Festivals and Annual Events

White squirrel festival, old times street dances, bike races, block parties, film festivals and yuletide traditions. These are just a few of the annual events that we like to celebrate here in Brevard, Sapphire and Pisgah National Forest. Meraki Escape's luxury vacation rentals are the perfect home base.

Outhouse Races

February 15, 2025 - President's Day Weekend

Outhouse race…. Crazy? Maybe. Dangerous? Perhaps. Fun? Without a doubt! You won’t find outhouse races on snow anywhere else in North Carolina! It’s a yearly event held every February and Meraki Escape is the place to stay if you want to compete for the throne.

Valentines Day

What could be more romantic than gazing at the stars deep in the mountain night on Valentines Day?? Grab your sweetheart and escape to our Romantic Mountain Cabins. During the day venture into town for one a wine tasting or romantic outdoor adventure. In the evening enjoy a private dinner under the stars at your cabin. Book early as there are only 2 cabins available.

The Couch Potato

February 10, 2024 - February 12, 2024.

Sponsored by Blue Ridge Adventures “An annual MTB race with a short enough course to make it doable from ‘off the couch’. This is if you have some prior miles in your legs and used to the Pisgah terrain. Rolling over rugged mining roads, classic Pisgah singletrack, cursing climbs and giggling descents, this course will test your skills and desire as you explore the intoxicating terrain of the Pisgah National Forest. Treating you to the finest trails at the entrance of the Forest. Good food, brews and comradely will be at the finish to comfort you after a long day in the saddle!”

Assault on the Carolinas

AOTC is an annual fundraiser attracting more than 1,000 riders to Brevard yearly. 100k and 50k rides through North and South Carolina mountains and valleys. Fully supported with 5 well stocked rest stops, bathroom facilities, traffic support at major intersections and a hot lunch after the ride. All rides start and finish from Main Street in downtown Brevard.

Pisgah Stage Race

5 days, 140 miles, 20,000+ ft of elevation gain 76% Singletrack – 19% Dirt – 5% Asphalt. 5 Stellar MTB Routes in Pisgah National Forest.

Luft-Wasser Porsches in Brevard

Come and enjoy the Appalachian Region of the Porsche Club of America at the annual Luft Wasser Porsche Celebration in Brevard, North Carolina. Over 150 Porsches will be arriving in downtown Brevard between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and then will be on display on Main Street until 2:00 p.m. Learn more about Luft-Wasser and the Appalachian Region Porsche Club.

Saturday Strolls

April -August

Every last Saturday of the month enjoy a self-guided tour of shops, galleries and participating business featuring curated events and promotions. Experience local art, enjoy live music, grab a bite to eat and stroll through beautiful downtown Brevard.

4th Friday Art Walks

May-December.

4th Friday Gallery walks in downtown Brevard, NC offer a delightful and vibrant experience for art enthusiasts and the local community. Held on the fourth Friday of each month*, from 5-7pm, these events provide a unique opportunity to explore the diverse art scene in Brevard while supporting local galleries.

Whether you are an avid art collector, a casual art appreciator, or simply looking for a unique and enjoyable evening, 4th Friday Gallery walks in downtown Brevard, NC offer a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the local art community. By attending these events and purchasing artwork, attendees directly support the local galleries, artists, and the vibrant arts scene in Brevard.

4th Friday Gallery Walks are produced by the Transylvania Community Arts Council. * Please note that December’s art walk is held on the 3rd Friday of the month.

Tuesday Night Block Party

Held weekly, mid-June through early August, Heart of Brevard’s Tuesday Night Block Party series is a decades-long tradition. The block series celebrates our Appalachian heritage with music, to dance, to drumming and arts.

Brevard Music Center Festivals and Events

Imagine a place where music fills the air and where Beethoven, Mozart, and Verdi are alive and well. Starting every June, the Brevard Music Center presents over 100 performances and events, encompassing multiple music genres, to more than 40,000 enthusiastic fans from across the country. Virtually every one of the orchestra, chamber and opera performance – and some blues, gospel, bluegrass, jazz, and pops too – is of the don’t-miss variety.

Mountain Song Festival

September 6th - Saturday, September 7th, 2024.

This two-day festival held at the world-renowned Brevard Music Center was created to bring the vest in acoustic music including bluegrass, new grass, old time, fold, jazz and traditional mountain music to our community and further encourage music in our everyday lives.

Brevard En Plein Air Festival

September 9th-14th, 2024.

Our 4th annual Plein Air Festival is a four-day, painting event that takes place in the beautiful mountainous area surrounding the town of Brevard, NC .

The event features en plein air style painting. The French phrase “en plein air,” means in plain air, or outside. It is also tied to the painting method by the same name, which opts for making art entirely outside rather than inside a studio.

The event welcomes artists from across the region to share their talents and beauty of downtown Brevard and surrounding areas. At the end of the weekend, the works they create will be sold at the event’s Wet Paint Show and Sale to support Heart of Brevard. Visitors are invited to come downtown to check out artists at work and to shop the Wet Paint Show and Sale.

Halloweenfest & Spooky Stroll

October 26th, 2024.

Count Dracula may not live full time in Transylvania County, but we’re pretty sure he clears his schedule every year for Heart of Brevard’s Halloweenfest, held annually on the Saturday before Halloween in downtown Brevard. This “fangtastic” event features FREE family-friendly fun, including bounce houses, our traditional costume competition and parade, the Magic Book Bus, a hula hoop dance party, an array of craft & retail and food vendors, and more. Join us for this amazing event and explore downtown Brevard’s businesses through a downtown Spooky Stroll Open House and downtown trick or treating!

Forks Of the River Fly Fishing Festival

November 1st & 2nd, 2024

The Forks of the River Fly Fishing Festival is a 2-day community event taking place at Deerwoode Reserve in Brevard, NC. Organized by Headwaters Outfitters, this festival celebrates the fly fishing community in Transylvania County and Western North Carolina.

Event Highlights

Guided fly fishing clinics and classes by Headwaters Outfitters and Davidson River Outfitters
Casting competition led by Kevin Howell, owner and guide of Davidson River Outfitters
Informative speeches and presentations by well-known personalities in the fly angling world
Vendors showcasing top-of-the-line fly rods, handmade nets, local art, and more
Food trucks and beer sales on site.

Holiday Windows Competition & Walking Tour

November 29th-December 31st.

Downtown businesses in the Heart of Brevard decorate their windows with spectacular, eye-popping displays for all to enjoy. The holiday window competition showcases festive and fun windows, mirroring the Chamber’s annual Christmas parade theme. This year’s theme is “Holidays: Past, Present and Future”. A panel of celebrity judges vote on the windows for winners in five categories. Visitors to downtown can also vote for their favorite window to win the People’s Choice Award.

Light Up the Night: December 7, 2024

Light Up the Night in downtown Brevard this holiday season! This community event immerses visitors in an evening of wonder, featuring twinkling lights, illuminated snowflakes and beautifully decorated storefronts. Join us for the official tree-lighting ceremony, live music, performances, ice skating, hayrides, food trucks, festive downtown shopping and more. New this year, Merry Maker’s Market. Join us for an evening of free family fun!

Christmas Parade : December 7th, 2024

The Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce invites you to kick off the holiday season with this fun and festive holiday tradition! The parade will be held Saturday, December 2nd at 11am.

November 19, 2024 -January 5, 2025
For a sweet treat, see the amazing creations at the annual National Gingerbread House Competition™ at The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

It all began with a small group of gingerbread houses built by community members in 1992 as another way to celebrate the holiday season with no plans to continue the following year. There was no possible way to know that more than two decades later The Omni Grove Park Inn National Gingerbread House Competition™ would be one of the nation's most celebrated and competitive holiday events.

As the event grew, so did the caliber of judges and competitors. The competition has merited broadcast coverage by NBC’s TODAY Show, ABC's Good Morning America, the Travel Channel, and the Food Network. The Gingerbread Display has grown in more than just entries; it has become a true family holiday tradition.