Annual Events

Festival Dates are for 2026

Calendar

2026 Chili Cookoff Flyer Website Version

Punkin Chunkin Festival

Festival October 17 & 18, 2026
with Anything Pumpkin & Chili Cook-off October 16

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.

Festival Details & Applications

Concerts on the Square

Every other Friday Night during the Summer on the Hayesville, NC Square.

Free outdoor Concerts on the Square in Hayesville. Bring your chair and get ready for a good time, as you enjoy cool evenings and hot tunes from a variety of regional bands. Concerts are held many of the Fridays throughout the summer. Food and drink available on site. 2026 dates are currently set for 5/01 Run Katie Run, 5/15 Southern Vantage, 5/29 Average Joe Band, 6/19 The Tommy Townsend Band, 6/26 Don’t Tell Danny, 7/24 Andy Johnson’s Roofdog, 7/31 Quick Brown Fox, and 8/14 The Chris Key Band. Dates are subject to change…click below for the most current schedule.

Full schedule and band list

Peaccock performing arts music plays concerts

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.

Click to access our Calendar with a full list of Events

July 4th Parade

and Freedom Festival

Freedom 250 Festival & Parade | 9 AM – 1 PM
Sat, July 4, 2026
Parade starts at 10 AM

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.

Parade Entry Form

Vendor Form

Festival on the Square

CCHAC’s 45th Annual Festival on The Square

Each Summer, the 2nd weekend of July, CCHAC hosts The Festival On The Square, beginning with a Friday night street dance, and continuing Saturday and Sunday with artist displays, music, and food. The Festival typically features over 80 local and out of state artists, with their original creations for sale. The Festival has become a town tradition that brings free entertainment and arts to the lawns of the Courthouse, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

This year’s Festival will start with our traditional Friday Night Street Dance on July 10th, 2026,
from 7 pm-9 pm, featuring Quick Brown Fox.

The 2-day Art Festival will take place July 11th, 10 AM – 5PM, and July 12th, 10 AM – 4 PM.

These vendor creations bring the crowds and along with our sponsors, dedicated volunteers and staff, and fantastic entertainment all three days, we are able to bring another year of educational, fun and unique programs to our community.

There will be NO PETS & NO WEAPONS allowed. Thank you.

More Info

Tractor Parade

and Agricultural Day

September 26, 2026

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 3-4, 2026
10am-5pm

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 3rd & 4th, 2026. 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

More about the Fall Festival

Steins & Wine Oktoberfest celebration in historic downtown Hayesville, NC

Steins & Wine Festival

October 3, 2026

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

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