Goombay Festival is a food festival in Downtown, Asheville.
Goombay Festival at Pack Square Park celebrates African and Caribbean heritage with food vendors, live music and cultural performances. Run by YMI Cultural Center.
Tip: Free admission. Food vendors serve jerk chicken, curried goat, fried fish and Caribbean rice plates. Pair with a stop at nearby S and W Market on Patton Avenue.
Asheville VeganFest runs one Sunday at Pack Square Park in June with plant-based food trucks, vegan bakeries and lifestyle vendors. A fall edition runs in October.
Tip: Free entry. Arrive at noon when vendors open; most plates run under $15. The October sister edition is the larger of the two.
Asheville Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is now in its 30+ year run, with gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita and homemade baklava from parishioner kitchens.
Tip: Free entry. Friday-Saturday 11:00-21:00. Buy a meal ticket-book at the entrance to use across food stations; the bake-sale tent closes earlier on Saturday.
Asheville VeganFest runs one Sunday at Pack Square Park in June with plant-based food trucks, vegan bakeries and lifestyle vendors. A fall edition runs in October.
Tip: Free entry. Arrive at noon when vendors open; most plates run under $15. The October sister edition is the larger of the two.
Asheville Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is now in its 30+ year run, with gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita and homemade baklava from parishioner kitchens.
Tip: Free entry. Friday-Saturday 11:00-21:00. Buy a meal ticket-book at the entrance to use across food stations; the bake-sale tent closes earlier on Saturday.
Asheville Spring Herb Festival at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher runs 70+ vendors of culinary herbs, heirloom vegetables and local food trucks across the weekend.
Tip: Free entry, free parking. Friday-Saturday 08:30-17:00, Sunday 10:00-15:00. 12 miles south of Asheville. The largest herb festival in the US.
LEAF Global Arts Festival moved to Deerfields in Mills River in 2026 after 30 years at Lake Eden. Global music plus a curated food village from chef-led culture keepers.
Tip: Three-day camping or single-day tickets. Buy in advance; gate prices jump. Spring edition typically runs in May at the same site.
NC Mountain State Fair at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher runs 10 days of livestock, heritage crafts, fair food competitions and the regional food showcase.
Tip: Admission required; ride wristbands sold separately. 12 miles south of Asheville. Parking is free; arrive early on weekends to avoid Boylston Highway backups.
AVL Beer Week is the annual celebration of Asheville's craft beverage industry, with brewery-specific events, tap takeovers and collaborations across the city. Editor pick.
Tip: No single ticket; individual events and tap takeovers run at each brewery. Check the official AVL Beer Week site for the rolling calendar.