Take an Asheville Microcation This August

Do you feel like you’ve missed your summer vacation window but still want to go somewhere before temperatures fall? Don’t feel like packing gear for an entire week or more, knowing you’ll have to unpack it all as soon as you get back home? Need a break, but a weekend just isn’t long enough? What you need is a microcation!

A microcation is a vacation that’s fewer than five days, and is usually closer to home than a full getaway. In other words, you can reach your destination in a few hours by car and still have plenty of time to take in the sights. Plus, they’re often less expensive than a full week’s vacation, and it’s hard to argue with that!

Any town in Western North Carolina is a great destination for a microcation, but Asheville is where you can pack in the most activity in such a relatively short amount of time.

August is bursting with arts activities and festivals in and around Asheville. You’re never more than a quick drive away from exciting, new, and unique adventures - even if you only have a few days.

View

Although a large portion of the River Arts District was damaged after Hurricane Helene last year, the Upper RAD (Roberts Street, Artful Way, Depot Street, and Clingman Avenue) is now open and ready for visitors and shoppers.

The RAD Sip & Stroll on August 9 is a perfect opportunity to explore over 350 working artists in open studios and meet displaced artists exhibiting at the RAD Art Market. It’s also a great time to purchase original works directly from artists - many of whom lost their work to the hurricane.

Even if you can’t make it to the Sip & Stroll, this town is full of art galleries, art installations, and public art, as well as the Asheville Art Museum, open year-round.

Fest

The 2025 Asheville Film Festival spotlights short independent films and documentaries at the Asheville Masonic Temple from Aug. 15-17. Check out local talents before they hit the big time, and help choose which films are most worthy for awards night on Aug. 16.

The Second-Annual Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL takes place in Pack Square Park Aug. 29-31. The free festival celebrates the artists, musicians, storytellers, and creators of Asheville. With live musical performances, interactive workshops, tours, local vendors, speakers, and much more, it’s a festival as unique as the city itself.

Eat

One of the “sweetest” festivals in Western North Carolina is the Sourwood Festival. It takes place in the charming small town of Black Mountain, August 9-10 to celebrate the local bees and their sourwood honey. Aside from all the honey, there are more than 150 vendors with plenty of foods, crafts, and more along Black Mountain’s side streets. The numerous art galleries in town remain open, as do restaurants and stores, so there is plenty to see, do, and buy.

Dance

Another Asheville tradition is Shindig on the Green, a celebration of mountain heritage that incorporates the music and dancing of the Appalachian mountain culture. The whole shebang is produced by the Folk Heritage Committee to support the preservation of the music, dance and storytelling of the Appalachian people. Plenty of food and drinks are available to buy, but all you really need is a blanket or some chairs to enjoy the tunes - or join in with your own instruments or clogging feet. It all goes down “along about sundown” (7 p.m. or so) at the Roger McGuire Green at Pack Square Park, August 9, 16, and 23.

The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival returns for its 98th year July 31-Aug. 2. The nation’s longest-running folk festival is dedicated to telling the traditions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains through dancing and Bluegrass music. It all takes place on the campus of Asheville High School. Get all the information you need, including performers, at the Folk Heritage Committee website.

Tour

Nearby Leicester is hosting its annual “Come to Leicester Studio Tour” on August 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. With more than 20 studios and shops, you’re bound to find something unique and handmade by local artists. Find a map and more info about each artist at the website.