Twice each year, the rolling hills of Black Mountain come alive with rhythm, color, and connection during LEAF Global Arts’ Retreat and Festival. Held each spring (May) and fall (October) at Lake Eden, LEAF is part music festival, part cultural gathering, and part community campout—inviting visitors of all ages to explore global art forms in a setting that feels both expansive and deeply personal.
Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, LEAF isn’t something you simply attend. It’s something you experience—at your own pace, following your curiosity from stage to workshop to lakeside hammock.
Check back soon: We’re updating this page with confirmed 2026 dates and lineup highlights as LEAF publishes them.
How Do I Attend LEAF Festival?
LEAF tickets are sold in tiers, with prices typically increasing as the event approaches. A limited number of tickets are available at each tier, so planning ahead is encouraged.
One of LEAF’s defining features is the ability to stay on-site. Camping and lodging options at Lake Eden allow many attendees to fully immerse themselves in the weekend—waking up to music in the distance and heading straight into the day’s activities. Lodging and add-ons are offered through LEAF’s official ticketing process and vary by event.
The upcoming LEAF Festival includes full access to more than 300 acres of Lake Eden where you can explore, play, hike, bike, disc golf or relax in the shade of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Notable headlining musical acts from the 2025 LEAF Festival included Valerie June, Arrested Development, Jackie Venson and Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers.
Lodging is available at the festival with 30 private camp cabins and two large camp lodges with rooms for families and large groups. You can book your lodging here.
What’s the difference between the Retreat and the Festival?
LEAF Global Arts notes the tradition is twice a year—May and October—with a mix of performances, workshops, cultural arts, nature-based activities, and community programming.
The LEAF Retreat, held in May, is often described as the more intimate of the two gatherings. With a slightly smaller footprint, it offers a relaxed springtime setting where music, workshops, and family-friendly programming unfold at an unhurried pace.
The LEAF Festival, held in October, is the larger fall celebration—featuring multiple stages, expanded workshop offerings, immersive cultural experiences, and the full “camp life” feel that longtime LEAFers love. Cooler evenings, autumn color, and a packed schedule make it a favorite for returning attendees.
What are the food and beverage options?
LEAF Festival hosts many local food trucks and chefs at the three-day event. In 2025, that list included:
Cecilia’s Kitchen, Catering Kerala Curry Food Truck, Greenlight Café, Kernel Mike’s Famous Kettle Korn, Ultimate Ice Cream, and LeBon Coffee. A festival culinary passport, which included a five-meal voucher at Baba Nahm, was also available for $65.
Expect a rotating lineup of local and regional food vendors and festival-friendly options throughout the weekend. Specific vendors, packages, and add-ons are announced closer to event dates.
Things to Do Before and After LEAF Retreat & Festival
If you want to explore outside of the retreat or festival, we suggest a quick journey into the nearby town of Black Mountain! Known as the front porch to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Black Mountain boasts a lively downtown packed with galleries and cozy bistros, offering a charming and walkable experience overflowing with arts, crafts and — at an elevation of 2,405 feet — incredible outdoor adventures that include awe-inspiring hikes and thrill-seeking mountain bike trails.
Explore: Top 10 Things to Do in Black Mountain
Day-Trip: Spend a Perfect Day in Black Mountain
