The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands all weekend, the symphony's Nightfall concerts and a free costume swap Saturday, then the Boo Dash 5K on Sunday.

The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands fills Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville through Sunday, the Asheville Symphony plays Nightfall twice on Saturday and the Boo Dash 5K runs Sunday morning.

Last checked Oct. 15, 2026. Every listing links the organizer’s own page; check it before you go, because times change.

Plan ahead

Friday, Oct. 16

  • Daniel Tosh: My First Farewell Tour, 7 p.m. (doors 6 p.m.), Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The comedian’s show moved here from Sunday, Oct. 18; refunds are available on request, the venue says. Harrah’s Cherokee Center listing.
  • Misery, 7:30 p.m., North Carolina Stage Company, 15 Stage Lane. A stage thriller; Friday is a “Choose Your Price” night with seats from $18.50. Ages 16 and up. NC Stage.
  • The Haunted Trail, 6 to 9 p.m., Adventure Center of Asheville, 85 Expo Drive. $20. A family-friendly outdoor scare trail. Haunted Trail WNC; more in our Halloween events guide.
  • High school football: Asheville at Erwin, 7 p.m., Erwin High School. Asheville High athletics; every game in our Friday night football schedule.
  • Improv Tonight, Asheville Community Theatre’s late-night improv, 35 E. Walnut St. ACT.

Saturday, Oct. 17

  • Costume Swap and Creative Reuse Workshop, noon to 4 p.m., Stephens-Lee Center, 30 George Washington Carver Blvd. Free. Take home a costume whether or not you bring one; donations of clean costumes, hats, masks and trick-or-treat bags are welcome, but not wigs. City of Asheville.
  • Asheville Symphony: Nightfall, 2 and 8 p.m., First Baptist Church of Asheville. Darko Butorac conducts Anna Clyne’s “This Midnight Hour,” Tan Dun’s double bass concerto “Wolf Totem” with soloist Joseph Conyers, and Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony. Asheville Symphony.
  • Misery, 7:30 p.m., North Carolina Stage Company. Adults $30.50 to $57.50; students $18.50. NC Stage.
  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show with live shadowcast, 8 p.m. (doors 7:30 p.m.), The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage Co., 131 Sweeten Creek Road. $12 plus a fee. Rocky Horror AVL.
  • The Haunted Trail, 6 to 9 p.m., Adventure Center of Asheville. $20. Haunted Trail WNC.
  • Improv Sports, Asheville Community Theatre’s late-night improv show. ACT.
  • River Arts District gallery evenings: “October’s Ghost,” 5 to 7 p.m. at Mark Bettis Gallery, and “Look Closer,” 5 to 8 p.m. at Bottinell Fine Art. River Arts District events.
  • Second Annual Gem + Jam + Fam, noon to 6 p.m., New Belgium Brewing, 21 Craven St. Local glass and mineral sellers on the front lawn, with Jerry’s Dead playing 1 to 3 p.m. and a Phaulty Plan tribute set 3 to 5 p.m. New Belgium Asheville.

Sunday, Oct. 18

  • Boo Dash 5K, 8:30 a.m. (fun run 8:15 a.m.), Tanger Outlets, 800 Brevard Road. Registration includes a race shirt and chip timing. Run Asheville.
  • Dogs and Drag Fundraiser, 1 to 3 p.m., New Belgium Brewing, 21 Craven St. Mountain Pet Rescue’s dog costume contest, hosted by drag queen Divine, with pet portraits and dog treats. You do not need a dog in the contest to watch; contest spots are limited. Mountain Pet Rescue and New Belgium; more in our dog-friendly Asheville guide.
  • Misery, 2 p.m. matinee, North Carolina Stage Company. NC Stage.

All weekend

  • Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St. $12; under 12 free. Our Craft Fair guide has parking and what to expect; venue listing.
  • Luminere at Biltmore, final weekend: the evening show ends Sunday, Oct. 18. Luminere and Grounds tickets start at $95. Biltmore ticket options.
  • Eliada Corn Maze and Fall Festival, 49 Compton Drive, West Asheville. $15 a person; weather can change hours. Eliada; more in our fall festivals and pumpkin patches guide.

Regular weekend fixtures

  • East Asheville Tailgate Market, 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays, 954 Tunnel Road.
  • North Asheville Tailgate Market, 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, UNC Asheville, 275 Edgewood Road.
  • Asheville City Market, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, North Market Street downtown.

Every market’s season and link is on our farmers markets page.

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Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Asheville this weekend?

The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 18, at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville. Saturday brings the Asheville Symphony’s Nightfall concerts and the city’s free costume swap; Sunday the Boo Dash 5K starts at Tanger Outlets. The Haunted Trail is open Friday and Saturday nights.

What is free in Asheville this weekend?

The Costume Swap and Creative Reuse Workshop, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Stephens-Lee Center, is free to shop, and no donation is needed, the City of Asheville says. Children under 12 get into the Craft Fair free.

What time is the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands and where do I park?

The fair is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 18, at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St. Tickets are $12. The center’s own garage behind the library is the closest; the Rankin Avenue and Wall Street garages are a short walk.