Battle Anniversary Information

The 243rd Battle Anniversary

NPS

The battle of Kings Mountain was fought on October 7, 1780, between patriot and loyalist militias and ended in a decisive patriot victory with helped to turn the tide of the war in the Southern Theater. Efforts to commemorate the battle began early. The first commemorative event on the battlefield was held on July 4, 1815. Subsequent commemorations were held in 1855, 1880, 1909, and 1930. Following the establishment of Kings Mountain National Military Park in 1931, commemorations of the battle’s anniversary have been held regularly on an annual basis.

 

150th Anniversary Souvenir Program featuring President Herbert Hoover

NPS

Today, the anniversary of the battle is observed every October 7^th, with a wreath laying ceremony attended by descendants of those who fought in the battle, partner groups, local officials, and members of the public. On the weekend closest to October 7^th, the park offers additional programing and activities as part of the commemoration. The latest information about this year’s anniversary is available below. This page will be updated ahead of the battle anniversary each year starting in July.

 

245^th Battle Anniversary Event Schedule

Anniversary Weekend Saturday & Sunday October 4 &5, 2025

Saturday Event Schedule
Lantern Tours 7:00PM-8:00PM
Registration Required for Lantern Tours, limited to 30 participants per tour. Call 864-936-7921 ext.2 to register.

9:00 am Park Opens
10:00 am Kid’s Area: Quill Pen Writing
10:30 am Book Reading with Kate Hatton, Blue’s March
11:00 am-12:30 pm Book Signing
Kate Hatton, Blue’s March
Jim Piecuch, South Carolina Provincials, Three Peoples One King, The Battle of Camden A Documentary History
11:30 am Guided Battlefield Tour
11:30 am Kids Area: Make a Drum
12:00 pm Children’s Militia Drill Activity
12:30 pm Weapons Demonstration
1:00 pm Guest Speaker Jim Piecuch, The Battle of Kings Mountain: New Insights from New Documents
1:30 pm Guided Battlefield Tour
2:00 pm Weapons Demonstration
2:30 pm Book Reading with Kate Hatton, Blue’s March
3:00 pm Children’s Militia Drill Activity3:30 pm Kids Area: Cartridge Making
4:00 pm Weapons Demonstration
4:30 pm Southern CampaignTalk
5:00 pm Park Closes
7:00-8:00 pm Lantern Tours

Sunday Event Schedule
9:00 am Park Opens
10:00 am Rob Ryals, The Wartime Experience of Rev. William Martin
10:30 am Southern Campaign Talk
11:00 am Guided Battlefield Tour
11:30 am Kid’s Area: Quill Pen Writing
12: 00 pm Children’s Militia Drill Activity
12:30 pm Weapons Demonstration
1:00 pm Guided Battlefield Tour
1:30 pm Kid’s Area: Sachet Making
2:00 pm Southern Campaign Talk
2:30 pm Weapons Demonstration
3:00 pm History Row closes
3:00 pm Kid’s Area: Cartridge Making
3: 30 pm Weapons Demonstration
4:00 pm Children’s Militia Drill Activity
5:00 pm Park Closes

Battle Anniversary Commemoration October 7, 2025

Tuesday Event Schedule
Park will have special hours of operation for the battle anniversary
9:00am Park Opens
10:00 am-2:30 pm Guided hike along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail with Carolina Thread Trail and Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail staff. Registration is required ahead of time, please follow the link below for more information and to register.
Public hike: Celebratory anniversary hike at Kings Mountain National Military Park
10:00 am Visitor Center Opens
11:00 am Wreath Laying Ceremony
3:00 pm Overmountain Victory Trail Association Annual Commemorative March and Progam
4:30 pm Visitor Center Closes
5:00 pm Park Closes