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| The River Arts District, filled with dozens of working art studios, is one of the Asheville area's unique arts neighborhoods. Take the River Arts District video tour (1:32) |
The Asheville Arts scene is buzzing, featuring hundreds of fine artists, performing arts venues, mountain crafters, folk artists, hip arts neighborhoods, numerous art galleries and myriad art events. There are several arts districts home to hundreds of artists, such as the 30-plus member Asheville Downtown Gallery Association. Get a sampling with our Arts and Crafts Picture Slideshow.
Asheville’s diverse music scene ranges from bluegrass native to the area to major national acts, opera, ballet, country music and experimental jazz. Street performers entertain crowds on nearly every corner of downtown. For example, get a retro look at some of the fascinating and beautiful antique postcards recently on display at Asheville Art Museum.
Asheville has been heralded as a prime arts destination by the New York Times, Southern Living, Travel + Leisure and American Style Magazine, to name a few media accolades. Get the Asheville Visitors Guide (online or print version) to plan your next visit.
Arts, Crafts, Live Music Venues and Performing Arts:
There are 38 Things To Do in Asheville listed on this page.
16 Patton
 | 16 Patton presents original fine art by Southeastern artists for residential and private collectors. Paintings, sculpture, glass, and ceramics are presented in an intimate gallery setting in historic downtown Asheville. |  828-236-2889 16 Patton Avenue |
Allanstand Craft Shop at the Folk Art Center
| Featuring handmade jewelry, pottery, ironwork, glass, baskets, prints, and much more from members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, recognized worldwide for excellence in craftsmanship and design for over 75 years. | 828-298-7928 Blue Ridge Parkway MP 382 |
American Folk Art and Framing
| Contemporary Southern Folk Art, North Carolina wood-fried pottery, custom picture frames, and a generous helping of whimsy, exuberance and inspiration. | 828-281-2134 64 Biltmore Avenue |
Ariel Gallery
| Ariel Gallery Asheville's contemporary craft collective. Featuring a wide range of Fine Craft created by its 20 preeminent local members. Ariel Gallery: for the Well Crafted Life. | 828-236-2660 46 Haywood Street |
Asheville Art Museum
| Explore world-class special exhibitions and the Asheville Art Museum's outstanding collection, showcasing the very best of 20th and 21st century American art. | 828-253-3227 2 South Pack Square |
Asheville Bravo Concerts
| Each year, Asheville Bravo Concerts brings world-renowned musical artists to Western North Carolina, featuring orchestra, operetta, vocal groups, ballet, choir and dance. Subscriptions and individual concert tickets available | 828-225-5887 PO Box 685 |
Asheville Choral Society
| The Asheville Choral Society, 150 voices strong, is in its 31st year of bringing innovative, challenging choral masterpieces to its Western North Carolina audience. | 828-299-9063 P.O. Box 7112 |
Asheville Community Theatre
| Now in our 62nd year, ACT produces comedies, dramas and musicals on the Mainstage and experimental theatre in 35below (a black box theatre). | 828-254-1320 35 East Walnut Street |
Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre
| The Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre (ACDT), founded in 1979, is Western North Carolina's first modern dance company. A diverse repertory reflects both traditional and experimental forms of modern dance. | 828-254-2621 20 Commerce Street |
Asheville Downtown Gallery Association
| Take a self-guided tour and explore the diversity of art found in downtown Asheville galleries. City Center Art Walks held annually in April, June, August and October. | 828-258-0710 11 Biltmore Avenue |
Asheville Lyric Opera
| The ALO is the professional opera company of Western North Carolina, producing three fully staged operas with world renowned singers, directors, and conductors. The best regional company performing the greatest opera stories. | 828-236-0670 2 South Pack Square |
Asheville Symphony Orchestra
| The Asheville Symphony marks its 47th season with a series of Masterworks concerts featuring the music of Beethoven, Gershwin, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and other renowned composers. | 828-254-7046 87 Haywood Street |
Bella Vista Art Gallery
| We offer art that will challenge and intrigue viewers for generations. Our gallery features original art by emerging and established artists who work in oil, acrylic, glass, ceramic, bronze, encaustic and copper. | 828-768-0246 14 Lodge Street |
Black Mountain Center for the Arts
| This community arts facility is housed in the beautifully renovated Old City Hall and houses monthly exhibits in the gallery along with programs in music, visual and performing arts. | 828-669-0930 225 West State Street |
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center
| An exhibition space and resource center dedicated to exploring the history and legacy of the world's most acclaimed experimental educational community, Black Mountain College. | 828-350-8484 56 Broadway Street |
Blue Spiral 1
| Specializing in Southeastern fine art and crafts in a stunning, three-level, 15,000-square-foot setting. Thirty thematic and one-person exhibitions a year. A gallery is dedicated to 20th-century modernist Will Henry Stevens. | 828-251-0202 38 Biltmore Avenue |
Brevard Music Center
| One of the nation's most exciting and diverse music center's featuring 80 concert events. Enjoy symphony, pops, grand opera, Broadway, chamber music, jazz, rock and more. | 828-862-2100 Brevard Music Center |
Craft Heritage Trails of Western North Carolina Guidebook
| Around the bend, deep in a cove, across the stream, in a storefront... Find more than 500 listings of craft studios, galleries, restaurants, and historic inns. Tuck this book under your arm and hit the road. | 828-252-0121 HandMade in America |
Crucible Glassworks
| Hot glass studio/gallery featuring unique gift items and one of a kind glass sculptures. All work created on site by owner/artist Michael Hatch. | 828-236-0920 106 North Lexington Avenue |
Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place
| At the center of Asheville’s vibrant downtown arts scene is the city’s finest theatre, offering the best in live performances of music, theatre and dance throughout the year by professional touring and regional arts groups. | 828-257-4530 2 South Pack Square |
Downtown Asheville
| Steeped in history, Asheville's downtown boasts more art deco architecture than any southeastern city other than Miami Beach. Over 150 unique shops, galleries, and cafes offer lots of opportunity to browse or buy. | 828-251-9973 Downtown Asheville |
Fiddlin' Pig Bluegrass & Barbeque
| The Fiddlin' Pig features local, award-winning bluegrass and mountain music artists. Don't miss the pickin', grinnin' and dancin' LIVE at The Fiddlin' Pig! | 828-505-2196 28 Tunnel Road |
Fine Arts Theatre
| Asheville's only downtown cinema is located in the heart of the art and entertainment district. Dedicated to first-run and independent films. The theatre houses two screens in an elegant historic Art Deco building. | 828-232-1536 36 Biltmore Avenue |
Flat Rock Playhouse
| North Carolina's State Theatre invites you to enjoy the finest Broadway musicals, comedy, drama and youth theater. Flat Rock Playhouse's professional company presents each May through December. Call for a brochure. | 828-693-0731 2661 Greenville Highway |
Historic Hendersonville & Village of Flat Rock
| Enjoy our Southern hospitality. You'll discover scenic natural beauty, historic sites and districts, Carl Sandburg Home NHS, Flat Rock Playhouse, Dupont State Forest's waterfalls and trails plus family fun and entertainment! | 828-693-9708 201 South Main Street |
Hofman Studios
| In a world of sameness, Hofman Studios offers you something truly unique. Visit the gallery/studio to view a varied selection of handbuilt porcelain. Hofman Studios will add an understated elegance to any setting. | 828-232-1401 111 Roberts Street |
Jonas Gerard Fine Art
| Nationally known artist Jonas Gerard displays his gestural abstract acrylics from small to large scale canvases. Gerard paints in-house to upbeat music in the 5,000 square foot studio/gallery. Come by to see Jonas paint. | 828-350-7711 240 Clingman Avenue |
LaZoom Comedy Tour
| Hop aboard the big purple bio-diesel fueled fun bus and learn the history of Asheville like you've never heard it before! Enjoy a 90-minute theatrical comedy tour exploring Asheville. Fun for the whole family. Get on the bus! | 828-225-6932 90 Biltmore Avenue |
Montford Park Players
| The Montford Park Players, North Carolina's Longest Running Shakespeare Festival, presents free Theatre in the Park all summer long. Join us for our 37th season and enjoy quality classic drama in a delightful outdoor setting. | 828-254-5146 Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre |
North Carolina Literary Trails
| See Western North Carolina through its writers’ eyes! Buy the book, or use the online travel guide, for day or half day tours that take you to the communities, historic sites, and hangouts of notable writers. | 919-807-6500 Various locations across Western North Carolina |
North Carolina Stage Company
| Asheville’s professional theatre performs in an intimate off-Broadway style venue in the heart of downtown Asheville. | 828-350-9090 15 Stage Lane |
Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center
| This vibrant centerpiece of downtown Asheville houses the Asheville Art Museum, Colburn Earth Science Museum, Diana Wortham Theatre and The Health Adventure. A few steps away is the YMI Cultural Center. | 828-257-4500 2 South Pack Square |
Root Bar #1
| Root Bar is a friendly place that has three features you won't find anywhere else: 1) We have the Best Beers in the World. 2) We only allow original music played here. 3) We are the epicenter of the sport of Rootball. | 828-298-7597 1410 Tunnel Road |
Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (SART)
| A professional award-winning stage company presenting theatre-lovers “favorites” in plays and musicals, and SART’s signature piece – the premiere of a new play. | 828-689-1384 Owen Theatre, Mars Hill College |
Southern Highland Craft Guild
| The Southern Highland Craft Guild works to instill and maintain excellence in the design and workmanship of crafts taught, produced and marketed in the southern Appalachian region. Headquarters are located at the Folk Art Center which also houses three galleries, Allanstand Craft Shop and a bookstore. | 828-298-7928 Folk Art Center |
The Potter's Mark
| Embracing both form and function, we strive to enhance the beauty of form with the gift of functionality. Our stoneware pottery is meant to be enjoyed by appreciating the beauty and valuing the utility. | 828-252-9122 Cotton Mills Studio, 122 Riverside Drive, Studio A |
The Rocket Club
| This live music venue and bar offers the broadest mix of genres possible three nights a week. The bar is open seven days a week and is stocked with 40 different bottles of liquor, wine and 12 beers on tap. | 828-505-2494 401 Haywood Road |
Willow Wisp Farm Studios & Gallery
| Visit the studios and gallery of Peggy and Mike Taylor, local landscape painter and woodworker. Asheville's largest collection of local landscape paintings; we specialize in painting the WNC landscape. | 828-628-0401 1615 Charlotte Highway |