Have a Happy Mother's May in Asheville

What does Mom really want for Mother’s Day this year? Another bouquet of flowers and a handmade card from the kids? Maybe, but she’d probably also really enjoy a trip to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Mother’s Day is May 10, and May is a phenomenal time to visit Asheville, as the weather is beautiful and temperate, and an abundance of wildflowers like buttercups, Carolina Rhododendrons, flame azaleas, and more are blooming on the Blue Ridge Parkway and beyond, and festival season is getting underway in many of the surrounding towns.

You could always pack a lunch and find a spot among the wildflowers to spread out a blanket for a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway. With numerous trails, overlooks, and recreation areas, the BRP provides an idyllic setting for enjoying the beauty of our mountains, flora, and fauna. The Lantern Lodge has 2- and 3-bedroom suites when you need a place to rest your head (and your feet) after a day of exploring. Our on-site restaurant, Azalea Bar and Kitchen, can set you up with a to-go order to take with you on a picnic, or an in-suite spa service could be a hit with mom, especially one of our Signature Treatments. Make an appointment with our concierge by filling out this form.

Need some more ideas for what to do when you and Mom get here? Keep reading for a rundown of flowers, festivals, and fun throughout the month.

Biltmore Estate

Spending a day at Biltmore is always a hit with Mom. Tour the grand home, then head to the gardens and grounds for more exploring. This month, the Fashion en Fleur exhibit features five Vanderbilt-era costumes crafted from natural materials like fresh and dried flowers, ferns, grasses, leaves, and moss. The costumes on display throughout the house are inspired by fashions depicted in Biltmore House portraits. After exploring the house and gardens, venture to Antler Hill Village for wine tasting and shopping, or share an ice cream cone with mom.

Enjoy the evening under the stars on the grounds while you take in Luminere, where the story of the grand mansion is projected onto its exterior.

“Spring into the Arb”

The NC Arboretum is pulling out all the stops for its spring celebration this year. On May 9, celebrate World Bonsai Day when the Bonsai Exhibition Garden officially opens for the season. See a live bonsai demonstration from curator Arthur Joura and have your questions answered by members of the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society.

On May 16 and 17, the Ikebana International Asheville Chapter will present “Change of Seasons: Spring Into Ikebana,” an exhibition of ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement. The Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society will display WNC-grown roses May 22-24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual Spring Plant Sale and Market will take place May 29-30 and feature plants grown in the Arboretum’s production greenhouse.

Climb Some Trees

Explore Asheville above the trees on Mother’s Day at The Adventure Center of Asheville’s Treetops Adventure Park. With more than 77 climbing, rolling, walking, swinging, and rappelling challenges on 7 aerial trails, moms who enjoy a little more excitement can climb for free with their paying family. Use the code “moms2026” when you book at the link.

The rest of the month looks pretty exciting in Asheville, too - for moms and everyone else. Continue reading to find out what's happening in May and for Memorial Day.

Asheville Buskerfest

The first annual festival to benefit the River Arts District artists takes place May 2-3. The Asheville BuskerFest is a community celebration of street performers. Performances will be spread across multiple stages around the city, including the Round at Pritchard Park, Downtown Asheville, and in the River Arts District, as well as stages at All Souls Pizza, RAD Brewing Co, and the Wedge Brewery at Foundation in conjunction with The Marquee. Artist booths, other vendors, food, and drinks will be available throughout the River Arts District.

Dog Day Afternoon

Bringing your four-footed friends to Asheville with you this spring? Take them to Lake Julian in Arden on May 9 from noon to 3 p.m. for their very own festival. The Dog Day Afternoon will feature activities just for your pup. Local pet-friendly businesses will feature a wide variety of pet care, pet products, pet training demos, and tasty treats for dogs.

AVL Beer Week

Beer Week takes place May 15-29 throughout the city and its breweries. One of the main events of the week is the Beer City Relay & 5K on May 23. The race route begins at New Belgium Brewing and consists of a 5K out-and-back along the West River Arts District Greenway. For more events celebrating the week, visit the website.

White Squirrel Weekend

Have you ever seen a white squirrel? The adorable creatures are a fairly common sight in Brevard and towns throughout North Carolina. To pay homage to them, the city hosts a festival for Memorial Day every year. This year’s festivities will take place in downtown Brevard from May 22-24, and feature live music, a beer garden, activities for the whole family, and plenty of food vendors. You might even catch a glimpse of a white squirrel in person.

Garden Jubilee

The annual Garden Jubilee event takes place in Hendersonville’s historic downtown on Main Street. From May 23-24, visitors will have access to more than 200 different plant and craft vendor tables and booths representing garden centers, orchards, produce stands, and even restaurants from around Henderson County. The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Memorial Day Weekend Festival of the Arts

The 5th Annual Downtown Asheville Memorial Day Weekend Festival of the Arts takes place May 23 - May 24 at Pack Square Park. Each day runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features local art, crafts, and vendors.