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.

 

246^th Battle Anniversary Event Schedule

Anniversary Weekend Saturday & Sunday October 3 &4, 2026

Saturday Event Schedule
Schedule of Events:
9:00AM Park Opens
9:30am History Row and Living History Encampment Open
Liberty Mountain Performance
10:30am Southern Campaign Talk, A Conversation with Isaac Shelby
Children’s Book Reading: Blue’s March: An Overmountain Men Tale, With Katie Hatton
11:00am Ferguson Rifle Demonstration
11:30 am Guided Battlefield Tour
Liberty Mountain Performance
12:30pm Weapons Demonstration
1:00 pm Guest Speaker, Steven Smith- SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology,“Archaeological Investigations of Partisan Warfare in South Carolina, 1780-1783”
1:30 pm Guided Battlefield Tour
Children’s Book Reading: Blue’s March: An Overmountain Men Tale, With Katie Hatton
2:00-3:00PM Book Signing, Steven Smith- SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology
2:00 pm Weapons Demonstration
3:00pm Ferguson Rifle Demonstration
4:00 pm Weapons Demonstration
4:30 pm Southern Campaign Talk
5:00 pm Park Closes

Lantern Tours 7:00PM-8:00PM
Registration is Required for lantern tours; Registration is not currently open. Registration will open Wednesday September 30th at 10:00 am. A link will be posted here and on the park calendar and on the park Facebook page.

Sunday Event Schedule
9:00 am Park Opens
10:00am Liberty Mountain Performance
Southern Campaign Talk
10:30am Weapon Demonstration
Outlander at Kings Mountain Program
11:00 am Rob Ryals, The Wartime Experience of Rev. William Martin
Guided Battlefield Tour
Children’s Book Reading: Blue’s March: An Overmountain Men Tale, With Katie Hatton
11:30 am Liberty Mountain Performance
Weapons Demonstration
1:00 pm Guided Battlefield Tour
Outlander at Kings Mountain Program
1:30pm Weapon Demonstration
2:00 pm Southern Campaign Talk
Children’s Book Reading: Blue’s March: An Overmountain Men Tale, With Katie Hatton
2:30 pm Weapons Demonstration
3:00 pm History Row closes
3: 30 pm Weapons Demonstration
4:00pm Living History Encampment Closes
5:00 pm Park Closes

Battle Anniversary Commemoration October 7, 2025

Wednesday Event Schedule
9:00am Park Opens
Guided hike with the Carolina Thread Trail
11:00 am Wreath Laying Ceremony
12:00pm Southern Campaign Talk
2:00pm Southern Campaign Talk
3:00 pm Overmountain Victory Trail Association Annual Commemorative March and Program
5:00 pm Park Closes