Redefine the Weekend in Downtown Asheville: Arts, Culture, and Events Guide
Plan your perfect arts-filled weekend in Downtown Asheville with galleries, museums, performances, local shopping, and creative events every season.
Dubbed the “Paris of the South,” Asheville is a vibrant hub for the arts. The Downtown Arts District includes more than 20 museums and galleries, as well as murals, street art, live music, and theatrical productions. That, coupled with its striking art deco architecture and incredible food make it a premier destination for those seeking a concentrated creative weekend.
Exploring by Foot or Trolley
Downtown Asheville has plentiful street parking to start your time in the District. If things are crowded, though, you can choose one of several convenient parking garages. From there, it’s easy to travel by foot from gallery to shop to performance—everything is within easy walking distance.
If you don’t feel like walking, though, the Gray Line Trolley Tours’ “Hop On, Hop Off” route includes stops at Pack Square, the Grove Arcade, and more. You can also stay on the ride and head down to the River Arts District if you want to Redefine the Weekend further.
Catch a Performance
We’ll get to the galleries, museums, and shopping, but if you’re planning a weekend in Downtown Asheville you might first want to check out performance schedules for local theaters and venues. The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts hosts a wide variety of events, bringing in music, dance, theatre and special attractions. If you’d rather concentrate on live theatre performances, check out the Asheville Community Theatre and NC Stage Company—each longstanding community organizations producing high quality plays.
The Asheville Symphony Orchestra schedules concerts (at least) monthly. Choose from Symphony in the Park during warmer months, Masterworks series with the likes of Beethoven, and ALT ASO, which brings a mobile chamber orchestra to iconic Asheville venues. Speaking of iconic venues, definitely take a look at the lineup for The Orange Peel while you’re in town. It’s a beloved music hall, favored by locals and visitors alike. Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville also brings in big names in music as well as events, including the two craft fairs coming up this month! See special events below for the details.
To participate in unique events that are pure Asheville, check out the Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series Tuesdays through Fridays from 5:30-7:30 PM. Grab a hoop and join Hoop Jam on Tuesdays, the Asheville Science Museum’s Summer of Science on Wednesdays, musical Pickin’ in the Park on Thursdays, and finally the classic Drum Circle on Fridays. These events are an opportunity to gather, dance, listen, and experience the inclusive, community atmosphere the city offers.
Museums (With and Without Walls)
You’ll see many murals and sculptures on your walk through downtown, but plan around the Asheville Urban Trail if you want to experience the city’s “Museum without Walls.” The Trail consists of 30 sculptural stations combining art with the city’s history.
For even more history, the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail explores the rich history of Black communities in Asheville. It covers three distinct areas, one in Downtown. One stop includes the YMI Cultural Center, which hosts gallery shows, music, and other events that elevate the richness of Black culture and heritage. So, follow the trails as you go; it’s easy to incorporate these self-guided experiences into your other planned wanderings.
For those looking for museums WITH walls, Downtown Asheville isn’t lacking in options. The Center for Craft on Broadway puts rotating exhibitions with craft artists—and continued craft research—front and center. Plus, it’s free to visit. Across the street, music lovers will enjoy exploring the Moogseum. This museum celebrates the life and work of Robert Moog, a music pioneer and inventor of the Moog synthesizer.
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (BMCM+AC) offers visitors a rich history with deep connections to the region. Black Mountain College, founded in 1933, became a refuge for artists after the closing of the Bauhaus school in Germany, paired with the rise of artistic persecution in Hitler’s Germany. The college’s founders settled in Western North Carolina, creating a college dramatically different from others of the time. The BMCM+AC continues Black Mountain College’s educational legacy, celebrating its history, artists, and continued cultural impact.
From there, walk to Pack Square Park where you can’t (and won’t want to) miss the Asheville Art Museum. Established by artists in 1948 and renovated and reopened in 2019, its modern facade holds an impressive collection of American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Wander through exhibitions at your own pace, or sign up for a tour or workshop experience.
Gallery Hopping + Shopping
As you move from museums to galleries, take a stroll along Gallery Row on Biltmore Avenue. Blue Spiral 1 is the perfect first stop. Founded by visionary founder John Cram in 1990, the contemporary art gallery has become a cornerstone of Asheville’s thriving arts scene. Its three-story downtown space features 25+ exhibitions each year, showcasing a diverse mix of art from more than 100 regional and national artists.
Continuing along the art-filled street, stop by the Haen Gallery, American Folk Art & Framing, Bender Gallery, Ariel Gallery, Horse + Hero, and Gallery COR are all easy to browse and buy to your heart’s content or wallet’s limit; whichever comes first. Make sure to stop into the newly opened Gallery Mélange on the lower half of Biltmore Avenue, too. This artist-owned contemporary art and jewelry gallery is committed to blending diverse art forms and craftsmanship.
Lexington Glassworks brings the heat just a street over. You can watch live glassblowing while browsing hand-blown glass art and home decor. Open daily and free to enter, the studio blends craftsmanship with community. Plus, their custom lighting options might inspire you to install a bit of Asheville at home.
If you’d like to create your own art, ArtPlay Gallery & Studio is a welcoming, creative space offering beginner-friendly art classes alongside a gallery of local work. The artist instructors provide a supportive, no-experience-required space to play. Plus, now through November 2025, you can redefine the weekend with 15% off your first class! Use code WEEKEND15 at checkout for a one-time discount. Bring a friend, a family member, or come solo—everyone’s welcome.
In the mood for another multi-artist, multi-shop stop? Walk a block over to the striking Grove Arcade. Architect E.W. Grove, whose name you might recognize from the Grove Park Inn, designed the ornate structure in the 1920s as a celebration of the city he loved. That sentiment is still evident as you enter the bright, two-story building.
Now a mixed-use space with shops, galleries, and restaurants, there’s so much Asheville flair to absorb in one place. Make sure to check out fine jewelry from Alexander & Lehnert and Katherine Alexander, as well as the newly opened Southern Highland Craft Guild outpost! In truth, there are more incredible local shops and galleries than could fit in one weekend guide. Finding your own favorite gems is half the fun.
Special Events
Downtown Asheville boasts so many special events, it’s easy to find one on a weekend you’re in town. Browse through ArtsAVL’s Local Arts Events listings to see what’s coming up this season and plan accordingly!
A few highlights:
The Big Crafty
July 12 – 13 | 12 – 6 PM | $10 Saturday Preview, Free Sunday
A “hand-to-heart celebration of creative exuberance,” The Big Crafty fair has delighted audiences since its start in 2008. Visit the booths of 180 artists working in the widest variety of mediums, and you’ll be sure to take home art that is fun, funky, and heartfelt.
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
July 17-20 and October 16-19 | 10 AM – 5 PM | $12
The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, now in its 78th year, honors the even longer legacy of Appalachian craft. Your entry ticket gives you access to the work of over 100 juried artists, live demos, and a celebration of the creativity of the region.
First Friday Art Walks
Every First Friday July – November | 5 – 8 PM | Free
Experience Downtown Asheville’s art scene with a lively evening strolling between open galleries and studios. Each month is different, with gallery openings, music, demos, performances, and more! Plus, Art Walks are kid friendly, making these nights fun for the whole family.
Even more events:
Pritchard Park Culture & Art Series (Tues-Sat from May 6- Aug 1)
Movies in the Park (Jul 11, Aug 8, Oct 30)
Shindig on the Green (Jul 12,19, 26; Aug 9, 16, 23)
Show & Tell Pop Up Markets (Jul 12, Aug 9, Sept 13, Oct 11)
Fall into Dance (Aug 12-13)
Fall Equinox Dance (Aug 20)
Boomtown Festival & Symphony in the Park (Aug 29-31)
Goombay Festival (Sept 5-7)
Punch Bucket Literary Festival (Sept 19-20)
Blue Ridge Pride Festival (Sept 26-28)
Burnpile Harvest Festival/ Asheville Oktoberfest (Oct 4)
Art in the Park ( Oct 4, 11, 18)
LAAFF Festival (Oct 10-11)
Diwali Mela (Oct 20)
Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival (Oct 25)
