101 Unique Things to Do in Asheville NC & Western NC

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.
March, April & May Events in Asheville & Western NC
NEW at Biltmore- Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures, March 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Start the year off with an extraordinary cultural adventure at Biltmore! From March 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026, the estate’s exhibition center, Amherst at Deerpark, will host Tutankhamun: His… read more
Start the year off with an extraordinary cultural adventure at Biltmore! From March 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026, the estate’s exhibition center, Amherst at Deerpark, will host Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures. This captivating exhibition invites you to delve into one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries in history—the unearthing of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
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Drum Circle
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!
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!
Concerts on the Creek, Sylva
Enjoy free outside live music in downtown Sylva every Friday from 7-9 PM starting Memorial Day through Labor Day at Bridge Park, two blocks from Main Street with shops, restaurants, and breweries… read more
Enjoy free outside live music in downtown Sylva every Friday from 7-9 PM starting Memorial Day through Labor Day at Bridge Park, two blocks from Main Street with shops, restaurants, and breweries. Family-friendly, bring a chair or blanket. 2024 Dates: May 24 & 31; Jun 7, 14, 21, and 28; July 4, 5, 12, 19, and 26; and August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30.
Past Events
Women's Golf Day Tournament at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa
Sign up for the Women's Golf Day Tournament at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa and enjoy special offers from May 27 - June 3, including free gifts and a golf giveaway basket! This global… read more
Sign up for the Women's Golf Day Tournament at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa and enjoy special offers from May 27 - June 3, including free gifts and a golf giveaway basket! This global movement celebrates women in golf, welcoming all ages and skill levels. Participants will enter a raffle for a complimentary overnight stay and golf for two at Omni Grove Park Inn, drawn at lunch.
GRINDFest AVL
This free festival celebrates black business and entrepreneurship in Asheville. Usually held over Memorial Day Weekend, new for 2025 it's a month-long celebration with events taking place on May 4… read more
This free festival celebrates black business and entrepreneurship in Asheville. Usually held over Memorial Day Weekend, new for 2025 it's a month-long celebration with events taking place on May 4, 8, 15, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 2025. Enjoy music, live performances, talks, workshops, food, local vendors, community connections, and more in the River Arts District on Depot St.
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
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.
Memorial Day Weekend
Find festivals, events, and our top things to do to kick off summer during the holiday weekend in Asheville and the NC mountains.
Find festivals, events, and our top things to do to kick off summer during the holiday weekend in Asheville and the NC mountains.
Garden Jubilee Festival
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
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.
White Squirrel Weekend
Go nuts at this three-day downtown Brevard festival featuring a parade, plenty of live music, food, arts, and much more on Memorial Day Weekend.
Go nuts at this three-day downtown Brevard festival featuring a parade, plenty of live music, food, arts, and much more on Memorial Day Weekend.
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… 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.
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).… read more
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.
Spring at Biltmore
This festival of flowers celebrates two months of spring blooms that include 75,000+ tulips, orchids, azalaeas and elaborate floral displays inside Biltmore House.
This festival of flowers celebrates two months of spring blooms that include 75,000+ tulips, orchids, azalaeas and elaborate floral displays inside Biltmore House.
Appalachia Day at Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Supporting Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
Celebrate Appalachia Day at Hickory Nut Gap Farm on April 26 from 12 to 6 pm and support Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. This year’s event features three parts: a guided hike on the… read more
Celebrate Appalachia Day at Hickory Nut Gap Farm on April 26 from 12 to 6 pm and support Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. This year’s event features three parts: a guided hike on the Strawberry Gap Trail to Blue Ridge Pastures at 8:30 am (register in advance), a free family-friendly festival and local market at Hickory Nut Gamp from 12 to 6 pm, and an evening concert with the Darren…
See our main Events Page for a list of all of our calendars!