Summers in the Blue Ridge Mountains take the cake. The folks in McDowell County have festivals, get-togethers, and celebrations most every weekend and sometimes, weekdays, too. No matter when you visit this summer, there will be a must-do summer event to top off your adventure.
As the long summer days turn into gorgeous summer evenings, there’s even more time to make the very most of your visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is just a sampling of all of the events happening in and around McDowell County this season. For more, see our full events calendar.
Please note: All event info is subject to change! Check our event page for the most up-to-date info.
May Events
May 22nd: Fourth Fridays in Downtown Marion
- Location: 45 N Main St, Marion, NC
- Time: The 4th Friday of May, June & July, 6:30 - 9P
- Details: This new event series is meant to kick off the weekend in downtown Marion, NC, with live music, food and drink vendors - something for everyone in the crew. Bring a chair and spend the evening in good company!
May 23rd: Bluegrass Jam at Foothills Watershed
- Location: 655 Catawba River Road, Old Fort, NC
- Time: Summer Saturdays 1 - 4P
- Details: Foothills Watershed, a beautiful property and bike park alongside the Catawba River, invites you and yours to experience a unique music experience every Saturday afternoon. Pickers Welcomed!
May 24th: The Historic Old Fort Train Depot Museum
- Location: 25 W Main Street, Old Fort, NC
- Time: Every 4th Sunday, 2 - 5P
- Details: Train enthusiasts will not want to miss the Historic Old Fort Train Depot Museum to experience Southern Railway antiquities and exploring a Caboose.
May 25th: Mini Wrestling All Stars @ The Box Factory
- Location: 29 Logan Street, Suite R, Marion, NC
- Time: Monday Doors Open at 5P / Show starts at 6:30P
- Details: Touted as the Biggest Mini Wrestling Show of All Time, this is a do-not-miss-the-opportunity to treat yourself to entertainment you find in just any mountain town. Get your tickets!!
May 29th: Farm Fridays at Whippoorwill Farm at Fonta Flora Brewery
- Location: 6751 NC 126, Nebo, NC
- Time: Summertime Fridays, starting at 5P
- Details: A Summer Farmers Market where you can load up on all the goodies for your visit to McDowell County from 5 - 8P and live music from 6 - 8P. There’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy on the Farm!
June Events
June 5th: 22nd Annual NC Gold Festival at the Lucky Strike Gold & Gem Mine
- Location: 251 Lucky Strike Drive, Marion, NC
- Time: Friday 2 - 9P & Saturday 9A - 6P
- Details: This is a full weekend of family fun at the Lucky Strike Gold & Gem Mine along the banks of the Second Broad River. The festivities include live music, local vendors, exhibits, food and of course, panning for gold.
June 6th: Pipes on the Parkway at the Historic Orchard at Altapass
- Location: 1025 Orchard Road, Little Switzerland, NC
- Time: Saturday 12N - 4P
- Details: The 4th annual celebration of the Scots-Irish Heritage that lives deep within these Blue Ridge Mountains comes alive on this stunning heirloom apple orchard through the traditional music.
June 6th: 18th Annual Livermush Festival
- Location: 45 N Main Street, Marion, NC
- Time: Saturday 9A - 5P
- Details: Save The Date on this one!!! It’s only once a year that downtown Marion, NC, comes alive for this “squealin” good time, paying homage to livermush. Love it? Be here! Want to try it? There’s no better opportunity. Also, free kid-activities and lots of vendors to visit so you can work up more of an appetite.
June 12th: Honky Tonk Dance Hall at Foothills Watershed
- Location: 655 Catawba River Road, Old Fort, NC
- Time: Friday 6 - 9P
- Details: It’s a super fun night of line dancing and two-stepping at the Foothills Watershed. There’s a free lesson from 6 - 6:30P, and the remainder of the evening, you are on your own to enjoy the music and dancing. Food and beverages will be available.
June 13th: Family Day at the Beach at Lake James State Park
- Location: 2785 NC-126, Nebo, NC
- Time: Saturday 10A - 4P
- Details: Spend a day with the whole group at Lake James State Park ($3 admission fee) on the beach in the sunshine, participating in the exciting activities planned for the kids in particular. It’s a great way to kick off the summer!
June 20th: 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
- Location: Multiple locations
- Time: Thursday - Sunday
- Details: Commemorating freedom, unity and community this four day celebration includes a Pageant, a day at Lake James, a Festival in the Park in Marion and a community worship service.
June 27th: Lake James Paddles with Anchored Soul
- Location: 2785 NC-126, Nebo, NC
- Time: Saturday 11A - 4P
- Details: Join the group for a day of stand up paddle boarding on beautiful Lake James followed by social gathering time at Fonta Flora Brewery. Bring your own SUP or rent one (reserve it ahead of time!).
July Events
July 3rd: Pioneer Day
- Location: 78 Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, NC
- Time: Friday 10A - 4P
- Details: It’s McDowell County’s 39th Annual Pioneer Day celebration in Old Fort, held rain or shine, and admission is always free. It features traditional Appalachian crafts, live music, food trucks and farm demonstrations.
July 4th: Marion’s Independence Day Celebration
- Location: 14 S Main Street, Marion, NC
- Time: Saturday 6 - 10P
- Details: A parade and street dancing and inflatables for the kids keep everyone entertained while waiting for the fireworks show! Food vendors will be downtown, too. Bring chairs!
July 4th, 11th & 25th: BBQ and Bluegrass at Switzerland Inn
- Location: 334 Blue Ridge Parkway, Little Switzerland, NC
- Time: Saturday(s), events start at 5P
- Details: For these three Saturdays in July, enjoy live bluegrass music, family-style BBQ dinner, traditional mountain square dancing and relaxing in beautiful Little Switzerland. Reservations required.
August Events
August 9th: Pisgah Enduro at Camp Grier
- Location: 985 Camp Grier Road, Old Fort, NC
- Time: Saturday 9A - 5P
- Details: It’s a high-speed, technical, rocky, rooty singletrack bike race throughout the Pisgah National Forest with Camp Grier. Stay for the post-race cookout and camp in the bunkhouse or your car or tent. Learn more!
August 15th: Yoga on the Green with Mineral City Yoga
- Location: 334 Blue Ridge Parkway, Little Switzerland, NC
- Time: Saturday 10 - 11A
- Details: Perfect for practitioners of all levels, this guided yoga, weather permitting, takes place at the Switzerland Inn with the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains as the backdrop.
August 29th: WNC Bigfoot Festival
- Location: Marion, NC
- Time: Saturday 10A - 9P
- Details: It’s the 7th Annual Bigfoot Festival in downtown Marion where there are guest speakers, bigfoot evidence, local vendors with cool Bigfoot merch, food trucks and beverages available, and more!
