Hendersonville NC is a small town with plenty to see and do throughout the year. Annually the city hosts a number of events including the state’s largest apple festival, the North Carolina Apple Festival and regular weekly events in the summer that draw record crowds each year. Offering something for everyone, the fairs and festival events are a great way to learn more about the town, meet new people, and enjoy the wonderful mountain climate. Learn more about the historic town of Hendersonville NC and all that it offers. We have included helpful information on Things to Do in Hendersonville.
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The North Carolina Apple Festival
The idyllic mountain town of Hendersonville NC hosts numerous events throughout the year but perhaps the most famous is the North Carolina Apple Festival. For more than 60 years, the NC Apple Festival has been held on Labor Day weekend on the historic downtown streets of Hendersonville NC. Visitors and residents of the city enjoy the arts & crafts, live music, children’s and youth activities, special exhibits and bountiful mounds of apples every first weekend in September as the city turns itself upside down for apples. Covering more than 9 blocks, vendors from across the county set up shop to sell their apple products and other delicious fares. On Labor Day, everyone joins together to participate in and watch the festival’s main event, the King Apple Parade. It is no surprise that Hendersonville NC is the host of the North Carolina Apple Festival; Henderson county is the largest apple producing county in a state ranked the 7th largest apple producing state in the nation. Enjoy numerous hybrids and varieties including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, and Galas. To learn more about the festival, or to participate as a vendor call 828.697.4557.
Hendersonville Annual Garden Jubilee Festival
The two day, Hendersonville Garden Festival is held annually over Memorial Day weekend. For more than 15 years, the festival has brought
together gardening industry experts and gardeners right before the peak spring and summer growing season. More than 100 vendors bring thousands of varieties of annuals, perennials, vegetables, trees, shrubs and hybrid plants. During this special event, downtown Hendersonville NC closes Second Avenue all the way to Caswell Street so vendors can line both sides of the streets. Call Henderson County Travel & Tourism at 828.693.9708 for more information on this Hendersonville Festival.
Music on Main Street & Dancing in the Street Nights
Two popular events in the summer in Hendersonville NC are the Music on Main Street Friday night events and the Monday night, Dancing in the Street events. Music on Main Street brings outstanding musical talents to the stage each Friday night during the weeks of June 5th and August 28th. In addition to live music, Music on Main Street also brings out hot rods and vintage automobiles as the Hendersonville Antique Car Club hosts its classic car shows in conjunction with the concert. Dancing in the Street nights runs July 6th through August 31st, bringing great toe tapping bluegrass to the state every Monday night. These events showcase local talent and provide free, safe entertainment for locals and their children. Both events typically last from 7pm until 9pm, with parking lot seating opening at 5:30pm. These events take place outside, so in the case of inclement weather, the concert is usually postponed until 8:00pm. Be sure to bring a chair, and leave the alcohol and Fido at home, both alcohol and pets are prohibited.
The Foothills Highland Games
Many of the early settlers of Hendersonville NC were of Scottish heritage and as such the town of Hendersonville NC hosts the annual Foothills Highlands Games where the SCOTS (Scottish Clans of the South) gather to celebrate and spotlight their lineage. The games are a wonderful time for everyone and include living history demonstrations, Celtic vendors and exhibits, bagpipe bands, children’s games, a parade of tartans, and plenty of ancient Celtic games. The athletics competition with its caber toss, tugs of war, and other displays of strength are something you will not want to miss. Enjoy a weekend of delicious food, great music, and all things Scottish at the Foothills Highlands Games in Hendersonville North Carolina.
Flat Rock Music Festival
This three day family-friendly event brings together live music, friends, and plenty of fun for the kids during one weekend in September. Singers, songwriters and music lovers from across the country gather at Camp Ton-A-Wandah in Flat Rock NC, a few minutes from Hendersonville, to enjoy some great tunes, camping, boating, and even swimming. Artists appreciate the Emerging Singer/Songwriter Contest and the weekend hosts several workshop events as well as open mics and song circles for young musicians to get their feet wet. In addition to hosting some of the best musical talents from all over the southeast, this family fun event also has tons of games for the kids. The large “Kid’s Village” is filled with fun games and each night of the weekend kids can enjoy Midnight Gym Jams. Come and celebrate this year.