Asheville Art Museum Third Thursday offers free evening arts programming

The Asheville Art Museum is hosting its monthly Third Thursday program tonight, Jan. 15, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., offering music, guided tours, hands-on art-making activities and special offerings in the rooftop café. The evening program is free for museum members or included with general admission, making it an accessible cultural option for Buncombe County residents and visitors.

Third Thursday nights are a recurring feature of the museum calendar designed to broaden evening access to exhibitions and programs. Typical components include a mix of live music, docent-led or curator tours, participatory art activities suitable for adults and families, and food and beverage specials upstairs in the rooftop café. By packaging programming into a four-hour evening window, the museum creates a predictable monthly cultural moment that draws both regular visitors and newcomers.

For local residents, the event functions as low-cost cultural entertainment and an easy way to see rotating exhibitions without a daytime schedule. The combination of free entry for members and included access for paid general admission reduces barriers for families and younger adults who may not attend weekday museum hours. For downtown merchants and hospitality providers, evenings anchored by the museum can increase foot traffic and sustain the local evening economy—especially on a winter weeknight when other attractions may be quieter.

From an institutional perspective, monthly public nights help stabilize earned revenue streams and membership value. Rooftop café sales and incidental purchases during an evening program generate supplemental income to support exhibitions and education initiatives. Equally important, recurring public events strengthen the museum’s role as a community hub, encouraging repeat visits and deeper engagement with local artists and educators.

Practical details: the program runs tonight from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., includes music, tours, art-making, and rooftop café offerings, and admission is free for members or included with general admission. Attendees should plan for a winter evening and allow time for parking and security screening at entry.

The takeaway? If you want an affordable, walkable night out in Buncombe County that mixes live music with hands-on art and views from the rooftop café, head to the museum tonight. Bring a friend, consider membership if you think you’ll return, and enjoy a curated slice of Asheville’s arts scene.