Asheville Events
With plenty to do and see in Asheville, plan your vacation around these local Asheville events and book your stay in one of our cabins to complete your getaway!
Note: Some events may be canceled or postponed. Please refer to the event website for updated information.
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival
The Fringe Festival brings unique ( and sometimes rather quirky) performance art to the Asheville area, with everything from dance, acting, art installations, and more. The purpose of the festival is to have local artists bring their craft to the “edge” of creativity. Several area art studios will host this festival, so plan accordingly to see everything. For more information, check out the Asheville Fringe website.
Asheville Restaurant Week
Enjoy Asheville’s wonderfully varied cuisine during Asheville Restaurant Week. What is Asheville Restaurant Week? “Asheville Restaurant Week is your opportunity to try as many great Asheville restaurants as your schedule allows for four incredibly low fixed prices. Ever wondered about that restaurant you thought might be out of your price range? Asheville Restaurant Week is your chance to give it a try with the security of knowing exactly what you will be spending.” – exploreasheville.com.
Reservations are strongly recommended.
Ingles Southern Conference Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships
Get ready for five days of nonstop basketball action in downtown Asheville during the 2026 Ingles Southern Conference (SoCon) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, happening March 5–9, 2026, at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville. This exciting tournament brings together the SoCon’s top men’s and women’s teams, all battling it out for a chance to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Learn more!
The New Belgium Asheville Marathon & Half
Run for your life on the vibrant streets of Asheville during this popular race. Choose either a full marathon, a half marathon, or a virtual marathon. View event page here.
Asheville Mardi Gras Parade
Head downtown for Asheville’s Mardi Gras Parade! This family-friendly parade can be participated in, or just enjoyed from the sidelines. Feathers, sparkles, fun, and frivolity are present and welcomed, so dress up if you can. The parade will start at 3 pm and marches down Wall St., Battery Park Ave, Haywood St., and Page Ave. Look for dancers, roller skaters, and entertainers to make an appearance, so bundle up and head out! Learn more here.
Biltmore Blooms
Visit the Biltmore Estate in the spring to witness a spectacular display of 75000+ tulips in a rainbow of colors. By mid to late April, these tulips will be met with brilliant azaleas in a 20-acre garden, highlighting the beauty of the grand estate. For more information, visit the Biltmore Estate website.
Friday Night Drum Circle
A true Ashevillian event since 2001. Come join the fun as the crowd gathers at Pritchard Park each Friday evening through the warm months from around 6 to 10 pm. Join in to play drums, cowbells, or any percussion instrument, to dance, or simply watch. Free. Learn more here.
Asheville Bread Festival
Artisan bread bakers from the Southeast will be selling their bread and sharing their expertise. There will be hands-on workshops and demonstrations and samples! At New Belgium Brewery. Visit event site here for more info.
Downtown After 5
Come on downtown for the best festival around. This concert event series kicks off in May and goes through September. Food and beverages are available for purchase onsite. FREE. Learn more here.
NAIA National T&F Championships
National championship track and field comes to Asheville in May as UNC Asheville hosts the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships at Karl Straus Track. Organized by Explore Asheville and Airstream Ventures, this three-day event will feature standout athletes from around the country competing in one of the NAIA’s premier championship meets.
Big South Baseball Championship
College baseball returns to one of Asheville’s most iconic venues as the Big South Baseball Championship comes to historic McCormick Field. Hosted by the Big South Conference and Explore Asheville, this six-team, double-elimination tournament will bring top collegiate talent to the city for four exciting days of competition.
Asheville Art in the Park
10 – 5 pm on Saturdays, located at Pack Square Park in downtown. This art fair brings talented local artisans to the city center to share their work with Asheville. Expect woodworkers, blacksmiths, glass blowers, and jewelry makers just to name a few. Learn more here.
Fourth of July Celebration Downtown Asheville
Celebrate America in downtown Asheville with live music, food trucks, and fireworks after dark. Free to the public, bring a chair and settle down at Roger McGuire Green for the best view. Learn more here.
Shindig on the Green
This starts the Saturday tradition of the Shindig on the Green at Roger McGuire Green in Downtown Asheville. Talented cloggers and musicians file into downtown to exhibit their talents. Learn more here.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
The Scottish heritage is celebrated at this festival. With live music, food, and athletic competitions that challenge participants. Ours is considered the best Scottish games in the US, so check it out!
Big Crafty
More than 150 local vendors show off their skills and products at this expansive fair, located downtown at Packs Square Park. 12-7:30 PM. Learn more here.
Craft Fair at the Southern Highlands
The Southern Highland Craft Guild has a roster of talented artisans that create truly spectacular works. This Fair is your chance to ogle (and of course purchase) a one-of-a-kind piece of Appalachia. At the US Cellular Center. Learn more here.
Love Shine Play Yoga Festival
Whether you are a devoted practitioner or just interested in learning more, this festival will enlighten you on all things Yoga. There will be over 30 presenters to educate all present on different styles, techniques, and tips. Vendors will be set up at Pack Square Park. Learn more.
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
This event goes all the way back to 1928! This is a showcase of mountain dance, music, and storytelling that highlights the splendid history and culture of Appalachian bluegrass. This ticketed event acts as a fundraiser for the Shindig on the Green. Learn more here.
Asheville Comedy Festival
This is a comedy event, spanning four days and featuring some of the biggest and brightest stars in the comedy world. Each day is a ticketed event, and you can purchase separately or as a combo. Formerly the “Laugh Your Asheville Off” fest.
NC Apple Festival
Every Year, Labor Day Weekend: An apple a day, pshhh… make a long weekend out of apples! This festival is one we look forward to all year and symbolizes the beginning of Fall. Vendors line up the main street of Hendersonville, selling fried apple pie, apple ice cream, apple cider, apple-you-name-it! This is a free event, but incredibly popular, so we recommend going early-ish: 10 AM- 10 PM every day. The King Apple Parade will happen on Labor Day. Learn more.
Mountain State Fair
The fair comes to town in September every year, and every year there is something new to see. This is a ticketed event of course but check out their website for the daily specials they may have.
Goombay Festival
Celebrate the cultures of the African-Caribbean, and have a blast in the process. The Goombay Festival highlights musicians, food, and dances of nations from all over the Caribbean. This is not only educational, but a super fun way to celebrate that region’s cultural legacies. While the festival doesn’t have a website, this travel site has lots of good info.
Greek Festival
The Greek Festival is the smallest of our festivals listed here, but is a great time (we recommend trying the traditional desserts and Greek coffee). The festival has stalls like an “agora” market so that you can purchase hand-crafted goods. With authentic cuisine, music, and dancing, this is a party you don’t want to miss.
Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest
Join Highland Brewing to celebrate wedges, curds, shreds, and grates of everyone’s favorite snack. This festival brings producers and creamery owners from all over the Southeast together to share their passion for cheese. There will be milking demonstrations and plenty of vendors to satiate any cheese-lovers cravings. For more information, visit the festival website.
Biltmore Championship Asheville
A new chapter in Asheville sports arrives in 2026 with the debut of the Biltmore Championship Asheville, the city’s first PGA TOUR event in more than 80 years. Held during the FedExCup Fall, the inaugural tournament will take place at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove and is presented through a four-year partnership with Biltmore Estate and Explore Asheville as co-title sponsors.
Asheville Oktoberfest
Downtown Asheville, this is a ticketed event that takes place 1-6 PM. German food and plenty of beer available. Learn more here.
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair
Craftspeople at the Folk Art Center share their inspiration and expertise in a variety of textile arts. Saturday demonstrations include quilting and appliqué, doll making, weaving, mixed media fiber arts, clothing design, printing and surface design, tapestry weaving, and natural dyeing. Two fashion shows on Sunday! Free Admission. Learn more here.
LEAF Festival
This weekend music festival in Black Mountain, NC celebrates international music and community, with an emphasis on the impact of the Arts on our lives and culture. Great music and you can set up a tent to relax all weekend! Ticketed for the weekend or per day, and these tickets go fast!
Christmas at Biltmore/Candlelight Evenings at the Biltmore Estate
The already stunning Biltmore Estate transforms into a holiday wonderland every November, and it is truly a sight to behold. This massive house is decked out with hundreds of trees, decorations that are unique to each year, and the special evening tour reservations that bring folks from all over the US.
Polar Express Train Ride at Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
This event is sure to bring out the Christmas spirit in riders young and old. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Bryson, NC holds this special journey based on the hit film every holiday season. Click here for more info.
Christmas Wonderland Lights in Tryon
This is a curated drive-through display that synchronizes the twinkling lights to a holiday station tuned into your car radio. Takes place at the beautiful Equestrian Center, and it is $35 a carload for a 30 minute show. More info here.
Gingerbread House Display at the Omni Grove Park Inn
Open to the public every day except Friday and Saturday, Sunday after 3 pm only. See the award-winning creations of the most talented sculptors of gingerbread and sugar. No admission fee, but a $25 parking pass required. More info here.
Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum
The NC Arboretum holds this stunning light display, to create a festive beauty in an already naturally beautiful area. Tickets must be purchased in advance on Arboretum’s website. Click here for event website.
Christmas Wonderland Lights in Tryon
This is a curated drive-through display that synchronizes the twinkling lights to a holiday station tuned into your car radio. Takes place at the beautiful Equestrian Center, and it is $35 a carload for a 30 minute show. More info here.
Gingerbread House Display at the Omni Grove Park Inn
Open to the public every day except Friday and Saturday, Sunday after 3 pm only. See the award-winning creations of the most talented sculptors of gingerbread and sugar. No admission fee, but a $25 parking pass required. More info here.
Christmas at Biltmore/Candlelight Evenings at the Biltmore Estate
The already stunning Biltmore Estate transforms into a holiday wonderland every November, and it is truly a sight to behold. This massive house is decked out with hundreds of trees, decorations that are unique to each year, and the special evening tour reservations that bring folks from all over the US.
Polar Express Train Ride at Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
This event is sure to bring out the Christmas spirit in riders young and old. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Bryson, NC holds this special journey based on the hit film every holiday season. Click here for more info.
Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum
The NC Arboretum holds this stunning light display, to create a festive beauty in an already naturally beautiful area. Tickets must be purchased in advance on Arboretum’s website. Click here for event website.