Firefly Gathering

Firefly Gathering Firefly Gathering seeks to connect people with themselves, each other & Earth through skill sharing

08/19/2026

Last call for more ritual and meaning in your craft world and reality in general!

Join longtime Firefly Gathering friend Emileigh Zola on August 23 for an afternoon of Broomcraft & Belonging. More than a traditional hand-craft class, this workshop is a community-oriented gathering, a connective space; an invitation to slow down, settle in, and create with intention.

Participants can expect to:
* Set intentions for the time spent together
* Learn about broomcorn and its historical role in traditional broom-making
* Take part in an inclusive, supportive creative space
* Tie a traditional turkey-wing whisk broom
* Weave a decorative handle using broomcorn stems

Participants will leave with a finished whisk broom, along with the foundational skills to continue making brooms on their own, and a renewed sense of connection: to themselves, to community and to keeping traditional Appalachian skills alive through shared practices and hands-on learning.

Find out more and get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/broom-making-craft-a-turkey-wing-whisk-broom-w-emileigh-zola-tickets-1980311851055

08/11/2026

Looking for a good way to spend the dog days of summer? Firefly Gathering has two August offerings that are perfect! 

~Working with Bone with Josh Barnewell on August 15, is a great opportunity to connect with Deer and learn the many gifts this majestic beast has to offer us humans. Whether you’re making a crochet hook, a whistle, an awl, or even a hair pin, Josh will guide you on a journey of discovery that will leave you looking at the world a little differently. 

~Turkey Wing Whisk Brooms with Emileigh Zola on August 23, will be an afternoon of broom-craft and belonging in our workshop, a community-oriented gathering and connective space; an invitation to slow down, settle in and create with intention. Together we’ll craft a traditional turkey wing whisk broom, learning each step along the way. Participants will use broomcorn stems to weave a decorative handle, gaining a versatile technique that can be adapted to make other styles of whisk brooms in the future.

So whether you’re in the mood for plant, animal – or both – we got you covered! Check out the rest of our 2026 Perennial Workshops and plan your craftiness today!

As we bask in the afterglow of another beautiful, inspiring and all around successful event, we feel so much gratitude t...
07/22/2026

As we bask in the afterglow of another beautiful, inspiring and all around successful event, we feel so much gratitude to our donors and sponsors, without whom we absolutely could not make the magic of The Firefly Gathering happen.

Thank you to the moon and back for your belief in the work we do and your support in helping us do it. The 2026 Annual Firefly Gathering was an absolute delight due to the web of love and support that community brings.

07/09/2026

We’re screen printing all week at Firefly with the help of our friends at ✨✨ to raise money for the Equity Fund! If you’re at the gathering, grab your favorite wearable and bring it to the main stage for this incredible turkey vulture print.

100% of the proceeds go to folks who would not otherwise get a chance to experience the magic of The Firefly Gathering. If you’re not here at the gathering, equity fund donations are welcome though the link in our bio 🙏🏽🫶🏽

Is Firefly worth the investment? Absolutely!!! The impact of attending the gathering can stay with you for years, and th...
07/06/2026

Is Firefly worth the investment? Absolutely!!! The impact of attending the gathering can stay with you for years, and the friendships made can be life-long.. Here’s what previous attendees said about the 2025 gathering:

1. The bonds I formed were so deep that it was hard to leave.
2. I’m inspired to stay connected to the land and find community and share the magic with others.
3. The earthskills are so eye-opening and fulfilling.
4. The concerts and evening shows were first-class and worth the admission price alone.
5. As an Arab woman who doesn’t always feel safe in public, I find Firefly to be very safe and affirming.
6. I will never forget that magical, starry night when graceful light puppets drifted like mythical creatures across the Appalachian sky.
7. Firefly is hope!
8. It’s a place where my cup gets filled and possibilities are presented for richer souls and soils.
9. Firefly inspired me to start my own business! Its “Bizarre Bazaar” is where I learned how to promote my products.
10. The Original People leading workshops is a balm for broken hearts.
11. I have never seen a drum circle infused with such powerful emotions, with players and dancers of all ages and ability.
12. The queer-friendly speakers and safe spaces were so meaningful and grounding.
13. I love the people here! I’ve made lasting relationships!
14. I love meeting people who are modeling what I hope to become.
15. Firefly is one of my greatest sources of hope and growth and love.
16. It restores my faith in humanity – one day at Firefly is more effective than weeks of therapy!

These testimonials from last year speaks for itself. .Register at Fireflygathering.org/annual or through links in our bio

We are so excited and honored to be hosting an intimate talk with visionary thinker and philosopher Daniel Schmachtenber...
07/03/2026

We are so excited and honored to be hosting an intimate talk with visionary thinker and philosopher Daniel Schmachtenberger! At a time when we are being divided by every means possible, Daniel will share about the relevance of Earthskills in a world on fire, how to not give in to despair and divisionary tactics, what we can do to make a positive change and prepare for the coming times here in Appalachia and more.

Join us Thursday evening, July 9 at the Main Stage and be ready to have your hearts and minds opened…learn more about Daniel’s work and get your passes now at fireflygathering.org/attend …see you soon!

This is your last call to buy tickets to The Annual Firefly Gathering before the day-of lines and fees apply. Don’t wast...
07/03/2026

This is your last call to buy tickets to The Annual Firefly Gathering before the day-of lines and fees apply. Don’t waste precious time on the mountain waiting in line at registration.

Skip the wait and start in on your escape, your return, your reconnection…and your fun at Firefly. Get your tickets online now and save that money for treats, trinkets and treasures!!

We’re SO excited to welcome our community to the annual Firefly Gathering in less than a week! But before we’re totally ...
07/02/2026

We’re SO excited to welcome our community to the annual Firefly Gathering in less than a week! But before we’re totally ready to receive y’all, there are just a couple of positions we need to fill to ensure this year’s gathering is as resourced as it needs to be.

Apply now for the last worktrade positions and trade your time and energy for a pass to the gathering, get fed and be a part of the crew!

Find details and the application at Fireflygathering.org/worktrade … see you soon!

We are SO excited that just in time to celebrate 20 years of FIREFLY, we’ll be moving to a place that many have come to ...
07/01/2026

We are SO excited that just in time to celebrate 20 years of FIREFLY, we’ll be moving to a place that many have come to know and love over the years, a place that feels like coming home … (drum roll please…)

SAVE THE DATE:
Firefly Gathering 2027 | August 11-15 | Hosted by Lake Eden Retreat | Black Mountain / Swannanoa NC

To ensure that this year’s event is a success and to kick off the celebrations now,
we have a special offer for you: All 2026 Annual Firefly Gathering ticket holders will be entered to win:

-> First Prize: Two Full Passes to the 2027 Annual Firefly Gathering at Lake Eden!!!
-> Second Prize: Two 3 Day Passes to the 2027 Annual Gathering
-> Third Prize: Two 2 Day Passes to the 2027 Annual Gathering

The raffle will be held Sunday morning at Closing Circle, but you don’t have to be present to win…good luck!

*Note: 3 and 2 day passes can be redeemed for their value towards a full pass.

So plan to join us for Firefly Gathering 2026, July 7-12 at Wild Human Preserve, perched on the banks of the Toe River amid a rush of falls and pools cascading through a beautiful boulder field. Enjoy hundreds of classes in traditional craft & Indigenous wisdom, dancing & live music, Street Creature Puppet Collective & Youth Village, community & nature…and your chance to win free passes to Firefly 2027 at Lake Eden.

We have some very exciting things planned to send us off with a celebration – of life, love and the RESILIENCY of nature. Fireflygathering.org/annual

We need your support this year and have many opportunities: buy passes, sign up to worktrade, donate to our equity fund or general fund, join the board…we can’t wait to gather with you!

Firefly isn’t just soft & cozy, love & light – it’s also DIY punk culture and METAL!If you identify with these descripto...
06/30/2026

Firefly isn’t just soft & cozy, love & light – it’s also DIY punk culture and METAL!

If you identify with these descriptors, or are simply curious about metallurgy and wondering if the Annual Firefly Gathering, July 7-12, is for you, the answer is YES!

Come and Blacksmith with the always entertaining Tod Kershaw, who uses ALL reclaimed and salvaged materials–even the coal!

Or Coppersmith some Wilderbling and Jewelry with Grant Adkisson, make fire with Flint & Steel with Shawn Kelly, learn how to maintain your edge tools with Mark Kessler and John Kraus. This is your opportunity to explore how metal impacted our technological evolution through the ages, and learn to partake in the alchemical transformation of raw materials into tools and beauty. Hop on over to fireflygathering.org/attend to get your passes today!

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PO Box 18758
Asheville, NC
28814

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