| Here are our top picks for Spring events and festivals in the Asheville area in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Many are free! Enjoy.
Every Friday Night: Drum Circle
Listen and dance to the drumming circle which gathers in Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville from Spring through Fall on Friday evenings.
See our photos & video of the Drum Circle.
March 21–May 31, 2013: Biltmore Blooms festival of flowers
Two months of spring bloom include 100,000 tulips for a beautiful festival of flowers with stunning floral displays across the estate.
See our Biltmore Blooms festival of flowers Guide.
March 23-24, 2013: Orchid Show
This judged show at the NC Arboretum features orchid plants and supplies for sale by world class vendors.
Read more about the Orchid Show.
March 30, 2013: Easter Hat Parade in Dillsboro
Old hat, new hat, yellow hat, blue hat. They're all welcome at Dillsboro's annual Easter Hat Parade at 2 PM, showcasing a variety of interesting hats atop participants of all ages, including pets.
See our Easter Hat Parade Guide.
March 31, 2013: Sunrise Service at Chimney Rock
Celebrate Easter by watching the sun rise over Hickory Nut Gorge.
See our Chimney Rock Sunrise Service Guide.
April 4, 2013: Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Asheville at the Fine Arts Theatre
See a selection of 14 short films that put our world and yourself into the broader environmental and social context and serves to remind us that we’re participants in a global movement for a more wild and scenic world. 7-10 PM.
Go to their Web site for more.
April 6, 2013: Appalachian Trial Founder's Bridge Festival
Nantahala Outdoor Center's (NOC) has a new special event to celebrate the nation's most beloved footpath, the 2,179-mile Appalachian Trail. Both weekend dayhikers and long distance warriors are welcome.
Read more about the AT Bridge Festival.
April 5-6, 2013: BBQ Cook-off & Bluegrass Jam
Free admission with plenty of great live music and food.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events.
April 13, 2013: Farmers Market Car Show
10 AM - 2 PM. Free.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events
April 13 & 27, 2013: Master Gardener Plant Clinics at Western NC Farmer's Market
Master Gardeners Program offers plant clinics to assist the public in diagnosing and solving gardening questions. All clinics are free. Bring samples from problem plants or insects that need to be diagnosed and/or identified.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events.
April 19-21, 2013: Trailfest
Celebrate the Appalachian Trail in Hot Springs, where it goes through town on Main Street. Spaghetti Dinner kick-off on Friday evening, Saturday fun with bicycles, skateboarding, hoola-hooping, river rafting, soccer, yoga, and more! Pancakes and float trip on Sunday.
See our Hot Springs Guide.
April 20, 2013: Block House Steeplechase
Usher in spring with picnics, sundresses, elegant hats, tailgating, and the sounds & sights of thoroughbreds thundering past in Tryon, at the longest running steeplechase in North Carolina. The National Steeplechase Association sanctions four of the races.
See our Tryon NC Guide.
April 26-28, 2013: NOC Spring Fling, Demo Days & Freestyle Kayak Shootout
At NOC’s perennial spring festival Demo Days, test equipment, watch their Freestyle Kayaking competition, and get great deals on gear for outdoor fun.
See our NOC Demo Days & Shootout Guide.
April 26-27, 2013:"Growing in the Mountains" Plant Show
Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Hort Association. Truckshed #5, WNC Farmers Market. Certified nurseries will be selling their products to the public.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events.
April 27, 2013: Greening Up the Mountains Festival
Celebrate the arrival of spring with this downtown Sylva street festival, about an hour's drive west of Asheville.
See our Greening Up the Mountain Festival Guide.
April 27, 2013: Fire On the Mountain
Come to downtown Spruce Pine to see and buy works from regionally and nationally renowned blacksmiths demonstrating their skills from 10 AM to 4 PM. This event celebrates the mountain tradition of blacksmithing, with Master Blacksmiths sharing their expertise and talent. Free to attend.
See our Spruce Pine Guide.
April 27-28, 2013: Weaverville Art Safari
40 artists of the Weaverville Art Safari invite you to visit studios and galleries in the town of Weaverville and the surrounding countryside. Free.
Read more about the Weaverville Art Safari.
May 3-5, 2013: French Broad River Festival
This grassroots festival in Hot Springs on the banks of the French Broad features some of the best music in the area and a number of outdoor events in celebration of this beautiful river.
Read more about the French Broad River Festival.
May 3-5, 2013: Spring Wildflower and Bird Pilgrimage
If you love mountain wildflowers, don't miss this three-day event sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Asheville Biology Department and the Botanical Gardens at Asheville with many guided field trips, lectures and plant sale.
Read more about the Spring Wildflower and Bird Pilgrimage.
May 3-5, 2013: Spring Herb Festival at Western NC Farmer's Market
Largest Herb Festival in the Southeast with 50+ herb businesses with herb plants anywhere, herbs, books, soaps, herbal crafts, medicinal herbs, lotions, dried flowers, herbal baked goods, herbal gifts and much more.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events.
May 4-5, 2013: E.A.S.T. (East of Asheville Studio Tour) Spring Tour
Artists of the Black Mountain, Swannanoa, and East Asheville area open their studios during the tour for all, whether they are serious art patrons or just browsers of beautiful and interesting works. 10am - 6pm.
See our EAST of Asheville Tour Guide
May 5, 2013: Ramp Festival
Live music & entertainment, food featuring ramps, a naturally grown wild onion grown in the mountains, held in Waynesville.
Read more about this and other Waynesville Events
May 5, 2013: Big Love Fest
3rd annual celebration of unchained and independent Asheville in Pack Square Park downtown with music, food, local beer, independent crafters and small businesses. 12Noon-8 PM.
MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND!
May 9-12, 2013: LEAF Festival
A weekend at LEAF is the equivalent of going on a year-long multi-cultural musical and dance odyssey.
See our LEAF Guide.
May 11-12, 2013: Tour de Falls at DuPont State Forest
A 12-mile tour by shuttle bus to four of DuPont State Forest’s spectacular sites: Triple Falls, High Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Lake Julia.
Read more about Tour de Falls.
May 11 & 25, 2013: Master Gardener Plant Clinics at Western NC Farmer's Market
Master Gardeners Program offers plant clinics to assist the public in diagnosing and solving gardening questions. All clinics are free, and the public is encouraged to bring samples from problem plants or insects that need to be diagnosed and/or identified.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events.
May 11, 2013: Dahlia Tuber and Mum Plant Sale
The Carolinas Dahlia Society and the NC Chrysanthemum Society celebrate at the NC Arboretum. PLUS, meet artist Ann Vasilik on Saturday, May 11 from 11 AM-3:30 PM, and on Sunday, May 12 from 2-5 PM.
Read more about the NC Arboretum Spring Shows
May 11, 2013: River Arts District 2nd Saturday
A day of artist demonstrations, classes, open studios and fun. Spend the day hopping from studio to studio to view a range of mediums and an abundance of creativity. Demos start at 10 AM!
Read more about the River Arts District.
May 11-12, 2013: Fiber Weekend
Craftspeople at the Folk Art Center share their inspiration and expertise in a variety of textile arts. Saturday demonstrations include: quilting and appliqué, doll making, weaving, mixed media fiber arts, clothing design, printing and surface design, tapestry weaving, and natural dyeing. Two fashion shows on Sunday! Free admission.
Read more about the Folk Art Center.
May 11, 2013: Migratory Bird Day
Take a guided bird walk, attend a live raptor program and see a bird survey demonstration at the Cradle of Forestry. The forests and fields here are alive with song as migratory birds arrive at their summer habitats.
Read more about Cradle of Forestry.
May 11 & 12, 2013: Chimney Rock Mom Special
Free admission for mom at Chimney Rock Park with paying guest. Music on the Mountain concert and wildflower walk. Download coupon.
May 12: Moms in Free at Biltmore
Mother's Day Special: Free admission at Biltmore Estate for mom with purchase of youth or adult ticket.
May 17, 2013: Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Downtown After Five.
May 17-18, 2013: Southeastern Fly Fishing Festival
Held at Western Carolina University, this festival attracts both experienced and beginning anglers. There's an extensive lineup of guest speakers, fly-tying experts and industry exhibitors, as well as a strong educational component for novices.
Read more about the Fly Fishing Festival.
May 18, 2013: Montford Arts and Music Festival
Celebrating its 10th year as one of the largest one day free music and arts festivals in Asheville, held on Montford and Soco, with over 100 vendors of art, crafts, plants and food; two stages with non stop entertainment from 20 groups and a children’s area. Located down from Asheville Visitors Center in Historic Montford with on street parking, bike corral. Held rain or shine. 10AM-7 PM.
Go to their Web site.
May 18, 2013: Saluda Arts Festival
Saluda, NC celebrates its heritage and arts culture on Historic Main Street. See a diversity of art media from regional artists. Enjoy music representing Americana, blues, folk, contemporary and watch artist demonstrations. Free.
10 AM-4 PM
Read more about Saluda.
May 18, 2013: Spring•Go Festival
This free festival in the Chimney Rock Village includes an Olde Timey Mountain Parade at 10AM on Main Street, arts and crafts at the Gathering Place 11-4, Cow Pie Bingo, live music, food, more.
May 24-26, 2013: Mountain Sports Festival
Whether you’re a hardcore athlete or a newbie trying an event for the first time, the annual Mountain Sports Festival in Asheville offers something for you.
Read more about the Mountain Sports Festival.
May 25-26, 2013: Rose Show
The fragrant and vivid world of roses will be on display at the NC Arboretum.
Read more about the NC Arboretum Spring Shows.
May 25-June 1, 2013: Asheville Beer Week
Many events throughout the week, including beer tastings, dinners, and much more.
See our Asheville Beer Week Guide.
May 25-26, 2013: White Squirrel Festival
Go nuts at the White Squirrel Festival in downtown Brevard that features a parade, plenty of live music, food, arts and much.
Read more about the White Squirrel Festival
May 25-26, 2013: Garden Jubilee Festival
This Downtown Hendersonville Festival is the ideal event for passionate gardeners searching for the perfect plants and unique lawn & garden accessories and arts & crafts.
Read more about Downtown Hendersonville & Garden Jubilee.
Go to Top Summer Events and Festivals for more!
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