Fall: we are ready to welcome you to Asheville! October is full of date night ideas from farm to table beer dinners and Oktoberfests to spooky Halloween events, October is the month to go out and have fun. Previously a weekly Best Bets, we have upgraded our events list to a monthly ‘Best of” where we compile the weeks into one big feature for you to browse each month. Here is our curated list of upcoming events for October. We have the best events in Asheville for your October date nights.
October 1 – 8
WNC Garlic Fest 2019
October 5, Noon – 6pm
Sow True Seed
The 6th Annual WNC Garlic Fest is returning to Asheville NC. A family-focused free festivity of all things garlic.
The ever so popular WNC Garlic Trail allows you to follow a trail map around the event, collecting delicious and whacky garlic samples from local vendors. This garlic education series will help you grow and cook garlic, and Sow True Seed plus local farmers are on hand to with seed garlic to grow in your own gardens.
Free admission
Fall Farm To Table Dinner
October 3, 5 – 9pm
Olivette
Enjoy a delicious riverside meal focused on farm-fresh ingredients to celebrate an autumnal bounty. Over Easy Cafe will share their creativity and talents with the table by designing a 5-course meal. 50/Fifty: the art of dessert will transform the last course into a sweet work of art. Cordial and Craft will refresh your palate with uplifting farm cocktails and mocktails. This combination of Asheville culinary elite with the backdrop of the French Broad River at Olivette’s pristine riverside park will create an unforgettable experience.
$80/person
2019 Brewgrass Music Festival
October 5, 3 – Midnight
Salvage Station
Previously at Memorial Stadium, Asheville North Carolina’s Brewgrass Festival reinvents Itself after 23 years and is being held riverside at Salvage Station located at 468 Riverside Drive in Asheville, North Carolina, will embrace a different format. Its direction will shift, focusing heavily on showcasing regionally and nationally known bluegrass acts and will no longer have a traditional beer tasting that has become the hallmark of beer festivals across the country.
This year’s music lineup will include such headliners as the Sam Bush Band, Unspoken tradition, Jaime Kent, and Sanctum Sully. More artists will be announced and added to the festivities leading up to the big event.
$35/person
Asheville Oktoberfest
October 5, 1 – 6pm
Pack Square Park
Asheville Oktoberfest, presented by Allegiant, returns on Saturday, October 5 from 1pm to 6pm in Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville. Tickets on sale at ashevilleoktoberfest.com. Oktoberfest is a production of the Asheville Downtown Association. Oktoberfest is a 21 and over festival, attendees are strongly encouraged to leave the kids at home. If you must bring children, those six and up must have a child ticket. Children under six will be admitted free. Designated driver tickets are available for $10.
$10 – $45/person
Fall Movie Nights Under the Stars at Biltmore
October 3, 9, 16, 22 and October 30, 31, 8:30 – 10:30pm
Antler Hill Barn Biltmore
Get there early to find a good seat, play lawn games, and enjoy delicious Carolina barbecue and snacks available for purchase from The Smokehouse. All shows at Antler Hill Barn rain or shine. All movies begin at 8:30 p.m. Here is the lineup:
Thursday, October 3—Hocus Pocus (PG)
Wednesday, October 9—Beetlejuice (PG)
Wednesday, October 16—Casper (PG)
Tuesday, October 22—The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)
Wednesday, October 30—It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (G)
Thursday, October 31—Hocus Pocus (PG)
Included in estate admission, with a stay at The Inn, Village Hotel, or Cottage, or with Biltmore Annual Pass.
The Haunted Farm!
October 4,5,10,11,12,17,18,19,20,25,26,30,31, 6:30pm – (Check ending times)
The Haunted Farm
The Haunted Farm is the Scariest Haunted Halloween Attraction in The Carolinas. Located in rural farmland near Hendersonville, NC. 2019 will be the 9th consecutive year of bringing a unique brand of Terror and Fun to Western North Carolina! You must be brave enough to join them for “DEATHYARD” the 9th VERY Terrifying Season!
$25 – $45/person
SPARC After Dark
October 3, 6 – 9pm
The Boathouse at Smoky Park Supper Club
Let your little light shine for The SPARC Foundation as they sparkle and glow (feel free to wear your boldest and brightest) along the French Broad River! Hosted by Asheville Affiliates, SPARC After Dark will light up the night to raise funds for programs working to keep people out of institutional care.
Modern Strangers will fill the autumn air with high-energy music… and the event will overflow with tasty local food and drinks from Urban Orchard, Roots Hummus, Catawba Brewing, Mellow Mushroom, and more. Expect spectacular raffle packages and local prizes. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Get yours today for early bird pricing, raffle ticket bundles + exclusive SPARC & GLOW package.
$25 – $30/person
Oktoberfest at The Whale :: Prost!
October 5, 3 – 7pm
The Whale
Oktoberfest, Whale style! The Whale will be changing over the taps to showcase some of their favorite German biers. Drinking games and contest all day long. Pull out your lederhosen and come party with The Whale folks!
Free admission
Copper Crown Giving Back Night for Food Connection
October 7, 4:30 – 9:30pm
Copper Crown
Make it a Do Good Date Night! Does the thought of fresh delicious food in the trash while people go hungry bother you? Do something about it! Join Copper Crown on Monday, October 7th for their Giving Back Night benefiting Food Connection. They will be generously donating 15% of proceeds from dine-in and take-out on this day.
While reservations are not required they are recommended. (828) 505-7531
Free admission
About Food Connection: They rescue unserved prepared food from caterers, restaurants, and institutions and connects the fresh meals to local partners who feed those in need. Since launching in 2015, Food Connection has rescued over 195,000 fresh meals. Amazing!
BomBassic Presents: Rooftop Sessions, Sunset Edition!
October 6, 3 – 8pm
Capital Club of Asheville
Capital Club of Asheville features an INDOOR room that delivers a stunning 270-degree view of downtown AVL and a spacious OUTDOOR terrace with ample lighting. Each lineup will be carefully curated, selecting AVL’s most cherished DJs and producers. Setting the perfect vibes for the perfect sunset. Tickets are limited, get yours today!
$10 In advance, $15 Day of
Musicians’ Benefit For The Bahamas! Ft. Jeff Sipe & Friends
October 2, 6 – 11pm
The Grey Eagle
Jeff Sipe & Friends host a benefit for The Bahamas hurricane relief at The Grey Eagle. Here is the lineup:
Jeff Sipe & Friends • Jon Stickley & Friends • Jane Kramer & Free Planet Radio • Phuncle Sam • Chalwa • Josh Blake • Kevin “KalimbaMan” Spears • QuickChester • Jason DiCristofaro • Super Jam ft. Kaizen (Sipe, Barnes, McDaniel)
Leftover Salmon’s 4th Annual Blue Ridge Jam
October 6, 2 – 11pm
Pisgah Brewing Taproom
Leftover Salmon has announced their 4th installment of the Blue Ridge Jam, held at WNC’s #1 Outdoor Music Venue, the beautiful Pisgah Brewing Outdoor Stage. The 1-day event will be held on Sunday, October 6th, and will feature a carefully curated line-up of musical friends and family to support Leftover Salmon.
$30 – $70/person
Osktoberfest
October 5, Noon – 6pm
Oskar Blues Brewing in Brevard, NC
Mark your calendars for a day filled with beer and lederhosen. What more could you ask for? German-inspired food from Oskar Blues CHUBwagon and Underground Baking Co.’s Brezel Bus. Specialty Oktoberfest beers on tap, live music, costume contest, prizes for best-dressed German male and female. Is a family-friendly event with plenty for the kids to enjoy!
Free admission
Hoppy Harvest Fest
October 6, Noon – 4pm
Highland Brewing
In the Meadow from celebrating the release of their Wet Hop IPA with tons of fun activities for the whole family, including a hay-bale maze, mini pumpkin decorating with Manna FoodBank, face painting, a balloon twister, and corn hole. We’ll also have hop sensory tours available and casting demonstrations happening with our friends from Trout Unlimited Southeast. The Meadow bar will be open, along with lemonade, ice cream from The Hop Ice Creamery, and food trucks on-site!
Free admission
Fall Family Fun Fest
October 5, 1 – 5pm
Blue Ghost Brewing in Fletcher
Blue Ghost Brewing is celebrating their 5th birthday by hosting a Fall Family Fun Festival for the whole family. Vendors, kids’ activities, food, and fun!
ArborEvenings
October 3, 10, 17, 24, 6 – 9pm
NC Arboretum
Relax and unwind at the Arboretum’s new “ArborEvenings” weekly after-hours gathering. Held every Thursday, April – October, from 6 to 9 p.m., guests will see the Arboretum’s gardens come to light after dark while enjoying weekly live entertainment, delicious snacks and tasty beverages, including beer and wine.
Free admission with daytime parking fees
October 9 – 16
Pong Rock
October 12, Noon – 5pm
Bold Rock Hard Cider Mills River, NC
A fun-filled afternoon of Ping Pong, drinks and food at Bold Rock Hard Cider hosted by Pong AVL. Pong will be popping up with five of their Ping Pong tables and offering a singles tournament at 3:30 pm, with prizes for the winner.
Free admission (Based on a first come first serve basis)
Harmonies for Homes
October 12, 6 – Midnight
Salvage Station
Another Do Good Date Night opportunity! Head out to Salvage Station, for another year of celebrating the work that the REACH Fund – Homeward Bound has accomplished with the help of all YOU! Real Estate Agents Combating Homelessness has proven to be something that our community wants to get behind and the results are impressive. In collaboration with Josh Blake’s all-star line-up of musical talents from Asheville, Salvage Station presents the second annual Harmonies for Homes, with great admiration for our beautiful community.
$20 – $50/person
Namastay for Beer Sunday Yoga
October 6, 13, 20, 27, 11 – Noon
Collaboratory
Kick-off your Sunday fun day with yoga and brunch at the Collaboratory hosted by Violet Owl Wellness! Every Sunday at 11am, join Violet Owl Wellness for an all-levels yoga class, then brunch and drink specials in our taproom through the afternoon.
$10/person.
Wizard Pub Crawl: Asheville
October 12, 3 – 10pm
Accio all Wizards, Witches, and Muggles in Asheville! The Wizards Pub Crawl is here on 10/12 and we want you to join hundreds of others as we celebrate wizardry, drink potions, and party all night long. Bar Partners: Wild Wing Cafe, Banks Ave., Twin Leaf Brewery, and The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall
$20 – $39/person
Fall Festival at Lake Julian Park
October 12, 11 – 2pm
Lake Julian Park in Arden, NC
Celebrate the turning of the leaves at this family festival with games, face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, and fun for all ages. There’s nothing quite like fall in the North Carolina mountains and nothing quite like enjoying it next to Lake Julian. The Fall Festival at Lake Julian Park is produced by Buncombe County Recreation Services.
Free admission
This year’s Fall Festival features a Curious George theme. Dress as your favorite children’s book character (get creative!) and enter the costume contest at 1:00 for a great prize.
4th Annual BG Harvest Festival
October 12, Noon – 10pm
Blue Ghost Brewing
Blue Ghost is celebrating all things great about the fall with our 4th Annual Harvest Festival. Tasty eats from The Hungry Ghost and Amazing Pizza Co., fall-themed activities, live music, local vendors and more!
Free admission
Cocktails with Compassion for AMOS!
October 9, 5:30 – 7pm
Spicer-Greene Jewelers
Another epic Do Good Date Night! This first event for Cocktails with Compassion will be at Spicer-Greene Jewelers and they have chosen Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) as the organization guests will be donating to. Spicer-Greene Jewelers will have a fantastic raffle and there will be drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
$20 cash or check to donate to AMOS
Cider Cinema: Beetlejuice
October 10, 7 – 9pm
Bold Rock Hard Cidery
Introducing Cider Cinema! A unique cinematic experience featuring: Bold Rock Hard Cider, Bold Bites Food Truck, and a movie screening on our jumbo screen! At dusk in their cider garden for the second movie of their Halloween Cider Cinema Series – Beetlejuice!
Free admission
Zombie Yo’Self pARTy
October 10, 6:30 – 9pm
Painting with a Twist!
A 3-Hour Custom Artwork where they sketch you. You ZOMBIE you! A fun night of paint & sip date night!
$47/person
Craft on Craft – Trucker Hat Painting Class
October 15, 6 – 8pm
Collaboratory
Paint along with artist, Elise Holmes, as you both create a mountain theme custom trucker hat using her signature techniques that will mimic watercolor, yet can stand up to rain, sleet, snow and whatever elements NC can throw at you. All supplies included! You will get a trucker hat, use of all paints, and supplies, and hands-on instruction from fashion designer, Elise Holmes. While you create you can enjoy some nibbles and beer specials while you make your custom masterpiece. You will walk away with an amazing new hat and some newfound creativity and probably a new friend or two.
$28/person
Burial Moonlit Art Market
October 9, 6 – 8pm
Burial Brewing
Burial Beer Co. is delighted to be hosting the fourth season of Moonlit Art Markets, which will run from May through October on the second Wednesday of each month at our Collier Avenue taproom from 8 – 11PM.
Free admission
Yoga in the Park
October 10, 6:30 – 7:45pm
Carrier Park
Join together over-looking the serene French Broad river in this all-level friendly Hatha flow taught by certified yoga instructor Ceiara Cartony. Also happening many other dates in October, look out for those!
Sliding scale $5-10
October 17 – 24
Insta-FRIGHT-night
October 19, 6:30 – 9:30pm
The Haunted Trail @ Pisgah Brewing Company
The Haunted Trail opens early for one night for an Instagram-centric photo booth experience where one can immerse themselves in the magic of the Haunted Trail scene installations.
$10/person
Bears Bees + Brews Festival
October 19, Noon – 5pm
New Belgium Brewing
Celebrate wildlife conservation and engage with incredible environmental organizations, while enjoying lively, family-friendly entertainment, sweet + savory bites, and tasty brews, all in one place. Live Music, Food Vendors, Education and Art, Games and Raffles, Silent Auction, Social Photo Opps, Family-Friendly, Friendly Dogs Welcomed.
Free admission
Fermented Pairings Series AVL: The Secrets of Home-made Pizza
October 17, 6 – 7:30pm
White Labs Kitchen & Tap
A hands-on workshop with White Labs Kitchen & Tap’s pizza dough master, Sean Dean will share his tips and tricks for using brewer’s yeast in your pizza dough. To round out this class, guests will dine on pizza with a special beer pairing. The perfect pizza date night!
$30/person
Fall Cookie Decorating Class
October 23, 6 – 8pm
Craft Centric & Taproom
This is a hands-on instructed course that includes decorating a half dozen of their own fall-themed royal iced cookies. All tools are provided and you can enjoy the cookies once you’ve decorated them!
$20/person
Apple Harvest Festival
October 19, 10 – 5pm
Downtown Waynesville, NC
Hailed as one of the “10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the Nation”, the 30th Annual Apple Festival is a celebration of the autumn harvest and Haywood County’s agricultural heritage. Countless booths of fresh apple pies, tarts, caramel apples, ciders, jewelry, pottery, and yard art will be present. Try your hand at hand-cranking ice cream or pressing apple cider, then taste the fruit of your labor. Live Music, dancing, crafts, and old-fashioned games make this event fun for the whole family!
Free admission
The Horror Show: Tales from the Red Room
October 24,25,26, 7:30pm
The Magnetic Theatre
The Horror Show is a theatrical homage to cinematic horror anthologies (Creepshow, The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt), featuring eerie, tense and terrifying one-act plays written by some of Asheville’s most innovative writers.
$23/person
De’ Rumba
Urban Orchard South Slope
October 4 & 18, 9 – 1am
Fun drink specials, Tropical inspired dance music and one of Asheville’s best dance floors awaits for you to dance to the rhythms of Cumbia, Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Reggaeton and more. A percentage of every select Cider Cocktail purchased will go to support Asheville FM witch is a volunteer-based, grassroots community radio station.”, so help us show them some love and get your groove on while you do it.
The Haunted Trail
October 23 – 27, 6:30 – 9pm
Pisgah Brewing
The Haunted Trail is returning to Pisgah Brewery for its 7th year scaring Buncombe County families. The complete package includes a heart-pumping walk through the trail filled with live actors, spooky sounds, and spectacular props. After adrenaline reaches peak levels during the trail walk, guests spill out screaming and laughing into the Party at Pisgah Park. The party warmly welcomes trail-goers with Halloween crafts, local food trucks and amusing, super-sized games and Pisgah beer on tap for the grown-ups!
Vivian Fried Chicken Dinner Night
October 17, 5 – 10pm
Vivian
It’s finally here! Every Third Thursday of the Month Vivian kitchen will be cooking up a good ole’ fashioned fried chicken dinner. Three cuts of chicken, two down-home sides, and one of our big buttery biscuits for $19. Make a reservation or just pop on in because the regular menu is available as well!
Free admission
October 25 – 31
Distillery Haunt
October 30, 5 – 10pm
Cultivated Cocktails
Do you dare step into the haunted distillery? Careful of the bewitching cocktails, seriously scary still room, and curious costumes. Costumes encouraged, but not required! $6 cocktails
Free admission
Spooktacular Soiree
October 31, 6 – 1am
Haiku I Do
Costume dance party Halloween night and a spooktacular night of dancing at Haiku I Do! Come in costume and get a discount at the door!
$10/person
Hempoween Harvest Fest
October 27, 1 – 7pm
The BLOCK Off Biltmore
Hemp & Halloween themed party to celebrate the holiday and Harvest season – COSTUMES WELCOME! Kids 3 and under are free, but there will be a sliding scale cover fee per person at the door ($5-$45) that will include entry into contests, appetizers, dinner, activities, and so on listed below. The Carolina Hemp Company Hemp Xpress will be offering drop off and pick up for those without transportation; information regarding available parking will also be shared.
Free admission
Haunted Beach Party: Tiki of Terror
October 26, 9 – 2am
Ole Shakey’s
It’s time again, fans and friends and odds and ends. Hope you gals and guys, Jims and Sals, and best pals can ride a wave to Ole Shakey’s for cocktails and corpses all night. Proceeds benefit Stonewall Sports – Asheville and Blue Ridge Pride Center’s Community Partner Fund.
$5/person
Festival of Heroes
October 26, Noon – 10pm
Montford Players Park
Warriors, Wanderers, Wakandans, & Westerosi! A Festival of Heroes & Goblin Market on Saturday, October 26th located at the Montford Park Players’s beautiful outdoor Shakespearean amphitheater, this will be a wondrous day of skilled fighting and musical entertainment!
Free admission
The Blind Pig presents: ‘Welcome to OZ’
October 27, 5 – 8:30pm
Somewhere in (city of) Asheville
The Blind Pig Supper club celebrates 80 years of the 1939 American Music Fantasy widely known as the greatest film in cinematic history.
$65/person
Free Movie – Hocus Pocus
October 28, 7 – 9pm
The Orange Peel
Costumes are welcome! The Orange Peel will have Halloween candy at the bar for some early trick or treating. Popcorn, large candy, and beverages available. Invite your friends or make it a family date night!
Free admission
Into the Abyss Halloween Anniversary Party!
October 26, Noon – 1am
Urban Orchard Cider Co.
Dawn your best underwater garb and go celebrate Halloween and Urban Orchard’s 6 year anniversary. They’ll be slinging their infamous spicy fire flights and have AVLFM DJs lined up all day!
Free admission
Harry Potter Hallowe’en
October 30, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Craft Centric Taproom & Bottle Shop
Special trivia night for the Harry Potter fans of Asheville. So many important events happen on this holiday in the Harry Potter books so they will be quizzing you about them and more. Prizes for best costume and the trivia winners!
Free admission
REEL ROCK 14
October 24, 7 – 10pm
Diane Wortham Theatre
The REEL ROCK Film Tour, one of climbing’s greatest celebrations, returns this fall with a new collection of world premiere films. In The High Road, the powerful and bold Nina Williams tests herself on some of the highest, most difficult boulder problems ever climbed. In the United States of Joe’s, climbers collide with a conservative coal mining community in rural Utah, to surprising results. And in The Nose Speed Record, legends Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold battle Yosemite dirtbags Jim Reynolds and Brad Gobright in a high stakes race for greatness.
Looking Glass Creamery Tasting Dinner
October 27, 6 – 9pm
The Golden Fleece
Looking at you, cheese lovers! Golden Fleece is extremely excited to announce that they are teaming up with Asheville’s favorite cheesemakers, Looking Glass Creamery, to bring you a mouthwatering tasting dinner featuring Looking Glass Creamery cheeses and a thoughtfully curated menu by Chefs George Delidimos & Josef Joest.
Free admission
Collaboratory Beer Dinner
October 30, 6 – 8pm
Collaboratory
The Collaboratory’s Head Chef, Polo Alonso, and Master Brewer, Wayne Wambles, worked together to create a 5-course meal, perfectly paired with our own Collaboratory original craft brews. Come enjoy a special night and bring beer tasting to the next level.
$50/person or $80/couple
LATE SHOW: The Rocky Horror Show
October 26, 10pm
The Grey Eagle
The Rocky Horror Show is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Richard O’Brien. A humorous tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the late 1940s through to the early 1970s, the musical tells the story of a newly engaged couple getting caught in a storm and coming to the home of a mad transvestite scientist, Dr Frank-N-Furter, unveiling his new creation, a sort of Frankenstein-style monster in the form of an artificially made, fully grown, physically perfect muscle man named Rocky Horror, complete “with blond hair and a tan”.
$30/person
Halloween Skaraoke!
October 26, 9 – 1am
Fleetwood’s
Costumes highly encouraged! Your Ghost with the Most-Terror B.Ware will have your favorite songs ready!
Free admission
All Hallow’s Eve Circus and Benefit Showcase
October 30, 5:30 – 8:30pm
Hi-Wire Brewing at the Big Top
Come out see a great show and help a great lady! Christine Aiken has been part of Asheville’s Art scene for many years. She wanted to bring the magic of Circus to Asheville so she founded Asheville Aerial Arts. If you don’t know her you probably know someone who does. Last year she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and has fought the hard fight. While she is technically cancer-free the follow-up treatments are almost as brutal as her initial chemotherapy. Hi-Wire Brewing is holding this party to say thank you to her and hopefully raise some funds to make her struggle a little easier. Go out and enjoy the show and support this amazing single mom!
Free admission
PongAVL- Tasty Pong Tournament Halloween Edition
October 29, 5 – 9pm
Tasty Beverage Company
Costumes, intense table tennis, and plenty of beer! The Halloween edition of a monthly ping pong tournament with PongAVL and Lagunitas.
Leave a Reply