Events in Sylva, NC

C-10s in Maggie Valley takes place at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, with three days dedicated to GM trucks. Chevrolet and GMC trucks of any year and model are welcome. A new awards format debuts for 2026. Participants and vendors can call 423-608-4519 for more information.

Look forward to a lively experience featuring expanded entertainment, more vendors to explore, and engaging exhibits. It offers plenty of fun for all ages and a welcoming atmosphere for the whole family.

A relaxed creekside meetup for Jeep enthusiasts at Bearwaters Bistro Creekside welcomes anyone who loves Jeeps to connect and socialize.

Michael Frayn’s Noises Off is a backstage romp directed by Billy Dragoo on the Lloyd Main Stage. Lauded internationally and recognized with the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, along with nominations from the Tony Awards and Drama Desk, this precision-crafted farce peers into the misadventures of a theater troupe whose straightforward bedroom comedy slides into uproar. Audiences can look for whirlwind timing, doors that slam at the worst moments, identity mix-ups, and physical humor that escalates from rehearsal to curtain call. Suitable for teens and adults. New this year, HART is offering a pay what you can night on the first Saturday performance, with those tickets available one week in advance.

Recovery of the Soul returns for its fifth annual 12 Step campout at Standing Indian Campground, Group Site C. Registration is open at a cost of $60 per person, with limited scholarships available upon request. The gathering welcomes individuals who identify as in recovery along with friends and family members. It emphasizes community, the joy of recovery, and supporting one another through sober living. The campout is twelve step based without affiliation to any specific group, and all forms of recovery are welcome. A strict no drugs, no alcohol policy is in effect. Day-camping plans include a potluck followed by a 12 Step meeting. Day visitors can take part in a hike to Andrew's Bald, a corn horn tournament, and time for crafts, drumming, and fellowship. Day campers attend for free and are asked to bring a covered dish to share. Please note that dogs are not permitted.

A Warrior Monk Qigong and Taiji training session centered on building robust health. The focus is on cultivating strength, youthful flexibility, and seasoned wisdom, reflecting the belief that health underpins freedom and a strong community. Training in Qigong and Tai Chi supports resilience and mobility. Complete details and the full schedule are available on the organizer's website.

Cougar enthusiasts from Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas are set for a dedicated Cougar car show at the Haywood County Fairgrounds. The event takes place alongside the local county fair, offering many attractions and activities to explore beyond the show cars. Additional details will be shared as plans come together.

Discover a venue described as the best in Bryson City. If you have not been yet, this is a chance to check it out for yourself.

Celebrate canine companionship at Sarge’s 21st annual dog walk, a key fundraiser that provides vital care and assistance for animals while they await adoption. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under, and each purchase includes entry plus the official 2026 event T-shirt. Tickets can be purchased through Sarge’s website, with the option to pre-order shirts. This year’s shirt features a design created in collaboration with Matt Perusi of Bones N’ All and production by Bear Creek Supply, highlighting the local partners who help make the walk possible.

Celebrate two years of the Second Saturday Stitchers with a birthday and anniversary gathering focused on cross stitch. Highlights include snacks, a show and tell table, a place to pick up freebies, gift bags and prize drawings. First time attendees should note that the room can be a bit hard to find.

A lively chili cook-off pairs hearty bowls with music performed live and a good-natured contest. Attendees can sample the entries, cast their votes, and soak up the autumn atmosphere. The top recipe receives a $100 prize.

Kristen Toole brings her full band, The Tooleshed, to VFW Post 5202 in Waynesville for a showcase of country music shaped by her roots in the Blue Ridge of North Carolina. The set spans classic favorites, 90s-era tunes, modern country, and original songs written by Toole. This regional group presents a full-band performance that emphasizes her songwriting and the ensemble’s range across the genre.

Western North Carolina-based duo Seth and Sara bring their road-tested show to SlopeSide Tavern, putting their van-life tour on pause to play regionally in 2026. Over the past seven years they have performed across 49 states, sharing campfire-written originals alongside familiar covers from Tyler Childers, The Beatles, Colter Wall, Brooks & Dunn, Radiohead, and Johnny Cash. Seth delivers captivating vocals and guitar with a constantly evolving suitcase kick, while Sara adds percussion and gentle harmonies that shape their cowboy-inspired sound. The performance blends love, humor, heartbreak, and plenty of dance-ready moments with a rootsy edge.

Author Andrew K. Clark visits City Lights to discuss his new novel, Hollow Folk, in a conversation with Emily Naser-Hall. The book follows Ethan Ray, a graduate student working the overnight shift as a night auditor at an aging mountain resort called the Holloway. What should have been routine paperwork turns uncanny as rust colored lights stain the Appalachian sky, silent gusts shake the trees, and owl shaped gargoyles seem to stir. When every clock halts at three in the morning, Ethan and his coworkers, Kal and Teresa, realize they are shut inside and begin to uncover that the hotel stands on a threshold where something ancient has awakened. Secrets surface, a fragile romance grows between Ethan and Teresa, and unsettling visions warn that one person among them cannot be trusted. Blending gothic romance with Appalachian folk horror, the story sets a watchful mountain landscape against questions of loyalty, survival, and desire. Early praise from Erika T. Wurth and Paulette Kennedy highlights its bold, strange, and moving qualities, with a nod to Kafka. Clark is a writer from Western North Carolina with deep regional roots. His debut, Where Dark Things Grow, was a finalist for the Manly Wade Wellman Award, shortlisted for the Sir Walter Raleigh Fiction Award, and received an IPPY. The sequel, Where Dark Things Rise, earned an IndieReader Discovery Award and was a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award. Hollow Folk is his third novel. Emily Naser-Hall is an Assistant Professor of Film and Media Studies and Graduate Program Director in the Department of English Studies at Western Carolina University. She holds advanced degrees from the University of Kentucky, Northwestern University, Georgetown University, and DePaul University, and her research centers on post-1945 American literature and film, cultural narratives, and the intersection of law and literature.

WNC duo Seth and Sara set aside their van-life tour to focus on regional shows, bringing campfire-born originals alongside covers from artists like Tyler Childers, The Beatles, Colter Wall, Brooks & Dunn, Radiohead, and Johnny Cash. After seven years performing across 49 states, their sound blends Seth’s vocals, guitar, and suitcase kick with Sara’s percussion and gentle harmonies for cowboy-inspired songs with a rootsy edge. The set leans into stories of love, humor, and heartache, with moments that invite dancing.

Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub hosts Michael Blakey for a live set weaving rock, indie, and folk. This Midwestern artist brings energetic optimism balanced by clear-eyed honesty, shaped by life on the road from a minivan to a Subaru tour. Known for heartfelt openness, he reveals more of his story as the set unfolds, moving from gentle fingerpicked passages to high-octane moments that might find him jumping from the drum riser or stepping into a crowd circle pit. The performance centers on self-discovery and connection, delivered with spirited presence.

Focused on early motor development, this class welcomes infants at any stage and helps them practice key skills such as rolling, crawling, and taking early steps. The setting is playful and encouraging, offering gentle support as babies explore movement and build confidence.

The Sapphire Valley Arts and Crafts Festival is hosted indoors at the Sapphire Valley Community Center, featuring a wide range of handmade work created by local artists. Explore folk art, browse jewelry, and enjoy live music with food available. For general information, call 828.743.7663. Prospective vendors can inquire at 828.743.1163.

Kickstart spooky season with a two-film lineup featuring The House in Cyprus Canyon and Carmilla. Advance tickets are $10, payable in cash at Baxley’s Chocolates or by direct message to arrange Venmo.

Bring clean Styrofoam that is not from food packaging to Mark Watson Park in Sylva for recycling. This is a simple drop-off focused on accepting foam so it can be recycled.

Kathi Littlejohn (EBCI) leads an informal monthly talk in the Museum of the Cherokee People's TJ Holland Education Room that highlights important Cherokee places, people, and history. Topics rotate each month, offering a new focus each time. Littlejohn has shared Cherokee stories for more than forty years at events, festivals, and schools, and for the past five years she has guided Cherokee history tours to culturally and historically significant sites in Western North Carolina. Her work includes four CDs of stories titled Cherokee Legends, Volumes I, II, and III, and Cherokee Stories of the Supernatural, which are available at select gift shops. She also created a YouTube series titled Cherokee History and Stories, What Happened Here?

Now in its second year, Southeast All Truck Nationals is planned as a multi-day event in Maggie Valley. Online registration will be available so participants can secure a spot in advance.

An artisan fall festival in the heart of Cashiers celebrates the vibrant colors of autumn. This free event hosts 100 artisans throughout the park, with handcrafted wood, pottery, jewelry, and more available to browse and purchase across the weekend. Food and drinks, youth activities, and live music contribute to a lively atmosphere. Dogs are welcome if leashed and with their owners at all times. The festival takes place rain or shine.

This event at Oconaluftee Visitor Center focuses on the elk rut, a time when sights and sounds in the Smokies can be especially memorable. It features a discussion about elk biology and the reintroduction program in the Smokies. A short Naturalist Ramble on a nearby trail follows to increase the chances of seeing elk among other natural delights, with the possibility of hearing an elk bugle and observing wild behavior up close.

Car lovers gather in Cashiers for a relaxed morning meetup with coffee, mountain scenery, and good conversation. All kinds of vehicles are welcome, from vintage and exotic models to lifted trucks, Jeeps, and everyday drivers, along with anyone who simply enjoys car culture. It is a family-friendly setting that encourages neighbors and enthusiasts to connect.

At Folkmoot, an informal acoustic guitar jam invites players to make music together in a relaxed, supportive setting. Trade favorite covers or original tunes, show others how you play them, and discover new material to grow your repertoire. Participants share practical tips, encourage one another, and build confidence. The focus is on collaboration, not showboating. Bring a guitar and a capo. Be open to most styles except classical and rap. Come prepared with lyric and chord sheets for the songs you want to share, or plan to lead selections displayed from Ultimate Guitar on the large screen in the room. Ultimate Guitar and On Song are used to project charts so everyone can follow along. Comfort with basic chords such as A, Am, B, Bm, C, D, Dm, E, Em, F, and G is recommended. Singing is welcome but optional. It is a practical way to advance your playing through real-time collaboration.

A 12-string Americana roots rock performance featuring a mix of original songs and cover material.

Texas Peat delivers a lively set of dance-friendly favorites across country, country rock, rockabilly, and Americana, with tight vocal harmonies and a broad mix that the region knows well. Frog Level Brewing Company hosts the performance at its working microbrewery, pouring from 21 taps and offering both indoor and outdoor spaces. Live music is featured throughout the year, and the menu includes popular pub classics. The creekside beer garden also serves as the music area, and the relaxed atmosphere welcomes families and pets. This spot is a go-to in downtown Waynesville for both locals and visitors.

Learn practical ways to care for yourself while caring for others at this free, in-person training at Macon County Public Library. Guided by Vaya Health’s Health Education and Aging Resource Team, the session helps care providers recognize stress, understand how it affects daily life, and build realistic self-care habits that support more effective and sustainable caregiving. Contact hours are available through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Registration is required, and the library can assist by phone at (828) 524-3600.

This Youth Nature Series program opens the door to the miniature world of mosses. Beginner bryologists and budding naturalists take a close look at local native mosses, use magnifying glasses to tell different kinds apart, and learn why these plants are important to forests. Discover how mosses can thrive almost anywhere, from windowsills to sidewalks, and see how a closer view reveals miniature tree and fern-like forms along with tiny inhabitants such as mites and water bears. The session is led by Skye Cahoon, Conservation Outreach Director for Mainspring Conservation Trust. Skye earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Maine in 2020 and has contributed to wildlife research and education in New Hampshire, Florida’s panhandle, Montana, and coastal Maine before settling in Jackson County in 2023. Presented in collaboration with The Village Green and Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, this Youth Nature Series event is free and family friendly. It takes place rain or shine and does not require reservations.

AVL Scarefest returns to Lake Junaluska Conference Center for its 10th anniversary. Tickets are available. This edition highlights classic monsters and plays with the long-standing question of whether vampires and werewolves can get along. The theme explores possibilities from conflict to unexpected chemistry... even a potential kiss. A community vote is also underway to select this year’s t-shirt slogan.

A live acoustic show takes place at Valley Tavern, featuring music performed in an unplugged style.

The 25th annual Tournament of Champions brings together 25 ensembles for a day filled with pageantry. The preliminary schedule has been published.

A comic convention celebrating the geek community in Waynesville, North Carolina. Taking place at the Smoky Mountain Event Center, it spotlights fandom in Haywood County and the broader Western North Carolina region.

4-H Horse Club offers a hands-on, unmounted learning experience that covers a specific breed, a piece of equipment, and a health or anatomy topic at each meeting. This session spotlights draft breeds, explores the use of reins, and includes a discussion of parasites, wormers, and manure management. The skills portion focuses on practicing the side pass. Participation is free for youth ages 5 to 18 who are registered through 4-H Online. Registration questions can be directed to county agent Sally Dixon.

At Oconaluftee Visitor Center, explore the world of Smokies elk during the rut, the peak of their mating season when these animals are especially active and vocal. There is a chance to hear the distinctive bugle and observe natural behaviors in the field. The program features a discussion of elk biology and the reintroduction program in the Smokies, followed by a brief guided walk on a nearby trail to increase the likelihood of sightings and to enjoy other natural highlights.

City Lights Bookstore hosts a poetry reading featuring contributors to Had I a Dove: Appalachian Poets on the Helene Floods. This anthology gathers work by more than 95 poets responding to the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene across North Carolina and nearby states in September 2024. Edited by North Carolina poet Hilda Downer, the collection spans tones from elegiac to hopeful and focuses on loss, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Appalachian communities. The program features readings from the anthology that bear witness to recovery, community, and the role of poetry in documenting lived experience.

More than 100 Holden enthusiasts gather at Tail of the Dragon & Killboy.com At Deals Gap to take on the Dragon and explore additional roads in the Smokies.

Poets Lauren K. Watel and Chelsea Rathburn visit City Lights for readings from new work. Watel shares her debut, Book of Potions, a prose poetry collection recognized with the 2023 Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry, selected by Ilya Kaminsky, through Sarabande Books. The pieces move with urgency and candor as they follow a woman navigating midlife pressures and imposed roles, blending lyric intensity with narrative reach to evoke fairy tale terrains, sharp social insight, imaginative thought experiments and vivid surreal scenes... potions on the page that soothe or sting yet always enchant. Rathburn presents Broken Houses, her fourth collection, a searching meditation on home and the foundations, literal and figurative, that shape identity and can quickly come undone. Childhood wanderings through half built houses give way to reflections on class and the fragility of shelter in the face of storms or human forces, loosening any sense of stability. Drawing on history, contemporary art, family photographs and memory, she traces the settlement of Miami and her father’s time in a California foster home to illuminate dispossession and erasure. The collection leans toward connection at a moment when the American Dream feels distant. Watel’s writing across poetry, fiction, essays and translation has appeared widely, and she holds degrees from Hollins College and Emory University. A Dallas native, she lives in Decatur, Georgia. Rathburn is the author of three previous full length collections, including Still Life with Mother and Knife, named a New York Times New & Noteworthy book. Her poems have appeared in leading journals, she received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, teaches at Mercer University, and was appointed poet laureate of Georgia, later receiving an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship.

Enjoy dinner and time on the dance floor, then settle in for a presentation that informs and inspires. Share a meal, move to the music, and take in a thoughtful talk.

The Performance Hall at Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee, North Carolina hosts David Sedaris for a live appearance.

ANFT-certified guide Debby Singleton leads a forest bathing walk rooted in the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, an invitation to slow down and soak in the restorative qualities of the woods. The experience unfolds at an easy pace with periods for mindful observation, quiet reflection, and unaccompanied time, encouraging relaxation and presence. Research suggests that forest bathing can help lower stress, bolster the immune system, spark creativity, and give the brain a chance to recharge. The guided walk ends with a tea ceremony and light snacks provided by Debby. After registering, participants can share any dietary needs by email.

ScreamFest transforms Maggie Valley Festival Grounds into a two-night Halloween celebration filled with eerie fun and unexpected thrills. Venture through a haunted trail, belt out songs at karaoke, browse vendor booths with a spooky vibe, and enjoy food served from local trucks. Costumes take center stage in a contest, while live music, games, and face painting keep the festivities lively. With treats, surprises, and activities for all ages, Halloween excitement waits around every corner.

Kevin and Paul perform on the patio at Twisted Spoke Restaurant in Maggie Valley. Enjoy the outdoor setting as they provide the music.

Adam & Joe take the stage at Currahee Brewing Company in Franklin, North Carolina for a Halloween-themed live performance.

To mark the 10th anniversary of Princess Cut, the Mountain Cross brings the film back to the big screen at Smoky Mountain Cinema. The story centers on Grace, a young woman raised on a Carolina farm who has long imagined the moment a princess-cut diamond ring would symbolize forever. After fifteen months with Stewart, an expected romantic milestone takes an unexpected turn, sending her on a journey, guided by her father, to understand what true love really means. A $10 suggested donation will be accepted at the door.

Kristen Toole, a country singer and songwriter from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, appears with her full band, The Tooleshed, at VFW Post 5202 in Waynesville, NC. The performance spans country classics, 90s country, modern country, and her own original songs. Known for regional shows, the band brings its complete lineup to this Waynesville venue.

Learn about neurocognitive disorders and dementia during a free in-person course at Macon County Public Library. Facilitated by Vaya Health’s Health Education and Aging Resource Team (HEART), this session builds foundational knowledge by exploring the four most commonly diagnosed neurocognitive disorders in older adults, along with related symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. The program also offers practical intervention strategies that help deliver adaptive care. Participants are eligible to receive contact hours through the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Registration is required and can be completed by calling Macon County Public Library at (828) 524-3600.

Honor veterans at a community gathering featuring a live concert by the Ronnie Call Band, a car show, vendors, food trucks, and inflatables for added fun. Bring lawn chairs and plan for a great day of music and activities.

This luxury Mahjong retreat is set at Cataloochee Ranch, about 35 minutes from Asheville. It offers Mahjong in a beautiful ranch setting. Registration is open, and space is limited.

Blue Jazz takes the stage at Lazy Hiker Brewing - Sylva Taproom with a dance-friendly mix of jazz, blues, soul and Motown, along with other genres. Food is available at the taproom to enjoy alongside the performance.

Voodoo Tramps make their return to Brews & Cues in Franklin, NC. This event brings the group back to the venue for another appearance.

Hosted at Tuscola High School, the Mountaineer Holiday Classic is a high school boys and girls individual tournament. Student athletes compete individually, with separate competition for boys and girls. The focus is on individual performance across both divisions.

Recycle large pieces of styrofoam through a collaboration between EAC and Feed Me Foam at the Historic Haywood Farmers Market. Food-service foam is not accepted and should be taken to Publix. Check the guidelines from Feed Me Foam to confirm which materials are allowed.

Catch a live, all-acoustic performance.

A scenic 5K run and walk hosted by The Village Green follows a route through the mountain village of Cashiers. Children can take on the fourth annual Junior Warrior Course at The Village Green Playground, an engaging, family-friendly activity offered at no cost. Participants may complete check-in ahead of race day at The Village Green’s Lewis Hall to pick up bibs and shirts, and race day check-in will also be available. Sections of the course include gravel, grass, dirt, and pavement. To keep the course clear for all participants, dogs are not permitted to take part. After door prize announcements, awards will recognize the top two overall finishers across seven age groups, and winners must be present to receive prizes. Registration supports The Village Green and helps sustain more than two hundred seventy days of free community programs each year. The event will take place rain or shine.

The Green transforms into a festive hub with holiday activities. A free Christmas Tree Lighting at the Gazebo brings the community together as the lights come on. At Lewis Hall, Santa on the Green offers registered visits, and a $5 donation per child is encouraged. The Mistletoe Market at Lewis Hall features local artisans with gifts and seasonal finds. Support for The Village Green helps illuminate the celebration and sustain the festivities.

Enjoy a weekend devoted to Christmas themed cross stitch at Pride Rv Resort, where the focus is festive fun and plenty of stitching. Expect playful touches like an ugly sweater contest, a cozy Christmas pajama gathering, Christmas cookies, a Christmas smalls exchange, and long stretches of uninterrupted stitching time. The swap features a Christmas theme with a star included somewhere in the design. Please keep the exchange simple without extras. Aim for a finished piece about 6 to 8 inches or smaller so it can fit inside a brown paper lunch bag. Bring it wrapped in tissue paper, and paper bags will be provided. This is a no frills retreat with no designers or classes. Meals and lodging are on your own. The campground offers campsites and lodging rentals, there are several restaurants nearby, and motels are available about five miles away in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. For lodging arrangements, call the campground and mention the cross stitch retreat, but wait to reserve a site until the organizer confirms an opening. The retreat fee is $20 per person and is non refundable, and a place is secured only after the $20 is received. To ask about availability or to join the waiting list, email priviesandprims@yahoo.com. Payment is made by mailed check. After payment is received, update your status to going and adjust notification settings to receive all notifications, since the default only delivers some.

This set features a blend of classic rock, Southern rock, and modern rock, with a touch of country and a few original songs for variety.

A free, in-person course at Macon County Public Library focuses on complementary approaches to mental health, facilitated by Vaya Health’s Health Education and Aging Resource Team (HEART). Attendees learn strategies to handle everyday stress and enhance overall wellness, with an emphasis on building balance, stability, and relaxation. Key subjects include meditation, mindfulness, spirituality, and yoga, along with discussion of nutrition and related practices. Contact Hours are available through the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Registration is required; call Macon County Public Library at (828) 524-3600 to register.