ARTS IN EVERY DIRECTION
Turn any corner and discover art. Buncombe County’s creative energy flows everywhere—through downtown streets and neighborhood hubs, along rivers, back roads, and main stages. Every direction offers something to experience, explore, and enjoy.
Follow what moves you. Try something new. Return to what you love. ArtsAVL connects you to the artists, events, and creative spaces that bring our region to life. Start anywhere—your next arts experience is waiting.
EXPLORE THE REGION
Buncombe County’s five regions offer distinct ways to experience the arts—from downtown streets to mountain towns and creative districts. ArtsAVL invites you to explore them all, your way.
NORTH
From North Asheville to Weaverville, Woodfin, and Barnardsville, creativity meets small-town charm. Studios, makers, and scenic landscapes define the region.
EAST
From East Asheville and Fairview to Swannanoa and Black Mountain, art is shaped by nature and heritage. Galleries, studios, and music thrive across towns and countryside.
DOWNTOWN
Downtown Asheville is the cultural core of Buncombe County. Galleries, public art, music, and performance animate its streets.
WEST
West Asheville, the River Arts District, Leicester, and Candler pulse with creativity. Working studios, murals, and music anchor the area.
SOUTH
From Biltmore Village to Arden and South Asheville, tradition meets innovation. Art, music, and food shape the experience.
2026 Featured Events & Happenings
Celebrate the creativity of Buncombe County through its major annual arts events and festivals. For additional details and the most up-to-date event information, visit our events page.
WINTER (Jan-Feb)
NORTH
Arts & Crafts Antique Show and Conference
Music on the Knoll 25-26 Series
DOWNTOWN
Asheville Mardi Gras Parade & Queen’s Ball
WEST
Art Lovers Stroll
The Great RAD Sale
SOUTH
The Little Crafty
Trolls: A Field Study
Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures
Winter at Biltmore
SPRING (Mar-May)
NORTH
Music on the Knoll 25-26 Series
Shamrock Festival
Weaverville Art Safari
EAST
Craft Conference
Fiber Day
Glass, Metal, and Clay Day
LEAF Special Event
National Quilting Day
Pop-up Mini Fair
{Re} Happening
DOWNTOWN
Asheville Comedy Festival
Asheville Fringe Festival
Asheville Improv Fest
Buskers Bites and Blooms
Chai Pani’s Holi Celebration
Community Concert
Connect Beyond Festival
Downtown After 5
Grove Arcade in Bloom
Maker Faire Asheville
Memorial Day Concert
Memorial Day Weekend Festival of the Arts
Movies in the Park
Ooh La La Curiosity Market
Show & Tell Pop-up: Spring Pop-Up Market
StarTribe Dance
WALLS Art & Conservation Summit
WEST
Buskers & Brushes
GRINDFest 2025
Paws & Portraits
RAD Arts Market
Sip & Shop Art Festival
Spring RAD Studio Art Stroll
Uncommon Market
SOUTH
Opening of Luminere
Spring at Biltmore
SUMMER (Jun-Aug)
NORTH
July 4th in Downtown
Music on Main
EAST
Art by the Tracks
Art in Bloom Tour
Grovin’ on Grovemont
Park Rhythms
Pop-up Mini Fair
Sourwood Festival
Swannanoa Gathering
Wood Day
DOWNTOWN
Art in the Park
AVL Fest
Craft Fair of the South Highlands
Downtown After 5
Drum Circle
Goombay Festival
Hoop Jam
Independence Day Block Party
Juneteenth Celebration
Love Shine Play Festival
Mountain Dance & Folk Festival
Movies in the Park
Ooh La La Curiosity Market
Pickin’ in the Park
Shindig on the Green
StarTribe Dance
Summer Extravaganza
Summer of Science
The Big Crafty
UnLabelMe: Asheville’s Inclusive DisABILITY Pride Celebration
WEST
Come to Leicester Studio Tour
RAD Artist Talks
RAD Arts Market
RAD Community Art Day
RAD Half Marathon
Sketches, Studies, and Stories
Urban Sketchers Takeover
SOUTH
Arbor Evenings
Concerts in the Park
Summer at Biltmore
FALL (Sep-Nov)
NORTH
Art in Autumn
Beaverdam Studio Tour
Music on the Knoll 26-27 Series
Weaverville Art Safari
EAST
Art by the Tracks
Black Mountain Blues Festival
Black Mountain Music Festival
Heritage Weekend
LEAF Special Event
DOWNTOWN
Art in the Park
Asheville Comedy Festival
Asheville Holiday Parade
Blue Ridge Pride Festival
Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL
Burnpile Beer & Music Festival
Craft Fair of the South Highlands
Grove Arcade Trick or Treating
Holiday Tree Lighting Event
Lovely Asheville Annual Festival (LAAF)
Movies in the Park
Oktoberfest
Ooh La La Curiosity Market
Show & Tell Pop-up: Spring Pop-Up Market
StarTribe Dance
Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival
Symphony in the Park
The Asheville Ballet presents Fall into Dance
WEST
RAD Arts Market
RAD Resilience
RADfest
Spooky Saturday Art Festival
Uncommon Market
SOUTH
Arbor Evenings
Christmas at Biltmore
Fall at Biltmore
Winter Lights
WINTER (Dec)
NORTH
National Gingerbread House Competition
Annual Holiday Parade
Candlelight Stroll of Weaverville
EAST
Black Mountain Christmas Parade
BMCA Holiday Pottery Market
Holiday Sale Market
Holly Jolly
DOWNTOWN
Holiday Market
Show & Tell Pop-up: Holiday Pop-Up Market
Show & Tell Pop-up: Holly Jolly Night Market
The Big Crafty
Warren Haynes Christmas Jam
WEST
Holiday Art Market & Lantern Walk
RAD Arts Market
SOUTH
Christmas at Biltmore
Winter Lights
A Dickens Christmas in Biltmore Village
ONGOING
NORTH
North Asheville Tailgate Market
Weaverville Tailgate Market
EAST
Black Mountain Tailgate Market
East Asheville Tailgate Market
DOWNTOWN
Asheville City Market (Weekly)
Downtown Asheville Gallery Walk (Monthly May-Dec)
First Friday Art Walk (Monthly)
WEST
2nd Saturday Studio Stroll
Enka-Candler Farmers Market (Apr-Oct)
Leicester Farmers Market (May-Oct)
River Arts District Farmers Market
West Asheville Tailgate Market
SOUTH
Biltmore Park Farmers Market (May-Oct)
Weekend Wanderer
Want to hop from gallery to gallery? Meet artists in their studios? Pair local art with great food? We’ve got you.
Choose a themed itinerary — or mix and match your own.
ART & ARCHITECTURE
Asheville
Step into a city where historic architecture and modern creativity meet. Spend the day wandering art deco corridors, exploring contemporary galleries, and enjoying local bites and brews.
STUDIOS, STORIES & THE RIVER
RAD
Wander through a vibrant district and watch artists blow glass, shape clay, and paint in real time inside open studios that line the French Broad River.
MOUNTAIN MUSE
BLACK MOUNTAIN
Find yourself in a mountain town steeped in creativity and history. Stroll Black Mountain’s center filled with artisan galleries and indie shops, against the background of Blue Ridge peaks.
THE CREATIVE CURVE
WEAVERVILLE
Welcome to Weaverville, where the arts feel personal and the pace invites you to linger. Meander down tree-lined Main Street, stopping into studios and shops where local potters, painters, and jewelers work with care and intention.
try a tour!
Explore the vibrant art trails and tours that showcase Buncombe County’s creative spirit and rich cultural heritage. From immersive studio visits and mural trails to self-guided tours highlighting local craftsmanship and history, the area offers something for every art enthusiast.
Grab the Guide
The Arts Guide, created by ArtsAVL, is your comprehensive guide to Buncombe County arts, designed to help you connect with the artists, events, and spaces that make this such a special place. Explore iconic landmarks, meet inspiring creators, and uncover hidden gems that showcase the beauty and vibrancy of our region.
This free printed guide can be found all over Buncombe County at visitor centers, key hubs, inside galleries and on counters in shops. Look for it around the region!
GUIDE PICK UP LOCATIONS
ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN
RIVER ARTS DISTRICT
BLACK MOUNTAIN
WEAVERVILLE
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ARTS PARTNERS
Want to stock copies of the free ArtsAVL Guide in your gallery, venue, or organization?
Fill out this form and we’ll take care of the rest—free weekly delivery included.
ALL ARTS. ALL WAYS.
CONNECT WITH ART, YOUR WAY.
From familiar favorites to new discoveries, arts and culture show up every day thanks to our creative partners across Buncombe County.
