Punkin Chunkin Festival
Festival October 18 & 19, 2025
with Chili & Anything Pumpkin Cook-off October 17
If you have never seen a pumpkin fly, Punkin Chunkin is your chance. Catapults, air cannons, trebuchets and other powerful machines toss pumpkins up to several thousand feet in a battle between champion Pumpkin Chunkers. Thousands of people come every year to see this hugely popular harvest festival in Western North Carolina near Hayesville that is sponsored by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to the pumpkin throwing, there will be pie-eating contests, live entertainment, food and craft vendors. Old Time Tractors will be on display with hay rides and The Kidzone is always a popular place with lots of kids’ activities.
Punkin Chunkin weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the “Anything Pumpkin” and Chili Cook-off competition on the Historic Hayesville Square. Tickets will be sold on a first-come first-serve basis at the event. Please come and enjoy the music and dine out at our many restaurants located on the historic downtown.
Concerts on the Square
Fridays Nights during the Summer on the Hayesville, NC Square.
Concerts, Plays & Stories
Events all year-round
Community Theater, Concerts and Special Events are at the Peacock Performing Arts Center. Theatrical Season offers a variety of plays staged by an outstanding regional theater company. The Songwriters Showcase brings singer-songwriters to the stage, and Main Stage Season hosts musical productions, many of them tribute bands.
The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Smoky Mountain Center Performing Arts Center, John C. Campbell Folk School and local restaurants offer live music events. The Mountain Area Storytellers present Stories on the Square several evenings a year.
July 4th Parade
and Freedom Festival
July 4th Parade and Freedom Festival | 9 AM – 1 PM
Fireworks are typically held near Chatuge Dam. Watch from your boat, the Chatuge Dam parking lot, the Clay County Recreation Area or Gibson Cove Campground.
Join us for an old-fashioned parade around the square in downtown Hayesville with family fun games following the parade. Bring your lawn chairs.
Parade entry applications need to be handed in at the Chamber of Commerce at 96 Sanderson Street or call for information at 828-389-3704.
Festival on the Square
CCHAC’s 44th Annual Festival on The Square
Cherokee Heritage Festival
September 20, 2025
This popular festival includes a variety of Cherokee crafts and their makers who demonstrate traditional native crafts. Watch as members of the Eastern Band show off their skills in basket and finger weaving, pottery sculpting, bead working, woodcarving, flint knapping, blowgun crafting, and arrow making. Their work is on view and for sale with artists there to discuss their work. The afternoon is a celebration of dancing, storytelling, and music, as well as activities for children. Tribal members cook up authentic Cherokee cuisine, such as the ever-popular fry bread with all the fixings. This is a family friendly free event.
The festival is held at the site of the outdoor Cherokee Homestead Exhibit, which features traditional Cherokee homes and displays on Cherokee culture. For festival details click here.
Tractor Parade
and Agricultural Day
September 27, 2025
Come to the square in downtown Hayesville NC for the biggest parade of tractors you may have ever seen. From modern models to old-time classics, you’ll get to see them all up close. The parade starts at noon. There will be a hay maze, games for kids, a combine simulator and food and drink will be available.
John C. Campbell’s 49th Annual Fall Festival
October 4-5, 2025
The Annual Fall Festival was established in 1974 and is held each year on the first full weekend in October, with this year falling on October 4th & 5th, 2025. There are three outdoor areas for vendors, including juried and non-juried areas, that wind along parts of our beautiful 270-acre campus. In 2023, over 200 vendors shared their work with over 13,000 visitors throughout the southern Appalachian region of TN, VA, NC & SC, and GA. Two stages are host to dozens of local and regional musicians and dancers. For more details, please visit their event page at JCCFS | Join Us for Fall Festival at the John C. Campbell Folk School
Steins & Wine Festival
September 20, 2025
Join us for the annual Steins & Wine festival in historic downtown Hayesville. We will be featuring area beer, wine & food.
Must be 21 with a valid ID to consume alcohol.
Visit HistoricHayesvilleInc.com or HHI Centennial Exhibit for details.
Candy Cane Market
To Be Announced
The Candy Cane Market is a well-established and well attended market that is filled with energy and the spirit of the season. The arts and crafts are original, creative and endless. The admission is free; there are door prizes at the artisan tables and concessions are available. Plan on eating and shopping for Christmas and be ready to buy a little treasure for yourself. This event is being organized by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church located at 1433 Highway 64 West, Hayesville NC 28904. Please contact the organizers at CandyCaneMarketClayNC@gmail.com