Celebrating 250 Years of America in Tennessee's Oldest Town
Jonesborough Days Kick-off Dinner Sponsored by Food City
The beloved Jonesborough Days Kick-off Dinner is set to return on Wednesday, July 1st, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., featuring the crowd-favorite Low Country Shrimp Boil. The event will be held in the Courtyard of the International Storytelling Center, located next to Jimmy Neil Smith Park, and is proudly sponsored by Food City of Jonesborough.
Guests will enjoy a traditional Low Country Boil, including shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, and crawfish, followed by a selection of fruit cobblers for dessert. Attendees will also enjoy an interactive performance by the fan favorite, Jonesborough Novelty Band.
Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased in advance. Early ticket purchase is strongly recommended, as this event consistently sells out.
This event serves as a fundraiser for the 56th annual Jonesborough Days Festival, helping support one of the region’s most cherished Independence Day celebrations.
TICKETS ON SALE SOON!
Late-Night Swim and Glow Party
On Thursday, July 2nd, jam out with a live DJ, enjoy concessions, and giveaways! Enjoy hundreds glow sticks and light up Wetlands Waterpark from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.!
Keep Your Furry Friends Safe During Jonesborough Days!
Volunteer for Jonesborough’s Biggest Party!
Want to volunteer for Jonesborough’s biggest celebration of the year? We’d love to have you join our volunteer team for the weekend! Click the button below and fill out the simple form!
Jonesborough Days Parade
The Jonesborough Days Parade will kick off Jonesborough Days on Friday, July 3rd at 10 a.m. It is set to go through Boone and Main Streets in downtown Jonesborough. The Jonesborough Days Festival Committee is seeking floats and entries decked out in red, white and blue.
The cost for registration is $25 for regular entries and $50 commercial entries and $75 for political entries. More information can be found at Jonesborough Days on Facebook for up-to-date festival information.
Jonesborough Days Festivities & Market
The festival has been voted as one of the top events in the southeast and is known for its community patriotism and nostalgic atmosphere. Various entertainment ad activities take place throughout the historic district. Doc’s Front Porch at the Jackson Theatre will feature a variety of storytellers and musicians during the day. The BrightRidge Main Stage will feature entertainment each evening. There will be 60 local artists and craftsmen showcasing a variety of handmade wares. Of course, there will be a variety of great festival foods including everything from cheese steaks to funnel cakes.
Moon Pie Eating Contest
On Friday, July 3rd at 2 p.m., join us for the 8th Annual MoonPie Eating Contest in front of the Washington County Courthouse in Downtown Jonesborough. Come test your time on the snack known for being “as big as the moon”. There will be three categories including: 8 and under, 9 to 15 years and adult. Contestants will be challenged to see who can finish their MoonPies the fastest. Registration is free and begins at 1:30 p.m. in front of the courthouse, space is limited. The winners of each category will receive free MoonPies for a year.
Watermelon Social
On Saturday, July 4th at 2 p.m. Ingles Market will host a Watermelon Social in front of the Washington County Courthouse in Downtown Jonesborough. Free watermelon will be provided until it’s all gone.
Doc's Front Porch at the Jackson Theatre
This year, Doc’s Front Porch sponsored by Eastman Credit Union will be at The Jackson Theatre from 12:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. each day on July 3rd and 4th!
Patriot Park
Where: Jimmy Neil Smith Park
When: Friday, and Saturday 11 am – 6 pm
Come visit Patriot Park, located behind the International Storytelling Center in Jimmy Neil Smith Park. We will have children’s activities, that include carnival games, bouncy houses, inflatables and much more.
Heritage Park
Visit Heritage Park on the Christopher Taylor House lawn sponsored by the Heritage Alliance with activities for everyone during Jonesborough Days!
Discovery Park
Located on the lawn of Central Christian Church, more information coming soon!
Miss Jonesborough Days Pageant at International Storytelling Center
The Miss Jonesborough Days Pageant is coming back to historic Jonesborough, Tennessee! As a former Miss Pre-Teen Jonesborough Days 2007, Director – Jurnee Stout is proud to be bringing the pageant back to town to bring an elegant edition to the incredible festival weekend! The pageant will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the iconic International Storytelling Center at 100 W Main St in historic downtown Jonesborough, TN
- Open to ALL states & ALL ages
- Community service drive
- Uplifting, encouraging, and FUN pageant
- Beauty & 4th of July themed OOC
- Queens are invited to ride in 4th of July parade & attend Jonesborough Days festival the following weekend
Jonesborough Days Main Stage Sponsored by Bright Ridge
Entertainment Announcement Coming Soon!
Jonesborough Days Firework Finale
The festival then wraps up with the annual fireworks display on Saturday July 4th at 10 p.m. Fireworks will be shot from the Washington County Library.
Fireworks Exit Plan
The Jonesborough Police Department will implement multiple road closures Thursday, July 2nd through Saturday, July 4th for the Jonesborough Days festival, with special emphasis on pedestrian and motorist congestion after the fireworks display Saturday night. These closures will be implemented to ensure the safe movement of motorists and pedestrians in the area of viewing points held in celebration of Independence Day in Jonesborough.
The following road closures will be implemented.
July 2nd through July 4th
- Main Street will be closed starting Thursday July 2nd at 5:30 p.m. for Jonesborough Days set up.
- The Main Street closure will continue until Saturday after the fireworks celebration, approximately at 10:15 p.m.
- The closure on Main Street is from Fox Street to Second Avenue.
July 3rd from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Traffic patterns will be altered because of the Jonesborough Days Parade.
- Boone Street and a section of Main Street will be closed for the parade.
- Motorist traveling to Jonesborough via Boones Creek Road will be directed to either turn towards Johnson City or Greeneville at the Boones Creek Road/east Jackson Boulevard intersection.
- Motorists in the area of West Jackson Boulevard near Washington Drive should expect an altered traffic pattern for traffic traveling eastbound towards Johnson City.
- Police officers and Jonesborough Street Department employees will be at or near the intersections to assist with traffic flow.
July 4th from 8:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Traffic patterns will be altered before, during and after the fireworks.
- Immediately after the fireworks have ended a hold on vehicle traffic will take place on Boone Street until the pedestrian traffic has cleared the area.
- Motorist should expect approximately 1 hour of being held in a parking area for the safety of the pedestrians.
- Traffic patterns will be altered along East and West Jackson Boulevard with crossovers being unavailable and no U-Turns permitted.
- Traffic entering East and West Jackson Boulevard will be turned right at all intersections.
The Town of Jonesborough expects to have a high volume of attendees at the Jonesborough Days events. The Jonesborough Police Department would like to inform the public that they should expect traffic delays, heavy pedestrian foot traffic crossing roadways, limited public parking and altered traffic routes.
Jonesborough Public Safety asks that attendees to be patient and use the utmost caution for pedestrians and other motorists.