118th Annual Canton Labor Day Festival
The wait is over… the 118th Canton Labor Day Festival Music Lineup is here!
Get ready for two unforgettable days of live music, great food, and Labor Day weekend fun in downtown Canton!
Sunday, September 6
Keil Smith and Company
Asheville Junction Band
Commodore Fox Band
Balsam Range
Headliner: Clay Walker
Monday, September 7
Nick Mac and the Noise
TLQ + 2
Steve Jordan
Summer Brooke
Headliner: Dailey & Vincent
Buskers Fest
Join Us for Buskers Fest 2026!
Experience the arts firsthand at Buskers Fest! Since its launch in 2021, this vibrant, open-air arts and music festival has celebrated creativity in all its forms. Buskers Fest goes beyond traditional street performance to celebrate a vibrant mix of artistic expression, making it one of Boone’s most cherished cultural events.
Come see and experience a showcase of the talents of hundreds of local artists, performers, and makers. From live music and performance art to original artwork for sale, the streets of Downtown Boone come alive with creative energy, inviting attendees to experience the arts firsthand.
Whether you want to participate as a creative or enjoy the festivities, we invite you to join us and be part of the magic!
Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival
🎉 Voted #1 Best Event/Festival in Haywood County (2024, 2025) — Join Us in 2026! 🎶
The Haywood County Arts Council’s Annual Bluegrass Festival Fundraiser — our biggest fundraiser of the year — returns to the beautiful Maggie Valley Festival Grounds during peak leaf season!
We're excited to present the 2026 line-up:
Appalachian Road Show, Balsam Range
Enjoy award-winning bluegrass, local artists & vendors, raffles, live demonstrations, delicious food & drinks, and family-friendly fun.
👧 Kids 12 & under get in FREE
🐶 Well-behaved, leashed dogs welcome
🪑 Bring your own chair
🚫 No coolers (please support our small business vendors!)
Your ticket directly supports arts programs, scholarships, and opportunities that keep the arts thriving in Haywood County.
Come celebrate music, art, and community — and help fuel the future of the arts! 🎨🎶
First Friday June WAC
Coordinated by the Watauga Arts Council (WAC) in partnership with the Downtown Boone Development Association, First Friday highlights a range of creative experiences happening throughout town. Residents and visitors can explore local art, connect with artists, experience live music, and attend special events across multiple locations.
Highlights for June include:
Disco Club Night at Wildcraft Eatery (9-12 p.m.)- Stop by Wildcraft Eatery for a club night with DJ Dumpsta J spinning an eclectic variety of vinyl records from the global vault! 21+, $5 cover.
Jazz-Inspired Collage Night at Betty’s Biscuits (5-8 p.m.) - Celebrate WAC’s newest exhibit, The Art of Jazz, a complement to the High Country Jazz Festival, with a Jazz-Inspired Collage Night at Betty’s Biscuits! All materials are provided, a cash bar will be available, and you’ll get to create with members of the WAC crew.
29th Anniversary Fundraiser Show at NTH Degree Gallery (7 p.m.) - Artwork from studio members, snacks, games, and a screenprinting station (bring your own shirt!).
First Friday at the Turchin Center (5-8 p.m.) - Explore contemporary exhibitions, meet local artists, and enjoy free admission.
Live Music at SouthEnd Brewing (6-9 p.m.) - Bob Bonnen will be performing on the patio stage.
Buckets N Boards at App Theatre (6-7:45 p.m.) - A hilarious, family-friendly show featuring percussion, tap dancing, inventive instruments, and musical comedy. Tickets available on the App Theatre website.
Live Music at Lost Province (6-9 p.m.) - Featuring the Tim McWilliams Band, a country and bluegrass group from Asheville.
Art Market at FizzEd (5-8 p.m.) - Shop handmade work from various local artists.
Summer Concert at the Jones House (5:30 p.m.) - Wilson Ridge Roundabouts and Nest of Singing Birds kick off the 2026 Summer Concert Series.
Blue Ridge Fiber Guild Reception at the Jones House (5-7 p.m.) - Stop by for the group's opening gallery exhibition reception.
Rodney Bursiel at the Speckled Trout Outfitters (6-7 p.m.) - Meet 2017 National Geographic Photographer of the Year Rodney Bursiel for a conservation talk, Q&A, live music, and more.
Letters from Stella @Ellison (4-7 p.m.) - Create letters for loved ones using free crafting materials and stamps
Don’t forget to check out the local artists and Youth Makers who will be stationed along King Street and the Turchin Center sidewalks from 4-8 p.m. selling handmade goods.
Threads Exhibit - Haywood Handmade
Exhibit Description: Threads celebrates the beauty, creativity, and versatility of fiber art. From traditional weaving and embroidery to contemporary works inspired by textiles, this exhibition showcases how fibers, threads, and fabric inspire artistic expression. Each piece highlights texture, pattern, and the intricate craft that transforms simple materials into compelling art.
Weird & Wacky at Haywood Handmade Gallery
Step into Weird & Wacky, where quirky characters, bold ideas, and imaginative scenes take center stage. Expect the unexpected and enjoy art that’s playful, surprising, and just a little bizarre!
