Smoky Mountain Yoga & Wellness Festival
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Our Vision for 2026
Starting on June 19th, we will host fitness classes, workshops, wisdom and wellness talks, live music and entertainment, vendors, dozens of local artists, artisans and wellness related products, as well as a variety of delicious food and beverage options, a children’s activity area, all culminating with a dynamic Closing Ceremony on Saturday. This will be an indoor and outdoor event with classes and activities in the Folkmoot Auditorium, Community Center, in the Axis Studio and on The Green in the adjacent sports field. We are adding exciting offsite activities including forest bathing, hiking and a limited VIP Experience with lodging, delicious meals and private classes. The in-house artists here in the Friendship Center will open their studios and galleries to you with interactive, healing and learning experiences. Truly something for everyone!
A Smoky Mountain Festival For All
The 2nd Annual Smoky Mountain Yoga & Wellness Festival will be June 19th and 20th, 2026, in Waynesville, North Carolina, celebrating International Day of Yoga and Summer Solstice with a weekend of body and mind movement, workshops, fitness classes, sound healing sessions, breathwork, wellness education, entertainment, art and more.
Where: The festival is being held on the Folkmoot Friendship Center Campus, home of Folkmoot, the largest and longest-running dance festival in the world, and home to multiple artists and community organization studios, including Axis Yoga.
What is International Day of Yoga? In 2014, the Prime Minister of India introduced the idea of creating a day honoring the traditions of yoga and whole-body wellness in a speech to the United Nations. Soon after, India’s ambassador sponsored a resolution to declare June 21st, also Summer Solstice, the day of the year with the greatest amount of sunlight, International Day of Yoga.
With 177 supporting nations, the most of any resolution ever, it passed and on June 21st, 2015, the inaugural event took place in New Delhi with more than 36,000 people, including the Prime Minister, performing 21 asanas, or yoga poses, for 35 minutes. Since then, the holiday has been celebrated globally with special events and festivals, and now, Haywood County has joined the movement.
Join Us
For a memorable event of community, connection and fun!
2025 Sponsors
Axis Yoga - Presenting Sponsor
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Co-Sponsor & Location of Event
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Who Should Come?
Everyone! We are working to create a community event that will appeal to all ages and a wide range of interests. Love yoga? Great. So do we. But you will find so much more at the Smoky Mountain Yoga & Wellness Festival.
In addition to yoga offerings with highly gifted instructors, we will offer wellness workshops, somatic movement, meditation, sound healing sessions, qigong, nutrition, mental health classes, delicious and healthy dining options, live entertainment, art, fun and so much more. Everyone in the wellness community and beyond will feel welcome.
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Registration
(Coming Soon)
Event tickets will be available in 2026.
A very special VIP experience that will include lodging, welcome party, delicious and healthy meals, private classes and send off party in addition to all of the festival activities will be offered soon.
