Asheville Festivals Undergo Changes: AVLfest Becomes AVL Sounds Fest, New Busker Fest Announced

The popular Asheville music festival AVLfest is getting a new name and leadership, while a new Asheville Busker Fest is set to debut.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Asheville music festival formerly known as AVLfest will return in 2026 under a new name, AVL Sounds Fest, with co-founder Jeff Whitworth continuing to produce the citywide, multi-venue event. Meanwhile, AVLfest co-founder Bryan Matheny is launching his own new festival, Asheville Busker Fest, which will showcase local street performers and benefit the LEAF Global Arts nonprofit.

Why it matters

The changes reflect a transition in the festival's leadership and a new focus on celebrating Asheville's rich musical heritage, local venues, and the vibrant busking scene. The new Asheville Busker Fest also aims to support the LEAF Global Arts nonprofit, which organizes the popular LEAF Festival.

The details

AVL Sounds Fest will maintain the same spirit as the previous AVLfest, featuring local, regional, and national acts across multiple stages and venues in Asheville. The new Asheville Busker Fest, debuting in May 2026, will showcase musicians, magicians, jugglers, and other street performers from the local busking scene, with performances in venues like Pack Square, Pritchard Park, and the River Arts District. The festival will also feature arts and craft vendors and food trucks.

  • AVLfest was first introduced in 2023.
  • AVLfest returned in August 2024 after a successful debut.
  • AVLfest took a one-year hiatus in 2025 due to the impact of Tropical Storm Helene.
  • The new AVL Sounds Fest is scheduled for August 6-9, 2026.
  • The inaugural Asheville Busker Fest is set to debut on May 2-3, 2026.

The players

Jeff Whitworth

Co-founder of Wicked Weed Brewing and Worthwhile Sounds, and the talent buyer for The Grey Eagle, who will continue to produce AVL Sounds Fest.

Bryan Matheny

An entrepreneur and longtime music enthusiast, who was a co-founder of AVLfest and is now launching the new Asheville Busker Fest.

LEAF Global Arts

The nonprofit behind the popular LEAF Festival, which is reportedly facing financial challenges and will benefit from the proceeds of the Asheville Busker Fest.

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What’s next

More details about the special related events and other announcements for Asheville Busker Fest and AVL Sounds Fest will be released in the coming months.

The takeaway

The changes to Asheville's music festival landscape reflect the city's vibrant and evolving arts and music scene, with a focus on supporting local talent, venues, and the busking community, as well as nonprofit organizations like LEAF Global Arts that have played a key role in the local arts ecosystem.