Month guide · Asheville · United States
Asheville in August
What August is really like in Asheville: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Biltmore Estate, Asheville · Photo: Blake Lewis, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
August is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 17°C (63°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 13.5 hours of daylight. Warm and humid with thunderstorms, and a strong music calendar.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Plan a trip to Asheville
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Asheville: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 17°C (63°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with July (29°C (84°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:49
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:20
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
Summer (June–August). Warm, not usually hot, days with afternoon thunderstorms, rhododendrons on the parkway and free mountain music.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 4 for crowds (the peak is October at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in October). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Mountain Dance and Folk Festival — long-running Appalachian music festival (usually early August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Neighbourhood · River Arts District
River Arts District
Former mills and warehouses along the French Broad River became home to working studios for potters, painters, glassblowers and jewellers.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
Architecture · Downtown Asheville
Downtown Art Deco walk
Start at City Hall and the Buncombe County Courthouse on Pack Square, and follow the downtown Urban Trail markers set into the pavement.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Downtown Asheville
Basilica of St. Lawrence
Built in 1909, this Spanish Renaissance basilica was designed by Rafael Guastavino, the Spanish architect famous for his tile vaulting.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Garden · Bent Creek
North Carolina Arboretum
The bonsai garden is the highlight; check trail status before you go, as some trails were damaged in 2024 and repairs continue.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 28°C (82°F), lows near 17°C (63°F) and 12 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Asheville?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Asheville in other months
Questions travellers ask
+What time does the sun set in Asheville in August?
At about 20:20 local time in mid-August, with sunrise at about 06:49: roughly 13.5 hours of daylight.
+How warm is Asheville in August?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Asheville in August?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.