2023 Franklin, NC Events Calendar

Incorporated 1855

Reserving Town Facilities & Requesting Street Closures


The Town of Franklin, NC receives many requests to reserve Memorial Park and the Gazebo on the Square for special events.

RESERVING MEMORIAL PARK

To Reserve Memorial Park » Click Here (you will be redirected to a special page)

RESERVING THE GAZEBO ON THE SQUARE
Reservations must be received a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to reserve date

To Reserve the Gazebo on the Square » Click Here (you will be redirected to a special page)

REQUESTING STREET CLOSURES

Some events require street closures. All street closings must be presented to the Town Council for approval. All requests must be submitted to the Town Manager one week prior to the scheduled Town Council meeting. The Franklin Town Council meets the first Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom located at 95 East Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734.

To request a street closure for a special event click here to » Download Street Closure Request Form (PDF Format)

 

2023 Schedule of Events*

* Please note that this listing is incomplete and will be updated as information becomes available for additional events and event schedules.

pickin on the square franklin nc

Pickin' on the Square • SEE NOTES BELOW

Held on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays 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 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 from May 13 to October 14 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.

2023 Pickin' on the Square Schedule Update

MAY 13 - THE J.W. BAND (Country)
MAY 27 - INTERMISSION (Variety)
JUNE 10 - LISA BOONE BAND (Variety)
JUNE 24 - TUGALO HOLLER (Bluegrass)
JULY 8 - CARIBBEAN COWBOYS (Oldies & Buffet)
JULY 22 - PARADISE 56 (Oldies & Variety)
AUGUST 12 - OURWAY BAND (Variety & Rock n' Roll)
AUGUST 26 - THREE AMIGOS (Variety & Gospel)
(Conrad Hefner, Jack Mollette, and Donnie Clay)
SEPTEMBER 9 - SUNDOWN BAND (80's & 90's)
SEPTEMBER 23 - DARREN NICHOLSON (Country & Bluegrass)
* OCTOBER 7 • 7:00pm to 9:00pm - Remnants Band (Variety & Rock n' Roll)

* First Saturday in October / Note Time Change
** Schedule Subject to Change / Weather Permitting

July 4th Parade Franklin North Carolina

Spring Maker's Market • May 27, 2023

Presented by the Streets of Franklin Heritage Assocation, the Spring Maker's Market is a curated farmer and artist market, filled with 80+ producers and makers. With local live entertainment, food and beverage trucks, it's a gathering place for people to come together to experience what Western North Carolina has to offer! If you would like to learn more or become a vendor, click the link below to be redirected to the Streets of Franklin website.

» STREETS OF FRANKLIN WEBSITE

July 4th Parade Franklin North Carolina

July 4th Parade & Celebration • July 4, 2023

The Town of Franklin, North Carolina invites you to join with us for our Independence Day Parade & Celebration on Tuesday, 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!

The Parade will travel down Main Street and disband at First Citizens Bank.

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

PLUS! enjoy the New for 2023 Food Court featuring .... Ben's Backdraft Barbecue, Chick-fil-A, Franklin Fire & Rescue, Kona Ice, and Sweet Caroline's Ice Cream!

It is a great day of family fun! Follow the link below for complete details.

» TOWN OF FRANKLIN FESTIVALS & EVENTS WEBSITE

July 4th Fireworks Franklin NC

Fireworks Over Franklin • Tuesday, July 4, 2023

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce "Fireworks Over Franklin" will return in 2023! "Fireworks Over Franklin" will again be held on Highlands Road across from the Shops at Riverwalk, formerly the East Franklin Shopping Center. This is a park & watch event. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, weather permitting. (A rain date will be announced later).

Fireworks Over Franklin this year will be all new and even more spectacular. The Town is excited to be working with Deep South Fireworks LLC of Macon, Georgia for a custom display that is sure to stir your patriotic spirit! This year's all new show will feature over 2,500 shots! So make plans now to join with us!

Presented by the Town of Franklin with financial support from the Franklin/Nantahala Tourism Development Committee.

July 4th Fireworks Franklin NC

Hometown Heritage Festival • saturday, July 15, 2023

The Hometown Heritage Festival event is the Streets of Franklin Heritage Association's largest event of the year and brings people from all over the US. Enjoy live music, demonstrators, quilters and much more!

Interested vendors can contact Marie of SoFHA at thestreetsoffranklinnc@gmail.com for more information.

Franklin Area Folk Festival

Franklin Area Folk Festival • saturday, August 19, 2023

The 17th Annual Franklin Area Folk Festival, “A Celebration of Appalachian Heritage” will be held from 10 am to 4 pm at Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center. Nestled in Cowee West’s Mill Historic District at 51 Cowee School Drive in Franklin, NC.

Celebrating all things Appalachian, this family-friendly festival features live heritage demonstrations, Appalachian crafts, jammin’ sessions that feature old-time mountain music and bluegrass, kids’ activities, food, textiles & more! Artisans inside Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center will exhibit Macon County’s rich heritage by teaching us about pottery, textiles, painting, and local history. By linking our future to our past, the Franklin Area Folk Festival sponsors hands-on activities to allow visitors to experience what mountain life was like way back when.

Learn More About the Franklin Area Folk Festival »

 

Trucks and Tunes Franklin NC

Trucks & Tunes • saturday, August 19, 2023

Featuring Live Music from Paradise 56 & Carolina 441!

Join the Town of Franklin for Trucks & Tunes on Saturday, August 19th. This new event will feature free live music. Food trucks will also be featuring a great variety of tasty foods for sale. Bring a chair, your friends, and appetite and enjoy the evening at the Gazebo on the Square in Downtown Franklin.

Food Vendors Joining So Far ...

Ben's Backdraft BBQ
Iron Wok (Asian)
Flame Masters (Wings & Burgers)
Franklin Fire & Rescue (Hotdogs)
Kona Ice
Sweet Caroline's Ice Cream
M's Ice Cream
Reds Lemonade

 

Pumpkin Fest Franklin North Carolina

27th annual Pumpkinfest! • October 21, 2023

Get ready to let the good times roll during Franklin, North Carolina's 27th 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 as well as the Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest. 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

veterans day parade franklin nc

Veterans Parade & Ceremony • Saturday, November 11th

Join the Town of Franklin as we, along with our citizens, honor Veterans on Saturday, 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!

» CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

 

winter wonderland festival franklin nc

Winter Wonderland Night One • Saturday, November 25th

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, 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.

» CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

winter wonderland festival franklin north carolina

Winter Wonderland NIGHT TWO • Saturday, December 2nd

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 and free carriage rides, several downtown merchants will have "living window" displays and offer free refreshments!

» CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE