Burnsville is approximately 30 minutes from Asheville and a little over 45 minutes from Johnson City, TN. 

See below for driving directions.  When you arrive at the intersection these directions bring you to, turn onto South Main opposite the CVS shopping center.  The festival headquarters (Burnsville Town Center) is in the brick building with the faux bell tower on your left.  There is free public parking all over town.

From Asheville
Take Hwy 19 / 23 NORTH (also called I-26 West).  Signs are marked for Weaverville
Pass Weaverville and Mars Hill.
The next exit is Exit # 9 for Burnsville and Spruce Pine.
Turn RIGHT on Hwy 19.
Hwy 19 (becomes 19E) will take you to Burnsville.

From the Asheville Airport (or further south)
Go WEST on Interstate 26 West, following signs for Asheville.
Go EAST on I-240 towards Asheville.
I-240 will merge with several left lanes at a big bridge;
Get in the left-most lane as you cross the bridge, so you can exit
LEFT onto Hwy 19 / 23 NORTH. Signs are marked for Weaverville.
(this is still I-26 West and there are symbols painted on the road)
Take I-26 West (Hwy 19/23) past Weaverville and Mars Hill.
Exit at Exit # 9 for Burnsville/Spruce Pine.
Turn RIGHT on Hwy 19.
Hwy 19 (becomes 19E) will take you to Burnsville.

From I-81 (Tennessee, Virginia, and further north)
Follow I-81 south into Tennessee.
Take Exit 57A toward Johnson City. That’s I-26/S US23.
Follow this into North Carolina.
Take Exit # 9, Hwy 19 (Burnsville and Spruce Pine).
19 (becomes 19E) will take you to Burnsville.

From the East on I-40
Take the NC-226 exit- EXIT 86- toward Marion / Shelby.
Keep RIGHT at the fork to go on NC-226.
Turn LEFT to stay on NC-226.
Turn LEFT onto US-19E / NC-226.
(You are in the town of Spruce Pine.)
Continue to follow 19E west to Burnsville.
(FYI – When returning home, the entrance ramp to go
east on I-40 is much further south on NC-226 than the entrance to go
west on I-40.)