and you’ll see how the festival got its name when you visit beautiful downtown Asheville.
For three days each year, always the last full weekend in July, the central downtown area is barricaded against vehicular traffic and the largest free street festival in the Southeast holds court in Asheville. Festivalgoers from across the country come to celebrate our mountains, our bustling downtown area, our diverse cultures, and the festival that brings it all together once a year.
Browse our website! Browse our festival! And don’t forget to browse our beautiful downtown and surrounding area that makes Asheville the place for beautiful living!
Where exactly is Bele Chere?
In the central downtown business area, with Pack Square roughly at the center.
When is the festival?
Bele Chere is always the last FULL weekend in July. This year, the dates and hours are:
Friday, July 25, 2008 Noon to 11 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, 2008 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, July 27, 2008 Noon to 6 p.m.
What does Bele Chere mean?
Bele Chere means “beautiful living” and comes from an ancient Scottish dialect.
How do I get there?
You have a couple of options. You can drive to the festival or you can ride the Bele Chere Shuttle. If you drive, be aware parking is at a premium during peak times, but all the parking decks in the downtown area are open for business. The two shuttle routes - one from the east and one from the west - run approximately every 20 minutes and the cost is $3 roundtrip.
Where can I park?
City Parking Decks: Civic Center, Rankin Avenue, Wall Street, and BB&T.
Several surface lots will also be open; a special events parking fee will apply in most cases.
Free handicapped parking will be available at any metered parking space outside the festival boundaries.
What if I need help?
The Information Booths will be located in Pack Square, at Pritchard Park, and at the intersection of College and Spruce. Also, look for our roving info-tendants presented by Wachovia. They’ll be on street corners and in other high traffic areas, wearing official Bele Chere shirts.
The First Aid tents will be available at Pritchard Park and in the children’s area located in City-County Plaza.
Where can I catch the shuttle?
To avoid traffic and parking problems, festival-goers are encouraged to take the festival shuttles.
Each day, service begins one hour before the festival starts and runs until one hour past regular festival hours. Shuttles run approximately every 20 minutes.
Cost: $3.00. Roundtrip
The east shuttle will run from the back parking lot of the Asheville Mall. The Asheville Mall is located on Tunnel Road east of downtown.
The west shuttle will run from the K-mart Plaza shopping center on Patton Ave.
Where can I get some extra cash?
ATMs are located at the following downtown locations:
Asheville Savings Bank - Patton Avenue at Arts Park
Bank of America - 162 College Street & 68 Patton Avenue
BB&T - 1 West Pack Square
First Citizens Bank - 108 Patton Avenue
Premier Credit Union - Haywood Street at the Civic Center
Wachovia - 1 Haywood Street
Where can I get a Bele Chere Traffic Control Map?
Coming soon.
Can I buy beer at Bele Chere?
Yes, but you must have a wristband to carry alcohol on the streets during Bele Chere. Selected area merchants will also sell wristbands. Be prepared to show your picture ID when buying alcohol as the wristband itself is not proof of age. Wristband colors will change every day.
NOTE: Consumption and purchase of alcoholic beverages on streets prohibited after 10:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday. SUNDAY is ALCOHOL-FREE.
How do I get the wristband?
With a valid picture ID, wristbands can be purchased for $2 at booths located adjacent to beverage stations or from participating merchants. A wristband is not required to drink in Asheville’s downtown pubs - only while drinking on the streets.
Can I bring my own cooler of beer?
No, coolers are not allowed inside the festival area.
Where are the alcohol-free zones?
Bele Chere offers a family-oriented, alcohol-free zone located from College Street to Davidson to the Renaissance Parking Lot. This area is designated as the children’s area.
Can I bring my pet to the festival?
Sorry, pets are not allowed within the festival boundaries. We feel it’s safer for all the festivalgoers AND the pet.
How long has Bele Chere been around?
Bele Chere started in 1979 and was located on a whopping three blocks. It was the brainstorm of a handful of downtown Asheville merchants and business people with the vision of revitalizing our downtown business district, which was largely abandoned as retail businesses & residents moved to the suburbs. Now, downtown Asheville is home to restaurants, galleries, retail businesses, theatres, art exhibits, and a growing number of residents who call downtown “home.”
How many people attend Bele Chere?
Our most recent estimates are about 375,000 people over the three days of the festival.