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 Dates

May 13 and May 27 (Memorial Day weekend)
June 10 and June 24
July 8 and July 22
August 12 and 26
September 16 and September 30
October 14 (final)

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 our Independence Day Parade & Celebration on Tuesday, July 4th beginning at 11:00 a.m.

You can be part of Franklin's Annual Patriotic Parade at 11:00 a.m. While you go most places to see a parade, we actually invite you to participate! Deck out in red, white and blue and walk or drive down Main Street. NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To join in, just be in the lower level of Franklin Town Hall for lineup beginning at 10:30 a.m.

» 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! So make plans now to join with us!

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.

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