The 6th annual LEAF Downtown AVL festival will grace downtown Asheville’s Pack Square Park Sat., Aug. 27-28, and we can’t wait to party in the streets.

For the uninitiated, LEAF Downtown is 1 of the many wonderful programs from the LEAF nonprofit, whose mission is to connect cultures + create community through music + arts education, preservation + experiences. While some of the programming, such as the camping festival, requires tickets, the downtown festival is totally free to attend.

The main stage at Pack Square Park. | Photo via LEAF

Here’s what to expect this year:

The theme: Concrete Love. For the organizers, this phrase + notion represents all which has “pushed us forward into this joyous resurgence of music, dance and community,” as well as the act of “bringing love back to the city of Asheville and reigniting the spirit of rebuilding.”

The tunes: Main stage headliners include Ryan RnB Barber & The Boogi Therapi, Free Planet Radio, Newcleus + Grandmaster Caz. They’ll be accompanied by an eclectic range of local, regional + national talent — including soul, old-time, folk, hip-hop, Americana, blues, Appalachian roots, and new music. Artists will appear on 3 stages, and there will also be buskers floating around. Peep the full schedule.

Masking guidelines: Masks are require. Handwashing + social distancing are encouraged when possible.

Other fun happenings:

The Art Dash 5K kicks off Aug. 28, 9 a.m. at the main festival area + traverse through the streets of North Asheville.
Vendors will be dishing out artisan crafts, goods + tasty eats
After parties are planned for both nights at the Sly Grog Lounge (271 Haywood Rd.).
If you want special access, VIP tickets are available for $75-125.