Laurel Magazine

Nature Center Nights | Glowing Wonders at Highlands Nature Center
2025-06-24 20:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Experience bugs + insects in a whole new light – moonlight! Learn about the unique and beautiful world of nocturnal insects and then search for fireflies, moths, and more in the Botanical Garden.
All ages welcome
FREE | Registration required
(Weather dependent)

Family Storytime at Hudson Library
2025-06-25 10:30, 2025-07-03 10:30 | Hudson Library, 554 Main St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join us for stories, music, and movement at Family Storytime, every Thursday morning at 10:40AM.

Tinker Time for Tots at The Literacy and Learning Center
2025-06-25 11:00 - 12:00 | The Literacy & Learning Center, 675 S 4th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
The Literacy & Learning Center is excited to bring back another season of engaging workshops tailored for preschoolers and their parents. The aim is to empower parents by demonstrating inventive ways to utilize everyday household items for their children’s educational benefit.
These sessions will showcase practical activities that parents can seamlessly incorporate into their daily routines, fostering a rich learning environment at home.

Village Nature Series at The Village Green
2025-06-25 17:30 | The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
A Tale of Three Watersheds
Learn what a watershed is and about the three watersheds that drain the Cashiers area and Highlands plateau. Where do the rivers go when they leave the plateau? Do they all contain the same species of fish and other aquatic life? This talk is meant to provide a basic understanding of streams and rivers in the Cashiers area, as well as threats to their quality and what we can do to protect them.

Cashiers Quilters at St Jude's Catholic Church
2025-06-26 11:30, 2025-07-03 11:30 | NC
Come join us for lunch each Thursday at 11:30 at a local restaurant and then quilting at the church.
Held at St Jude’s Catholic Church in Cashiers.

Summer Writing Workshop at Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library
2025-06-26 13:00, 2025-07-03 13:00 | Albert-Carlton Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC, 28741, United States
Beginning on June 5 at 1:00 p.m. and continuing every Thursday until August 28, ACCCL staff member Michael Redman will lead a writing workshop that is free and open to everyone, regardless of previous writing experience.
The workshop will be a place to be introduced to techniques, perspectives, and exercises to help you develop your writing. It will also provide a safe,welcoming environment for you to share your own thoughts, ideas, and questions.

Dementia Caregivers Support Group at Albert-Carlton Community Library
2025-06-26 15:00 - 16:30 | Albert-Carlton Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC, 28741, United States
Join a welcoming group of people that understand what you are going through. We come together to offer each other support, resources, and a listening ear.
The group is a safe place for judgement free discussion.
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.

Zahner Lecture Series | Bats in Your Backyard at Highlands Nature Center
2025-06-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Featured Speaker: Rada Petric, Assistant Research Professor and Director of the UNC IE Highlands Field Site, UNC Institute for the Environment.
Urbanization, landscape modification and concomitant pollutants (sound, light, and chemical compounds) alter the natural landscape which in turn influences animal behavior, biology, and survival. Sound, light and microplastics are emerging contaminants of interest. Due to the increased detection of these emerging contaminants, most habitats have become threatened. Despite the documented record of their occurrence in literature, there remains a great deal of mystery surrounding their occurrence’s ecological consequence. Her primary research interest is understanding how anthropogenic disturbances are altering community composition and reshaping ecosystems. Here, we discuss several studies focused on understanding how bats and small mammals respond to human disturbances.
FREE | No registration required
Sponsored by Mary Todd & Jimmy Davis, Nancy & Lyle Nichols, and Miriam & Vernon Skiles.

Carolina Concert Series at Trailborn Highlands
2025-06-26 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-03 18:00 - 21:00 | Trailborn Highlands, 96 Log Cabin Ln, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join us in the Trailborn Highlands backyard for live music and drinks during our Carolina Concert Series!

Author Talk: Diane Heiler at Hudson Library
2025-06-27 11:00 | Hudson Library, 554 Main St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Local author Diane Pike Heiler will introduce her newly-released memoir, A Widow’s Fire: An Intimate Memoir of Heartbreak, Survival, and Moving Forward, on Friday June 27 at 11:00 AM. Books will be available for purchase and signing at this free program.
After losing her beloved husband following a decade-long battle with cancer—and navigating the weight of anticipatory grief—Diane never set out to write a book. She began journaling to heal, but as she connected with others who had experienced deep loss, she realized her story could offer comfort and inspiration. Through raw honesty and unexpected revelations, Diane’s memoir invites readers on a powerful journey of grief, resilience, and the surprising ‘fire’ that helped reignite her will to move forward.
According to prostate cancer survivor/author, Don Kaltenbach, “The death of a loved one, and in particular a spouse, will affect a great percentage of us during our lifetimes. This book is about the dedicated perseverance of a caregiver taken to the end of the ride, and then dropped off to deal with the unexpected depth and unforeseen emotions thereafter. Diane provides insight and perspective beyond the black veil. You will laugh, cry, be moved, educated and informed. A must read for women and men.”
For more information or to request an accommodation, please call the library at 828-526-3031. Hudson Library, 554 Main Street in Highlands, is open 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Tuesday through Friday and 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on SaturdCommun

Saturday Market at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park
2025-06-28 08:00 - 12:30 | Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411 Pine St., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Highlands is serving up the bounties of its local farmers, artisans, and kitchen masters at Highlands Farmers’ Marketplace from 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Saturdays at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.

The Mountaintop Art and Craft Show at Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park
2025-06-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-29 09:00 - 17:00 | Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411 Pine St., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
The Mountaintop Art and Craft Show is a premier outdoor event held annually in the beautiful mountain town of Highlands, NC. Known for its high-quality, original, and traditional artwork, the event draws hundreds of visitors and loyal customers year after year.
This two-day event is an excellent opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their work in a scenic, vibrant setting.

StoryTime at Highlands Nature Center
2025-07-01 10:30 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Join local storyteller Ms. KK at the Nature Center this summer as she reads fun books & sings silly songs all about the great outdoors.
This program is geared towards elementary-aged children, but all nature explorers are welcome!

Nature Center Nights | Amazing Moths at Highlands Nature Center
2025-07-01 20:30 - 21:30 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
To celebrate International Moth Week we’ll put up some moth lights to meet and learn more about the amazing moths who live here.
All ages welcome
FREE | Registration required
(Weather dependent)

Garden Tours with Highlands Nature Center
2025-07-02 12:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Join in for a free guided tour of the Highlands Botanical Gardens!
Led by our Horticultural Specialist, a naturalist, or a guest expert, these weekly tours explore the fascinating native plants, ecosystems, and seasonal wonders of the Southern Appalachians. No two tours are ever the same!
Meet at the Highlands Biological Station Amphitheater. Come take a walk with us and see what’s blooming!

Garden Tour at Highlands Nature Center
2025-07-02 12:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741

Camp Historical Society | Capture the Flag at Cashiers Historical Society
2025-07-02 17:00 - 19:00 | Cashiers Historical Society, 1940 NC-107, Cashiers, NC, 28741, United States
Camp Historical Society: Capture the Flag (and a love of History) at CHS from 5-7pm

Kids Zone at Hudson Library
2025-07-03 15:30 | Hudson Library, 554 Main St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Kids Zone features a variety of fun and interesting programs where kids can explore art, nature, science & more! Best for ages 5 and up.

"Red, White & Bubbles Tasting" at Highlands Wine Shoppe
2025-07-03 16:30 - 18:00 | Highlands Wine Shoppe, 269 Oak St, Highlands, 28741, United States
Kick off your holiday weekend with a sparkling good time! Join Highlands Wine Shoppe for this fun, festive walk-around tasting featuring 4 sommelier-selected wines that are perfect for summer sipping — including a splash of something bubbly to get you in the celebratory spirit! We’ll also be serving up a delicious selection of charcuterie to pair perfectly with the wines, so come sip, savor, and socialize with us as we toast to summer and the 4th of July!

Fireworks Extravaganza at The Village Green
2025-07-03 18:30 | The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
Come one, come all! This Independence Day, join us at The Village Green for an evening of live music, family fun, and of course, fireworks! The annual Fireworks Extravaganza will take place beginning at 6:30PM at The Village Green Commons. The evening will begin with incredible live entertainment followed by an extraordinary fireworks show at dark featuring thousands of colorful bursts!
Admission to this event is free, however, donations will be collected to support The Village Green and to continue this treasured event for years to come! The Village Green, a 501c3 non-profit public park, relies solely on private contributions to bring free and family-friendly events to all residents and visitors of the greater Cashiers area.
Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics and coolers, and food and beverage vendors will be on site for the event. Due to the nature and size of this event, dogs will not be allowed to attend and personal tents are not permitted.
The Village Green looks forward to celebrating Independence Day with our amazing community!!

Take Me Out to the Ballfield at Highlands Town Ballfield
2025-07-04 09:00 | Highlands Ballfield, 869 N 4th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
9–11am  Water Rockets  Town Ball Field
11am  Free Hotdog Lunch  Town Ball Field
11am–12pm  Field Games  Town Ball Field
12pm  Visit MAMA  (Mtn. Area Medical Airlift)  Town Ball Field
1pm  Ladder Truck Spray-down  Town Ball Field. Boy Scouts water rocket launch, traditional field games, fire trucks, free hotdogs at Rotary Cookout and more.
All activities are free and take place at the ballfield next to the community building. Games organized by Highlands Recreation Department. Hot dog lunches organized by Highlands Rotary Club.
For more information, please call the Highlands Parks & Recreation Department. at 828-526-3556.

Yankee Doodle Dandy Day at Sapphire Valley Resort
2025-07-04 11:00 - 16:00 | Sapphire Valley Resort, 127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire, NC, 28774, United States
An ALL-DAY Celebration for AMERICA’S 248th BIRTHDAY!!
Activities take place at The Recreation Center, Athletic Field, Community Center, Racquet Club, Boat Dock & Red Bird Golf.
Ducky Derby, Live Music, Games & Contests, Snow Cones & Popcorn, Pitch ‘n Putt Contest, Tennis Tournament, Food & Cold Drinks, Kids Fun Zone!
NO entry fee!!

4th Annual Fourth of July Celebration at Highlands Wine Shoppe
2025-07-04 15:00 - 22:00 | Highlands Wine Shoppe, 269 Oak St, Highlands, 28741, United States
Not only is the wine shop the PERFECT spot to watch Fireworks (@ 9:30pm), we’ll also have special, Sommelier-curated wine machine selections, Grab + Go Bottles + Summer tunes from our favorite DJ Bill Travers + cameos from Steve Miskew + friends. Hope to see you there!

Pig Pickin On The Hill at Highlander Mountain House & The Ruffed Grouse Tavern
2025-07-04 17:00 | Highlander Mountain House, 270 Main St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Celebrate July 4th with an outdoor pig roast. We will have live music, sparklers & s’mores. Catch the fireworks from our patio.

Independence Day Concert with Diverse Groove at Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park
2025-07-04 18:00 - 20:30 | Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411 Pine St., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Independence Day Concert
**special holiday concert in Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park**
Diverse Groove  Known nationwide for their high-energy performances and top-tier showmanship, Diverse Groove delivers a nonstop show from the moment they take the stage. True to their name, they perform a wide range of genres, including Top 40 hits, Beach Music, Motown, R&B, Rock, Dance, and Reggae.
