Lake Junaluska’s annual Independence Day Celebration features family-friendly fun — from concerts to fireworks to floating lanterns. The multi-day event will be full of activities as well as a time to soak up summer enjoying the lakeside swimming pool, a round of golf, a cruise on the Cherokee IV pontoon boat or a canoe, kayak or paddleboard rental. 

Schedule of Events:

Sunday, June 29, 2025

7-9 a.m: Terrace Hotel Buffet Breakfast

9 a.m: Outdoor Summer Worship  Lakeside White Tent | Diana Butler Bass Theologian in Residence

Monday, June 30, 2025

7-9 a.m: Terrace Hotel Buffet Breakfast

8:30 a.m: Morning Devotion Kern Porch | Diana Butler Bass Theologian in Residence

10-11:30  a.m: Theologian in Residence Session with Diana Butler Bass - Kern Auditorium (donation encouraged)

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

7-9 a.m: Terrace Hotel Buffet Breakfast

10-11:30  a.m: Theologian in Residence Session - Kern Auditorium (donation encouraged)

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

7-9 a.m: Terrace Hotel Buffet Breakfast

7 a.m.-7 p.m: Closest to the Pin Golf Competition - Lake Junaluska Golf Course

10-11:30  a.m: Theologian in Residence Session - Kern Auditorium (donation encouraged)

Thursday, July 3, 2025

7-9 a.m: Terrace Hotel Buffet Breakfast

9-11 a.m: Decorated Kayak/Canoe/Paddleboard Flotilla Contest - Colonnade 

12:30 p.m: Decorated Porches Contest 

7 p.m: Blue Ridge Big Band White Tent by the Lake – Donations encouraged

9:15 p.m: Fireworks From the Lake Junaluska Dam 

Friday, July 4, 2025

7-9 a.m: Terrace Hotel Buffet Breakfast

11 a.m: Parade - North Lakeshore Drive

12-2 p.m: Family Fun on the Fourth
Free to attend with lunch available for purchase. Cookout Buffet Picnic (Buy lunch tickets in advance or at the door.), Voices in the Laurel Community Ensemble and Whitewater Bluegrass (live music), Family Square Dance & more kid-friendly fun  Open-Air Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym

7 p.m: Reading of the Declaration of Independence and Singing Soldiers Concert Lakeside White Tent

9:15 p.m: Floating Lanterns on the Lake (Donate and Dedicate a Lantern)

Saturday, July 5, 2025

7-9 a.m: Terrace Hotel Buffet Breakfast

9-11 a.m: Family Games Tournament (Corn hole, bocci ball, shuffle board) - Memory Lane

7 p.m: Balsam Range Concert with special guest, humorist and storyteller Bil Lepp -  Stuart Auditorium

Sunday, July 6, 2025

7-9 a.m: Terrace Hotel Buffet Breakfast

9 a.m: Outdoor Summer Worship - Lakeside White Tent | Rev. Dr. Thomas Glenn “Jack” Jackson  Theologian in Residence (Sponsored by the Foundation for Evangelism)

Date: June 29 - July 6, 2025

Location: Various Locations in Lake Junaluska, NC

Click here for more information.