
Arbor Evenings
Cajun, zydeco, and old school country sets fill the NC Arboretum with danceable accordion grooves and rootsy twang on Wednesday and Thursday nights through mid-September. Entry is covered by the regular $25 per-vehicle parking fee, with members free.
Similar Events

Smooth jazz standards and improvisational trio interplay drift across the arboretum grounds during an open-air evening concert. Ideal for a laid-back late-summer outing with scenic garden surroundings and a calm, listening-focused crowd.

Smooth jazz standards and improvisational trio interplay drift across the arboretum grounds during an open-air evening concert. Ideal for a laid-back late-summer outing with scenic garden surroundings and a calm, listening-focused crowd.
Smooth jazz standards and improvisational trio interplay drift across the arboretum grounds during an open-air evening concert. Ideal for a laid-back late-summer outing with scenic garden surroundings and a calm, listening-focused crowd.

An intimate duo set unfolds under the trees during Arbor Evenings, pairing warm vocals and close harmonies with a relaxed, picnic-friendly outdoor concert atmosphere at The North Carolina Arboretum.

An intimate duo set unfolds under the trees during Arbor Evenings, pairing warm vocals and close harmonies with a relaxed, picnic-friendly outdoor concert atmosphere at The North Carolina Arboretum.
An intimate duo set unfolds under the trees during Arbor Evenings, pairing warm vocals and close harmonies with a relaxed, picnic-friendly outdoor concert atmosphere at The North Carolina Arboretum.

An outdoor Arbor Evenings concert set among landscaped gardens and forest trails, with 5J Barrow delivering folk rock and singer songwriter originals. Expect a relaxed bring a blanket vibe and easygoing community hang time under the evening sky.

An outdoor Arbor Evenings concert set among landscaped gardens and forest trails, with 5J Barrow delivering folk rock and singer songwriter originals. Expect a relaxed bring a blanket vibe and easygoing community hang time under the evening sky.
An outdoor Arbor Evenings concert set among landscaped gardens and forest trails, with 5J Barrow delivering folk rock and singer songwriter originals. Expect a relaxed bring a blanket vibe and easygoing community hang time under the evening sky.

Americana songwriting and harmony-rich vocals set against the Arboretum’s evening garden ambiance. A relaxed outdoor concert night with rootsy guitar-driven tunes and a scenic, nature-forward vibe.

Americana songwriting and harmony-rich vocals set against the Arboretum’s evening garden ambiance. A relaxed outdoor concert night with rootsy guitar-driven tunes and a scenic, nature-forward vibe.
Americana songwriting and harmony-rich vocals set against the Arboretum’s evening garden ambiance. A relaxed outdoor concert night with rootsy guitar-driven tunes and a scenic, nature-forward vibe.

An evening concert set among the Arboretum’s gardens and trails, pairing Elizabeth McCorvey and Lefty Carmean for an intimate outdoor performance. Expect a relaxed, nature-soaked vibe ideal for listening under the open sky.

An evening concert set among the Arboretum’s gardens and trails, pairing Elizabeth McCorvey and Lefty Carmean for an intimate outdoor performance. Expect a relaxed, nature-soaked vibe ideal for listening under the open sky.
An evening concert set among the Arboretum’s gardens and trails, pairing Elizabeth McCorvey and Lefty Carmean for an intimate outdoor performance. Expect a relaxed, nature-soaked vibe ideal for listening under the open sky.

Golden-hour garden strolls set to rotating sets by local and regional artists, with drinks available on-site and a relaxed lawn vibe. Weekly Wednesday and Thursday evenings invite laid-back listening amid arboretum paths and landscaped blooms.

Golden-hour garden strolls set to rotating sets by local and regional artists, with drinks available on-site and a relaxed lawn vibe. Weekly Wednesday and Thursday evenings invite laid-back listening amid arboretum paths and landscaped blooms.
Golden-hour garden strolls set to rotating sets by local and regional artists, with drinks available on-site and a relaxed lawn vibe. Weekly Wednesday and Thursday evenings invite laid-back listening amid arboretum paths and landscaped blooms.

A 60-minute sound bath surrounded by blooming gardens, using resonant healing instruments to soothe and reset the nervous system. Rain plans shift indoors to a window-lined space overlooking the forest for the same calming immersion.

A 60-minute sound bath surrounded by blooming gardens, using resonant healing instruments to soothe and reset the nervous system. Rain plans shift indoors to a window-lined space overlooking the forest for the same calming immersion.
A 60-minute sound bath surrounded by blooming gardens, using resonant healing instruments to soothe and reset the nervous system. Rain plans shift indoors to a window-lined space overlooking the forest for the same calming immersion.

Immersive sound bath set among botanical gardens, blending resonant tones and calming vibration with an outdoor nature backdrop. A midafternoon reset geared toward deep relaxation, mindful breathing, and gentle restoration.

Immersive sound bath set among botanical gardens, blending resonant tones and calming vibration with an outdoor nature backdrop. A midafternoon reset geared toward deep relaxation, mindful breathing, and gentle restoration.
Immersive sound bath set among botanical gardens, blending resonant tones and calming vibration with an outdoor nature backdrop. A midafternoon reset geared toward deep relaxation, mindful breathing, and gentle restoration.

After-hours summer concert night with good music and a relaxed late-evening vibe inside the Asheville Museum of History. Grab food on-site and settle in for a fun Third Tuesday outing.

After-hours summer concert night with good music and a relaxed late-evening vibe inside the Asheville Museum of History. Grab food on-site and settle in for a fun Third Tuesday outing.
After-hours summer concert night with good music and a relaxed late-evening vibe inside the Asheville Museum of History. Grab food on-site and settle in for a fun Third Tuesday outing.
A slow, sensory forest bathing walk through the North Carolina Arboretum’s landscaped trails, designed for calm attention to sounds, scents, and textures. Expect a restorative nature immersion led by Asheville Wellness Tours.
A slow, sensory forest bathing walk through the North Carolina Arboretum’s landscaped trails, designed for calm attention to sounds, scents, and textures. Expect a restorative nature immersion led by Asheville Wellness Tours.
A slow, sensory forest bathing walk through the North Carolina Arboretum’s landscaped trails, designed for calm attention to sounds, scents, and textures. Expect a restorative nature immersion led by Asheville Wellness Tours.

Gentle guided walks through mixed hardwood and evergreen canopy, emphasizing slow sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and nature-based stress relief suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

Gentle guided walks through mixed hardwood and evergreen canopy, emphasizing slow sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and nature-based stress relief suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.
Gentle guided walks through mixed hardwood and evergreen canopy, emphasizing slow sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and nature-based stress relief suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

Pulsing hand drums and improvised rhythms build into a communal drum circle in a downtown park setting. Bring a drum or simply listen, as locals and visitors gather for an energetic, participatory late-evening jam.

Pulsing hand drums and improvised rhythms build into a communal drum circle in a downtown park setting. Bring a drum or simply listen, as locals and visitors gather for an energetic, participatory late-evening jam.
Pulsing hand drums and improvised rhythms build into a communal drum circle in a downtown park setting. Bring a drum or simply listen, as locals and visitors gather for an energetic, participatory late-evening jam.

Easy-paced guided hike through the North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, exploring changing forest types along the route. Volunteer naturalists share seasonal highlights like wildflowers, tree and plant identification, and local natural history in a small-group setting.

Easy-paced guided hike through the North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, exploring changing forest types along the route. Volunteer naturalists share seasonal highlights like wildflowers, tree and plant identification, and local natural history in a small-group setting.
Easy-paced guided hike through the North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, exploring changing forest types along the route. Volunteer naturalists share seasonal highlights like wildflowers, tree and plant identification, and local natural history in a small-group setting.

A hush falls over the Arboretum as garden crews pause noisy equipment for two hours of uninterrupted birdsong and wind through the trees. Wander gardens and trails at your own pace for a self-guided, sensory quiet-time reset.

A hush falls over the Arboretum as garden crews pause noisy equipment for two hours of uninterrupted birdsong and wind through the trees. Wander gardens and trails at your own pace for a self-guided, sensory quiet-time reset.
A hush falls over the Arboretum as garden crews pause noisy equipment for two hours of uninterrupted birdsong and wind through the trees. Wander gardens and trails at your own pace for a self-guided, sensory quiet-time reset.

A social group walk with the Asheville Amblers on the NC Arboretum’s garden paths and forest trails, timed for the weekend of the annual plant show. Expect an easygoing outdoor meetup focused on fresh air and community connection.

A social group walk with the Asheville Amblers on the NC Arboretum’s garden paths and forest trails, timed for the weekend of the annual plant show. Expect an easygoing outdoor meetup focused on fresh air and community connection.
A social group walk with the Asheville Amblers on the NC Arboretum’s garden paths and forest trails, timed for the weekend of the annual plant show. Expect an easygoing outdoor meetup focused on fresh air and community connection.

Steady communal rhythms and improvised percussion build into an open drum circle in the heart of downtown. Bring a drum or just listen as neighbors gather outdoors in Pritchard Park for a weekly Friday-night groove.

Steady communal rhythms and improvised percussion build into an open drum circle in the heart of downtown. Bring a drum or just listen as neighbors gather outdoors in Pritchard Park for a weekly Friday-night groove.
Steady communal rhythms and improvised percussion build into an open drum circle in the heart of downtown. Bring a drum or just listen as neighbors gather outdoors in Pritchard Park for a weekly Friday-night groove.

Quiet, equipment-free morning hours create a hush across gardens and forest trails for self-guided mindfulness and reflection. Wander in near-silence without leaf blowers or mowers, ideal for slow walking and nature listening.

Quiet, equipment-free morning hours create a hush across gardens and forest trails for self-guided mindfulness and reflection. Wander in near-silence without leaf blowers or mowers, ideal for slow walking and nature listening.
Quiet, equipment-free morning hours create a hush across gardens and forest trails for self-guided mindfulness and reflection. Wander in near-silence without leaf blowers or mowers, ideal for slow walking and nature listening.

A relaxed 90 minute group walk on the NC Arboretum’s easy trails, meeting at 10 AM by the lobby benches and led by an RFAR host in an RFAR shirt. Expect a low key, social pace with tips to bring water, comfy shoes, and optional walking sticks; car entry fee applies.

A relaxed 90 minute group walk on the NC Arboretum’s easy trails, meeting at 10 AM by the lobby benches and led by an RFAR host in an RFAR shirt. Expect a low key, social pace with tips to bring water, comfy shoes, and optional walking sticks; car entry fee applies.
A relaxed 90 minute group walk on the NC Arboretum’s easy trails, meeting at 10 AM by the lobby benches and led by an RFAR host in an RFAR shirt. Expect a low key, social pace with tips to bring water, comfy shoes, and optional walking sticks; car entry fee applies.
A participatory old-time Appalachian acoustic jam where listeners and pickers trade mountain tunes on fiddles, banjos, and guitars. Free entry with tips benefiting the Transylvania Junior Appalachian Musicians program, plus a rotating Indian food truck outside (kitchen closed).
A participatory old-time Appalachian acoustic jam where listeners and pickers trade mountain tunes on fiddles, banjos, and guitars. Free entry with tips benefiting the Transylvania Junior Appalachian Musicians program, plus a rotating Indian food truck outside (kitchen closed).
A participatory old-time Appalachian acoustic jam where listeners and pickers trade mountain tunes on fiddles, banjos, and guitars. Free entry with tips benefiting the Transylvania Junior Appalachian Musicians program, plus a rotating Indian food truck outside (kitchen closed).

After-work rhythms take over Pritchard Park as hand drums and improvised percussion build into a communal groove. Sway, dance, or listen in the open-air downtown setting during Asheville’s iconic Friday night gathering.

After-work rhythms take over Pritchard Park as hand drums and improvised percussion build into a communal groove. Sway, dance, or listen in the open-air downtown setting during Asheville’s iconic Friday night gathering.
After-work rhythms take over Pritchard Park as hand drums and improvised percussion build into a communal groove. Sway, dance, or listen in the open-air downtown setting during Asheville’s iconic Friday night gathering.