Happening this Weekend: June 25th-June 28th

Thursday, June  25

Asheville:   Luminere™ at Biltmore Estate. The gardens and the house are the canvas for a custom light and sound show. As of today tickets are available for this Thursday night. All tickets include access to 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds the day-of and day-after your visit, complimentary wine tastings, and parking. 

• $80 and up; ages 16 & under free with an adult ticket through Labor Day
• From 5 pm; show begins at dusk
• 1 Lodge Street (allow 20 minutes to drive from the the estate gates, park, and walk to the house) 

Friday, June 26 

Beech Mountain, Avery and Watauga counties: Tickets on Sale for Autumn at Oz. Tickets go on sale to the public at noon for Autumn at Oz 2026, held over three weekends in September. You can wander the theme park's Yellow Brick Road, set against Beech Mountain's high-elevation fall color. 

• $70, general admission, with an $8 add-on for Overlook access
• Sale begins at noon for tickets for September 11–13, 18–20, and 25–27
• Land of Oz, 1 Yellow Brick Rd, Beech Mountain

Hot Springs, Madison County:   Lightning Bug Tiny Music Festival. Kickoff day one of this intentional gathering with a night of live musical performance by local and regional artists at Rare Bird Farm in Spring Creek. Proceeds support Rare Bird Cultural Arts’ inclusive creative work with adult artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

• Tickets start at $15
• 6 pm gates open; 7 pm performance by Thomas Dollbaum; 8:15 pm performance by The Powers Ensemble
• 91 Duckett Top Tower Road, Hot Springs

Saturday, June 27 

Robbinsville, Graham County & Bryson City, Swain County:   Stecoah Arts & Crafts Drive-About Tour. A self-guided driving tour through studios and workshops across Swain and Graham counties, including Bryson City. Meet local artisans, watch them work, and shop handmade crafts. Printed maps available at each location; directional signs mark the way.

• Free
• 10 am to 4 pm (tour also open on Sunday, same hours)
• Printed maps available the Stecoah Artisans Gallery, 121 School House Rd, Robbinsville

Asheville, Downtown:   Asheville Stonewall Fest. This pride festival features live music, artists, pop-up drag shows, comedy, and more. All free, but you must reserve tickets. Kickoff Friday at The Radical’s rooftop bar, main event Saturday, and drag show Sunday at New Belgium Brewing. 

• Free with tickets reserved online
• 2-8 pm (also see events on Friday and Sunday)
• Asheville Yards, 75 Coxe Avenue

Sunday, June 28

Brevard, Transylvania County:   America 250 Concert. Keith Lockhart and the Brevard Sinfonia salute America’s 250th anniversary with a concert celebrating the richness of American orchestral music. Performers include Charles Vernon and David Jackson, Scott Hartman, and Aubrey Foard. Works by Oliver Barber, James Stephenson, Aaron Copland, and Carlos Simon. 

• Tickets start at $37.36 for adults and $14.95 for children
• 3-5:30 pm
• Brevard Music Center, Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium 349 Andante Lane