Located an hour east of Asheville in the charming town of Valdese, the Waldensian Festival is held annually in August to commemorate the heroic Waldensian people who founded Valdese in 1893. Established in 1976, the historic festival honors the Town's unique heritage with a variety of events that fill the quaint downtown with over 15,000 visitors and residents during the 2-day celebration.
The Friday night kickoff features live music, a classic car show, amusement rides, and a special presentation of the outdoor drama "From This Day Forward." The weekend continues on Saturday when Main Street is lined with 170+ food/art/craft vendors, amusement rides, bocce tournaments, traditional Waldensian meals, open art competitions, attraction tours, street dances, and live music throughout the day.
