With summer vacations drawing to a close and long, sunny days ripening crisp apples, sweet figs, and juicy peaches, August is the perfect month to take in our city’s natural beauty and resilient community spirit. Let Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) be your guide to this essential mountain experience with a variety of programs focused on maximizing leisure time and healthy living, complemented by parks, greenways, playgrounds, and unique spaces across the city.
Find highlights below and check out these resources for more programs and activities including free games and clubs, exercise and sports, and arts and crafts throughout the month:
- Browse the Asheville Parks & Recreation Program Guide in English or español
- Weekly & Monthly Programs At-a-Glance
- Search Asheville Parks & Recreation Programs Online
- Subscribe to Asheville Parks & Recreation’s Newsletters
Festivals & Special Events
- Beat the heat with the final Big Chill Summer events of the year:
- Summer Splash Days on August 5 and August 14
- Foam Frenzy on August 10
- Water Aerobics on Saturday mornings through August 16
- Toddler Splash of Colors on August 16
- Toddler Sip & Splash on August 28
- Grant Southside Pool is open through September 1, but operates on weekends only after August 17
- Triple Your Fun in Pack Square Park on August 8:
- Recreation Idol showcases the unparalleled creativity local kids and teens in APR summer camps from 6-7pm
- Grand Finale Block Party immediately follows with beats from DJ Twan and the Rec ‘n’ Roll Fun Zone from 7-8pm
- Movies in the Park: Wicked starts after the block party and the first 300 fans get their choice of pink and green sunglasses!
- Celebrate the spirit of an Asheville neighborhood on August 15 during the Southside Summer Block Party
- Enter a cosmic arena where strategy is the name of the game at Dart Side of the Moon: Teen Nerf Night on August 15 and August 29
- Boogie through time in poodle skirts, flashy bellbottoms, or neon leg warmers with a night of iconic tunes and styles from the past at Dancing Through the Decades on August 16
- Enjoy a classic at Family Movie Night: Monsters, Inc. on August 21
- Join a celebration of pure fluffiness and fun at Teddy Beary Picnic on August 21
- Grab a homemade fried fish sandwich with chips at the annual Grove Street Fish Fry on August 22
- Start the weekend early with goofy games, creative crafts, and silly science projects at Kids Night Out on August 29
Sports & Outdoors
- Adults and kids get a chance to explore below the surface of mountain streams at River Snorkeling on August 23 and August 29
- Looking for some friendly competition? Check out Asheville adult sports:
- Doubles Pickleball registration closes July 25
- Softball registration closes August 14
- Volleyball registration closes August 21
- Looking Ahead: Flag Football registration opens September 3
- Team sports leagues for teens and kids are great ways to learn how to work with others, make friends, and stay active outside of school:
- T-Ball registration closes July 31
- Baseball registration closes July 31
- Basketball registration opens August 8
- Age is just another number at these opportunities for all ages and skill levels:
- Intro to Golf registration opens on August 3
- Bocce registration opens on August 8
- Join for pickup basketball, pickleball, and volleyball every week and grab an affordable fitness center membership (they’re even free for high school students and older adults!)
Arts & Games
- Check out weekly and monthly bid whist, pinochle, billiards, dancing, and more in APR’s Program Guide
- Unleash your loved ones’ inner artists at Family Paint Night on August 8
- Feel the creativity flow at a night of art and charcuterie (“artcuterie?”) at Easel and Eats on August 13
- Learn about planning digital legacy data like photos, videos, financial details, family history, and more to pass on to future generations at the monthly Tech Time with Becca on August 26
- Flex your comedy chops at the monthly Community Improv Jam on August 28
- Meet the colorful van full of fun with Rec ‘n’ Roll’s Imagination Monday and Theme Wednesday
These are just highlights of low-cost, big-fun programs. If you don’t want to miss a moment, sign up for Asheville Parks & Recreation’s newsletters or follow APR on Facebook and Instagram.