Shindig on the Green is the best free thing to do in downtown Asheville on a summer weekend, and one of the longest-running showcases of Southern Appalachian music and dance in the country. Produced by the Folk Heritage Committee, it takes place in Pack Square Park on Saturday evenings through the height of summer, typically from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in July and August. The main stage hosts bluegrass and old-time string bands, house band The Stoney Creek Boys, clog and square dancers, ballad singers and storytellers, and around the park informal jam circles form where anyone with a banjo or fiddle can sit in. The event began in 1967 and has been held at this downtown location ever since, drawing an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people on a good night, a mix of locals, families, visitors and musicians. Admission is free and the atmosphere is relaxed: people bring lawn chairs and blankets, children dance on the grass, and food and drinks are sold on site, with restaurants and ice cream nearby. The musicians and dancers are largely volunteers of all ages, which gives the event a community feel that is hard to find at a commercial festival. Downtown street parking is free after 6 p.m., and the Charlotte Street parking deck is across the street from the park. Pets are not allowed, except service animals. Since the schedule can pause for other festivals on the calendar, confirm the exact Saturdays before you plan a trip around it.
What you will see
A quick sequence of acts, from tight bluegrass sets to a flatfoot clogging team in matching dresses, with a dance floor in front of the stage. Between sets, the lawn fills with impromptu pickers. You do not need to know the music to enjoy it, and many first-time visitors end up learning a square-dance step.
Making the most of it
Arrive an hour early to claim a patch of lawn, bring a chair or blanket, a light jacket for the cooler mountain evening and cash or a card for food. Walk over after dinner in one of the downtown restaurants. If you play an instrument and want to join a jam, bring it along. If you prefer a quieter evening, the rear of the lawn is calmer than the area by the stage.
The music and the culture
The Shindig is rooted in the traditions that shaped Appalachian music, including old-time fiddle tunes, ballads brought from the British Isles and the clogging that evolved in the mountains. Many of the performers are volunteers who learned the music from family and neighbors. Spend a few minutes at the edge of a jam circle to see how the players trade melodies, and do not be shy about clapping along.
The evening cools quickly after sunset, so bring a sweater. Pack Square Park is also close to the Urban Trail and the Basilica, so an early walk before the music starts is easy.
Practicals and fit
Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, downtown Asheville; Saturday evenings in summer; free. Fit: music lovers, couples, families with kids who can handle a late evening, budget travelers and anyone curious about Appalachian culture.
What to expect
The experience
A free outdoor evening of traditional Appalachian string-band music, clogging and square dancing on the Pack Square Park lawn, with jam circles around the park.
Best time
Saturday evenings in July and August, from about 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; dates can shift, so confirm before you plan.
How long
Two to three hours.
Tips
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a light jacket. Downtown street parking is free after 6 p.m. No pets except service animals.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A free, authentic taste of mountain music and dance.
- Families
- Kids dance on the grass; the early sets suit younger children.
- Couples
- Dinner downtown, then a blanket on the lawn.
- Pair with
- Downtown Asheville, the Urban Trail and a South Slope brewery.
- Time needed
- An evening.
Good questions
When is Shindig on the Green?+
On Saturday evenings in July and August, usually from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Confirm exact dates with the organizers, as the schedule can pause for other festivals.
Is it free?+
Yes. Admission is free, and concessions are sold on site.
Where is it held?+
In Pack Square Park at 80 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville, at the Bascom Lamar Lunsford stage.
What should I bring?+
A lawn chair or blanket, a light jacket and an instrument if you want to join a jam session.
Where do I park?+
Downtown street parking is free after 6 p.m., and the Charlotte Street parking deck is across from the park.
