Catch us going carb crazy at Asheville Bread Festival. | Photo via @bishopse
Asheville’s weather is heating up — and so is festival season. So grab your sunscreen, dancing shoes, tote bag, or a combination of all three, because we’ve got a guide to 10+ spring festivals happening in and around the Land of the Sky.
Food
Asheville Bread Festival | Saturday, April 26-Sunday, April 27 | Times vary | New Belgium Brewing | $0+ | Tickets are limited for workshops + lectures with baking professionals, but anyone can browse the Bread Fair on Saturday morning, where local and regional bakers will offer a range of glutenous goodies.
Music
Asheville Amadeus Festival | Wednesday, April 30-Saturday, May 10 | Times vary | Locations vary | $0+ | This year’s theme is “The Art of Storytelling” — all events are ticketed separately, including performances from headliners Chris Thile and Time for Three.
GRINDFest | Saturday, May 3-Saturday, May 31 | Times vary | Locations vary | $0+ | Celebrate Black entrepreneurs and businesses every weekend of May — expect live music, workshops, food, and games all surrounding the theme, “Rebuilding is Everybody’s Business.”
Partner Puzzle Challenge | 12-1 p.m. | Ferguson Family YMCA, Candler | Free | Grab a buddy to complete a 300-piece puzzle in record time.
2025 Avian Diversity in the Craggies | 12-1 p.m. | Zoom | Free, RSVP | National Parks Conservation Association’s Steve Goodman will guide you through his research on avian diversity in the Craggy-Big Ivy Forest during this lunchtime webinar.
Wednesday, April 9
WNC Home Energy Resilience Cooperative Info Session | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | East Asheville Library | Free | Hear from members of Electrify Asheville-Buncombe about how they are rebuilding WNC with clean energy products.
“Roots So Deep” Screening | 5-9 p.m. | UNC Asheville, Blue Ridge Room | $20 | See two parts of the documentary and sit in for a panel discussing the inventive ways cattle can financially aid farmers and build climate resiliency.
Thursday, April 10
Using a Key to ID Wildflowers | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum | $50 | Learn how to properly examine the keys included in two popular wildflower field guides.
Friday, April 11
“Into The Woods” | Friday, April 11-Sunday, May 4 | Times vary | Asheville Community Theatre | $18+ | Take a seat for the opening night of the musical and watch as famous fairy tales intertwine.
Next month, Zen Sushi will open its second location, expanding into S&W Market. The popular sushi spot will take up residence in the former Mikasa Criolla stall (but you can still pick up the Peruvian empanadas around town). Expect to dine on a condensed menu of signature rolls, sashimi, veggie maki, and hand rolls. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Opening
We spotted some new signage announcing Mountain Madre Mexican Kitchen & Agave Bar will open up in the former Avenue M space. There’s currently no word on when the Merrimon Avenue location will open, but in the meantime, you can get your fix at its downtown restaurant.
Community
Traffic has resumed on US Highway 70 after firefighters extinguished flames from a piece of machinery in a debris field on Mimidis Lane. Crews contained the fire by Saturday night — the latest update from Swannanoa Fire & Rescue shares that operations have been discontinued, but it will continue to be monitored. (WLOS)
Civic
In early March, Asheville City Council approved changes to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to make it easier for developers to build housing along commercial corridors. Want to get into the specifics of what the changes could mean for Asheville? Read up on an explainer from the city.
Regional
The NCDOT is constructing a temporary bridge from U.S. 64/74A to Chimney Rock Park Road, west of the old truss bridge, to allow access to Chimney Rock State Park by its projected Memorial Day opening date. See plans for a permanent bridge coming in 2026.
Plan Ahead
You don’t have to wait until the fall to get a taste of homemade, authentic Greek cuisine. Ahead of its September bash, the Asheville Greek Festival is hosting a special drive-thru event on Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. — just drive up to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, order, and enjoy.
Shop
Put your business’s product or service in front of 53,000+ locals in our upcoming Parents’ Gift Guide. Don’t wait — secure your spot just in time for Mother’s Day + Father’s Day celebrations.
Ever wondered, “Why am I seeing this ad?” RAD Intel fixes that so brands get 3.5x better results and customers actually get seen (in a good way). Investors include Adobe, Fidelity, and insiders from Google and Meta. The company is pre-IPO and shares are $0.55. Invest before prices change Thursday, April 10.†*
Try This
Frolicking through Biltmore Estate® this spring. From florals climbing the Walled Garden to crisp seasonal wines from the vineyard, the season of rebirth is in full swing at the iconic Asheville estate. Here’s how to score $90 off an Annual Pass for unlimited daytime visits all year.*
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For the record
Earth River Records is ready for the big day. | Photo via Earth River Records
Music lovers’ favorite holiday is nearly upon us — Record Store Day is Saturday, April 12. Here’s where you can find the special releases you’re itching to get your hands on (or just some cool LPs to add to your collection).
Earth River Records | The Woodfin shop will open early at 10 a.m. — and if you plan on lining up even earlier, Shady Grove Coffee will keep you fueled with coffee, tea, and cocoa.
Harvest Records | Expect a line to form bright and early — the shop opens at 8:30 a.m., selling only RSD titles until 11 a.m. Then, any records are up for grabs, including a fresh batch of used vinyl. The good vibes will go ‘til 5 p.m., with DJs and free drinks.
Records in the RAD | Back in February, the record store and art gallery hybrid asked you which special LPs you wanted in stock for the special day — browse the music memorabilia section before you check out.
A cap sleeve V-neck tee with a tasteful ruching design. Crafted from soft, breathable fabric and available in 10+ colors, this shirt will become your go-to for spring and summer outfits.
I’m here with a friendly reminder that tickets for FIND Outdoors’ Blue Ghost firefly tours in the Cradle of Forestry go on sale today. These tickets go as fast as a lightning bug flickers, so snag them ASAP.
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