Get ready for summertime fun with this line-up of Asheville and western North Carolina festivals

From music to food to arts and crafts, here is a list of festivals to include in your summertime fun in Asheville and western North Carolina.

School is out for the summer and it’s time to make plans.

Festivals are a part of summertime fun — a time of celebration and spending quality time with family or friends. Festivals help bring the community together, which is important following the damage from 2024’s Tropical Storm Helene. From music to food to arts and crafts, here is a list of festivals to include in your summertime fun.

Read More: NC opens applications for home repair and rebuild program after Helene

Juneteenth on the Block

5-8 p.m. June 19, YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St., Asheville. Music and dancing, vendors, food trucks, art activities, community tours.

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration

7 p.m. June 19, worship service at Lake Junaluska’s Stuart Auditorium, Haywood County. Celebration 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 21 at Lake Junaluska’s Nanci Weldon open air gym.

Juneteenth Celebration

6-8 p.m. June 19, Mary C. Jenkins Community and Cultural Center, 90 S. Oaklawn Ave., Brevard. Guest speaker Dr. Donnie Garris, light food, Juneteenth movie “Clip,” play performance, displays and other activities. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 21, Silversteen Memorial Playground, 4 Hillview Circle, Brevard, with music, food, arts and crafts, dance performance, games. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. June 22, Silversteen Memorial Playground, for combined church services, choirs, light food.

Juneteenth Freedom Festival: A Celebration of Resilience, Culture, and Unity

June 19-22 in downtown Marion.

Dedicated to honoring African American culture, heritage, and the enduring significance of the abolition of slavery. Vendors and food trucks. Visit https://www.westmarion.org/juneteenth-freedom-festivals for full schedule.

Juneteenth Pageant

6-9 p.m. June 19, East McDowell Junior High School, Marion

Showcasing the richness of African American culture through performances, speeches, and community recognition. $5 entry fee.

Juneteenth Brunch

11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 20, Marion Community Building, 191 N. Main St., Marion

A time for fellowship over food, games, networking, and meaningful conversations about the legacy of Juneteenth.

Festivalgoers will find the tastes of summer with food vendors and lemonade to help stay cool in the heat. (Photo via USA Today Network)

N.C. Rhododendron Festival

June 20-21 in Bakersville

Rhododendron Festival Pageant, craft fair, food vendors, children’s activities, music throughout the day. Two nights of street dancing 8 p.m.-midnight, $5, $3 children. Classic car show 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, $2 admission, free age 12 and younger. 10K run and one mile walk on Saturday at 8 a.m., register at https://www.athlinks.com/event/rhododendron-10k-run-6359.

Thunder in the Smokies Summer Motorcycle Rally

June 27-29, Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, Soco Road, Maggie Valley

Concert, bike games, bike shows, rides on Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit https://handlebarcorral.com/summerrally/.

Appalachian Folk Festival

10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 28, Allison-Deaver House, N.C. 280 N., Pisgah Forest (just north of Forest Gate Shopping Center)

Musicians, craft booths, artisans at work, story tellers, children’s activities, guided tours of the 1815 Allison Deaver House, the oldest frame house west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Freedom Fest

6:30-9:30 p.m. June 28, Etowah Baptist Church, 6508 Brevard Road, Etowah

Food trucks, music, inflatables, professional fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Bring a chair.

Watershed Fireworks Experience

6:30-10 p.m. June 28, Marked Tree Vineyard, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock

Book a table reservation online at reservation system here. Entry is $5 per car and collected on June 28 at the entrance. If you are a wine club member, you can book the Skyward Fireworks Experience for $40. Includes grazing station, parking, exclusive use of Skyward Louge. Seating is first-come first first-served. At 6:30 p.m., guests without a table reservation are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the festivities from lawn. Visit www.markedtreevineyard.com.

Swannanoa Gathering

June 30-Aug. 2, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa

All performances at 7:30 p.m. in the college chapel. Artists from around the world gather to teach weekly courses in various forms of folk music. Hear performances from renowned instructors each week. $35. All ticket sales will be online this year. Visit https://swangathering.com/.

Shindig on the Green

“Along about sundown” (7 p.m.) Saturdays, July 5-Aug. 23, at Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville

Celebration of Appalachian musical culture. Long-standing house band The Stoney Creek Boys along with bluegrass and old-time string bands, Big Circle Mountain Dancers, cloggers. Bring your instrument to join in a jam session. Free. Bring a chair.

Art on the Greene

10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 5-6 on lawn of Historic Banner Elk School, 185 Azalea Circle S.E., Banner Elk

Also Aug. 2-3 and Aug. 30-31. Juried artists representing a wide variety of media. Visit www.BannerElk.com.

The Big Crafty

Noon-6 p.m. July 12-13, Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville, Haywood Street, downtown

Brings hundreds of artists and vendors in for two days, allowing visitors to discover and support local wares. July 12 is $10 at the door. July 13 has free admittance.

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 17-20, Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville, Haywood Street, downtown

Showcasing the finest artwork of nearly 200 craftspeople from around the region. Watch artists practice their craft in live demonstrations. Live music. $12 admission, free age 12 and younger. Tickets available at the door. Also Oct. 16-19. Visit www.southernhighlandcraftguild.org/craftfair/.

Mountain Dance and Folk Festival

7-10 p.m. July 31-Aug. 2, Asheville High School, 419 McDowell St

Old time and bluegrass music, cloggers, Big Circle Mountain Smooth Dance, storytelling. Different show each night. $20, $5 age 6-12, $55 three-night package. Visit www.folkheritage.org.

Sourwood Festival

9 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 9 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 10 in downtown Black Mountain

Artisans, music, kid friendly activities, food vendors. In celebration of locally produced sourwood honey.

Downtown After 5

5-10 p.m. Aug. 15, Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville

Music by Mustache the Band and Shakey’s Honky Tonk Live Karaoke. Free. Visit www.ashevilledowntown.org.

WNC Bigfoot Festival

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 23 in downtown Marion

Visit with Marion’s Bigfoot Team to discuss local investigations and evidence. Share your experiences and love for Bigfoot. Nationally known experts will attend.  Family and kid friendly activities, craft vendors, music, food trucks. Information can be found on Facebook at WNC Bigfoot Festival or visit https://marionbigfootfestival.com/.

Boomtown Arts & Heritage Festival

Aug. 29-31, Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville

Eclectic mix of musical performances, trail tours, and community-driven activities. Free entry with RSVP. Visit www.boomtownfestavl.com.

Reporting by Staff reports / Asheville Citizen Times

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect