2024 Franklin NC Events Calendar

Join the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County and Women's History Trail for the dedication of the "Sowing the Seeds of the Future" sculpture at Women's History Park on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Location is 592 East Main Street in Franklin, NC.

The Unveiling Ceremony, Sculpture Dedication, WHT Trailhead Designation and Donation to the Town of Franklin will begin at 11 am.  Other activities are also planned prior and after the ceremony celebration. 

Presented with Support from the Town of Franklin, TDA, TDC, Arts Council of Macon County, Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center & Individual Donors.

Since parking is limited, visitors are encouraged to park nearby at East Franklin Elementary School (100 Watauga Street, Franklin) and ride the free shuttle to the site. For everyone’s safety, pedestrians should use the crosswalks provided. In case of inclement weather, information will be posted on our website for an alternate location for the event.

» VISIT WOMEN'S HISTORY TRAIL WEBSITE

Held on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays Mid-May through Mid-October (weather permitting)

For over three decades the Town of Franklin, NC has hosted this FREE event at the Gazebo on the Square in Downtown Franklin from mid-May through mid-October. This year's Pickin' on the Square will be held beginning at 6:00 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month at the Gazebo on the Square in Downtown Franklin. Bring your lawn chair for a great evening of family entertainment during Pickin' on the Square. Come early and enjoy one of our great restaurants. Food vendors also available.

The 2024 Pickin' on the Square Schedule

May 11 - Jason Passmore (Country / Southern Rock)
May 25 - The Rusty String Band (Bluegrass / Gospel)
June 8 - Paradise 56 (Oldies)
June 22 - Asheville Junction (Bluegrass)
July 13 - The Remnants (Rock / Top 40)
July 27 - Run Katie Run (Country / Rock / Americana)
August 10 - American Blues Club (Traditional Blues)
August 24 - Macon County Line (Country / Southern Rock)
September 14 - Two Weeks Notice (Classic Rock / Country)
September 28 - Arnold Hill (Alternative Rock / Americana Band)
October 12 - Carolina 441 (Southern Rock)

The Town of Franklin, North Carolina invites you to join with us for our Independence Day Parade & Celebration on Thursday, July 4th beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Franklin hosts one of the few July 4th parades that visitors and locals alike can actually participate in!

If you would like to be part of the parade, be in the lower parking lot of Town Hall at 10:30am for lineup. Entrants can walk, drive or ride and are encouraged to don red, white, and blue. The same applies for pets. THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE! Just come join in the fun!

Following the parade, the Town of Franklin we will be serving free watermelon as long as it lasts!

Other activities planned include great contests, free inflables for the kids, food trucks & vendors and more! It is a great day of family fun! So come join us!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

10:30 am - Patriotic Parade Lineup (Lower Level Parking Lot of Town Hall)

11:00 am - Food Court Opens featuring ... Ben's Backdraft BBQ, Thai Spice, Kona Ice, M's Ice Cream, Red's Lemonade and 1100 Hotdogs!

11:00 am to 3:00 pm - FREE Inflatables for Kids

11:00 am - PATRIOTIC PARADE

Following Parade - FREE Watermelon and Bottled Water as long as it lasts!

11:30 am - Contests including Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker and the Patriotic Pet Contest

11:00 am to 3:00 pm - FREE Inflatables and fun for Kids

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm - Water Feature by Franklin Fire & Rescue

» READ COMPLETE DETAILS

Join the Town of Franklin as our Independence Celebration continues on Friday, July 5th beginning at 5:00 p.m. and concluding with "Fireworks Over Franklin"!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

5:00 to 9:15 p.m. - Great food available including Ben's Backdraft BBQ, Thai Spice, Kona Ice, M's Ice Cream, and Red's Lemonade!

5:00 to 7:00 p.m. - Live Music with Mission Accomplished at the Gazebo on the Square

8:00 p.m. - Main Street Downtown closed to vehicular traffic

7:00 to 9:00 p.m. - Live Music from Intermission at the Gazebo on the Square

8:30 to 9:30 p.m. - Live Broadcast by 104.9 FM WFSC

9:30 p.m. - "Fireworks Over Franklin" produced by Munnerlyn Pyrotechnics ... Tune your radios to 104.9 FM WFSC for the fireworks display soundtrack featuring Patriotic and Americana Music. 

FIREWORKS INFORMATION:

Main Street in Downtown Franklin will be closed to traffic beginning at 8:00 p.m. This will allow for great viewing from the east end of Main Street.

In other areas note that this is a park & watch event.

A perimeter around the fireworks display site will be secured throughout the day and evening. No admittance by any unauthorized personnel on grounds of fireworks show. This area will be clearly marked and only authorized personnel will be allowed within the safety zone.

* Weather Permitting / Rain Date: TBA / Schedule Subject to Change

Presented by the Town of Franklin with support from the Franklin/Nantahala Tourism Development Committee (TDC).

» READ COMPLETE INFORMATION

Get ready to let the good times roll during Franklin, North Carolina's 28th Annual PumpkinFest! PumpkinFest rolls into action at 9:00am and Historic Downtown Franklin, North Carolina is full tilt with everything pumpkin. Bring your pumpkin (or purchase one downtown) and sign up early for the World Famous Pumpkin Roll. The Costume Parade and Contest is another highlight of the day. And don't miss out on nearly 80 vendors including mountain arts & crafts along with great food! Don't miss our annual special attractions and more!  PumpkinFest runs from 9:00am to 4:00pm and is held  rain or shine  in Franklin, NC.

» CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Come to Downtown Franklin as Veterans are honored on Monday, November 11th with a parade & ceremony.

The parade will leave the lower level of Franklin Town Hall at 10:30 am and travel to the Gazebo on the Square for the ceremony. Special banners lead each group of Veterans along the parade route according to the war or time period of service.  Parade lineup begins at 10:00am for Veterans that wish to participate.

The Veterans Ceremony begins at 11:00am and is always very moving. It features a guest speaker along with a wreath laying ceremony and the playing of Taps. Come, bring the entire family and show your appreciation of these men and women who have served. We also encourage you to show your patriotic pride by dressing in red, white and blue!

Join with the Town of Franklin, North Carolina for this most wonderful time of year as Historic Downtown Franklin is transformed into a "Winter Wonderland" featuring: enhanced holiday decor, free carriage rides, live sounds of the season outdoors at the downtown gazebo and inside stores, great sales from downtown merchants and much more! Plus, you can meet and take your photo with Santa!

Winter Wonderland coincides with Small Business Saturday® founded by American Express®. Plus, we will hold our Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7:00pm on the Square! Remember, our Downtown Merchants are open late during Winter Wonderland with great gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list! Winter Wonderland is held rain or shine.

November 30th Schedule

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Free Carriage & Wagon Rides

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Meet Santa!!

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Small Business Saturday™ (Downtown Businesses Open Late!)

6:30 pm - Live Sounds of the Season with "Generations" at the Gazebo

7:00 pm - Franklin's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

7:15 pm - Merchant sponsored Candlelight Service (Nativity Scene)

» CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

The second night of Winter Wonderland is held the first Saturday in December and Downtown Franklin is filled with holiday cheer! In addition to Santa, the Town of Franklin has several new features for the second night of our holiday celebration!

December 7th Schedule

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Free Old Fashioned Hay Rides

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Meet Santa!!

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Free Axe Throwing

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Food Vendors featuring Ben's Backdraft BBQ, Thai Spice, Lazy Hiker, Slanted Window, and Red's Lemonade, just to name a few.

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Rankin Square (across from courthouse) - Macon Early College will be offering Free Letters to Santa, Read to Me will be handing out books, and more!

7:00 pm - Free Movie - ELF - Shown in lower level parking lot of Franklin Town Hall (95 East Main Street). Bring a lawn chair, blanket, etc., and enjoy this holiday comedy classic with your family! (97 minutes / Rated PG)

» CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE