ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The second weekend of August brings downtown gatherings, summer festivals, comedy, theater and family activities to communities across Western North Carolina.
In Black Mountain, Sourwood Festival continues a long-running local tradition tied to the region’s sourwood honey season. In Asheville, the weekend includes comedy, live music, arts events and back-to-school activities, while Mars Hill and Waynesville host First Friday events in their downtown districts.
Here’s a look at some of the events scheduled for Aug. 7-9.
Weekend at a glance
- Family-friendly: Downtown Mars Hill First Fridays, Waynesville First Friday or Tanger Outlets Asheville Back-To-School Bash
- Festivals: Sourwood Festival, AVL Sounds Fest or WSAM Summer Festival
- Comedy: Asheville Comedy Festival or John Mulaney
- Health and wellness: Tourists Fitness Series: Rad Yoga Flow
- Arts and culture: “Clyde’s,” Downtown Arts District First Fridays, “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” or Improvised Star Trek
Family-friendly & community
Downtown Mars Hill First Fridays
Downtown Mars Hill
Friday, 5-8 p.m. | Free admission
Downtown Mars Hill First Fridays brings live music, dance, shopping, art, food and local business activities to downtown Mars Hill. The monthly event gives visitors a way to walk through town and connect with local shops and community groups.
Waynesville First Friday
Downtown Waynesville
Friday | Free admission
Waynesville First Friday, also known as Shop, Sip, Stroll, brings evening activity to downtown Waynesville. The event typically includes local businesses, galleries, restaurants, live music and opportunities to visit downtown shops.
Tanger Outlets Asheville Hosts Back-To-School Bash, Aug. 8
Tanger Outlets Asheville
Saturday, noon | Free admission
Tanger Outlets Asheville’s Back-To-School Bash is planned as a family-focused event ahead of the school year. The event includes back-to-school activities and gives families another weekend option outside of the usual festival and concert schedule.
Festivals
Sourwood Festival
Downtown Black Mountain
Saturday & Sunday, times vary | Free admission
Sourwood Festival marks the start of the sourwood honey-selling season in Black Mountain. The annual event includes vendors, food, music and community activities tied to the region’s sourwood honey tradition.
AVL Sounds Fest
Venues across Asheville area
Friday, 2 p.m. | Prices vary
AVL Sounds Fest is a music-centered festival that will feature local, regional and national talent with performances across 15 area concert halls, clubs, and outdoor venues. Check the event listing for venue details, lineup information, ticketing and schedule updates.
WSAM Summer Festival
Porter Center at Brevard College, Brevard
Saturday, noon | Prices vary
WSAM Summer Festival is planned for Saturday with community and entertainment programming. Check the event listing for location, admission details and the full schedule.
Comedy
The 18th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival
Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville
Friday – Sunday, Times vary | Ticketed
The Asheville Comedy Festival returns for its 18th year with stand-up comedy performances across the weekend. The festival includes comics performing in Asheville as part of a multi-day comedy lineup.
John Mulaney: Mister Whatever
Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, Asheville
Sunday, 7 p.m. | Ticketed
John Mulaney brings his “Mister Whatever” tour to Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville on Sunday. The performance is part of the comedian’s national stand-up tour.
Health & wellness
Tourists Fitness Series: Rad Yoga Flow
HomeTrust Park, Asheville
Saturday, 7 a.m. | Registration required
Tourists Fitness Series: Rad Yoga Flow brings a morning yoga session to HomeTrust Park. The event is part of the Asheville Tourists’ fitness series and gives participants a chance to take part in a group class at the ballpark.
Arts & culture
Clyde’s
Asheville Community Theater, Asheville
Friday, 7 p.m. | Ticketed
“Clyde’s” is a stage production centered on a truck stop sandwich shop staffed by formerly incarcerated workers. The play blends workplace comedy with themes of second chances, ambition and identity.
Downtown Arts District First Fridays
Downtown Arts District, Asheville
Friday, 5-8 p.m. | Free admission
Downtown Arts District First Fridays brings exhibitions, live music, demonstrations, workshops and open galleries to Asheville’s downtown arts businesses. Visitors can stop by participating locations throughout the evening.
Alice in Wonderland Jr.
Asheville Community Theater, Asheville
Friday & Saturday, Times vary | Ticketed
“Alice in Wonderland Jr.” is a youth-oriented stage production based on Lewis Carroll’s story. The show follows Alice through Wonderland and includes characters such as the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat and Queen of Hearts.
Adesto Theatre Presents: Improvised Star Trek
North Carolina Stage Company, Asheville
Friday – Sunday, Times vary | Ticketed
Improvised Star Trek is a comedy and theater event built around an unscripted space-themed performance. The show uses audience input and improvisation to create a new story during each performance.
Note: Event details are subject to change. Some events may be delayed, rescheduled or canceled because of weather or other conditions. Check official event listings for the latest updates before attending.
Looking ahead
Additional concerts, festivals, markets and outdoor events are scheduled across Asheville and Western North Carolina in August. Find more local listings on the 828newsNOW events calendar.