At this time it is safe to assume all Spring events are canceled as long as executive orders for "no gatherings of 10 more" are in place. For more info, see our Coronavirus Updates: Asheville & Western North Carolina.
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
Top 50 Summer Festivals & Events
Monday, June 1, 2020 to Monday, August 31, 2020
See our list of the best festivals and summer events in Asheville and the surrounding towns and mountains during June-August.
French Broad River Festival
Friday, October 2, 2020 to Sunday, October 4, 2020
(POSTPONED UNTIL 2021) This grassroots festival in Hot Springs on the banks of the French Broad features some of the best music in the area, camping and outdoor events in celebration of this beautiful river.
Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest
Sunday, October 18, 2020
This festival at Highland Brewing Company includes hands-on fun, tastings, chef competition, milking demonstrations, panel discussions, workshops, and products from more than 20 local food vendors.
Past Events
Top 50 Summer Festivals & Events
Monday, June 1, 2020 to Monday, August 31, 2020
See our list of the best festivals and summer events in Asheville and the surrounding towns and mountains during June-August.
Beer City Festival
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Sample brews from 30+ local breweries downtown in Pack Square Park, with live music and local food. Hosted by Asheville Brewers Alliance, part of Beer Week. Buy tickets in advance (often sells out).
Saturday Night Lights
Repeats every week every Saturday until Sat May 30 2020.
Saturday, May 30, 2020**Canceled due to COVID-19. Will return Fall 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.
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.
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!
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 23, 2020 to Sunday, May 24, 2020
This huge plant and crafts festival covers eight blocks of Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. Free seminars and tips from expects - including decks and patios. Memorial Day Weekend.
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.
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.
Saturday Night Lights
Saturday, May 23, 2020
**Canceled due to COVID-19. Will return Fall 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 23, 2020 to Sunday, May 24, 2020
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.
Downtown Asheville Festival of the Arts
Saturday, May 23, 2020 to Sunday, May 24, 2020
See 100+ regional, local and national artists and craft artisans with fine jewelry, a big variety of art and hand-crafted apparel and decor. Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville. Free admission. 10 AM-5 PM.
Cowee Valley Pottery Festival
Saturday, May 23, 2020
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 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.
Concerts on the Creek, Sylva
Friday, May 22, 2020
Kick off Memorial Day Weekend with free outside live music in downtown Sylva 7-9 PM at the Bridge Park, two blocks from Main Street with shops, restaurants and breweries. Family-friendly, bring a chair or blanket.
Memorial Day Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020 to Monday, May 25, 2020
Find many events, festivals and our top things to do to kick off summer during the holiday weekend in Asheville and the NC mountains.
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.
Asheville Beer Week
Friday, May 22, 2020 to Sunday, May 31, 2020
Experience the largest annual celebration of craft beer in Asheville and western NC with a big variety of beer-related events including releases and tastings paired with music, food and great settings.
Montford Arts and Music Festival
Saturday, May 16, 2020
One of the largest one day free music and arts festivals in Asheville, held on Montford and Soco near downtown, with 100+ vendors of art, crafts and food. Live music. 10 AM-7 PM.
Saluda Arts Festival
Saturday, May 16, 2020
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.
Hook, Line and Drinker Festival
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Celebrating the WNC Fly Fishing Trail and local breweries, with craft beer vendors, food trucks, fishing guides and vendors, and live music 3-7 PM at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva (76 Railroad Avenue).
Saturday Night Lights
Saturday, May 16, 2020
**Canceled due to COVID-19. Will return Fall 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.
Downtown After Five
Friday, May 15, 2020
**Due to COVID-19 concerns, this show will be live-streamed from the Orange Peel on www.IamAVL.com. Enjoy great music, food and beer in downtown Asheville at this free popular outdoor concert. 5-9 PM
LEAF Festival
Thursday, May 14, 2020 to Sunday, May 17, 2020
A weekend at LEAF is the equivalent of going on a year-long multicultural musical and dance odyssey - longtime favorite festival held in Black Mountain on a lake with camping and limited tickets.
Fiber Weekend
Saturday, May 9, 2020 to Sunday, May 10, 2020
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. Two fashion shows on Sunday (Mother's Day)! Free admission.
Spring-Go!
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Lots of fun in Chimney Rock Village with a pancake breakfast, Cow Pie Bingo, recycled garden art contest, llamas strutting their stuff in a Main Street parade, a grilled dinner and a special outdoor performance at the Gathering Place.
Saturday Night Lights
Saturday, May 9, 2020
**Canceled due to COVID-19. Will return Fall 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.
Mother's Day Weekend
Saturday, May 9, 2020 to Sunday, May 10, 2020
Find ideas for events and things to do with mom or grandma in Asheville and the mountains, including flowers, shopping, art, spas and more.
Saturday Night Lights
Saturday, May 2, 2020
**Canceled due to COVID-19. Will return Fall 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.
Mayfest
Saturday, May 2, 2020
Downtown Rutherfordton's Main Street is filled with crafts, vendors, food, live music, demonstrations, and plenty of kids activities - including a Pinewood Derby Race. 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission.
Spring Herb Festival at Western NC Farmer's Market
Friday, May 1, 2020 to Sunday, May 3, 2020
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.
The Lifespan of a Fact @ NC Stage Company
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 to Sunday, May 24, 2020
This comedy of conflict takes place in the high-stakes world of publishing, where the ultimate showdown between fact and fiction play out.
Greening Up the Mountains Festival
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Celebrate the arrival of spring at this big downtown Sylva street festival, about an hour's drive west of Asheville. Three stages of music, crafts, music, more. Free admission.
Fire On the Mountain
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Come to downtown Spruce Pine to see and buy works from Penland School and nationally-renowned blacksmiths demonstrating their skills. Iron & metal art exhibit, tool and gear vendors, forge-off, food trucks. Free admission. No pets.
Weaverville Art Safari
Saturday, April 25, 2020 to Sunday, April 26, 2020
Drive scenic country roads to visit 35 artists in their studios and galleries about 10 minutes north of Asheville. Buy direct from them - find some great deals. Free.
Pisgah Forest Pride Day
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Join the fun and help with work projects in Pisgah National Forest in the Looking Glass area - including trail maintenance, repairs, plantings and more (sign up in advance), coordinated by The Pisgah Conservancy.
Pioneer Day
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Experience traditional Appalachian crafts, food, games, music and storytelling (10-4) at the Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort with historic log cabins. Free admission.
Madison Potters Market
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Meet 20+ of the finest potters from Madison County and beyond at Marshall High Studios. This historic high school turned artist studios is on a small island in the French Broad River in downtown Marshall, 25 miles north of Asheville. 9 AM-4 PM. Free admission.
NOC Spring Fling
Saturday, April 18, 2020 to Sunday, April 19, 2020
Celebrate spring at Nantahala Outdoor Center with a free, family-friendly event by the Nantahala River with the 5K, vendor fair, gear demos, food, music and specials at the Outfitter's Store.
Earth Day Kid's Festival
Saturday, April 18, 2020
This kid-centered festival celebrates Earth Day with a variety of fun, environmentally-focused activities for kids in grades K-12 including arts, crafts, music performances, hands-on learning, interactive booths, and more. 10 AM-2 PM at Salvage Station.
Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend
Thursday, April 16, 2020 to Sunday, April 19, 2020
Visit the Hendersonville area for a big variety of 30+ happenings at wineries, cideries and tasting rooms. Events include special tastings and new releases, orchard and vineyard tours, pairing dinners, food trucks, live music, festivals and more. Many events are free.
Easter Hat Parade in Dillsboro
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Old hat, new hat, yellow hat, blue hat. They're all welcome at Dillsboro's annual Easter Hat Parade at 2 PM, showcasing a variety of interesting hats atop participants of all ages, including pets.
Tryon Block House Steeplechase
Saturday, April 11, 2020
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.
Easter Weekend in Asheville
Friday, April 10, 2020 to Sunday, April 12, 2020
Easter Weekend brings blooms, bunnies, egg hunts, Sunday brunch, sunrise services and more in Asheville and the North Carolina mountains.
Asheville Orchid Festival
Saturday, April 4, 2020 to Sunday, April 5, 2020
The Western NC Orchid Society hosts a big show and competition at the North Carolina Arboretum. Hundreds of orchids will be on display and vendors will be selling them with plenty of advice.
Old-Time Plowing and Folkways
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Take a time-warp at the Cradle of Forestry to the days of the Biltmore Forest School. Meet homesteaders and watch their draft horses plow the heritage garden. Then take a turn at it yourself. Living history guides bring traditional Blue Ridge culture to life. 9 AM-5 PM.
Glass & Metal Day at Folk Art Center
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Artists showcase the elements of metal and glass inside the Folk Art Center on Blue Ridge Parkway. Includes blacksmithing, glass blowing, knife making, bezeling, repoussé, copper etching, stained glass, forging and more. 10 AM-4 PM. Free.
Drum Circle
Friday, April 3, 2020
Hear and feel the beat at the weekly drum circle every Friday night in downtown Asheville in Pritchard Park. And dance the night away!
Biltmore Blooms
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 to Thursday, May 21, 2020
This festival of flowers celebrates two months of spring blooms that include 75,000+ tulips, orchids, azalaeas and elaborate floral displays inside Biltmore House.
Well @ NC Stage Company
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 to Sunday, April 12, 2020
A funny and touching comedy about mothers and daughters, mind over body, social activism and theatre itself.
Mill Vill Fest
Saturday, May 4, 2019
First ever festival is this abandoned Henry River mill village near Morganton, film location for The Hunger Games. Fundraiser to save the village. Music, food trucks, beer/wine and behind the scenes tours. Free admission. 12-4 PM. GPS Address: 4255 Henry River Road, Hickory
See our main Events Page for a list of all of our calendars!
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May 22-25, 2020
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:... read more
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:... read more
COVID-19 Update: See below for cancellations by each event/area.
Fireflies definitely bring out the kid in us. And you'll find some rare species in the Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky... read more
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