If you think there is nothing to do in the Highlands area, think again. Besides Mother Nature's playground there is fine shopping as well as many cultural events and various art galleries to stroll through.

For local music, dining, or dancing, you will find Highlanders

• at the Ugly Dog,
• the Hummingbird Lounge in Old Edwards, or
• the Oak Street Cafe.
• Dancing at the Bascom "Barn Dances" held the last Sat. of January, February, and March
• The new town square on Main Street will have local entertainment several nights a week during the season. Stop by after shopping to listen and share a glass of wine. It's new location is to the left of Kilwins Ice Cream Shop.

Highlands is alive with activity.!  Every season is to be enjoyed. 

Spring Highlights...Spring ushers in "Earthday" at the Village Green and a call for Spring Cleaning.  This is a great time to freshen up our roadsides and our mountain trails.  Join in the fun as friends gather to the Gorges, Panthertown Valley, and Friends of Lake Glenville.   Earth stewardship month reminds all of us that we are the keepers of the mountain and it needs our helping hands.  The dogwood blooms and the honeysuckle plants its perfume across the mountain.

The Tour de Cashiers is always a mountain highlight.  Last year was one of the largest number of entries.  With various lenghts and level of rides everyone is welcome. While biking comes to Cashiers....runners migrate to Highlands for the annual 5K Race. 

Mother Nature awakens the soil and you can almost feel it move.  Plants sales, the tilling of gardens.  There are craft shows, wine festivals, and the end of May brings anglers to the mountain for the annual fly fishing tournament.  Spring, fall, and winter are the best times to fly fish.  Jackson County's flying fishing map is a guideline for those wanting to fish. 

The Bascom welcomes the summer with the "Sprrits Wine Festival".  Fine wine, auctions, and international cuisine play a big part in the week.

Summer highlights...  June is the beginning of the Chamber Music Festival with venues in both Highlands and Cashiers.  The Highlands/Cashiers players are busy preparing for productions.  Car shows...the annual Make A Wish Foundation Charity event,  the Annual Rotary Arts and Crafts shows in Highlands and Cashiers,  June highlight is the Mountain Bear Festival for the Humanes Society.

Summer of course has the most activities.  With outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, biking, hiking, treking to the waterfalls, and birding, one would think that would be it.  The is just the beginning. 

The 4th of July is ushered in with the Cashiers Mountain Music Festival.  The area explodes with fun, laughter, and music as we all celebrate America's birthday. Colored lights light up the sky over Lake Glenville, Cashiers, and Highlands.  The mountain loves celebrating the fourth.

The Motoring Festival in Highlands is a highlight to all car buffs.  More crafts shows and bazaars.  The Bascom treats us to the Mountain in Bloom. Lectures, garden tours. The mountain shows off its colors of the rhododendrums.

There are garden parties and cocktail parties...campfires and campouts..tennis camps and golf tournaments.  It surely must be time to relax and just find a spot to enjoy those cool mountain breezes.

People are runing in the Bark for Life Relay and the Relay on the Mountain for the Cancer Society.  The Highlands Cashiers plateau is abuzz with activity.  The Designer Showhouse is just gearing up.  Antique shows, barbeques...on it goes.

Fall is in full swing with the "Leaf Peepers" and the fall festivals.  Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is always a favorite.  You can join the parkway from off Hwy 64 and Hwy 215.    Besides the beauty of the mountains one of the biggest events in the area is the Cashiers Leaf Festival.  Talented folks from various states plus one of our own residents "Steve Martin" playing with his bluegrass group.  What started as a few booths has not grown to over 120.  Be sure to explore the arts and crafts created by magic fingers.Highlands has another fall festival with the Bascom hold the Autum Gala and Auction. 

During winter you will find some of the best fly fishing in the mountain.  pp

The Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival has entertained the area for more than 30 years. The Bascom - the new $8Million cultural arts center is not to be missed. Look for the covered wooden bridge on Hwy 64W but enter to the right off Oak Street. Open all year, you will find the gift shop a delightful place to shop as well as the ability to participate in more than 60 workshops or events during the year. There is something for all ages. 

Highlands has always focused and been proud of the fact of the vast cultural arts activities found in the area.  Because the list is lengthy I have devoted a complete page to Highlands The Arts.  Be sure to check it out as there is something to enjoy for all seasons.

You might even have to sample Kilwins fresh lemon, orange, or limeades as well as their dark raspberry fudge. The last Saturday of the month during January, February, and March you will find folks at the Barn Dances held at the Bascom. Come enjoy the fun!