Events in Sylva, NC

Designed for infants and babies at any stage, this class nurtures early motor development in a warm, playful setting. It focuses on building essential movements like rolling, crawling, and taking those first steps, with plenty of encouragement throughout.

In the fellowship hall at ESBC, this community gathering has two parts. It begins with assembling holiday blessing bags, with requested donations that may include protein items, breakfast or fruit bars, peanut butter cracker packs, personal care supplies, socks and hats, packaged hand warmers, small toys that are new or gently used, lip balm, small water bottles, washcloths, candy, Christmas cards, and other basic camping essentials. After the packing session, a talk will focus on grief, resentments, and hang ups.

This annual Fall Festival brings the community together with food, fun, music, firetrucks, and fellowship. It features music from local group Low Tide Band, Red’s Lemonade, supper, and a variety of games. Children can race through an inflatable obstacle course, and everyone can take firetruck tours, watch firefighter demonstrations, and try for raffle prizes. Proceeds support the department’s mission to keep the community safe.

Rooted in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, country artist Kristen Toole takes the stage with her band The Tooleshed to perform a mix of country classics, 90s country, contemporary country, and her own original songs. Regular regional performers, they share a broad slice of the genre in a welcoming, down-to-earth show.

Explore the nursing labs and classrooms in the Juniper building on a behind-the-scenes tour featuring the manikins and equipment students use for hands-on learning. Guests can learn about ways to support nursing students and meet instructors.

Gain a clearer understanding of neurocognitive disorders and dementia at a free, in-person course at Macon County Public Library. Guided by Vaya Health’s Health Education and Aging Resource Team (HEART), the session explores the four neurocognitive disorders most commonly diagnosed in older adults, along with typical symptoms, contributing risks, and available treatment approaches. Participants will also learn practical strategies that support adaptive care. Contact hours are available through the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Registration is required. To register by phone, call Macon County Public Library at (828) 524-3600.

A celebration honoring veterans featuring a live concert by the Ronnie Call Band, along with vendors, food trucks, inflatables, and a car show. Guests may want to bring lawn chairs for comfortable seating and plan for a day of music, food, and activities.

Brief Encounters: Writing Short Stories is a free creative writing workshop for students in grades 4–7 at Calliope Stage in downtown Sylva. Led by WCU teaching artist Maddie, this 90-minute session guides young writers from a single idea to a finished short story. Participants will select a theme, create one to three characters, imagine the journey those characters take, and then bring the pieces together into an original narrative. Along the way, they will practice how writers shape stories through choices about character, action, conflict, and what happens next. No prior writing experience is needed, whether a child writes often or is just starting out. The workshop is free, donations are appreciated. Registration is required, and capacity is limited. Note: No School for JCPS. This program is part of Calliope Stage’s series of nine free community pop-up arts workshops developed and led by students from Western Carolina University’s School of Stage & Screen as part of their arts education coursework.

Experience live music from Myron Hyman at Cashiers Celtic Table, a setting that blends Irish heritage and Southern warmth with a modern American touch. The cozy, welcoming space suits both a quiet meal and a social night out, while the kitchen puts a fresh spin on familiar comfort dishes and Irish favorites. Settle in for tunes and good company in a place made for gathering.

Graduating students from the WCU School of Art and Design present their work to the wider community in a culminating exhibition. Studio art majors showcase their fall 2026 capstone projects. The reception features a gallery talk by the artists along with complimentary appetizers and drinks. Pre-reception student portfolio presentations take place in Bardo Arts Center room 130, just outside the Museums' entrance. Free parking is available at Bardo Arts Center.

A luxury mahjong retreat is being hosted at Cataloochee Ranch, approximately 35 minutes from Asheville. The event is centered on the game of mahjong, and space is limited.

Enjoy a live performance on the Lazy Hiker Brewing - Sylva Taproom stage featuring a blend of jazz, blues, soul, Motown and more. Food is available at the venue.

Second Saturday Stitchers marks its two-year milestone with a birthday and anniversary gathering at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville. The celebration features snacks, a table to show off projects, a table of freebies, goody bags, door prizes, and plenty of cross stitch. Organizers mention that first-time attendees may need directions to the room and are available to answer questions.

Sports fans, Pokémon trainers, and card collectors can explore a gathering featuring local vendors and opportunities to buy, sell, trade, and collect. Offerings include raw and graded sports and trading card game cards, Pokémon items, sealed boxes, loose packs, and sports memorabilia. Admission is $5, and children 10 and under enter free. The first 100 paid attendees receive an unopened sports or Pokémon pack. Attendees can also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a sealed Pokémon or sports box, with an additional raffle prize announcement to come. Trade binders and collection boxes are welcome.

Voodoo Tramps are back at Brews and Cues in Franklin, North Carolina, returning for another appearance.

Nashville Americana and country duo Brian Ashley Jones and Melanie Jean perform original songs featured in film and television, along with country and blues favorites, at The Scotsman.

The Mountaineer Holiday Classic at Tuscola High School features individual competition for high school boys and girls, with athletes competing on their own rather than as part of a team.

At the Historic Haywood Farmers Market, EAC teams up with Feed Me Foam to collect and recycle large pieces of Styrofoam. Food service foam is not accepted and should be taken to Publix instead. For details on preparation and accepted materials, review the guidelines provided by Feed Me Foam.

Now in its third year, the Cold Mountain Christmas craft fair pairs with a festive holiday concert at Lake Logan. The Bishop Johnson Dining Hall hosts a marketplace of local WNC artisans, all set against views of the Pigeon River and the Balsam Mountains. The program features holiday shopping, child friendly activities, a community carol singalong, and a lively seasonal performance. This celebration unfolds in a Haywood County setting where mile long Lake Logan sits amid the Shining Rock Wilderness and Pisgah National Forest, offering Southern Appalachian hospitality, outdoor adventure, and family fun. Visitors can enjoy a warm cup of cider by the fire, savor a home cooked lunch, or set out on a winter hike along on campus trails. Lakeside cabins are available for those planning a weekend stay. Information for vendor and sponsor applications will be shared soon.

LRC brings a live acoustic performance to The Scotsman Waynesville.

A 5K run and walk winds through the peaceful mountain village of Cashiers, presented by The Village Green. Children can take on the fourth Junior Warrior Course at The Village Green playground, a free and family-friendly interactive challenge. Early bib and T-shirt pickup is available at The Village Green’s Lewis Hall before race day, and race day check-in is also offered. The route features varied terrain, including gravel, grass, dirt, and pavement. Although the park welcomes dogs, pets are not permitted in the race. After door prize drawings, awards will be given to the top two overall finishers across seven age categories, and participants must be present to receive prizes. Registration supports The Village Green and helps provide more than 270 days of free community programs and events. This event takes place rain or shine.

The Village Green hosts a festive lineup of holiday activities across the Green. The Mistletoe Market at Lewis Hall features local artisan gifts and seasonal treasures. Santa on the Green takes place in Lewis Hall, with visits available by registration only and an encouraged $5 donation per child. The official Christmas tree lighting happens at the Gazebo and is free. Community support helps keep the lights shining and the holiday magic alive at The Village Green.

Enjoy a weekend devoted to Christmas themed cross stitch at Pride Rv Resort, filled with festive fun and lots of dedicated stitching time. Highlights include an ugly Christmas sweater contest, a Christmas pajama party, Christmas cookies, and a Christmas smalls swap. This is a no frills gathering with no designers or classes. Meals and lodging are on your own, with several restaurants nearby. The campground offers campsites and lodging rentals, and there are motels about five miles away. The retreat fee is $20 per person, it is non-refundable, and a spot is secured only after the $20 payment is received. Payment is accepted by mailed check. If interested, please email priviesandprims@yahoo.com to check availability or to be added to the waiting list. When contacting the campground, mention the cross stitch retreat, and do not reserve a site until the organizer confirms that there is an opening. After payment has been received, mark yourself as going and change your notification settings to receive all updates so nothing is missed. For the smalls swap, create a Christmas themed piece that includes a star somewhere in the design. The finished gift should be approximately 6 to 8 inches or smaller, small enough to fit in a brown paper lunch bag. Please wrap the gift in tissue paper. Paper bags will be provided, and no extras should be included with the swap gift.

3rdWJ performs at Bryson City Brewing with a mix of classic, Southern, and modern rock, plus a touch of country and original songs. The set brings familiar styles together with the band’s own material for an evening of live music.

This free in-person course at Macon County Public Library explores complementary approaches to mental health, facilitated by Vaya Health’s Health Education and Aging Resource Team (HEART). It highlights how practices such as meditation, mindfulness, spirituality, and yoga can support managing everyday stressors, improve overall wellness, and create opportunities for balance, stability, and stress reduction. The session also touches on related topics, including nutrition and other connected areas of well-being. Contact hours are provided through the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Registration is required. To register, call Macon County Public Library at (828) 524-3600.

Now in its second year, this no-tap bowling tournament is open to all bowlers. Each participant bowls four games across eight lanes, and the highest total pinfall determines the winner. The final cashing spot earns a complimentary entry into the subsequent event. Lane conditions will mirror the duel patterns planned for that event, providing a chance to fine-tune your approach. Entry is $60, with $45 going to the prize fund and $15 covering lineage and expenses. Optional $2 brackets and side pots are available. To register or ask questions, call or text 828-269-8580 to reach Trent Wolfe, or send a Facebook message to Trent Wolfe or Brandon Wolfe.

At Sorrells Park in Canton, a festive community celebration features live music, food trucks, a giant snow globe with free photos, and train rides through downtown. This free event brings kids, families, and friends together to share the joy of the season.

Live music at The Rivers and Rails Tavern pairs with a menu made from scratch. Drawing on Szymanski’s Rockland County, New York roots, the kitchen gives careful attention to every plate, with dressings and sauces prepared in-house. The tavern fosters a home away from home atmosphere, and this performance is part of the ongoing fun.

At UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Harrah's Cherokee Resort, this second annual bowling competition welcomes bowlers of all ages, including youth. Each entrant will bowl four qualifying games across eight lanes, then the top 16 advance to a single elimination bracket. The entry fee is $100, with $75 going to the prize fund and $25 covering lineage and expenses. Handicap is calculated at 80 percent of 200, capped at a maximum of 25 pins for men and 30 for women. Optional sidepots and additional bracket action will be offered.