Calendar of Events August 2025

AUGUST

Friday Night Live Concert Series

August 1

This concert series showcases traditional mountain music and local talent. Tonight, enjoy the acoustic stylings of Ezra and Katie, a husband-and-wife duo that has been playing acoustic music for over 10 years. 6-8:30 p.m. Town Square, 343 Main Street in downtown Highlands.

Saturdays on Pine Concert Series

August 2

Incorporating rock, blues, Americana, bluegrass, country and jazz, as well as other musical styles, High 5 performs from 6-8:30 p.m. in the community park in downtown Highlands. The series is free to the public. Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411-499 Pine St., Highlands.

What Bat is That?

August 5

Stretch your wings and tune in to the sounds of the many special bats of the Highlands area! Join Highlands Biological Foundation naturalists on a walk through the Botanical Garden to watch bats in flight. The program starts at sunset. All ages welcome. Free (Registration required). Highlands Biological Foundation, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC.

The Burnt Part Boys

August 6-August 30

Mountain Theatre Company presents “The Burnt Part Boys” at the Performing Arts Center in Highlands. In this bluegrass-inspired musical, siblings from a mining town learn the power of self-reliance in the Appalachians. Tickets are available at MountainTheatre.com. Highlands Performing Arts Center, 507 Chestnut Street Highlands.

47th Cashiers Benefit Antique Show

August 8-August 10

Come Celebrate the Mountains at the 47th Annual Cashiers Antique Show. Shop a fabulous array of everything antique, including silver, fine porcelain, and incredible pottery and furniture (featuring 17th, 18th, and 19th-century American and European pieces, as well as formal and country, Adirondack, and Mid-Century styles). For tickets and information, call 828-226-5325 or visit cashiersannualantiqueshow.com. The Village Green Commons, 160 Frank Allen Rd., Cashiers.

Cellobration, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival

August 10

Join the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival for its final concert, “Cellobration,” featuring eight cellists led by Grammy winner Zuill Bailey with soprano Bethany Mamola. Optional dinner to follow at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. For more information, go to h-cmusicfestival.org. The concert begins at 5 p.m. Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, 507 Chestnut St., Highlands.

Barn Dance at the Bascom

August 14

Get ready to kick up your heels and dance to toe-tapping rhythms at the Bascom’s Community Barn Dance. An old-time country dance caller leads this authentic country dance experience. Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of experience. For more information, visit thebascom.org or call 828-526-4949. The Bascom: A Center for Visual Arts, 323 Franklin Road, Highlands.

Cashiers Designer Showhouse

August 22-30

Each year, top designers from the Cashiers-Highlands plateau and across the Southeast bring a stunning home to life with inspired design and fresh ideas. Every ticket purchased directly supports the Cashiers Historical Society and its work to preserve the history and culture of the Cashiers Valley. This year’s house is in the Saratay Falls subdivision and was developed by Loudermilk Custom Homes. Shuttles will run from The Village Green to the Showhouse. Showhouse hours are Monday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit cashiershistory.org.

Mountain Top Arts & Crafts Festival

August 23-24

This two-day event in Founders Park brings over 80 artisans from the region to Highlands for demonstrations, fine art, crafts, and entertainment. Organized by Mountaintop Rotary Club of Highlands. For more information, visit highlandsartshow.com. Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411-499 Pine St., Highlands.

SEPTEMBER

Dazzling Dahlia Festival

September 4-6

This year, celebrate the art of the dahlia at The Bascom. This dazzling weekend blends fine art and floral beauty with gallery-inspired arrangements, blooming ceramics, and the beloved Single Bloom Competition. For more information, visit thebascom.org. The Bascom, 323 Franklin Rd., Highlands.

Terry Barber presents Mercury: Stories & Songs of Queen's Legendary Singer

September 13

With his extraordinary vocal range, countertenor Terry Barber celebrates Queen’s Freddie Mercury, blending hit songs with stories from Mercury’s life. Barber’s concept recording of this material is up for eight Grammy nominations. For tickets, visit boxoffice@highlandsperformingarts.com. Highlands Performing Arts Center, 507 Chestnut St., Highlands.

Highlands-Cashiers Film Festival

September 18-21

This four-day event promotes film, filmmakers, actors, directors, producers and writers and will feature screenings of film festival finalists, an industry professional panel, a Director and Film Critic worksho, and an awards ceremony celebrating the festival winners. All proceeds from the Highlands-Cashiers Film Festival will be used to support the performing arts in Highlands. For more information, highlandscashiersfilmfestival.com. Highlands Performing Arts Center, 507 Chestnut St., Highlands.

Saturdays on Pine Concert Series

September 20

Brandon Crocker Trio 

Brandon Crocker’s diverse repertoire spans artists such as James Taylor, John Mayer, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks, Eric Clapton and Otis Redding, covering genres ranging from Blues and Motown to Pop, Country, and folk hits from the 1960s through the 1990s. With a constantly expanding setlist, Brandon brings something for every audience. 6-8:30 p.m. Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411-499 Pine Street, Highlands.

Highlands Heritage Jamboree

September 27

The Jamboree celebrates and honors the town’s rich and storied history with traditional music, dancing, and more! Longtime residents, newcomers, and visitors will come together to enjoy traditional bluegrass by some of the genre’s most acclaimed musicians, clogging by the award-winning Bailey Mountain Cloggers, and a bagpipe performance by the beloved Highlands Bagpipers. In between performances, head over to the food and beverage tents for a taste of BBQ and moonshine. It’s an afternoon celebration you won’t want to miss!

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411-499 Pine St., Highlands.

Brubeck Brother’s Quartet

September 27

Brothers Chris and Dan Brubeck, sons of jazz legend Dave Brubeck, have been making music together since 1966. As the core of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, joined by guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb, they bring their dynamic jazz sound to concert series, colleges and major festivals across North America and Europe, including Newport, Detroit, and Monterey Jazz Festivals. Highlands Performing Arts Center, 507 Chestnut Street Highlands.