Bring your instruments, families, friends, lawn chairs and blankets and join us for good times at the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Stage. In 2021 Shindig on the Green, which features a stage show and informal jam sessions around the park, continues at its original location — formerly known as City County Plaza, now transformed into the new Pack Square Park. Locals and visitors alike come together downtown “along about sundown,” or at 7:00pm for those who wear a watch, until 10:00p.m. Concessions are available. Come experience the beautiful music and dance traditions of Southern Appalachia on a summer evening in the mountains.
Since 1967, this mountain tradition features an always-enjoyable variety of performances by:
- Long-standing house band The Stoney Creek Boys
- Bluegrass and Old-Time String Bands
- Big Circle Mountain Dancers
- Clog Dancers
- Smooth Dancers
- Ballad Singers
- Storytellers
Shindig on the Green was voted “#1 Local Outdoor Concert” three years in a row — 2006, 2007, and 2008 — by readers of Asheville’s independent weekly newspaper Mountain Xpress in its annual “Best of WNC” edition. In 2019, Shindig on the Green was selected as the 2nd Place “Uniquely Asheville” award winner for Holiday Event – Summer/Fall.
The Folk Heritage Committee produces Shindig on the Green and its sister event, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, to support the preservation and continuation of the traditional music, dance and storytelling heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Between 3,000 and 5,000 people attend Shindig on the Green evenings for free throughout the summer. In addition to throngs of locals, visitors routinely travel from out of state, across the country, and even around the world to make their way to downtown Asheville for Shindig on the Green.
Shindig on the Green occurs thanks to the talent and generosity of its volunteer musicians and dancers who span several generations much to the delight of those in attendance. From young children perfecting their square dance steps to great-grandmothers singing ballads passed down through the years, the region’s wealth of traditional talent takes center stage. Since the outdoor event’s inception in 1967, hundreds of thousands of individuals from across the region and throughout the world have shared and enjoyed the rich traditional music and dance heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in this outdoor setting.
2021 Shindig Dance Team line-up To Be Announced
Eats and Treats: Concessions are provided by The Hop Ice Cream Cafe, and there are plenty of other establishments nearby for food and drinks.
Parking: Parking is available in marked and metered spaces throughout downtown Asheville (free after 6pm) and the city’s municipal decks (evening rates vary). Very convenient to Shindig, Buncombe County’s Charlotte Street Parking Deck is directly across College Street from Pack Square Park and the Buncombe County Courthouse — $1 for first half hour; $1 for second half hour; $1 per hour after that; $12 daily maximum. Parking for buses is available at the Asheville Public Works Building parking lot at 161 S. Charlotte Street. This lot is vacant on Saturday nights. It is recommended that passengers unload at Pack Square Park before the bus is parked in the lot.
Dogs or Other Pets: Please leave your pets at home (unless it’s a service animal). The City of Asheville restricts pets from being present at outdoor special events. Pets, even the best behaved ones, are not allowed at Pack Square Park during Shindig.
Public Transit: There is a major transfer point on College St. for public transit. Check www.ridetheart.com for maps and schedules or call 828-253-5691. Route E1 provides Saturday evening service to and from the ART Station.
Summer Schedule: Shindig on the Green takes a break from its regular Saturday schedule on August 7th, when the musicians and dancers head to Shindig’s sister event, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. The 94th Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, takes place nightly Thursday through Saturday, August 5, 6, and 7.
The Folk Heritage Committee produces Shindig on the Green 2021 and the 94th annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival with support from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Asheville Office of Economic Development, and Buncombe County, and by a number of corporate and media sponsors as well as many individuals. The Folk Heritage Info Line is (828) 258-6101 ext. 345.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
Click here if you are interested in performing.
Click here if you are interested in becoming a Corporate Sponsor.