ASHEVILLE -- As the planting season officially kicks off in the Blue Ridge Mountains, thousands of gardeners and herbalists will descend upon the WNC Agricultural Center for the 36th Annual Asheville Spring Herb Festival. Running from April 24–26, 2026, this massive event is widely recognized as the premier herb festival in North America.
From professional growers to backyard enthusiasts, the festival offers a unique opportunity to source everything from culinary staples to rare medicinal varieties and native perennials.
A Weekend of Hands-On Learning
What sets the Asheville Spring Herb Festival apart is its commitment to education. This year features over 20 free workshops designed to empower attendees with traditional and modern herbal knowledge.
Expert Instruction: Classes cover a broad range of topics, including medicinal plant identification, the art of fermentation, sustainable gardening practices, and even mushroom cultivation.
Direct Access: Workshops are taught by regional experts and small business owners, many of whom have booths on the festival floor where they can continue the conversation with attendees.
Festival Highlights & Vendor Marketplace
The Davis Event Center will host over 80 top-tier vendors from across the Southeast.
The Marketplace: Expect to find a sprawling selection of herb plants, vegetable starts, handcrafted soaps, botanical body care, and herbal teas from favorites like the Asheville
Tea Company and various regional nurseries.
The "Plant Hold" Convenience: One of the festival’s most popular features is the Free Plant Hold Area. Shoppers can store their heavy purchases in a secure zone while they continue to browse or attend workshops, then simply pull their vehicles up to the loading area when they are ready to depart.
Local Flavor: A variety of local food trucks will be on-site throughout the weekend to keep the crowds fueled.
Essential Festival Information
Dates: Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26, 2026
Hours: * Friday & Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: WNC Agricultural Center (Davis Event Center), 761 Boylston Hwy, Fletcher, NC (Across from the Asheville Regional Airport).
Admission: Free admission and free parking.