Planning the month ahead? Check out our July calendar or events for local and nearby fun!

Chris Worthy

Friday, July 1

The Montford Moppets present William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" at 5 p.m. at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. For tickets and details, visit themontfordmoppets.org.

“The Little Prince” is presented by the Montford Park Players at 7:30 p.m. at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. For free tickets and details, visit montfordparkplayers.org.

Lake Junaluska’s annual Independence Day Celebration features family-friendly events. Tonight’s events include floating wish lanterns. Visit lakejunaluska.com.

Saturday, July 2

Make a constellation viewer in select Home Depot stores. Details for this event and virtual field trips are online at homedepot.com/c/kids.

Beech Mountain’s Mile High Fourth of July is in Beech Mountain. Events include a Sparkler 5K with free shirt and tie-dye station followed by a tailgate party, a family party with children’s activities, and more. Visit

beechmtn.com.

Lake Junaluska’s annual Independence Day Celebration features family-friendly events. Today’s events include a story time for kids at 4 p.m. Visit lakejunaluska.com.

The Montford Moppets present William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" at 5 p.m. at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. For tickets and details, visit themontfordmoppets.org.

An Independence Day Celebration is 6 – 10 p.m. in Marion. The event includes a parade at 6 p.m., free inflatables, and fireworks to close out the evening. For details, visit discovermarionnc.com.

Shindig On the Green is at 7 p.m. in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2021.

“The Little Prince” is presented by the Montford Park Players at 7:30 p.m. at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. For free tickets and details, visit montfordparkplayers.org.

Sunday, July 3

The Montford Moppets present William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" at 11 a.m. at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. For tickets and details, visit themontfordmoppets.org.

“The Little Prince” is presented by the Montford Park Players at 7:30 p.m. at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. For free tickets and details, visit montfordparkplayers.org.

Lake Junaluska’s annual Independence Day Celebration features family-friendly events. Tonight’s events include fireworks. Visit lakejunaluska.com.

Monday, July 4

The Ingles Independence Day Celebration is in Pack Square Park. This free event includes The Ultimate Air Dogs, live music, a fireworks extravaganza and more. For details, visit https://ashevilledowntown.org/independence-day.

An Independence Day Community Celebration is 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Downtown Brevard. The event includes food vendors, an auto show, a hula hoop dance party, Bubble Brigade Children's Bubble Splash Party (3 p.m.), Professor Whizzpop's magic tricks and balloon animals (3 – 5 p.m.) and more. Visit brevardnc.org/july4th.

Lake Junaluska’s annual Independence Day Celebration features family-friendly events. Today’s events include a parade at 11 a.m. and kid-friendly activities and a family square dance from noon – 2 p.m. Visit lakejunaluska.com.

Freedom Fest includes fireworks and more in Bryson City. For details, visit explorebrysoncity.com.

Fourth of July events are in downtown Hendersonville, including fireworks, inflatables, face painting, live music and more. For details, visit visithendersonvillenc.org.

Tuesday, July 5

Summer movies – “Sing” and “Puss in Boots” are shown at select Regal theaters. See details at regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx.

LEGO Builders Club is at 3:30 p.m. at the Pack Memorial Library. For details, visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library.

A Tuesday Night Block Party Series, presented by Heart of Brevard, is 6 – 8 p.m. on East Main Street in Brevard. The event is free and features old time street dances with Whitewater Bluegrass, sidewalk chalk, food vendors and more. Visit brevardnc.org/BLOCKPARTY.

Nature Center Night: A Buggy Evening – Join the Highlands Nature Center at 9 p.m. Learn to identify unique and beautiful insects then join naturalists to look for fireflies and nocturnal creepy crawlies in the Botanical Garden. Please bring a flashlight for this adventure. This program is weather-dependent. Registration is required but the program is free. All ages are welcome. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Wednesday, July 6

Summer movies – “Sing” and “Puss in Boots” are shown at select Regal theaters. See details at regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx.

Mechanical Paper Puppets with Mountain Makers is at 3 p.m. at the Enka Candler Library. Grades K – 5. Call 828-250-4758 or email enka.library@buncombecounty.org.

Thursday, July 7

WNC Nature Center program – “Fact or Myth?” is at 2 p.m. at the Leicester Library. Call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.

YMCA Mobile Market is at the Enka Candler Library 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Bring grocery bags and get fresh food. Distributions are free. The market provides fresh produce paired with healthy recipes and more. Visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library or call 828-250-4758.

Friday, July 8

YMCA Mobile Market is at the Oakley/South Asheville Library 10:30 a.m. – noon. Bring grocery bags and get fresh food. Distributions are free. The market provides fresh produce paired with healthy recipes and more. Visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library or call 828-250-4758.

The Montford Moppets present William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" at 5 p.m. at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. For tickets and details, visit themontfordmoppets.org.

“The Little Prince” is presented by the Montford Park Players at 7:30 p.m. at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. For free tickets and details, visit montfordparkplayers.org.

Saturday, July 9

Tiny Tots Yoga is at 11 a.m. at the Swannanoa Library. Call 828-250-6486 or email swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.

The Montford Moppets present William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. For tickets and details, visit themontfordmoppets.org.

Second Saturday arts events are in the River Arts District. For details, visit riverartsdistrict.com.

Shindig On the Green is at 7 p.m. in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2021.

“The Little Prince” is presented by the Montford Park Players at 7:30 p.m. at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. For free tickets and details, visit montfordparkplayers.org.

Sunday, July 10

Star Stories are in the STEM Lab at The Asheville Museum of Science. Today’s programs are at 2, 2:45, and 3:30 p.m. For details, visit ashevillescience.org/event/star-stories-star-guy-gary-3/.

Tuesday, July 12

PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure is at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena. For tickets and details, visit harrahscherokeecenterasheville.com.

Summer movies – “Sing 2” and “Space Jam: A New Legacy” are shown at select Regal theaters. See details at regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx.

LEGO Builders Club is at 3:30 p.m. at the Pack Memorial Library. For details, visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library.

Nature Center Night: Going Batty – Join the Highlands Nature Center at 9 p.m. Learn about the fascinating world of bats, then join naturalists in the Botanical Garden to seek them out. Please bring a flashlight for this adventure. This program is weather-dependent. Registration is required but the program is free. All ages are welcome. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Wednesday, July 13

PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure is at the ExploreAsheville.com Arena. For tickets and details, visit harrahscherokeecenterasheville.com.

Summer movies – “Sing 2” and “Space Jam: A New Legacy” are shown at select Regal theaters. See details at regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx.

Build a rubber band powered airboat at 1 p.m. at the Leicester Library. Grades K – 5. For details, call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.

Thursday, July 14

Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius opens today at Biltmore Estate. This immersive experience is displayed alongside multiple large-scale machine inventions, many of which are interactive, and detailed reproductions of da Vinci’s masterpieces, codices and drawings. The exhibit continues through Feb. 20, 2023. For details and tickets, visit biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/leonardo-da-vinci.

Bubble Brigade Foam Fun is at 11 a.m. in Grovemont Park. For details, email swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.

Friday, July 15

Porkchop Productions presents “The Fisherman and His Needy Greedy Wife” at 11 a.m. at the Etowah Library and at 2 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Downtown After 5 is at 5 p.m. in the 100 Block of North Lexington Avenue. The event is free and includes live music. Food vendors will be on site. For details, visit ashevilledowntown.org.

Saturday, July 16

ARRR! Treasure Chest Kit Workshop is at select Lowe’s stores. In this hands-on workshop, kids will construct a creative container to store their own little gems and trinkets. Register by July 15 at lowes.com/events/register/arrr-treasure-chest-kit-workshop.

Zaniac Parents’ Night Out for children in grades K – 8 is 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The cost is $27 each, with a snack included. For details, visit

zaniaclearning.com/asheville/programs/parents-night-out-events.

Shindig On the Green is at 7 p.m. in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2021.

Tuesday, July 19

Summer movies – “Despicable Me 3” and “Tom & Jerry” are shown at select Regal theaters. See details at regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx.

LEGO Builders Club is at 3:30 p.m. at the Pack Memorial Library. For details, visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library.

Nature Center Night: Starlight Stroll – Join the Highlands Nature Center at 9 p.m. Hear stories of the stars from different cultures and learn to identify summer constellations. Please bring a flashlight for this adventure. This program is weather-dependent. Registration is required but the program is free. All ages are welcome. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Wednesday, July 20

Summer movies – “Despicable Me 3” and “Tom & Jerry” are shown at select Regal theaters. See details at regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx.

Bubble Day is at 1 p.m. at the Leicester Library. For details, call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.

Thursday, July 21

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville. Children under age 12 are admitted free. For details, visit, southernhighlandguild.org/craftfair.

Friday, July 22

Soap Bubble Circus is at 11 a.m. at the Mills River Library (at the Park Pavilion) and at 2 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Discover the wonder and science of bubbles in this interactive show. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville. Children under age 12 are admitted free. For details, visit, southernhighlandguild.org/craftfair.

Saturday, July 23

Tiny Tots Yoga is at 11 a.m. at the Swannanoa Library. Call 828-250-6486 or email swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.

Shindig On the Green is at 7 p.m. in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2021.

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville. Children under age 12 are admitted free. For details, visit, southernhighlandguild.org/craftfair.

Sunday, July 24

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville. Children under age 12 are admitted free. For details, visit, southernhighlandguild.org/craftfair.

Tuesday, July 26

Summer movies – “Minions” and “Trolls World Tour” are shown at select Regal theaters. See details at regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx.

LEGO Builders Club is at 3:30 p.m. at the Pack Memorial Library. For details, visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library.

Family Bingo is at 3:30 p.m. at the Fairview Library. The event is for all ages. No registration is required. For details, call 828-250-6484 or email fairview.library@buncombecounty.org.

Nature Center Night: Amazing Moths – Join the Highlands Nature Center at 9 p.m. earn about the many kinds of moths that call our area home, then join naturalists to see which ones can be found in the Botanical Garden. Please bring a flashlight for this adventure. This program is weather-dependent. Registration is required but the program is free. All ages are welcome. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Wednesday, July 27

Summer movies – “Minions” and “Trolls World Tour” are shown at select Regal theaters. See details at regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx.

Join in a scavenger hunt from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Leicester Library. For details, call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org.

Saturday, July 30

Shindig On the Green is at 7 p.m. in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2021.

EXPLORE OUTDOORS

Learn to row with Asheville Youth Rowing. The program is for grades 6 – 11. Classes are offered in July and August at Lake Julian. Each class is four sessions of two hours per session for a total cost of $52 per rower. For details and registration, visit ashevilleyouthrowing.com.

The Highlands Nature Center is open for summer hours, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mondays – Saturdays, closed Sundays. Free, daily educational programs are available, including garden tours, animal feedings, nature art, and creature features. For details, visit highlandsbiological.org.

Kolo Bike Park $5 after 5 Thursdays continues until Sept. 1. Ride Kolo from 5 – 8 p.m. for $5 on the pump tracks, trails, jump line and skills area. Call 828-225-2921 to check conditions. For details, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com.

Twilight in the Treetops is at 8 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 3 at Adventure Center of Asheville. Climb 10 – 50 feet in the air as the sun sets and thousands of colored lights illuminate the aerial trails and challenges. Ages 4 and older. For reservations, call 877-247-5539 or visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com.

GET READY FOR BABY

Hypnobabies Asheville offers hypno-birth classes online. Learn more and register at hypnobabiesasheville.com.

Mission Health offers prenatal classes, including a childbirth and hospital orientation class and a breastfeeding class. For details and registration, visit missionhealth.org/services-treatments/maternity-care/labor-delivery-mission.

Homegrown Families offers a variety of childbirth and prenatal classes. Learn more and register at ashevillehomegrownfamilies.com.

Virtual Parent Education Classes are offered by Haywood Regional Medical Center. Get ready for baby online. Call 828-552-8440 or visit myhaywoodregional.com for details.

ENJOY STORY TIME, FAMILY FUN AND MORE

In-person story times are back at Buncombe County Libraries. Get full details at buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/services/story-times.aspx.

Baby Story Time – ages 4 – 18 months:

· Oakley/South Asheville Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.

· Leicester Library – Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

· Weaverville Library – Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

Toddler Story Time – ages 18 months – 3 years:

· North Asheville Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.

· Fairview Library and Leicester Library – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

· Enka-Candler Library – Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Story Time – ages 3 – 5 years:

· East Asheville Library and West Asheville Library – Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

· Swannanoa Library – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

· Fairview Library – Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

· Black Mountain Library and Weaverville Library – Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

· Pack Memorial Library – Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Hora Del Cuento/Story Time

· Skyland/South Buncombe Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.

· Oakley/South Asheville Library – Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn 5 years old, creating a home library of up to 60 books and instilling a love of books and reading. For details and registration, visit imaginationlibrary.com.

Family Story Times are at Henderson County Libraries: Mondays at 10 a.m. at Edneyville and Mills River Libraries, Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Etowah Library,

Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at Fletcher Library, and Thursdays at 10 a.m. at Green River Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library or call 828-697-4725.

Music and Movement Story Time is at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library or call 828-697-4725.

Preschool Story Time for ages 3 – 5 is at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library or call 828-697-4725.

Toddler Story Time for ages 18 months – 3 years is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library or call 828-697-4725.

Bouncing Babies Story Time for birth – 18 months with a caregiver is at 11:15 a.m. Thursdays at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library or call 828-697-4725.

Biltmore Gardens Railway – Wonders of the World is open through Jan. 8, 2023, at Biltmore Estate. See handcrafted, botanical model train displays. For tickets and up-to-date health and safety policies, visit biltmore.com.

Monet & Friends – Life, Light & Color is open through July 10 at Biltmore Estate. For tickets and up-to-date health and safety policies, visit biltmore.com.

Zoom D&D with Raj for teens is 3 – 6 p.m. Saturdays through the Buncombe County Library. Sign-up is required. Email Raj at raj.bowers-racine@buncombecounty.org to request attendance.

Kindermusik for ages birth – 5 is offered at We Rock the Spectrum. For details, visit kindermusik.com/studio/58207.

ART, FUN, AND LEARNING

Enjoy live music Fridays and Saturdays in July at Nantahala Outdoor Center. For details, visit noc.com.

Girl Scout QuestFest 2022 for Girl Scouts, Alums, and Girl Guides from around the world, takes place July 14 – 17 both in Savannah, Georgia and virtually. QuestFest is a giant scavenger hunt with a twist. Instead of looking for things individuals and teams search for experiences. Register at gsquestfest.org. If you are not a currently registered Girl Scout, first register through your local council at girlscouts.org/en/council-finder.html.

Roots + Wings offers 2022 Summer Custom Experiences. Visit rootsandwingsarts.com/custom-experiences.

SUPPORT AND CONNECTION

Perinatal Loss Support Group – Homegrown Families Perinatal Bereavement Parent Support Group is for families who have experienced the loss of a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn death. For details, visit ashevillehomegrownfamilies.com.

The Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) is an evidence-based program gives parents confidence and in turn, helps them raise confident children. Local parents and caregivers have access to this free, positive parenting course online. Access Triple P resources at triplepwnc.com or triplep-parenting.com.