Events | Cherokee, NC

How will Cherokee affect you?

Make a special event the centerpiece of your vacation in Cherokee.

Events, festivals, fairs, and more abound in Cherokee throughout the spring, summer and fall, all of them as diverse as they are delightful. They’re a great way to have a great time, and often they provide an easy opportunity to absorb some intriguing Cherokee culture through dance, food, craftmaking, and more. But some Cherokee events are simply a fun way to spend time with your friends and family. Take a quick tour of the event lineup below, pick a few, and add them to your itinerary.

Fire Mountain Inferno

Saturday, May 4 from 7:30 am to Sunday, May 5 at 3:30 pm

Join us for 2 days of adrenaline-pumping action at the 2024 Fire Mountain Inferno mountain bike event!

Welcome to the Fire Mountain Inferno mountain bike event in Cherokee, North Carolina, recognized as the Best Mountain Bike Race in the annual Best of the Blue Ridge survey by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine.   

Scheduled to take place from May 4th to May 5th, 2024, the Fire Mountain Inferno is poised to captivate riders and spectators alike with its breathtaking scenery and challenging terrain. Organized by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, this year's event will feature riders of all skill levels.

Divided into four categories – expert, sport, beginner, and junior – participants will tackle a variety of challenges, from thrilling descents to grueling cross-country routes, as they navigate the renowned Fire Mountain Trails. With the full support of the Eastern Band, attendees can anticipate an unparalleled experience celebrating the rich heritage and natural wonders of Cherokee.


Memorial Day Fishing Tournament

Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, May 26

$10,000 in Cash Prizes!

Spend the long weekend with the boys: rainbow, brook, golden, and brown. With your $15 entry fee and a two-day ($17) fishing permit, covering both tournament days, you can compete for $10,000 in tagged fish within the beautiful freestone streams of Cherokee, NC; only the 2.2 miles of catch-and-release waters are excluded.

Tagged fish will be specially stocked for this event, and when you catch one, you redeem it for cash prizes at the Natural Resources Enforcement Office located at 517 Sequoyah Trail off Hwy 441. Prize redemption hours are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. each tournament day, with a final tag turn in time of 4 p.m. on day two. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods.

Register for this tournament anywhere fishing permits are sold in and around Cherokee or online at FishCherokee.com by Friday, May 24, 2024.

EBCI Natural Resources Department reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or amend any tournament or event due to catastrophes, pandemics, states of emergency, adverse weather, etc


Tim Hill Memorial Tournament

Saturday, July 13 to Sunday, July 14

$10,000 in Cash Prizes!

This tournament honors Tim Hill, a long-time employee at our very own trout hatchery who sadly passed too soon. A number of years ago, Cherokee’s Fisheries & Wildlife Management Division created this fun and lucrative tournament in his name.

With a registration fee of $15 and a two-day fishing permit ($17), covering both tournament days, you’ll be fishing for your share of $10,000 by catching beautiful trout in rivers all across the Qualla Boundary (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch-and-release waters), which will be stocked with tagged fish. When you catch one, you redeem it for cash prizes at the Natural Resources Enforcement Office, 517 Sequoyah Trail, Cherokee, NC 28719, which is across the street from Cherokee Welcome Center off Hwy 441. Prize redemption hours are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. each tournament day, with a final tag turn in time of 4 p.m. on day two.

Register anywhere fishing licenses are sold or at FishCherokee.com by Friday, July 12, 2024. Fishing hours are one hour before sunrise and end one hour after sunset each day. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods.

EBCI Natural Resources Department reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or amend any tournament or event due to catastrophes, pandemics, states of emergency, adverse weather, etc.


Qualla Country Fishing Tournament

Saturday, August 24 to Sunday, August 25

$20,000 in Cash Prizes!

With your $15 entry fee and a two-day fishing permit ($17), coveriong both tournament days, you’ll be competing for your share of $20,000 in the pristine freestone streams of Cherokee (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch-and-release waters).

Tagged fish will be specially stocked for this event, and when you catch one, you redeem it for cash prizes at the Natural Resources Enforcement Office, 517 Sequoyah Trail, Cherokee, NC 28719, which is across the street from Cherokee Welcome Center off Hwy 441. Prize redemption hours are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. each tournament day, with a final tag turn in time of 4 p.m. on day two.

Register anywhere fishing licenses are sold or at FishCherokee.com by Friday, August 23,2024. Fishing hours are one hour before sunrise and end one hour after sunset each day. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods.

Fisheries & Wildlife Management reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or amend any tournament or event due to catastrophes, pandemics, states of emergency, adverse weather, etc.


7 Clans Rodeo

Saturday, August 31 to Sunday, September 1


Cherokee Indian Fair

Tuesday, October 1 to Saturday, October 5


Cherokee Fall Rod Run

Friday, October 11 to Saturday, October 12


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