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Things to do in Asheville & WNC: Jan. 9-11

Things to do in Asheville & WNC: Jan. 9-11

If adopting a new pet has been one of your 2026 resolutions, come meet the adoptable puppies at RAD Brewing this weekend. Photo: Saga Communications/Pruett Norris


ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Hunting for weekend plans? Look no further. We’ve got you covered with our Asheville activity guide, featuring music, movies and Christmas tree burn parties.

Friday, Jan. 9

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Viewing Party and Drag Show – 8 p.m., Banks Ave., 32 Bank Ave.

Tune in every Friday for season 18 of RuPaul’s Drag Race at Banks Ave. in the South Slope district of downtown Asheville. The watch party and following drag show this week will be hosted by Indica Gemini and feature Jianna Scott Glamoure and Lawson Glamoure Scott. No cover fee will be charged, though the party is for ages 21 and up.

The Caverns Of Gold Showcase Benefit – 8 p.m., PULP at The Orange Peel, 103 Hilliard Ave.

This weekend, four “Caverns of Gold” bands will play a benefit show in the spirit of the “Caverns of Gold: A Benefit for WNC Hurricane Relief” benefit album. The Caverns Of Gold Showcase Benefit, featuring the bands PINKEYE, Lower Peaks, Why Why? and John Kirby Jr & the New Seniors, will take The Orange Peel’s PULP stage at 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9.

Find tickets here.

Watch “People We Meet on Vacation” – Now streaming on Netflix

Check out the new romantic comedy “People We Meet on Vacation,” based off of Emily Henry’s best-selling novel of the same name. The film stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth as two friends falling in love over the course of several jet-setting vacations.

Saturday, Jan. 10

Asheville Crankie Fest – Noon, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave.

The Grey Eagle will host Asheville Crankie Fest, a musical celebration of the “crankie,” or a moving scroll decorated with painting, printing and more, this weekend. Find tickets for the event here.

Dog Adoption Event – 1-4 p.m., The River Arts District Brewing Company, 18 Little Big Ln.

If adopting a new pet has been one of your 2026 resolutions, come meet the adoptable puppies at RAD Brewing. The adoption event was produced in collaboration with Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville, who will be offering merch at the function.

McDonald’s Family Day – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Biltmore Village McDonald’s, 35 Hendersonville Road.

Following the Biltmore Village McDonald’s grand reopening earlier this week, the “fancy” fast food establishment will host a Family Day for the community. Families are invited to enjoy face painting, meet-and-greets with the McDonald’s mascots and a raffle.

Sunday, Jan. 11

Zillicoah’s Annual Xmas Tree Burn – 4 p.m., Zillicoah Beer Company, 870 Riverside Dr.

Local brewery Zillicoah Beer Company has been collecting the year’s Christmas trees for their annual bonfire event. The Zillicoah tree burn is a way to dispose of dried-out Christmas trees in a safe, controlled manner, in addition to being a fun celebration.

Cagney’s Cult Classics – 7 p.m., Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., 675 Merrimon Ave.

Kick off the new year with a scary movie. Asheville Pizza continues their series of free horror movies this Sunday with another mystery screening. The title is not revealed until the lights go down!

Read more. . .

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