Calendar of Events Feb-March 2026

February

Ice Skating in the Park

Ongoing until March 8

Each Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, strap on your skates and take a whirl on the ice at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in Highlands. This annual event occurs from November through early March. Cost is $8 with or without skate rental.

Skiing and Snow Tubing at Sapphire Valley Resort

Ongoing until March 1

From December 13 through March 1, the slopes are open at Sapphire Valley Resort. Come out and ski, snowboard, or zip down a frozen slope in a tube. It’s an adventure the whole family will love. Ski Sapphire Valley is located at 127 Sapphire Valley Rd, Sapphire.

Blues Night at Ruffed Grouse Tavern at Highlander Mountain House

Ongoing on Thursdays

From 6 to 8 pm at Highlander Mountain House, come enjoy “Blues Night” with Scott Low. This is a recurring live music event held on Thursday evenings, offering a relaxed setting for guests to enjoy blues music, food, and drinks. Highlander Mountain House is located at 270 Main Street, Highlands.

Bluegrass at The Ugly Dog Public House

Ongoing on Wednesdays

Bundle up and head on over to “the Dog” each Wednesday at 6 pm for some live bluegrass music. It’ll get your toes tappin’ and warm you up! The Ugly Dog Public House is located at 294 South 4th Street, Highlands.

Paint (by Numbers) and Sip

Ongoing on Saturdays

Each Saturday from 12 to 3 pm, get in touch with your creative side in the lobby of Trailborn Highlands. The admission price of $50 includes two glasses of wine and all necessary materials to create the painting of your choice. Trailborn is located at 96 Log Cabin Lane, Highlands. Call 828-482-1578 for more information.

Studio Alive

Ongoing on Mondays

Gather at The Bascom each Monday for an informative session on life work (with live models) for artists of all ages and skill levels. The session is held from 10 am to 1 pm; please arrive by 9:30 am to set up your space. The Bascom is located at 323 Franklin Road, Highlands.

Whiteside Winter Beer Fest

February 6

It’s winter in Cashiers, but Whiteside Brewing Company will warm you up with craft brews, live music, and plenty of festive cheer at their 3rd annual Whiteside Winter Beer Fest. Six local/regional breweries will bring you their favorite brews, firepits will be lit to keep you toasty, and music will be provided by Hammock Theory. Festivities begin at 4 pm. Visit the Eventbrite website or app to purchase a pass. Whiteside Brewing Company is located at 128 NC-107, Cashiers.

The Great Sapphire Outhouse Race

February 7

Come on out to the wackiest event of the year! Drawing spectators from all around the Plateau and beyond, the annual Outhouse Race is held on the ski slopes of Sapphire Valley Resort. From 11 to 3 pm, enjoy live music and refreshments. The festivities kick off at 2:45 with the potty parade, followed by the races at 3 pm. Come cheer for your favorites as they sip down the mountainside in their very own homemade outhouse. It’s a spectacle you’ll never forget! The resort is located at 100 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire, NC 28774. A small fee will be charged for those who wish to observe on the snow.

Community Jam

February 8 and 22

Bring your guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, fiddle, or rhythm instrument and join the fun at an informal jam session at the public library in Cashiers! All skill levels welcome. Piano on site. Participants explore folk, country, acoustic rock, Americana, and traditional music. Community Jam is held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, from 2 til 4 pm.

Wings for Thomas: A Pollinator Haven in Cashiers

February 24

Join the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce from 9:30 am to 12 pm to create a Certified Pollinator Waystation, dedicated in memory of Thomas Taulbee, on the hillside west of the Chamber building. This project will transform unused space into a thriving habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while engaging the whole community in hands-on learning and fun. The Chamber of Commerce is located at 202 US-64, Cashiers.

MARCH

A Taste of Ireland

March 4

Direct from Off-Broadway and London’s West End, the internationally acclaimed A Taste of Ireland Company arrives at the Highlands Performing Arts Center with its flagship production A Taste of Ireland, The Irish & Music Dance Sensation, touring the USA in 2026. Laugh, cry, and jig into the night with a production that is Celtic, for this generation. A Taste of Ireland brings the spirit and energy of modern Ireland to life with a pint of Irish wit. Held on the Main Stage at Highlands PAC at 7:30 pm. Purchase tickets through the PAC box office or online at www.highlandsperformingarts.com.

Ice Skating in the Park

Ongoing until March 8

Each Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, strap on your skates and take a whirl on the ice at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in Highlands. This annual event occurs from November through early March. Cost is $8 with or without skate rental.

Blues Night at Ruffed Grouse Tavern at Highlander Mountain House

Ongoing on Thursdays

From 6 to 8 pm at Highlander Mountain House, come enjoy “Blues Night” with Scott Low. This is a recurring live music event held on Thursday evenings, offering a relaxed setting for guests to enjoy blues music, food, and drinks. Highlander Mountain House is located at 270 Main Street, Highlands.

Bluegrass at The Ugly Dog Public House

Ongoing on Wednesdays

Bundle up and head on over to “the Dog” each Wednesday at 6 pm for some live bluegrass music. It’ll get your toes tappin’ and warm you up! The Ugly Dog Public House is located at 294 South 4th Street, Highlands.

Paint (by Numbers) and Sip

Ongoing on Saturdays

Each Saturday from 12 to 3 pm, get in touch with your creative side in the lobby of Trailborn Highlands. The admission price of $50 includes two glasses of wine and all necessary materials to create the painting of your choice. Trailborn is located at 96 Log Cabin Lane, Highlands. Call 828-482-1578 for more information.

Community Jam

March 8 and 22

Bring your guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, fiddle, or rhythm instrument and join the fun at an informal jam session at the public library in Cashiers! All skill levels welcome. Piano on site. Participants explore folk, country, acoustic rock, Americana, and traditional music. Community Jam is held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, from 2 til 4 pm.

Lunch and Learn – Google Business Profile

March 18

Discover how to make your business shine online with Google Business Profile. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to create, claim, and optimize your profile so local customers can easily find and trust your business. This free session is ideal for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to stand out in local searches and attract more customers. Held from 11:30 am to 1 pm at the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, 869 N 4th Street, Highlands.