May 29-31, 2021
Start the summer season in Asheville during Memorial Day Weekend with many things to do and a big variety of events and festivals.
Kick off the weekend on Friday night with Asheville's Drum Circle! The popular Friday night tradition includes many drummers and dancers in Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville, from 6-10 PM. Read more about the Drum Circle.
Get Outdoors (or Indoors)!
Hit the trails, zip line, raft, tube and find waterfalls. And that's just a few ideas. See our Top 70 Outdoors Things to Do including Chimney Rock Park (pic at top of page) and North Carolina Arboretum. Also find plenty of inside fun with our Indoor Things to Do.
Biltmore Estate
See our Biltmore Insider's Guide with plenty of tips and the latest ticket offers (save $8 if you purchase tickets online 7 days in advance). And explore thousands of gorgeous acres with many options for outdoor adventures at Biltmore like biking, rafting, Segways, fishing and more.
Places to Stay
Book your room early to get your top choice. See our accommodation guides for top picks for a great getaway: Bed & Breakfasts | Hotels | Cabins | Camping | Packages & Specials
Memorial Day Weekend Top 15 Things to Do
Waterfalls Top 60
Of hundreds of waterfalls near Asheville, we picked the most spectacular falls that are easy to find. Some can be enjoyed with a short walk or even roadside. Others require a scenic hike. See full descriptions for each, with plenty of photos! Also see Waterfall Drives & Maps.
Best 75 Mountain Hikes
There are thousands of miles of hiking trails near Asheville, many of which are in pristine national forests or parks. We picked our favorites and created extensive guides for each with photos and details. Find hikes for all skill levels in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.
6 Mountain Beaches near Asheville
Hit the beach on pristine, cool mountain lakes in the NC mountains near Asheville, complete with sandy shores, lifeguards and plenty of summer fun in the water.
Explore Downtown Asheville
During the day, downtown Asheville bustles with shoppers browsing more than 200 galleries, antique shops and local boutiques. Each evening, enjoy street entertainers, restaurants, breweries, festivals and music. Walk the Urban Trail and tour historic sites. See our Top 25 things to do downtown.
Fontana Lake & Dam
Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, enjoy fishing, boating, camping and swimming in this beautiful lake. Drive or walk across the highest dam east of the Rockies and stop by the Visitor Center to learn more about it.
Cool Off in Mountain Swimming Holes
Refresh yourself and have fun in our cool mountain waters in our lakes, rivers and waterfalls. See our favorite swimming spots (including popular Sliding Rock), tubing spots, pools and beaches.
Blue Ridge Parkway Top 50
Drive the Parkway north or south from Asheville and quickly climb the Blue Ridge Mountain ridge to see breathtaking vistas. You can reach elevations of 5,000+ ft. Our mile-by-mile guide of the Parkway covers the 193-mile section near Asheville. Along the way, plan to stop to visit the Folk Art Center or discover one of the other fun things to do along one of the most scenic drives in the United States.
Top Restaurants in & near Asheville
From casual to sophisticated, there are many restaurants for all tastes, with flavors from around the world. Plus, find many more award-winning chefs throughout the mountains. See our top picks for dining in Asheville.
River Tubing
Find the best places to tube down a river on a hot summer day, including the French Broad River through Asheville, Deep Creek in the Smoky Mountains and Green River Gorge - with rentals and shuttle services.
Lake Glenville
This pristine reservoir near Cashiers has the highest elevation of any lake east of the Mississippi. Signal Ridge Marina rents a variety of Bennington pontoons and tritoons, as well as tubes, paddleboards, skis, wakeboards and kneeboards. There's even a beach!
Top 8 Zip Line Canopy Tours
Fly above the trees and experience the mountains' natural beauty from a bird's perspective. See our favorite zip line canopy courses to enjoy in the Asheville area of the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. No experience is needed. Canopy guides provide all instruction and assistance. It's fun for all fitness levels!
Top Art Galleries
Visit a gallery to be amazed at a big variety of local art and craft, including glass, paintings, pottery and every other medium you can imagine. Asheville and the North Carolina mountains are home to hundreds of world-class artists. Here are our favorite galleries to see their creations.
Sliding Rock
The most popular natural waterslide in North Carolina for generations is in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. Slide down a 60-ft. smooth rock waterfall into a pool of chilly water. Bathrooms and showers are open and lifeguards on duty during warmer months.
Top 20 Picnic Spots
Dine outdoors in nature! Plan a picnic at some amazing locations where you can enjoy sweet views.
Lake Santeetlah
This gorgeous lake in Graham County is mostly surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest. Swim, boat, camp and fish in the pristine waters, near Robbinsville.
Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking
We are lucky enough to have six rivers near Asheville that are good for rafting and kayaking. Find professional companies that provide rafting guides, so no experience is necessary. You can even learn how to kayak in the rapids or paddleboard on a lake.
Veteran's History Museum of the Carolinas
Appreciate and honor the men and women who served so bravely in our Armed Forces during wars since World War I. Many personal stories connected to one-of-a kind artifacts, uniforms, weaponry, original newspapers, personal letters, and more. Open Wed-Sunday. Free admission. 21 East Main St, Brevard.
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Memorial Day Weekend Events
Lake Lure Spring Arts Festival
Saturday, May 23, 2020 to Monday, May 25, 2020
See and buy craft and art by 90+ artists from many different disciplines during Memorial Day Weekend. Also enjoy entertainment, food vendors and the beauty of the lake. Free admission. 119 Arcade St, Lake Lure
Garden Jubilee Festival
Saturday, May 28, 2022 to Sunday, May 29, 2022
This year’s event will follow a town and country format offering a small Main Street gathering, in addition to a tour of nurseries and orchards throughout Henderson County. Main Stree, garden centers, and nurseries countywide will sell annuals, perennials, shrubbery, herbs, trees, vegetables and hard-to-find plants. Orchards offer produce, jams, jellies, honey, cider and baked goods. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
Saturday Night Lights
Saturday, May 2, 2020, Saturday, May 9, 2020, Saturday, May 16, 2020, Saturday, May 23, 2020, Saturday, May 30, 2020
Watch horse jumping and riding with the best jockeys in the country at the impressive Tryon International Equestrian Center with an exciting atmosphere featuring music, food, kids' activities and Venetian carousel rides. Events vary each week. Free admission.
Art on the Greene
Saturday, May 29, 2021 to Sunday, May 30, 2021
Find a big variety of 40 artists working with metal, glass, pottery, wood, jewelry and more in downtown Banner Elk. Many restaurants, shops and things to do nearby. Benefits their historic school renovation. 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission.
Rotary Arts & Crafts Fair, Cashiers
Saturday, May 23, 2020 to Sunday, May 24, 2020
See works from 90 of the finest artisans from the Southeast on the Village Green in Cashiers, 10 AM-5 PM. Find ironwork, woodcraft, textiles, cakes, jams, pottery and more. Free admission, but donations accepted.
White Squirrel Festival
Friday, May 22, 2020 to Sunday, May 24, 2020
Go nuts at the White Squirrel Festival in downtown Brevard that features a parade, plenty of live music, food, arts and much more on Memorial Day Weekend.
Mountain Acoustics Luthier Invitational
Friday, May 22, 2020 to Sunday, May 24, 2020
This new festival in Burnsville celebrates hand-built stringed instruments with an emphasis on artists who craft them and musicians who play them. Luthiers showcase creations and lead workshops on songwriting, guitar and ukulele playing. Concerts and other events.
Kenilworth Artists Open Studio Tour
Saturday, May 23, 2020 to Sunday, May 24, 2020
Kenilworth neighborhood, just five minutes from downtown Asheville, annual Open Studio Tour features 20+ jewelers, painters, glass-workers, fabric artists, potters, woodworkers, photographers and more!
Rose Show
Saturday, May 23, 2020 to Sunday, May 24, 2020
Exhibition at the North Carolina Arboretum by Asheville-Blue Ridge Rose Society with award-winning roses of every color and size. Experts on hand to answer questions and provide information about the selection, care and history of roses.
Downtown Asheville Festival of the Arts
Saturday, May 29, 2021 to Sunday, May 30, 2021
See 100+ regional, local and national artists and craft artisans with fine jewelry, a big variety of art and hand-crafted apparel and decor. Downtown Asheville (80 Court Plaza). Free admission. 10 AM-5 PM.
Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony
Monday, May 25, 2020
Held on the Roger McGuire Green Stage of Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville starting at 2:30 PM with the Army National Guard's Army Band performing a half-hour before and after the ceremony. Free.
Yes, we have sandy beaches in the mountains - including Lake Lure! See our Top 6 Beaches Near Asheville.
Pay tribute to our heroes at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, with an American flag placed at all 5,700+ graves. A Memorial Day service takes place at 10 AM on Monday. Read more about the Veterans Cemetery.
For events throughout the year, see our list of seasonal calendars.
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