This Weekend in Asheville

Hiking near Black Mountain, NC

99th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival

Friday - Saturday, July 31 - August 1, 7-10 p.m.
Asheville High School

Experience one of the nation's longest-running folk festivals as the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival returns with three evenings of traditional Southern Appalachian music, dance, and storytelling. Each night's performance features a different lineup celebrating the region's rich cultural heritage through bluegrass, ballads, and clogging.

Hey Asheville! City Comedy Tour

Friday - Sunday, July 31 - August 2, various times
LaZoom

Climb aboard the big purple bus for a comedy tour that blends Asheville history with outrageous characters, sharp wit, and plenty of unexpected laughs. It's a one-of-a-kind ride through the city's neighborhoods, packed with local stories and offbeat humor.

No Turtles Were Harmed (In the Making of This Turtle) Ice Cream Release

Friday, July 31, 5:30-7 p.m.
The Hop Ice Cream

Be the first to debut a whimsical new ice cream flavor at The Hop, inspired by the classic Turtle with vanilla, toasted pecans, salted caramel praline, and chocolate. The release party also features live puppets and music from Street Creature Puppet Collective, adding an extra dose of fun to the evening.

Kingfisher Folk Fest

Saturday, August 1, 12 - 8 p.m.
The Oaks at Daniel Ridge

Spend the day at Kingfisher Folk Fest enjoying live folk and bluegrass music, dancing, local artisans, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. Set against the scenic backdrop of The Oaks at Daniel Ridge, this annual festival offers a relaxed celebration of Appalachian culture and creativity.

Exploring Asteroids in Astrology

Sunday, August 2, 12 - 3 p.m.
Plant Bar - West Asheville

Explore the fascinating role of asteroids in astrology during this welcoming workshop. Whether you're new to birth charts or a seasoned astrology enthusiast, you'll gain fresh insights while enjoying a cozy café atmosphere.

Recurring Events

Luminere

Friday - Sunday, July 31 - August 2, 4:30 p.m. - Nightfall
Biltmore

Experience Biltmore after dark as light, sound, and storytelling transform the estate into an immersive nighttime spectacle. Wander through illuminated gardens, glowing landscapes, and atmospheric installations that reveal a completely different side of America’s Largest Home.

Live Music, Comedy, Dance and Theatre

Asheville Music Hall

Friday, July 31:

• PATIO SHOW: Beth Lee, Kevin Smith & Miriam Allen at Grey Eagle, 5:30 p.m.
• Asheville Drum Circle at Pritchard Park, 6 p.m.
• Sit a Spell |Traditional Music Jam at Ginger's Revenge, 6 p.m.
• Mountains 2 Sea: Monster Wave & The Maggie Valley Band at Fitz in the Wolfe, 6 p.m.
• APLR Presents: Magic Tuber Stringband at AyurPrana Listening Room, 7 p.m.
• Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash w/ Cosmic Charlie at Orange Peel, 7 p.m.
• Live Music - Half Past 0 at The Radical, 7 p.m.
• Melanie Ida Chopko's Album Release Show at The Mule, 7 p.m.
• Friday Knight Fights at Oak and Grist Distilling, 7 p.m.
• Rage @ The Stage: A Frenzied Evening of Improv Comedy at NC Stage. 7 p.m.
• Chuck Brodsky at White Horse Black Mountain, 7:30 p.m.
• Taming of the Shrew at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 7:30 p.m.
• Modelface Comedy presents Ben Roy at French Broad River Brewery, 8 p.m.
• Adama Dembele & Les Amis at Grey Eagle, 8 p.m.
• Drayton Aldridge at Fitz and the Wolfe, 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 1:

• The Daze Between Jazz Brunch at French Broad River Brewery, 11:30 a.m.
• Vance Gilbert at White Horse Black Mountain, 2 p.m.
• PATIO SHOW: The Nature Boys at The Grey Eagle, 4 p.m.
• Michael Corwin Live at Turgua Brewing, 5 p.m.
• Rhiannon Giddens presents American Tunes: Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing at Hellbender, 6 p.m.
• Robin Plemmons: Throbbin' at Grey Eagle, 7 p.m.
• Hot In Herre: 2000s Dance Party at Orange Peel, 7 p.m.
• We Are The Medicine: An Early Listen & Album Benefit at Vintage Kava, 7 p.m.
• Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience at Pisgah Brewing Company, 7 p.m.
• Misfit Improv Comedy Show at NC Stage Company, 7:30 p.m.
• Taming of the Shrew at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 7:30 p.m.
• Norah Jones and Bonnie Raitt Tribute at White Horse Black Mountain, 7:30 p.m.
• Miami Nights - Latin Dance at Hemingway's Cuba, 8 p.m.
• Eyes Up Here Comedy: Hot Girl Summer Edition at Ginger's Revenge, 8 p.m.
• SUNBAKED ft. Sketchy Decks and No Refunds at Nightshade, 9 p.m.
• Witching Hour, Dark and Dirty Comedy at Eda Rhyne Distilling, 9:50 p.m.

Sunday, August 2: 

• Jazz Brunch at French Broad River Brewery, 11:30 a.m.
• Meat & Metal 2026 at Orange Peel, 2 p.m.
• Suns of Stars at One World Brewing West, 2 p.m.
• PATIO: Dirty Dead at Grey Eagle, 2 p.m.
• Jazz Jam Sundays at Ginger's Revenge, 2:30 p.m.
• Cellist Franklin Keel in Concert at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 4 p.m.
• The Dancing Fleas at White Horse Black Mountain, 7:30 p.m.
• Taming of the Shrew at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 7:30 p.m.
• Oteil & Friends at French Broad River Brewery, 6 p.m.
• RAD Comedy featuring Andrew Orolfo at RAD Brewing, 8 p.m.

Tailgate & Specialty Pop-Up Markets

Shop local at the Asheville area's numerous farmers, tailgate, and craft markets. Here's a look at some of the places you can shop this weekend:

• Asheville City Market at 52 North Market St., Sat. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Ooh La La Curiosity Market at Pritchard Park, Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Swannanoa Market at The Hub, Sat. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Hominy Gatherin' Market at Ruby Ranch, Sun. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Market on The Roof at The Roof, Sun. 3 - 5 p.m.
• WNC Farmers Market at 570 Brevard Road, open 7 days a week, year-round, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.    

Visit an art studio or art exhibition 

Asheville Art Museum

Asheville is home to hundreds of artists, galleries and studios making creative expression a way of life here in the mountains. Here is a look at some of the current art exhibitions in the city:

• "Summer Dreams" Online Art Auction at Jonas Gerard Fine Art, through Jul. 29
• Art from the Garden: Summer Gallery Exhibit at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, through Jul. 31
• Tema Stauffer: Wonderlands at RAMP Studios, through Aug. 22
• Peter Olson & Issac Payne at Blue Spiral 1, through Aug. 26
• Reflections: A Glass Exhibition at Blue Spiral 1, through Aug. 26 
• Michael Fitts at Blue Spiral 1, through Aug. 26
• Black Mountain COLL(A)GE at Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, through Sep. 5
• Electric Garden: An All-Ages Interactive Art Installation at Third Room, through Sept. 20
• Common Ground Rising Group Exhibition at Pink Dog Creative, through Sept. 20
• Luminere at Biltmore, through Oct. 18
• Artist Open Studio at Artbeat Gallery & Lounge, through Dec. 31

Packages and Deals

Save some money this weekend with these special offers from area attractions and accommodations.

• $5 off an Urban Art Tour at Asheville Mural Tours
• Elopement Package at Asheville Restoration Hotel 
• Whiskey Tasting at The Radical