Here are our top picks for festivals and major events in the Asheville area for June through September. Enjoy!
Every Friday Night: Drumming Circle
Listen and dance to the drumming circle which gathers in Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville from Spring through Fall on Friday evenings.
See our photos of the Drumming Circle.
Every Third Friday, June through September:
Downtown After Five
Enjoy free live music, food and beer in downtown Asheville.
Read more.
June 4-August 24, 2008: SART
Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre presents six professional productions at Mars Hill College, 18 miles north of downtown.
Go to their Web site.
June 7-8, 2008: Toe River Studio Tour
More than 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium open their studios for a free, self-guided cultural adventure.
Go to their Web site.
June 8-13, 2008: Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week
Students and music lovers of all ages and backgrounds come together in this relaxed and supportive environment at Mars Hill College. Improve your skills, learn new tunes, and make friends who share your passion for old time music.
Go to their Web site.
June 14-15, 2008: River District Artists Studio Stroll
Thisl is your chance to tour the studios, meet with the artists and purchase artwork. Within just a few blocks are dozens of eclectic mix of creative artists - from traditional to cutting-edge. Near downtown Asheville.
Read more about the River Arts District.
June 27-August 10, 2008: Brevard Music Center Festival
Four hundred of the most talented students in the world join Brevard's artist faculty to present more than 80 concerts in a beautiful setting.
Read more.
June 28, July 5, 12, 19 and August 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2008 : Shindig on the Green
Musicians and dancers from across Western North Carolina gather on these Saturday nights to share the region's stirring Southern Appalachian mountain culture and traditions-with each other and visitors from around the world-at the Shindig on the Green in downtown Asheville. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and stake out a spot on the "green."
Read more.
July 4, 2008: Fourth of July Celebrations
A good time for the whole family starts at 4 p.m. downtown. End the exciting day with the captivating fireworks display, which will take place at 10 p.m. Many other celebrations in nearby towns.
Read more.
July 4 –6, August 2–3, and August 30-September 1, 2008: Biltmore Winery Summer Holiday Weekends
Enjoy soloist performances in the wine bar, and cool off with complimentary wine seminars and wine tasting. For tips on how to incorporate fresh flavors into your summer cuisine, sit in on our fun-filled cooking demonstrations at the winery on Biltmore Estate.
Read more.
July 10-13, 2008: Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
Modeled after the Braemar Highland Games in Scotland, it is considered to be the grandfather of Scottish Games in the United States.
Go to their Web site.
July 14-27, 2008: Folkmoot USA
North Carolina's Official International Festival is a two-week celebration of the world's cultural heritage through folk music and dance.
Read more about Folkmoot.
July 17-20, 2008: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
The Craft Fair showcases work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with over 900 members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Members' work must be juried and accepted by a committee of peers, based on quality, design and craftsmanship.
Go to the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands Web site.
July 25-27, 2008: Bele Chere
Enjoy the largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast in downtown Asheville.
Read more about Bele Chere.
August: Biltmore Summer Concert Series
With Biltmore House and the Blue Ridge Mountains for a backdrop, the 12th Annual Summer Evening Concert Series at Biltmore will take your breath away. Past performers for these weekend events include Alison Krauss, the Indigo Girls, Bruce Hornsby, Tony Bennett and the Doobie Brothers.
Read more.
August 1-2, 2008: Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair
The oldest and largest crafts fair in the Blue Ridge with 250+ craftfolk showing their work as well as live entertainment, children activites and a wide variety of food in downtown Burnsville.
Go to their Web site.
August 1-3, 2008: Asheville Antiques Fair
More than 50 invited dealers from across the U.S. display and sell at the Civic Center.
Go to their Web site.
August 2-3, 2008: Village Art & Craft Fair
Held on the grounds of the Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village near the entrance to the Biltmore Estate, the fair hosts 125 artists from 20 states representing the full spectrum of craft media - jewelry, ceramic, wood, fiber, metals, two-dimensional art and more.
Go to the Village Art & Craft Fair Web site.
August 2, 2008: Rockin' RiverFest
French Broad River Park in Asheville. There's something for everyone at Rockin' RiverFest including the Raft Race, Kids' Parade, Dog Parade and Adoptions, Music Showcase & Competition, local food and beer, vendors and artists tables, exciting arts performances and fun recreational activities. Support RiverLink's efforts to make the French Broad River watershed a place to live, work and play!
Go to their Web site.
August 22-24, 2008: Goombay!
Join in the fun with this African-Caribbean style festival with a variety of entertainment including steel drums, African-America dancers, local gospel groups, and contemporary rhythm bands, plus crafts and great food.
Go to their Web site.
August 29-September 1, 2008: NC Apple Festival
Downtown Hendersonville features more than 150 vendors lining eight blocks of the main event area. There is continuous entertainment from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. The King Apple Parade, always held on Labor Day, culminates the Main Street activities.
See our Apple Festival Guide.
September 7, 2008: Lexington Ave. Arts and Fun Festival.
This fantastically fabulous, freaky jam-packed day will showcase the many diverse talents that Asheville has to offer. Four areas of local music and performance, street performers galore, fire-dancers, belly dancers, art and craft, culinary and healing arts. Downtown Asheville.
Go to the LAAFF Web site.
September 20-21, 2008 Heritage Weekend
The Southern Highland Craft Guild celebrates heritage crafts of the Appalachian Mountains by showing craft techniques with hand tools, native materials, and lots of ingenuity through demonstrations. In addition to crafts, several other traditional aspects of Appalachian life will be featured, such as traditional music and storytelling. Don’t miss the 26th Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday. This popular autumn tradition brings mountain toys, live music and wacky fun to the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Folk Art Center.
Read more about the Folk Art Center.
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