Music Festivals and Art Events in the NC High Country

This month, our spotlight is on the equally vibrant music and art events celebrated throughout our summer months. In this post, you'll find a curated selection of must-visit festivals and can’t-miss events that are fun for the whole family!

Music Events

1. Boonerang (Boone): This free music and arts festival celebrates Boone, North Carolina, with seven stages, vendors, and artists, and has quickly become one of the most popular festivals in the region; this community homecoming brings Boone-connected artists and fans together every third weekend in June. For more information, click here.
2. An Appalachian Summer Festival (Boone): Appalachian State University hosts an annual arts festival including a variety of music, theatre, dance, film and visual arts. Starting June 29, events are held nearly every day until July 27. For a full list of scheduled events, click here.
3. Symphony by the Lake (Blowing Rock): Held at the Chetola Resort on July 19, Symphony by the Lake has become a staple of High Country music culture. A variety of seating options are available, including patio and picnic seating. Guests are welcome to bring food and beverages, and Chetola Resort also offers optional dining packages to accommodate the performance. For more information, click here.
4. Music in the Valle (Valle Crucis): Sponsored in part by our office at Keller Williams High Country, Music in the Valle at Valle Crucis Park on Fridays from May 24 through August 30 features performances by artists from the genres of bluegrass, folk, country, rock, and more. For more information, click here.
5. Concerts in the Park (Banner Elk): Live performances by local and regional bands every Thursday at the Tate-Evans Town Park Amphitheater from June 20 through August 15 with genres ranging from Southern rock to funk. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Food, beer, and wine vendors are available onsite. Pets are not allowed in the seating area but can enjoy the music in the adjacent park. For more information, click here.
6. Summer Concerts at the Jones House (Boone): Starting June 7, the popular weekly concert series on the Jones House lawn runs from June through August. Showcasing local and regional acts, this year’s lineup features a variety of musical genres, including bluegrass, old-time, jazz, folk, and more. Music begins at 5:30 PM. Concerts are free and open to the public, and they are held rain or shine. For more information, click here.

Art Events

1. Art in the Park: (10 AM-5 PM on May 18, June 15, July 13, Aug 17, Sep 7, Oct 5): Art of many mediums is celebrated each month, May through October. Artists are jury-selected, and each show features a different set of artists, curated to present a wide variety of mediums. Find gifts, works of art, beautiful functional items like furniture, pottery, and cutlery, and wearable art like handcrafted jewelry and textiles. Artists’ tents line Park Avenue right in downtown Blowing Rock so attendees can enjoy proximity to other shopping, as well as dining options and local parks.
2. Art on the Greene: (May 25-26): Near Banner Elk Historic School. Find everything from hand-crafted furniture to one-of-a-kind art creations inspired by our Blue Ridge Mountains. Craft vendors represent a variety of media, such as metal, glass, ceramics, wood, watercolor, acrylics and oil. Festivities also include food vendors and other entertainment.
3. Downtown West Jefferson Gallery Crawl: (Second Friday of each month, 5-7 PM): The gallery crawl directly supports and promotes downtown West Jefferson businesses by providing the opportunity to see works by Ashe County's leading artists. Crawlers are invited to stroll the streets, visit the galleries, view the downtown murals, enjoy the many outdoor art pieces, and take advantage of the downtown restaurants. Art lovers will find one-of-a-kind paintings and photography, pottery, stained glass, quilts, fiber arts, jewelry, wood turned art, and more.
4. First Friday Boone Art Crawl: (First Friday of each month): On every first Friday of the month, the Downtown Boone Development Association hosts "First Friday Art Crawls," which include food and art vendors in downtown Boone. It is a great opportunity to partake in the community and support local artists.

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