 Here are our top picks for Spring events and festivals in the Asheville area in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Many are free! Enjoy.
Every Friday Night: Drum 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 & video of the Drum Circle.
Through May 13, 2012: Wood Turners Art Show at Folk Art Center
The American Association of Wood Turners: An International Invitational Exhibition of Turned or Sculpted Wood. Read more about Folk Art Center Exhibitions.
March 31-April 1, 2012: Orchid Show
This judged show at the NC Arboretum features orchid plants and supplies for sale by world class vendors.
Read more about the Orchid Show.
 March 2012: Asheville Idiotarod
What the heck is an idiotarod? It is inspired by the legendary Alaskan Sled Dog Race called the Iditarod dog sled 1,150-mile competition. The Idiotarod is essentially the same thing except they cover 5k and instead of dogs they use people (idiots) and instead of sleds they use shopping carts. Along the way, participants face a variety of challenges comprised of community service projects and sabotage by other teams. Ultimate goal is to collect as much food as possible for MANNA Food Bank. Go to their Web site for more.
April 6-8, 2012: Appalachian Trial Founder's Bridge Festival
Nantahala Outdoor Center's (NOC) has a new special event to celebrate the nation's most beloved footpath, the 2,179-mile Appalachian Trail. Both weekend dayhikers and long distance warriors are welcome.
Read more about the AT Bridge Festival.
April 7–May 20, 2012: Festival of Flowers
The biggest Spring event of them all! More than 100,000 tulips herald Biltmore Estate's Festival of Flowers with stunning floral displays across the estate.
See our Biltmore Festival of Flowers Guide.
April 7, 2012: 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.
See our Easter Hat Parade Guide.
April 7 & 21, 2012: Master Gardener Plant Clinics at Western NC Farmer's Market
Master Gardeners Program offers plant clinics to assist the public in diagnosing and solving gardening questions. All clinics are free. Bring samples from problem plants or insects that need to be diagnosed and/or identified.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events.
April 8, 2012: Sunrise Service at Chimney Rock
Celebrate Easter by watching the sun rise over Hickory Nut Gorge.
See our Chimney Rock Sunrise Service Guide.
April 12-15, 2012: ActionFest
The world's first film festival devoted exclusively to action cinema, and to the people who make it possible, from filmmakers to stuntmen and fight choreographers.
Read more about ActionFest.
April 14, 2012: Farmers Market Car Show
10 AM - 2 PM. Free.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events
April 20-21, 2012: BBQ Cook-off & Bluegrass Jam
Free admission with plenty of great live music and food.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events.
April 20-22, 2012: NOC Demo Days & Freestyle Kayak Shootout
At NOC’s perennial spring festival Demo Days, 60+ kayaks and canoes will be available for free test-paddles on the Nantahala River. Plus watch their Freestyle Kayaking competition.
April 27-28, 2012:"Growing in the Mountains" Plant Show
Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Hort Association. Truckshed #5, WNC Farmers Market. Certified nurseries will be selling their products to the public.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events.
April 27-29, 2012: Spring Wildflower and Bird Pilgrimage
If you love mountain wildflowers, don't miss this three-day event sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Asheville Biology Department and the Botanical Gardens at Asheville with many guided field trips, lectures and plant sale.
Read more about the Spring Wildflower and Bird Pilgrimage.
April 28, 2012: Greening Up the Mountains Festival
Celebrate the arrival of spring with this downtown Sylva street festival, about an hour's drive west of Asheville.
See our Greening Up the Mountain Festival Guide.
April 28, 2012: Fire On the Mountain
Come to downtown Spruce Pine to see and buy works from regionally and nationally renowned blacksmiths demonstrating their skills from 10 AM to 4 PM. This event celebrates the mountain tradition of blacksmithing, with Master Blacksmiths sharing their expertise and talent. Free to attend.
See our Spruce Pine Guide.
May 4-6, 2012: French Broad River Festival
This grassroots festival in Hot Springs on the banks of the French Broad features some of the best music in the area and a number of outdoor events in celebration of this beautiful river.
Read more about the French Broad River Festival
May 6, 2012: Ramp Festival
Live music & entertainment, food featuring ramps, a naturally grown wild onion grown in the mountains, held in Waynesville.
Read more about this and other Waynesville Events
May 2012: Spring Market by Junior League of Asheville
A showcase of all things Spring including local artisans and some of finest eats and wares from the region. BBQ, beer and bluegrass.
Go to their Web site for more.
May 4-6, 2012: Spring Herb Festival at Western NC Farmer's Market
Largest Herb Festival in the Southeast with 50+ herb businesses with herb plants anywhere, herbs, books, soaps, herbal crafts, medicinal herbs, lotions, dried flowers, herbal baked goods, herbal gifts and much more.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events.
May 5-6, 2012: E.A.S.T. (East of Asheville Studio Tour) Spring Tour
Artists of the Black Mountain, Swannanoa, and East Asheville area open their studios during the tour for all, whether they are serious art patrons or just browsers of beautiful and interesting works. 10am - 6pm.
Go to the EAST Web site.
 May 10-13, 2012: LEAF Festival
A weekend at LEAF is the equivalent of going on a year-long multi-cultural musical and dance odyssey.
See our LEAF Guide.
May 12-13, 2012: Tour de Falls at DuPont State Forest
A 12-mile tour by shuttle bus to four of DuPont State Forest’s spectacular sites: Triple Falls, High Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Lake Julia.
Read more about Tour de Falls.
May 12-13, 2012: Weaverville Art Safari
40 artists of the Weaverville Art Safari invite you to visit studios and galleries in the town of Weaverville and the surrounding countryside. Free.
Read more about the Weaverville Art Safari.
May 12 & 26, 2012: Master Gardener Plant Clinics at Western NC Farmer's Market
Master Gardeners Program offers plant clinics to assist the public in diagnosing and solving gardening questions. All clinics are free, and the public is encouraged to bring samples from problem plants or insects that need to be diagnosed and/or identified.
Read more about Western NC Farmers Market Events.
May 12 & 15, 2012: Dahlia Tuber and Mum Plant Sale
The Carolinas Dahlia Society and the NC Chrysanthemum Society celebrate at the NC Arboretum.
Read more about the NC Arboretum Spring Shows
May 12-13, 2012: Fiber Weekend
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. Fashion show on Sunday!
Read more about the Folk Art Center.
May 19, 2012: Montford Arts and Music Festival
Historic Montford Neighborhood, down from the Asheville Visitor's Center, will host its 9th Annual Music and Arts Festival with two stages of continuous live music, Over 100 vendors of Art, food, crafts and something for everyone. Free. 10 AM until 6:30 PM.
Go to their Web site.
May 19-20, 2012: Rose Show
The fragrant and vivid world of roses will be on display at the NC Arboretum.
Read more about the NC Arboretum Spring Shows.
May 25-27, 2012: Mountain Sports Festival
Whether you’re a hardcore athlete or a newbie trying an event for the first time, the annual Mountain Sports Festival in Asheville offers something for you.
Read more about the Mountain Sports Festival.
May 26-27, 2012: 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.
Read more about the White Squirrel Festival
May 26-27, 2012: Garden Jubilee Festival
This Downtown Hendersonville Festival is the ideal event for passionate gardeners searching for the perfect plants and unique lawn & garden accessories and arts & crafts.
Read more about Downtown Hendersonville & Garden Jubilee.
Go to Top Summer Events and Festivals for more!
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