Event Calendar October-November 2023
05 Oct 2023
Looking to fill your social calendar? We’ve got the rundown on what to do and explore.
ON-GOING
Friday Night Live
Fridays, October 6 & 13
Presented by Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands, NC, these concerts are not to be missed. Bring your favorite lawn chair and a picnic basket and enjoy traditional mountain music. October 6-Silly Ridge; October 13-The Foxfire Boys. 6 to 8:30 p.m. Highlands Town Square on Main Street in downtown Highlands. Free.
Saturdays on Pine Concert Series
Saturdays, October 7 & 14
Presented by Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands, NC, these concerts are sure to please. Bring a lawn chair and picnic basket full of good food and drinks and join the fun. October 7-Outlaw Whiskey; October 14-Jay Drummonds. 6 to 8 p.m. Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411 Pine Street, Highlands. Free.
Locally Grown on the Green
Every Wednesday through October
Choose the food less traveled at The Green Market, Cashiers’ farm stand market for local growers. Fill your basket with naturally raised meat and dairy items, fresh eggs, jams, pickles, freshly baked bread, delicious granola, fresh cut flowers and more. Wednesdays, 2 to 5 p.m. The Village Green Commons, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers. Free.
Highlands Farmer’s Market
Every Saturday through October
Come enjoy a morning at the market. Select from a wide array of fresh produce, seafood, baked goods, plants and other locally sourced products. 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411 Pine Street, Highlands. Free.
OCTOBER
The Rocky Horror Show
Various dates from October 6 to October 28
Let’s do the time warp again! The Rocky Horror Show is a deliberately kitschy rock ‘n’ roll tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the late 1940s through early 1970s. This cult classical musical tells the story of a newly engaged couple caught in a storm who find themselves in the home of a mad scientist and his creation, a muscle man named Rocky Horror. Presented by Mountain Theatre Company. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit highlandsperformingarts.com. Highlands Performing Arts Center, 507 Chestnut Street, Highlands. Show times vary. Tickets range from $58 to $70.
Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival
October 6-8
The Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival celebrates the leaves as they change in the beautiful mountain village of Cashiers. This popular, family-friendly event features 75 artisan venders with unique, handcrafted wood, metal, jewelry, pottery, soaps, and much more on display and for purchase throughout the weekend. Food, drink, live music and a juried art show add to the festive spirit of this event. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Village Green Commons, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers. Free.
Youth Pottery at The Bascom:
Clay Pumpkins in October
Christmas Ornaments and Clay Gingerbread Houses in November
October 4, 11 & 18
November 1, 8 & 15
Join the fun with the Bascom’s Youth Pottery Program! The October installment provides the opportunity to create clay pumpkins using the pinch-pot method and then to decorate the creations using cut-outs and faces. The November installment provides Christmas ornaments and clay gingerbread houses for decoration. Each workshop meets for a total of 3 sessions. The tuition is $120/person and includes all three sessions. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. For scholarship information, contact Frank Vickery at fvickery@thebascom.org or 828-787-2892. 3:30 to 5 p.m. The Bascom, 323 Franklin Road, Highlands.
Quilt Show presented by The Cashiers Quilters
October 7
Come see the amazing artistry of The Cashiers Quilters at their annual Quilt show. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cashiersquilters.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers.
12th Annual Studio Barn Pottery Show
October 13-14
The fall installment of The Bascom’s 12th Annual Studio Barn Pottery Show will be held in the historic Dave Drake Studio. Enjoy beautiful handmade pottery including both functional wares and sculpture. All work is made by studio members and made in the Dave Drake Studio. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Bascom, 323 Franklin Road, Highlands. Free.
Highlands Heritage Jamboree
October 14
Come honor and celebrate the rich and storied history of Highlands with traditional music, dancing, art, food and more. Performances include bluegrass by some of the genre’s most acclaimed musicians, clogging by the award-winning Bailey Mountain Cloggers and a performance by the beloved Highlands Bagpipers. Presented by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands, NC. 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411 Pine Street, Highlands. Free.
Fall Colors Fine Art Show
October 21-22
Presented by the Art League of Highlands-Cashiers, this show offers jewelry, photography, painting, sculpture, woodwork and more with original art from more than 30 local and regional artists. This is a family-friendly show not to be missed! Show runs from 10 a.m. to. 5 p.m. both days. Highlands Recreation & Civic Center, 600 N. 4th Street, Highlands. Free.
Cashiers Valley Road Rally
October 21
Come enjoy the 2nd Annual Cashiers Valley Road Rally, a fundraiser to support education on the plateau. A road rally is part game and part leisurely, scenic drive. Each team must have a driver and a navigator. The starting line will be at the Cashiers United Methodist Church where teams will receive box lunches from Crossroads Custards. Cars will be provided driving instructions. Road Rally ends with a party at Whiteside Brewing Company. Presented by the Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley. Festivities begin at noon. $90/car for the driver and one passenger; additional passengers may ride for $35 each. For more details and to register, go to cashiersrotary.org.
Goblins on The Green
October 28
A frightfully fun, family-friendly Halloween event! Enjoy delicious culinary delights from the food vendors, plus lots of fun, games, tricks and treats! Be sure to dress up in your most creative costume. Prizes will be awarded for best costume – Child (2-5); Kid (6-12); Teen (13-18); and Adult. 5:00 p.m. The Village Green Commons, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers. Free.
All Hallows Eve – Halloween in Highlands
October 31
Enjoy a safe, fun-filled evening for ghosts and goblins of all ages. Main Street welcomes those decked out in their spookiest, silliest or most sophisticated costumes to collect candy distributed by local businesses and organizations. Live music, dancing, free hot dogs and drinks, and pumpkin painting. All ages and pets (on a leash, please). Show up in costume. Live music includes Foxfire Boys in front of Reeves Hardware; High Five in front of Berkshire Hathaway; and DJ Mike Murphy next to Kilwins. Presented by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands, NC. Trick or Treating on Main Street, 6 to 8 p.m. Main Street open for pedestrian traffic only between 2nd and 5th Streets, Highlands. Free.
NOVEMBER
Highlands Food & Wine
November 9-12
Come enjoy an Elevation Celebration with four days of culinary delights paired with delectable wines, spirits, craft beers, and exciting alcohol-free beverages, all to the tune of world-renowned musical performers, including Grace Potter, Chuck Leavell, The War & Treaty, End of the Line, Southern Avenue, Katie Pruitt, Matt Koziol and the Harlem Gospel Travelers. The Highlands Food & Wine festival has become a "don't miss" event for those 21 and older. For more information or to buy tickets, visit highlandsfoodandwine.com. Various times and locations in and around Highlands. Ticket prices vary.
Garrison Keillor at the PAC
November 10
Making his Highlands debut, Garrison Keillor, author, humorist and creator of A Prairie Home Companion, will delight audiences in a one-night show. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (828) 526-9060 or visit h-cmusicfestival.org. Courtesy of the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival. Show to be held at the Highlands Performing Arts Center, 507 Chestnut Street, Highlands. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $80.
Cashiers Festival of Trees
November 24-25
The 2023 Cashiers Festival of Trees is a two-day, family-friendly event during Thanksgiving weekend where guests can get in the holiday spirit by viewing and bidding on decorated Christmas trees and holiday décor, enjoy a variety of holiday performances, create personalized children’s crafts, celebrate literacy on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Storytime Stage, enjoy a Build-a-Bear Experience, shop one-of-a-kind gifts in the Gift Zone, and even view rivalry weekend football. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Summit Center, 370 Mitten Lane, Cashiers. $5 for adults, free for children.
Santa on the Green, Cashiers Christmas Tree Lighting & the Mistletoe Market
November 24
Visitors to The Village Green will enjoy twinkling light displays and festive decorations from Thanksgiving Day until New Years Eve. The park becomes a winter wonderland to make your spirits merry and bright. Santa on the Green, November 24, 2 to 5 p.m. at Lewis Hall. Children of all ages invited to share their Christmas wishes with Santa. Reservations Required @ villagegreencashiersnc.com/events/santa-on-green. ($5 suggested donation); Christmas Tree Lighting, November 24, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Gazebo; Mistletoe Market featuring pottery, jewelry, handmade wreaths, homemade goodies and more, November 24, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Lewis Hall. The Village Green Commons, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers. Free.
Light up the Park
November 25
For children of all ages. Come join in the excitement as people gather to celebrate Christmas traditions. From candy and hot chocolate, reading of the Christmas Story, carol singing and Santa, no one will be disappointed as they await the Light the Park main event with millions of twinkling lights. Presented by Highlands Chamber of Commerce. 6 to 8 p.m. Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411 Pine Street, Highlands. Free.
