Your guide to things to do in Asheville and WNC this week
Happy April! Our full April calendar is online at wncparent.com, along with spring books and a way to celebrate April showers. While you’re there, take a look back at our family basics series from March, with tips for emergency prep, legal basics and ideas for those summer reno projects.
WNC businesses, we want your listing for WNC Parent’s 2025 Birthday Guide! If you host parties, provide entertainment, food or other options, submit your free listing here by May 12. The guide will run in July.
Stay in touch on social media @wncparent and get your events on our calendar by emailing chris@worthyplace.com.
The “I Will Always Love You Music Festival” continues through April 13 at Dollywood. Visit dollywood.com.
“Petit Mondrian” is presented by Asheville Creative Arts through April 13 at the Tina McGuire Theatre in the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. Performances are pay-what-you-wish and are inclusive performances inspired by the shapes and colors of modernist painter, Piet Mondrian, created by Edwin Salas for neurodivergent and neurotypical very young audiences. Visit ashevillecreativearts.org/shows-events/mainstage-shows.
Teen Egg Glow Hunt is 6:15 – 8:45 p.m. April 4 at Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center. Free. Big kids can hunt for eggs and then the fun continues in Shiloh Community Center’s gym for inflatables and pizza. Visit ashevillenc.gov/department/parks-recreation/program-guide.
Slug and Snail Puppet Show is at 10 and 11:45 a.m. April 5 at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville. Admission is free. An enchanting and uplifting performance for ages 2 - 8 as Snail and Slug brave a powerful storm together. Along the way, they encounter moments of fear, humor, and courage, ultimately discovering a deep and lasting friendship. The 20-minute show will be followed by a craft activity with the theme of "helpers." Get free tickets from Buncombe Partnership for Children at eventbrite.com/e/slug-and-snail-puppet-show-tickets-1284272185679.
Bank of America’s “Museums On Us” program allows cardholders free admission to Asheville Museum of Science April 5 and 6. For details, visit about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/arts-and-culture#museums-on-us.
The 2025 Asheville Maker Faire is a free event happening from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. April 5 at the Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center at 16 Fernihurst Drive, Asheville. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these "makers" to show hobbies, experiments and projects in a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. Visit asheville.makerfaire.com.
Spring Festival is 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. April 5 at Camp Cedar Cliff. This is a free community event with petting zoo, rock climbing, face painting, carnival games, horseback rides and food available to purchase. Visit campcedarcliff.org/springfestival.
Bouncing Books! Music & Movement Story Time is at 11 a.m. April 5 at the Ferguson Family YMCA. For details, visit buncombe.librarycalendar.com/event/copy-bouncing-books-music-movement-story-time-6587.
Spring Out 2025 is 1 – 7 p.m. April 5 at Wedge Brewery. Cycling routes are available for all skill levels. For details, visit ashevilleonbikes.com/events/spring-out.
Southern Appalachian Storytelling with Michael Reno Harrell is at 3 p.m. April 5 at the Pack Memorial Library. For details and registration, visit buncombe.librarycalendar.com/event/hold-michael-harrell-storyteller-8819.
Asheville Junior Theater Presents “Shrek JR.” at 4 p.m. April 5 and at 2 and 6 p.m. April 6 at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. Part romance and part reimagining of traditional fairy tales, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family. This is a 70-minute version of the Broadway hit, designed for audiences of all ages (with a little potty humor). Visit AshevilleJuniorTheater.com.
April 10 – Kolo Bike Park – $5 after 5 Thursdays. Ride Kolo Bike Park on Thursdays starting at 5 p.m. for $5. (Rentals are available for an extra charge.) Call 828-225-2921 for conditions. Visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park.
The Asheville Tourists play April 8 – 13 at McCormick Field. For details, visit milb.com/asheville.
Plan ahead:
Asheville Parks & Recreation brings Truck City AVL to Tanger Outlets Asheville from 1 – 4 p.m. April 12. This community event is open to the public and free to attend. Kids (and adults) can sit in, explore, touch, and ask questions about their favorite trucks and cars – from rescue vehicles and public works equipment to utility tractors and construction machines and more. A quiet hour (no horn honking) is scheduled from 1 – 2 p.m. to provide a positive experience for those with sensory considerations. Visit ashevillenc.gov/department/parks-recreation.
Makerspace is 1 – 4 p.m. April 12 at Asheville Art Museum. Free for members or included with museum admission. Registration is not required. This is a drop-in art activity led by museum staff. Participants will be invited to create an artwork of their own inspired by on-view exhibitions. For details, visit ashevilleart.org/learn/family-programs/makerspace.