May Season Openings and Events in Cherokee, NC
5.2.2016
May is a great month to plan a trip to Cherokee, North Carolina. In May the fish are biting, the warming temperatures bring out a variety of beautiful spring wildflowers, and some of the most popular attractions in Cherokee open up for the season. Here is a rundown of some of the season openings, festivals, and events that will take place in Cherokee this May:
Oconaluftee Indian Village
The Village is open for the season and offering tours Monday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. Come to Oconaluftee Indian Village to go back in time to the 18th century and take an interactive journey through Cherokee history. Here you’ll see traditional Cherokee dwellings, work areas, and community spaces alongside live demonstrations of authentic Cherokee art and craft making including pottery, masks, baskets, beadwork, and weaponry.
Unto These Hills
May 28th will be the opening night of Unto These Hills, an outdoor drama thousands of years in the making. Don’t miss this soul stirring story of the history of the Cherokee people from the earliest days through the height of their power, through the heartbreak of the Trail of Tears, up to the present day. Absolutely unforgettable.
Unto These Hills is presented Monday through Saturday at 8:00 pm at Mountainside Theatre, 688 Drama Road, Cherokee, NC. You can purchase tickets online here.
Cherokee Bonfire
Beginning May 27th, you and your family can once again enjoy the Oconaluftee River Bonfire on 
Fridays and Saturdays between 7 pm and 9 pm. Come to this free event to toast marshmallows while enjoying traditional Cherokee music, storytelling, and dance.
Music On The River
Also beginning May 27th, come to the Oconaluftee River Stage on Fridays and Saturdays between 7 pm - 9 pm to hear live, free, outdoor musical performances in downtown Cherokee. Performances include rock 'n’ roll, blues, jazz, Gospel, and country. Don’t forget to wear your dancing shoes! The stage is located directly behind the downtown Cherokee Welcome Center Kiosk, 940 Tsalagi Rd. Cherokee, NC 28719. Look here to see the full Music on the River schedule for the 2016 season.
May Events in Cherokee
There are also a number of fun events planned in Cherokee this May including:
Cherokee Customer Celebration Day
May 14, 2016
10:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Cherokee Welcome Center and Water Beetle Stage, 498 Tsali Blvd. Cherokee, NC
This is a free event that will feature a variety of fun things to do and see—including traditional dancing, clogging, storytelling, and face painting. You’ll also be able to shop for crafts and gifts. And bring your appetite! The North American Indian Women’s Association (NAIWA) will be selling a variety of delicious traditional foods.
Strawberry Festival
May 21, 2016
9 am – 2 pm at Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds, 545 Tsali Blvd. Cherokee, NC
The Strawberry Festival, sponsored by the North American Indian Women’s Association (NAIWA) is a free event that offers tasty fun for the whole family! Strawberry pancakes and strawberry shortcake will be available as well as jams and preserves. The schedule of events also includes entertainment and games.
Cherokee’s Memorial Day Trout Tournament
May 27–29, 2016
Register anywhere fishing permits are sold or online.
Don’t miss this fun trout fishing tournament and your chance to win big prize money! Register to compete for $10,000 in tagged trout within the beautiful freestone streams of Cherokee, NC. Enjoy Memorial Day while fishing for tagged rainbow, brook, golden, and brown trout and cash prizes! $11.00 entry fee (in addition to a $10.00 daily permit fee for those ages 12 and up).
Plan Your Trip to Cherokee
This May come celebrate spring in Cherokee, NC. Here you can enjoy all the art, culture, outdoor adventure and fun that can found in this beautiful place. There are so many wonderful things to do here, we’ve created an online tool to help you plan your visit to Cherokee, NC.