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.
Every Third Friday, June through September:
Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Downtown After Five.
2nd Saturdays: Hands-On. Heritage. Arts. Fun
Visit one of our state historic sites, Thomas Wolfe House or Vance Birthplace during the summer months for a sampling of local arts, heritage crafts and farm produce.
The Wolfe Memorial in downtown Asheville will feature 20 artists ranging from painters and watercolorists, quilters, soap makers, woodworkers to bookbinders and paper makers. June 12, July 10 and August 14. Free.
May 27 -August 22, 2010: SART
Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre presents six professional productions at Mars Hill College, 18 miles north of downtown.
Go to their Web site.
May 28-30, 2010: 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 29-30, 2010: White Squirrel Festival
Go nuts at the 7th Annual 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
June 6-12, 2010: Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week
Students and music lovers of all ages and backgrounds come together in this relaxed and supportive environment at Mars Hill College. Improve your skills, learn new tunes, and make friends who share your passion for old time music.
Go to their Web site.
June 11-12, 2010: 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 11-13, 2010: 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.
Go to their Web site.
June 12, 19 and 26, 2010: Art in the Park
Pack Square Park in downtown is transformed into an artistic garden of wondrous diversity.
Read more about Art in the Park.
June 12-13, 2010: 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 18-20: 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 25-August 8, 2010: 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 26-27: Family Farm Tour
This Farm Tour lets you explore 37 farms that are not normally open to the public! The region is home to agriculture of all kinds, 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
July 3, 10, 17, 31 August 14, 21, 28, September 4, 2010: 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."
Read more about Shindig on the Green.
July 4: Various Festivals
See our list of July 4th Celebrations
July 8-11, 2010: 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 9-11, 2010: 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 13-17, 2010: 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 15-18, 2010: 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 16-17, 2010: The Festival of Native Peoples and Cherokee Indian Art Market
Held in Cherokee, this annual gathering of tribes from throughout the Americas takes its rightful place as the finest showcase of native dance, art, and culture in the southeast.
Read more about the Festival of Native Peoples
July 22-August 1, 2010: 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 23-25, 2010: Bele Chere
Enjoy the largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Bele Chere.
August 6-7, 2010: 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 6-8, 2010: Asheville Antiques Fair
More than 50 invited dealers from across the U.S. display and sell at the Civic Center.
Go to their Web site.
August 7-8, 2010: 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 13-15, 2010: Asheville Food & Wine Festival
Food and wine aficionados rejoice! The WNC Agricultural Grounds Expo Center will host the event featuring regional wineries, chefs and local food producers. Attendees enjoy a series of wine tastings and food events that showcase local flavors.
August 14-15, 2010: 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.
August 27-29, 2010: 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!
September 3-6, 2010: 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 5, 2010: 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 17-18, 2010: 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 18-19, 2010 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.
TOP PICK FALL FESTIVAL
October 14-17: LEAF Festival
Music, art and culture - all in a beautiful setting. The Indigo Girls, the global music movement Playing For Change, and featured Caribean Traditions artists from Haiti- Boukman Eksperyman. and Bonga & Vodou Drums of Haiti. Advance tickets required!
See our LEAF Festival Guide
Also see: Free Summer Cultural 2010 Events |
