ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Looking for Memorial Day weekend plans? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guide for things to do this long weekend all over the Asheville area.
Friday, May 23
Taste of Black Asheville Brunch at GRINDfest 2025 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., AB-Tech Conference Center
GRINDfest 2025 kicks off with keynote speaker Dr. Alaysia Black Hackett and the “Taste of Black Asheville Brunch.” The event will also serve as the official launch celebration for her groundbreaking new book, “The Diversity Illusion.”
Maggie Valley Fly Fishing Festival – noon to 7 p.m., Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
The 2025 Maggie Valley Fly Fishing Festival welcomes fishermen of all sorts to peruse more than 75 vendors sporting the latest in fly fishing and outdoor recreation gear. Other festival highlights include expert fly-tying demonstrations, daily casting contests for all skill levels, aquatic workshops and raffle contests for fly-fishing prize packs.
Southern Appalachian Entomology with Shane Myers – noon to 4 p.m., The North Carolina Arboretum
Go to mountain bug school this weekend at the N.C. Arboretum. A Southern Appalachian Entomology course will discuss the history and life cycles of regional insects and how to find creepy crawlies you find in nature.
White Squirrel Weekend – 4 p.m., downtown Brevard
Brevard will celebrate their unofficial town mascot, the white squirrel, with their annual downtown festival. Go nuts for local breweries and food vendors, chirp along with a line-up of live music and squirrel away prizes for the winter from local artisans.
Rock for Relief presents: The Black Tie-Dye Ball – 7 p.m., The Orange Peel
Music charity group Rock for Relief will benefit recovery efforts in Madison County with a “black tie-dye ball” at The Orange Peel. The fundraising gala will feature the rock band SUSTO alongside local openers Holler Choir and Watkins. Liliana Hudgens will perform during the pre-show.
Saturday, May 24
GRINDFest – 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., 8 River Arts Place
GrindFest 2025 will feature local and regional live music, networking workshops, curated cuisine, arcade tournaments and one of, if not the, biggest line dances in N.C.
Garden Julibee – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Main Street, Hendersonville
Garden Jubilee 2025 heralds the return of Hendersonville’s signature gardening event. Hosted by the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville across seven blocks of Main Street, the two-day celebration will celebrate plants and planters with over 150 vendors, regional plant nurseries and The Garden Jubilee Speaker Showcase, a series of educational sessions held on everything from plant care to garden design.
Battle of the Brewery Bands – 2 to 5 p.m., The Grey Eagle
Local breweries are bringing brews and bands to duke it out on The Grey Eagle patio this Saturday.
Sunday, May 25
Open Electric Jam ft. the King Street House Band – 5 p.m., 185 King Street, Brevard
No reservations are necessary for this free, long-standing tradition. The House Band will kick the music off around 5 p.m. at 185 King Street, after which anyone is welcome to join in on the music-making. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis for the show, which is 21-and-up unless accompanied by an adult.
4th Annual Downtown Asheville Memorial Day Weekend Festival of the Arts – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pack Square Park
Asheville welcomes back the fourth rendition of a Memorial Day arts festival in Pack Square Park. Local and national artists will have booths set up all over the downtown green space.
Monday, May 26
Veterans for Peace WNC Memorial Day Observance – 10:30 a.m., Western North Carolina Veterans’ Memorial
The WNC chapter of Veterans for Peace will gather to honor fallen service members at the WNC Veterans’ Memorial in downtown Asheville. The open mic event is open to all to speak, pray, sing or simply remember the people lost to warfare.