Sweeter than honey: Black Mountain’s Sourwood Festival
Every year since 1977, the picturesque town of Black Mountain, North Carolina has hosted its popular Sourwood Festival. This year, the annual community event takes place August 9-10, 2025. Organizers expect to welcome over 30,000 visitors who come for the 165+ artisan vendors, local crafts, our walkable downtown full of unique shops and restaurants, kid’s entertainment, and a myriad of associated events. Not to mention the honey.
The Buzz: Sourwood Honey
No, let’s DO mention the honey. Black Mountain’s annual Sourwood Festival is held in celebration of summertime, bees, and our locally-produced sourwood honey.
Sourwood trees (Oxydendrum arboreum) are native to the Appalachian region of the United States, and honey from these trees is rare and special. Sourwood honey is known for a light amber color, smooth texture, and a distinctive flavor profile that is a blend of sweet, slightly tangy, and subtly smoky notes plus aromatic qualities including cloves and spice.
Sourwood honey is excellent in cooking, baking, and right out of the jar.
Sourwood tree. Source: naturalsciences.org
2025 Sourwood Festival
Festival Dates and Times
Saturday, August 9 from 9am-7pm
Sunday, August 10 from 9am-5pm
Free Admission
The Sourwood Festival is free and open to the public.
Festival Location
Sourwood Festival is held throughout historic downtown Black Mountain.
You’ll find vendors, activities and events taking place on Cherry St., Sutton Ave., Black Mountain Ave., Broadway Ave., Vance Ave. and Town Square. While you’re enjoying the festival, be sure to also explore all the fantastic shops in downtown!
Food
The Sourwood Festival features snack vendors, but we also encourage you to enjoy the many great restaurants, bars, and breweries in Black Mountain and Swannanoa!
Vendors
She said vendors are selected through a juried process, meant to help bring not only a variety of vendors, but also a high quality of vendors.
Road Closures
To create a pedestrian-friendly experience during the Sourwood Festival, several streets will be closed to vehicular traffic:
South Dougherty Street (from State Street)
Cherry Street (from State Street)
Sutton Avenue
Black Mountain Avenue (at Terry Estate Drive and Vance Avenue)
Parking and Shuttle
Free public parking is available at the old Bi-Lo. Additional parking is available at the Black Mountain Ingles near the Garden Center. A free shuttle will pick up at this location every 15 minutes and drop festival-goers off on Vance Ave.
Restrooms
Public restrooms are available on Cherry Street and in Town Square. There will also be regular and handicap porta-potties throughout the festival area.
Pet Policy
Well-behaved pets on leashes are welcome to attend Sourwood Festival. Please be sure to clean up after your pet. Thanks!
Health & Safety
Have a minor scrape or abrasion? Head to one of the three information tents on the Festival site. Range Urgent Care is located at 201 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC for incidents that need more attention. As always, call 911 for emergency response.
Additional Festival Information
The annual Sourwood Festival is proudly presented by the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce. Visit the Chamber’s website for more information at explorethevalley.org/sourwood-festival.
Festival Music Line-Up
Enjoy live music at White Horse Black Mountain and behind The Foothills Grange as part of the festival experience.
Additionally, check out this excellent calendar of events, hosted by our friends at My Carolina Mountain Life, for more concerts taking place at venues throughout town.
More to Explore on Festival Weekend
Come for the Sourwood Festival, stay for a three-day weekend! Click here to see the Festival Guide for more things to do while you’re in town. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Sourwood Pottery Market at BMCA
In conjunction with the Festival, the Black Mountain Center for the Arts (BMCA) is hosting its annual Sourwood Pottery Market from 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The Market is located behind the BMCA building at 225 West State St. While you’re there, visit their current art exhibit, “Mountains and Valleys” August 1-29 featuring works by members of the Guild of American Papercutters.
Memorial Totem Pole: Live Carving Demonstrations
On August 9 and 10, the Swannanoa Valley Tree Alliance will be creating a memorial totem to honor the lives lost to Hurricane Helene and to celebrate the unbreakable spirit of our community. The carving will take place each day from 10 am-12 noon, 1-3pm, and 4-5:30pm in the lower parking lot behind the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center at 223 West State St. Once complete, the totem will be permanently installed at the Museum. Click here to learn more.
Barn Loom Demonstration
Stop by the Swannanoa Valley Museum between 2-4pm on August 9 for a barn loom demonstration in the upstairs gallery. Presented by artisan Annelle Woogon.
Bee Amazed
The Center for Honeybee Research will be on site at the Festival, offering educational materials and insights about the vital role of bees in our ecosystem. Other vendors will be bringing bees for learning opportunities, too!
Black Mountain Tailgate Market and the Swannanoa Farmers Market
Although not officially parts of the Festival, we love our fresh and all-local farmers markets! You’re invited to pay them a visit while you’re in town.
Swannanoa Farmers Market
August 9 from 9am-1pm
216 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa
Black Mountain Tailgate Market
August 9 from 9am - 12 noon
130 Montreat Rd (behind the First Baptist Church)
My Carolina Mountain Life: Community Calendar of Events
As always, see what else is happening in our neck of the woods by consulting the calendar of events hosted by our friends at My Carolina Mountain Life.
Discover Black Mountain
Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Black Mountain is a charming town known for its vibrant arts scene, outdoor adventure, and Southern hospitality. Often called the "Front Porch of Western North Carolina," Black Mountain invites visitors to explore its stunning landscapes, discover unique local businesses, and enjoy the welcoming community spirit that make it such a special place to visit. See you at Sourwood!
Plan your Black Mountain Getaway
From our beautiful scenery to friendly downtown, culinary scene to annual festivals like Sourwood, Black Mountain is an excellent destination for friends and families alike. CLICK HERE to start planning your Black Mountain, NC getaway!
About the Author
This blog story was written by Amy J. Schultz, an award-winning author, brand/marketing strategist, and overall creative type. She, her husband Brian, and their giant dog Bentley love their downtown Black Mountain neighborhood.
