About Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama
Unto These Hills is the Smokies' long-running outdoor drama, performed at Mountainside Theatre, 688 Drama Road, in Cherokee, North Carolina. It tells the history of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, from first contact with Europeans through the Trail of Tears, and it is a summer-only production.
Season
The 2026 season ran May 30 to August 22, Monday through Saturday, with Sundays closed. That means the show is not running as you read this in October. The official site says 2027 tickets go on sale in mid-November, so plan for next summer and check the dates before you book. The show begins at 8 pm.
The show
The production runs about two hours with one intermission. It is an outdoor historical drama performed under the stars, and the story covers contact, conflict and removal before arriving at the Cherokee people who remained in the mountains. The 2026 season was the show's 76th.
Because it is outdoors, dress for the weather. Summer evenings in the mountains can be warm in the afternoon and cool after dark, so bring a layer.
Seating and prices
Seating is general admission or reserved. The seats are metal with backs, and you are welcome to bring a cushion. The 2026 prices, excluding fees, were:
- General Admission: adults $35, seniors $30, infants 5 and under free.
- Reserved Seating: adults $45, seniors $40, children $35, infants free.
- VIP: $60, including reserved seating, early theatre admission and a souvenir bag.
Group rates are available. Prices for 2027 were not yet posted, so use the official Unto These Hills page for current numbers.
Contact
The box office phone is 828-497-2111. The official site also links to the Cherokee Historical Association's other programs, so it is a good place to learn what else is open in town. The association's main site lists related cultural attractions.
Planning tips
Pair the drama with a day in Cherokee. The Museum of the Cherokee People and Oconaluftee Indian Village give useful background before you sit down for the evening show, and both are listed on this site. A day of exhibits followed by the drama makes a fuller picture of the story than the show alone.
Plan on arriving early for parking and seating, especially on weekends, and consider the VIP package if you want early admission. Dinner is not part of the ticket, so eat in Cherokee before the show.
Because the season is short, it is easy to miss. If you are planning a trip for late May through August, mark the dates early and check the official schedule before you commit to lodging.
