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If you love art festivals in Asheville and the surrounding small towns in our Blue Ridge Mountains, this is for you! The western North Carolina art scene is booming, and we are consistently voted one of the biggest art destinations in the country. Each year, more artist studio tours, events, and shows appear. Most are free to attend! Plan your next trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains around one of these.
For the best places to find art any day of the year, see our Asheville Gallery Guide or visit the Folk Art Center with rotating exhibitions. Plus, check out the many artist studios in the River Arts District and the top stops on the Blue Ridge Craft Trails.
Asheville Art & Crafts Events & Festivals Calendar 2026
February 20-22, 2026: Arts & Crafts Antique Show and Conference
For the past nineteen years, Arts and Crafts enthusiasts—including new collectors, curators, authors, builders, designers, and bungalow owners—have traveled to the Blue Ridge Mountains and The Grove Park Inn for this show. Read more about the Arts and Crafts Conference.
First Fridays: Downtown Asheville Art Walk
(First Friday of each month, April-December) Visit 25 galleries, museums, and jewelry studios within a walkable half-mile radius of downtown, 5-8 PM. See our Asheville Gallery Guide.
May-December 2026: Art After Dark
Galleries stay open late in downtown Waynesville with special events, shows, and music. Events happen on the first Friday of the month from May to December.
November 7-8, 2026: Fall Weaverville Art Safari
Visit 50+ artists in their studios and galleries throughout the small towns of Weaverville and Barnardsville on a self-guided tour. 10 AM-5 PM. Read more about Weaverville Art Safari.
October 18-19, 2026: Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Fall Festival
See handmade creations from more than 60 artisans from across the region. Free admission. Across from The Beach at Lake Lure, 2771 Memorial Highway. Go to our Lake Lure Guide.
October 16-19, 2026: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Find the best-juried work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Admission. Read more about the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands.
October 3, 10, 17, 2026: Asheville Art in the Park
See and buy fine arts and crafts from dozens of local artists at Pack Square Park in downtown. Read more about Art in the Park.
August 14-15, 2026: Come to Leicester Studio Tour
Take a free, self-guided tour to 20+ studios and shops in Leicester, a community nestled in the mountains near Asheville. A detailed tour map will be available at every tour stop. 10 AM-5 PM. Go to their website.
August 19-20, 2026: Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend
Don't miss this craft fair held on the farm grounds of the Shelton House Museum of NC Handicrafts with artists, crafters, barn exhibits, music, and food trucks! Go to their website for details.
August 7-8, 2026: Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair
The streets of Burnsville are packed for this longtime, highly popular gathering of artists. Quality crafters display hand-made furniture, wrought iron, blown glass, beaded jewelry, locally-made quilts, homemade jams, and jellies. See our Mt Mitchell Crafts Fair Guide.
July 24-25, 2026: Hillbilly Jam
Several dozen arts and crafts vendors help celebrate mountain country living at this fun festival in Maggie Valley. 10 AM-10 PM. $10/person. Go to our Hillbilly Jam Guide.
July 13, 2026: Front Street Arts & Crafts Show
A variety of artisans come to the artsy village of Dillsboro, complete with music and food. 10 AM-4 PM.
July 16-19, 2026: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Find the best-juried work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Admission. Read more about the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands.
July 11-12, 2026: Maggie Valley Summer Arts & Crafts Show
Find 100+ artisans from across the Southeast at the Festival Grounds. Read more about Maggie Valley.
June 20-21, 2026: Rhododendron Festivals
Celebration of the famous blooms at Roan Mountain with festivals in Bakersville and in Tennessee. Read more.
June 13, 20, 27, 2026: Asheville Art in the Park
See and buy fine arts and crafts from dozens of local artists at Pack Square Park in downtown. Read more about Art in the Park.
June 13, 2026: Bluff Mountain Festival
This free, family-friendly festival in Hot Springs features great old-time and bluegrass music, ballads, clogging and square dance, and a silent auction and raffle of regional artwork, local crafts, vacation packages, and more. 10AM-6PM, includes an array of delicious foods, and ends with a square dance until dark.
June 5-6, 2026: Cherry Bounce Festival
Go to Forest City for music, crafts, food trucks and much more. See our guide.
Memorial Day Weekend 2026: Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Spring Festival
See handmade creations from more than 60 artisans from across the region. Free admission. Across from The Beach at Lake Lure, 2771 Memorial Highway. Go to our Lake Lure Guide.
May 23-24, July 4-5, Aug. 1-2, Sept. 5-6, 2026: Art on the Greene
Buy art and support the restoration of the historic school in Banner Elk. Find a big variety of artists working with metal, glass, pottery, wood, jewelry, and more. 10 AM-5 PM.
May 23-24, 2026: Garden Jubilee Festival
Shop from more than 200 plant and craft vendors lining Main Street in Hendersonville. Friday-Sunday, 9 AM-5 PM. Buy plants, lawn and garden accessories, and arts & crafts. Read more.
May 16, 2026: Saluda Arts Festival
Outstanding festival with 100% hand-picked regional artists along Saluda's historic Main Street. See a big diversity of art media and enjoy music representing Americana, blues, folk and contemporary. Watch artist demonstrations. Free. 10 AM-4 PM. Read more about Saluda Arts Festival.
April 25, 2026: Greening Up the Mountains
Annual street festival in Sylva that features music, art, and craft. Read more about Greening Up the Mountain.
April 24-25, 2026: Spring Weaverville Art Safari
Visit 50+ artists in their studios and galleries throughout the small towns of Weaverville and Barnardsville on a self-guided tour. 10 AM-5 PM. Read more about Weaverville Art Safari.
April 25, 2026: Fire on the Mountain
Held in Downtown Spruce Pine from 10 AM-4 PM featuring vendors, live demonstrations, hands-on tent with rotating teachers, and visiting blacksmiths from around the region and country.
Also see more events and festivals for Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall and the Holidays.
