Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts seasonal activities and outdoor fun this October designed to help community members of all ages explore, connect, and discover. From popular special events like Festival of Frights and Barktoberfest to nature skills classes and sports leagues, Asheville’s parks and community centers are headquarters for the city’s autumn entertainment. Browse highlights below and check out APR’s program guide and search programs online for more opportunities.
October 2026 Asheville Festivals & Special Events
- Barktoberfest on October 4
- Try It Tuesday First Time Crafts on October 6
- Festival of Frights on October 7-31
- Grove Street Fall Festival on October 9
- Karaoke Bingo on October 19
- Art in the Park on October 26
Explore Western North Carolina’s Outdoors
- Adult Archery begins October 1
- Youth Archery begins on October 1
- Basic Bike Maintenance on October 12
- Carver Edible Park Work & Learn Day on October 16
- Nature Crafts: Building Bug Hotels on October 19
- Treks Hiking Club for Older Adults on October 21
- Finding Fall Fungi on October 23
- Walking the Great Lakes of WNC each week on Monday and Wednesday
- Peaking Up the Parkway Fall Leaf Viewing each week on Monday
Enrichment Programs for Kids & Teens
- Youth Archery begins on October 1
- STEM Nights on October 2 and October 9
- Fun Day Out on October 5 and October 6
- Kids Camping Skills Club begins on October 6
- Kids Cooking Class on October 16
- Teen PowerPoint Night on October 21
- Parents Night Out on October 23
- Register for Youth Basketball by October 30 (practice begins in mid-November)
- Check out Fall Homeschool Programs
Asheville’s Little Explorers: Toddler Activities
- TR Tots: Eco Art on October 12
- Toddler Discovery Time on October 13 and October 27
- Imagination Day: Fall Fun on October 14
- Tiny Tykes Club meets on Wednesday and Friday mornings
- Register for Little Climbers starting October 5 (program begins on November 5)
Get Social with Asheville Adult Sports Leagues & Pickup Games
- Adult Archery begins October 1
- Register for Adult Flag Football by October 2 (games begin on October 13)
- Register for Adult Basketball starting October 1 (games begin November 16)
- Register for Adult Dodgeball starting October 10 (games begin November 10)
- Register for Adult Volleyball starting October 19 (games begin December 8)
- Check out open play calendars for basketball, futsal, pickleball, soccer, and volleyball
Find Supportive Connections with APR Therapeutic Recreation
- TR Abilities Tennis begins on October 3
- Register for TR Adaptive Archery starting October 9 (program begins on November 9)
- TR Tots: Eco Art on October 12
- TR Club Connect: Myths, Legends, & Lore on October 15
- Learn more about APR Therapeutic Recreation
Explore More with Asheville Parks & Recreation
These are just a few of the many programs, activities, and special events taking place in Asheville parks and community centers this month! Programs fill up fast and many require advance registration, so it’s worth spending some time planning which activities and events to attend. Use these resources to discover additional opportunities:
- View APR’s free program guide online or pick up a copy at community center locations
- Search programs online, available in multiple languages via Google Translate’s Website Translator
- Follow APR on Facebook and Instagram
- Discover parks, greenways, playgrounds, and recreation locations throughout Asheville