Fall in Asheville: From Festivals to Fitness

Asheville -- August 11, 2025: City of Asheivlle Press Release: Summer’s stretch lasts a few more weeks, but Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) released its fall program guide with hundreds of classes, activities, hikes, clubs and meetups, and special events taking place from September to December.

Spend a sunny day in a park or poolside with the guide planning how you’ll spend cooler months.

The free guide is available at community centers and online at ashevillenc.gov/apr-guide
Sign up for APR newsletters including editions tailored to active adults and parents and families

“It has been both a challenging and inspiring year,” according to APR Director D. Tyrell McGirt. “As our city continues to heal and recover, the APR team is dedicated to hosting events that bring us together and creating spaces that provide comfort and inspire community. You’ll see some familiar favorites, exciting newbies, and programs that have adapted to our new landscape in the program guide. I look forward to seeing many neighbors and friends at some of our events. Don’t hesitate to give me a shout and let me know how APR can continue to help our community thrive and rebuild for the future.”

three witches at halloween wearing red and purple dressesAsheville Parks & Recreation Fall-Winter 2025 Program Highlights
This is just a sample! Visit ashevillenc.go/apr-guide or stop by an APR community center for a program guide with more opportunities for people of all ages. Spots fill up fast, so advance registration is highly recommended, even for free events. For most activities, registration opens 30 days prior to the event.

Special Events & Festivals

Celebrate at the Historic Burton Street Agricultural Fair which includes a ribbon cutting for the new playground and outdoor basketball court at Burton Street Park & Community Center
Explore the spooky and kooky realm during the weeklong Festival of Frights and keep the vibes with Forks After Dark: A Twilight Film Appreciation Series and Mothership: Sci-fi Horror Role Playing Game
If foliage and fall fun is more appealing than frights, check out the Grove Street Fall Festival
APR’s popular Holly Jolly Holidays festival returns with a baking contest in October and continues to celebrate the season from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day
Show some love to four-legged pals at Paint Pawty at Harvest House, Burton Street Dog Pawty & Adoption Day, or Barktoberfest (and be sure to visit the temporary dog park at Riverbend Park)
Get Creative
Create fall decor, candles, and your own tea blends at Craft & Connect and Crafting for Older Adults
Grab a brush for Family Paint Night, Couples Paint Night, Let’s Paint!, and Open Art Studio
(Imagination x Humor) + You = [A Real Good Time] at PowerPoint Night: Conspiracy Theory Edition, Bad Art Bonanza, Community Improv Jam, and Contact Improv Dance
Harvest House hosts multiple clubs for adults to channel their creativity including Pen to Paper, Mountain Stitchers, Weaving, and Woodshop
Tiny Tykeschildren playing games with afterschool staff
Take advantage of September weather with themed mornings at Toddler Takeover
Explore indoors with Tiny Tykes Bike Obstacle Course and Little Monkeys
Spark imagination and critical thinking at Petite Picassos, STEM for Toddlers, and Memory Vault
Drop in for Tiny Tykes Play Dates at Grant Southside and Stephens-Lee community centers – and don’t forget Discovery Time!
Kids & Teens
New teen programs like Adulting 101, Madden Mania, Teen Fitness, Training with Tre, and Trekking with Teens join old favorites like Southside Cyber Wednesday, Lifestyle Choices, and Teen Leadership Programs at Crump Shiloh, Grant Southside, and Stephens-Lee community centers
Art, math, and science fun abounds at Kids Cooking Class, Memory Vault, Parents Night Out, Kids Night In, and Art in the Park: Make & Take Crafts
There are a handful of spots left at some APR Afterschool sites, but kids can also join the new once-a-week afterschool APR Discovery Den with cooking, pottery, music, digital arts, STEM, and more!
When school’s out, excitement is in at Fun Day Out hosted by Grant Southside, Avery Montford, Crump Shiloh, and Murphy-Oakley community centers
APR Outdoorsyoung child in snorkel gear
Explore local aquatic life in mountain streams with River Snorkeling
Learn the basics and shooting techniques at Adult Archery
Pick up your new obsession with APR Outdoors’ Fly Fishing series that goes from introduction to casting to knots and rigging
Looking for a hiking or walking group? Check out Neighborhood Strollers, Therapeutic Recreation Walking, Naturalist Hikes, and Treks Hiking Club for Older Adults
Therapeutic Recreation
Get sporty at Adaptive Archery, Adaptive Bowling, and Adaptive Glow Rock Climbing
It’s kickball where kids take on their parents at Kickin’ It with the Fam
Hit the road with TR After Dark field trips
Drop in for weekly Therapeutic Recreation Adult Crafting and Therapeutic Recreation Adult Morning Movement
Sports & Fitness
New offerings for all ages include an afternoon bocce league, Intro to Golf, NCAA Football e-sports tournament, and 3v3 basketball tournaments at Burton Street and Crump Shiloh community centers
Upcoming leagues for adults include flag football, volleyball, and basketball and youth basketball for kids and teens
Kids and teens can stay active with Dr. Grant Gym Rats, REC-cess, and Let’s Wrestle!
Older adults can keep moving with Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games Clinics, Track & Field Club, and Big Bro’s Bowling for men ages 50+
Toss like a boss at the Grove Street Cornhole Tournament
Explore lower-impact activities like Drumming for Fitness, Chair Volleyball, Chair Aerobics, Women’s Billiards, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Chih, more options at Crump Shiloh, Grove Street, Harvest House, and Stephens-Lee community centers

Don’t forget affordable fitness center memberships (they’re free for high school students and older adults), and weekly basketball, volleyball, and indoor pickleball at community centers throughout the city

That’s a lot, but it’s not everything! Visit ashevillenc.go/apr-guide or stop by an APR community center for the full program guide chock full of low- and no-cost opportunities – and never be bored again!

Image: AI Generated by WNCTimes