First Fridays & Second Saturdays: Explore Buncombe County’s Art Walks

Discover the artists, galleries, studios, and creative businesses shaping communities across Buncombe County

There’s no shortage of ways to experience local art in Buncombe County, but some of the best opportunities happen on a predictable schedule. From spring through fall—and in some cases year-round—First Friday art walks and Second Saturday studio strolls invite you to explore galleries, step inside working studios, meet local artists, catch live music and demonstrations, and discover creative businesses across the county.

Whether you want to spend an evening downtown, explore the creative communities of East-West Asheville and Weaverville, or devote a Saturday to the River Arts District, here are five recurring art walks and strolls to put on your calendar.

Downtown Asheville First Friday Art Walk

First Fridays, April–December | 5–8 p.m. | Downtown Asheville

Explore galleries, studios, cultural spaces, and creative businesses throughout Downtown Asheville Art District during the monthly First Friday Art Walk. Participating locations offer a changing mix of exhibitions, artist receptions, demonstrations, live music, performances, and other special programming. The free, self-guided format means you can start anywhere and make your own route through downtown.

First Fridays on The Block

First Fridays | The Block, Downtown Asheville

Just a few blocks away, First Fridays on The Block celebrates the art, culture, history, and community of Asheville’s historic Black business district. Centered around South Market and Eagle streets and cultural anchors including YMI Cultural Center, First Fridays feature a rotating mix of visual art, music, performances, markets, and community programming.

Because it takes place alongside the larger Downtown Art Walk, it’s easy to explore both while still experiencing The Block as a distinct cultural destination.

East-West Asheville First Friday Art Walk

First Fridays, January, April, July, & October | 5–8 p.m. | East-West Asheville

One of Buncombe County’s newest art walks brings together artists and independent businesses around Westwood Place and the surrounding East-West Asheville neighborhood. Organized by Lamplight AVL, the free monthly walk features art, music, performances, open studios, and other creative programming at participating locations, with visitors encouraged to stroll between stops throughout the evening.

Weaverville First Fridays

First Fridays, June–September | 5–8 p.m. | Downtown Weaverville

Head north to downtown Weaverville, where galleries, boutiques, makers, and other local businesses stay open late for First Fridays throughout the summer. Each month offers something a little different, with participating businesses hosting artist demonstrations, live music, hands-on activities, tastings, and other special happenings along Main Street.

It’s an easy way to explore Weaverville’s creative community while supporting the locally owned businesses that make downtown a destination.

River Arts District Second Saturday Studio Stroll & Arts Market

Second Saturdays | River Arts District

First Friday isn’t the only date worth circling. On the second Saturday of each month, River Arts District artists and creative businesses welcome visitors for a district-wide day of art and exploration.

Second Saturdays offer opportunities to step inside working studios, meet artists, see demonstrations, explore exhibitions, shop for locally made work, and participate in special events throughout the district. Individual studios and galleries develop their own programming, so there is something new to discover each month.

Make Art a Monthly Tradition

These recurring walks and strolls make it easy to experience Buncombe County’s creative community throughout the year. Pick a neighborhood you haven’t explored before, revisit a favorite studio, meet an artist, or make a regular tradition of seeing what’s new.

And remember: buying local art is one of the most direct ways to support the artists, makers, galleries, studios, and creative businesses that make Buncombe County a vibrant place to live and visit.