Calendar of Events
Looking for things to do in Hendersonville, NC? Whether you’re a local or just passing through we’ve got loads of great tips and events to help you find your perfect adventure.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
The WNC Build and Remodel Expo is the one-stop destination for inspiration, advice, and practical tools to rebuild, remodel, or refresh your home. The Expo is set for Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23 at the WNC Agricultural Center. Learn practical tips and innovative ideas from building & remodeling professionals, discover the latest offerings from vendors and visit the Makers Market featuring local artisans. There’s fun for the whole family with interactive kids’ activities. To learn more about the Expo and purchase a ticket, please visit https://www.buildandremodelasheville.com/.
Saturday, March 22 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday, March 23 – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
WNC Ag Center – Davis Arena
Gate 5
765 Boylston Hwy
Fletcher, NC 28732
General admission $10. Free for kids 12 & under. Seniors 65+, Military, First Responders, Educators Ticket $5.
Purchasing a ticket gives you access to both days of the Expo. Tickets are non-refundable. Single day tickets will also be available at the event: https://checkout.map-dynamics.com/tickets/?Show_ID=8703
Soil Health for Gardeners with Laura Lengnick
ON-SITE | Saturday, March 22 | 1 – 4 pm
Blue Ridge EcoGardener – Core
Learn why healthy soils are critical to the well being of our communities and how to cultivate landscapes that promote soil health. This practical, hands-on course will teach you how to conduct simple soil tests using tools you can find in your kitchen to monitor the health of your soil. Participants can bring a soil sample from their garden to test in this class.
The WNC Build and Remodel Expo is the one-stop destination for inspiration, advice, and practical tools to rebuild, remodel, or refresh your home. The Expo is set for Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23 at the WNC Agricultural Center. Learn practical tips and innovative ideas from building & remodeling professionals, discover the latest offerings from vendors and visit the Makers Market featuring local artisans. There’s fun for the whole family with interactive kids’ activities. To learn more about the Expo and purchase a ticket, please visit https://www.buildandremodelasheville.com/.
Saturday, March 22 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday, March 23 – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
WNC Ag Center – Davis Arena
Gate 5
765 Boylston Hwy
Fletcher, NC 28732
General admission $10. Free for kids 12 & under. Seniors 65+, Military, First Responders, Educators Ticket $5.
Purchasing a ticket gives you access to both days of the Expo. Tickets are non-refundable. Single day tickets will also be available at the event: https://checkout.map-dynamics.com/tickets/?Show_ID=8703
Lunch + Learn: Wildfire Mitigation in Southern Appalachia with Troy Harrison
Sunday, March 23 | 12pm – 1pm
The Southern Appalachian ecosystem is home to a diverse landscape filled with a unique combination of wildlife and vegetation. It is hardly surprising that Western North Carolina is a popular destination for those seeking a pace to settle down or build a second home. However, living in close proximity to nature can carry a risk of damage or loss from wildfire. This program will explore a brief history of wildfire suppression in our area, along with specific measures anyone can take to reduce risk of property damage.
Natural History Interpretation (3 sessions) with Brad Daniel
Tuesdays, March 25, April 1 + 8 | 12 – 4 pm
Natural history interpreters provoke interest and curiosity in our natural and cultural heritage. This course will introduce the basic principles of environmental interpretation and is designed for Blue Ridge Naturalists who will be leading nature walks, teaching natural history to adults or children, and delivering talks to community groups. Participants will learn how to create nature education talks or walks that are purposeful, enjoyable, informative and organized. Students will be given an opportunity to develop their own programs and practice their presentation and communication skills. This class fulfills a Capstone Core requirement for the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate and should be completed near the end of a student’s studies in the program.
Introduction to Appalachian Ecology with Dan Lazar
ON-SITE | Wednesday, March 26 | 1 – 4 pm
From the flood plain of the French Broad River to the summit of Mount Mitchel, we will explore the diverse ecological communities that make up the Blue Ridge Bioregion. We will learn why spruce trees are found only on the summits of our highest mountains: why the Southern Appalachians are the lungless salamander capital of the world; and how deer and ants determine where trilliums grow. Part illustrated lecture and part on-site field trip, this class serves as an introduction to all Special Topics in Ecology classes offered through the Blue Ridge Naturalist Program.
This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.
Ages 5+
Suitable for Beginners to Advanced Birders
This outing takes place at Lake Julian Park from 8:30-11:30 am. Get to know the birds of Lake Julian, one of Buncombe County’s birding hotspots! We will start with a walk along the shore of Lake Julian and ends with birding on the lake from Lake Julian’s pontoon boat. Free, Registration Required. Binoculars are available upon request but supplies are limited. Dress for the weather!
Registration opens 30 days prior to activity.
For more information email [email protected] or call 828-250-4260.
Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers with Alexandra Holland
ON-SITE | Saturday, March 29 | 1 – 3 pm
Spring is here, and the natural world is waking from its winter rest! Naturalist and botanist Alexandra Holland leads this wildflower walk at the Arboretum, pointing out the array of spring wildflowers emerging and in bloom. Learn some basics of wildflower ecology and identification while taking in the beauty of spring.
This program takes place outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.
Early Spring Tree ID with Lauren Lampley
ON-SITE | Sunday, March 30 | 10 am – 1 pm
Each tree species grows their new leaves in unique ways and each spring we are reminded of that fact as the tiny leaves emerge from their buds. The timing of the spring “leaf-out” depends on many different factors and the weather plays an important role in if those first leaves survive to the summer or if they are burned by a late frost or snow. In this class we will look at which trees are leafing out first and how those leaves compare to the summer leaves we know. We will also discuss how to identify different tree species based on their new leaves and their bark.
This program takes place outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.
Birding for Beginners with Lauren Lampley
ON-SITE | Tuesday, April 1 | 9 – 10:30am
Join us on this birding walk around the NC Arboretum gardens and trails in search of a very common year round resident of North Carolina: Carolina Chickadee. We will take an in-depth look at these common feeder birds and also look for other early spring migrants. Bring your own binoculars but if you do not have a pair we have some loaner binoculars available to use during the program.
This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.
Natural History Interpretation (3 sessions) with Brad Daniel
Tuesdays, March 25, April 1 + 8 | 12 – 4 pm
Natural history interpreters provoke interest and curiosity in our natural and cultural heritage. This course will introduce the basic principles of environmental interpretation and is designed for Blue Ridge Naturalists who will be leading nature walks, teaching natural history to adults or children, and delivering talks to community groups. Participants will learn how to create nature education talks or walks that are purposeful, enjoyable, informative and organized. Students will be given an opportunity to develop their own programs and practice their presentation and communication skills. This class fulfills a Capstone Core requirement for the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate and should be completed near the end of a student’s studies in the program.
Bullington Gardens is known for our expansive collection of dahlias. Each year our volunteer dahlia crew work tirelessly to ensure we have the best crop possible. These amazing plants take quite a bit of work to be successful, and it starts with dividing your tuber. Join Kim Biggerstaff and Isaac Wyatt as we walk through the culture of dahlias. We will also have a tuber dividing demo after the class. Participants will get a chance to divide a clump of tubers and take one home!
April 1, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm. Fee: $30.00
Beginning Botany with Alexandra Holland
Friday, April 4 | 1 – 4pm
It’s a tough life for a plant: make dinner, create and nurture offspring, fight off predators, deal with the neighbors. In Beginning Botany we’ll explore how plants handle these daily challenges using and modifying only leaves, stems, and roots. We’ll cover the basics of plant structure and function.
Ages 5+
Suitable for Beginners to Advanced Birders
This outing takes place at Lake Julian Park from 8:30-11:30 am. Get to know the birds of Lake Julian, one of Buncombe County’s birding hotspots! We will start with a walk along the shore of Lake Julian and ends with birding on the lake from Lake Julian’s pontoon boat. Free, Registration Required. Binoculars are available upon request but supplies are limited. Dress for the weather!
Registration opens 30 days prior to activity.
For more information email [email protected] or call 828-250-4260.
Southern Appalachian Birds Through the Seasons with Carlton Burke
Saturday, April 5 | 12 – 4 pm
Since birds are capable of long distance flights and many engage in annual migration rituals, their presence in our area often changes in relation to the seasons of the year. In this class we will discuss the seasonal patterns of southern Appalachian birds and focus on some of the major species and their annual life cycles. As part of this program, there will be a “lab” portion where students will be able to meet some live birds and participate in other hands-on components to deepen the learning.
EcoHopeful with Liza Wolff-Francis
Sunday, April 6 | 2 – 4 pm
In a climate disaster like a hurricane, there is chaos and moment to moment survival and often fear. Immediately afterwards, there is often a gathering of self, an assessing of the situation. Then comes grief, loss, and uncertainty. Much later, the outer world expects things will all get back to normal, though we may not feel we are quite “back” to what we were. In fact, we may feel deeply changed. In all of these stages of a disaster, we assess what is happening and how we are doing and what we need to do going forward.
In this quick 2-hour workshop, we will come together in our resiliency to normalize how we have responded to the disaster and to learn and practice tools to calm our nervous systems in order to feel stronger in our current assessment of what’s next for us. Join us for a gathering in community, strength building, and resiliency boosting, as we continue to weave Helene into one of the stories we carry with us, not one that carries us.
Co-Existing with Black Bears with Tanya Poole
Wednesday, April 9 | 5 – 6 pm
It’s spring and you know what that means. Warmer temperatures, beautiful flowers and trees blooming, people venturing out to enjoy it all. And it turns out black bears are coming out in large numbers to enjoy the same things that humans enjoy. Learn about the conditions that contribute to the black bear population continuing to thrive in Western North Carolina in proximity to so many people. Tanya Poole, Conservation Initiatives Engagement Coordinator with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, discusses BearWise strategies recommended by wildlife experts that will help people better coexist with these amazing animals.
Natural History Interpretation (3 sessions) with Brad Daniel
Tuesdays, March 25, April 1 + 8 | 12 – 4 pm
Natural history interpreters provoke interest and curiosity in our natural and cultural heritage. This course will introduce the basic principles of environmental interpretation and is designed for Blue Ridge Naturalists who will be leading nature walks, teaching natural history to adults or children, and delivering talks to community groups. Participants will learn how to create nature education talks or walks that are purposeful, enjoyable, informative and organized. Students will be given an opportunity to develop their own programs and practice their presentation and communication skills. This class fulfills a Capstone Core requirement for the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate and should be completed near the end of a student’s studies in the program.
Discover the delicate and fleeting world of ephemeral flowers, mosses, and ferns that grace our landscapes with their beauty. Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast and learn to identify these early spring wonders, understand their unique lifecycles, and explore their roles in the ecosystem.
Grab your four-legged friend and come out for some fun and friendly competition at the Buncombe County Sports Park Dog Park. There will be a small and large dog division and division will have approximately 30 minutes to find as many hidden eggs (filled with treats) as possible. In addition, dogs who collect the most eggs will receive a special prize. Free, Registration Required.