Outdoor concerts are a regular part of summer in Highlands, with music downtown every Friday and Saturday evening from May through September. Friday Night Live takes place in Town Square on Main Street, between Kilwins and Wild Thyme. Saturdays on Pine is held at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Pine Street.
Both concerts are free, family-friendly, pet-friendly, and held from 6 to 8:30pm. Bring a chair or blanket, check the forecast, and give yourself a little extra time for parking, food, shopping, and finding a spot.
Pick the Right Night
Friday Night Live is the more traditional of the two, with bluegrass, country, Americana, and acoustic music in the center of town.
Saturdays on Pine has a larger park setting, with lawn seating and bands playing classic rock, beach music, Motown, funk, country, retro favorites, and dance music.
What to Bring
- Foldable chair or picnic blanket
- Light jacket or sweater
- Rain jacket or umbrella
- Water bottle
- Snacks or dinner to-go
- Comfortable shoes if you plan to walk downtown
Highlands sits at 4,118 feet in elevation, so summer evenings can be cool. The Highlands Plateau is part of a temperate rainforest, which means showers can move in quickly, even on otherwise clear days. Check the forecast before heading out.
Food, Parking, Shops, and Restaurants Nearby
Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early if you want time to park, shop a little, pick up food, and choose your spot.
If you are coming into town before the music starts, make the walk part of the plan. Stop by ACP Home Interiors on North Fourth Street for home furnishings, decor, accessories, and polished mountain style, or visit Highlands Hatter for custom hats, private fittings, and finishing details. If you have more time, nearby shops such as Dutchmans, Highland Hiker, TJ Bailey’s, Silver Eagle Gallery, and Highlands Fine Art and Estate Jewelry are easy to add before dinner.
For food, keep it simple and close. Four65 Woodfire Bistro & Bar works well for wood-fired pizza, sandwiches, and salads before the concert. Highlands Pizza Place is a casual, family-friendly option near Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. The Ugly Dog Public House is a good choice for pub food and drinks, while Wild Thyme Gourmet is steps from Town Square. For a more refined dinner, try Madison’s Restaurant or Highlander Mountain House & The Ruffed Grouse Tavern.
Before you go: Check shop and restaurant hours before planning your evening. Some shops may close before the concerts begin, and dinner reservations are a good idea during busy weekends.
2026 Friday Night Live Schedule
Town Square | Fridays, May 15 through September 25 | 6 to 8:30pm
- May 15: Foxfire Boys
Bluegrass with Appalachian ties through The Foxfire Fund’s culture and music program. - May 22: Silly Ridge
Highlands-based bluegrass and familiar songs. - May 29: Andrew Wakefield & Friends
Western North Carolina bluegrass with strong guitar work. - June 5: John Webb
Classic country and storytelling. - June 12: Young Mountain Magic
Young bluegrass talent from Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. - June 19: Shortoff Mountain Boys
Local bluegrass with harmonies and old country influence. - June 26: Doug Ramsey
Crowd favorites, Motown influence, jazz, rock, and requests. - July 3: Spare Parts Bluegrass Band
Walhalla-based bluegrass with close harmonies. - July 10: Blackwell Tradition II
North Georgia bluegrass carrying forward the Curtis Blackwell legacy. - July 17: Foxfire Boys
Bluegrass with Appalachian ties through The Foxfire Fund’s culture and music program. - July 24: Byrds & Crows
Folk, bluegrass, old country, Americana, and original songs. - July 31: Nitrograss
Appalachian acoustic music led by banjo champion Charles Wood. - August 7: John Webb
Classic country and storytelling. - August 14: McClain Family Band
Long-running Kentucky bluegrass family band. - August 21: Shawn Lane Trio
Bluegrass led by GRAMMY nominee and IBMA Award winner Shawn Lane. - August 28: Spare Parts Bluegrass Band
Walhalla-based bluegrass with close harmonies. - September 4: Silly Ridge
Highlands-based bluegrass and familiar songs. - September 11: Byrds & Crows
Folk, bluegrass, old country, Americana, and original songs. - September 18: Blackwell Tradition II
North Georgia bluegrass carrying forward the Curtis Blackwell legacy. - September 25: Shortoff Mountain Boys
Local bluegrass with harmonies and old country influence.
2026 Saturdays on Pine Schedule
Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park | Saturdays, May 16 through September 26 | 6 to 8:30pm
- May 16: LazrLuvr
1980s hits and retro party music. - May 23: The Parks Brothers
90s favorites, beach tunes, country, and medleys. - May 30: SNAP
Funk, pop, R&B, hip-hop, pop-punk, and classic rock. - June 6: The American Flyers
Radio hits and dance-floor favorites from multiple decades. - June 13: U-neek Flav’ur
Show-band set with vocals, harmonies, saxophone, choreography, and variety. - June 20: Groove Machine
1970s tribute band with familiar dance music. - July 4: Southside Station
Pop, rock, dance, country, and singer-songwriter favorites. - July 11: Blaze the City
Pop, funk, rock, country, blues, and Motown. - July 18: Moon Dance
Swing, disco, and dance favorites. - July 25: Bourbon Sons
Country hits, big guitars, and singalong favorites. - August 1: Yacht Rando
Yacht rock, soft rock, and vacation-era favorites. - August 8: Blake Ellege + The Resonators
Classic country with fiddle, guitar, bass, and pedal steel. - August 15: No concert scheduled
- August 22: Will Thompson Band
Variety band with a polished live sound. - September 5: Diverse Groove
Top 40, beach music, Motown, R&B, rock, dance, and reggae. - September 12: High 5
Highlands-area band playing rock, blues, Americana, bluegrass, country, and jazz. - September 19: Boogitherapi
Funk, dance music, smooth jazz, and groove-heavy favorites. - September 26: Darren Nicholson Band
Western North Carolina bluegrass, folk, gospel, and swing.
Before You Go
Concert dates, times, performers, and weather plans may change. Check the official Outdoor Concert Series page before making plans, or stop by The Welcome Center at 108 Main Street for a brochure.
Highlands is best enjoyed without packing the schedule too tightly. A good weekend might include a morning trail, a glass of wine on Main Street, an evening concert, and a waterfall stop before heading back to town.
Save this as a starting point for your first weekend in Highlands.