper has signed a bill into law that aims to reduce 70% of greenhouse gas emissions from the state's power plants by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This means Duke Energy’s coal-fired power plants are expected to be retired early + replaced by clean energy. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Kids
- Author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series Jeff Kinney is coming to the NC Arboretum Nov. 2 with a drive-thru event. Entry will be staggered by ticket time, and each ticket admits 1 car and includes a signed copy of Big Shot (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #16). Get more info. 📚
Biz
- The owners of To the Brim: Refill Store (145 Charlotte Hwy., Ste. 60) are moving out of state at the end of the month and are looking to sell their business to someone committed to reducing plastic waste. If they can’t find one, they’ll have to close the store. Interested? Contact the owners.
Asked
- We’re compiling a list of spots where folks can dine in or order Thanksgiving feasts, and that’s where you come in. Is your eatery throwing down for Turkey Day or you know a great one that is? Please holler so we can share it with readers. 🦃
Number
- That’s how old Asheville company MB Haynes turned this year. Read more about what they’ve learned from a century in business. 🎂 Ⓟ
Earlier this week, Good Morning America made a stop in town to highlight the work of nonprofit Asheville Strong. Founded during the pandemic by local writers and marketing professionals Catherine Campbell and Brandon Amico, the nonprofit began with a gift card directory where folks could support local businesses that had been shut down during the pandemic.
Since then, it’s grown to become a vital source of support for independent area businesses through crisis-relief programs + resources, such as working with area restaurants to feed thousands of unemployed restaurant workers a week. We couldn’t be more proud of them and the work they do.
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Speaking of Halloween, we're pondering costumes.
Editor Laura is usually a pirate, but is considering mixing it up this year. If you have any fun ideas, holler. Editor Brook will be one half of 90s country music titans Brooks and Dunn — complete with cowboy hat and guitar.
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