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.

Saturday, March 29, 2025
Boats and Birds
Mar 29 @ 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Lake Julian Park

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.

Sunday, March 30, 2025
Bunny Hopper Express
Mar 30 all-day
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad welcomes back the Bunny Hopper Express Easter Train, March 29 & 30! This 4 and half-hour round trip special event train departs the historic Bryson City Depot at 11:00 am and will travel through the Smoky Mountains to our picturesque layover destination for Easter-themed activities and Egg Hunt.

Passengers will be on the lookout for those train-hopping bunnies who have snuck on to take a free ride! Festivities include an Easter egg hunt with prizes, a give-away bag with activities to enjoy during the train ride, and a yummy Easter treat for our junior railroaders to enjoy at the layover. There will also be plenty of opportunities for pictures with our bunny hoppers, so do not forget your camera!

Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Empower Hour
Apr 1 @ 11:30 am
YWCA of Asheville

Join us for Empower Hour, a one-hour program and facility tour where you will experience firsthand the YWCA’s work to bridge gaps in earning power, education, health & wellness and access to childcare.

Empower Hours take place twice a month on the first and third Tuesday at 11:30 am.
Lunch is served as part of our Empower Hour, so reservations are required.

To make a reservation: contact Elizabeth Alvandi, Advancement Assistant, at (828) 254-7206 ext. 103 or [email protected].

Thursday, April 3, 2025
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!
Apr 3 @ 10:00 am
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

Wortham Center Student Series TheaterWorksUSA presents Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!

Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 10 a.m. & 12 p.m.*
Grades PreK–2 • Show Length: 60 min.

*Please note: These Student Series performances are currently wait list only.

Featuring an innovative mix of songs and feathers, this musical is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping.

Reservations for individuals (10 people or less): $12 each. To reserve, call the box office at 828-257-4530 ext. 1, or email [email protected].

Reservations for groups (11 people or more): $11 each. To reserve, complete the Student Series Reservation Form. Please note that all group reservations require a deposit of $1 per ticket. Please contact the box office if you have questions.

PLEASE NOTE: These shows are currently wait list only. Completing the Student Series Reservation Form will add the group to the waiting list.

Hurricane Helene Recovery Panel & Discussion
Apr 3 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Hurricane Helene Recovery Panel & Discussion with MountainTrue

Thursday, April 3  |  5 – 8pm

Join MountainTrue and a panel of experts to discuss recovery in our area after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Panelists will address the impacts of natural disasters, what recovery means for our region, and how the community can support these efforts.

This event is free of charge, but if you feel moved to make a donation to support critical work in our area, we invite you to do so when you register. The North Carolina Arboretum is generously donating use of the Education Auditorium for this event. All donations associated with the registration of this event will be split 50/50 with the NC Arboretum.

The event will kick-off with social time from 5:30 to 6 pm with snacks and beverages provided for attendees. The panel will run from 6 to 7:30 pm.

Saturday, April 5, 2025
Boats and Birds
Apr 5 @ 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Lake Julian Park

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.

Shrek Jr.
Apr 5 @ 4:00 pm
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

Asheville Junior Theater Presents Shrek JR.

April 5, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
April 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway musical! It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as Shrek leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part reimagining of traditional fairy tales, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.

Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

Shrek The Musical JR. is a 70-minute version of the Broadway hit, great for audiences of all ages… if a little potty humor is acceptable in your family!

Sunday, April 6, 2025
Shrek Jr.
Apr 6 @ 4:00 pm
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

Asheville Junior Theater Presents Shrek JR.

April 5, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
April 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway musical! It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as Shrek leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part reimagining of traditional fairy tales, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.

Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

Shrek The Musical JR. is a 70-minute version of the Broadway hit, great for audiences of all ages… if a little potty humor is acceptable in your family!

Co-Existing with Black Bears
Apr 6 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

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.

Saturday, April 12, 2025
Dog Eggstravaganza
Apr 12 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Buncombe County Sports Park

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.

Saturday, April 19, 2025
Hendo Earth Fest
Apr 19 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Visitor Center

The purpose of the Hendo Earth Fest is to promote community education for all ages on environmental and sustainable practices, inspire action, and renew and expand commitments to protect our planet. Local and regional environmental allies focus on participation/hands-on activities and demonstrations designed to educate, renew and expand action to protect our Western North Carolina environment and natural resources. In our first inaugural 2023 festival, we saw approximately 2,000+ participants!

Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Earth Day
Apr 22 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Give back this Earth Day with Buncombe County Parks and Recreation.  Volunteers are invited to assist in clean-up and service projects.  Volunteers groups are limited in capacity so Volunteer Registration is required.  All tools and materials will be provided.   More details coming soon!

Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Glaze Daze 2025
Apr 23 @ 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Tryon Arts & Crafts School

Tryon Arts & Crafts School presents the 2025 Glaze Daze seminar with Mayco Colors! This 1-day event includes 3 demonstrations and student exercises in the application of Mayco glaze products. Catered lunch and breakfast from local Tryon establishments are included with your ticket. No experience necessary! Pre-registration is required to attend.

Thursday, April 24, 2025
The Magic of Jeki Yoo
Apr 24 @ 7:00 pm
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

Wortham Presents The Magic of Jeki Yoo

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 7 p.m.

See the world-renowned illusionist that social media collectively crowned “the cutest magician of all time” — who left notorious critic Simon Cowell stunned in a 2017 appearance on America’s Got Talent.

City Dance
Apr 24 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Saturday, April 26, 2025
She Slays 5k
Apr 26 @ 8:00 am
Pardee Cancer Center

In collaboration with Pardee Hospital Foundation and Hunter Subaru, we are thrilled to present the 2nd Annual She Slays 5K. This event is all about celebrating the strength, courage, and fierce determination of women fighting cancer. Whether you walk or run, you’re making a difference for those who are in the midst of this battle. This event aims to empower people to take charge of their health and well-being, while also raising funds for Hendersonville women who are fighting cancer.

While this event supports women with cancer, everyone is welcome to participate!

Boats and Birds
Apr 26 @ 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Lake Julian Park

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 Festival
Apr 26 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

Join us as we celebrate Earth Day and spring!  More details coming soon

Friday, May 2, 2025
Gaspard&Dancers
May 2 @ 10:00 am
Wortham Center for Performing Arts

Wortham Center Student Series Gaspard&Dancers

Friday, May 2, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Grades 6–12 • Show Length: 60 min.

How far can your imagination take you? This renowned dance company, known for its works of haunting beauty and emotional force, dares to find out — and to inspire your students to wonder the same.

Reservations for individuals (9 people or less): $12 each. To reserve, call the box office at 828-257-4530 ext. 1, or email [email protected].

Reservations for groups (10 people or more): $11 each. To reserve, complete the Student Series Reservation Form. Please note that all group reservations require a deposit of $1 per ticket. Please contact the box office if you have questions.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Empower Hour
May 6 @ 11:30 am
YWCA of Asheville

Join us for Empower Hour, a one-hour program and facility tour where you will experience firsthand the YWCA’s work to bridge gaps in earning power, education, health & wellness and access to childcare.

Empower Hours take place twice a month on the first and third Tuesday at 11:30 am.
Lunch is served as part of our Empower Hour, so reservations are required.

To make a reservation: contact Elizabeth Alvandi, Advancement Assistant, at (828) 254-7206 ext. 103 or [email protected].