Last Updated on May 8, 2025
Memorial Day holds an important spot on our calendar as the unofficial start of summer. More significantly, it’s an opportunity to recognize and honor the servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, while carrying on the spirit of their legacy.
There are many ways to celebrate the holiday weekend this year. Communities across Western North Carolina are holding plant sales, street festivals, and of course, memorial ceremonies. Whatever your interests, there is an event for you.
Stay close to home or venture further afield to enjoy these 2025 Memorial Day events in Asheville and across WNC.
Asheville Beer Week
May 15–29, 2025 | Downtown Asheville and beyond
If you haven’t already, use Memorial Day weekend to catch the tail end of Asheville Beer Week, a brew-centric celebration of experiences, connections, and enjoyment of WNC’s craft beer ecosystem. The two-week, multi-venue calendar features beer tastings, craft beverage dinner pairings, and panel discussions. This year, every pint poured, every ticket sold, and every event attended contributes to the revitalization of Asheville’s beloved craft beverage industry.
Learn more: exploreasheville.com/asheville-beer-week
Maggie Valley Fly Fishing & Outdoor Festival 2025
May 23–24, 2025 | Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, Maggie Valley
Welcome, fly fishing enthusiasts! Peruse more than 75 vendors showcasing the latest gear in fly fishing and outdoor recreation. Highlights include expert fly-tying demonstrations, a “Kids Korner” with a bouncy house, and daily casting contests for pros, amateurs, and kids, with top prizes such as Hardy and Winston Fly Rods. Learn the tricks of the trade during aquatic workshops in Jonathan Creek with Haywood Waterways and brush up on important skills in special clinics.
Learn more: downtownwaynesville.com/events
21st Annual White Squirrel Weekend
May 23–25, 2025 | Downtown Brevard
Brevard loves its white squirrel population! The annual White Squirrel Festival combines a stellar live music line-up, a smorgasbord of tasty offerings from vendors and local craft breweries, and an assortment of treasures from dozens of craft and retail vendors into one fantastic event. The weekend also features a pirate ship escape room, Hoopjam hula hoop dance, and balloon artists. Music headliners for the weekend include Red Clay Revival, Andrew Scotchie, Shovels & Rope, and Woody Platt & the Bluegrass Gentlemen.
Learn more: brevardnc.org/white-squirrel-weekend-2025
Memorial Day Weekend Nature Walks with Old Edwards Inn
May 23–25, 2025 @ 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Highlands
Spend this Memorial Day weekend discovering the hidden wonders of fields and forests with three local experts at Brushy Face Preserve, Dixon Woods, and Whiteside Mountain. Go for the full discovery immersion with all three treks or choose one that calls your name.
Learn more: highlandschamber.org/events
16th Annual Concerts on the Creek
May 23, 2025 @ 7:00–9:00 PM | Sylva
The Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce team up each summer to produce the 15-week Concerts on the Creek series every Friday at the Bridge Park gazebo in Sylva. This year’s kickoff event on Memorial Day weekend will feature the soul-infused folk rock of Shane Meade & The Sound. These events are free, with donations encouraged. Dogs must be on a leash. No coolers or tents, and no smoking/vaping. Food trucks will be available on select nights.
Learn more: mountainlovers.com/concerts-on-the-creek
Garden Jubilee
May 24–25, 2025 @ 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | Main Street, Hendersonville
More than 200 plant and craft vendors will line Main Street during Garden Jubilee, one of the largest gardening shows in WNC. The two-day garden and plant extravaganza features local and regional nurseries selling thousands of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, and hard-to-find plants. Crafters will offer distinctive garden art, and there will be handmade lawn furniture, jewelry, garden tools, planters, wind chimes, birdhouses, soaps, and pottery. Visitors can also learn the latest techniques and tips from gardening experts.
Learn more: visithendersonvillenc.com/garden-jubilee
NC Arboretum Rose Exhibition
May 24–25, 2025 @ 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | NC Arboretum, Asheville
Spring into the Arb! The annual Rose Society exhibition promises to be the most spectacular exhibition of roses in Western North Carolina. Dozens of varieties of fragrant, WNC-grown roses will be on display, including rare and beautiful blooms from some of the region’s most admired gardens, along with lovely easy-care roses perfect for your garden. Rose experts will be available to offer helpful gardening tips and answer your questions. Event free with Arboretum parking fee.
Learn more: ncarboretum.org
4th Annual Downtown Asheville Memorial Day Weekend Festival of the Arts
May 24–25, 2025 @ 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Downtown Asheville
Known for its unified support of visual arts, Asheville is welcoming back the Downtown Asheville Festival of the Arts this Memorial Day Weekend. See some of the finest locally made art alongside national artists’ works during this free, outdoor event. A scenic stroll amongst sparkling jewels, one-of-a-kind paintings, exquisitely crafted glasswork, stunning sculpture, and every medium of hand-made art—all in the artist’s mecca that is downtown Asheville—rounds out the perfect Memorial Day Weekend for art appreciators. The show is set up on the streets of North and South Pack Square.
Learn more: artfestival.com
GRINDfest
May 24, 2025 | Asheville
GRINDfest is back with a full month of free and ticketed events, inspiring conversations, and can’t-miss experiences—all celebrating Black entrepreneurs and business owners in Asheville. Grind Festival, a block-party-style event at AB-Tech on May 24 includes music, games, live performances, food, and local vendors. Additional Memorial Day weekend events include the WNC Housing Summit and River Revival.
Learn more: grindfestavl.com
Mountain Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
May 24, 2025 | Highlands
Don’t miss this colorful annual event! Discover mountain-hardy plants that are potted and sold by members of the Mountain Garden Club. This event was organized by the Mountain Garden Club to raise money for scholarships, conservation, and more.
Learn more: highlandschamber.org/events
Steppin’ into Spring Outdoor Festival
May 24, 2025 | Axe and Awl Leatherworks, Waynesville
Join a delightful celebration of the season at the Steppin’ into Spring Outdoor Festival. Enjoy live music, delectable food trucks, and the creativity of local makers. Organized by Axe & Awl Leatherworks, this outdoor extravaganza promises a day filled with joy, laughter, and a vibrant community spirit.
Learn more: downtownwaynesville.com/events
Saturday Night Lights
May 24, 2025 @ 4:00–10:00 PM | Tryon International, Mill Spring
Visit Tryon International on select Saturday nights May–October to enjoy the signature “Saturday Night Lights” event series. These action-packed nights feature free family fun, live music, entertainment, and a carnival atmosphere from 6:00–8:00 PM in Legends Plaza, followed by the $70,000 Defender Grand Prix CSI 2* in Tryon Stadium at 8:00 PM. Grab dinner at one of the center’s on-site restaurants, enjoy a beverage at the Silver Spoon Saloon, and cheer on your favorite horses and riders as they soar over massive jumps and race through the timers!
Learn more: resort.tryon.com/events
2 Asheville Community Band Memorial Day Concerts
May 24 & May 25, 2025 | Asheville
The Asheville Community Band was organized in October 1979 and now features more than 90 musicians ranging in age from high school to octogenarian. They truly represent Western North Carolina, with members from six counties. Asheville Community Band’s fun-filled, family friendly, all-American free concerts feature military music, marches, and wind band favorites. Bring a chair and enjoy the show. Free (with Biltmore admission for May 25th estate performance).
Learn more: ashevillecommunityband.com/concerts
Lake Lure Memorial Day Service
May 26, 2025 @ 9:00 AM | Lake Lure Veterans Memorial, Lake Lure
Join the Lake Lure community to honor and commemorate the sacrifices of those military men and women who laid down their lives in service to our nation. This year’s event features guest speaker Brad A. Morgan, Colonel, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and lead for Western North Carolina Storm Recovery Mission. The Lake Lure Veterans Memorial is located across from the Lake Lure Beach and Waterpark.
Learn more: townoflakelure.com
Weaverville Memorial Day Holiday and Observance
May 26, 2025 @ 11:00 AM | Weaverville Community Center, Weaverville
The general public is invited to attend the Weaverville annual Memorial Day observance, with a picturesque view of Lake Louise. The day’s program is filled with a diverse range of activities, including an invocation and benediction led by Pastor Rebecca Gurney, patriotic melodies performed by the Asheville Senior Chorus, a rifle salute by the Weaverville Police Department, “Taps” played by the Weaverville Fire Department, and classic bagpipe songs by Howard Dusenbery. This year’s guest speaker is Major General Joseph G. (Skip) Garrett III (retired).
Learn more: weavervillenc.org
