The Marquee: Marquee Asheville’s 4th Anniversary Celebration will take place Thursday, February 12, from 6–9 p.m. in the River Arts District. The event will feature music, treats, specialty cocktails, community activities, and partner collaborations, celebrating gratitude and connection with the Asheville community.
Hemingway’s Cuba: This Valentine’s Day, well-loved downtown restaurant Hemingway’s Cuba will host an evening of great food, great cocktails, and a relaxed escape from the ordinary. There are multiple dining experiences available, and guests can enjoy will include “low-key entertainment” throughout the evening to enhance the ambiance. Learn more on their website: https://www.hemingwayscuba.com/
Southern Conference: UNC basketball fans, this one’s for you.
The 2026 SoCon Business Leader Forum is happening on Friday, March 6, at 3:00 p.m. Battery Park Hall inside Haywood Park Hotel. And legendary coach Roy Williams will lead a conversation on leadership that endures—on the court, in business, and in life. Coach Williams will share candid insights from his Hall of Fame career on how to build high-performing, resilient teams; lead with empathy and integrity; and drive sustained success through change and adversity. You can purchase tickets for the Business Leader Forum here.
Asheville Wellness Tours: The 2026 Blue Ghost Firefly Tours are officially open for booking! Asheville Wellness Tours has secured access to over 900 acres of protected forests where the rare Blue Ghost fireflies thrive. Groups will remain small, ensuring an intimate and gentle experience. Learn more about the available experiences and “early bird” discounts by following this link.
Discover Life in America: The 2026 Park Science Colloquium will take place on March 5, 2026, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Each year, DLiA works with the park to host this symposium highlighting the creative, collaborative, and cutting-edge research happening in and around the Smokies. The event is free and open to the public, and you can either participate over Zoom or attend in person at the historic Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Please note that the in-person registration deadline is Feb. 5.
Xico: This Valentine’s Day, Xico Asheville is “turning up the heat” with Cena de Amor, a shareable, romance-inspired meal. Created for two, the menu will feature dishes intentionally crafted to be indulgent, interactive, and sharable. The Cena de Amor experience is available exclusively on February 14th (Valentine’s Day).
The Supplier Matchmaking Expo: The U.S. Small Business Administration and the National Association of Manufacturers are excited to announce the 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo that will be held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on March 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Supplier Matchmaking Expo is your company’s chance to meet domestic corporate partners from companies of all sizes. Learn more here: https://www.sba.gov/event/80009
NC State University: In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, water infrastructure has become a crucial topic of discussion in Asheville. Join state leaders at the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Asheville, Winston-Salem and Morehead City as they examine the pressing challenges facing our state’s water infrastructure. This multi-city event offers a unique opportunity to connect locally on a crucial issue facing our city. Click here to reserve your tickets.
NC Department of Transportation: The NC DOT HUB Office will be hosting Vendor Purchasing 101 training session on February 18th at 9 a.m. This session will be ideal for businesses that want to learn:
Follow this link to secure your spot: Upcoming Events | NC DOA
WNC Food Coalition: The WNC Food Coalition is hosting an inaugural local food benefit called “The Hubbub” on Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at Highland Brewing. The event will feature music by River Geurgeurian’s band Free Planet Radio and DJ Lil Meow Meow. The event’s goal is to raise awareness about grassroots efforts to ease hunger beyond food drives and raise funds for local farms and the small businesses who support them. Learn more here.
YMCA of Western North Carolina: Hopscotch Primary Care and the YMCA of Western North Carolina are hosting a free senior health care event at the Downtown Asheville YMCA on Monday, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will offer a variety of no-cost services for older adults—including blood pressure and glucose screenings, balance testing, nutrition tools, insurance guidance, and other aging-related resources. Learn more about this event and check out other YMCA of Western North Carolina events on their website, www.ymcawnc.org
Family Forward NC: On Thursday, February 12, from 8-8:30 a.m., Family Forward NC Family is hosting a free webinar about the value of becoming a Family Forward NC Certified Employer. Certified employers receive special attention through resources, webinars, and trends in family-friendly workplace benefits.
In addition, if you register for the webinar, you’ll receive an invitation to the Family Forward NC Summit on March 25. The Summit will bring together more than 100 Family Forward NC Certified Employers to celebrate their achievements, welcome businesses interested in becoming family-friendly, and explore what makes workplaces thrive in North Carolina.
ZIPS Car Wash: Asheville has seen a lot of winter weather lately—and a lot of salt and grime along with it. ZIPS Car Wash is currently running a limited-time Winter Car Care promotion. Now through January 29, 2026, customers can use wash code COLD in the ZIPS Car Wash mobile app or at any participating location to receive $10 off their best wash.
AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina: Are you an AARP member who wants help filing their taxes? There are free tax prep e-filing appointments available in February and March. Click this link to book an appointment. They are also hosting a variety of events throughout the month, including Soup & Support & Art for Mental Health and Free Community Yoga.
Laura Jane Musser Fund: The Laura Jane Musser Fund is announcing two upcoming grant opportunities.
City of Asheville: In its ongoing response to Hurricane Helene, the City of Asheville has released its first Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the CDBG-DR Affordable Multi-Family Housing Construction Program. This program offers up to $10 million to developers building disasterresilient, affordable rental housing. The program aims to expand affordable units using federal disaster recovery funds.
Asheville Airport: Delta is bringing nonstop service to Austin this summer!
Beginning June 13, Delta’s newest nonstop route from AVL offers seasonal Saturday service through September 5, with added flights for the Fourth of July holiday week. Seats are available now—start planning your trip today!
River Arts District: USA TODAY’s 10BEST Awards has announced the finalists for Best Arts District in the Nation, and Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD) has been named among the top contenders.
Since Hurricane Helene in fall 2024, the district has been rebuilding, reopening studios and restoring the creative ecosystem that has long defined Asheville’s cultural identity. Today, hundreds of artists and small businesses are back at work, welcoming locals and visitors alike.
Follow this link to vote once per day until February 16 at noon.
UNC Asheville: UNC Asheville has created a new Millennial Campus Development Advisory Committee to guide planning for more than 200 acres of university-owned property. The committee will evaluate development options to support the university’s long-term sustainability and will gather input from university stakeholders, local residents, and regional leaders. The committee will meet monthly through May 2026 and work with HR&A Advisors to produce a formal Millennial Campus Action Plan for the university.
UNC Asheville: UNC Asheville has received an $839,890 grant from Dogwood Health Trust to support its role in the Health Policy Research Consortium, which focuses on improving health outcomes in Western North Carolina.
The funding will support research in areas including:
The grant will fund faculty, staff, student involvement, community partnerships, and dissemination of findings. Multiple UNC Asheville departments and more than 25 students will participate in the research.
For more information about the NC Center for Health and Wellness, visit ncchw.unca.edu/.
MANNA FoodBank: New year, new website.
MANNA FoodBank recently launched a new website aimed at making it easier for people across Western North Carolina to find food and community resources. The updated site features improved navigation, accessibility-focused design, mobile-friendly functionality, and enhanced access to the Food Finder tool. It also provides clearer pathways for volunteers and supporters to get involved. Check it out here: https://mannafoodbank.org/
Wortham Center: Wortham Center for the Performing Arts announced Shana Tucker as its new Education & Engagement Director. A nationally recognized arts administrator, master teaching artist, and performing artist, Tucker brings a career-long dedication to access, creativity, and human connection. Her commitment to access is central to her role, guiding programs that welcome people of all ages, interests, and ability levels.
OnTrack: OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling would like to give a warm welcome to their two newest board members, Maggie Cramer and Anna Bruder. Maggie brings more than 20 years of experience in content strategy, storytelling, and digital marketing while Anna joins the board with a background in exercise science, financial planning, and philanthropic leadership.
Mission Hospital: Mission Hospital became the first hospital in Western North Carolina to implant a new leadless pacemaker system. The device is wire-free, placed directly inside the heart, and reduces complications, discomfort, and recovery time compared to traditional pacemakers. Additionally, it has been named one of Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals for the 11th consecutive year, placing it among the nation’s top-performing hospitals for overall clinical excellence in 2026.
Mission Hospital: Mission Hospital became the first hospital in Western North Carolina to implant a new leadless pacemaker system. The device is wire-free, placed directly inside the heart, and reduces complications, discomfort, and recovery time compared to traditional pacemakers. Additionally, it has been named one of Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals for the 11th consecutive year, placing it among the nation’s top-performing hospitals for overall clinical excellence in 2026.