WNC Events -- With the end of July marking the peak of midsummer, locals and visitors alike are eager to soak up the mountain air before autumn arrives.
To help you fill your schedule, here is your comprehensive entertainment guide to outdoor festivals, open-air concerts, and mountain traditions happening across Western North Carolina this weekend, next week, and next weekend.
THIS WEEKEND (JULY 24–26)
Far Western WNC & Great Smoky Mountains
Hillbilly Jam (Maggie Valley): Celebrating Appalachian mountain traditions at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds on Friday and Saturday. Features live country and bluegrass music, food trucks, craft vendors, cornhole tournaments, car and bike shows, and appearances by regional moonshiners.
Concerts on the Creek (Sylva): Free outdoor live music at Bridge Park on Friday night from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., featuring a performance by reggae/pop favorites Natti Love Joys.
Pickin' on the Square (Franklin): Open-air live concert at the downtown gazebo on Saturday starting at 6:00 p.m.
Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama (Cherokee): Nightly open-air theater (except Sundays) at Mountainside Theatre portraying the story of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians under the stars.
Central Mountains (Asheville & Buncombe County)
Shindig on the Green (Asheville): Traditional mountain music, bluegrass jam sessions, and clog dancing at Pack Square Park starting around sundown on Saturday, July 25.
Love Shine Play Festival (Asheville): A multi-day outdoor wellness gathering around Pack Square Park running Friday through Sunday, featuring open-air yoga, talks, and a large artisan vendor market.
Moth Night at the WNC Nature Center (Asheville): Evening outdoor wildlife viewing on Friday at 8:30 p.m., featuring guided tours and light-sheeting moth stations.
Bacon, Beer, Blues & Bourbon Fest (Asheville): Outdoor event starting at noon on Saturday at The Mule / Devil's Foot Beverage Co. with craft brews, food trucks, and live blues.
Birding Walk at Lake Julian Park (Arden): Guided outdoor nature walk along the lake shore on Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m.
Meditation with Horses (Leicester): Open-air mindfulness session at HapBE Valley Equine & Wellness Farm on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
Montford Park Players (Asheville): Free outdoor Shakespeare theater at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre running Friday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Southern Highlands & Foothills (Henderson, Transylvania, Jackson)
Brevard Music Center (Brevard):Star Wars: Return of the Jedi live in concert on Saturday at 8:00 p.m., featuring the Brevard Sinfonia performing the score alongside the film at the open-air Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium.
RENT at Flat Rock Playhouse (Flat Rock): The Broadway musical continues its run through Sunday in historic Flat Rock.
Music on Main Street (Hendersonville): Free outdoor street concert in downtown Hendersonville on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Groovin' on the Green (Cashiers): Free Friday night lawn concert at The Village Green Commons starting at 6:00 p.m.
High Country & Northern WNC (Watauga, Avery, Yancey)
Jones House Summer Concerts (Boone): Free Friday night outdoor music on the front lawn in downtown Boone starting at 5:30 p.m., featuring Paddyak with Lauren Hayworth & Friends.
Outdoor Music at Fred's Gazebo (Beech Mountain): High-elevation outdoor bluegrass performance at Fred's General Mercantile on Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m.
NEXT WEEK & NEXT WEEKEND (JULY 27 – AUGUST 2)
Major Regional Highlight
99th Annual Mountain Dance & Folk Festival (Asheville): The nation's longest-running folk festival takes place Thursday, July 30 through Saturday, August 1. Features nightly showcases of Southern Appalachian string bands, ballad singers, and flatfoot dancers at Asheville High School.
Far Western WNC
Concerts on the Creek (Sylva): Free Friday night outdoor concert at Bridge Park on July 31 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. featuring Ska City.
Central Mountains
Montford Park Players (Asheville): Outdoor theater performances at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre running Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2.
Asheville Drum Circle (Asheville): Free outdoor community rhythm gathering at Pritchard Park on Friday evening, July 31.
Southern Highlands & Foothills
Groovin' on the Green (Cashiers): Outdoor lawn concert at The Village Green Commons on Friday, July 31 at 6:00 p.m.
High Country & Northern WNC
Jones House Summer Concerts (Boone): Free outdoor lawn concert on Friday, July 31 at 5:30 p.m. featuring Chris McGinnis and Pressley Laton.