Happy Wednesday, Buncombe County.

💡 Buncombe Fact: The county contains part of the Pisgah National Forest, one of America’s first national forests.

Which means technically getting outside this week isn’t just fresh air, it’s a historically responsible decision.

In today’s edition:

Let’s get to it.

— Sean Kolina

Color, movement, and a whole lot of good energy are coming downtown as Highland Brewery invites us to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse. This Lunar New Year gathering brings together traditional performances, cultural demonstrations, food vendors, and family-friendly activities that honor the richness of Asian heritage and community connection.

Expect lion dances, music, and moments that will be both festive and meaningful. The Fire Horse is associated with passion, courage, and forward momentum, which feels like the right kind of energy to welcome into a new year. Whether you’ve celebrated Lunar New Year before or this is your first time attending, it’s a joyful way to learn, participate, and support local cultural groups.

Bring the kids, invite a friend, and plan to linger. Events like this remind us how beautifully diverse Buncombe County truly is.

📍 Where: Highland Brewing Company
📅 When: February 21st | 11am - 3pm (Taproom Celebration) | 6pm - 9pm (Glow Disc Golf Tournament)
💲 Price: Free to attend. *Tournament has an entry fee*

More Info & Register for Tournament

For anyone who loves design, architecture, or handmade craftsmanship, this annual conference is a standout. The different events highlight fine arts, furniture, and decorative pieces inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. Even if you just attend the show portion, it’s inspiring and visually stunning. A perfect excuse to wander the Grove Park Inn and make an afternoon of it.

📍 Where: Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC
📅 When: February 20-22nd.
💲 Price: Ticketed

Learn More

For kids who love animals and the outdoors, this hands-on program offers a peek into the world of wildlife care. Junior Wild Walk introduces young participants to native species, conservation efforts, and the responsibilities of a zookeeper. It’s educational, interactive, and a great way to burn some energy while learning something new.

📍 Where: Western North Carolina Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road
📅 When: Saturday, February 21st | 930am - 11am
💲 Price: $15-$25

Get Tickets

Winter calls for rituals that actually make you feel amazing—and Pique’s Sun Goddess Matcha is mine. It delivers clean, focused energy with zero jitters, supports glowing skin and gentle detox, and feels deeply grounding on cold mornings. Smooth, ceremonial-grade, and crave-worthy, it’s the easiest way to start winter days clear, energized, and glowing from the inside out

Get Up To 20% Off

Coffee lovers, this one’s for you. A guided tasting lets you slow down and breathe in the delicious aroma, giving you a chance to notice what you’re actually drinking. You’ll sample different roasts, learn a bit about sourcing and flavor notes, and probably leave with a new favorite bag of beans. It’s a tasty way to spend an hour, especially if you appreciate the craft behind your daily cup.

📍 Where: Cooperative Coffee Roasters. 210 Haywood Rd, West Asheville
📅 When: Friday, February 20th | 12pm
💲 Price: Free

Website

Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. A glow-filled dance party designed for kids, and their grownups. It’s playful, community-focused, and a surprisingly fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Think music, lights, and a festive energy. If you’ve been looking for something different that gets everyone out of the house, this one definitely qualifies.

📍 Where: Weaver House, 56 N Main St, Weaverville, NC
📅 When: Saturday, February 21st | 4pm - 7pm
💲 Price: Ticketed based on age. $0-19

More Info

Some nights just need live music and a good pint. Leveller Brewing hosts a traditional Irish session that will get you tapping your feet throughout the whole session. The vibe is casual, community-driven, and perfect for a low-key evening with friends. Musicians will play outdoors on the street side patio if the weather holds up otherwise indoors in the brewery during the colder evenings. Arrive early to grab a seat and settle in.

📍 Where: Leveller Brewing, 25 N Main St, Weaverville
📅 When: Thursday, Feb 19th | 530pm - 830pm
💲 Price: Free

Leveller’s Event Calendar

😋 Weekly Appalachian inspired recipe: Coconut Shrimp. Crispy, golden-fried shrimp coated in a lightly sweet coconut batter that crackles with every bite.

🎵 Who we are listening to: Flipturn - Sad Disco. The song features a driving rhythm, characteristic of the band's "indie-rock magic," blending sparkling guitar lines with synth elements.

🎁 Local small business highlight: Magic Rocket Vintage - Vintage & art goods shop in Fairview supporting local creators.

👩‍🌾 Asheville City Market - a producer-only market, which means that all farm vendors grow or raise the products they are selling themselves. Saturday mornings, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., April–Dec. Winter market hours: 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Jan.–March

🙏 Positive News: Monks Arrival After 15 Weeks of Walking Fills DC Streets With Peace and Compassion. Read Article

✨ Kindness costs nothing, but it can change everything.

As always, we read every reply and truly appreciate hearing from you. If there’s something you’d like to see more of locally, let us know. Thanks for being part of the Buncombe County Digest community.

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