Last Updated on December 18, 2025
Live performances are more than just something to do to kill time on the weekend. In Western North Carolina, performance is a way of life—and you’re never far from a great show!
Our small towns sing with mountain music, modern grooves, movies, performance art, theater, and more from event spaces both historic and unexpected. There are even nationally recognized venues dotted across the region!
Keep reading to see a short list of interesting performance venues near you, and learn more below about how to #LiveWNC.
Skip ahead! Find performance venues in WNC near you:
- 4 performance venues near Asheville
- 4 performance venues near Brevard
- 4 performance venues near Hendersonville
- 4 performance venues near Waynesville
- Live where you love!
4 performance venues near Asheville
Asheville Community Theatre
Asheville Community Theatre has been delighting audiences with high-quality performances for more than 70 years. That makes them the oldest continuously operating theater in Asheville and one of the oldest community theaters in the nation. Today, ACT continues to provide entertainment, enrichment, and education through the practices and celebration of theater.
35 E Walnut Street, Asheville | (828) 254-1320 | ashevilletheatre.org
Hazel Robinson Amphitheater
The Montford Park Players, North Carolina’s longest-running Shakespeare troupe, presents free outdoor theater all summer long from the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater. In operation since 1973, they are one of only 15 Shakespeare troupes globally to have performed every single Shakespeare play. Best of all, they operate by donation, making public theater affordable for all. Just bring your lawn chairs, a picnic basket, and enjoy!
92 Gay Street, Asheville | ashevillenc.gov
The Odd
Looking for a live music and comedy venue that lives up to its name? The Odd is a place for wicked good times, freakishly incredible events, and an anomaly of art and artifacts. This dive bar-slash-music venue-slash-art gallery-slash-oddities museum hosts a wide range of “odd” events, from dance parties and burlesque to underground punk and comedy in all its forms.
1045 Haywood Road, Asheville | (828) 575-9299 | theoddasheville.com
White Horse Black Mountain
The Swannanoa Valley has long been a center for innovation in mountain music, including gospel and bluegrass. White Horse Black Mountain has established itself as a successful live music venue and community hub. The 3,000-square-foot facility operates as a nonprofit, allowing events to take center stage, including music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, poetry, theatre, films, benefit events, workshops, and more.
105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain | (828) 669-0816 | whitehorseblackmountain.org
Put your hands together for a great local act—from your WNC home! Search homes for sale in Asheville.
4 performance venues near Brevard
185 King Street
185 King Street combines great tunes and great food in one welcoming music and performance venue in downtown Brevard. The business opened in 2009 as the first entertainment business in Brevard’s Lumberyard Arts District with a mission of supporting local musicians. Today, the district is flourishing and the venue continues their original mission of supporting local artists.
185 King Street, Brevard | (828) 877-1850 | 185kingst.com
Brevard College
The Paul Porter Center for Performing Arts is a 700-seat, state-of-the-art performance space at Brevard College. This venue serves as a performance and academic space for the music and theater departments. It also hosts an impressive lineup of local and national artists. Recent performances include the Brevard Philharmonic, Brevard Community Band, Transylvania Choral Society, and the Artist Series. Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
One Brevard College Drive, Brevard | (828) 641–0641 | brevard.edu/the-porter-center
Brevard Music Center
Each year for more than 80 years, the world renowned Brevard Music Center has opened its doors to the public for dozens of concerts during their Summer Institute & Festival. In September, the music center also hosts the Mountain Song Festival. The annual two-day lineup features a great group of local artists, children’s activities, nature exhibits, food, and more. Ticket proceeds benefit the Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County.
349 Andante Lane, Brevard | (828) 862-2100 | brevardmusic.org
The DFR Lounge
Since 2015, The DFR Lounge has hosted both touring and local musicians from an intimate listening room in the heart of Brevard. The lounge has the vibe and acoustics of an old speakeasy—cool, sweet, and engaging. From jazz and blues to classic rock and R&B, you never know who you’ll see at DFR. Grab food and a drink downtown, and head down to the underground to enjoy a show!
44 E Main Street, Brevard | (828) 966-7619 | dfrlounge.com
Put your hands together for a great local act—from your WNC home! Search homes for sale in Brevard.
4 performance venues near Hendersonville
Flat Rock Playhouse
The Flat Rock Playhouse, North Carolina’s state theatre, stages Broadway-quality musicals, comedies, dramas, and theatre for young audiences. The Playhouse has gained national recognition for its professional performing company and theatre training programs. Their season runs year round, with more than 100,000 patrons attending shows each year.
2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock | (828) 693-0731 | flatrockplayhouse.org
Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra
Live music in Hendersonville ranges from classical to contemporary, and intimate to crowd pleasing. Since 1971, the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra has offered live symphonic performances and instrumental music education for youth and adults. Enjoy a professional experience with the feel of a community orchestra at Blue Ridge Community College during their five-performance season.
(828) 697-5884 | hendersonvillesymphony.org
Hendersonville Theatre
There are many places to enjoy live theater in Hendersonville. The Hendersonville Theatre embraces local playwrights and reaches out to younger audiences as core tenants of their community mission. Many fun performances are coming to their main stage this season, including from a few playwriting greats. Have you ever heard of Noel Coward or William Shakespeare? And that’s just the half of it!
229 S Washington Street, Hendersonville | (828) 692-1082 | hendersonvilletheatre.org
Tryon Fine Arts Center
Tryon Fine Arts Center has been a driving force for entertainment and the arts in Polk County since 1969. The center hosts events and educational opportunities throughout the year, mostly centered around music. For instance, Pacolet Junior Appalachian Musicians (PacJAM) instructs young musicians in grades 3–7 on traditional folk music instruments. For cinephiles, TFAC also produces a regular film series with introductions by a local film buff.
34 Melrose Avenue, Tryon | (828) 859-8322 | tryonarts.org
Put your hands together for a great local act—from your WNC home! Search homes for sale in Hendersonville.
4 performance venues near Waynesville
Bridge Park, Sylva
Bridge Park is Sylva’s most popular spot for picnics, outdoor activities, entertainment options, and relaxation. “Bridging” Main Street and a softly flowing creek, the park’s pavilion hosts the long-running Concerts on the Creek music series throughout the summer. Head down to Bridge Park at dusk for live music in a family-friendly setting. Bring a chair or blanket, and enjoy.
76 Railroad Avenue, Sylva | townofsylva.org/parks-recreation
Folkmoot Friendship Center
There are many ways to enjoy the arts in Haywood County—even those from around the world! The Folkmoot Friendship Center brings the cultures of the world here to WNC. For example, Folkmoot LIVE! is a performance series highlighting the finest American musicians, dancers, and storytellers working today. The Folkmoot Friendship Center also provides retail and gallery space to craft artists and independent businesses.
112 Virginia Avenue, Waynesville | (828) 452-2997 | folkmoot.org
Haywood Arts Regional Theatre
Founded in 1984, the award-winning Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART Theatre) is widely recognized as one of the finest community theaters in the Southeast and one of the best activities to do around Haywood County. HART offers a full schedule of performances at the historic Shelton House Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts throughout the year.
250 Pigeon Street, Waynesville | (828) 456-6322 | harttheatre.org
Sorrells Park, Canton
No holiday in Canton is complete without a trip to Sorrells Park! The park hosts the town’s July 4th celebrations in the summer, along with a seasonal splash pad for the kids. It helps ring in fall with the Canton Labor Day Festival—running 116 years and counting! And it’s even the site for some wintertime ice skating fun at “The Rink”.
8 Sorrells Street, Canton | (828) 648-2363 | cantonnc.com
Put your hands together for a great local act—from your WNC home! Search homes for sale in Waynesville.
Live where you love in Western North Carolina!
At Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks, we know it’s our local small businesses and nonprofits that help us live an active and modern mountain lifestyle. We encourage you to join us as we #LiveWNC.
This year, we have committed to sharing some of our favorite WNC locations, causes, and characters through a series of blog posts, including today’s post on performance venues. Return here throughout the year to learn more about local nonprofits, businesses, and business leaders that enhance our home and make it easy to live where you love, including:
- Karma Keg Nonprofits
- Top Chefs
- Golf
- Art Galleries
- Regional Trails
- Shopping Main Street
Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks has local roots and a national network, offering clients a full-service real estate experience. Reach out for info to help you meet your real estate goals.
