Things to Do in Asheville This Weekend -- February 3-5, 2023

Here are ideas for what to do this weekend:

First Fridays on the Block

Friday, February 3, 5 - 8 p.m.
Noir Collective AVL

Celebrate Black History Month and the 130th birthday of the YMI Cultural Center at this monthly event series, which takes place the first Friday of each month. The party begins at 5 p.m. followed by Spoken Word by Black Diamond Enterprise at 6 p.m. The evening culminates with an art reception for Joseph Pearson at 7 p.m.

19th Annual Miniatures Show Reception

Friday, February 3, 5 p.m. 
American Folk Art and Framing

See the small but mighty works of art at the annual Miniatures Show. The artworks in this show are limited in size to 7 x 9 inches, with no restrictions on subject or spirit! To celebrate the opening, American Folk will hold a reception on Friday. Guests to this free event can purchase locally created bouquets of flowers and commission an on-demand poem.

*Assembly Requred: Asheville Designer Toy Expo

Saturday - Sunday, February 4-5, 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Grey Eagle

National Girl and Women in Sports Day

Saturday, February 4, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Carrier Park

Take part in an annual day of learning and encouragement, designed to expose women and girls to a variety of activities that will inspire them to lead through active, healthy lifestyles. Open to women and girls ages 6 and up, this is a chance to try new sports and fitness activities or improve on an area of interest. There is no cost to participate.

Black History Month Celebration

Saturday, February 4, 5 - 8 p.m. 
Burton Street Community Center

Join Burton Street friends and neighbors for dinner and a movie highlighting the accomplishments of Black Americans.

Family Session in the Salt Cave

Sunday, February 5, 10 - 11 a.m.
Asheville Salt Cave

Live Music, Comedy, Dance and Theatre 

Friday (February 3):

• Chris Wayne Music at Ginger's Revenge, 6 p.m.
• Squirrel Nut Zippers & Dirty Dozen Brass Band at The Orange Peel, 7 p.m.
• Performance: Odeya Nini / Zach Cooper at Black Mountain College Musuem + Arts Center, 7 p.m.
• Every Brilliant Thing + Post Show Talkback at NC State Company, 7:30 p.m.
• AVL Underground Comedy: Liam Nelson at GiGi's Underground, 8 p.m.
• Pierce Edens + Nicholas Jamerson at The Grey Eagle, 8 p.m.
• Carolina Clay at White Horse Black Mountain, 8 p.m.
• Boiler Room Comedy: Adam Schulte at Boiler Room, 9:30 p.m.
• Chaotic Comedy at GiGi's Underground, 10 p.m.
• Venus Dark House Party at Asheville Beauty Academy, 10 p.m.

Saturday (February 4):

• Bluegrass Brunch at Bold Rock Hard Cider, 10 a.m. 
• Brandon Holder & Toma Fuller at Sierra Nevada, 2 p.m.
• PAN HARMONIA: Adventure Armenia Benefit at First Presbyterian Church, 3 p.m.
• Brown Eyed Women at Salvage Station, 7 p.m.
• Every Brilliant Thing - Official Opening Night at NC Stage Company, 7:30 p.m.
• 70s and 80s Dance Party - Disco Fever! at The Orange Peel, 8 p.m.
• The Asheville Jazz Orchestra at White Horse Black Mountain, 8 p.m.
• Aquila Theatre presents Shakespeare's Julius Caesar at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 8 p.m.

Sunday (February 5):

• Bluegrass Brunch at Bold Rock Hard Cider, 10 a.m.
• Every Brilliant Thing at NC Stage Company, 2 p.m.
• Blushin' Roulettes at Sierra Nevada, 2 p.m.
• Extreme Music Bingo at Sweeten Creek Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Comedy at Catawba: Ahmed Bharoocha at Catawba Brewing Company - South Slope, 6 p.m.
• Standup Comedy Hosted by Morgan Bost at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, 6:30 p.m.
• Meade Richter and the Swingbillies of Boonetown at White Horse Black Mountain, 7:30 p.m.

Tailgate & Specialty Pop Up Markets 

Shop local at the Asheville area's numerous farmers, tailgate, and holiday markets. Here's a look at some of the markets you can visit this weekend:

• Community Clothing Swap Open Sunday, February 5, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Retro Coffee
• WNC Farmers Market: Open 7 days a week, year-round, at 570 Brevard Road 
• North Asheville Tailgate Winter Market: Open Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. through March 25, 2023 at UNCA
• Asheville City Market: Open Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. through March 25, 2023 on North Market Street in downtown Asheville.

Visit an art studio or art exhibition 

Asheville is home to hundreds of artists, galleries and studios making creative expression a way of life here in the mountains. Here is a look at some of the current art exhibitions in the city:

• Beyond the Binding - Opening Reception at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, Friday, February 3, 5 - 6:30 p.m.
• The Nude - Opening Reception at Pink Dog Gallery, Saturday, February 4, 5 - 8 p.m.
• Colby Caldwell: landmarks (digital photography) at Tracey Morgan Gallery, through February 18, 2023 
• Leonardo da Vinci’s: 500 Years of Genius (immersive video exhibit) at Biltmore through February 20, 2023
• 19th Annual Miniatures Show at American Folk Art and Framing, through February 22, 2023
• Blown Glass Demonstrations with Andrew Montrie, at Appalachian Craft Center, each Friday, 1 - 5 p.m., through May 5, 2023

Go For A Hike

Experience incredible layered mountain vistas, thundering waterfalls and gorgeous forests on a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Begin browsing hikes with our Asheville Hiking Guide. And, find the hike just right for you by checking out our Asheville Hike Finder tool. The tool gives you the opportunity to filter hikes by length, difficult, popularity and distance from Asheville.

Leave No Trace

As you're out exploring the trails and waterfalls that make the Blue Ridge Mountains so special, it's important to leave everything as you found it. Follow these seven principles of Leave No Trace to ensure you and future generations can enjoy these mountains for years to come.