Events

Bear Shadow Music Festival returns May 29 – 31 with a genre‑spanning lineup and a new setting that lets every note breathe across the Highlands landscape.

Mavis Staples headlines a powerhouse Bear Shadow weekend, bringing high‑altitude energy to the Highlands stage.

Tickets for the 2026 Bear Shadow spring music festival will go on sale Thursday, Dec. 11, at 12 noon ET, according to an announcement from Highlands Festivals, Inc.

The Bear Shadow Music Festival comes back to Highlands May 29–31 with Grammy-nominated artists, mountain adventures, and a new scenic “Base Camp” at Ferngrove.

The 2026 Bear Shadow music festival lineup features headliners Trombone Shorty (Saturday) and Charley Crockett (Sunday). Mavis Staples, Margo Price, Marc Broussard, Kashus Culpepper, Pony Bradshaw and J & The Causeways will also perform, according to an announcement from Highlands Festivals, Inc. today. The music festival is set to return to Highlands, NC, from May 29th-31st, 2026.

The wait is over. Bring on the music, mountains, and revelry!

ALL North Carolina teachers and firefighters offered BOGO tickets.

Bear Shadow casts its musical, magical spell over the Plateau May 11-12.

Highlands and Scaly Mountain Residents May Enter to Win General Admission Tickets.