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Welcome Center

91 North Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
(828) 944-0761
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NC MOUNTAIN ARTS & CULTURE

Where mountains meet makers

Come experience the arts of Western North Carolina in Haywood, steeped in the rich spirit of Appalachia’s creative expression and cultural heritage.

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home-grown creativity

Explore quilt trails to bluegrass

Step into the land of bluegrass jams and clogging on wooden floors, pottery studios, quilt trails, and downtown gallery walks. Creativity runs deep in Haywood County.

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EXPLORE NC MOUNTAIN ARTISTS

Find your slice of Appalachia

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Haywood Quilt Trail
Waynesville
Waynesville
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Waynesville First Fridays
Waynesville
Waynesville
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Summer Mountain Street Dances
Maggie Valley
Maggie Valley

Paint the town southern

Wander through the quaint streets of downtown Waynesville, Maggie Valley, or Canton, and discover unique NC mountain artists sharing their craft with those passing by.

Galleries

Explore numerous fine art studios featuring contemporary paintings, elegant sculptures, unique jewelry, and local textile creations.

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Music

Tap your toes to traditional bluegrass and discover a thriving community of local musicians playing nightly at Haywood’s lively downtown pubs.

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Museums

Delve into Haywood’s rich history of Appalachian heritage, traditional handicrafts, and rare vintage motorcycles at museums across the County.

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Theaters

Take in a spectacular show at Haywood’s local theaters, offering everything from regional stage productions to nostalgic indie films.

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All arts & culture in Haywood County

Upcoming Events
  • Don’t Be Square: Art Beyond Right Angles - Art Exhibit
    Aug 26 → Aug 31
    Don’t Be Square: Art Beyond Right Angles - Art Exhibit
    WaynesvilleArts & Culture
    Waynesville

    Haywood Handmade Gallery's "Don't Be Square" exhibit invites artists and viewers alike to think outside the box—literally! This exhibit celebrates creativity on canvas with a twist: not a single right angle in sight. From curves and circles to wild, unexpected edges, each piece challenges the traditional square or rectangular frame. Discover how artists bend, shape, and reshape the boundaries of canvas art in this joyful exploration of form and imagination. Pictured work is by Randy Rayl.

    Get details
  • The Savannah Sipping Society - Live in Theatre
    Aug 27 → Aug 30
    The Savannah Sipping Society - Live in Theatre
    WaynesvilleArts & Culture
    Waynesville

    Pull up a chair, pour a drink, and spend an evening on the porch with 'The Savannah Sipping Society,' HART Theatre's latest production. Set on a picturesque veranda in Savannah, Georgia, this warm and witty comedy follows four Southern women who meet at their lives' inflection points. 'The Savannah Sipping Society bends sharp Southern humor with a heartfelt look a friendship, resilience, and starting over. Book your seat today at the linked page!

    Get details
  • Go With the Flow: Art Exhibit
    Sep 2 → Nov 2
    Go With the Flow: Art Exhibit
    WaynesvilleArts & Culture
    Waynesville

    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.

    Get details
  • Waynesville First Friday: Shop, Sip, Stroll
    Sep 4 → Dec 4
    Waynesville First Friday: Shop, Sip, Stroll
    WaynesvilleArts & Culture
    Waynesville

    On the first Friday of each month May throughDecember, Downtown Waynesville transforms into a lively celebration of local art, music, and community from 5–8pm. Stroll the downtown area, explore galleries, meet artists, enjoy live music, and discover Waynesville's locally owned shops and restaurants. Photo by @graeskyecreative.

    Get details
  • 21st Music at the Mill
    Sep 12
    21st Music at the Mill
    WaynesvilleLive Music
    Waynesville

    Come sit a spell and enjoy live music by the Blue Ridge Big Band in celebration of the Francis Grist Mill’s 139-year history during the 21st Annual Music at the Mill. Browse traditional crafts from local makers, tuck into a plate of North Carolina-style BBQ, and watch a historic milling demonstration. This event is ticketed and open to the public. Purchase your tickets in advance at the linked page! Photo from francismill.org.

    Get details

ARTS & CULTURE EVENTS

Be a part of craft as a way of life

Step into the welcoming arts and culture scene, from paint and sips to intimate jazz concerts. Southern charm makes you feel a part of the community.

Discover Upcoming Events

Haywood’s rich history and folklore

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The Plott Hound

Originating right here in Haywood County, the Plott Hound is NC’s official state dog and built for the wild. These fearless hunters were bred to track bear and boar, and locals loved them enough to give them a statue in downtown Waynesville.

More About the Plott Hound
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Legend of Boojum

Some mountain legends involve ghosts. Not Haywood. They went with an eight-foot-tall gemstone-loving creature instead. The Boojum is said to roam the Balsam Mountains in search of shiny treasures, pretty girls, and a little trouble.

More About the Boojum

VISIT HAYWOOD BLOG

An unbroken lineage of making

See All Blog Posts
Ultimate Guide to the Ice Block Party in Downtown Waynesville
Arts & CultureUltimate Guide to the Ice Block Party in Downtown Waynesville
Haywood County Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Unique Stocking Stuffers Found Only in Western NC
Arts & CultureHaywood County Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Unique Stocking Stuffers Found Only in Western NC
Take Haywood Home with You: Handmade Memories from the Mountains
Arts & CultureTake Haywood Home with You: Handmade Memories from the Mountains
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Wander well in Haywood

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Expression beyond the expected

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