VISIT HAYWOOD COUNTY NC

Celebrate the Arts All Weekend Long! Arts Weekend brings together the Haywood County Studio Tour, local galleries, artist demonstrations, exhibitions, live theatre, music, and more. Explore the creative spirit of Haywood County and discover something new around every corner! Pick up a color brochure with artist list and map at the Haywood Handmade Gallery or the Visit Haywood Welcome Center.

Haywood Handmade Gallery's "Go with the Flow" exhibit celebrates the beauty, power, and importance of Haywood County’s waterways. In partnership with Haywood Waterways, this exhibition invites artists to create works inspired by rivers, streams, and other bodies of water—both literally and metaphorically. From flowing currents to reflections on life’s journeys, the show highlights how waterways inspire creativity while raising awareness of the need to protect and conserve our local watershed. Pictured work is by Peter Brown.

The Haywood County Studio Tour is a two-day self-guided tour through a variety of local studios to meet numerous artist, view demonstrations, and possibly take home a piece of Haywood artistry! Studios are sprinkled throughout Haywood County, trailing through both urban and rural locales. With a vast variety of artists and mediums to see on the studio tour—from ceramics and woodcarving to basket weaving and stained glass—there’s something for every art enthusiast. Studios open on Saturday and Sunday. This event is free and open to the public.

Experience a weekend dedicated to music, mindfulness and the joy of community at the Smoky Mountain Ukulele Zen Retreat. World-renowned instructor Stu Fuchs will lead participants of all skill levels on an immersive experience to help them play with greater ease and deeper expression. Fuchs’ “ukulele zen” approach will help participants connect with their instrument in a way that nourishes their soul. Register for the retreat and purchase tickets to the concert at the linked page. Lodging packages on the Lake Junaluska campus are available!

Come to this year’s Haywood County Fair for a blend of classic fun and heart-racing excitement! Featuring carnival games and rides, circus acts, magic and illusion shows, face painting, a viewing zoo, heritage craft demos, and more! Challenge yourself with axe throwing, GellyBall wars, and mechanical bull ride, then grab a bite from Food Truck Row and settle in for the demolition derby! Compete for top honors in in Haywood Idol, livestock contests, the mullet competition (yes, for real), and a cornhole tournament. Attendees with sensory sensitivities and other special needs can enjoy an accommodating Fair experience on a private-entry Inclusion Day!