Easter Weekend Events: Appalachian Trail Founders Bridge Festival

April 3-5, 2015     Appalachian Trail Founders Bridge Festival    Enjoy trail-steeped speakers sharing their experiences, a vendor village staffed by industry representatives, skills clinics, as well as some great product giveaways and door prizes and live music nightly.

This is a free event, appropriated for all ages. Whether you're an experienced through hiker, casual adventurer or new to the Trail this Festival offers something for everyone.  Festival events include hiker-themed games, movies, lectures and prizes.

The Festival is held at  Nantahala Outdoor Center's  (NOC) main campus, the Nantahala River Outpost,  located in far Western North Carolina on US Highway 19. 12 miles from Bryson City NC and on the south side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, nestled in the Nantahala Gorge. If you are on a Rapid Transit rafting/train excursions, the meeting place is in Bryson City at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot.

Asheville Amadeus Festival a Week of Mozart

March 17 - 22, 2015   Asheville Amadeus Festival 2015    Enjoy a week-long festival celebrating and exploring the life and works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Asheville Symphony will be joined by world renowned pianist Emanuel Ax, the Brentano Quartet with Hsin-Yun Huang, the Asheville Lyric Opera and more extraordinary musicians for this remarkable week of Mozart. 

Concerts and events include: Opening night with the Brentano Quartet; Deconstructing Mozart combining a plated lunch inspired by Mozart’s home country of Austria and prepared by Isa’s executive chef with Mozart’s iconic Serenade No. 13 and exploration of Asheville Symphony Executive Director David Whitehill collection of music letters; Mozart’s The Impresario performed by the Asheville Lyric Opera (debut); Pianoforte: Homages to Mozart; Emanuel Ax in Recital; Mozart Family Concert featuring the Blue Ridge Orchestra; "Amadeus" performed by NC Stage and Asheville Community Theatre; Asheville Amadeus Finale Concert with the Asheville Symphony.


Events and concerts will be held at a variety of venues and times in Asheville NC so check the website for details, reservations and to purchase tickets.  

Upcoming Weekend NC Events for 6-6-14

June 1 - 16
NC City: Blowing RockEvent: Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble at Grandfather Mountain     Enjoy this special program designed to help visitors get the most out of the memorable sight of Catawba rhododendron blooming up the mountain's slopes in early summer. Staff naturalists offer programs and read more...

June 5 - 8, 2014
NC City: HIGHLANDS
Event: 7th Annual Highlands Motoring Festival Participants range from pre-war to classic Europeans to American muscle. Returning in 2010 was the Bridgestone Tire F-1 Racing Simulator. This fun, family oriented event is a must event for the vintage car enthusiast who wants to show or just to browse these great cars from the past. Enjoy the read more...

Date: June 5 - 8
NC City: BLOWING ROCK
Event: Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show - Saddlebred Show. The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest horse show events in the country and has been a Blowing Rock tradition since 1923. See the Glitz and Glamour, the read more... 

June 6, 2014
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event: Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running. 25 downtown venues participate with   read more...

June 6, 2014
NC City: CASHIERS
Event: Groovin' On The Green This concert features Hurricane Creek. Live summer music concert with great music in a stunning venue in the beautiful weather. The summer concert series is held every Friday at 6:30 pm at the Village Commons. read more... 

 Date: June 6 - 7, 2014
NC City: OLD FORT
Event: NC Gold Festival This annual event, features gold exhibits, gold mining techniques and demonstrations, treasure and scavenger hunts, geo-caching, gold panning, numerous vendors including arts and crafts, raffles, Friday night read more...

June 6 -8, 2014
NC City: MAGGIE VALLEY
Event: Ole Smokey Tractor Club Spring Farm Fest See the Parade of 30 + tractors drive through the Town of Maggie Valley on Friday & Saturday. Food vendors are onsite for your dining pleasure. Education Antique Tractor & Engine Show with Parts Vendors; Flea Market with Crafts; Tractor rides for kids throughout  read more...

June 7, 2014
NC City: CHIMNEY ROCKEvent: National Trails Day at Chimney Rock State Park Head for the Park and enjoy events for the entire family. 11 AM: Rockin’ Naturalist Guided Hike - Explore the flora and fauna of the Hickory Nut Falls trail; meet in front of Cliff Dwellers Gifts. 2 PM: Wonderful World of Reptiles--Enjoy learning the natural history and important roles our scaly friends play in our ecosystem. Kids of all ages will enjoy the rare chance to see these critters up close. Meet at Grady's Animal Discovery Den. 5 PM: Hike at Rumbling Bald--Don't miss
read more...

June 7, 2014
NC City: BREVARD
Event: Brevard Blues Festival Come enjoy this pre-season special event with blues, barbeque and brews beginning at 2 PM. Featured performers include: Doug Deming, Dennis Gruenling and the Jewel Tones, Anson Funderburgh, The Shane Pruitt Band, The Dubber, Dangerous Gentlemen, Riyen Roots, the Lee Griffin Band and 
read more...

Find more NC mountain events and festivals on
the NC Events Calendar

Roll Out the Barrels for The Tryon Beer Fest

November 9   Tryon Beer Fest - Tap into Tryon   The event will be held from noon until 8 PM in the Tryon Depot Plaza. Enjoy a variety of the finest craft beers from around the country, including some local ones. An array of ‘craft’ beers will be chilled, ready for sampling and full servings of beer will be available for sale.  

Authentic German fare will be offered from Occasions Catering including Kielbasas, Bratwurst, Bavarian Sauerkraut, and German Potato Salad. Non-alcoholic beverages and water will also be available. Enjoy fresh baked pretzels from the Bavarian pretzel factory in Greenville.

Live Bavarian music from The Foothills will be played during the day and you can rock out with the Trophy Husbands and an oyster roast in the evening. Limited tickets will be available at the entrance. Admission is cash-only, but tickets can be purchased in advance online.

Get links to learn more about local events, lodging and attractions on the Tryon NC Guide. 

WineFest at the River House

July 20   Winefest -  The Annual River House Winefest includes a Winefest wine glass, tastings from all the wineries, lots of music, and, of course, great River House food. The highlight of the festival will be wine samplings from nine North Carolina wineries: Biltmore, Brushy Mountain, Grassy Creek, Hanover Park, McRitchie, RagApple Lassie, RayLen and Round Peak.

The musical lineup features: Tim and Debbie Yates of Acoustic Heritage (bluegrass), Clay Lundsford Jazz Band, Martha Bassett Band (sultry Southern swing) and The Ardmores (soft rock and blues).

Get a link for WineFest and other Weekend events and Festivals on the NC Events Calendar.

Waynesville NC Hosts Appalachian Lifestyle Celebration

June 8   Appalachian Lifestlye Celebration   A full day celebration of mountain heritage, music, dance, craft, and Appalachian life skills. Educational and entertaining, the event features craft demonstrations such as basketry, wood carving, quilting, along with storytelling, traditional mountain music, clogging, and old time food vendors.

This event is held in downtown Waynesville NC.

9th Annual Herb Festival in Old Fort this Weekend

April 13-14    9th Annual Herb Festival   Savor the smell and taste of fresh-grown herbs with a selection including several unique medicinal, cooking and ornamental herbs. The herbal combination planters include the Scarborough Fair Combo, the Indoor Herbs Combo, and several other attractive and useful assortments.

More than 25 craftsmen, vendors and musicians will exhibit and entertain both days. The event is held at Painters Greenhouse, approximately 5 miles south of I-40 at exit 73 in Old Fort NC.

Beer Fest Today in Tryon

November 10   Tryon Beer Fest Tap into Tryon   Held from 11 AM until 5 PM in the Tryon Depot Plaza. Enjoy a variety of the finest craft beers from around the country, including some local ones. An array of ‘craft’ beers will be chilled, ready for sampling. Full servings of beer will be available for sale. Authentic German fare will be available from Occasions Catering including Kielbasas, Bratwurst, Bavarian sauerkraut, and German Potato Salad. Non-alcoholic beverages and water will be available. 

Fresh baked pretzels will also be available from the Bavarian pretzel factory in Greenville. Live Bavarian music from The Foothills Oompah Band will be played most of the day. Ticket Pricing: $20 for beer tasters. Includes entry, 12 2oz. samples, and a souvenir tasting cup. $10 for designated drivers. Includes entry and DD wristband. Limited tickets will be available at the entrance. Admission is cash-only, but tickets can be purchased in advance online.

Learn more about Tryon NC HERE

Mountain High BBQ Festival includes Live Music and Car Show

August 10 - 11 Mountain High BBQ & Music Festival  - A weekend full of BBQ, Music and a classic Car Show. This two-day event features authentic, mouth-watering BBQ, live entertainment ,a car show, cornhole tournament, crafters and tastin’ tent. This 4th annual event  is an official North Carolina State BBQ Championship with $11,000 in cash and awards. 

Find local information on the Franklin NC Visitor Guide