ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Looking for things to do this weekend in Asheville? We’ve got you covered. This weekend in Western North Carolina, enjoy festivals of all sorts, including writing, food and Southern Appalachian crafts, as well as a few other fun, funky activities.
Friday, Sept. 19
Foodees Food and Culture Festival – 1 to 9 p.m., Tanger Outlets, 800 Brevard Road
The Foodees touring food festival will arrive this weekend in Asheville, bringing over 40 food trucks and more than 60 artisans and crafters to the Tanger Outlets. Shop handmade goods from talented vendors and enjoy good food from local and national foodies.
Montford Park Players present “King Lear” – 7:30 p.m., Hazel Robinson Theatre, 92 Gay St.
The Montford Park Players continue their 53rd season, “A Season of Lunatics, Lovers, & Poets,” with “The Tragedy of King Lear,” written by William Shakespeare. Read our review of the free, outdoor theater show here.
Saturday, Sept. 20
Shrektoberfest 2025 – 3 p.m., DSSOLVR, 63 N Lexington Ave.
Shrektoberfest, an annual “Shrek”-themed Oktoberfest celebration, returns this weekend to downtown brewery DSSOLVR. Expect “ogre-sized” festivities complete with games, music and a costume contest for the best rendition of the iconic green ogre.
Punch Bucket Literary Festival – 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., The Renaissance Hotel, 31 Woodfin St.
The Punch Bucket Literary Festival will bring writers, poets and essayists from all over the country to share their work and the stories of their craft in a series of panels and workshops. A full schedule for the event, as well as a list of participating authors, can be found at www.punchbucketlit.org.
Mental Health Matters: Walk/Run for Awareness – 9 a.m. to noon, Karl Straus Track, UNC Asheville
The Mental Health Matters: Walk/Run for Awareness is a 5k and community resource fair organized this September to coincide with National Suicide Prevention Month. The walk and run will begin at 10 a.m., with a warm-up at 9:30 a.m. and a group photo at 9:45 a.m. The Mental Health Resource Fair will feature local businesses, community partners and non-profit agencies who support mental health in WNC.
Sunday, Sept. 21
Attic Salt Theatre Company presents “Miss Julie” – 2:30 p.m., Attic Salt Theatre Arts Space, 2002 Riverside Dr.
“Miss Julie” is a classic 19th century play written by the Swedish playwright August Strindberg. This September, the world-premiere of a brand-new adaptation of the romantic class drama will be staged at the Attic Salt Theatre Company. Find tickets for the matinee show here. Read our review of the show here.
45th Annual Heritage Weekend – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Folk Art Center
The Southern Highland Craft Guild will host its annual Heritage Weekend at the Folk Art Center this Saturday and Sunday, featuring everything from woodworking with traditional tools to blacksmithing, stone carving and printmaking, as well as live bluegrass and gospel music performances and other family activities.
