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It was with heavy hearts we announced that this year’s LEAF Global Arts Festival, October 17-20, was canceled at Lake Eden. Thankfully our beloved Lake Eden is resilient; we are grateful the buildings are in good shape. The big challenges are roads, fallen trees, lack of services, and the surrounding devastation. The World Changer Festival we had created for you was so excellent- we have put so much love into this event with a super star team. World Drum Day will be able to happen (see below), and there are Disaster WeLEAF Concerts & Popups brewing for when and where it is safe and best for our community to uplift each other through music, culture, and connection.
Did you know that LEAF Festival is our No.1 fundraiser of the year? Not only does the festival fuels our mission and work across our community and globally, it is the time we come together to CONNECT with each other especially our treasured Members, the best of world music, and revive our joy. We want to make sure YOU are taken care of as best we can. Please complete the below form to help guide us. In this moment we’re caring for each other and dreaming of a brighter future. If you had Festival tickets, please Fill out Festival Transform Tickets *Hurricane Form* to help guide us.
Join us at LEAF Global Arts Festival to connect to the world and each other through cultural exploration, live music, dance, performance arts, healing arts, workshops, nature, and more. Our year-long theme, World Changers, is a call to art and activism that can be seen, felt, and heard . The intergenerational, family-friendly gathering transforms lives, strengthens community, and fosters unity through the wonder of creativity, inclusivity, and shared joy.
This year, we celebrate the extraordinary global citizens who not only create art but also champion causes that resonate with the heartbeat of humanity. These are the voices that echo in the halls of change, the hands that paint the canvas of a better tomorrow. Our chosen artists are not just masters of their crafts; they are beacons of hope, tirelessly advocating for a world where justice, peace, and creativity flourish.
That mission, and our yearlong theme — World Changers — is reflected in the Festival poster art designed by Tommy Lee, aka Sir Tom Foolery.
Downloadable graphic for social media sharing!
New Orleans Culture Keeper
Funk and Soul
Flamenco Dance
DJ and Black Light Dance Party Host
Contra Dance
Feel-good Folk-rock
Music & Rhythms from Costa Rica
Dance and Storytelling from Malawi
Latin Dance
Funk and Soul
Clowning and wokshops
Cellist, music lover, LEAF family, and so much more
Musician & guitarist from N'Djamena, Chad
Collective formed from LEAF teaching artists
Meet our media partner,
Asheville Multicultural!
Relax and rejuvenate with Healing Artists Booths to get treatments you don't have time for and over 30 Workshops to explore Feelin good!
Kickin' It is the collaborative effort of Greg Ignasiak and Rae Liebtag creating interactive installment art, captivating environments, and experiential events. They seek to provide outlets for community creativity by encouraging self expression. Fun, playful, "under the sea" adventures!
Lake Eden Trails cover hundreds of acres up to Eden Rock if you make it to the top. Find your pace hiking or running with family or solo and the trails welcome you.This is a vintage pic & the tradition continues.
Explore the #1 Kids Festival in Western North Carolina, and one of the best FAMILY festivals in the world. All of LEAF is family friendly with activities spread throughout the magical setting. Family Adventure activities are throughout LEAF and designed to engage and inspire. Watch performances, create, play, and discover whimsical Puppetry shows. Support children’s crafts, hoop and flow, and play boffer games. Immerse into cultural creative arts in Easel Rider with LEAF teaching artists. Swing in the Jelly Dome. Play sports with a global community. Jump, roll, pet, climb, and retreat: life-sized hamster ball, climbing wall, launch rockets! Each festival has different offering and tradition- you. may find Toy Trains on the hill, paper rockets, and Giant slides & bounce houses!
If you have little ones, Elfhaven Childcare in Buckeye Lodge is a world of wonder and time for parents to go play.
Do you have a young artists in your family?
Sprouts Corner Youth Vendors is ORIGINAL kid-made art sold by kid artists! Here kids can offer their handmade art, special skills & services, like fortune telling or manicures… just has to be $10 or less
LEAF Love to amazing Artists who artfully inspire the LEAF experience! LEAF Festival’s Juried Handcraft Art Fair exhibits 50+ national & local artisans. More artists coming soon….
Browse and shop the colorful booths, meet the artists, and visit the Global Interactive Outpost to win artful donations from fabulous artisans at LEAF Art Raffle benefiting LEAF Schools & Streets. Check out & shop these amazing LEAF Festival Handcraft Artists! You can support artists online now and buy gifts at LEAF Retreat & Festival.
LEAF Festival hosts various local culinary artists that represent many cultures and cuisine options to make your LEAF life delicious. A few change from time to time; however, many culinary booths are longtime LEAF Traditions. Click on images below to see the various culinary booths throughout the festival.
Need to revive your festival spirit? Visit their eateries in Asheville area.
Connecting Cultures & Creating Community Through World Music & Arts
Mayani is a Maasai boy from longido Arusha. He went to boarding school at 6 years old and lost his Maasai language and tradition. Since joining the LEAF program, he has learned to sing Maasai songs, practiced the ‘jump’ tradition and wear Maasai shukas (traditional clothing). Mayani is extremely happy and is currently teaching other youth the culture.
