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Things to do in Asheville, NC with friends

What's on in Asheville, NC this week — the spots locals are packing, buzzy restaurants, and weekend plans worth texting the group chat about.

10 hand-picked things to do in Asheville, NC right now · 5 with confirmed dates

Updated: Tue, Aug 18, 2026

How we pick spots for a group

  • Buzzy, higher-energy rooms that take a crowd
  • What's on right now over evergreen tourist stops
  • Bookable tables and shared plates a group can split

⚾ Happening Today

Events and things to do tonight in Asheville

Asheville Tourists vs. Brooklyn Cyclones

Tue, Aug 18, 2026 · 6:35 PM · McCormick Field · $$ · Best for Sports fans and families

Catch minor league baseball under the summer evening lights at historic McCormick Field with a cold local craft brew.

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Patio Show: McKinney

Tue, Aug 18, 2026 · 5:30 PM · Grey Eagle Patio Stage · $ · Best for Music lovers

Enjoy live early-evening acoustic tunes on the vibrant open-air patio stage at one of the River Arts District's staple venues.

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🍽️ Eat & Drink

Buzzy neighborhood kitchens, patio pours, and peak mountain harvest flavors

Cúrate

Downtown, Asheville · $$ · Best for Food enthusiasts and date night

Acclaimed Spanish tapas bar housed in a historic 1927 bus depot, serving exceptional jamón ibérico, authentic garlic shrimp, and world-class sherries.

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Rhino Club

South Slope, Asheville · $$ · Best for Cocktail connoisseurs

A stylish neighborhood lounge in the South Slope offering creative craft cocktails, natural wines, and a chic, intimate interior escape from the summer humidity.

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⛰️ This Weekend in Asheville, NC

Immersive festivals, outdoor jams, and film showcases across the mountains

The 2026 Asheville Film Festival

Fri, Aug 21, 2026 · 11:30 AM · Asheville Masonic Temple · $$ · Best for Cinephiles and culture seekers

Three days of indie screenings, themed Appalachian film blocks, filmmaker Q&As, and an awards gala at the historic Masonic Temple.

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The Hazy Hideaway Music + Arts Festival

Fri, Aug 21, 2026 · 12:00 PM · Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. · $$$ · Best for Live music fans

A two-day celebration at Sierra Nevada's sprawling Mills River brewery featuring headliners Phantogram and Toro y Moi alongside local art installations.

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Brew Ridge Jam Featuring Leftover Salmon

Fri, Aug 21, 2026 · 4:00 PM · French Broad River Brewery · $$ · Best for Bluegrass fans

Jamgrass pioneers Leftover Salmon headline this lively outdoor concert series stop complete with complimentary local beer tastings by the river.

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✨ New & Notable

Fresh studio showcases and late-summer cultural pop-ups

Peak Heirloom Tomato Season at WNC Farmers Market

Biltmore Area, Asheville · $ · Best for Home cooks and foodies

Browse sprawling open-air sheds overflowing with Cherokee Purples, Brandywines, mountain peaches, and just-picked local summer produce at its seasonal peak.

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🚗 Quick Escape

Refreshing weekend trips within a short drive of Asheville

Highlands Waterfall & Mountain Retreat

Highlands, NC (2 hours south) · $$$ · Best for Nature lovers and weekend explorers

Drive two hours south into the plateau town of Highlands for cooler mountain breezes, lush temperate rainforest trails leading to Dry Falls, and downtown boutique strolls.

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Linville Gorge & Parkway Scenic Escape

Linville Gorge, NC (1.5 hours northeast) · $$ · Best for Hikers and photography enthusiasts

Take a breathtaking 90-minute northward cruise along the Blue Ridge Parkway to explore the rugged 'Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians' and alpine overlooks.

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Frequently asked

What are the best things to do in Asheville, NC with friends?

Group-friendly highlights in Asheville, NC right now include Asheville Tourists vs. Brooklyn Cyclones, Patio Show: McKinney, and The 2026 Asheville Film Festival. WonderKit updates this guide daily so plans stay current.

Where do locals go out in Asheville, NC?

The "Eat & Drink" section above lists buzzy restaurants and bars in Asheville, NC — the spots locals are actually packing this week.

Where's the best nightlife in Asheville, NC?

Check the sections above for current events, buzzy bars, and weekend plans in Asheville, NC worth texting the group chat about.

Plan a friends trip to Asheville, NC

Tell us who's going and WonderKit drafts three Asheville, NC trip ideas in about a minute — free, and you see them before creating an account.

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