• Biltmore Easter Egg Hunt, for ages 2-9, included in price of admission to the Biltmore Estate. The estate has an array of spring activities, find more information at its website.

• Farm-to-table Easter Buffet Brunch at the Omni Grove Park Inn with views of the blooming Blue ridge Mountains. Two big rooms filled with stations with many options. 12-5 PM. Adults/ $58, Children 6 and up/$30. Call ahead for reservations: 800-438-5800. Visit the website for more information. 

• Taking place in downtown Asheville’s Pack Square Park, Easter on the Green is a beloved family-friendly event that happens annually on Easter weekend. On Saturday, April 3 from 2-5 p.m. enjoy this free festival with egg hunts by age groups (12 and under), photos with the Easter bunny, delicious food, and oversized games. Since Good Friday is a city holiday, enjoy free on-street parking and don't feed the meters on Easter Weekend! All stores and restaurants will be open Friday and Saturday, and while parking is always free on Sunday, take note that many stores will be closed that day. 

• Dillsboro will hold its Easter Hat Parade at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, in downtown Dillsboro. For more information, call 828-506-8331, or go to the website visitdillsboro.com.

• Lake Junaluska will celebrate Easter with an outdoor sunrise service at the Lake Junaluska Cross and a contactless Easter breakfast buffet at the Lakeside Bistro on Sunday, April 4. The sunrise service will begin at 7 a.m. at the outdoor amphitheater below the Lake Junaluska Cross and is open to the public for in-person worship. The service also will be streamed live on Lake Junaluska’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lakejunaluska. For more information, to check updates for weather-related schedule changes or see the full menu for the Lakeside Bistro’s contactless Easter breakfast buffet, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/easter.

• Opening Day of the Waynesville Farmer’s Market & Shelton House Easter Candy Give Away will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 3. The Easter Bunny's helpers from Shelton House will be at the opening of the Famer's Market to pass out Easter Candy to all children. The Farmer’s Market will take place every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through Dec. 18 in the HART Theatre parking lot. 

• Advocates for Animals of WNC will host an Easter photo shoot for pets and children (or both) from noon to 6 p.m. April 3 at the Innovation Station in Dillsboro. Plenty of outdoor activities throughout the day, too. Music by Kim Smith. Small raffle items will also be offered. 

• The “Bunny Hopper Express Train Event” will be held on April 3 at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on www.gsmr.com. 

Events this spring

• Family Day at the Greenway will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 17 from at the Jackson County Greenway in Cullowhee.  Everyone is invited to walk the Greenway and enjoy various activities located around the trail. Some of the events include rock painting, yard games, and an ecology scavenger hunt. Harris EMS, PT Solutions, and Harris Pediatrics will all have tents set up for park-goers to interact with and learn more about their services.  For more information, please visit the “Events” tab of Harris Regional Hospital’s Facebook page or go to https://fb.me/e/5bsISXP9D

• The Shelton House Museum, Barn and Gift Shop will hold Opening Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 1. The Shelton house will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, withe tours offered on the hour. 

• The “Inspired by Nature” clay stamp class with Jan Kolenda will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, at the Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville.

Cost is $45 per person. Please bring cash or a check in the amount of $45. Checks must be made payable to “Jan Kolenda.” To RSVP, call 828.452.0593. For more information, click on www.haywoodarts.org. 

• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Russ Wilson & Hank Bones (jazz/acoustic) April 1. All shows begin at 6:30 p.m. Reservations required. 828.452.6000 or www.classicwineseller.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Eric Alan Barker (classic rock) April 3 and Shane Meade (singer-songwriter) 8 p.m. April 10. All shows begin at 7 p.m. For more information and a complete schedule of events, click on www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host  Arnold Hill (rock/indie) 8 p.m. April 9. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information and a complete schedule of events, click on www.lazyhikerbrewing.com.

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m. every Thursday. Free and open to the public. www.balsamfallsbrewing.com. 

• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host Chris Pressley w/Arnold Hill (Americana/rock) April 2-3, Shane Meade (singer-songwriter) April 9 and Isaac Corbitt (soul/acoustic) April 10. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.nantahalabrewing.com.

• The annual “Airing of the Quilts” at the Appalachian Women’s Museum (AWM) in Dillsboro will be virtual this year, except for one drive-by hanging quilt show.  

During the month-long event, various types of materials will be released online throughout the month. Content will be available on www.appwomen.org and release of the content will be announced on Facebook. An airing of the Monteith sisters’ quilts will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at 100 West Hometown Place Dillsboro, which will be a drive-by only event.

• The “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car. Wine pairings with a meal, and more. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on www.gsmr.com.

• Go on a virtual wildflower hike with Olympian Missy Kane during an upcoming series on Wednesdays in April. Registration is full for the limited in-person attendance option, but the virtual option is still available. All participants will receive hike swag, including wildflower-themed items and the opportunity to meet Kane. Learn more at www.friendsofthesmokies.org/getonthetrail.

• Down Home NC and Project Closed Door will host the next Spring Market from 1-5 p.m. Sunday,  April 4. This market is home to crafts, music, and wild ideas! It will take place in Haywood Square, 308 N Haywood St, Waynesville. Interested in vending? It’s free! Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info

• Busy Bee Market will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at the Canton Armory, located at 71 penland St, in Canton. The Market will host local small businesses, over 30 vendors, food, crafts, jewelry, boutique, gifts, and more. 

• Click here for a full list of Farmers Markets in the region, the perfect way to spend Saturday mornings in spring.