It’s officially no longer winter in the Carolinas, and one of our very favorite ways to enjoy the season is by attending Carolina spring festivals. There’s a whole host of events, from art-fueled bashes to foodie-filled weekends. Find your favorite, plan your getaway, and prepare to celebrate the beautiful Southeast region.
Art Festivals
Kings Drive Art Walk
May 6 – 7, 2017 – Charlotte’s own Kings Drive Art Walk is back with outstanding art, crafts, and music for all ages. See what Charlotte’s best artists have been up to with select pieces for sale. This year will include fine arts and plenty of activities for the whole family. The Kings Drive Art Walk will be held on the King’s Drive section of Little Sugar Creek Greenway. www.festivalinthepark.org
Artisphere
May 12 – 14, 2017 – Artisphere is an arts festival that showcases the best artists in the upstate area with great music, food, and kid’s activities. Head down to the West End Historic District of Greenville, South Carolina for artists of all kinds on display. There will be culinary, visual, and performing acts at Artisphere.
www.artisphere.org
Artsplosure
May 19 – 21, 2017 – The Raleigh Arts Festival, Artsplosure is a nonprofit arts and cultural event that brings together all of the greatest artists in the Raleigh area. Artsplosure started in 1980 and has grown tremendously since then. More than 170 visual arts and crafts exhibitors will be in attendance with a kid’s arts and crafts section as well.
www.artsplosure.org
Asheville Fine Art Show
May 20 – 21, 2017 – This art festival is all indoors held at the US Cellular Center in Asheville, North Carolina. 180+artist vendors will be at the festival with tons of fine arts for sale. The Asheville Fine Art Show brings together all of the best artists in the Asheville area for two days of everything fine arts. Come out and support local artists and have a great day looking at art.
www.hotworks.org
Music Festivals
North Carolina ‘Cuegrass Festival’
April 15, 2017 – Riveting bluegrass, tasty bar b’que, and local brews is what you will find at the North Carolina ‘Cuegrass Festival.’ Head down to the Warehouse District in downtown Raleigh for this event. The 9th annual festival will include bluegrass performances by, Christiane and the Strays, Moore Brothers Band, The Malpass Brothers, Time Sawyer, and Old Habits.
www.cuegrass.com
High Water Festival
April 22 – 23, 2017 – North Charleston’s own High Water Festival is back to bring you the best bluegrass and alternative musicians. Enjoy artists like, The Shins, The Avett Brothers, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. When your favorite acts aren’t performing, taste any of the delectable local vendors’ creations or just sit and enjoy the riverfront.
www.highwaterfest.com
MerleFest
April 27 – 30, 2017 – Founded in 1988, MerleFest is the ultimate Appalachian style music festival or as it’s nicknamed, ‘traditional plus’ music. Groups headlining MerleFest include, Zac Brown Band, The Avett Brothers, and dozens more. Take a break from listening to the phenomenal music to shop at any of the commercial vendors, take the kids to the little pickers family area, or go on a nature walk.
www.merlefest.org
Spring Skunk Music Fest
April 6 – 8, 2017 – The Upstate’s own spring music festival is back in Greer, South Carolina. Enjoy music of all genres like, bluegrass, folk, country, and Americana. Bring your tent and camp for the night while listening to hundreds of great musicians and bands. The Spring Skunk Music Festival is kid-friendly with playgrounds, kid’s shows and a drive-in movie theater. Local food vendors like Edible Upcountry’s Farmers Market will be at the festival to bring you great food while you jam out.
www.albinoskunk.com
Food & Drink Festivals
Lowcountry Cajun Festival
April 2, 2017 – This event is a full day filled with Cajun and creole foods, kid’s activities, and live music. What more could you ask for in a Charleston spring festival? The cuisine is inspired by Louisiana including, jambalaya, etouffe, alligator, crawfish, and other typical festival foods. Make sure and sign up for the annual crawfish eating contest and show how much crawfish you can devour.
www.ccprc.com
Beer & Bacon Fest
April 8, 2017 – This festival is all about of course beer and bacon. The Beer & Bacon Fest is a popular gathering in Cary, North Carolina that has sold out the past three years. With 75 craft beers, 15 restaurants, and enough bacon to last a lifetime it’s easy to see why this festival is so admired. With their VIP beer and bacon ticket, guests will receive a souvenir glass and over 75 of the best international beers and wines and all the crispy bacon you could ask for.
www.beerandbacon.com
Brewgaloo
April 21 – 22, 2017 – Brewgaloo offers three separate events to attend during this local beer festival. Friday night will be a block party in Raleigh’s City Plaza where there will be tons of brews, food trucks, vendors, music, and even a brewing demo. Sours and Barrel Aged will be held 3 – 5 pm on Saturday, where a ticket will get you a sampler cup for unlimited samples exclusively of sours and barrel beers. The main Brewgaloo event with be held Saturday from 2 – 10 pm with 90-plus breweries to choose from. This event will also include food trucks, local vendors, and live music.
www.shoplocalraleigh.org
Moo & Brew Festival
April 22, 2017 – What’s a day spent tasting great craft beers, delicious burgers, and listening to awesome live music? It’s the Moo & Brew Festival at the Music Factory right here in the Queen City. The third annual Moo & Brew Festival will feature great musical talents including, the Grammy award-winning band Blues Traveler, and many more. Have a great time while raising money for a good cause because proceeds will go towards Second Harvest Food Bank and the Heartbright Foundation.
www.mooandbrewfest.com
