Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands at Harrah's Cherokee Center

More than 100 juried Southern Highland Craft Guild artists take over Harrah's Cherokee Center for the fall Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Thursday through Sunday. Expect pottery, woodwork, furniture, glass, fiber, leather, jewelry and more, from traditional Appalachian craft to contemporary work.

Doors are open 10 to 5 every day. Admission is $12 at the door, kids under 12 get in free, and your ticket gets you back in the same day if you want to grab lunch and come back.

Start your holiday shopping early and buy straight from the makers. The Civic Center garage on Rankin Avenue is the closest place to park.

The Southern Highland Craft Guild is a nonprofit organization showcasing the handcraft traditions of the Southern Appalachians, with a permanent craft shop and gallery on Tunnel Road in East Asheville. Founded in 1930, the Guild represents hundreds of juried craftspeople working in pottery, fiber, glass, wood, jewelry and more, making it one of the oldest and most respected folk art and craft destinations in Asheville NC.

Locals dig the Guild’s strong commitment to quality craftsmanship and community support. With regular craft fairs, live demonstrations, and educational events, it’s a go-to for anyone wanting to connect directly with makers and shop authentic Appalachian art.

Southern Highland Craft Guild

Looking for shopping in Asheville? These local stores, galleries and boutiques are worth the trip, downtown and across town. Instant Karma sells hippie gifts at two shops, one on Lexington Avenue downtown and one on Haywood Road in West Asheville. Downtown, Static Age Records sells records and hosts shows on Lexington, Blue Spiral 1 fills three floors with contemporary art on Biltmore Avenue, and VaVaVooom is a woman-owned lingerie boutique on Broadway. In Biltmore Village, New Morning Gallery shows more than 500 American craft artists. North Asheville's Merrimon Avenue has Jus' Running, Asheville Raven & Crone and Asheville Pet Supply. Orbit DVD is an independent movie and game store in West Asheville. Out east, the Antique Tobacco Barn packs more than 75 vendors into 77,000 square feet, and the Southern Highland Craft Guild sells Appalachian handcraft at its Blue Ridge Parkway shop. South of town, Boutique Royale carries lingerie and gifts on Sweeten Creek Road, and Signs for Hope Marketplace in Fairview gives every dollar to a local nonprofit. Black Mountain's Old Town District is a walkable afternoon of shops and galleries. Every shop below has hours, photos and directions.

Shopping in Asheville, NC: Local Shops, Boutiques and Gifts

Asheville Made is your guide to products made right here in the mountains, from hot sauce and craft sodas to farm-raised meat, handmade crafts and small-batch spirits. FIREWALKER Hot Sauce Company has made small-batch, vegan sauces with locally grown produce since 2012. Devil's Foot Beverage brews ginger beer and craft sodas with organic ginger and fruit from local farms, and pours them at The Mule, its taproom on Sweeten Creek Road near Biltmore Village. Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview has been farmed by the same family since 1916 and sells its grassfed beef and pasture-raised pork and chicken at the farm store. The Southern Highland Craft Guild shows the work of hundreds of juried Appalachian craftspeople in pottery, fiber, glass, wood and jewelry. For local spirits, visit Eda Rhyne Distilling in Biltmore Village, Oak and Grist in Black Mountain and Two Trees in Fletcher. These are good stops for gifts and souvenirs that are actually made in Asheville. Every listing below has hours, photos and directions.

Asheville Made: Local Artisans, Makers and Handmade Gifts

Immerse yourself in Asheville, NC’s thriving art scene, where galleries, public murals, and cultural festivals create a vibrant creative hub. From contemporary art exhibitions and local artist studios to colorful street murals and public art installations, Asheville offers a visual feast for art lovers. Attend inspiring art festivals, craft markets, and cultural events that showcase the city’s diverse artistic talents and community spirit. Whether you’re a serious collector or a casual admirer, Asheville’s art scene provides endless opportunities to explore, experience, and support local artists and cultural initiatives. Discover the city’s most exciting art hotspots and be inspired by Asheville’s creative energy.

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands at Harrah's Cherokee Center

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