Here are our top picks for Spring events and festivals in the Asheville area in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina - including Easter Weekend, Mother's Day Weekend, and Memorial Day Weekend. For events throughout the year, see our list of seasonal calendars.
April & May Events in Asheville & Western NC
Kenilworth Artists Open Studio Tour
Oct 07, 2023 - Oct 08, 2023Kenilworth neighborhood, just five minutes from downtown Asheville, annual Open Studio Tour features 20+ jewelers, painters, glass-workers, fabric artists, potters, woodworkers, photographers and… read more
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!
Drum Circle
Apr 05, 2024 - Oct 25, 2024Hear and feel the beat at the weekly drum circle every Friday night in downtown Asheville in Pritchard Park from April-October. And dance the night away!
Hear and feel the beat at the weekly drum circle every Friday night in downtown Asheville in Pritchard Park from April-October. And dance the night away!
Spring Herb Festival at WNC Ag Center
Apr 26, 2024 - Apr 27, 2024 - Apr 28, 2024Largest herb festival in the Southeast with 50+ businesses with plants, books, soaps, herbal crafts, medicinal herbs, lotions, dried flowers, baked goods, herbal gifts and much more. Free… read more
Largest herb festival in the Southeast with 50+ businesses with plants, books, soaps, herbal crafts, medicinal herbs, lotions, dried flowers, baked goods, herbal gifts and much more. Free admission.
Mother's Day Weekend
May 10, 2024 - May 12, 2024Find ideas for events and things to do with mom or grandma in Asheville and the mountains, including flowers, shopping, art, spas and more.
Find ideas for events and things to do with mom or grandma in Asheville and the mountains, including flowers, shopping, art, spas and more.
Fiber Day, Folk Art Center
May 11, 2024Craftspeople at the Folk Art Center share their inspiration and expertise in a variety of textile arts. Saturday demos include quilting and appliqué, doll making, weaving, mixed media fiber arts,… read more
Craftspeople at the Folk Art Center share their inspiration and expertise in a variety of textile arts. Saturday demos include quilting and appliqué, doll making, weaving, mixed media fiber arts, clothing, printing design, tapestry weaving, and natural dyeing. Free admission.
WNC Bigfoot Festival
May 18, 2024A quirky festival that celebrates the legendary Sasquatch, held in downtown Marion 36 miles east of Asheville. In addition to Bigfoot-themed items and local crafts, talk with sighters from across… read more
A quirky festival that celebrates the legendary Sasquatch, held in downtown Marion 36 miles east of Asheville. In addition to Bigfoot-themed items and local crafts, talk with sighters from across the country with evidence that it exists. Calling contest too!
Memorial Day Weekend
May 24, 2024 - May 27, 2024Find many events, festivals and our top things to do to kick off summer during the holiday weekend in Asheville and the NC mountains.
Find many events, festivals and our top things to do to kick off summer during the holiday weekend in Asheville and the NC mountains.
Garden Jubilee Festival
May 25, 2024 - May 26, 2024One of the largest gardening shows in Western North Carolina, this garden lover's top event happens over Memorial Day weekend with more than 200 plant and craft vendors lining Main Street in… read more
One of the largest gardening shows in Western North Carolina, this garden lover's top event happens over Memorial Day weekend with more than 200 plant and craft vendors lining Main Street in Hendersonville. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
Art on the Greene
May 25, 2024 - May 26, 2024Find 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… read more
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.
Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony
May 27, 2024Held 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.… read more
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.
Top 50 Summer Festivals & Events
Jun 01, 2024 - Aug 31, 2024See our list of the best festivals and summer events in Asheville and the surrounding towns and mountains during June-August.
See our list of the best festivals and summer events in Asheville and the surrounding towns and mountains during June-August.
Past Events
Cowee Valley Pottery Festival
May 27, 2023Held at the historic Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center near Franklin, this juried pottery show and pottery sale includes demonstrations, food trucks, talks and more. 10 AM-4 PM
Held at the historic Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center near Franklin, this juried pottery show and pottery sale includes demonstrations, food trucks, talks and more. 10 AM-4 PM
White Squirrel Weekend
May 26, 2023 - May 28, 2023Go nuts at this 3 day festival in downtown Brevard that features a parade, plenty of live music, food, arts and much more on Memorial Day Weekend.
Go nuts at this 3 day festival in downtown Brevard that features a parade, plenty of live music, food, arts and much more on Memorial Day Weekend.
GRINDFest AVL
May 26, 2023 - May 28, 2023This free 3-day festival celebrates black business and entrepreneurship in Asheville. Enjoy a weekend of music, live performances, food, local vendors, community connection, and more in the River… read more
This free 3-day festival celebrates black business and entrepreneurship in Asheville. Enjoy a weekend of music, live performances, food, local vendors, community connection, and more in the River Arts District on Depot St.
Uncommon Market
May 21, 2023Asheville’s largest curated, pop-up market for antiques, art, vintage decor, jewelry, and beyond is in the River Arts District. Rain or shine. 10 AM-4 PM. (1 Foundy Street)
Asheville’s largest curated, pop-up market for antiques, art, vintage decor, jewelry, and beyond is in the River Arts District. Rain or shine. 10 AM-4 PM. (1 Foundy Street)
Saluda Arts Festival
May 20, 2023Outstanding festival with 100% hand-picked regional artists along Saluda's historic Main Street. See a big diversity of art media and enjoy music representing Americana, blues, folk and … read more
Outstanding festival with 100% hand-picked regional artists along Saluda's historic Main Street. See a big diversity of art media and enjoy music representing Americana, blues, folk and contemporary. Watch artist demonstrations. Free. 10 AM-4 PM.
Lake Lure Spring Classic Boat and Auto Show
May 18, 2023 - May 20, 2023See antique and classic boats along with classic cars and a 1917 Lake Lure Speedwagon at this lakeside show; free admission. Enjoy food, beer, and wine on the beach. The event kicks off with a… read more
See antique and classic boats along with classic cars and a 1917 Lake Lure Speedwagon at this lakeside show; free admission. Enjoy food, beer, and wine on the beach. The event kicks off with a boat parade on Friday at 3 PM.
Tryon Block House Steeplechase
May 15, 2023A festive day with picnics, sundresses, elegant hats, tailgating and the sights & sounds of thoroughbreds thundering past in Tryon, at the longest running steeplechase in North Carolina. The… read more
A festive day with picnics, sundresses, elegant hats, tailgating and the sights & sounds of thoroughbreds thundering past in Tryon, at the longest running steeplechase in North Carolina. The National Steeplechase Association sanctions four of the races.
Lake Lure Spring Arts Festival
May 13, 2023 - May 14, 2023See 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… read more
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
Alice in Wonderland, Downtown Asheville
May 06, 2023Solve clues, take on challenges and unlock secrets to find Alice! Dress the part in this self-guided, escape room-style event in downtown Asheville. Tickets are $80/team. Kids are free.… read more
Solve clues, take on challenges and unlock secrets to find Alice! Dress the part in this self-guided, escape room-style event in downtown Asheville. Tickets are $80/team. Kids are free. Participants will use the event app to play. Start anytime between 9 AM and 2 PM and expect to solve the mystery within 2-3 hours.
Bloom with a View, NC Arboretum
May 01, 2023 - May 14, 2023New for Spring 2023! The North Carolina Arboretum will unveil this new, immersive floral installation in collaboration with Dutch company, IGMPR, whose designs have been displayed at various… read more
New for Spring 2023! The North Carolina Arboretum will unveil this new, immersive floral installation in collaboration with Dutch company, IGMPR, whose designs have been displayed at various locations around the world including Italy, Shanghai, Beijing, and more. “Bloom with A View” is uniquely designed for the gardens and landscape of the North Carolina Arboretum and built locally with the…
See our main Events Page for a list of all of our calendars!
