What to do this weekend in Asheville

August 14-18    6th Annual Laugh Your Asheville OFF   One of the largest and most respected stand-up comedy events in the country. The event attracts top comedy producers and representatives that will be in attendance to scout the hottest new comedic talent.

August 17     A Movable Feast  at Biltmore   5:30 PM on the Biltmore Estate in the "Walled Garden" -  An evening of al fresco dining and wine brought to you by Estate Executive Chef Damien Cavicchi. The event begins with a cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and live music. The “Southern French Countryside” menu will be served at a feasting table located on a secluded vista in the Biltmore vineyards. Tickets are $185 per person and include tax and gratuity. In the event of rain, dinner will be held on August 19. For reservations, call (828) 257-5995

August 17   Downtown After 5  The Asheville Downtown Association brings together some of the best musicians in the area and throughout the Southeast.   The concert series features biodegradable food and beverage containers, staffed compost and recycling stations, a solar-powered main stage and a complimentary bike corral.

August 18     Biltmore Concert Series   Award-winning musicians perform on the South Terrace and on Biltmore's newest event venue - Diana at Biltmore, an intimate setting on the vista overlooking Biltmore House. This Concert: KC and the Sunshine Band  AND The Village People

August 18    Dog Day Afternoon Festival at Carrier Park   The event kicks off at 10:30 AM with a dog-friendly fun run sponsored by Dr. Kani Nicolls, around Carrier Park and will continue until 4 PM with two bands, dog contests including a Weiner Dog race, "Best Heinz 57", "Most Ear- resistible" and the Fastest Dog in Asheville Competition. The Companion Dog Training School will also host an agility course and offer training tips for dog owners.  The festival will feature a large cooling tent as well as doggie pools to keep both dogs and humans beat the heat

August 18   Shindig on the Green     Held outdoors at Pack Square Park in the heart of downtown Asheville, this FREE event  was voted the #1 Local Outdoor Concert in the Mountain Xpress "Best of WNC" survey for four years. Bring your instruments, your lawn chair or blanket, family and friends and join the fun eight summer Saturdays.

August 18    Ooh La La Curiosity Market   An outdoor market in Pritchard Park  featuring works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, and other curious delights, all beneath the colored canopies of large market umbrellas. In addition to the artists, the market will also feature live local music with up three musical acts performing each Saturday and will include everything from a solo saxophonist to folk, blues, acoustic, and jazz acts.

August 18-19     7th Annual Leicester Studio Tour  A free, self-guided studio tour including painting, prints, jewelry, pottery, fiber, brooms and more. To begin the tour, head northwest on Leicester Highway (NC 63) from Patton Avenue and follow the bright yellow signs to the studios, the first of which is only 15 minutes from downtown Asheville. Visitors can also take Newfound Road to Morgan Branch Rd. and follow the signs to the Wildberry Lodge, 135 Potato Branch Road in Leicester. Wildberry, the founding sponsor of the Leicester Artists organization and there will be samples of each of the artists' works to help tour participants plan out their visits. The tour also will feature food vendor stops, one located centrally on South Turkey Creek Road and the other at the intersection of Leicester Highway and North Turkey Creek.

Get links for these Asheville events and other local information on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.