Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands this Weekend in Asheville NC

October 20 - 23, 2016   Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands  This 68th annual event includes nearly 200 juried exhibitors, craft demonstrations, and live regional music and entertainment. Both levels of the Asheville Civic Center are filled with artisans selling their works of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry. 

The Fair showcases the work of members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and includes craft demonstrations and, beginning on Friday, local musicians performing traditional and bluegrass mountain music live on the arena stage. 

This popular "must-see" annual event is held only twice each year and is an opportunity to see dozens of the best crafts in the mountains in one location. 

Asheville Hosts Annual Arts and Crafts Conference

February 19 - 21, 2016    2016 Arts and Crafts Conference  in Asheville NC.  Enrich your understanding of the Arts & Crafts Movement as the historic Grove Park Inn celebrates the 29th anniversary of the most popular Arts and Crafts event in the world.  

photo courtesy National Arts & Crafts Conference

Inspired by The Omni Grove Park Inn's rich Arts & Crafts tradition, from Old Hickory rockers to the Roycroft chandeliers, this three+ day Arts & Crafts event in Asheville features discussion groups, workshops, seminar presentations, walking tours, displays, demonstrations and three shows with antiques, contemporary crafts, books and magazines. This conference is designed for passionate collectors.

 Check Grove Park Inn availability and current rates HERE   

Asheville's Popular Studio Stroll in the River Arts District this Weekend

June 8-9   Studio Stroll at the River Arts District   The first, largest, and most walkable tour of working artists’ studios in the region, the River Arts District Studio Stroll takes place in 19 historic buildings along the French Broad River.

There will be artists’ demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the weekend. There is plenty of parking and you can catch the trolley at Riverview Station or any of the stops listed on the map. An Information Booth is located at the 5-points intersection of Depot St. across from Clingman Café.

Get a link for the River Arts District Studio Stroll and other Asheville art and craft galleries and shops on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.  

Asheville's River Arts District Second Saturday this Weekend

January 12    River Arts District Second Saturday Asheville’s River Arts District Artists open their studios for a day of family friendly fun, educational experiences, live demonstrations and to share their creations. Visit dozens of artists working in all types of media, available for viewing or purchase.

The River Arts District is open year around with galleries, craft shops and open artist studios. Schedules are available online. Twice a year, every second weekend in June and November, Asheville’s River Arts District opens to the public for two days of festivities known as the STUDIO STROLL. During the Studio Stroll, artists of the River Arts District welcome you into their studios to talk with them, see their latest artwork, watch demonstrations, and experience for yourself the magic hidden inside the time-worn factories which have been reborn as a thriving art center.

This unique neighborhood along the French Broad River is home to more than 165 artists with working studios located in 18 turn-of-the-century industrial buildings. The District also offers a variety of eateries from cafes to breweries.

Get a link for the River Arts District and other Asheville art and crafts galleries and craft shops on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

NC Fall Leaf Season Event: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

October 18-21   Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands   This 65th annual event includes over 200 exhibitors, craft demonstrations, and live regional music and entertainment. Both levels of the Civic Center are filled with artisans selling their works of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry.

The Fair showcases the work of members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and includes craft demonstrations and, beginning on Friday, local musicians performing traditional and bluegrass mountain music live on the arena stage.

Learn more about local lodging, events and attractions on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

What to do this weekend in Asheville

August 14-18    6th Annual Laugh Your Asheville OFF   One of the largest and most respected stand-up comedy events in the country. The event attracts top comedy producers and representatives that will be in attendance to scout the hottest new comedic talent.

August 17     A Movable Feast  at Biltmore   5:30 PM on the Biltmore Estate in the "Walled Garden" -  An evening of al fresco dining and wine brought to you by Estate Executive Chef Damien Cavicchi. The event begins with a cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and live music. The “Southern French Countryside” menu will be served at a feasting table located on a secluded vista in the Biltmore vineyards. Tickets are $185 per person and include tax and gratuity. In the event of rain, dinner will be held on August 19. For reservations, call (828) 257-5995

August 17   Downtown After 5  The Asheville Downtown Association brings together some of the best musicians in the area and throughout the Southeast.   The concert series features biodegradable food and beverage containers, staffed compost and recycling stations, a solar-powered main stage and a complimentary bike corral.

August 18     Biltmore Concert Series   Award-winning musicians perform on the South Terrace and on Biltmore's newest event venue - Diana at Biltmore, an intimate setting on the vista overlooking Biltmore House. This Concert: KC and the Sunshine Band  AND The Village People

August 18    Dog Day Afternoon Festival at Carrier Park   The event kicks off at 10:30 AM with a dog-friendly fun run sponsored by Dr. Kani Nicolls, around Carrier Park and will continue until 4 PM with two bands, dog contests including a Weiner Dog race, "Best Heinz 57", "Most Ear- resistible" and the Fastest Dog in Asheville Competition. The Companion Dog Training School will also host an agility course and offer training tips for dog owners.  The festival will feature a large cooling tent as well as doggie pools to keep both dogs and humans beat the heat

August 18   Shindig on the Green     Held outdoors at Pack Square Park in the heart of downtown Asheville, this FREE event  was voted the #1 Local Outdoor Concert in the Mountain Xpress "Best of WNC" survey for four years. Bring your instruments, your lawn chair or blanket, family and friends and join the fun eight summer Saturdays.

August 18    Ooh La La Curiosity Market   An outdoor market in Pritchard Park  featuring works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, and other curious delights, all beneath the colored canopies of large market umbrellas. In addition to the artists, the market will also feature live local music with up three musical acts performing each Saturday and will include everything from a solo saxophonist to folk, blues, acoustic, and jazz acts.

August 18-19     7th Annual Leicester Studio Tour  A free, self-guided studio tour including painting, prints, jewelry, pottery, fiber, brooms and more. To begin the tour, head northwest on Leicester Highway (NC 63) from Patton Avenue and follow the bright yellow signs to the studios, the first of which is only 15 minutes from downtown Asheville. Visitors can also take Newfound Road to Morgan Branch Rd. and follow the signs to the Wildberry Lodge, 135 Potato Branch Road in Leicester. Wildberry, the founding sponsor of the Leicester Artists organization and there will be samples of each of the artists' works to help tour participants plan out their visits. The tour also will feature food vendor stops, one located centrally on South Turkey Creek Road and the other at the intersection of Leicester Highway and North Turkey Creek.

Get links for these Asheville events and other local information on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.