FestivalBoomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL 2025

Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL returns to Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville, NC on September 3-6, 2026. The free, all-ages festival celebrates Western North Carolina’s local music, regional culture, architectural history and beyond, this year branching out into the national and global spaces, with multi-genre main stage performances, interactive family programming, and heritage trail tours.

The three-day, family-friendly festival will offer a dynamic lineup of musical performances, heritage trail tours, wellness activities, interactive workshops, and local artisans, all aimed at highlighting and preserving Asheville’s unique cultural tapestry. Boomtown FestAVL will feature rich programming designed to engage residents and visitors alike in celebrating the city's past, present, and future.

Main Stage Performances (10am - 10pm) Include:
* Lettuce (x2): Genre-defying musical collective delivering a psychedelic blend of heavy funk, hip-hop, and jazz fusion.
* Asheville Symphony in the Park: Full symphonic ensemble bringing accessible live renditions of classical masterpieces to outdoor crowds.
* Cimafunk: Cuban powerhouse fusing vintage funk, hip-hop, and soul with vibrant Afro-Caribbean rhythms.
* Groundation: Roots reggae stalwarts combining rich jazz harmonies, live acoustic improvisation, and spiritual storytelling.
* Toubab Krewe & Friends: Asheville fusion outfit seamlessly blending West African musical traditions with contemporary rock and folk.
* Golden Dawn Arkestra: Intergalactic groove collective combining cosmic theatricality with heavy rock, soul, jazz, and funk.
* Empire Strikes Brass: Dynamic horn-driven band delivering high-energy brass arrangements and danceable funk grooves.
* Secret Agent 23 Skidoo: Grammy-winning artist crafting positive, family-friendly hip-hop for all ages.
* Jon Stickley Trio: High-velocity acoustic ensemble pushing boundaries with a fiery blend of bluegrass, gypsy jazz, and folk-punk.
* stephaniesǐd: Intimate indie-soul-pop outfit known for expressive vocals and lush soundscapes.
* Electro Lust: High-octane electronic collective serving up infectious Afro-Cuban funk and danceable grooves.
* Jonathan Scales Fourchestra: Progressive steel-pan-led ensemble combining jazz, classical, Latin rhythms, and soulful funk.
* Atash: Global fusion group weaving together musical traditions from India, West Africa, Cuba, Mexico, and the Middle East.
* Wolph: Classic-leaning rock outfit blending blues, Southern rock, folk, and psychedelic soundscapes.
* New Dawn Starkestra: Powerhouse local quartet exploring wide-ranging sonic territory across jazz, soul, fusion, and rock.
* The JLloyd Mashup: Vibrant live collective fusing funk, jazz, soul, reggae, Latin, and Afrobeat rhythms.
* Auspicious Golden Fish: Deep-funk and synth-jam outfit weaving together searing guitar riffs and hypnotic electronic textures.
* Suns of Stars: High-flying psychedelic bluegrass quintet combining traditional picking with exploratory live improvisation.
* Las Montañitas: Tropical fusion band blending 1960s Peruvian chicha cumbia, surf guitar, charango, and Afro-Colombian grooves.
* Black Sea Beat Society: High-energy global ensemble performing Balkan brass, Turkish psychedelia, Klezmer, and Middle Eastern classics.
* Coconut Cake (x2): Joyful, energetic ensemble serving up infectious, funk-infused rock.
* Adama Dembele & Les Amis: West African percussion ensemble led by 33rd-generation Ivory Coast master drummer Adama Dembele.
* Dancing Drum (x2): Interactive community percussion experience featuring hands-on, family-friendly drum workshops.

Late Nights (10pm - 4am) @ The Orange Peel, Asheville Music Hall, The One-Stop & Nightshade:
* Saxsquatch: Cryptid saxophonist blending live electronic beats, house grooves, and smooth sax covers of classic tunes.
* Birocratic & G Mills: Lo-fi and hip-hop producers collaborating on chill, jazz-infused instrumental beats.
* Adam Deitch: Renowned funk and hip-hop drummer/producer, best known as the powerhouse behind Lettuce and Break Science.
* EarthCry Live: Electronic audio project from Papadosio's Anthony Thogmartin, featuring live synths, bass, and organic improvisations.
* Elf Machine: Electro-funk jam project delivering heavy synth work, driving rhythms, and live-tronica improvisation.
* Trouble No More: All-star ensemble honoring the iconic catalog of The Allman Brothers Band with high-octane jam rock energy.
* Jeff Sipe & Friends: Virtuosic fusion drummer (Aquarium Rescue Unit) bringing together elite jazz, funk, and rock musicians.
* GFE (Granola Funk Express): High-energy live hip-hop and funk collective blending full-band grooves with freestyle flows.
* New Dawn Starkestra: Powerhouse local quartet exploring wide-ranging sonic territory across jazz, soul, fusion, and rock.
* Josh Blake’s Jukebox: Asheville guitar veteran leading an eclectic, rotating collective of funk, hip-hop, and rock artists.
* Melissa McKinney & Friends: Powerhouse R&B, blues, and Americana vocalist leading collaborative live performances.
* The JLloyd Boomtown Mashup: Vibrant live collective fusing funk, jazz, soul, reggae, Latin, and Afrobeat rhythms featuring Boomtown’s finest all-star lineup.
* Jelly Ellington: Blues-infused guitarist known for soulful, high-energy performances.
* John Trufant: Soulful guitarist and singer-songwriter delivering a mix of blues, roots, and classic jam-rock tones.
* Pink Mercury: Psychedelic funk-rock outfit serving up danceable synth grooves and exploratory jams.
* Ajeva: Progressive funk, reggae, and rock jam band known for intricate arrangements and upbeat grooves.
* Tand: Melodic rock and jam outfit delivering infectious hooks and dynamic live improvisation.
* Osiah: Electronic DJ and producer crafting deep bass, ambient textures, and danceable soundscapes.
* Dobarae: Regional producer and DJ delivering genre-bending lo-fi, hip-hop, and bass music tracks.
* DJ Bowie: Versatile DJ specializing in house, disco edits, and high-energy party sets.
* DJ TOPAZ: DJ and multi-instrumentalist blending global grooves, funky house, and heavy bass lines.
* DJ Mookite: Electronic DJ spinning low-end bass, funk-infused rhythms, and atmospheric party tracks.

Additional Highlights:

Main Stage Performances: Three stages featuring 30+ global, regional and local artists across a dynamic mix of genres. Full lineup to be announced.

Asheville Symphony in the Park: The beloved tradition of accessible classical music returns Sunday, September 6.

“The Big Secret” Family Stage (Sunday, September 6, 2026):
Family friendly focused programming for all ages featuring special standalone and collaborative sets by Cimafunk, Jon Stickley Trio, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Las Montañitas, Black Sea Beat Society, Coconut Cake, Dancing Drum Interactive Kids Workshop along with circus performances and additional surprise collab sets!

Heritage Tours & Exhibits: Explore Asheville’s architectural legacy and historic boomtown origins through curated trail tours and displays.

Wellness Pavilion: Free yoga, mindfulness sessions, drum, dance and holistic wellness demonstrations.

Local Artisan Market: Handmade goods, culinary offerings, and crafts from regional vendors.

Local Food Vendors: Global flavors made locally

Children’s Zone: Arts and crafts, storytelling, and interactive play activities for the whole family.