ASHEVILLE, N.C. 828newsNOW — The Sept. 11-13 weekend brings a mix of books, music, film, food and outdoor events to Asheville and Western North Carolina, with several festivals and community gatherings marking the shift toward fall.
Events include the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival in Burnsville, Mountain Song Festival in Brevard, Brews & Bears at the WNC Nature Center, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Asheville and weekend performances and races across the region.
Here’s a look at some of the events scheduled for the weekend.
Weekend at a glance
- Family-friendly: Brews & Bears
- Festivals: Carolina Mountains Literary Festival, Mountain Song Festival, Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour or Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival
- Food and beverage: Wine Walk Asheville
- Live music: Little Feat or Patio Show: Carrie Morrison
- Outdoors: Railway Races 5K & 1 Mile
Family-friendly & community
Brews & Bears
WNC Nature Center, Asheville
Friday, 5 p.m. | Ticketed
Brews & Bears is an after-hours event at the WNC Nature Center. The evening includes access to parts of the nature center, local beer, food vendors and live music.
Festivals
Carolina Mountains Literary Festival
Burnsville Town Center and downtown venues, Burnsville
Friday-Saturday | Prices vary
Carolina Mountains Literary Festival brings writers, readers and presenters to Burnsville for author talks, readings, workshops and book-focused programming. The festival highlights literature, storytelling and regional creative work.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour benefiting MountainTrue
Asheville area, Asheville
Friday, 6 p.m. | Ticketed
The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour features films focused on outdoor adventure, mountain culture and environmental themes. The Asheville event benefits MountainTrue.
2026 Mountain Song Festival
Brevard Music Center, Brevard
Friday-Sunday | Ticketed
Mountain Song Festival includes a weekend lineup of roots, bluegrass and Americana performers at Brevard Music Center. The event also supports the Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County.
Villain Arts’ 7th Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival
Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, Asheville
Friday-Sunday | Ticketed
The Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival brings tattoo artists, vendors, contests and related programming to Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. The event includes opportunities to meet artists, view tattoo work and attend festival activities across the weekend.
Food and beverage
4th Annual Wine Walk Asheville
Downtown Asheville, Asheville
Sunday, 2 p.m. | Ticketed
Wine Walk Asheville takes participants through downtown Asheville for wine tastings at participating locations. The event gives attendees a way to visit local businesses while sampling wines during the Sunday afternoon walk.
Live music & nightlife
Little Feat: The Last Farewell Tour
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Asheville
Friday, 6 p.m. | Ticketed
Little Feat brings its Last Farewell Tour to Asheville on Friday. The band’s catalog blends rock, blues, country, funk and New Orleans-influenced music.
Patio Show: Carrie Morrison
The Grey Eagle Asheville
Sunday, 5 p.m. | Prices vary
Carrie Morrison performs as part of a Sunday patio show. The event offers an early evening live music option to close out the weekend.
Outdoors & daytime
Railway Races 5K & 1 Mile
Hendersonville Welcome Center, Hendersonville
Saturday, 7 a.m. | Registration required
Railway Races includes a 5K and 1-mile race option. The event gives runners and walkers a Saturday morning race on a railway-themed course, with distance options for different ages and abilities.
Looking ahead
Additional concerts, festivals, markets and outdoor events are scheduled across Asheville and Western North Carolina in September. Find more local listings on the 828newsNOW events calendar.
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.