Celebrated each September, National Senior Center Month celebrates the essential role of community centers and recreation programs for adults in the prime of life. This year’s theme, Happier Birthdays Happen Here, recognizes that centers across the nation provide support and encouragement to older adults, and offer a place for community members to find the relationships, resources, and opportunities that make each year richer than the last.
Check out upcoming special events for below, as well as these resources:
- View all opportunities for active older adults ages 50+ including card games, exercise classes, wellness programs, day trips and lunch meetups, and line, folk, and tap dance
- Visit Grove Street and Harvest House community centers for areas to socialize, play billiards and games, exercise, and more
- Search programs for all ages online, available in multiple languages via Google Translate’s Website Translator
Special Fall 2026 Classes & Events for Older Adults in Asheville
Fall Luncheon & Bingo
$5 | September 24, 12-2 p.m. | Harvest House Center
Enjoy a fresh fall spread, great company, and a full hour of gameplay.
Asheville Cornhole Tournament
Free | September 25, 1-3 p.m. | Grove Street Center
Register as an individual or a team to play for city-wide bragging rights.
Kinusaiga Cloth Art
$5 | September 30 | 1-3 p.m. | Harvest House Center
Bring fabric scraps or clothes to recycle (or use the instructor’s cloth) produce stitch-free patchwork art in the traditional Japanese craft of Kinusaiga.
Treks Hiking Club
$5 | September 30, October 21, November 10, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Transportation from Murphy-Oakley Center
Explore low-impact regional hikes each month that cover around 3 miles of uneven terrain with other naturalists.
Active Aging Week
Free | October 5-9 | Multiple Locations
Celebrate the power that comes with experience through five days of engaging wellness activities and meaningful events that celebrate the positive aspects of aging.
Day Trips
$5 | October 15 & November 19 | Transportation from Harvest House Center
Join other eclectic mountain adventures to explore Silver Fork Winery and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.
Beginner Birding by Ear
$10 | November 6 & November 13, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Tempie Avery Montford Center
Explore the world of birding and the unique ability to identify birds by their sounds in this two-part class that mixes indoor instruction with outdoor application.
Woodcraft: Puzzle Box Holder
Free | November 10, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Harvest House Center
Choose the morning or afternoon session to sand, build, and stain a great accessory to keep puzzle reference images upright and workspace clear.
Explore More with Asheville Parks & Recreation
These are just a few of the many programs, activities, and special events for older adults taking place in Asheville parks and community centers this fall! 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