Warm weather ushers in months of fun, no matter which community at The Cliffs you live in
One of the many great things about living in Western Carolina mountains is the wealth of things to do year-round. In spring and summer, events color the landscape like bright blossoms, as the area bursts with art fairs, music events, and food festivals highlighting the talents and bounty of Southern Appalachia and the Blue Ridge foothills.
THE ASHEVILLE REGION
SPRING AT BILTMORE
MARCH 25 – MAY 23 | ASHEVILLE, NC
Starting in late March, a stunning spring spectacle unfolds at Biltmore when more than 130,000 flowers, from tulips and daffodils to azaleas and cherry blossoms, burst into bloom around the gardens and grounds. To see manmade beauty, reserve tickets for the new show, Chihuly at Biltmore, featuring sculptures by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Biltmore, 1 Lodge Street, Asheville, NC | biltmore.com
LEAF GLOBAL ARTS FESTIVAL
MAY 9 – 12 | BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC
Can world music create community? LEAF (Lake Eden Arts Festival) believes it can, and its Global Arts Festival is there to prove it. Acclaimed as one of the best festivals in the Southeast, LEAF has been described as a party in the woods, with attendees jamming, singing, dancing, and enjoying live performances on stages set around a lovely mountain lake.
375 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC | theleaf.org/events/leaf-festival
ASHEVILLE IDEAS FEST
JUNE 17 – 20 | ASHEVILLE, NC
Expand your mind and recharge your body in this one-of-a-kind immersive experience. This year’s fest, led by a panel of leading thinkers, will probe issues ranging from the state of democracy to exploration of space and sea. In between panels, there are opportunities to explore the cuisine, culture, and natural beauty of Asheville.
Various locations in Asheville, NC | ashevilleideasfest.com
CRAFT FAIR OF THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
JUNE 17 – 20 | ASHEVILLE, NC
If you love handmade crafts, don’t miss this venerable four-day juried show, which showcases the work of members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Listen to live music while you watch some of the finest artists in the South create work in mediums including clay, glass, fiber, paper, wood, jewelry, leather, and metal.
Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC | southernhighlandguild.org/events
MOUNTAIN DANCE AND FOLK FESTIVAL
AUGUST 1 – 3 | SWANNANOA, NC
Do-si-do over to Swannanoa to join the toe-tapping fun at the 97th year of the festival that honors the music, dance, and storytelling traditions of Southern Appalachia. From string band concerts to clog dancing, a different show will be presented live each evening, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage of the Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Kittredge Theatre, Warren Wilson College 701 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa, NC | folkheritage.org
NORTH CAROLINA STATE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
AUGUST 15 – 17 | MARION, NC
Celebrating the acoustic string music that was born in the hills of Appalachia, North Carolina’s State Bluegrass Festival features three days of concerts, plus food trucks and craft vendors. Featured in the lineup for this summer’s festival are Grammy Award-winner and member of the Grand Ole Opry Rhona Vincent, and the bluegrass band Authentic Unlimited.
Tom Johnson’s Campground, 348 Resistoflex Road, Marion, NC | evansmediasource.com
NORTH CAROLINA APPLE FESTIVAL
AUGUST 30 – SEPTEMBER 2 | HENDERSONVILLE, NC
Apples rule at this popular festival, held on Labor Day weekend in Hendersonville, the seat of the county that ranks among the top 20 apple-growing counties in the US. Over the weekend, Main Street sets out arts and crafts booths and apple-centric products from cider to ice cream. Come back Monday afternoon to watch the King Apple Parade, held rain or shine.
Main Street, Hendersonville, NC | ncapplefestival.org
THE LAKE REGION
SPRING FLING
MARCH 30 – 31 | PENDLETON, SC
Horse enthusiasts will want to mark their calendars for this two-day open horse show at the Garrison Arena at Clemson University. Sponsored by the South Carolina Upstate Equine Council, the event will include hunting, jumping, Western, and dressage, along with vendors, a silent auction, and tack sale tables.
T. Ed Garrison Arena, 11-1 W. Queen Street, Pendleton, SC | springflinghorseshow.com
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE CHILI COOK OFF CHAMPIONSHIP
APRIL 20 | BELTON, SC
Who will win bragging rights for the best chili in the state? Head to Belton to find out who the expert judges—sanctioned by the International Chili Society—deem South Carolina’s best chili cook in the 14th annual competition. Of course, you’ll want to taste the entries for yourself and cast your vote for the People’s Choice.
City Square, 100 N. Main Street, Belton, SC | scchilicookoff.com
PICKENS AZALEA FESTIVAL
APRIL 26 – 27 | PICKENS, SC
For more than 40 years, Pickens has celebrated the floral harbingers of spring on the last weekend of April. The fun kicks off with the annual cruise-in on Friday evening and continues on Saturday when Main Street in downtown Pickens teems with local artisans, crafters, musicians, and food vendors. Other highlights include the Pet Pageant and the Hotdog Eating Competition.
Main Street, Pickens, SC | pickensazaleafestival.com
ROCK THE COUNTRY
JULY 26 – 27 | ANDERSON, SC
Get ready for a big show in a small town, as the new music festival Rock the Country tours the U.S., with a stop in Anderson. Headliners are none other than Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, and Miranda Lambert, with appearances by Travis Tritt and Brantley Gilbert. If that doesn’t get your country heart fluttering, we don’t know what will.
Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center, 3027 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Anderson, SC | rockthecountry.com
SOUTH CAROLINA APPLE FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 6 – 7 | WESTMINSTER, SC
The city of Westminster has kicked off the beginning of the local apple harvest on the week after Labor Day for more than 50 years now. Friday and Saturday highlight the core of the event, celebrating all things apple with fruit vendors, artisans, a parade, a quilt show, and rides for the kids.
Main Street, Westminster, SC | visitoconeesc.com/sc-apple-festival
GRITS & GRASS MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 12 – 14 | PICKENS, SC
Lonesome River Band, Fast Track, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, The Grass Strings—those are just a few of the dozen or so musical acts that will grace the grounds of Hagood Mill during Grits & Grass. Come Thursday night for Moonlight Music on the Mountain and consider entering the Flat Foot Mountain Dance Contest—it benefits local charities.
Hagood Mill, 138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens, SC | gritsngrass.com
THE MOUNTAIN REGION
SOUTHERN ROOTS BBQ REUNION
APRIL 20 | TRAVELERS REST, SC
Now in its third year, Southern Roots shines a spotlight on local chefs and acclaimed pitmasters from around the Southeast. They’ll be cooking up creative combinations of barbecue and sides to the tune of live music, to pair with beer, wine, and craft cocktails. Proceeds benefit IDefine, a nonprofit that helps families of children with the rare genetic disorder Kleefstra Syndrome.
Trailblazer Park, 235 Trailblazer Drive, Travelers Rest, SC | southernrootsreunion.com
ARTISPHERE
MAY 10 – 12 | GREENVILLE, SC
Hailed as one of the top fine-art festivals in the country, Artisphere celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. In addition to nearly 150 visual artists, this popular event features 80 bands on three outdoor stages throughout the weekend. Bring the kids along too; they won’t be bored at Kidsphere, where they can foster their creativity through hands-on crafting.
Main Street, downtown Greenville, SC | artisphere.org
GALLABRAE – THE GREENVILLE SCOTTISH GAMES
MAY 24 – 25 | GREENVILLE, SC
Whether you claim Scottish ancestry or not, you’ll find fun on Memorial Day Weekend at Gallabrae. Festivities begin on Friday evening with the Great Scot Parade in downtown Greenville, and move to Furman University on Saturday where the games begin (caber toss, anyone?). Don your clan tartan to watch Highland pipe bands compete and border collies show off their sheepherding skills.
Parade: Downtown Greenville | Games: Furman University: 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC | gallabrae.com
GREENVILLE JAZZ FEST
JUNE 7 – 8 | GREENVILLE, SC
From big bands to steel pans, the sounds of jazz will ring out downtown for the second annual Greenville Jazz Fest. The 2024 lineup has yet to be announced, but to give you a taste, last year’s festival showcased national acts such as the Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band from New Orleans along with homegrown jazz groups.
Main Street, downtown Greenville, SC | greenvillesc.gov/2114/Greenville-Jazz-Fest
SOUTH CAROLINA NEW PLAY FESTIVAL
AUGUST 8 – 11 | GREENVILLE, SC
New plays, new musicals, new variety shows—that’s what you can expect to see when the third annual South Carolina New Play Festival takes over downtown Greenville’s performing-arts halls with works by established and emerging playwrights. Every night presents a different performance in a different venue, winding up on Sunday evening with a Broadway Cabaret.
Various locations in downtown Greenville, SC | southcarolinanewplayfestival.org
EARL SCRUGGS MUSIC FESTIVAL
AUGUST 30 – SEPTEMBER 1 | MILL SPRING, NC
Top-notch talent (Emmylou Harris was the headliner last year) entertains concert-goers at the third incarnation of this festival, which pays homage to the late banjo legend Earl Scruggs, an inductee in both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. His music lives on through the dozens of iconic country artists who will take the stage.
Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Blvd., Mill Spring, NC | earlscruggsmusicfest.com
EUPHORIA
SEPTEMBER 19 – 22 | GREENVILLE, SC
Indulge your inner foodie at Greenville’s premier food, wine, and music event. During the four-day abbondanza, you can choose from more than 50 mouthwatering events, including wine tastings, cocktail classes, bike picnics, dinners, and brunches. Wine dinners pair local chefs with culinarians from around the country, including some with Michelin stars, while Feast by the Field takes over Fluor Field on Saturday and Sunday.
Various locations in Greenville | euphoriagreenville.com
STAY AND PLAY
Don’t want to limit your stay to just one day? As a member at The Cliffs, there are countless benefits that await, including our Property Management program. This amazing perk allows members to seek adventures through our home-rental program exclusively for members. Or stay in one of our local area hotels–including The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson and Hotel Domestique in Travelers Rest.
While spring and summer in the Western Carolinas offer many festivals for day trips, consider year-long accommodations and a lifetime of adventure in the beautiful regions at The Cliffs. Here, you may explore all the vibrant communities have to offer under one membership.
This story was featured in Cliffs Living magazine. To see more stories like this one and learn more about The Cliffs, subscribe here.
