Our Top Pick Events for 2009
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Shindig on the Green
Gather on Saturday nights during July and August for bluegrass on stage and in informal jam sessions under the trees in downtown Asheville. A genuine glimpse into the traditions of Appalachia.
 Read more and see our Shindig photos & video.
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Since 1928, mountain fiddlers, banjo pickers, dulcimer sweepers, dancers, balladeers and others join together on the first weekend in August in downtown Asheville.
Read more. |
Throughout the Year
 Asheville Art Tours & Festivals
See our 2009 Guide to Asheville Art Tours, Festivals & Shows.
Theatre & Stage
See our Performing Arts Guide.
Weekly Drumming Circle
Listen and dance to the many drums on Friday nights in a downtown park.
Read more.
Biltmore Estate Events
Many events at Biltmore, including Festival of Flowers and Christmas at Biltmore.
Go to their Web site.
Chimney Rock Park Events
Guided hikes, demonstrations, music and many more.
Go to their Web site.
Diana Wortham Theatre
City’s finest theatre, offering live music, theatre and dance by nationally touring artists as well as professional and avocational regional arts groups.
Go to their Web site.
Asheville Art Museum Events
Many impressive exhibits and programs.
Go to their Web site.
North Carolina Arboretum Events
Plant shows, guided tours, garden seminars, arts programs and much more.
See the Arboretum's Calendar of Events for 2009.
Go to: January-April | May-August | September-December
January-April
2009 Guide to Asheville Art Tours, Festivals & Shows
Festival of Flowers at Biltmore
Earth Day
Asheville Earth Day is a FREE celebration (April 19, 2008) 11AM - 10PM at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in downtown. It features an expansive Eco-village with conscious cause-defending organizations, educational speakers, and a live music stage.
Read more about Earth Day.
May-August
2009 Guide to Asheville Art Tours, Festivals & Shows
Downtown after Five
Celebrating its 20th year of providing free live music and entertainment in downtown Asheville. The celebration, presented by the Asheville Downtown Association, begins Friday, May 16 and happens every third Friday, May through September, with the goal of encouraging locals and visitors alike to enjoy downtown Asheville while supporting local businesses and entertainers. A new location on North Lexington Avenue (between Hiawassee and the I-240 overpass). Stellar line up of food and beverages from local restaurants and local micro-breweries. Free. (See photo at top.)
Read more about Downtown After Five.
French Broad River Festival, Hot Springs
This annual grassroots festival has grown steadily from a one night benefit party on the banks of the French Broad to an all weekend festival featuring some of the best music in the area and a number of outdoor events in celebration of this beautiful river and setting. First weekend in May.
Go to their Web site.
Shindig on the Green (July-August)
Breakaway Jazz Festival, May, Mars Hill
Fun, food, arts and crafts, jazz by local bands Current Invention, Orange Krush, D-Jazz Band.
Go to their Web site.
Biltmore Estate Winery Summerfest and Concerts
LEAF (Lake Eden Arts Festival)
Celebrate Music, Discover Community, and Experience Culture at LEAF in a beautiful lakefront setting near Black Mountain every May & October.
See our LEAF Guide.
French Broad River Festival
Early May in Hot Springs with music, whitewater raft and mountain bike races, food, outdoor gear and prizes, and more.
Go to their Web site
Mountain Sports Festival
This Spring (May) tradition features pro and amateur level competitions in paddling, adventure racing, cycling, running, disc golf, climbing, and many other events including entertainment at the Festival Village along the river.
Go to their Web site.
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 in June. Improve your skills, learn new tunes, and make friends who share your passion for old time music.
Go to their Web site.
Fourth of July Celebration
Downtown Asheville.
Read more
Comedy Festival
The Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival in mid July is the largest stand-up comedy
festival in the southeast featuring over twenty comics in downtown
Asheville.
Go to their Web site
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
Modeled after the Braemar Highland Games in Scotland, itis considered to be the grandfather of Scottish Games in the United States. Second weekend of July at the base of Grandfather Mountain.
Go to their Web site.
Bele Chere
The biggest street festival in the Southeast takes over downtown each July.
Go to our Bele Chere Guide.
Asheville Antiques Fair
More than 50 invited dealers from across the US at the Civic Center on the first weekend of August.
Go to their Web site.
Asheville Quilt Show
Held the first weekend of August at the NC Arboretum.
Go to their Web site.
Goombay
Join in the fun with this African-Caribbean style festival in August downtown.
Go to their Web site.
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.
September-December
2009 Guide to Asheville Art Tours, Festivals & Shows
LEAF (Lake Eden Arts Festival)
Celebrate Music, Discover Community, and Experience Culture at LEAF in a beautiful lakefront setting near Black Mountain every May & October.
See our LEAF Festival Guide.
Heritage Weekend at the Folk Art Center
Celebrates heritage crafts of the Appalachian Mountains in mid September with craftspeople showing craft techniques, music, storytelling, and the Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition.
Go to their Web site for this and more events at the Folk Center.
Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad
HNGO is an annual family sports festival in September at Lake Lure for amateurs of all ages (5 to 85+) with four days of fun and serious sports events hosted by 200 volunteers.
Go to their Web site.
Carolina Mountains Literary Festival
Regionally and nationally known authors convene in Burnsville in mid September to give readings, lead workshops, answer questions, and sign books. Unlike many festivals and book fairs, this event is not about selling or buying and is geared for those who love to read as much as it is for the aspiring writer.
Go to their Web site.
NC Apple Festival
Downtown Hendersonville on the Labor Day Weekend. More than 150 vendors line eight blocks of the main event area. There is continuous entertainment from 10am to 10pm Friday through Sunday. The King Apple Parade, always held on Labor Day, culminates the Main Street activities.
See our NC Apple Festival Guide.
Flat Rock Music Festival
Two stages of music plus workshops. This is a LIVE music festival in late September! If you play a lot, or just a little, bring any and all of the instruments you have! There are tons of musicians from everywhere who jam together, and make sweet, sweet music.
Go to their Web site.
Fall Foliage Show
Nature's grand leaf color show is the biggest event of the year.
See our Asheville Fall Foliage Guide.
Western North Carolina State Fair
Enjoy a large midway, plenty of entertainment, exhibits, food and more at one of biggest fairs in the southeast! Mid September.
Go to their Web site.
Taste of Asheville
September last weekend: Four days of delicious events taking place in the Asheville area's independent restaurants.
Go to their Web site.
Smoky Mountain Folk Festival
Enjoy two nights of the finest traditional music and dance of the Southern Appalachian Region. Held annually on Labor Day weekend near Asheville at Lake Junaluska.
Go to their Web site.
Woolly Warm Festival
Race a woolly warm to see which warm will predict this winter's weather at this fun street festival in Banner Elk.
Read more about the Woolly Warm Festival.
Christmas at Biltmore
Asheville Film Festival
See some of the 100 films, enjoy parties, see interesting exhibits, and attend seminars in downtown Asheville in early November.
Read more about the Asheville Film Festival.
Dickens Festival
Historic Biltmore Village transforms itself into a quaint Victorian village on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of December. Enjoy three days of concerts, refreshments, horsedrawn carriage rides, and strolling vocalists and instrumentalists in costumes of the period.
Read more about Biltmore Village.
Gingerbread House Competition
See the 200+ entries and winners for the annual National Gingerbread House Competition at Grove Park Inn during November and December. (Free Admission)
See our Grove Park Inn Gingerbread House Display Guide.
More!
Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau Events Calendar
See a very complete list of all area events.
Go to their Web site.
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