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For more than 50 years, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Mountain Heritage Days has celebrated the music, stories, and traditions of Appalachia — and this year the energy is bigger than ever.

The weeklong festival will be held Sept. 21-26, 2026.

Experience a vibrant gathering filled with live music, traditional dance, cultural showcases, artisan crafts, delicious food, and fun for all ages. 

It’s a fresh, high-spirited take on a beloved tradition — and a chance to celebrate the heart and soul of the mountains together.

Schedule of events:

Monday, Sept. 21

People of Colonial North Carolina Opening Reception, 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the Mountain Heritage Center.

Kick off Mountain Heritage Days with a panel discussion and an opening reception for People of Colonial North Carolina, a new exhibit exploring the lives, cultures, and communities that shaped early North Carolina. The panel on Life in Colonial Times will include Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵprofessors Nora Doyle, Tamia Haygood, and Brett Riggs and is co-sponsored by the American Association of University Women. 

Tuesday, Sept. 22

Jackson County Field Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵPicnic area.

Mountain Heritage Days welcomes Jackson County second-grade students for a day of interactive learning and hands-on activities celebrating Appalachian history, culture, and traditions. This educational event inspires young learners to explore the rich heritage of Western North Carolina. Please contact Peter Koch pkoch@wcu.edu as space is limited.

Wednesday, Sept. 23

Appalachian Craft Demonstrations, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Catafount.

Meet talented regional artisans and watch traditional Appalachian crafts come to life through live demonstrations. Learn about the techniques, history, and craftsmanship that have been passed down through generations.

Thursday, Sept. 24

Rooted in the Mountains, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bardo Arts Center.

The Rooted in the Mountains Symposium brings together scholars, artists, educators, and community members for a two-day event aimed at exposing attendees to the interwoven relationships between climate, health, traditional knowledge and the indigenous worldview.

The first 30 registrations are free for regular attendees and non-Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵstudents. WCU students are free, even if they're not one of those 30. Tribal members and Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵfaculty/staff are $10. Registration information can be found at mhd.wcu.edu.

Friday, Sept. 25

Day two of Rooted in the Mountains,  9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the  Bardo Arts Center.

The symposium continues with another day of presentations and conversations highlighting indigenous perspectives on critical health issues.

Pickin' in the Park featuring Unspoken Tradition, 6 p.m. at Bridge Park in Sylva.

Spend the evening in downtown Sylva enjoying live bluegrass music from Unspoken Tradition. Bring a chair or blanket and experience an evening of great music in one of the region's favorite outdoor gathering spaces.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Mountain Heritage Days Festival Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All Saturday activities begin at 10:00 a.m. across campus venues unless otherwise noted. Plan to arrive starting between 9:30 and 10 a.m. to explore campus, find parking, and catch the first performances at each location.

Mountain Heritage Days 5K

Check-in is from 7-8:15 a.m. at the Stillwell Building parking lot. Race starts at 8:30 a.m.

WCU's Sport Management Association invites you to the 16th annual Mountain Heritage Days 5K! This is a family-friendly chip-timed race for both runners and walkers. Participants will dash through campus past iconic landmarks, including the 'Catafount' water fountain and Alumni Tower. All proceeds from the 5k race support the Sport Management Association Scholarship Fund. Registration opens August 28.

Andy Shaw Ford Classic Car Show

9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bardo Arts Center parking lot.

A celebration of classic cars and trucks from a time when they just don’t make them like they used to. From restored favorites to well-loved workhorses, this show brings together vehicles full of character, history, and stories. Stroll through, talk with owners, and enjoy a laid-back look at automotive nostalgia.

• 9 a.m.- Registration
• 10 a.m.- Car Show Begins
• 2 p.m.- Awards
• 2:30 p.m. - Cruise Out

Bardo Arts Center

The Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵFine Art Museum and FAM Gift Shop at Bardo Arts Center will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the Museum's current exhibitions, including:

• Veteran Obsolete: Geoffrey Bowton â€“ Drawing on personal experiences as an U.S. Army sergeant, Bowton uses glass and military imagery to explore themes of service, memory, trauma, and resilience.
• Kei Ito: Can There be Shadows within a Flash– Through photography and installation, Ito explores memory, history, and the lasting effects of war and displacement across generations rooted in his family history as a third-generation Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor.
• Mary Stewart: Apocalypse Series and Other Works â€“ Created in response to the Gulf War, Stewart's powerful prints reflect on conflict, uncertainty, and the emotional impact of war on everyday lives.
• South Arts' Southern Prize & State Fellowships for Visual Arts Exhibition â€“ Featuring work by nine outstanding contemporary artists recognized through the South Arts fellowship program, representing artistic excellence across the American South.

Balsam music stage (main stage)

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵIntramural Field.

A full day of live Appalachian music, storytelling, and traditional performance.

• 10:00 a.m. - Upstream Rebellion
• 11:00 a.m. - Green Valley Cloggers
• 11:30 a.m. - Davy Arch Storytelling
• 12 p.m. - Molly and Aubrey
• 12:45 p.m. - Young Mountain Magic
• 1:30 p.m. - Bailey Mountain Cloggers
• 2 p.m. - Whitewater Bluegrass

Pickin' circle

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MHD Arts and Crafts Vendor Area.

Stories from the Table. Tales of Appalachian foodways. Performances by the Jackson County JAM and Blue Ridge JAM programs. Informal jam sessions featuring regional musicians.

Shape Note Tent

10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CAT Building lawn.

Participatory Appalachian musical tradition open to all.

• 10:30 a.m. — Sacred Harp Singing
• 1 p.m. — Christian Harmony Singing

McNeely's Chainsaw Competition

10 a.m. at the Bardo Arts Center lawn

A fast-paced chainsaw demonstration showcasing skill, power, and control in action. Watch operators put their equipment through its paces in a lively, high-energy setting that highlights technique, precision handling, and raw performance. Competition ends when all registered saws have cut!

• 9-10 a.m. - Registration
• 10 a.m.- Competition starts

Wolfetown Stickball Demonstration

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵIntramural Field.

Living cultural demonstrations of Cherokee traditions and historic demonstrations.

• 11 a.m. - Wolfetown Indian Ball Team Demonstration Game
• 1 p.m. - Wolfetown Indian Ball Youth Team Demonstration Game

Mountain Heritage Days Afternoon Concert

3:30 p.m. at the Bardo Arts Center Performance Hall.

Join Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵChancellor Kelli R. Brown for the presentation of the 2026 Mountain Heritage Awards. After the ceremony, stick around for live music and even more traditional clogging to keep the celebration going.

• 3:30 p.m. - Mountain Heritage Awards
• 3:45 p.m. - Red Camel Collective with the Bailey Mountain Cloggers

For more information, visit mhd.wcu.edu or email mhd@wcu.edu.