October is the Plateau at its best: peak color, cool nights, and a calendar that stays full from the first foliage walk to Halloween on Main. Here is what is happening around Cashiers and Highlands this month.
Oct. 12 · CASHIERS
Fall Farm to Table: A Lunch Cooking Class with Chef Nathan Brand
A seasonal farm-to-table lunch class at La Poste Wine + Cook Shop, ending in a shared meal. $225.
Oct. 12 · HIGHLANDS
Wild Seed Collection
Help the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust collect native wild seed for conservation work at Sassafras Gap. 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Free.
Oct. 12–16 · HIGHLANDS
Resident Artist Series: Raku
A five-day raku firing class with Frank Vickery at The Bascom. Bring bisque pots ready to glaze and fire. $250, currently waitlist only.
Oct. 13 · HIGHLANDS
Under the Stars Dinner Experience
Skyline Lodge's guest-chef series finale: Mark Bolchoz of Charleston's Cane Pazzo joins the Oak Steakhouse team for a four-course, family-style dinner under the stars. Offered as a package with a two-night stay.
Oct. 13 · CASHIERS
Fall Farm to Table with Chef Nathan Brand
A second seating of La Poste's seasonal farm-to-table lunch class, ending in a shared meal. $225.
Oct. 13 · HIGHLANDS AREA
Hiking for Conservation: Continental Divide Trail Talk and Trails Trivia
Jeff de Graffenried shares stories from his Continental Divide Trail hike, followed by trails trivia with the Land Trust. 5:30 to 8 PM. Free.
Oct. 14 · HIGHLANDS
Kudzu Removal Workday
Roll up your sleeves with the Land Trust to clear invasive kudzu from a downtown Highlands park. Tools, gear, and lunch provided. 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Free.
Oct. 14 · HIGHLANDS
Science & S'mores
A new Highlands Biological Foundation evening series pairs a short science talk with s'mores around the fire at Valentine Meadow. 6 to 7 PM. Free, no registration.
Oct. 15 · CASHIERS
Cozy Fall: A Lunch Cooking Class with Chef Chloé Powlas
A cozy seasonal lunch class at La Poste Wine + Cook Shop, ending in a shared meal. $225.
Oct. 15 · CASHIERS
The Good, The Bad & The Barolo
A Spaghetti-Western-themed, four-course Italian wine dinner with live music at Duck Hawk Provisions. 6 to 8 PM, $125 per guest.
Oct. 15 · HIGHLANDS AREA
Naturalist Walk with Andrew Renfro
An afternoon guided walk with the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, a good way to read the fall woods like a local. 1:30 to 4:30 PM. Free.
Oct. 15–18 · CASHIERS
Intertwined: A Relationship & Wellness Experience for Couples
A multi-day couples retreat blending relationship enrichment with wellness programming. See the listing for details.
Oct. 16 & 23 · HIGHLANDS
Leaves of Change: Fall Foliage Walks
A naturalist-led morning walk on the Kelsey Trail timed for peak fall color, offered two Fridays in a row. 9 to 10 AM. Free, all ages.
Oct. 20 · CASHIERS AREA
Sunset Concert with Topher Stephens and Erin Maxfield-Steele
Local songwriters perform on a hillside near Cullowhee as the sun goes down. Bring a blanket. 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Free.
Oct. 20–23 · HIGHLANDS
The Abstracted Landscape with Larry Moore
A four-day painting workshop at The Bascom on design principles and finding your own level of abstraction. $675, currently waitlist only.
Oct. 22 · HIGHLANDS
Highlander Mountain House Salon Series: Kathleen Edwards
Singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards plays an intimate set at Ruffed Grouse Tavern. 8:30 to 11 PM. Ticketed, tavern dinner reservations beforehand.
Oct. 24 · HIGHLANDS
Intro to Watercolor II: Washes with Ease
A beginner-friendly morning workshop on watercolor washes with Caryn Raming at The Bascom, materials provided. 10 AM to 12 PM, $75.
Oct. 24 · HIGHLANDS
Intro to Watercolor III: Practicing Skills
An afternoon follow-on watercolor session with Caryn Raming for beginners with some experience. 2 to 4 PM, $75.
Oct. 24 · HIGHLANDS
Pressing Matters: Introduction to Plant Pressing
Learn to press and preserve fall leaves and late-season plants at the Highlands Biological Foundation. 10 AM to 12 PM. Free, registration required.
Oct. 27 · HIGHLANDS
The Enchanted Forest
Trick-or-treat along the Highlands Botanical Garden's forest trails and meet the creatures behind Halloween lore. Costumes encouraged. 5 to 6:30 PM. Free, all ages.
Oct. 28 · CASHIERS
Locally Grown on the Green: Final Market of the Season
The last Wednesday farmers market of the season at The Village Green. 11 AM to 3 PM.
Oct. 28–30 · HIGHLANDS
The Landscape Reimagined: Oil and Cold Wax
A three-day workshop with Cath Connolly Hudson on abstracting the landscape in oil and cold wax at The Bascom. 10 AM to 4 PM, $500. Registration closes Oct 21.
Oct. 30 · CASHIERS
Goblins on the Green
Trick-or-treating on The Village Green Commons Lawn to kick off Halloween weekend. 6 to 8 PM.
Oct. 30 · HIGHLANDS
Creepy Critter Crawl
A Halloween-week naturalist walk hunting for the Plateau's creepiest crawlers. 9 to 10 AM. Free, all ages.
Oct. 31 · HIGHLANDS
Holiday Market 2026 Opens
The Bascom's galleries and shop become a holiday market of handcrafted gifts from local and regional artists. Runs through Dec 26. Free.
Oct. 31 · HIGHLANDS
Mr. Pickles' Howl-A-Ween Costume Contest
The Park on Main's beloved dog costume contest returns on Halloween afternoon, with costumed pups competing for prizes.
Oct. 31 · HIGHLANDS
Halloween on Main
Main Street closes to traffic for Highlands' signature Halloween night: costumes everywhere, candy from the merchants, and live entertainment. 6 to 8 PM. Free.
Know of something we should add to the list? Send it our way. And if an October visit turns into thoughts of a home here, Mountain Lux would love to show you around.
