Landon Key Realty’s Local Guide to AVL Stonewall Fest 2026
AVL Stonewall Fest is bringing June Pride to Asheville with a full weekend of music, drag, local vendors, artists, food, celebration, history, and community connection.
Landon Key Realty is proud to sponsor this year’s festival and support an event that reflects so much of what makes Asheville special: creativity, inclusion, local pride, small businesses, neighborhood energy, and people showing up for one another.
Whether you live in Asheville, are visiting for the weekend, recently moved to Western North Carolina, or are exploring what it might be like to call this area home, this guide is here to help you plan ahead and make the most of AVL Stonewall Fest.
For official event updates, RSVP details, tickets, schedule changes, and venue announcements, visit the official AVL Stonewall Fest website before you go.
Landon Key Realty’s Local Guide to AVL Stonewall Fest 2026
AVL Stonewall Fest is Asheville’s June Pride celebration, rooted in the history of Stonewall and built around local community connection.
The festival brings together performers, artists, vendors, nonprofits, volunteers, sponsors, food, live music, drag, and neighbors from across Asheville and Western North Carolina. It is a celebration, but it is also a reminder of the history behind Pride and the importance of visibility, belonging, and public community space.
For Landon Key Realty, supporting AVL Stonewall Fest is one more way to stand behind the community we serve. Real estate is about more than properties. It is about people, neighborhoods, connection, and helping people feel at home in the place they choose to live.
When Is AVL Stonewall Fest 2026?
AVL Stonewall Fest is scheduled for Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28, 2026 in Asheville, North Carolina.
The main festival event takes place on Saturday, June 27 from 2 PM to 8 PM at Asheville Yards in downtown Asheville.
The weekend includes a Friday kickoff party, the Saturday main festival, drag performances, a Pride dance party, Sunday events, and community gatherings around town. Some events are free, while select events may require tickets, admission, or RSVP.
Because event details can change, check the official AVL Stonewall Fest website before heading out.
Main Event: Saturday at Asheville Yards
The Saturday main event is the heart of AVL Stonewall Fest.
Festivalgoers can expect live performances, music, local vendors, artists, makers, food, drinks, drag, nonprofits, and community celebration at Asheville Yards. The main event is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 from 2 PM to 8 PM.
Asheville Yards is located at 75 Coxe Avenue in the South Slope area of downtown Asheville, right near breweries, restaurants, local businesses, hotels, music venues, and downtown attractions.
If you are only able to attend one part of the weekend, the Saturday festival is the centerpiece.
Weekend Schedule Highlights
Here are a few key events to know about as you plan your weekend.
Friday, June 26
The weekend begins with a Stonewall Weekend Kickoff Party at Radical Hotel Rooftop Bar. Later that night, the Stonewall Drag Show is scheduled at O.Henry’s on Haywood Street.
These Friday events help set the tone for the weekend and give festivalgoers a chance to gather before the main Saturday celebration.
Saturday, June 27
Saturday is the main festival day.
The Festival Main Event takes place from 2 PM to 8 PM at Asheville Yards. This is the central gathering of the weekend, featuring live performances, local vendors, artists, food, drinks, drag, music, nonprofits, and community connection.
Later Saturday night, ANTHEM: Pride Dance Party is scheduled at O.Henry’s. This after-party is listed as a 21+ event with admission.
Sunday, June 28
Sunday events include a free drag show at New Belgium Brewing, Beer City Bears at Shakeys, and Steppin’ Out for Stonewall at Banks Ave Bar.
Sunday is a great opportunity to continue the celebration, support local venues, and close out the weekend with community.
Parking Near Asheville Yards
Parking in downtown Asheville is manageable, but it is always easier with a plan.
Asheville Yards does not have onsite parking. The venue recommends using nearby parking garages, paid lots, and metered street parking.
One convenient option is the public parking garage at 40 Coxe Avenue, with entry from Sears Alley. This garage is close to Asheville Yards and is one of the best places to check first if you are attending the main event.
You may also find metered spaces along Coxe Avenue and nearby downtown streets. Street parking can fill quickly on summer weekends, especially during major events, so give yourself extra time.
Local Parking Tips
Arrive early, especially if you are coming for the Saturday main event.
Avoid spaces marked as tow-away zones or private parking for neighboring businesses.
Consider carpooling, using rideshare, walking from a nearby hotel, or parking once and spending time downtown before and after the festival.
Downtown Asheville is walkable, so a slightly farther parking spot may be easier than circling right next to the venue.
What to Bring
The main festival is outdoors, so plan for a summer afternoon and evening in downtown Asheville.
Good items to bring include:
Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, weather-appropriate clothing, a charged phone, and a small clear bag if you need to carry personal items.
Asheville Yards has a clear bag policy for outdoor shows. Bags or purses larger than 6 inches by 6 inches are generally not allowed unless they are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC.
Water bottles without lids are allowed, and Asheville Yards has free water filling stations inside the venue. Metal water bottles are not allowed.
Outside food and drinks, umbrellas, chairs, pets, professional cameras, fireworks, weapons, illegal substances, smoking, and re-entry are listed among the venue restrictions. Policies can change, so check Asheville Yards’ current venue information before attending.
What to Wear
Comfortable, expressive, and weather-ready is the way to go.
AVL Stonewall Fest is a Pride celebration, so expect color, creativity, and plenty of personality. At the same time, the main event is outdoors in late June, so choose shoes you can stand and walk in, bring sun protection, and prepare for the possibility of rain.
Asheville summer weather can shift quickly. A lightweight layer or rain-friendly outfit can help if the forecast looks unsettled.
Food, Drinks, and Local Vendors
AVL Stonewall Fest is designed to bring together more than performances. It is also a chance to support local makers, artists, vendors, nonprofits, and food providers.
At Asheville Yards, guests can typically expect access to bars, food options, and local vendors depending on the event setup. The festival’s official site also highlights the Stonewall Market, local artists, makers, vendors, and community participants.
If you are visiting from out of town, this is a great chance to experience Asheville’s local business culture in one place. If you live here, it is a reminder of how much creative and community energy exists across the city.
Make a Day of It in Downtown Asheville
One of the best parts of AVL Stonewall Fest is the location.
Asheville Yards sits in the South Slope area, close to breweries, restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, hotels, public art, music venues, and downtown streets that are easy to explore on foot.
If you are visiting for the festival, consider arriving earlier in the day. Grab lunch, explore downtown, stop into local shops, and give yourself plenty of time to get to the venue.
If you live in Asheville, this is a good opportunity to enjoy your own city as a community gathering place, not just a place you pass through during the week.
Why Stonewall Still Matters
AVL Stonewall Fest is a celebration, but it is also rooted in history.
The Stonewall Uprising began in New York City on June 28, 1969, after a police raid at the Stonewall Inn. The resistance that followed became a major milestone in the movement for LGBTQ rights and helped shape the Pride events recognized across the country every June.
Stonewall was not the beginning of LGBTQ activism, and it was not the only moment that mattered. But it became a powerful turning point because people refused to disappear, refused to be pushed out, and demanded public space, dignity, and recognition.
AVL Stonewall Fest carries that history into a local Asheville setting. It honors the courage of those who came before while creating space for today’s community to gather, celebrate, be seen, and support one another.
Why Landon Key Realty Is Proud to Sponsor AVL Stonewall Fest
At Landon Key Realty, we believe Asheville and Western North Carolina are strongest when people feel welcome, supported, and connected to the community around them.
Our work is centered on helping people find their place, whether that means buying a first home, selling a property, relocating to the mountains, exploring a new neighborhood, or finding a home that better fits the next chapter of life.
Events like AVL Stonewall Fest remind us that “home” is not only about a house. It is about belonging. It is about being part of a community where people can show up as themselves, support one another, and build a life with confidence.
That is why we are proud to support this year’s festival.
Asheville, Pride, and the Meaning of Home
Asheville has long been known for its mountain setting, independent businesses, arts culture, food scene, historic neighborhoods, and creative energy. But the deeper story of Asheville is about people.
People shape the neighborhoods. People support the local businesses. People fill the music venues, restaurants, trails, sidewalks, breweries, galleries, and community events. People are what make Asheville feel like Asheville.
For residents, AVL Stonewall Fest is a chance to celebrate that community spirit. For visitors, it may be one of those weekends that makes Asheville feel like more than a destination.
It may feel like a place worth coming back to.
Visiting Asheville for the Festival?
If you are visiting Asheville for AVL Stonewall Fest, give yourself time to explore beyond the main event.
Downtown Asheville, the South Slope, the River Arts District, West Asheville, Montford, Biltmore Village, North Asheville, and nearby mountain communities all offer different pieces of the Asheville experience.
Each area has its own personality, housing style, walkability, restaurant scene, and local rhythm. That is part of what makes the Asheville real estate market so unique. People are not just choosing a house here. They are often choosing a lifestyle, a neighborhood feel, and a connection to the mountains and community around them.
Thinking About Making Asheville Home?
If AVL Stonewall Fest brings you to Asheville and you find yourself imagining life in Western North Carolina, Landon Key Realty would be happy to help you learn more about the area.
Our local team works with buyers and sellers across Asheville, Hendersonville, and Western North Carolina. We help clients with single-family homes, new construction, luxury properties, relocation, first-time home buying, investment properties, and more.
Whether you are just beginning to explore the market or are ready to make a move, we can help you understand local neighborhoods, pricing, property types, commute considerations, and what makes each part of the region unique.
Helpful Local Planning Tips
Check the official AVL Stonewall Fest website before attending. Event details, RSVP links, ticketing, and schedule information may change.
Plan parking before you arrive. Downtown Asheville is busy during summer weekends, and event traffic can add time.
Bring a small clear bag if you need to carry personal items.
Use sun protection and check the weather.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Support local vendors, artists, restaurants, and businesses while you are downtown.
Be respectful of venue rules, neighboring businesses, and the community spaces that make events like this possible.
Quick FAQ:
When is AVL Stonewall Fest 2026?
AVL Stonewall Fest is scheduled for June 26–28, 2026 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Where is the main AVL Stonewall Fest event?
The main festival event is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 from 2 PM to 8 PM at Asheville Yards, located at 75 Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville.
Is the main festival free?
The Saturday main event is listed as a free event. Some other weekend events may require admission, RSVP, or ticket reservation, so check the official schedule before attending.
Where should I park for AVL Stonewall Fest?
Asheville Yards does not have onsite parking. Nearby options include downtown parking garages, paid lots, and metered street parking. The public garage at 40 Coxe Avenue, with entry from Sears Alley, is one nearby option.
Can I bring a bag to Asheville Yards?
Asheville Yards has a clear bag policy for outdoor shows. Bags or purses larger than 6 inches by 6 inches are generally not allowed unless they are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC.
Can I bring a water bottle?
Asheville Yards allows water bottles without lids and has free water filling stations inside the venue. Metal water bottles are not allowed.
Is AVL Stonewall Fest family-friendly?
The Saturday main festival is listed as free and open to the community. Some individual events, especially late-night events, may have age restrictions. Review the official schedule for each event before making plans.
What should I wear?
Wear something comfortable, expressive, and weather-ready. Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and breathable clothing are a good idea for the outdoor Saturday event.
Who is sponsoring AVL Stonewall Fest?
AVL Stonewall Fest is supported by local sponsors, businesses, organizations, volunteers, vendors, artists, and community members. Landon Key Realty is proud to be listed as a Featured Sponsor for the 2026 festival.
Landon Key Realty Welcomes You to Asheville
Landon Key Realty is proud to support AVL Stonewall Fest and the community spirit it represents.
Whether you are celebrating Pride weekend, visiting Asheville for the first time, reconnecting with the city, or considering a move to Western North Carolina, we hope this guide helps you enjoy the weekend with confidence.
Asheville is more than a market. It is a place shaped by people, neighborhoods, creativity, resilience, and connection.
We are honored to be part of that community.