WNC Entertainment -- While community street festivals and heritage days fill the afternoon hours this Memorial Day weekend, Western North Carolina’s entertainment scene takes over when the sun goes down. From major outdoor stadium rock and indoor theater revivals to professional rodeos, roller derby bouts, and local creek-side picking sessions, here is your definitive regional guide to the evening live music and ticketed entertainment hitting stages across every single county in WNC this holiday weekend.
🎸 Buncombe, Madison & Yancey Counties
Umphrey’s McGee Weekend Takeover (Black Mountain / Buncombe County): The progressive rock titans take over the iconic Pisgah Brewing Company Outdoor Stage for a massive two-night run on Friday and Saturday. Gates open at 6:00 PM with the music kicking off at 7:30 PM, offering the ultimate outdoor summer jam session.
Asheville Community Band (Asheville / Buncombe County): For a classic outdoor evening, head to Pack Square Park on Saturday at 7:00 PM for a free concert featuring show tunes, contemporary wind compositions, and patriotic favorites.
Zuma Whole Foods Evening Acoustic (Marshall / Madison County): This beloved downtown spot right by the French Broad River hosts its signature weekend evening live acoustic music, featuring local ballad singers and heritage pickers.
Homeplace Beer Co. Patio Stage (Burnsville / Yancey County): After the daytime classic car show packs up, head to the outdoor patio for an evening of live regional indie-folk and bluegrass music paired with local pizza.
🌸 Henderson, Transylvania & Polk Counties
White Squirrel Weekend Main Stage (Brevard / Transylvania County): Downtown Brevard hosts a powerhouse evening music lineup from Friday through Sunday inside the festival beer garden. Catch headliners Mountain Grass Unit, Big Richard, and acclaimed singer-songwriter Sarah Siskind playing her signature "Modern Appalachia" indie-folk on Saturday at 5:30 PM.
Oklawaha Brewing Company Lineup (Hendersonville / Henderson County): Downtown Hendersonville stays lively late into the night with a full weekend slate of high-energy regional rock, funk, and Americana bands taking the indoor stage after the Garden Jubilee vendors close up.
Saturday Night Lights at Tryon International (Mill Spring / Polk County): This premier equestrian center hosts a massive evening festival on Saturday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Under the stadium lights, watch world-class show jumping paired with live musical performers and open-air pavilion dining.
🤠 Cherokee, Clay & Graham Counties
13th Annual Seven Clans Rodeo (Cherokee / Qualla Boundary): The arena at 181 Tsali Blvd lights up on Saturday and Sunday nights for high-octane evening action. This professional rodeo features top regional riders taking on bucking broncos and raging bulls.
Music by the River (Cherokee / Cherokee County): Grab a lawn chair and head to the Kanunohi Park Stage on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for live regional rock and country bands accompanied by a cool riverside breeze.
Peacock Performing Arts Center (Hayesville / Clay County): This historic indoor theater kicks off its summer entertainment series with a ticketed evening weekend performance featuring regional theatrical talent and live music showcases.
Stecoah Valley Center Pavilion (Robbinsville / Graham County): For a true mountain roots experience, the historic school venue hosts an evening indoor/outdoor heritage concert featuring traditional Appalachian string bands and flatfoot dancing.
🚂 Haywood, Jackson & Macon Counties
Blue Ridge Roller Derby Bout (Waynesville / Haywood County): The Smoky Mountain Event Center transforms into a high-energy sports arena on Saturday evening. Enjoy hard-hitting regional roller derby matchups backed by live local DJs and arena rock music.
Concerts on the Creek (Sylva / Jackson County): The 17th annual summer music series officially kicks off at the Bridge Park gazebo on Friday night at 7:00 PM. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a free community concert by the water featuring regional soul, rock, and blues.
Pickin’ on the Square (Franklin / Macon County): This beloved, long-running Franklin tradition takes over the Gazebo on the Town Square on Saturday evening. Bring your lawn chairs for a relaxed community gathering featuring regional country, bluegrass, and heritage mountain music.
🎒 Watauga, Ashe & Avery Counties
Jones House Cultural Center (Boone / Watauga County): The historic downtown indoor/outdoor venue launches its summer concert series this weekend, featuring an evening of authentic Appalachian old-time string bands and regional songwriters on the porch.
Boondocks Brewing Music Stage (West Jefferson / Ashe County): This High Country staple features live weekend evening performances from popular regional acoustic duos and classic rock cover bands.
Banner Elk Cafe Outdoor Patio (Banner Elk / Avery County): After spending the day at the local art festival, wind down with live evening music under the stars on the open-air patio, featuring a rotating lineup of high country musicians.
🍏 Mitchell, Yancey & McDowell Counties
The Historic Orchard at Altapass Stage (Spruce Pine / Mitchell County): The orchard pavilion stage features extended late-afternoon and early-evening sets from legendary regional old-time and bluegrass pickers on both Saturday and Sunday.
Keeper's Cut Meadery Live Music (Marion / McDowell County): Located in the heart of historic downtown Marion, this taproom hosts regional acoustic acts and singer-songwriters for a relaxed weekend evening of live entertainment.
🎇 The Foothills: Burke, Caldwell & Rutherford Counties
Liquid Pleasure Concert at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center (Lenoir / Caldwell County): For an evening of high-energy beach music, oldies, and Motown hits, this premier ticketed theater event offers a fantastic, climate-controlled evening out.
Morganton Municipal Auditorium Patio Sessions (Morganton / Burke County): The foothills music scene kicks off its summer concert series this weekend with regional rock, country, and pop artists performing under the stars.
Lake Lure Inn & Spa Lakeside Music (Lake Lure / Rutherford County): Celebrate the holiday reopening of the lake on Saturday evening with live musical performances on the outdoor grounds, leading directly into a spectacular fireworks show over the water at 9:00 PM.
Editor's Note: Tickets for major regional shows move fast over the holiday weekend, so be sure to secure your entry online ahead of time. Get out there, stay safe, and support our fantastic Western North Carolina music venues, artists, and performers!