Connect Beyond Festival 2026
A full-weekend downtown festival blending concert sets, film screenings, and visual art experiences into one culture-forward celebration. Designed for connection and discovery across Asheville’s music, art, and community scenes.
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Four-night improv festival across three Asheville venues, mixing quick-fire short form games with longform and narrative unscripted theater. Expect headliner sets, musical improv, and a rotating lineup of diverse teams.
Four-night improv festival across three Asheville venues, mixing quick-fire short form games with longform and narrative unscripted theater. Expect headliner sets, musical improv, and a rotating lineup of diverse teams.
Four-night improv festival across three Asheville venues, mixing quick-fire short form games with longform and narrative unscripted theater. Expect headliner sets, musical improv, and a rotating lineup of diverse teams.
A festival-style night at a downtown concert hall with a rotating multi-artist lineup and high-energy crowd. Expect loud, late sets, pro sound and lights, and a packed-floor concert vibe.
A festival-style night at a downtown concert hall with a rotating multi-artist lineup and high-energy crowd. Expect loud, late sets, pro sound and lights, and a packed-floor concert vibe.
A festival-style night at a downtown concert hall with a rotating multi-artist lineup and high-energy crowd. Expect loud, late sets, pro sound and lights, and a packed-floor concert vibe.
A self guided evening art walk through downtown galleries and public art stops, paired with a benefit fundraiser supporting local creative community efforts. Expect gallery hopping, street level browsing, and a lively after work crowd.
A self guided evening art walk through downtown galleries and public art stops, paired with a benefit fundraiser supporting local creative community efforts. Expect gallery hopping, street level browsing, and a lively after work crowd.
A self guided evening art walk through downtown galleries and public art stops, paired with a benefit fundraiser supporting local creative community efforts. Expect gallery hopping, street level browsing, and a lively after work crowd.
High-energy improvisational comedy featuring long-form jams, short-form games, and ensemble sketch pieces in a day-long festival format that highlights local and touring troupes with playful audience participation.
High-energy improvisational comedy featuring long-form jams, short-form games, and ensemble sketch pieces in a day-long festival format that highlights local and touring troupes with playful audience participation.
High-energy improvisational comedy featuring long-form jams, short-form games, and ensemble sketch pieces in a day-long festival format that highlights local and touring troupes with playful audience participation.
Downtown fills with roaming street performers and pop up sets, blending music, juggling, and interactive acts in a festival atmosphere. A walkable, all ages celebration of Asheville busking culture and community energy.
Downtown fills with roaming street performers and pop up sets, blending music, juggling, and interactive acts in a festival atmosphere. A walkable, all ages celebration of Asheville busking culture and community energy.
Downtown fills with roaming street performers and pop up sets, blending music, juggling, and interactive acts in a festival atmosphere. A walkable, all ages celebration of Asheville busking culture and community energy.
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.
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 structured intercity visit that brings an out of town delegation to Asheville for meetings, site visits, and civic conversation. Expect relationship building across local organizations with a focus on city learning and collaboration.
A structured intercity visit that brings an out of town delegation to Asheville for meetings, site visits, and civic conversation. Expect relationship building across local organizations with a focus on city learning and collaboration.
A structured intercity visit that brings an out of town delegation to Asheville for meetings, site visits, and civic conversation. Expect relationship building across local organizations with a focus on city learning and collaboration.
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.
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.
Outdoor community festival of movement, song, and playful creativity at Pack Square Park, including a Joy Parade with the Street Creature Puppet Collective, guided singing by Travis Redtail, and local artist vendors.
Outdoor community festival of movement, song, and playful creativity at Pack Square Park, including a Joy Parade with the Street Creature Puppet Collective, guided singing by Travis Redtail, and local artist vendors.
Outdoor community festival of movement, song, and playful creativity at Pack Square Park, including a Joy Parade with the Street Creature Puppet Collective, guided singing by Travis Redtail, and local artist vendors.
Free STEM festival with hands-on science demos, nature-focused activities, and meet-and-greet stations with working scientists. Curiosity-driven learning for kids and families with outdoor exploration woven into a statewide science celebration.
Free STEM festival with hands-on science demos, nature-focused activities, and meet-and-greet stations with working scientists. Curiosity-driven learning for kids and families with outdoor exploration woven into a statewide science celebration.
Free STEM festival with hands-on science demos, nature-focused activities, and meet-and-greet stations with working scientists. Curiosity-driven learning for kids and families with outdoor exploration woven into a statewide science celebration.
Sunlit outdoor festival celebrating local honey with tasting tables, beekeeping demos, and vendor booths on Highland Brewing's beer garden; family friendly activities and brewery beer pairings highlight Asheville's pollinator-focused foodways.
Sunlit outdoor festival celebrating local honey with tasting tables, beekeeping demos, and vendor booths on Highland Brewing's beer garden; family friendly activities and brewery beer pairings highlight Asheville's pollinator-focused foodways.
Sunlit outdoor festival celebrating local honey with tasting tables, beekeeping demos, and vendor booths on Highland Brewing's beer garden; family friendly activities and brewery beer pairings highlight Asheville's pollinator-focused foodways.
Anime convention energy with cosplay meetups, geek culture hangouts, and themed community fun. Expect panel discussions and fan programming that range from casual fandom chat to deeper dives into anime and pop culture.
Anime convention energy with cosplay meetups, geek culture hangouts, and themed community fun. Expect panel discussions and fan programming that range from casual fandom chat to deeper dives into anime and pop culture.
Anime convention energy with cosplay meetups, geek culture hangouts, and themed community fun. Expect panel discussions and fan programming that range from casual fandom chat to deeper dives into anime and pop culture.
Adrenaline-soaked paddling shorts and cinematic river adventures light up the screen for an Earth Day celebration. All-ages, mostly seated screening with first-come seating and proceeds supporting MountainTrue’s conservation work.
Adrenaline-soaked paddling shorts and cinematic river adventures light up the screen for an Earth Day celebration. All-ages, mostly seated screening with first-come seating and proceeds supporting MountainTrue’s conservation work.
Adrenaline-soaked paddling shorts and cinematic river adventures light up the screen for an Earth Day celebration. All-ages, mostly seated screening with first-come seating and proceeds supporting MountainTrue’s conservation work.
Seasonal farmers market in Biltmore Park with outdoor vendor stalls and a neighborhood browsing vibe. Shop local produce and artisan goods along Town Square Boulevard in an easygoing community setting.
Seasonal farmers market in Biltmore Park with outdoor vendor stalls and a neighborhood browsing vibe. Shop local produce and artisan goods along Town Square Boulevard in an easygoing community setting.
Seasonal farmers market in Biltmore Park with outdoor vendor stalls and a neighborhood browsing vibe. Shop local produce and artisan goods along Town Square Boulevard in an easygoing community setting.
Fast-paced improv comedy sets from a stacked mix of Asheville and regional troupes, launching the 2026 festival with rotating ensembles and big group energy. Doors at 5:30pm with a 6:30pm show in an intimate downtown theater setting.
Fast-paced improv comedy sets from a stacked mix of Asheville and regional troupes, launching the 2026 festival with rotating ensembles and big group energy. Doors at 5:30pm with a 6:30pm show in an intimate downtown theater setting.
Fast-paced improv comedy sets from a stacked mix of Asheville and regional troupes, launching the 2026 festival with rotating ensembles and big group energy. Doors at 5:30pm with a 6:30pm show in an intimate downtown theater setting.
A free, citywide celebration of Asheville’s street performing scene with scheduled sets and pop-up gatherings across multiple stages. Catch roaming buskers and curated performances at Pack Square, Pritchard Park, Reuter Terrace, and the River Arts District.
A free, citywide celebration of Asheville’s street performing scene with scheduled sets and pop-up gatherings across multiple stages. Catch roaming buskers and curated performances at Pack Square, Pritchard Park, Reuter Terrace, and the River Arts District.
A free, citywide celebration of Asheville’s street performing scene with scheduled sets and pop-up gatherings across multiple stages. Catch roaming buskers and curated performances at Pack Square, Pritchard Park, Reuter Terrace, and the River Arts District.
Free family favorites light up a massive outdoor screen at dusk in Pack Square Park, with blankets and lawn chairs encouraged. An hour before showtime, the Rec n Roll play zone adds games, music, kid and teen activities, and themed giveaways.
Free family favorites light up a massive outdoor screen at dusk in Pack Square Park, with blankets and lawn chairs encouraged. An hour before showtime, the Rec n Roll play zone adds games, music, kid and teen activities, and themed giveaways.
Free family favorites light up a massive outdoor screen at dusk in Pack Square Park, with blankets and lawn chairs encouraged. An hour before showtime, the Rec n Roll play zone adds games, music, kid and teen activities, and themed giveaways.
Late-night outdoor CE5 gathering centered on guided meditation and intention-setting to invite contact experiences under the night sky. Community-focused practice explores ET disclosure themes, shared observations, and group connection.
Late-night outdoor CE5 gathering centered on guided meditation and intention-setting to invite contact experiences under the night sky. Community-focused practice explores ET disclosure themes, shared observations, and group connection.
Late-night outdoor CE5 gathering centered on guided meditation and intention-setting to invite contact experiences under the night sky. Community-focused practice explores ET disclosure themes, shared observations, and group connection.