The holiday season gets underway in Highlands with the Small Business Saturday Holiday Stroll on Saturday, November 28, offering a full afternoon of festive activities while encouraging residents and visitors to shop, dine and support local businesses.
Presented by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC, the annual Holiday Stroll brings seasonal cheer to downtown Highlands with live music, carolers, family activities and special experiences throughout the community.
“Small Business Saturday is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the businesses that are such an important part of Highlands,” said Johanna Fein, executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC. “The Holiday Stroll adds a little extra fun to the day while giving everyone a reason to spend time downtown, visit their favorite businesses and discover something new.”
Activities planned for Saturday, November 28 include:
- 11am–4pm | Cookie Crawl Pick up a holiday cookie box at a participating local business* and stroll through Highlands and enjoying or picking up sweet treats along the way during the inaugural Cookie Crawl. Participants include: Alison Diane Clothing, The Bascom, Bear Mountain Outfitters, C. Orrico, Elena’s Activewear, Highland Hiker, Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry, Highlands Kids, Highlands Mountain Paws, Hudson Library, Main Street Gifts, The Molly Grace, Monkee’s of Highlands, The Pizza Place, Silver Eagle, Spruce Interiors, Town Hall Restaurant, Trailborn Highlands and Whits’ End.
- 12:30–2:30pm | Live Music at Town Square Enjoy live music in the heart of downtown while shopping and exploring Highlands.
- 1–3pm | Face Painting at The Bascom, Young visitors can add a little extra color to their holiday weekend with complimentary face painting at The Bascom.
- 1–2pm | Story Time at Hudson Library, Families are invited to Hudson Library for a special holiday story time.
- 3–4pm | Strolling Quartet of Carolers A quartet of carolers will make its way through downtown, filling the streets with sounds of the season.
- 3–4pm | Ice Carving at Town Square, Watch as blocks of ice are transformed into works of art during a live ice-carving demonstration. Ice sculptures will also be located throughout town.
- Small Business Saturday, held annually on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, celebrates independently owned businesses and encourages consumers to shop locally during the holiday season. In Highlands, the day offers an opportunity to support the shops, restaurants, galleries and businesses that contribute to the community throughout the year.
The Small Business Saturday Holiday Stroll is part of a festive weekend in Highlands, leading into Light Up the Park & Main later that evening at 5:30pm in Kelsey Hutchinson Founder Park which will include music, carolers and a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
For more information about Small Business Saturday and holiday activities in Highlands, visit VisitHighlandsNC.com or contact the Highlands Welcome Center at (828) 526-2112.
About the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC: Founded in 1931, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC serves as both the community’s chamber of commerce and its official destination marketing organization. We work to strengthen the local economy by supporting businesses, promoting tourism, welcoming visitors, and creating opportunities that enhance the quality of life for residents. Through leadership programs, networking events, community celebrations, and strategic marketing, we help ensure Highlands remains a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
