16 Things to Do in Asheville This Week · October 1–4, 2026

Festivals & Special Events

Tour de Fat at New Belgium

New Belgium's beloved Tour de Fat returns with bikes, costumes, live music, contests, and community celebration.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 · New Belgium Brewing, Asheville

Asheville Oktoberfest

Festive South Slope gathering featuring 20+ local breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries alongside German-style cuisine and music.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 1:00 PM · Coxe Avenue, South Slope, Asheville

Music & Nightlife

Queer Comedy Party: Fall Rooftop Edition

Modelface Comedy presents a rooftop queer comedy showcase at Antidote with top local and touring queer comedians, cocktails, and sunset views.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 7:00 PM · Antidote (Rooftop), Asheville

Sylvan Esso at The Orange Peel

Beloved Durham indie-electro duo Sylvan Esso performs at The Orange Peel.

Friday, October 2, 2026 8:00 PM · The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave

Talib Kweli

Grammy-nominated hip-hop legend Talib Kweli performs live at Asheville Music Hall.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 9:00 PM · Asheville Music Hall

The Mother Hips at The Grey Eagle

Beloved California rock band The Mother Hips plays an intimate set at The Grey Eagle.

Friday, October 9, 2026 · The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

Flocktoberfest 2026 ft. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

Outdoor fall music fest at Pisgah Brewing with Baltimore funk-jam band Pigeons Playing Ping Pong headlining alongside Hustle Souls.

Friday, October 9, 2026 6:30 PM · Pisgah Brewing Company, Black Mountain

Arts & Culture

369 Monologue and Short Play Festival: Get Up STAND UP

The fourth installment of this short play and monologue festival runs October 1–3 at an Asheville theater venue.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 · Asheville

Don't Tell Comedy West Asheville – Early Show

Secret-location comedy night in West Asheville featuring a curated lineup of 4–7 surprise comedians; location revealed day-of.

Friday, October 2, 2026 6:00 PM · West Asheville (location revealed day-of)

Imaginary Landscapes: Black Mountain College Architecture and Design

Ongoing exhibition at Black Mountain College Museum tracing the far-reaching impact of BMC's Bauhaus-influenced design philosophy through January 9.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 · Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, 120 College St.

Little Shop of Horrors at Asheville Community Theatre

ACT's 80th Mainstage Season production of the beloved cult musical runs Thursdays–Sundays through October 11.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 2:30 PM · Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St.

Family-Friendly

The Hope of Oz

A family theatrical production running October 2–4 as part of Asheville's performance calendar.

Friday, October 2, 2026 · Asheville

Free Events

Wedge Run – Asheville Running Collective

The Asheville Running Collective's weekly Thursday run starting at Wedge at Foundation — new merch available to purchase post-run.

Thursday, October 1, 2026 6:15 PM · Wedge at Foundation, Asheville

Sunday Sounds: Piano at Asheville Art Museum

Free Sunday afternoon piano performances by Diego Vázquez create a sensory art-and-music experience through the museum galleries.

Sunday, October 4, 2026 12:00 PM · Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square

Outdoors & Active

No Boundaries 5K Training Program Open House

Fleet Feet Asheville hosts an open house for their No Boundaries 5K training program — meet the coach and learn about the program.

Friday, October 2, 2026 5:30 PM · Fleet Feet Asheville

Monarch Butterfly Migration on the Blue Ridge

Thousands of monarch butterflies are riding the high ridgelines of the Blue Ridge through October on their 2,000-mile journey to central Mexico — catch them among the wildflowers at mountain overlooks.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 · Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville area