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Enter to Win

Here are our top picks for Spring events and festivals in the Asheville area in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina - including Easter WeekendMother'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

Biltmore Blooms

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This festival of flowers celebrates two months of spring blooms that include 75,000+ tulips, orchids, azalaeas and elaborate floral displays inside Biltmore House.

Glass & Metal Day at Folk Art Center

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… read more

FAB Fest

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FAB Fridays run from April-October featuring the best in local Food, Arts, Brews (FAB) on Central St in Downtown Rutherfordton. Come out for live music, a variety of food trucks, beer, and shop… read more

Easter Weekend in Asheville

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Easter Weekend brings blooms, bunnies, egg hunts, Sunday brunch, sunrise services and more in Asheville and the North Carolina mountains.

Easter Weekend in Asheville

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Easter Weekend brings blooms, bunnies, egg hunts, Sunday brunch, sunrise services and more in Asheville and the North Carolina mountains.

Easter Hat Parade in Dillsboro

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… read more

Madison Potters Market

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… read more

CODA Music Festival

This music festival held at Montreat College near Black Mountain is entirely student-organized, providing students with hands-on experience in creating a fun family-friendly event, celebrating art… read more

Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend

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Visit the Hendersonville area for 50+ events celebrating food and drink! Wineries and cideries partner with other outdoor venues for a signature three-day event featuring tours, tastings, food… read more

Greening Up the Mountains Festival

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.

Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend

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Visit the Hendersonville area for 50+ events celebrating food and drink! Wineries and cideries partner with other outdoor venues for a signature three-day event featuring tours, tastings, food… read more

Fire On the Mountain

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… read more

Spring Herb Festival at WNC Ag Center

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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… read more

FAB Fest

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FAB Fridays run from April-October featuring the best in local Food, Arts, Brews (FAB) on Central St in Downtown Rutherfordton. Come out for live music, a variety of food trucks, beer, and shop… read more

Spring Herb Festival at WNC Ag Center

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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… read more

Fiber Day, Folk Art Center

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,… read more

Lake Lure Spring Arts Festival

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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… read more

Mother's Day Weekend

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Find ideas for events and things to do with mom or grandma in Asheville and the mountains, including flowers, shopping, art, spas and more.

Lake Lure Spring Arts Festival

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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… read more

Mother's Day Weekend

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Find ideas for events and things to do with mom or grandma in Asheville and the mountains, including flowers, shopping, art, spas and more.

Tryon Block House Steeplechase

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… read more

WNC Bigfoot Festival

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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… read more

Saluda Arts Festival

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 … read more

WNC Bigfoot Festival

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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… read more

Biltmore Blooms

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This festival of flowers celebrates two months of spring blooms that include 75,000+ tulips, orchids, azalaeas and elaborate floral displays inside Biltmore House.

GRINDFest AVL

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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… read more

Memorial Day Weekend

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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

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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… read more

Garden Jubilee Festival

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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… read more

GRINDFest AVL

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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… read more

Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony

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.… read more

Memorial Day Weekend

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Find many events, festivals and our top things to do to kick off summer during the holiday weekend in Asheville and the NC mountains.  

Top 50 Summer Festivals & Events

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See our list of the best festivals and summer events in Asheville and the surrounding towns and mountains during June-August.

Drum Circle

Hear and feel the beat at the weekly drum circle every Friday night in downtown Asheville in Pritchard Park. And dance the night away!

Top 50 Summer Festivals & Events

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See our list of the best festivals and summer events in Asheville and the surrounding towns and mountains during June-August.

Italian Renaissance Alive at Biltmore

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Making its world premiere at Biltmore, this all-new multi-sensory experience takes you on a captivating tour across Italy and brings iconic masterpieces to life with a captivating, educational,… read more

Past Events

Italian Renaissance Alive at Biltmore

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Making its world premiere at Biltmore, this all-new multi-sensory experience takes you on a captivating tour across Italy and brings iconic masterpieces to life with a captivating, educational,… read more

Downtown Asheville Festival of the Arts

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… read more

Art on the Greene

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… read more

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 more on Memorial Day Weekend.

Concerts on the Creek, Sylva

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… read more

Asheville Beer Week

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… read more

Hook, Line and Drinker Festival

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… read more

Pioneer Day

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.

Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest

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… read more

Uncommon Market

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)

NOC Spring Fling

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.

Candlelight Orchestra

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Enjoy classical music by flickering candlelight at The Asheville Theatre. World-class orchestral musicians and vocalists will feature inspiring music from “The Greatest Showman." Tickets start at… read more

Candlelight Orchestra

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Enjoy classical music by flickering candlelight at The Asheville Theatre. World-class orchestral musicians and vocalists will feature inspiring music from “The Greatest Showman." Tickets start at… read more

Beer City Festival

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… read more

Kenilworth Artists Open Studio Tour

Kenilworth 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

Rose Show

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… read more

Cowee Valley Pottery Festival

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

Rotary Arts & Crafts Fair, Cashiers

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… read more

Mountain Acoustics Luthier Invitational

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… read more

Montford Arts and Music Festival

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.

Downtown After Five

Enjoy great music, food and beer in downtown Asheville at this free popular outdoor concert. 5-9 PM

Spring-Go!

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… read more

Pisgah Forest Pride Day

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… read more

Earth Day Kid's Festival

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,… read more

Asheville Orchid Festival

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.

read more

Old-Time Plowing and Folkways

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.… read more

Mill Vill Fest

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… read more

Spring Festivals

See our main Events Page for a list of all of our calendars!

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