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 festival returns May 29–31, 2026, at its new home, Ferngrove, featuring headlining performances by Trombone Shorty and Charley Crockett, along with Mavis Staples, Margo Price, Marc Broussard, Pony Bradshaw, Kashus Culpepper and J & The Causeways.
The Bear Shadow music main stage, called “Base Camp,” will be held at Ferngrove in Highlands, NC, just a short drive from downtown Highlands. The weekend will open with an exclusive pre-festival benefit concert for Stage4Hope charity on Friday, May 29, for VIP 3-Day ticketholders. Friday’s event is 21+.
“This festival brings new energy to Highlands each spring — from supporting local businesses to showcasing the beauty of our town and region,” said Jack Austin, president of Highlands Festivals, Inc. “Our priority is always the fan experience, and we’re excited to offer a weekend that feels both elevated and accessible while continuing to contribute to the vibrancy of our community.”
Bear Shadow, produced by Highlands Festivals, Inc. and Eleven Events, is a music festival named in honor of the bear-like shadow that appears behind the region’s Whiteside Mountain in the fall and spring. The festival features a variety of live musical acts for nearly any musical taste, from bluegrass and indie rock to country rock and soul.
3-Day and 2-Day Weekend Tickets on Sale Dec. 11th, 2025, at noon ET
3-Day and 2-Day tickets for Bear Shadow will be available at https://bearshadownc.com/ beginning Thursday, Dec. 11, at 12 noon ET. VIP 3-Day tickets will be available for $800, which includes access to Friday’s benefit concert. Please note that Friday is for ages 21+.
VIP 3-Day tickets – $800 (plus taxes, fees and charitable donation to Stage4Hope):
VIP tickets include admittance to Friday’s Stage4Hope benefit concert; Base Camp live performances on Saturday and Sunday; access to prime viewing areas; exclusive VIP bar with complimentary top wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverage brands; complimentary small plates by local and regional food partners; priority entrance into the festival; VIP bathrooms; access to all GA areas; access to additional food for purchase; sponsors and craft vendors on-site; and complimentary shuttles to and from downtown Highlands
- Kids VIP Base Camp (2-Day) – $ 50 (plus applicable taxes and fees):
- Ages 9-18 ( children ages 8 and under are FREE)
- * Friday is for ages 21+
GA 2-Day tickets – $300 (plus applicable taxes and fees):
General Admission tickets include admittance to Bear Shadow Base Camp live performances for Saturday and Sunday; complimentary beer, wine, premium non-alcoholic beverages and water; access to a variety of food, sponsors and retail vendors on-site; and complimentary shuttles to and from downtown Highlands.
- GA Children (2-Day) – $50 ( plus applicable taxes and fees)
- Ages 9-18 (children ages 8 and under are FREE)
Single-Day Tickets on Sale Dec. 15th, 2025, at noon ET
Base Camp shows are scheduled for Saturday, May 30, from 3:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. and on Sunday, May 31, from 12:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pricing below does not reflect the applicable taxes, fees or charitable donation.
- Stage4Hope Welcome Concert ( Friday; Ages 21+) – $300
- VIP Single Day – $325
- GA Single Day – $175
- VIP Kids Single Day – $25 (Sat/Sun only)
- Ages 9-18 (children ages 8 and under are FREE)
- GA Kids Single Day – $25 ( Sat/Sun only)
- Ages 9-18 (children ages 8 and under are FREE)
Weekend Parking (Saturday and Sunday)
Ferngrove is located about 5 miles from Main Street in Highlands, and organizers plan to provide continuous, complimentary shuttles from the Town of Highlands. With limited on-site parking at Ferngrove, guests must secure parking passes ahead of time, as none will be sold on-site. Passes are $30 per day (Saturday or Sunday) or $60 for the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), plus tax; details for Friday parking will be shared soon.
Daytime Experiences
In addition to the lineup of musical headliners, exclusive excursion activities and additional musical performances are also available throughout the weekend festivities, including:
Summit & Sound – Saturday, May 30th, 11:00 a.m.
Embark on a guided journey, led by conservation experts, through Highlands’ forests and trails, and finish your afternoon hike by enjoying intimate performances by Kashus Culpepper. This is a moderate to strenuous hike. Patrons should come prepared for a 1-2 mile trek and dress for weather and conditions. Tickets are $150.
Live Stream Fly Fishing Excursion – Saturday, May 30th (Location TBA)
Enjoy an exclusive half-day fly fishing experience on private waters, guided by Brookings Anglers in Cashiers. Tickets are $700.
All events are rain or shine. However, in the event of severe inclement weather, event organizers reserve the right to cancel individual performances or events in order to maintain optimal safety for all attendees, staff, talent, and vendors. For more information, visit https://bearshadownc.com/information/.
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