Looking for the ultimate Independence Day experience? Look no further than Haywood County! Join us for three astounding firework displays over five full days of celebrations, spread across three of our mountain towns. Starting on July 1st through 3rd, the celebrations kick off at Lake Junaluska, followed by Maggie Valley and Waynesville on July 4th, and ending with a grand finale in Canton on July 5th. From parades to picnics, each town has its own unique charm and festivities, ensuring a memorable experience for the whole family. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to celebrate with us in Haywood County.
Continue scrolling to discover all the festivities happening throughout Haywood County and start planning your summer holiday today!
Day 1, July 1st:
Get the ball rolling on your Independence Day celebration with some good-natured competitiveness. Show off your swing in the Closest to the Pin Golf Competition at scenic Lake Junaluska, volley to the top during a pickleball tournament, and watch hundreds of glowing lanterns drift across the lake’s surface after dark.
Day 2, July 2nd:
Line up a winning serve during the tennis tournament in the early afternoon. Work up an appetite with a paddle session on the water with a kayak rental from Lake Junaluska Outfitters, or enjoy the temperature drops at some of Haywood’s high-elevation summer hiking spots. Return to the Lake in the evening for an authentic Southern cookout experience at the lakeside Red, White, & Smoked BBQ Dinner, then settle into Stuart Auditorium for a high-energy concert by Upstream Rebellion, a local band breathing new life into bluegrass.
Day 3, July 3rd:
Step into your creative side with the morning Flotilla Contest at Lake Junaluska, where you can either compete with your unique floating design or enjoy an array of innovative water-crafts on display. Practice precision with a competition in one of the South’s most quintessential sports, cornhole. As the day descends into the evening, sway to the rhythm of the Blue Ridge Big Band concert by the Lake. Wrap up your night with Fireworks over Lake Junaluksa, which lights up both sky and water as their magnificent display of light scatters across the lake.
Day 3, July 4th:
Don your snazziest reds, whites, and blues for the lively Stars & Stripes Celebration in Downtown Waynesville, which is complete with a Kid’s Parade on Main Street. In the afternoon, get your whole crew into the festivities at Lake Junaluska’s Family Fun on the Fourth event, packed with a Cookout Buffet Picnic, live music, traditional square dancing, and other fun activities. As the day turns night, join in with the locals at Maggie Valley’s Backyard 4th Celebration, capped off with a massive fireworks display over the mountaintops. Make sure to bring your blankets, chairs, picnics, bubbles, hula hoops, and yard games to enjoy at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds!
Day 4, July 5th:
Round off your Independence Day celebrations with a last hurrah at Canton’s July 4th Plus One event. Explore food trucks, cool down in the splash pad, and feast on the fun-filled features of inflatables for the kids. As the sun goes down, settle into your comfiest lawn chair for a spectacular fireworks display over the Pigeon River.
For more information about all the events please visit: Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Canton
Need a place to stay? We’ve got a place for you! From cabins and cottages to hotels and bed and breakfasts, there’s plenty of lodging options to choose from in Haywood County, NC.
