2010 Festivals & Events

For a printable version of Festivals & Events, click here, and be sure to check our Calendar of Events for things to do around the Club!


April

2nd - 3rd - Peanuts Easter Beagle - Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, Bryson City
Ride the train to Dillsboro for refreshments, photo ops with Snoopy, the Easter Beagle, and children can seek out bunnies carrying brightly colored eggs.

3rd - May 16th - 25th Annual Festival of Flowers - Biltmore House, Asheville
Visit the stunning floral displays across the Biltmore estate featuring more than 100,000 tulips.  Live music daily in the Winter Garden.

8th - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Lakewood Blueclaws and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

15th - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Hickory Crawdads and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

18th - 50th Anniversary Celebration of Botanical Gardens - Botanical Gardens, Asheville
Join the 50th Anniversary Celebration for tours of the Gardens, food, beverages, music and a silent auction.

22nd - 24th - Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
The story of Joseph and his coat of many colors taken from the book of Genesis comes to life on stage in this delightful musical.

23rd - 25th - Thunder in the Smokies - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Ride through the Great Smoky Mountains of NC and participate in tour rides, bike games, bike show, nightly concerts, vendors & more!

23rd - 25th - Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally - Cherokee

23rd - May 9th (weekends) - Seussical the Musical - Hart Theater, Waynesville.
A fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza that brings all our favorite Dr. Seuss characters to life.

24th - Asheville Symphony Masterworks 6: a Pair of Fives - Asheville Civic Center

25th - Jeremy Camp - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
Camp's thoughtful lyrics and booming voice have earned him 16 No. 1 songs, five Dove awards, an American Music Award nomination and more.

29th - Steel Magnolias - Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock

29th - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Delmarva Shorebirds and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

30th -Asheville Herb Festival - WNC Farmers Market, Asheville
Join a wide variety of herbalists, herb growers and vendors, natural gardening and landscaping specialists and more.

30th - Ray Stevens - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
Celebrating 50 years in the business, Stevens perfoms his classics like "The Streak" and pop standard "Everything is Beautiful."

May

1st - Great Smoky Mountain Trout Festival - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Fly fishing demos, children's activities, music, craft vendors, education, trout dinners, trout race and more.

2nd - Ramp Festival - American Legion Fairgrounds, Waynesville - 11am - 4pm.
Live music & entertainment, food featuring ramps (a wild mountain onion) which are considered a mountain delicacy.

7th - Sister Hazel - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
One of rock's most democratic bands, Sister Hazel performs hits from their seventh studio album.

7th - Art After Dark - Downtown Waynesville - 6pm - 9pm.
Downtown galleries remain open until 9pm with demonstrations, artist receptions, live music & refreshments.

8th - 8th Annual "A Whole Bloomin' Thing Festival" - Frog Level, Waynesville - 9am - 4pm
This all-day event features local growers, area artisans and an array of nature-related professionals.  Free to the public.

11th -  Norah Jones - Asheville Civic Center

13th - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Lexington Legends and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

14th - Young Artists Concert - Performing Arts Center, Waynesville.
Piano concert featuring Anthony Molinaro, composer, classical pianist, jazz artist and winner of the 1997 Naumberg International Piano Competition in NYC.

14th - Julianne Hough - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
Julianne is a triple threat as a singer, actress and dancer.  She is best known as one of the top stars of ABC-TV's Dancing with the Stars.

14th - 15th - Cruise the Smokies - Spring Cherokee Rod Run - Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
Features more than 500 classic and customized automobiles built before 1972.

15th - Asheville Tourists - Fireworks Night - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Lexington Legends and enjoy the first fireworks show of the season!

20th - 23rd - Antler Hill Village Grand Opening - Biltmore Estate, Asheville
A weekend celebration of Biltmore's newest guest venue featuring live entertainment and fun for the whole family.

21st - Asheville Tourists - Feed Your Face Friday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Kannapolis Intimidators and all tickets include all-you-can-eat nachos, hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts and chicken tenders!

22nd - 7th Annual Montford Music & Arts Festival - Asheville
This street festival includes musical acts and a juried art show, and highlights the artistic strength of one of Asheville's oldest neighborhoods.

27th - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Greensboro Grasshoppers and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

29th - Block Party - Downtown Waynesville - 7pm - 10pm
Downtown is Alive at Night! Dancing in the Street with live bands, children's area, eats and treats, shops and restaurants open.

29th - 30th - 6th Annual Vettes in the Valley Corvette Show - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Judged, People's & Participant's Choice Trophies and Awards, Road Rally, entertainment, vendors, contests, door prizes, goody bags and more.

29th - 30th - Garden Jubilee Festival - Downtown Hendersonville
Offers over 125 vendors selling handmade arts and crafts, plants and items to enhance your outdoor living area.

June

4th - Art After Dark - Downtown Waynesville - 6pm - 9pm
Downtown galleries remain open until 9pm with demonstrations, artist receptions, live music & refreshments.

4th - Biltmore Concert Series: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Experience the exhiliaration of a live concert at Biltmore.  Enjoy star performances while savoring breathtaking sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

11th - Biltmore Concert Series: The Original Drifters - Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Experience the exhiliaration of a live concert at Biltmore.  Enjoy star performances while savoring breathtaking sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

15th - 19th - Summerfest Carnival - Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
Carnival rides, music, games and plenty of food.  Fun for the whole family!

17th - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Greensboro Grasshoppers and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

18th -  Asheville Tourists - Fireworks Night - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Greensboro Grasshoppers and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display!

18th - 19th - First Annual WNC Highlands Celtic Festival - Pisgah Brewing Company, Black Mountain
Festival includes live Celtic music and dance, Celtic food and drink, vendors, Highland athletic demonstration, Scottish clans and more!

19th - 20th - The Lone Ranger Event - Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, Bryson City
The Lone Ranger and his faithful companion Tonto save the train from bandits!  1 hour & 20 minute train ride featuring a train robbery & gunfight.

19th - 20th - Artistic Encounters - Downtown Waynesville - Fri. 6pm - 9pm; Sat. 10am - 5pm
Stroll Waynesville and encounter something artistic to brighten your day!  Artist demos, music, storytelling and more.

24th - 27th - Disney's Beauty and the Beast - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice.  Based on Disney's animated feature, this Broadway classic comes to life on stage.

25th - Mountain Street Dances - Downtown Waynesville (in front of the Historic Courthouse) - 6:30pm - 9pm
Put on your cloggin' shoes and enjoy an old fashioned mountain hoe-down!  Live music, demos & instruction by local clogging teams.

25th - Southeastern Mini Truck Nationals - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Open car show, spectators $10.00 per day with children under 12 free.  Hundreds of mini trucks compete for Top 50.

July

1st - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Kannapolis Intimidators and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

1st - 4th - The Inspirations - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
With 47 years on the road, numerous awards and accolades and reputation without blemish, they truly are an American treasure.

2nd - Art After Dark - Downtown Waynesville - 6pm - 9pm
Downtown galleries remain open until 9pm with demonstrations, artist receptions, live music & refreshments.

2nd - Asheville Tourists - Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Kannapolis Intimidators and see a spectacular fireworks display after the game!

2nd - 4th - July Powow - Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
Join the Cherokee tribe for authentic Indian dancing, drumming and tribal regalia.

3rd - Stars & Stripes Celebration - Downtown Waynesville - 11am - 3pm
Shops, galleries and restaurants open, sidewalk sales, entertainment and more.

3rd - Asheville Tourists - Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Kannapolis Intimidators and see a spectacular fireworks display after the game!

3rd - Shindig on the Green - Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, Asheville
Every Saturday evening through September 4th at 7pm.  Unique music and dance performances and informal jam sessions.

8th - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Savannah Sand Gnats and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

9th - Mountain Street Dances - Downtown Waynesville (in front of the Historic Courthouse) - 6:30pm - 9pm
Put on your cloggin' shoes and enjoy an old fashioned mountain hoe-down!  Live music, demos & instruction by local clogging teams.

10th - 11th - Maggie Valley Summer Arts & Craft Show - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Talented artisans present a varied collection of arts, crafts and unique merchandise.  Includes food and music.

13th - Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
Their four-decade career has taken the Gatlin Brothers from dusty Texas stages to the White House.

15th - 18th - 63rd Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands - Asheville Civic Center
Over 200 craftspeople fill two floors with fine handcrafted items, while local musicians play live on the arena stage and craft educators share their knowledge.

16th - 17th - Festival of Native Peoples - Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
Indigenous tribes from across the Americas showcase native dance, song and art.  The event honors the collective history, custom and wistoms of some of the oldest documented tribes.

16th - 18th - Faith Renewed Celebration: Christian Concert Weekend at Biltmore - Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Experience the exhiliaration of a live concert at Biltmore.  Enjoy star performances while savoring breathtaking sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

22nd - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Hagerstown Suns and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

22nd - Biltmore Concert Series: An Evening with Mary Chapin Carpenter - Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Experience the exhiliaration of a live concert at Biltmore.  Enjoy star performances while savoring breathtaking sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

22nd - August 1st - Folkmoot USA
Folkmoot USA is NC's Official International Festival, is a two-week celebration of the world's cultural heritage through folk music & dance.
For more information and all events during the Folkmoot USA Festival, visit www.folkmootusa.org.

23rd - Folkmoot USA Parade - Downtown Waynesville
Dancers and musicians from around the world parade down Main Street to the county courthouse for the opening ceremony of Folkmoot USA.

23rd - Mountain Street Dances - Downtown Waynesville (in front of the Historic Courthouse) - 6:30pm - 9pm
Put on your cloggin' shoes and enjoy an old fashioned mountain hoe-down!  Live music, demos & instruction by local clogging teams.

23rd - Day Out with Thomas - Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, Bryson City
Thomas fans will meet Sir Topham Hatt and ride the train, pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine!  Live entertainment, petting zoo, storytelling and much more!

23rd - Biltmore Concert Series: Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard - Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Experience the exhiliaration of a live concert at Biltmore.  Enjoy star performances while savoring breathtaking sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

23rd - 25th - Bele Chere - Asheville
The largest free street festival in the Southeast, featuring arts & crafts, food, entertainment, interactive events, children's activity area and much more.

29th - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Rome Braves and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

29th - Biltmore Concert Series: An Evening with Steve Miller Band - Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Experience the exhiliaration of a live concert at Biltmore.  Enjoy star performances while savoring breathtaking sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

30th -  Asheville Tourists - Fireworks Night - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Rome Braves and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display!

30th - Biltmore Concert Series: The Legendary Temptations - Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Experience the exhiliaration of a live concert at Biltmore.  Enjoy star performances while savoring breathtaking sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

August

6th - Art After Dark - Downtown Waynesville - 6pm - 9pm
Downtown galleries remain open until 9pm with demonstrations, artist receptions, live music & refreshments.

6th - Mountain Street Dances - Downtown Waynesville (in front of the Historic Courthouse) - 6:30pm - 9pm
Put on your cloggin' shoes and enjoy an old fashioned mountain hoe-down!  Live music, demos & instruction by local clogging teams.

6th - 8th - Asheville Antiques Fair - Asheville Civic Center
Over 60 antique dealers participate, and experts even host an "Heirloom Road Show" where you can have your personal antiques evaluated.

7th -Downtown Dog Walk - Downtown Waynesville, Courthouse Lawn - 9:30am - 1pm
Proceeds go to support the proposed SARGE's Adoption Center in Haywood.

7th - 8th - 38th Annual Village Art & Craft Fair - Biltmore Village, Asheville
The fair hosts 125 exhibitors from 20 states representing various crafts: jewelry, ceramic, wood, fiber, metals, two-dimensional art and more.

12th - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Greenville Drive and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

13th - Asheville Tourists - Feed Your Face Friday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Greenville Drive and all tickets include all-you-can-eat nachos, hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts and chicken tenders!

13th - 15th - Volkswagen Car Show - Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
Join Volkswagen devotees for the 2nd Annual Car Show where Volkswagens of all makes and models will be on display.

14th - Ricky Skaggs - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
Coming full circle from popularity and success in mainstream country music, Skaggs goes back to where it all began: bluegrass music.

14th -  Asheville Tourists - Fireworks Night - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Greenville Drive and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display!

19th - Steven Curtis Chapman - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
His list of accomplishments is a long one: 50+ Dove Awards, 5 Grammys, 10 million albums sold, and more.

20th - 21st - The Porter Family - Eaglenest Entertainment.
Join Eaglenest Entertainment for a gospel explosion in song!  Featuring the Porter Family, Reggie Sadler Family, the Primitive Quartet, and more!

20th - September 10th - Flower Carpet - Biltmore Estate, Asheville
This 14,400 square-foot design features thousands of plants woven together to form a one-of-a-kind lush floral carpet.

27th - 28th - 2nd Annual Valley Auto & Truck Classic - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
People's Choice for Trophies and Awards, specialty trophies, entertainment, contests, door prizes and goody bags.

28th - Diamond Rio - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
Diamond Rio has been one of country music's most successful groups, since 1992 when they won the CMA's Vocal Group of the Year for the first time.


September

2nd - Asheville Tourists - Thirsty Thursday - McCormick Field, Asheville
See the Tourists play the Hickory Crawdads and enjoy $1 drafts and sodas!

3rd - Art After Dark - Downtown Waynesville - 6pm - 9pm
Downtown galleries remain open until 9pm with demonstrations, artist receptions, live music & refreshments.

4th - Block Party - Downtown Waynesville - 7pm - 10pm
Downtown is Alive at Night! Dancing in the Street with live bands, children's area, eats and treats, shops and restaurants open.

4th - 5th - Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

5th - Spectacular Labor Day Fireworks Display - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds - 9:15pm

10th - 12th - Thunder in the Smokies - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Ride the Great Smoky Mountains and participate in tour rides, bike games, bike show, nightly concerts, vendors and more!

10th - 12th - Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally - Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds

Dates TBA - NC Mountain State Fair - WNC Ag Center, Fletcher
A week-long fair complete with livestock and agricultural displays, musical entertainment, rides, games, and much, much more!

17th - Dr. Ralph Stanley - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
After 55 years in the music business, Stanley is still the best banjo picker and tenor singer in bluegrass music.

17th - 18th - Fall Rally in the Valley - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
Motorcycle Rally featuring Dealers Association Sale Mall, motorcycle stunt teams, bike show, live bands and much more!  $10 good for for both days.

17th - 19th - Southeastern Tribes Cultural Arts Celebration - Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
This celebration brings together master dancers, craftsmen, artists and athletes from the five main southeastern tribes - Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Seminole & Choctaw.

23rd - Mark Lowry - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
Singing and recording albums since age 11, Lowry has been making people laugh, cry and think for nearly 40 years.

25th - 37th Annual Fall Regional Shelby/Mustang & Ford Meet - Eaglenest Entertainment.
Popular vote car show including parts swap, parts and food vendors and more!

30th - Oct. 2nd - 20th Annual High Country Quilt Show - Maggie Valley Town Hall - 10am - 4pm

October

1st - Art After Dark - Downtown Waynesville - 6pm - 9pm
Downtown galleries remain open until 9pm with demonstrations, artist receptions, live music & refreshments.

1st - Biltmore Concert Series: Kathy Mattea - Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Experience the exhiliaration of a live concert at Biltmore.  Enjoy star performances while savoring breathtaking sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

2nd - Peanuts: The Great Pumpkin Patch Express - Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
Meet Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy and select your own pumpkin.  Enjoy hayrides, live entertainment, storytelling, bouncy house and much more!

5th - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
Mark Twain's mischevious characters come to life on stage in this faithful adaptation of the classic American tale.

6th - 9th - 98th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair - Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
Musical entertainment, fireworks, games, rides, craft and food vendors, and an exhibit hall featuring traditional Cherokee arts and crafts.

9th - 27th Annual Church Street Arts & Crafts Show - Downtown Waynesville
Downtown is transformed into an arts & crafts marketplace.  Live mountain music, clogging, entertainment and food.

9th - 10th - October Leaves Craft Show - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

16th - 22nd Annual Apple Harvest Festival - Downtown Waynesville
Celebrate the bounty of the harvest season with more than 100 vendors featuring handmade crafts, live entertainment and everything apples.

16th - 17th - Maggie Valley Fall Arts & Crafts Show - Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.
Talented artisans from throughout the Southeast present a varied collection of arts, crafts and unique merchandise.

November

5th - 7th -  Cruise the Smokies - Fall Cherokee Rod Run - Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds
Features more than 500 classic and customized automobiles built before 1972.

5th - Art After Dark - Downtown Waynesville - 6pm - 9pm
Downtown galleries remain open until 9pm with demonstrations, artist receptions, live music & refreshments.

11th - 14th -Jekyll and Hyde - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
In an attempt to save his dying father from mental illness, Dr. Henry Jekyll performs a series of experiments upon himself.

21st - Holiday Open House - Downtown Waynesville - 12pm - 5pm
A Holiday tradition on Main Street.  Enjoy the sights, scents and sounds as the holiday season begins in festively decorated shops and galleries.


December

3rd - Canton Christmas Parade.

4th - Maggie Valley Christmas Parade.

4th - A Night Before Christmas - Downtown Waynesville - 6pm - 9pm
Come share the holiday tradition for caroling, live music, a live Nativity, Santa, old-fashioned wagon rides, storytelling, poetry and more.

6th - Waynesville Christmas Parade.

11th - Newsong - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
NewSong is a contemporary Christian group founded in 1981, and the founders of Winter Jam Spectacular, the largest Christian music tour in the US.

11th - A Night Before Christmas - Downtown Waynesville - 6pm - 9pm
Come share the holiday tradition for caroling, live music, a live Nativity, Santa, old-fashioned wagon rides, storytelling, poetry and more.

17th - The Oak Ridge Boys - Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin
The Oak Ridge Boys, with that unmistakable four-part harmony, have produced dozens of hit songs, including "You're the One in a Million" and "Elvira."

*dates are tentative and subject to change.