Mark Your Calendar for these May Events in the High Country
By Chris Murphy
The month of May is full of fun and exciting events in the High Country, from Boone and Blowing Rock to Banner Elk. Whether you’re searching for family-friendly events, food and drink events, live music or free festivals, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Be sure to pick up a High Country Visitors Guide to find even more events throughout the year.
Top May 2025 Events in the High Country
Here are our top events happening in the High Country during May.
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Old-Time Jam at the Jones House
Every Thursday in the month of May from 7pm-10pm, enjoy local and visiting musicians at the Jones House for an old-time jam session. Bring your banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin – or whatever old-time acoustic instrument you have – and spend a few hours playing along with fellow musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds. Guests and visitors are welcome to observe and enjoy the music but are asked to be respectful of the musicians. After catching up and choosing a key the music will begin, with the last call for tunes coming around 9:45. Jams are not held on holidays and may be canceled on days of inclement weather. Call the Jones House with any questions.
May 2: First Friday Art Crawl
Join us for First Friday Art Crawl each month in Downtown Boone at the Jones House, The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, February through December. 5pm-8pm. Check out the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts on King Street, as well as the Mazie Jones Gallery in the Jones House Community Center. Art exhibits and wine tastings are in various downtown shops and restaurants.
May 9: Wine in the Woods
From 4pm-8pm, come and join Turtle Island Preserve for a wonderful evening consisting of several tastings of “wood-inspired” wines complimented with similarly inspired micro dishes, enjoyed while taking a private tour of the Turtle Island basecamp and the unique, authentic, hand built buildings. The evening concludes with songs and conversation around a blazing campfire. This is a perfect date night or friend’s adventure.
May 17: Boonerang Battle of the Bands
Boonerang Music & Arts Festival is pleased to announce the 2025 Battle of the Bands. Each month leading up to the festival, a BOTB will be hosted at one of our local brewpubs. The winners of these showcases will be invited to perform a set at the festival on Friday, June 20. This month, BOTB will be at Booneshine Brewing Co. featuring: Mood Kings at 5 p.m., Greylan Hall and the Nasty Kings at 6 p.m. and Family Video at 7 p.m.
May 24- June 1: Rhododendron Rambles
Take a daily, short, guided stroll at Grandfather Mountain that highlights the rhododendron species and blooms. See the blooms and learn about their history, attributes and roles they play in the mountain’s ecological communities. The easygoing walks take approximately 20 minutes and are fit for guests of all ages – wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Staff naturalists will also have a display inside Wilson Center. Included with admission.
Want more Events?
CALENDAR: Check out our High Country calendar of events to help plan your activities!
NEWSLETTER: Or sign up for our High Country Destination Newsletter to receive exclusive content for planning your vacation getaway to the North Carolina High Country!
