Two major outdoor venues to open in Buncombe County in 2026

At the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s Year Ahead event on January 13, officials and developers outlined two large outdoor projects expected to stage soft openings in 2026 that aim to revive areas hit hard by Tropical Storm Helene and expand the county’s event calendar.

The Orange Peel ownership group unveiled plans for a 6,000‑capacity outdoor concert venue on Thompson Street along the Swannanoa River in East Asheville. Designers emphasized flood resilience with a “flow-through” stage and movable elements intended to reduce damage risk when river levels rise. The design approach is explicit about keeping infrastructure adaptable to periodic flooding, a growing priority after Helene displaced venues and disrupted summer programming.

A second project, Beacon Park in Swannanoa, will combine a bike park, outdoor bouldering walls, an event lawn and a one‑mile walking loop into a multi‑use outdoor facility. Organizers said they are partnering with RiverLink on stormwater management to limit runoff and buffer the river corridor. Beacon Park also received a $4.5 million award from the TDA’s Tourism Product Development Fund, a notable public investment aimed at catalyzing private development and increasing visitor amenities outside downtown Asheville.

Both projects signal a strategy by local tourism leaders to lean into outdoor programming while addressing climate vulnerabilities. A 6,000‑capacity venue can pull larger touring acts and higher-attendance events that were previously concentrated in enclosed arenas, potentially boosting hotel room nights, restaurant receipts and related visitor spending. Beacon Park’s combination of active recreation and event space targets both day visitors and family outings, diversifying attractions beyond traditional music nights.

The Year Ahead presentation also highlighted other tourism projects slated for 2026, including the Woodfin whitewater wave park known as Woodfin Wave and a slate of local events and exhibits planned throughout the year. Together, the projects suggest a season with more outdoor options across Buncombe County and an effort to distribute tourism activity into East Asheville, Swannanoa and Woodfin.

Community impacts will include increased traffic on river corridor roads during events, seasonal job opportunities tied to operations and concessions, and new volunteer and partnership channels through organizations like RiverLink. The emphasis on movable infrastructure and stormwater planning reflects a shift from simply rebuilding to designing for resilience.

The takeaway? These investments aim to grow tourism while hardening riverfront spaces against future storms. Our two cents? Prepare for busier weekends, follow TDA event calendars as openings near, and consider supporting flood-smart projects by getting involved with local river stewardship and planning meetings to keep music and recreation safe when the Swannanoa swells.