A summertime visit to the Great Smoky Mountains is truly a special treat, featuring wildflower-filled wooded hikes, beautiful waterfalls, and icy cold swimming holes. The downhome small-town celebrations make everyone feel welcome, with the main goal being to have a good time. Here are some summer festivals and events you should check out while planning your visit, organized by date.
June Events
June 14th: Flame Azalea Festival
- Location: Robbinsville High School campus, Robbinsville, NC
- Time: 10A – 6P
- Details: Enjoy a jam-packed day of live music, craft vendors, Cherokee demonstrations, an antique tractor show, guided hikes, and more activities to entertain the entire family.
June 12-15th: 18th Annual Highlands Motoring Festival
- Location: Kelsey-Hutchinsons Founders Park, Highlands, NC
- Time: Events Daily
- Details: For 18 years running, the beauty and artistry of exquisite machines is celebrated with the beautiful and fitting backdrop of the WNC mountains. Spend 4 days at “the height of happiness”, 4118 ft, making this the self-proclaimed ‘festival with an altitude’. This is a DO NOT MISS for any motoring and automobile enthusiasts.
June 14-15th: Sapphire Valley Arts and Crafts Festival
- Location: Sapphire Valley Resort, Jackson County, NC
- Time: 10A-4P
- Details: Mountain crafts, folk art, live music, fine jewelry, and plenty of games and fun for the kiddos. This is a pet-friendly event.
June 21st: Wanderland Family Festival
- Location: Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City, NC
- Time: 11A – 5P
- Details: This summertime favorite has created a following and for great reasons. The NOC campus is open to the public and this event is free of charge. Come enjoy family festivities by the water, including live music, face painting and henna, carnival rides and an artisan market showcasing local makers.
June 27-28th : Annual Stecoah Arts & Crafts Drive About Tour
- Location: Maps & start at Stecoah Valley Center, Robbinsville, NC
- Time: Daily, 10A-5P
- Details: How about a self-guided, go-at-your-own-pace art tour throughout Swain & Graham Counties where you meet the artist, tour the studio, and experience mountain handmade on a different level?
July Events
July 2-6th Freedom Fest at Fontana Village
- Location: Fontana Village Resort, Fontana Dam, NC
- Details: The Village and Marina’s biggest event of the year, Freedom Fest promises a big mountain celebration filled with games, food, a parade, watersports and the best fireworks this side of the Great Smokies. Making your reservations early is advisable.
July 4th: Independence Day Celebrations
- Locations: Hayesville, Franklin, and Sylva, NC
- Details: Patriotic parades, kid’s activities, local food and vendors, and fireworks after dark.
July 6th-7th: Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show
- Location: Maggie Valley, Haywood County, NC
- Details: The longest-running and largest annual arts and crafts show in Maggie Valley, featuring over 90 Southeast artisans, food vendors, and great people-watching opportunities.
August Events
August 3rd-4th: Sapphire Valley Arts and Crafts Festival
- Location: Jackson County, NC
- Details: A repeat of the June festival with mountain crafts, folk art, live music, fine jewelry, and kid-friendly games.
August 9th-11th: Camp Wesser
- Location: Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City, NC
- Details: Nostalgic summer camp vibes for adults, hosted by Darnell Farms.
Ongoing Summer Events
Fridays starting at 6PM: Concerts on the Square
- Location: Hayesville, Clay County, NC
- Time: Fridays, Food and drinks at 6 PM, Music at 7 PM
- Details: Free music series featuring regional musicians performing on the town square.
2nd & 4th Saturdays: Pickin’ on the Square
- Location: Franklin, NC
- Time: 2nd and 4th Saturdays, through mid-October
- Details: Free outdoor music and fun, featuring banjos, mandolins, and some square dancing.
Throughout Summer: Trout Fishing Tournaments
- Location: Cherokee County, NC
- Details: Multiple trout fishing tournaments held throughout the summer, offering competition and big prizes, or just the joy of being in nature.
Throughout Summer: Darnell Farms Events
- Location: Swain County, Bryson City, NC
- Details: Multiple weekend events and celebrations on their second-generation family farm along the banks of the Tuckasegee River, featuring 100s of fruits and vegetables, hayrides, and family fun.