Memorial Day Weekend Event: White Squirrel Festival in Brevard NC

May 27 - 29, 2016      White Squirrel Festival   Go Nuts in Downtown Brevard, "Where Music Meets the Mountains". A full weekend of free, live music and nutty family fun with a special evening concert Friday night by Town Mountain. 

The Festival includes more than a dozen free concerts. This year's event promises to be even bigger and better than ever - with the Memorial Day Parade, the Annual Squirrel Box Derby, white squirrel guided tours, white squirrel exhibit, children’s village and white squirrel photo contest. 

photos courtesy of www.http://whitesquirrelfestival.com/

Also back this year is the Annual 5K/10K White Squirrel Race/Competitive Walk, along with a 1-mile kids' fun run. Find out why the White Squirrel Festival was voted "Best Spring Music Festival in Western North Carolina". 

This event is held in beautiful downtown Brevard NC.  

What to do this Weekend in the Mountains

Date:      Now- May 26, 2016
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     Biltmore Blooms    Biltmore's gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, are alive with color as spring arrives. Enjoy special events and the beauty of tulips, azaleas, and countless other flowers during Biltmore Blooms. Guests will be able to step down into the Winter Garden to enjoy a display of exotic orchids intimately, just as George and Edith Vanderbilt's guests might have. Some of the plants will be the same species that were planned for the Biltmore Conservatory in 1894. Outdoors, enjoy a beautiful progression of blooms from tulips to pansies, azaleas, and much more.

Date:      April 8-29, 2016
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     Interlude  The Media Arts Project (MAP) and Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (BMCM+AC) announce Interlude, a month-long series of contemporary art events to be held in and around BMCM+AC’s galleries in downtown Asheville. Inspired by Albers’ break from the norm, Interlude is a break with their own tradition and will be held in lieu of {Re}HAPPENING, the annual weekend art event at the former Black Mountain College site at Lake Eden. Interlude is a platform for artists of multiple disciplines to carry out experimental and non-traditional practices emphasized by the scholars of Black Mountain College. The event will activate a variety of spaces in downtown Asheville through music, dance, poetry, video, installation, conversation, and participatory events.

Date:      April 14-17, 2016
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:     WNC Orchid Society Show   The WNC Orchid Society will host its annual show at The North Carolina Arboretum. The popular juried plant show will also feature award-winning orchid vendors, many of whom are nationally recognized growers and hybridizers. Rare and unusual plants, specialty lighting and orchid supplies will be available for purchase. Admission: Free with parking fee admission ($8 per vehicle).

Date:      April 14 - 17, 2016
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:    Savor Blowing Rock (formerly The Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival)   Now in its 11th year, this festival celebrates the excitement of spring in the Blue Ridge with the best in cuisine, wine, and beer. Enjoy pairings, dinners, seminars, entertainments, and the Grand Tasting.

Date:      April 15, 2016
NC City:  BRASSTOWN
Event:     Music Events at John C Campbell Folk School:  Archipelago - "Composers Across the Pond"- Collected and Composed Songs of American composer, John Jacob Niles and Welsh composer, Ralph Vaughn Williams. Archipelago is a trio of classically trained musicians who have created a concert based on folk music as appropriate to the the concert's location at the Historic John C. Campbell Folk School, but also because so much of Appalachian folk music came to the mountains through the settlers who moved here long ago from the British Isles. Ralph Vaughn Williams and John Jacob Niles, the two composer/song collectors featured in the program represent that migration of traditional music. 7 PM - FREE admission, but DONATIONS WELCOME.

Date:      April 16, 2016
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:    The Asheville City Open Air Market   will be open on Saturdays 8 AM - 1 PM, April - December at the Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville NC and on Wednesdays at Town Square Blvd in Biltmore Park Town Square .  Find the the freshest, best-tasting food around and local artisan products in two locations for your convenience, downtown and South Asheville.EBT, credit, and debit cards are accepted. Additional activities include live music, cooking demonstrations and food tastings from local chefs. 

Date:      April 16, 2016
NC City:  CHIMNEY ROCK
Event:     Naturalist Niche: Spring Wildflower Walk at Chimney Rock State Park   Grab your cameras and field guides for this informative, moderate hike with a Park naturalist to find blooming beauties like trillium, mountain laurel, flame azaleas and more unique species. Location of hike may vary depending on where the most flowers are blooming. Dress appropriately for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water.  Limited to 15; advance registration required.  

Date:      April 16, 2016
NC City:  OLD FORT
Event:    3rd Saturday Classic Car Cruise-In  Held in downtown, historic Old Fort (at the Hardees on Catawba). Sponsored by the Route 70 Cruisers, all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles are invited to join the fun, no entrance or admission fees! There will be food, crafts and a "swap meet" area for treasure hunters.  

Date:      April 17  - 21, 2016
NC City:  FONTANA DAM
Event:    Spring Hike Week   Whether you are a returning Spring Hike Week participant, or  this is your first time at the Village,  you will  have a wonderful time enjoying Fontana Village Resort. Enjoy guided hikes and educational programs, plus there are many scheduled activities that will be available in which you may participate.  

    Find more NC Mountains Events and Festivals 

on the NC Events Calendar

 

What to do this Weekend in the Mountain

July 9 - 12, 2015 
NC City:  LINVILLE / BLOWING ROCK
Event:    The 60th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering O' Scottish Clans   Join 1000s of Scots in 85 clans decked out in their finest plaid for the annual celebration of Scottish heritage. Live Celtic music, tradition heritage events and Highlands games. A Saturday night Celtic Rock Concert. Admission charged.

Date:      July 11, 2015
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:    Tweetsie Railroad Cool Summer Nights   Tweetsie Railroad stays open until 9 PM on Saturday nights. The park will feature special train show rides at dusk producing cool summer memories for families and kids of all ages. Cool Summer nights is included in regular park admission.  

Date:      July 11, 2015
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:    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. Performances include Long-standing house band The Stoney Creek Boys Bluegrass and Old-Time String Bands, Big Circle Mountain Dancers, Clog Dancers, Smooth Dancers, Ballad Singers and Storytellers. If you love old time Mountain music and Bluegrass this is the place to be.

Date:      July 11, 2015
NC City:  Just north of Boone in Galax VA
Event:    Blue Ridge Music Center Concert - Laurelyn Dossett & Friends with John Hofmann's AcousticA    The Blue Ridge Music Center Summer Concert Series is performed rain or shine. You are welcome to bring your own picnic basket (NO ALCOHOL please) and encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Phone ticket sales through BRPF Office end at Noon on Friday and are available online up to 12 hours before the concert. The Galax Smokehouse serves BBQ, sides and drinks at each concert. Check the website for details about the performers and concerts

Date:      July 11, 2015
NC City:  BRYSON CITY
Event:    Fontana Trestle Train Ft. BBQ & Brews   The Barbeque and Brews Dinner Trains feature locally hand-crafted beer from Heinzelmannchen Brewery and Nantahala Brewing Company. plus slow-cooked authentic North Carolina Barbeque. The train departs Bryson City Depot at 7 PM and travels through the scenic mountain countryside to the Fontana Trestle for a spectacular sunset. The base ticket prices from $69 (adults over 21 only) and includes a souvenir tasting glass with three beer samples and a meal of pulled pork, homemade coleslaw and apple pie. Additional beer will be available for purchase.  

Date:      July 11, 2015
NC City:  MARS HILL
Event:    Hot Doggett 100 Bike Bike Ride   6th Annual Hot Doggett 100 and Devil's Fork Metric Century Ride with the same challenging 100 mile and 100 kilometer closed loop courses as last year. The 100 mile course covers some of the most scenic and lightly traveled roads anywhere in western North Carolina. If you are seeking a challenge, you will find it in the 9,600 feet of ascension on this course.

Date:      July 11, 2015
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:    Tweetsie Railroad Cool Summer Nights   Tweetsie Railroad stays open until 9 PM on Saturday nights. The park will feature special train show rides at dusk producing cool summer memories for families and kids of all ages. Cool Summer nights is included in regular park admission. 

Date:      July 11, 2015
NC City:  FLAT ROCK
Event:    Historic Home and Garden Tour   The 28th annual (self-guided) tour takes place from 10 AM to 4 PM and includes St. John in the Wilderness Church & Churchyard. Tickets are $25 pre-purchase (no children under ten please), and $30 at each private home on the tour day. Proceeds will support preservation of historic properties in the Village of Flat Rock.

Date:      July 12, 2015
NC City:  ASHEVILLE  
Event:    The Big Crafty returns to the Asheville Art Museum. The event celebrates and showcases the fine wares of over 100 independent indie crafters, artists and makers. The complete line up of participating artists is now available online. This is a free, family-friendly event.  

Date:      July 12, 2015
NC City:  ASHEVILLE
Event:    Sunday Music in the Park    This week presenting Lyric - Soul, R&B.  Free performances by local musicians at Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville. Held from 4  PM - 6 PM and sponsored by the Asheville Downtown Association..

Date:      July 12, 2015
NC City:  BREVARD
Event:   Brevard Music Center Performance: 50 Years of P.D.Q. Bach: As Good As He Ever Was.  2:00 PM PreConcert - Special pre-concert performances one hour before curtain, featuring BMC's students and artist faculty..3:00 - .In his role as “discoverer” of the now classic P.D.Q. Bach, Peter Schickele is acknowledged as one of the great musical satirists. This special, once in a half-century, musical extravaganza will feature the crème de la crème of history’s most justifiably neglected composer. This event is presented by the Brevard Festival Orchestra—led by Ken Lam.. Tickets $15 - $45.

 

What to do this weekend in the Mountains

Date:      July 31 - August 2, 2014
NC City: ASHEVILLEEvent:    87th Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival The nation’s longest running folk festival. The 87th annual edition of this three-day event showcases the best of the region’s old-time and bluegrass musicians, mountain dance groups, cloggers, and ballad singers. Shows begin at 7:00 PM nightly at Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place in downtown Asheville. Get event links and details HERE.

Date:      July 31 - August 3, 2014
NC City: BLOWING ROCKEvent:    8th Annual Art & Antiques Show at The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum This sale and show offers heirloom-quality antique silver, furniture, pottery, jewelry, clocks, crystal and more. Vendors from across the East Coast bring a variety of items. Preview Party 7/31 from 6:30 PM - 8 PM, $40 per person (including wine and hors d'oeurves). Tickets are $10 and good for the entire show. Get event links and details HERE..

Date:      July 31 - August 2, 2014 and August 7 - 9, 2014
NC City: HENDERSONVILLEEvent:    Flat Rock Playhouse Music on the Rock Series:  Music of the Sixties. The turbulent 60s featured the Counterculture, Anti-War and Civil Rights Movements that revolutionized society and the music of the time. Experience the evolution of pop music through the decade with a unique Music on the Rock tribute concert that brings the music of the 60s to life. Get event links and details HERE.

 Date:     August 1. 15, 29, 2014
NC City: CHIMNEY ROCKEvent:    Wild Mushroom Walks in Chimney State Rock Park  Mushrooms can be found popping up all over Chimney Rock in the summer and early fall, especially after rainfall. Enjoy a casual Friday hike seeking a variety of fascinating fungi along the Four Seasons or Great Woodland Adventure trail. Meet by Grady's Animal Discovery Den in the Meadows - limited to 20 participants, first come basis.    Get event links and details HERE.


Brevard Music Center FINAL Weekend of performances:
August 1, 2014   Brevard Music Center Performance: New Music 12:30 PM FREE event. 
August 1, 2014   Brevard Music Center Performance: Piccolo Opera 4:30 PM FREE event.
August 1, 2014   Brevard Music Center Performance: The Pre-concert 6:30 PM Special pre-concert performances one hour before curtain, featuring BMC's students and artist faculty. FREE event.
August 1, 2014   Brevard Music Center Performance: Saint Saëns Organ Symphony   7:30 PM Brevard Concert Orchestra with Ken Lam, conductor and Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin. KHACHATURIAN Violin Concerto in D minor; SAINT-SAËNS Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, "Organ". $15 - $45 
August 2, 2014   Brevard Music Center Performance:  Brevard Symphonic Winds 10:30 AM FREE event.  
August 2, 2014   Brevard Music Center Performance: Sweeney Todd 2 PM Sondheim's dark tale of violence, revenge, and pies has remained popular since its Broadway debut in 1979. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score, Sweeney Todd sets the compelling story of the title character's obsessive search for revenge against Sondheim's characteristically complex and angular score. Join us as we close our 2014 opera season with this truly memorable performance. Tickets $40. 
August 2, 2014   Brevard Music Center Performance: Pre-concert  6:30 PM Special pre-concert performances one hour before curtain, featuring BMC's students and artist faculty. FREE event.  
August 2, 2014   Brevard Music Center Performance: Brahms 1   7:30 PM Brevard Sinfonia with JoAnn Falletta, conductor and Norman Krieger, piano. DZUBAY Snake Alley; MOZART Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491; BRAHMS Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68. Tickets $15 - $45.  
August 3, 2014   Brevard Music Center Performance: Pre-concert Talk 2 PM An informal talk one hour before curtain, conducted by a member of the artist faculty. . FREE event.  
August 3, 2014   Brevard Music Center Performance: Season Finale: Pictures at an Exhibition 3 PM Brevard Music Center Orchestra with JoAnn Falletta, conductor and Conrad Tao, piano. TCHEREPNIN La Princesse Lointaine, Op.4; RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18' MUSSORGSKY Pictures at an Exhibition. Tickets $15 - $50.  
Get event links and details HERE.

Date:      August 1 - 2, 2014
NC City: BURNSVILLE
Event:    Mount Mitchell Craft Fair Hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors will participate in the 56th Annual Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair. The event takes place on the Town Square and surrounding streets. Handcrafters from all over the United States come to sell their wares including baskets, candles, kettle corn, pottery, stained glass, and so much more. The event is free to the public with entertainment throughout the day. Get event links and details HERE.

Date:      August    1 - 2, 2014
NC City: JEFFERSON
Events:   Old Time Bluegrass Fiddlers Convention This bluegrass and old-time music competition is typical of the many fiddlers conventions. There will be lots of jamming and socializing among the musicians‚ and visitors are welcome to listen. This event is sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council‚ and advance tickets are available from the Ashe County Arts Center or at the gate the days of the performances. The events will be held in the Ashe County Park. Camping is available on a first come basis.   Get event links and details HERE.


Date:      August    1 - 3
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event:    Annual Asheville Antiques Show and Sale Reputable dealers from several states will offer for sale a wide variety of antiques that will appeal to everyone from the beginning collector to the well seasoned investor. The dealers were selected for this show based on their knowledge, professionalism and overall integrity. Find antique furniture in styles ranging from American country to English formal, hand painted porcelains, art glass, cut glass and pottery. Idecker Books will have an amazing display of very fine and rare old books.    Get event links and details HERE.

Date:      August    1 - 3, 2014
NC City: BRYSON CITY
Event:    Dinosaur Train™ at The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad This event is based on the popular PBS-Kid television series, created by Jim Henson. This adventure filled train ride is packed full with music, stories, entertainment, and activities. PLUS all children will receive their very own Nature Trackers Club guidebook and membership card. Kids will have the opportunity to meet the popular T.rex, Buddy.    Get event links and details HERE.

Date:      August 2, 2014
NC City: CHEROKEE
Event:    Talking Trees Children's Trout Tournament   This free children’s fishing event is held in August and is great for families. The event lasts two days. On day 1 people pre-register and enjoy a day full of fun with attractions at the fairgrounds, and are eligible for prizes at the end of the day. On Saturday participants fish for four hours after a free breakfast and lunch. There will also be $20,000 worth of prizes given away to registered children. On Saturday the kids may enjoy listening to music, meeting celebrity guests, live animal exhibits, free food, and more.    Get event links and details HERE.

Date:      August 2 - 3, 2014
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event:    Annual Village Art and Craft Fair   Held on the grounds of All Souls Cathedral in Biltmore Village this year's Fair, the 41st, will include 118 exhibitors. Enjoy high quality art and crafts including ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry and more. Hours are Saturday 10 AM - 7 PM and Sunday 12 PM - 5 PM.   Get event links and details HERE.

Date:      August 3 - 9, 2014
NC City: ASHEVILLE
Event:    Swanannoa Gathering - Mando and Banjo Week and Fiddle Week   Classes in two of the instruments that are at the core of several of the most popular folk genres, including bluegrass, old-time, Irish and Scottish, as well as some of the more adventurous blendings of traditional and jazz flavors known variously as ‘newgrass’ or ‘new acoustic’ music. Fiddle Week at the Swannanoa Gathering celebrates the universality of the fiddle with classes in traditional and contemporary styles ranging from Irish to Mexican, from Cajun to blues. 
  Get event links and details HERE.

Find more NC Mountains Weekend Events HERE

 

  

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. 

Brushy Mountain Apple Jam in North Wilkesboro

October 5   Brushy Mountain Apple Jam   This event is one of the largest one-day arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast and features a large variety of arts and crafts, food and entertainment. Events begin at 8 AM and continue until 5 PM. There will be live entertainment at the corner of 10th and Main Streets. Open jam. Sponsored annually by the Brushy Mountain Ruritan Club and held on the 1st Saturday of October since 1978.

Get links for local visitor information on the North Wilkesboro NC Guide. 

Annual NC Gold Festival this Weekend in Old Fort NC

May 31 - June 1   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 kicks off the festival.

The Festival is held on the grounds of Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort. Friday hours are from noon until 8:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

Maggie Valley hosts the Smoky Mountain Oyster & Seafood Festival this Weekend

April 20   Smoky Mountain Oyster & Seafood Festival   A Food and Music Festival open to all ages. Steamed, Raw, BBQ'd Oysters and other Seafood. Oysters and other types of seafood will be sold by the 1/2 dozen. Additional taste treats include Hotdogs and Brats, a Grits Bar and BBQ for non-sea consumers. Enjoy NC Craft Beer and Wine, Live Music, a Silent Auction for Charity and more.