ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Looking for weekend plans? We’ve got you covered. From a tattoo festival and West Asheville street fair to local theatre and the Mountain State Fair, we’ve got your weekend guide to things to do all over the Asheville area.
Friday, Sept. 12
Montford Park Players present “King Lear” – 7:30 p.m., Hazel Robinson Theatre, 92 Gay St.
The Montford Park Players continue their 53rd season, “A Season of Lunatics, Lovers, & Poets,” with “The Tragedy of King Lear,” written by William Shakespeare. Read our review of the free, outdoor theater show here.
Villain Arts 6th Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival – 2 to 11 p.m., Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St.
Tattoo festivities of all sorts will be held this weekend in downtown Asheville. The 6th iteration of the Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival will begin on Friday with all kinds of vendors and featured artists, as well as entertainment like burlesque, contortion and live suspension. Find tickets here.
Saturday, Sept. 13
NightShade Grand Opening Party – 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., 32 Banks Ave.
Asheville Dispensary & Plant Bar, a local cannabis dispensary and coffee, tea and zero-proof cocktail bar, will open NightShade, a new non-alcoholic bar and lounge, in the South Slope with a 21-and-up grand opening this weekend. The event will feature live music from local musicians and regional DJs, including Bowie, MIKAYA, BLKSVN, and BunsenBurner.
Dog Day Afternoon – Noon to 3 p.m., Lake Julian Park
The free Dog Day Afternoon event promises an afternoon of canine-friendly fun, including high-flying stunt shows, costume contests, local rescue dogs and food trucks. Dog Day Afternoon brings together pet owners, families, and animal advocates for an event that celebrates dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Historic Burton Street Ag Fair – Noon to 6 p.m., Burton Street Park, 134 Burton St.
Rescheduled from last Saturday, the Burton Street Community Association and Asheville Parks & Recreation will host the annual Burton Street Ag Fair this weekend, featuring the opening of a new playground and basketball court at Burton Street Park. The family-friendly festival will also include live music, games, crafts, inflatables, food vendors and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with a cash prize.
RAD Resilience – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., River Arts District
The River Arts District celebrates the one-year milestone since Hurricane Helene with RAD Resilience, a community-wide art event featuring hundreds of RAD artists, as well as live music, food trucks, artist talks, and a large-scale interactive art project that spans the district.
Sunday, Sept. 14
North Carolina Mountain State Fair – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road
The final day of the annual N.C. Mountain State Fair will be held at the WNC Agricultural Center this weekend. In addition to rides, deep-fried food and magic shows, the fair will feature a few WNC specials, including “Mountain Music” and a variety of agriculture shows and competitions. Find tickets here.
Attic Salt Theatre Company presents “Miss Julie” – 2:30 p.m., Attic Salt Theatre Arts Space, 2002 Riverside Dr.
“Miss Julie” is a classic 19th century play written by the Swedish playwright August Strindberg. This September, the world-premiere of a brand-new adaptation of the romantic class drama will be staged at the Attic Salt Theatre Company. Find tickets for the matinee show here.