May 14, 2026

Celebrate Independence Week at Lake Junaluska, June 28-July 5, during the Lake Junaluska Independence Week Celebration. This popular annual event is chock full of family-friendly fun with fireworks, floating lanterns, a parade, flotilla and a family square dance and concerts, including a night of bluegrass with award-winning Balsam Range and opening act Upstream Rebellion.

Many events are free, including the fireworks display on Friday, July 3. Lodging is still available at Lake Junaluska’s hotels for guests who want to spend a few days at the Lake relaxing and enjoying the festivities.

“Lake Junaluska is the perfect place to celebrate Independence Day. We have so much going on and it’s a great place for families to spend time together. The energy here is wonderful,” said Mike Huber, Lake Junaluska general manager.

The first three days of this exciting week feature spiritual enrichment with a lakeside worship service and other events with our theologian in residence. The week then continues with a full lineup of family-friendly activities.

Festivities kick off on Wednesday, July 1 with a Closest to the Pin Golf Competition from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at Lake Junaluska Golf Course and a pickleball doubles tournament from 8-10 a.m. at the Lake Junaluska pickleball courts. The evening concludes at 9:15 p.m. with the Floating Lanterns on the Lake ceremony, when biodegradable lanterns are placed on the water in honor or memory of loved ones. To donate and dedicate a lantern in honor or in memory of someone, visit lakejunaluska.com/lanterns.

Then on Thursday, July 2, a tennis tournament will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the tennis courts, followed that evening at 7 p.m. with award-winning bluegrass band Balsam Range and opening act Upstream Rebellion, an energetic bluegrass band known for tight harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and captivating live shows, at Stuart Auditorium. A barbecue meal will be available for purchase from 6-8 p.m. near the Lakeside White Tent for $25 for adults and $12.50 for children ages 5-12, plus tax and gratuity. Children ages 4 and under eat free. Pay at time of purchase.

Friday, July 3, is the big day filled with family fun and fireworks. The popular Decorated Kayak/Canoe/Paddleboard Flotilla contest, which is open to the public, will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Colonnade; a cornhole tournament, from 2-4 p.m., at the Harrell Center Lawn; the Blue Ridge Big Band concert at 7 p.m., and the big fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Special viewing of fireworks is available at the lakeside swimming pool and the Cherokee IV pontoon boat. Tickets for special viewing can be purchased at https://bit.ly/LJfireworks2026. A barbecue meal will be available for purchase from 6-8 p.m. near the Lakeside White Tent for $25 for adults and $12.50 for children ages 5-12, plus tax and gratuity. Children under 5 eat for free.

On Saturday, July 4, the “Sweet Land of Liberty” parade, along North Lakeshore Drive begins at
11 a.m. and is followed immediately from noon-2 p.m. by the Family Fun on the Fourth Cookout Buffet Picnic and square dance, with music by Whitewater Bluegrass, at Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym. Family-friendly activities include Haywood Bounce and yard games. Buy tickets in advance for the buffet picnic at https://bit.ly/LJJuly4Buffet. Want to join the parade? Visit https://bit.ly/LJJuly4paradeform for rules and to register.

The Singing Soldiers will kick off the event at noon with a singing of the national anthem. At
7 p.m., the Rev. Ashley Calhoun will read the Declaration of Independence, and the Singing Soldiers will perform, both at Stuart Auditorium.

Lake Junaluska’s Independence Day Celebration is made possible with support from Visit Haywood, Friends of the Lake sponsors, including our Partnership Level Sponsor, Haywood Regional Medical Center, and our Patron Level Sponsors, Clark & Leatherwood, Haywood Ace Hardware, Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital, RCF Construction, Inc., Smoky Mountain News and The Mountaineer.

To learn more about Independence Day Celebrations at Lake Junaluska, book an Independence Day Celebrations Lodging Package or purchase concert tickets, visit lakejunaluska.com/july4.

Here is a partial listing of events for Lake Junaluska’s Independence Day Celebrations. A complete schedule may be found at lakejunaluska.com/july4.

July 1, Wednesday
7 a.m.-7 p.m. Closest to the Pin Golf Competition, Lake Junaluska Golf Course
8-10 a.m. Pickleball Tournament, Lake Junaluska pickleball courts
9:15 p.m. Floating Lanterns on the Lake, lakeside
July 2, Thursday
9-11 a.m. Tennis Tournament, Lake Junaluska tennis courts
6-8 p.m. Barbecue dinner, $25 adults, $12.50 children ages 5-12, near Lakeside White Tent
7 p.m. Upstream Rebellion, followed by Balsam Range, Stuart Auditorium
July 3, Friday
9:30-10:30 a.m. Decorated Kayak/Canoe/Paddleboard Flotilla Contest (9:30 boats line up in water)
2-4 p.m. Cornhole Tournament (sponsored by the Junaluskans), Harrell Center Lawn
6-8 p.m. Barbecue dinner, $25 adults, $12.50 children ages 5-12, near Lakeside White Tent
7 p.m. Blue Ridge Big Band, free, Lakeside White Tent
9:15 p.m. Fireworks (private viewing areas with admission charge; Cherokee IV, $100; pool deck, $20, https://bit.ly/LJfireworks2026.
July 4, Saturday
11 a.m. Parade, begins at Lambuth Inn; sign up required
Noon, Singing Soldiers sing the national anthem, Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym
Noon-2 p.m.: Picnic, Family Fun on the Fourth cookout buffet, $20 adults, $10.99 children age 5-12, plus tax and gratuity, children age 4 and under free; Whitewater Bluegrass band and square dancing with “Uncle” Ted White, contest winners announced, bounce house, lawn games, Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym
7 p.m. Singing Soldiers with Ashley Calhoun reading the Declaration of Independence, Stuart Auditorium
July 5, Sunday
9 a.m. Lakeside Worship Service, the Rev. Dr. Daniel Shin, theologian in residence (sponsored by the Foundation for Evangelism), Lakeside White Tent