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Here are our top picks for the best summer festivals and major events in Asheville and the western North Carolina mountains. 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.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS
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 23-26, 2013: 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.
May 25-June 1, 2013: Asheville Beer Week
Many beer related events plus the Beer City Festival on June 1 in Pack Square Park.
Read more about Asheville Beer Week.
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.
May 25-26, 2013: Kenilworth Art Studio Tour
More than 20 artists open their Studios on Memorial Day Weekend at 11 location in the Kenilworth neighborhood near downtown Asheville and Biltmore. The free, self-guided tour is fun for both the serious art buyer or the casual browser.
See our Kenilworth Art Studio Tour Guide.
May 25, 2013: Blues, Brew and BBQ
New free festival on the village green in Cashiers, 5-8:30 PM, with s local barbecue, craft beers, and one of the most popular blues bands in the Southeast.
May 27, 2013: 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. Free. 10 AM-4 PM
See our Carl Sandburg Historic Site Guide.
May 31-June 1, 2013: NC Gold Festival
Annual event at Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort, featuring gold exhibits, gold mining techniques and demonstrations, treasure and scavenger hunts, geo-caching, gold panning, numerous vendors including arts and crafts, raffles. Free.
Read more about Old Fort.
June 1, 2013: Clay Day
Potters and other ceramic artists at the Folk Art Center share a variety of techniques such as throwing, sculpture and coil-building. Visitors can glaze and watch the firing of raku pots. Free
See our Folk Art Center Guide
June 1, 2013: Mad Mountain Mud Run
An adventure that you won't forget
in Hendersonville's Berkeley Park. Race a 3-mile course with traverse mud pits, creeks, gooey crawls, climbing obstacles. Benefits a children’s museum.
Go to their Web site.
June 1-August 17, 2013:
Unto These Hills
America's most popular outdoor drama, is the tragic and triumphant story of the Cherokee Indians.
See our Unto These Hills Guide.
June 7, 2013: Livermush Festival
Get a free livermush sandwich with live music, best dressed pig contest, cooking contest and more in downtown Marion.
See our Livermush Festival Guide
June 6-August 18, 2013: SART
Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre presents six professional productions at Mars Hill College, 18 miles north of downtown.
Go to their Web site.
June 8, 2013: 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. 10 AM –5 PM, Free
Read more about this and other Waynesville Events
June 7-9, 2013: 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 8-9, 2013: River District Artists Studio Stroll
Tour studios of 160+ artists with an eclectic mix, from traditional to cutting-edge. See special gallery exhibits and demonstrations. Near downtown Asheville and Biltmore.
Read more about the River Arts District.
June 14-15, 2013: 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 14-16, 2013: 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 14-16, 2013: 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 15, 2013: Bluff Mountain Festival
This free, family-friendly festival in Hot Springs features great old-time and bluegrass music, ballads, clogging and square dance, and a silent auction and raffle of regional art work, local crafts, vacation packages, and more. Begins at 10 AM with an array of delicious foods and ends with a square dance until dark.
Go to the Madison County Web site.
June 15, 2013: Movies on the Meadows
Watch The Last of the Mohicans on a huge outdoor screen where the last 17 minutes of this epic romantic adventure movie starring Daniel Day-Lewis were originally filmed. 8:30 PM
See our Chimney Rock Events Guide
June 15, 22 & 29, 2013: Asheville Art in the Park
See fine arts and crafts at Pack Square Park in downtown.
Read more about Art in the Park
June 15-16, 2013: Lavender Festival
A celebration of all things lavender takes place each Father's Day Weekend at Mountain Farm, showcasing many uses for lavender with workshops, tours and more.
See our Lavender Festival Guide
June 16, 2013: Father’s Day Garden Tour
In celebration of dads, gardens and the great outdoors, tour private gardens in the Montford historic neighborhood. Complimentary refreshments will be served where the tickets are being sold at the Randolph Community School parking lot, located on the corner of Montford Avenue and Courtland Avenue. 1-5 PM
Go to their Web site.
June 20-23, 2013: Piedmont Paso Fino Horse Classic
31st Annual Piedmont Classic at Asheville ALIVE 2013 at the Western NC Agriculture Center. Paso Fino Horse competition, a state-of-the-art facility for riders and vendors with art and food.
Go to their Web site.
June 21, 2013: Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Downtown After Five.
June 21-August 4, 2013: 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 22 & 29, 2013: Asheville Art in the Park
See fine arts and crafts at Pack Square Park in downtown.
Read more about Art in the Park
June 29, July 6, 13, 20, August 10, 17, 24, 31, 2013: 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.
June 29-30, 2013: Cashiers Mountain Music Festival
In addition to the top notch regional and national mountain music, there will be delicious food and beverages available, a children's zone, arts and crafts vendors on the village green of Cashiers, and fireworks on Sunday.
July 4, 2013: Various Festivals, Parades, Fireworks
See our list of July 4th Celebrations
July-August 2013: Biltmore Outdoor Concerts
Stellar line-up for live music concerts outside by the Biltmore House.
Read more about the Biltmore Summer Concerts.
July 6, 2013: 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.
Read more in our Saluda Guide.
July 11-14, 2013: 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 11, 2013: Watermelon Day
Free samples of locally grown, sweet, juicy melons and eating contest at WNC Farmers Market. 11 AM- 1 PM
July 12-14, 2013: 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 12-13, 2013: 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 12 & 13, 2013: Motion Dance
Asheville’s own summer dance company, MOTION Dance+Theatre, presents performances at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown with contemporary ballet by the country’s most gifted dancers
Go to their Web site for more info.
July 13, 2013: Second Saturdays in River Arts District
Join the artists of the River Arts District the second Saturday, May-December, for 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.
See our River Arts District Events
July 13-14, 2013: Bamboo Festival
Learn about bamboo’s artistic value and functionality throughout the festival at the NC Arboretum, which features hands-on workshops, lectures, and demonstrations. Bamboo plants, crafts, and products will also be for sale by festival vendors.
Read more about the Bamboo Festival
July 17-28, 2013: 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 18-21, 2013: 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 19-20, 2013: Spruce Pine BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival
Sanctioned professional BBQ competition, a wings contest, public tastings, live bluegrass music, a cornhole tournament, championship clogging teams, craft vendors, BBQ equipment and supplies vendors, local food vendors, the Spruce Pine Skedaddle 5K and Fun Run, and much more in downtown Spruce Pine!
July 19, 2013: Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Downtown After Five.
July 19-20, 2013: Parade of Nations & International Festival Day
Folkmoot, an international music and dance festival, has its Parade of Nations on Friday, and the International Festival Day on Saturday with plenty of music and crafts in downtown Waynesville. Both are free to attend.
See our Folkmoot Guide for more.
July 26-28, 2013: Bele Chere
Enjoy the largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Bele Chere.
August 1-3, 2013: 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 1-4, 2013: NC Mineral and Gem Festival
Thousands of visitors from across the country come to shop, swap and discover beautiful jewelry, gem stones, minerals, fossils and more in Spruce Pine.
See our Spruce Pine Guide.
August 2-3, 2013: 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.
See our Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair Guide.
August 3-4, 2013: 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.
See our Biltmore Village Art & Craft Fair Guide.
August 8-11, 2013: Wild Goose Festival
A festival of justice, spirituality, music and the arts in Hot Springs. Talk, listen, eat and camp together, captivated and challenged by the call of radical humanity, and who seek to celebrate diversity and promote the common good. Go to their Web site.
August 10, 2013: Wood Day at Folk Art Center
Join Guild woodworkers for an exciting day exploring various forms of woodcraft. Featuring the Annual Carve Off Competition. 10 AM –4 PM
See our Folk Art Center Guide.
August 10, 17, 24, 30, 2013: 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 10-11, 2013: 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 10, 2013: Second Saturdays in River Arts District
Join the artists of the River Arts District the second Saturday, May-December, for 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.
See our River Arts District Events
August 10, 2013: Riverfest 2013
Fundraiser at French Broad River Park in West Asheville for Riverlink 1-7 PM includes of live music, dancing, hooping, aerial acts, juggling, along with local food trucks, craft brewers, arts/crafts, and the “Anything that Floats” parade.
Go to their Web site.
August 13-17, 2013: 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.
August 16, 2013: Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Downtown After Five.
August 16-17, 2013: Dirty Dancing Festival
Fans of the cult-classic Dirty Dancing will relive memories of Baby's first dance in the film’s original, breathtaking backdrop of Lake Lure.
See our Dirty Dancing Festival Guide.
August 22-24, 2013: Asheville Wine & Food Festival
The finest regional, national, and international wines, exceptional local restaurants, craft beer and spirits, and handcrafted artisanal foods for three days of palate-pleasing indulgence.
See our Wine & Food Festival Guide.
August 23-24, 2013: Speaking of Gardening Symposium
The North Carolina Arboretum brings the world’s gardens to Asheville at this popular event for horticulture professionals and enthusiasts.
See our Gardening Symposium Guide.
August 22-25, 2013: YMI Cultural Center 120th Anniversary
Stop by their Founder's Celebration in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Goombay!
September 1, 2013: 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.
August 30-September 2, 2013: NC Apple Festival
Downtown Hendersonville features more than 150 vendors lining eight blocks of the main event area. There is continuous entertainment from 10 AM-10 PM each day. The King Apple Parade, always held on Labor Day, culminates the Main Street activities.
See our Apple Festival Guide.
September 6-15, 2013: NC Mountain State Fair
An impressive country fair with plenty of exhibits, animals, food and rides.
See our NC Mountain State Fair Guide.
September 8, 2013: Organicfest
In Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville, 10 AM-6 PM, with live music, organic local food, cooking demos, samplings, natural arts and crafts. Free
September 14, 2013, Mountain Life Festival
Mountain Life Festival at the Mountain Farm Museum in Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves the legacy of Appalachian folkways, and serves as a tribute to the many families who lived on lands that would later become the Park.
Read more about the Mountain Life Festival.
September 20, 2013: Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Downtown After Five.
September 21-22, 2013: 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 Heritage Weekend.
September 27-28, 2013: City Marathon
This Asheville marathon incluces a race expo downtown 5K on Friday night. On Saturday morning, the marathon and half marathon begin and end downtown.
September 21-22, 2013: 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
See our Fall Guide for Fall events & festivals! |
