Sycamore Shoals State Park Upcoming Events

Published 11:53 am Friday, November 25, 2022

Watauga Valley Art League — Winterfest Art Show — Visitor Center operating hours. Meet at the park visitor center. Kick off the holidays at Sycamore Shoals! The Watauga Valley Art League Winterfest exhibition and sale is a great opportunity for holiday shopping! Artwork from the Watauga Valley Art League will remain on display during regular park hours through December 4.

Opening Reception Sunday, Nov. 20 – 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Walking in Frontier Footsteps – After Thanksgiving Hike — 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Meet at the picnic area beside the Visitor Center. Price: $0/Person, $5/FREE + $5 donation, $10/FREE – $10 donation. Register for the event. Join park staff for a special guided interpretive walk through the grounds of Sycamore Shoals and along portions of the walking path. Discover the historical events that took place surrounding Sycamore Shoals and their significance to the formation of our State and Country. Dress appropriately for the weather as we will be taking a casual stroll on the walking path and through the park grounds. Portions of the walk will include ground that may not be flat or solid for people with mobility challenges. Please no pets.

Hike is by reservation only and subject to cancellation due to significantly inclement weather. Please be mindful of social distancing and be considerate of those with health concerns.

Fellowship English Country Dancing — 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center. Beginners and seasoned dancers alike are all welcome! The afternoon will include the opportunity to learn dances from the early 19th century. No cost to attend. Open to anyone, with or without experience or a partner.  Meet in the Visitor Center.  Sponsored by the Sabine Hill Social Society.

Christmas at the Carter Mansion — 6 p.m – 7 p.m., 6:40 p.m. – 7:40 p.m., 7 p.m. – 8 p.m., 7:20 p.m. – 8:20 p.m., 7:40 p.m. – 8:40 p.m.,  8 p.m. – 9 p.m.,  8:20 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. Meet at the historic John & Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Price is $12. Register for the event. Spend a candlelit Christmas evening in Tennessee’s oldest frame-house decorated, as it would have been in 1780, with beautiful greenery for the holiday season. Step back in time as you join the Carter family, friends, and neighbors and enjoy learning about the Christmas customs and traditions of our colonial ancestors.

*Please note, the Carter Mansion is only accessible by stairs.

Carter Mansion Guided Tour — 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at the historic John and Landon Carter Mansion, 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton. Price: 6 and under is free, $5/ages 7 to 17 years, $9/adult. Register for the event. Join Interpreter Slade Nakoff for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Discover the secrets of this elegant frontier home and learn the history of the family who built it between 1775 and 1780.

Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

Christmas at the Carter Mansion. — 6 p.m – 7 p.m., 6:20 p.m. – 7:20 p.m.,  6:40 p.m. – 7:40 p.m., 7 p.m. – 8 p.m., 7:20 p.m. – 8:20 p.m., 7:40 p.m. – 8:40 p.m.,  8 p.m. – 9 p.m.,  8:20 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. Meet at the historic John & Landon Carter Mansion, 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton. Price is $12. Register for the event. Spend a candlelit Christmas evening in Tennessee’s oldest frame-house decorated, as it would have been in 1780, with beautiful greenery for the holiday season. Step back in time as you join the Carter family, friends, and neighbors and enjoy learning about the Christmas customs and traditions of our colonial ancestors.

*Please note, the Carter Mansion is only accessible by stairs.

Christmas Reindeer Sewing Class — 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Register for the event. Looking for an adorable craft item to sew for the holiday season? Seamstress and sewing instructor, Donna Horowitz, will help you create this stuffed reindeer decoration to add holiday cheer! Cost: $20 (includes pattern/instructions, stuffing, felt, and eyes). Student provides fabric, thread and buttons for legs, a sewing machine, basic sewing tools and your lunch.

Pre-registration required. Call the park at 423-543-5808. Min: 3  Max: 8

Overmountain Christmas Open House — 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Meet at the Park Visitor Center. Please join us at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park for a festive time of Period Carolers, Christmas Stories, the Watauga Valley Art League’s Annual Winterfest Art Show and more. There will be a special activity/project the whole family can participate in making and may be making an appearance. Come do some Christmas shopping in our new Gift Shop. Don’t miss out on getting some unique items you can’t find anywhere else! We look forward to seeing you!