The Ava Gardner Festival this October 7-9, will kick off Ava Gardner’s 100th birthday celebration. New exhibits, video tributes, and the opening night concert will celebrate the many facets of Ava Gardner’s extraordinary life – from her rural upbringing in North Carolina to her five-decade career as a world-famous star, from her great loves to her exciting experiences living abroad. Join us in Smithfield for this 3-day festival and return for more exciting programs throughout 2023.

Ava Gardner Festival Schedule: 

Friday, October 7 

9am – 5pm         Museum Opens with the Unveiling of New Exhibits    

Admission tickets are $12 per person and are available to buy online in advance at www.avagardnerfestival.com

7:30pm               A Musical Tribute to Ava    

The opening night concert at The Clayton Center with the NC Revelers Orchestra features guest performers, Broadway actor and singer John Arthur Greene, and jazz singer Angelique Alexander. This collaboration also includes Jonathan Levin, founder of The Clayton Piano Festival, who will perform a medley of Ava's movie songs and much more.

Premium reserved seats are $45 and general seating is $30 plus fees/taxes. Tickets are only available through The Clayton Center box office, online HERE.

Saturday, October 8

9am – 5pm                    Exhibits, Films, Heritage Tours and More

New exhibits showcasing recent acquisitions and never-before-seen artifacts on loan from collectors, and additional events include heritage tours, wine and whiskey tastings by Seven Jars Distillery, art vendors, sidewalk sales on Third Street, and film screenings at the Smithfield Cinemas.

10am                             Ava Gardner Mural and Rose Garden Dedication

11am, 1pm, 3pm          Heritage Tours. Seats are limited.  

5pm and 7:30pm         Film screenings at Smithfield Cinema, The Killers will show at 5pm and Pandora and the Flying Dutchman at 7:30pm.

Sunday, October 9

11am-5pm                   Museum Opens with extended hours

Special t-shirts, coffee mugs, and other gift shop items will be available all weekend for purchase in the museum, as well as online.

As the festival concludes, the museum staff and board will continue the celebration throughout 2023 with special programming and virtual offerings designed to honor Ava’s many contributions to film, fashion, and philanthropy. 

1:30pm                        Film screening at Smithfield Cinema, will be The Barefoot Contessa with Ava in one of her signature roles on the big screen.