Best events in
Hays

Events and things to do in Hays, NC, are deeply connected to the culture of the surrounding Wilkes County communities. The area's Appalachian heritage is on full display at large music festivals and smaller community concert series. Community life often centers around the lively downtown districts of nearby North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, which host seasonal markets and street festivals.

The downtowns of Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro are hubs for recurring outdoor events, particularly from spring through fall, hosting free concert series at venues like the Carolina West Wireless Community Commons.
The region celebrates its agricultural roots and local culture with major annual events, including the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival and the celebrated MerleFest music festival.
Yadkin Valley Marketplace in North Wilkesboro is a key spot for community life, hosting a seasonal farmers' market and the monthly Concerts on the Deck series.

autocomplete

Nearby cities

Winston-Salem

49 miles away

Mount Airy

33 miles away

Mooresville

48 miles away

Hickory

37 miles away

Denver

50 miles away

Statesville

35 miles away

Clemmons

43 miles away

Damascus

46 miles away

Morganton

48 miles away

Newton

42 miles away

Elkin

14 miles away

Dobson

24 miles away

Wytheville

49 miles away

North Wilkesboro

6 miles away

Icard

40 miles away

Marion

46 miles away

Blowing Rock

33 miles away

Boone

32 miles away

Pilot Mountain

37 miles away

Mocksville

39 miles away

Yadkinville

26 miles away

Mountain City

42 miles away

Galax

33 miles away

Cana

34 miles away

Woodlawn

38 miles away

Landis

49 miles away

Long View

39 miles away

Wilkesboro

8 miles away

Lewisville

39 miles away

Hudson

35 miles away

Winston-Salem

49 miles away

Mount Airy

33 miles away

Mooresville

48 miles away

Hickory

37 miles away

Denver

50 miles away

Statesville

35 miles away

Clemmons

43 miles away

Damascus

46 miles away

Morganton

48 miles away

Newton

42 miles away

Elkin

14 miles away

Dobson

24 miles away

Wytheville

49 miles away

North Wilkesboro

6 miles away

Icard

40 miles away

Marion

46 miles away

Blowing Rock

33 miles away

Boone

32 miles away

Pilot Mountain

37 miles away

Mocksville

39 miles away

Yadkinville

26 miles away

Mountain City

42 miles away

Galax

33 miles away

Cana

34 miles away

Woodlawn

38 miles away

Landis

49 miles away

Long View

39 miles away

Wilkesboro

8 miles away

Lewisville

39 miles away

Hudson

35 miles away

Online Events

Explore more events

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tuesday • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

Check ticket price on event

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Better Landscapes: Essential Camera Skills in the Field with Adam Edwards

Wed, Nov 11 • 6:30 PM GMT+11

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

Sat, Nov 14 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tuesday • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

Check ticket price on event

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Better Landscapes: Essential Camera Skills in the Field with Adam Edwards

Wed, Nov 11 • 6:30 PM GMT+11

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

Sat, Nov 14 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Events near Hays

Explore more events

Digital Leaders Exchange - North Wilkesboro

Thu, Nov 5 • 9:00 AM

Wilkes County Schools

Check ticket price on event

Immediate Action Combatives Seminar 11/6-8/2026 Yadkinville, NC

Fri, Nov 6 • 6:00 PM

Yadkinville

Check ticket price on event

Ginseng Production Workshop

Fri, Nov 6 • 2:00 PM

416 Executive Dr

Check ticket price on event

Hold My Beverage...HR Edition!

Tue, Nov 10 • 8:00 AM

915 E Atkins St

Check ticket price on event

Reentry Simulation

Fri, Nov 13 • 10:00 AM

Boone United Methodist Church

Check ticket price on event

Spread Eagle at Copperhead Road

Sat, Nov 14 • 6:00 PM

Copperhead Road

Check ticket price on event

Clay Christmas Trees

Sun, Nov 22 • 4:00 PM

Wildflower Art Studio

Check ticket price on event

Next Stop Comedy at C'est la Vin Wine & Provisions! - North Wilkesboro, NC

Sat, Jan 23 • 7:00 PM

C'est la Vin Wine & Provisions

Check ticket price on event

Digital Leaders Exchange - North Wilkesboro

Thu, Nov 5 • 9:00 AM

Wilkes County Schools

Check ticket price on event

Immediate Action Combatives Seminar 11/6-8/2026 Yadkinville, NC

Fri, Nov 6 • 6:00 PM

Yadkinville

Check ticket price on event

Ginseng Production Workshop

Fri, Nov 6 • 2:00 PM

416 Executive Dr

Check ticket price on event

Hold My Beverage...HR Edition!

Tue, Nov 10 • 8:00 AM

915 E Atkins St

Check ticket price on event

Reentry Simulation

Fri, Nov 13 • 10:00 AM

Boone United Methodist Church

Check ticket price on event

Spread Eagle at Copperhead Road

Sat, Nov 14 • 6:00 PM

Copperhead Road

Check ticket price on event

Clay Christmas Trees

Sun, Nov 22 • 4:00 PM

Wildflower Art Studio

Check ticket price on event

Next Stop Comedy at C'est la Vin Wine & Provisions! - North Wilkesboro, NC

Sat, Jan 23 • 7:00 PM

C'est la Vin Wine & Provisions

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Frequently asked questions about Hays

What are some free events to check out near Hays?

The area offers several free outdoor concert series in the nearby Wilkesboros. Look for the monthly Concerts in the Commons in Wilkesboro or the Concerts on the Deck series at North Wilkesboro's Yadkin Valley Marketplace during warmer months.

Where can I find live music events in the Wilkesboro area?

Live music is a cornerstone of the local culture, anchored by the annual MerleFest. For more regular programming, check out the outdoor concerts at Carolina West Wireless Community Commons or the nightclub atmosphere at Talia Bassment Club.

What's available for family-friendly events in downtown Wilkesboro?

Historic Downtown Wilkesboro is very welcoming for families with its community commons. The area hosts free concerts on its lawn, and a nearby splash pad offers a place for kids to cool off during public gatherings.

What kind of major annual festivals happen near Hays?

The region hosts large-scale annual festivals that celebrate music and local heritage. MerleFest is a nationally known music event, while the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival is a massive one-day street fair in North Wilkesboro each autumn.

How is the nightlife scene in North Wilkesboro?

North Wilkesboro offers a few distinct nightlife spots for an evening out. The Talia Bassment Club hosts concerts and parties in a nightclub setting, while The Tavern at The Lost Wombat provides a more relaxed pub atmosphere.

Can I find outdoor community events in the area?

Yes, many community events take place outdoors, especially from spring through fall. The Yadkin Valley Marketplace and Carolina West Wireless Community Commons are key venues for outdoor concerts, festivals, and markets that draw local crowds.

What's the best spot for recurring community gatherings in North Wilkesboro?

Yadkin Valley Marketplace is the central hub for community life in downtown North Wilkesboro. It's home to the seasonal Wilkes County Farmers' Market and hosts monthly events like Concerts on the Deck and the Wilkes County Cruise-Ins.

Are there regular car show events?

Yes, car enthusiasts can attend the Wilkes County Cruise-Ins in downtown North Wilkesboro. This recurring event brings together classic and custom cars monthly from spring through autumn, creating a lively street-side auto show.

Trending searches

1. Cassette rewind

Nearby cities

Winston-Salem

Mount Airy

Mooresville

Hickory

Denver

Statesville

Clemmons

Damascus

Morganton

Newton

Elkin

Dobson

Wytheville

North Wilkesboro

Icard

Marion

Blowing Rock

Boone

Pilot Mountain

Mocksville

Yadkinville

Mountain City

Galax

Cana

Woodlawn

Landis

Long View

Wilkesboro

Lewisville

Hudson

Winston-Salem

Mount Airy

Mooresville

Hickory

Denver

Statesville

Clemmons

Damascus

Morganton

Newton

Elkin

Dobson

Wytheville

North Wilkesboro

Icard

Marion

Blowing Rock

Boone

Pilot Mountain

Mocksville

Yadkinville

Mountain City

Galax

Cana

Woodlawn

Landis

Long View

Wilkesboro

Lewisville

Hudson

Online Events

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Better Landscapes: Essential Camera Skills in the Field with Adam Edwards

Lean Global Connection 2026

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Better Landscapes: Essential Camera Skills in the Field with Adam Edwards

Lean Global Connection 2026

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream