event-calendar

Celebrating everything Scottish, this four-day fête really gets rolling Thursday night with the torchlight ceremony, calling upon the clans to herald their family’s participation. Friday-Sunday’s events include Scottish athletic events, highland dancing competitions, piping, drumming, sheep herding, fiddle playing, specific cultural activities, and more. Also, the revered Parade of Tartans occurs, with hundreds of marchers dressed in traditional Scottish garb, strolling across the track.  » MacRae Meadows, US 221; Thursday-Sunday, times vary; prices vary; (828) 733-1333; www.gmhg.org

A pivotal period drama covering the mid-1700s through the early 1800s, Horn in the West highlights the period in which settlers such as Daniel Boone and others in the Appalachias struggled for freedom and survival, not to mention self-sufficiency, in the burgeoning years of the United States. But expect plot twists and even romance in this production, celebrating its 73rd year. The thoughtful, reimagined play that is more immersive this year, benefits the Southern Appalachian Historical Association, which has been operating since 1952.  » Southern Appalachian Historical Association, 591 Horn in the West Dr.; Thursdays-Saturdays, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $30; (828) 264-2120; www.horninthewest.com

The big berry street festival keeps things sweet with a two-day celebration of one of Caldwell County’s locally-grown fruits—more than 10 acres of the county’s farmland are dedicated to blackberry farming. The weekend kicks off with live music, a Kid’s Party, and a “Let’s Glow Crazy”-themed 5k and one-mile fun run, where participants don luminous bracelets during the race. Saturday’s schedule is jam-packed with contests, a vendor market, the Little Miss Blackberry Pageant, and Blackberry Cobbler Parade. Registration fees for the runs support the Shelter Home of Caldwell County, Inc., a nonprofit emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and assault.  » 801 West Ave.; Friday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; free, $35 5k, $25 fun run; (828) 757-2107; www.ncblackberryfestival.com 

Happening twice a year, the Big Crafty is one of Asheville’s favorite local art and craft fairs. Featuring around 180 artists and craftspeople from the region, it’s a great way to meet and directly support the makers themselves. From painters to potters, woodworkers to jewelers, metalsmiths to screenprinters, weavers, and everything in between, the Big Crafty is a great place to satisfy your cravings for local art. » Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St.; Saturday & Sunday, noon-6 p.m.; $10 Saturday, free Sunday; crafty@thebigcrafty.com; www.thebigcrafty.com

Attendees are encouraged to suit up in their best fairy attire for this fun fête, held annually each summer. Benefiting the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, this magical event encourages imagination, and boasts professional fairies. Expect activities such as face painting, henna art, whimsical crafts, food, dancing, music, and a plethora of other amusements. » Daniel Boone Nativel Gardens, 651 Horn in the West Dr.; Saturday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $5, free for child under 17; www.danielboonenativegardens.org

Makers will take over every level of Harrah’s Cherokee Center for the fair’s 78th anniversary, exhibiting their traditional and contemporary craft works in clay, wood, glass, metal, fiber, leather, jewelry, and more. The festival first began in Gatlinburg, TN, in 1948, and since then the event has grown in size, with over 11,000 people in attendance during the show’s four days. Live demos and music also accompany the vendor market. The festival is hosted in October as well.  »  Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St.; Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; $12, free for child 12 and under; (828) 298-7928; www.southernhighlandguild.

This inaugural event honors nature and a vegan lifestyle, and is sponsored by Friends with the Forest. Promoting health, compassion, and regeneration, this festival features art, educational workshops, tasty and nutritious food, live music and other festival-oriented activities. Proceeds benefit an upcoming nature center/sanctuary. Great Smoky Mountain  » Event Park, 1130 Hyatt Creek Rd.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; $5 or more donations appreciated; www.friendswiththeforest.com

Ready to bring out your inner yogi? This event will satisfy that urge, offering more than 75 movement classes with 30 presenters. The first day consists of five immersion sessions while not-to-miss events include sunrise community yoga instruction, group hiking, and more. The Mountain Air Market, which offers free yoga sessions, a bevy of vendors, live music, and workshops, takes place all four days in Pack Square Park. » Multiple venues; Thursday-Sunday, times vary; Thursday $107-$186, 3-day pass $502, 4-day pass $608, immersions vary; hello@loveshineplay.com; www.loveshineplay.com

North Carolina’s Tersicorps Theater of Dance presents Appalachian Phoenix, a showcase of dancers, musicians and writers, and visual artists recognizing Western North Carolina’s heroism, resilience, and community following Hurricane Helene. The show’s set is made from found materials sourced after the storm, and real individuals that made a difference in their community are recognized through song and dance.  » Diana Wortham Theater, 18 Biltmore Ave.; Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; $25-$65; (828) 257-4530; www.worthamarts.org

The Brushy Mountains, a 45-mile offshoot of the Blue Ridge near the Yadkin Valley, experiences unique isothermal weather conditions, making it a rare gem for fruit farmers. Although more than 40 farmers used to grow peaches in the area, only a handful still remain. Celebrate the agricultural history of the High Country at this sixth annual event that boasts a first-ever “night before” party on the 25th, local handmade crafts and food, and, of course, North Carolina peaches.  » Downtown Wilkesboro; Friday 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Free; info@brushypeachfest.com; www.brushypeachfest.com

Set at Chetola Resort, this is one of Blowing Rock’s premier summer events, attracting about 4,000 people annually. Symphony of the Mountains began in 1946 with community orchestral performances and has since grown exponentially, developing into a fully professional, regional orchestra serving northeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina. In addition to playing symphonic orchestral music, there have been collaborations with world-renowned soloists such as Bela Fleck, The McLain Family Band, and many others. So bring chairs, blankets, and any beverages you like for this electrifying event.  » Chetola Resort, 185 Chetola Lake; Friday, gate opens at 5:30 p.m., performance begins at 7:30 p.m.; $85-$180; (828) 295-7851; www.blowingrock.com  

Appalachia has an extensive connection with bluegrass, folk, and old time music, which this festival aims to protect and preserve. Alongside food trucks and numerous competitive musical showings with cash prizes, there will be an evening concert on Friday. The festival’s proceeds support Ashe County Arts Council’s youth music program Junior Appalachian Musicians.  » Ashe County Park, 527 Ashe Park Rd.; Friday 6 p.m. & Saturday 11 am; $10-$15; (336) 846-2787; www.ashefiddlersconvention.org

Celebrating its 98th anniversary, America’s longest-running folk festival is rife with talent. Founded by folk music legend Bascom Lamar Lunsford in 1928, the four-night festival will showcase some of the region’s premier old-time musicians, ballad singers, storytellers, and dance groups. Presented by The Folk Heritage Committee, these performers continue to preserve the tradition of the Southern Appalachian Mountains with the hand-clapping, toe-tapping style of bluegrass, the festive rhythm of clogging, the gracefulness of the Big Circle Mountain Smooth Dance, and so much more, while honoring the hardships and tribulations that continue to this day.  » Auditorium at Asheville High School, 419 McDowell St.; Thursday-Sunday, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; $20 adult, $5 student and child ages 6-12, $55 3-night package, $15 group; (828) 258-6101; www.folkheritage.org

Celebrate laughter and community at the city’s 17th annual comedy festival, which is one of the country’s longest-running events of its kind. In its tenure, over 700 comedians have taken the stage, including Norfolk, VA’s Nick Deez, standup guru and film writer Katie Novotny, and Sally Ann King, who was named One Liner Madness Champion in 2025. Up-and-coming jokesters can participate in workshops, panel discussions, and more during the festival.  » Multiple venues; Days, times, and prices vary; charlesgerencer@gmail.com; www.ashevillecomedyfestival.com

Alongside handmade crafts of all kinds, bring a chair to kick back under the shady trees and enjoy live music from local bands and food from nearby restaurants. Over 200 artists peddle their wares at this juried exhibition.  » Downtown, 101 Town Sq.; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; free; (828) 682-7413; www.yanceychamber.com

Celebrating honey and bees for nearly 50 years, this event is well suited for August—when the distinctively flavored, amber-hued sourwood honey is prime for harvesting. Sourwood trees grow predominantly in WNC and the Georgia highlands, making this festival quite inherent to the area. Expect music venues, a kids’ area, honey hawkers, beekeepers, food trucks, crafts, and more.  »  Downtown; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; free; (828) 669-2300; www.exploreblackmountain.com

Each August, Valdese joins with other Waldensian communities in celebrating the 1689 return of the Waldenses from exile in Switzerland to their native valleys in Italy. It’s a carnival of sorts, with amusement rides, dancing, a footrace, music, a classic car show, and food and craft vendors. The festival even includes a state-qualifying bocce ball tournament. Also catch a production of “From This Day Forward”. »  Downtown; Friday 5 p.m..-7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; free, $25-$35 race, $40 bocce tournament; (828) 879-2129; www.visitvaldese.com

Taking mountain biking to a whole new level—literally the highest peak east of the Mississippi, Mount Mitchell, this event isn’t for the faint of heart. Pisgah’s National Forest offers challenges rarely seen, with startlingly steep drops and equally dramatic elevations. No e-bikes allowed. All likely worth it for the camaraderie, and post race cookout/after party.  »  Camp Grier, 985 Camp Grier Rd.; Sunday, 8 a.m.; $105; www.pisgahproductions.com 

As part of their Magic & Moonlight tour, Postmodern Jukebox visits Asheville during their world tour to perform contemporary hits like Brittney Spears’s “Oops, I Did It Again,” and The White Stripes’s “Seven Nation Army” with classic instruments for a fresh, engaging sound. The rotating cast and song list keeps the audience on their toes.  » The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave.; Tuesday, 7 p.m.-11 p.m.; $49.90, $133 VIP; (828) 398-1837; www.theorangepeel.net

The town of Boone, along with the Jones House Cultural Center, honors the late WNC musical legend with two days of celebration. A staple of this mountainous region, Doc Watson Day has been going strong since 2011, with plenty of fans settling on the Jones House lawn for a Friday free outdoor concert performed by the seven-time Grammy winner’s musically inclined followers. Expect entertainment from The Wilder Flower, the Asheville Mountain Boys, and more. On Saturday, the Appalachian Theatre will host a ticketed show on the historic Doc Watson Stage. »  Jones House, 604 West King St.; Friday, 5 p.m.; free.; (828) 268-6280; www.joneshouse.org

Painters around the world visit Blowing Rock to enjoy painting fresh mountain views in real time while onlookers observe their work. The painters work for four days, and on the 23rd, all the artists’ works are for sale at the museum.  » Blowing Rock Art & History, 159 Ginny Stevens Ln.; Tuesday-Saturday, times vary; free; (828) 295-9099; www.blowingrockmuseum.org

The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) is a nonprofit bolstering local farmers and markets of the Southern Appalachian region, and is hosting its 4th annual HarvestFest in honor of farmers and the community that sustains them. Expect live music, games, food trucks, and more. Sponsored by Olivette Riverside Community and Farm and Chatt Hills Music, this fundraiser benefits ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables programming.  » Olivette Riverside Park, 1069 Olivette Rd.; Saturday, 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; $25, free for farmers & their families; (828) 236-1282; www.asapconnections.org

WNC welcomes believers and skeptics alike at this annual celebration of Sasquatch. Enjoy educational panels, themed dishes, and artwork inspired by the folkloric creature. Don’t miss the Bigfoot Calling Contest, which invites participants to share their best imitation of the towering, hairy animal.  » Downtown Marion; Saturday, noon-5 p.m.; free; wncbigfootfestival@gmail.com; www.marionbigfootfestival.wordpress.com

For over a century, this small town on the outskirts of Asheville has come together to celebrate the long weekend with live music, craft vendors, a car showing, and parade. This year’s musical headliner is Craig Morgan, a country musician and army veteran inducted into the legendary Grand Ole Opry in 2008. This event is family friendly, and includes a kids zone cycling popup as well.  » Downtown Canton; Sunday 1 p.m.-9:30 p.m. & Monday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; $10 one day pass, $15 two day pass, free for child 12 and under; www.cantonlaborday.com

A popular occasion for both locals and visitors in Western North Carolina, this family friendly fair has been held since 1994 and is hosted by the NC Department of Agriculture. This event has it all—dozens of thrilling rides, clogging, cooking, and quilting competitions, flowers, crafts, and food galore. Animal aficionados can visit critters such as pigs, rabbits, horses, llamas, goats and sheep in the barns and learn more about them. Multiple stages will also host a mix of local and national acts that cover an array of genres.   » WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd.; Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; weekends, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; $12, $7 child 6-12; free for child 5 and under; (828) 687-1414; www.wncagcenter.org 

Catch the Steep Canyon Rangers on both days of this festival, along with other bluegrass and Americana performers including Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives,  Shannon Whitworth & Woody Platt, and Peter Rowan. The Mountain Song Festival was created to bring the best of bluegrass, folk, jazz, and more to the area while contributing funds to The Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County. » The Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln.; Friday 3 p.m.-10 p.m. & Saturday noon-9:30 p.m.; $51-$106 Friday, $61-$126 Saturday, free for child 10 and under; (828) 862-2105; www.mountainsongfestival.com

Adapted from one of legendary author Agatha Christie’s most famous works, this whodunit follows the iconic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot as he investigates a fatality that places everyone under suspicion. Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy.; Wednesday-Sunday, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; $50-$70, $22-$42 child 17 and under; (828) 693-0731; www.flatrockplayhouse.org

Put your balancing skills to the test with a ride downhill on a Onewheel, a tiny but powerful electric skateboard. Custom trailheads at Camp Grier are crafted just for the annual event, which is the oldest and longest running of its kind. Alongside the motorized festivities, attendees can enjoy live music from local bands like Snake Oil Medicine Show and Check Your Head, the property’s rustic cabins and campgrounds, disc golf course, and lake.  »  Camp Grier Camp Grier Rd.; Friday-Monday; $180+; (828) 551-7465; www.fontanavillage.com