Western Carolina University celebrates 51 years of Mountain Heritage Day with an exciting expansion to Mountain Heritage Days 2025. The beloved Appalachian cultural festival, held annually on the last Saturday in September in Sylva, North Carolina, now spans an entire week of programming.

The enhanced Mountain Heritage Days festival features evening faculty-led lectures, hands-on cultural demonstrations, heritage exhibitors on the plaza, and a Friday night concert at Bridge Park. The traditional Saturday celebration continues from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm with family-friendly activities including live music, clogging performances, mule and tractor rides, traditional Appalachian arts and crafts vendors, and authentic festival food.

This expanded format offers visitors more opportunities to experience authentic Appalachian culture and traditions in the heart of Western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. The week-long Mountain Heritage Days celebration preserves regional history while creating new memories for families exploring the NC mountains.