| Here are our top picks for festivals and major events in the Asheville area for the summer. Most 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.
Late May-Early August: SART
Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre presents six professional productions at Mars Hill College, 18 miles north of downtown.
Go to their Web site.
May 25-27, 2012: 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 26-27, 2012: 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 26-27, 2012: 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.
May 28, 2012: Carl Sandburg Folk Music Festival
The grounds of the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site come alive with folk music which was an important part of Carl Sandburg's life along with his guitar playing and singing as well as his writing. Live entertainment includes instrumentals, folk ballads and spiritual songs. 10 AM-4 PM
See our Carl Sandburg Historic Site Guide.
May 25-27, 2012: Asheville Burlesque & Sideshow Festival
In the fifth year of celebrating the Vaudeville Revival, ABSfest offers three days of inspiration, education, shopping, and entertainment that no lover of these arts can afford to miss.
Read more about Asheville Burlesque & Sideshow Festival.
June 9, 2012: Appalachian Lifestyle Celebration
A full day celebration of traditional mountain craft, food, and entertainment in downtown Waynesville. Demonstrations of Appalachian life skills & crafts, storytelling, mountain music & clogging, home-style food vendors. 10am–5pm, Free
Read more about this and other Waynesville Events
June 9-10, 2012: INN Asheville Tour of B&Bs
The Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association’s INN Asheville Tour of B&Bs benefits MANNA Food Bank. This event offers you a glimpse into their historic residences and gardens while enjoying delicious, culinary treats along the way. Advance tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple.
Read more about the Inn & Garden Tour.
June 8-9, 2012: Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival
Tasty festival in Tryon that features Hog Heaven, with more than 80 cook teams from across the United States; live music on two stages; Foothills Craft Fair and so much more.
Read more about the Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival
June 8-10, 2012: Toe River Studio Tour
More than 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium open their studios for a free, self-guided cultural adventure.
Read more about the Toe River Tour.
June 9-10, 2012: River District Artists Studio Stroll
This is your chance to tour the studios, meet with the artists and purchase artwork. Within just a few blocks are dozens of eclectic mix of creative artists - from traditional to cutting-edge. Near downtown Asheville.
Read more about the River Arts District.
June 15, 2012: Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Downtown After Five.
June 15-17, 2012: Rhododendron Festival
Two Rhododendron Festivals (North Carolina and Tennessee versions) are held in the Roan Mountain area!
Read more about the NC & TN Rhododendron Festival
June 16, 23 & 30, 2012: Asheville Art in the Park
See fine arts and crafts at Pack Square Park in downtown.
Read more about Art in the Park
June 22-August 5, 2012: Brevard Music Center Festival
Four hundred of the most talented students in the world join Brevard's artist faculty to present more than 80 concerts in a beautiful setting.
Read more about Brevard Music Center.
June 23-24, 2012: Family Farm Tour
This Farm Tour lets you explore 41 farms that are not normally open to the public, ranging from century farms cultivated by the same family for generations, to certified organic farms, to urban gardens. Come with a cooler and your appetite. A variety of vegetables and fruits, trout,
beef, pork, lamb, eggs, artisan cheeses, herbs, mushrooms, honey, garlic,
preserves, and much more are available to sample or for sale.
Read more about the Family Farm Tour
June 29-30, 2012: Pow wow at Cherokee
Experience authentic Indian dancing, drumming and tribal regalia. Dance competitions kick the excitement up even higher.
Read more about Cherokee Events.
June 30, July 7, 14, 21, August 11, 18, 25, September 1, 2012: Shindig on the Green
Musicians and dancers from across Western North Carolina gather on these Saturday nights to share the region's stirring Southern Appalachian mountain culture and traditions-with each other and visitors from around the world-at the Shindig on the Green in downtown Asheville. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and stake out a spot on the "green." We are a proud sponsor of Shindig on the Green!
Read more about Shindig on the Green.
July 4, 2012: Various Festivals, Parades, Fireworks
See our list of July 4th Celebrations
July 12-15, 2012: Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
Modeled after the Braemar Highland Games in Scotland, it is considered to be the grandfather of Scottish Games in the United States.
Read more about the Highland Games.
July 13-15, 2012: Carolina Mountain Ribfest
Held at the WNC Agricultural Center Fairgrounds in Asheville, this food festival features mouth watering BBQ ribs, chicken, and pulled pork prepared by world class, award winning barbecue rib vendors from around the country. Savor all the traditional side dishes, beverages, desserts and comfort foods as well.
Read more about the Carolina Mountain Ribfest.
July 7, 2012: Coon Dog Day Festival
Saluda's Coon Dog Day Festival is a celebration for dogs and their people with great food, live music, parade, crafts, street dance, and more. What began as a chicken supper fundraiser for the local Coon Club has grown into an event that attracts over 10,000 people each year. Live stage music began at 9 AM and continues all day until the end of the street dance at 10 PM.
July 11-14, 2012: Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival
The largest
stand-up comedy event in the southeast returns to downtown Asheville
Read more about the Asheville Comedy Festival.
July 13-14, 2012: Cherokee Festival of Native Peoples & Art Market
Indigenous tribes from across the Americas gather for the Festival of Native Peoples. Considered the finest showcase of native dance, song and art in the southeast, the event honors the collective history, customs and wisdom of some of the oldest documented tribes.
See photos, video and more info.
July 21, 2012: Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Downtown After Five.
July 19-22, 2012: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
The Craft Fair showcases work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with over 900 members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Members' work must be juried and accepted by a committee of peers, based on quality, design and craftsmanship.
Read more about Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands.
July 18-29, 2012: Folkmoot USA
North Carolina's Official International Festival is a two-week celebration of the world's cultural heritage through folk music and dance.
Read more and watch a video about Folkmoot.
July 27-29, 2012: Bele Chere
Enjoy the largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Bele Chere.
August-October 2012: Biltmore Outdoor Concerts
Stellar line-up for live music concerts outside by the Biltmore House.
Read more about the Biltmore Summer Concerts.
August 2-4, 2012: Mountain Dance & Folk Festival
Since 1928, mountain fiddlers, banjo pickers, dulcimer sweepers, dancers, balladeers and others have come together the first weekend in August for plenty of authentic bluegrass music.
See our Mountain Dance & Folk Festival Guide.
August 3-4, 2012: Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair
The oldest and largest crafts fair in the Blue Ridge with 250+ craftfolk showing their work as well as live entertainment, children activites and a wide variety of food in downtown Burnsville.
Go to their Web site.
August 4-5, 2012: Village Art & Craft Fair
Held on the grounds of the Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village near the entrance to the Biltmore Estate, the fair hosts 125 artists from 20 states representing the full spectrum of craft media - jewelry, ceramic, wood, fiber, metals, two-dimensional art and more.
Go to the Village Art & Craft Fair Web site.
August 11, 18, 25, September 1, 2012: Shindig on the Green
Musicians and dancers from across Western North Carolina gather on these Saturday nights to share the region's stirring Southern Appalachian mountain culture and traditions-with each other and visitors from around the world-at the Shindig on the Green in downtown Asheville. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and stake out a spot on the "green." We are a proud sponsor of Shindig on the Green!
Read more about Shindig on the Green.
August 11-13, 2012: Sourwood Festival
There's always plenty to see and do at this free street festival in downtown Black Mountain with great music and lots of fun, and of course lots of great mountain cookin'. Held each year in August, it's a time for good food, good fun and good friends. Alcohol-free.
Go to their Web site.
August 17, 2012: Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Downtown After Five.
August 24-26, 2012: Goombay!
Join in the fun with this African-Caribbean style festival with a variety of entertainment including steel drums, African-America dancers, local gospel groups, and contemporary rhythm bands, plus crafts and great food.
Read more about Goombay!
August 31-September 3, 2012: NC Apple Festival
Downtown Hendersonville features more than 150 vendors lining eight blocks of the main event area. There is continuous entertainment from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. The King Apple Parade, always held on Labor Day, culminates the Main Street activities.
See our Apple Festival Guide.
September 1-2, 2012: Lexington Ave. Arts and Fun Festival.
This fantastically fabulous, freaky jam-packed day will showcase the many diverse talents that Asheville has to offer. Four areas of local music and performance, street performers galore, fire-dancers, belly dancers, art and craft, culinary and healing arts. Downtown Asheville.
See our LAAFF Guide.
September 7-16, 2012: NC Mountain State Fair
An impressive country fair with plenty of exhibits, animals, food and rides.
See our NC Mountain State Fair Guide.
September 14-16, 2012: Dirty Dancing Festival
Fans of the cult-classic Dirty Dancing will relive memories of Baby's first dance at the inaugural "Dirty Dancing Festival" in the film’s original, breathtaking backdrop of Lake Lure.
See our Dirty Dancing Festival Guide.
September 14-16, 2012: Heritage Weekend
This free festival at the Folk Art Center is sponsored by the Southern Highland Craft Guild and features traditional music and dancing, storytelling and heritage craft demonstrations. A highlight of the weekend is the 30th Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition. Learn from area experts about beekeeping, canning and preserving, coopering, heritage toy making, blacksmithing, natural dyeing, spinning, quilting, whittling, basket weaving and folk pottery.
Read more about the Folk Art Center.
September 21, 2012: Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Downtown After Five.
See our Fall Guide for Fall events & festivals! |
