2026 Annual Firefly Gathering, July 7-12
Transformative earthskills immersion in the Blue Ridge Mountains with 300+ hands on classes, nightly communal music, and intergenerational camping at Wild Human Preserve for skill building, nature connection, and community.
Similar Events

Rugged primitive camping at Tryon International Equestrian Center for PrepperCamp 2026, centered on off grid living, hands on survival skills workshops, communal campfires, and austere overnight accommodations.

Rugged primitive camping at Tryon International Equestrian Center for PrepperCamp 2026, centered on off grid living, hands on survival skills workshops, communal campfires, and austere overnight accommodations.
Rugged primitive camping at Tryon International Equestrian Center for PrepperCamp 2026, centered on off grid living, hands on survival skills workshops, communal campfires, and austere overnight accommodations.
Guided wisdom walk through Doug Elliott’s home landscape, blending wild plant identification with rich woodslore, weeds knowledge, and nature stories. A rare, slow paced ramble on Painters Gap Road focused on wonder, learning, and place based ecology.
Guided wisdom walk through Doug Elliott’s home landscape, blending wild plant identification with rich woodslore, weeds knowledge, and nature stories. A rare, slow paced ramble on Painters Gap Road focused on wonder, learning, and place based ecology.
Guided wisdom walk through Doug Elliott’s home landscape, blending wild plant identification with rich woodslore, weeds knowledge, and nature stories. A rare, slow paced ramble on Painters Gap Road focused on wonder, learning, and place based ecology.

Weeklong creative retreat on a college campus with hands on workshops, jam sessions, and peer learning across multiple instruments and arts disciplines. Built around communal meals, late night picking circles, and skill building in a camp like setting.

Weeklong creative retreat on a college campus with hands on workshops, jam sessions, and peer learning across multiple instruments and arts disciplines. Built around communal meals, late night picking circles, and skill building in a camp like setting.
Weeklong creative retreat on a college campus with hands on workshops, jam sessions, and peer learning across multiple instruments and arts disciplines. Built around communal meals, late night picking circles, and skill building in a camp like setting.

Field-based Appalachian foraging instruction focused on identifying seasonal edible plants and practicing ethical harvesting techniques. Expect guided walks with practical safety tips and a nature-immersed learning vibe.

Field-based Appalachian foraging instruction focused on identifying seasonal edible plants and practicing ethical harvesting techniques. Expect guided walks with practical safety tips and a nature-immersed learning vibe.
Field-based Appalachian foraging instruction focused on identifying seasonal edible plants and practicing ethical harvesting techniques. Expect guided walks with practical safety tips and a nature-immersed learning vibe.

Hands-on adult field course exploring Grandfather Mountain’s distinct natural communities, with guided observation of plant life, habitats, and ecological patterns. Expect outdoor learning on the landscape through focused field study and discussion.

Hands-on adult field course exploring Grandfather Mountain’s distinct natural communities, with guided observation of plant life, habitats, and ecological patterns. Expect outdoor learning on the landscape through focused field study and discussion.
Hands-on adult field course exploring Grandfather Mountain’s distinct natural communities, with guided observation of plant life, habitats, and ecological patterns. Expect outdoor learning on the landscape through focused field study and discussion.

Intensive daylong immersion teaching foundational herbalism: plant identification, sustainable foraging, and hands on apothecary skills like tinctures and salves, tailored for beginners seeking practical folk medicine know-how and community practice.

Intensive daylong immersion teaching foundational herbalism: plant identification, sustainable foraging, and hands on apothecary skills like tinctures and salves, tailored for beginners seeking practical folk medicine know-how and community practice.
Intensive daylong immersion teaching foundational herbalism: plant identification, sustainable foraging, and hands on apothecary skills like tinctures and salves, tailored for beginners seeking practical folk medicine know-how and community practice.
Autumn weekend retreat focused on mother-daughter bonding through cabin stays, campfire songs, guided nature hikes, hands-on crafts, and reflective workshops that encourage intergenerational connection and outdoor skills.
Autumn weekend retreat focused on mother-daughter bonding through cabin stays, campfire songs, guided nature hikes, hands-on crafts, and reflective workshops that encourage intergenerational connection and outdoor skills.
Autumn weekend retreat focused on mother-daughter bonding through cabin stays, campfire songs, guided nature hikes, hands-on crafts, and reflective workshops that encourage intergenerational connection and outdoor skills.
A four-day women’s embodiment retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains focused on resetting the nervous system, deep body reconnection, and returning to clarity. Multi-day retreat setting at a secluded retreat center near Hot Springs for restorative, inward-focused practice.
A four-day women’s embodiment retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains focused on resetting the nervous system, deep body reconnection, and returning to clarity. Multi-day retreat setting at a secluded retreat center near Hot Springs for restorative, inward-focused practice.
A four-day women’s embodiment retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains focused on resetting the nervous system, deep body reconnection, and returning to clarity. Multi-day retreat setting at a secluded retreat center near Hot Springs for restorative, inward-focused practice.

Hands on backyard herbalism workshop exploring seasonal medicinal herbs, foraging basics, and simple preparations like teas and tinctures. Participants learn plant identification, ethical harvesting, and DIY remedies in a casual community garden setting.

Hands on backyard herbalism workshop exploring seasonal medicinal herbs, foraging basics, and simple preparations like teas and tinctures. Participants learn plant identification, ethical harvesting, and DIY remedies in a casual community garden setting.
Hands on backyard herbalism workshop exploring seasonal medicinal herbs, foraging basics, and simple preparations like teas and tinctures. Participants learn plant identification, ethical harvesting, and DIY remedies in a casual community garden setting.
Autumn weekend of overnight camping and practical outdoor skills workshops designed for fathers and sons, centered on campfire storytelling, trail activities, and guided bonding exercises to strengthen intergenerational connection.
Autumn weekend of overnight camping and practical outdoor skills workshops designed for fathers and sons, centered on campfire storytelling, trail activities, and guided bonding exercises to strengthen intergenerational connection.
Autumn weekend of overnight camping and practical outdoor skills workshops designed for fathers and sons, centered on campfire storytelling, trail activities, and guided bonding exercises to strengthen intergenerational connection.

Hands-on adult field course teaching Appalachian woodcraft skills and traditional backwoods techniques. Practical learning outdoors with guided instruction focused on making useful items from wood and natural materials.

Hands-on adult field course teaching Appalachian woodcraft skills and traditional backwoods techniques. Practical learning outdoors with guided instruction focused on making useful items from wood and natural materials.
Hands-on adult field course teaching Appalachian woodcraft skills and traditional backwoods techniques. Practical learning outdoors with guided instruction focused on making useful items from wood and natural materials.

A van life campout rally built around swapping road stories, touring rigs, and meeting fellow travelers in a laid-back outdoor hang. Expect community vibes, casual meetups, and a basecamp feel in Weaverville.

A van life campout rally built around swapping road stories, touring rigs, and meeting fellow travelers in a laid-back outdoor hang. Expect community vibes, casual meetups, and a basecamp feel in Weaverville.
A van life campout rally built around swapping road stories, touring rigs, and meeting fellow travelers in a laid-back outdoor hang. Expect community vibes, casual meetups, and a basecamp feel in Weaverville.

Practical educator training focused on environmental education methods, blending curriculum design with outdoor, place based activities. Ideal for teachers and facilitators seeking classroom ready tools for ecological literacy and field learning.

Practical educator training focused on environmental education methods, blending curriculum design with outdoor, place based activities. Ideal for teachers and facilitators seeking classroom ready tools for ecological literacy and field learning.
Practical educator training focused on environmental education methods, blending curriculum design with outdoor, place based activities. Ideal for teachers and facilitators seeking classroom ready tools for ecological literacy and field learning.
A purpose-driven outdoor festival focused on personal transformation and collective awakening, blending wellness practices, spiritual programming, and meditation in a retreat-like setting near Horse Shoe. Ideal for seekers looking for grounding, reflection, and community connection.
A purpose-driven outdoor festival focused on personal transformation and collective awakening, blending wellness practices, spiritual programming, and meditation in a retreat-like setting near Horse Shoe. Ideal for seekers looking for grounding, reflection, and community connection.
A purpose-driven outdoor festival focused on personal transformation and collective awakening, blending wellness practices, spiritual programming, and meditation in a retreat-like setting near Horse Shoe. Ideal for seekers looking for grounding, reflection, and community connection.
Multi day summer festival in downtown Asheville's Court Plaza, July 23–26, 2026, gathering community for sunlit outdoor performances, local vendors, and plaza activities for the 9th annual Love Shine Play celebration.
Multi day summer festival in downtown Asheville's Court Plaza, July 23–26, 2026, gathering community for sunlit outdoor performances, local vendors, and plaza activities for the 9th annual Love Shine Play celebration.
Multi day summer festival in downtown Asheville's Court Plaza, July 23–26, 2026, gathering community for sunlit outdoor performances, local vendors, and plaza activities for the 9th annual Love Shine Play celebration.

A roaming sketch crawl through the River Arts District with pop-in stops at multiple venues for pencil drawing, sharing sketchbooks, and picking up new techniques. Drop into informal urban sketching sessions geared to all skill levels.

A roaming sketch crawl through the River Arts District with pop-in stops at multiple venues for pencil drawing, sharing sketchbooks, and picking up new techniques. Drop into informal urban sketching sessions geared to all skill levels.
A roaming sketch crawl through the River Arts District with pop-in stops at multiple venues for pencil drawing, sharing sketchbooks, and picking up new techniques. Drop into informal urban sketching sessions geared to all skill levels.

Bonsai-focused experience in the Blue Ridge setting of the North Carolina Arboretum, blending garden immersion with practical instruction. Expect up-close viewing of miniature trees plus guidance on pruning, wiring, and long-term plant care.

Bonsai-focused experience in the Blue Ridge setting of the North Carolina Arboretum, blending garden immersion with practical instruction. Expect up-close viewing of miniature trees plus guidance on pruning, wiring, and long-term plant care.
Bonsai-focused experience in the Blue Ridge setting of the North Carolina Arboretum, blending garden immersion with practical instruction. Expect up-close viewing of miniature trees plus guidance on pruning, wiring, and long-term plant care.

A community festival centered on love, joy, and playful connection with activities that encourage mingling and shared experiences. Expect an upbeat, inclusive atmosphere geared toward locals and visitors alike.

A community festival centered on love, joy, and playful connection with activities that encourage mingling and shared experiences. Expect an upbeat, inclusive atmosphere geared toward locals and visitors alike.
A community festival centered on love, joy, and playful connection with activities that encourage mingling and shared experiences. Expect an upbeat, inclusive atmosphere geared toward locals and visitors alike.

Hands-on dusk foraging walks exploring edible wild plants and mushrooms around Asheville, led by local guides who teach identification, sustainable harvesting, and seasonal ethnobotanical uses.

Hands-on dusk foraging walks exploring edible wild plants and mushrooms around Asheville, led by local guides who teach identification, sustainable harvesting, and seasonal ethnobotanical uses.
Hands-on dusk foraging walks exploring edible wild plants and mushrooms around Asheville, led by local guides who teach identification, sustainable harvesting, and seasonal ethnobotanical uses.
Zesty summer tasting of experimental pickles, fermented condiments, and crazy flavor mashups alongside local craft vendors; all food menu items priced ten dollars or less for budget friendly snack and shop fun.
Zesty summer tasting of experimental pickles, fermented condiments, and crazy flavor mashups alongside local craft vendors; all food menu items priced ten dollars or less for budget friendly snack and shop fun.
Zesty summer tasting of experimental pickles, fermented condiments, and crazy flavor mashups alongside local craft vendors; all food menu items priced ten dollars or less for budget friendly snack and shop fun.