Event Calendar October-November 2024

Looking to fill your social calendar this fall? We've got the rundown on what to do and explore.

OCTOBER

Highlands on the Half-Shell

October 6

The Biologic Station is a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University with a research and teaching laboratory, nature center and botanical gardens. Please help support this highly regarded Highlands institution at its on-site annual fundraiser at Valentine Meadow. At this event, Cajun fare, including jambalaya, gumbo, and steamed oysters, is laid out in  picnic-style for all to enjoy. Locals in the know grab these tickets quickly, so go to HighlandsBiologic.org  and mark your calendar. 888 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC.  828-526-2221

Justice Forum

October 10

Pisgah Legal Services’ 14th Annual Justice Forum will feature Social Justice Leader and Immigration Policy Expert Marielena Hincapié, a nationally respected leader and legal strategist in the social justice movement. Currently the Distinguished Immigration Scholar at Cornell University, she was the former executive director of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund. The forum will begin at 7 p.m. at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville and will be live-streamed to regional watch parties in Brevard, Cullowhee, Highlands and Spruce Pine. The Watch Party in Highlands will take place at Highlands Performing Arts Center. Advance registration is required at PisgahLegal.org For additional information email Leslie@pisgahlegal.org. 

The Burnt Boys

October 11 – 29

Mountain Theatre Company presents The Burnt Part Boys, adapted from Marianna Elder's book. This bluegrass-inspired story of self-reliance in Appalachia opened in New York in 2010 to high praise from audiences and critics alike. Brothers Pete and Jake return to the mine where their father lost his life in a tragic disaster years before. One brother wants to reclaim the past and the other hopes to find a better future. Set to mid-century bluegrass music by Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen, this show promises to entertain audiences of all ages. Highlands Performing Arts Center at 507 Chestnut Street Highlands, NC.  Tickets are available online at MountainTheatre.com or call the PAC box office at 828-526-9047.

13th Annual Fall Pottery Show

October 11 – 12

The Bascom once again hosts this special annual occasion. Enjoy beautiful handmade pottery while supporting local artists and enjoying the picturesque grounds of The Bascom. Free and open to the public, this event is popular with residents and visitors. From holiday decorations to one-of-a-kind artisan gifts can be found. The show is open each day from 10 am- 5 pm in the Drake Barn on the Bascom Campus. For more information, call 828-526-4949 or email fvickery@TheBascom.com. The Bascom – A Center for Visual Arts, 323 Franklin Road, Highlands.

Highlands Heritage Jamboree

October 12

Celebrate Highlands history with traditional music, dancing, barbeque and moonshine from 3:30 to 7:30 pm at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Bailey Mountain Cloggers from Mars Hill University will perform. An authentic still will be on display courtesy of the Highlands Historical Society. Top 10 Billboard artist and Carolina Music Awards Country Band of the Year Nu Blue is headlining in what promises to be an entertaining event set against peak leaf change. For more information, contact HighlandsChamber.org 411-499 Pine Street, Highlands

Landmark Chili Cook-Off

October 17

Landmark Realty hosts its 18th Annual Chili Cook-off for the Cashiers area community. Twelve amateur and four professional pit masters will battle it out for bragging rights all year for the best chili. The event is free, and the public is invited to taste and vote for the winners from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, contact hilary@landmarkrg.com. Lewis Hall Center at The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers.

NOVEMBER

Western Carolina University Homecoming

November 1-3

Students, faculty, alumni and non-alumni celebrate with a weekend of events. On Friday evening, a parade through downtown Sylva kicks off the weekend. On Saturday, tailgating begins at 11 am. Frank’s Famous Fish Fry, hosted by Class of ’78 alum Frank Wilson and the WCU football team, welcomes alumni and friends of WCU. At 2:30, the big game against Chattanooga begins. For details go to WCU.EDU/engage or call 828-227-7335.

Highlands Food and Wine Festival

November 7-10

The most talked about annual event on the plateau each year. Four full days of eating and drinking with some great musical acts too. Vineyards and distilleries from across the country provide non-stop sampling while some of the best restaurants in the region offer up their signature dishes for small plate tastes. This year's musical offerings include Greensky Bluegrass, Wilder Woods, Lee Fields, Abraham Alexander and Larry Keel & Jon Stickley. These are high-demand tickets and will sell out quickly. highlandsfoodandwine.com or Text HFW to (828) 202-8911 for ticket availability

November 28

Gobble on the Green

An annual tradition at the Village Green that begins at 9 am with The Turkey Trot, a 5k Run/Walk. Later in the day, the Junior Warrior Course for little ones in the playground. Register by November 10th to claim a T-shirt in your size. Check-in for the race is on the 27th from 3 - 6 pm and the 28th from 7:15 - 8:30 am.

VillageGreenCashiersNC.com

Christmas on the Green

November 29

The Friday after Thanksgiving is a big day for Cashiers as they light up the Village Green with a spectacular display of Christmas lights that will shine through January. Lewis Hall hosts Mistletoe Market from 9 am to 5 pm. Delight your friends and family with unique gifts from talented local and regional artisans. Santa will join in from 2 pm to 5 pm and visit with kids and note what they want for Christmas. Then, at 5:45 make your way to the Gazebo for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. For more information visit villagegreencashiersnc.com.

Light up the Park and Santa in Highlands

November 30

The Highlands Chamber of Commerce welcomes the Christmas season each year with a traditional celebration and tree lighting at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Enjoy candy canes and hot chocolate while listening to Christmas stories and carols. The park’s ice skating rink will be open from 1 to 10 pm for early participants, so bring your skates or rent a pair there. The tree-lighting festivities are from 6 to 8 pm when Santa arrives to help light up the park with millions of lights. All of Highlands joins in each season where holiday lights and decorations abound. Bundle up and stroll down Main Street, where the beauty and splendor of the upcoming winter in Highlands will delight your senses. For more information, go to HIghlandsChamber.org and HighlandsNC.org