Why has Highlands Food & Wine been cancelled for 2020?

The health and safety of our patrons, talent, sponsors, crew and residents of Highlands, NC is our top priority.  Due to COVID-19 social distancing regulations as issued by the state of North Carolina, we were not able to hold an event for 1000 guests, therefore, we had to cancel.

I have a ticket(s) for Highlands Food & Wine 2020.  What are my options?

As a ticket holder you have three (3) options:

1. Roll Over Your Ticket to Bear Shadow 2021

Bear Shadow is a new spring music festival in Highlands, NC!  The festival will feature a weekend of incredible live music in Kelsey-Hutchinson Park, centrally located in beautiful Downtown Highlands.  We are thrilled to announce all the artists from Highlands Food & Wine will be moving with us to Bear Shadow to ensure we get to enjoy their performances!  As tickets holders for Highlands Food & Wine, you can choose to roll over your ticket to the days below and enjoy the same lineup planned for November:

  • Day 1 Ticket holders will receive ticket(s) to the Saturday, April 24th show
  • Day 2 Ticket holders will receive ticket(s) to the Sunday, April 25th show

2. Request A Full Refund

You can request a full refund of your purchase beginning September 16th at 10am EST by emailing info@highlandsfoodandwine.com.  Refunds will be processed as requests are received.  Do NOT request refunds prior to September 16th.  The deadline to request refunds is Sept.30th at 5pm EST.  If a refund is not requested, we will automatically transfer your tickets to the same day of Bear Shadow (example purchased Day 1 tickets of HFW will be automatically transferred to Day 1 of Bear Shadow).

3. Donate Your Purchase to Highlands Festivals, Inc., a 501c3 organization

The cancellation of both the Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors show in May and Highlands Food & Wine 2020 has resulted in substantial losses for our organization.  Your donation can help ensure we can continue to bring fabulous programming and live events to Highlands and promote our wonderful town.

I want to roll over my tickets to Bear Shadow 2021.  When will I receive my new ticket?

All ticket holders opting for Bear Shadow tickets will receive a revised ticket via email in early October.  They will come from Universe.com. Day 1 HFW ticket holders for Friday, November 13th show will receive ticket(s) to the Bear Shadow, Saturday, April 24th show.  Day 2 HFW ticket holders for Saturday, November 14th show will receive ticket(s) to the Bear Shadow, Sunday, April 25th show.

I want a refund for my ticket(s). When will I receive this refund?

Refunds requests can be made by emailing info@highlandsfoodandwine.com starting September 16th  beginning at 10am EST.  We will work diligently to process refunds as they are received.  The deadline to requests refunds is September 30th at 5pm.  If you do not request a refund, you will automatically receive tickets to Bear Shadow 2021.

What is the deadline for refunds?

September 30th at 5pm EST

I have reservations at one of the specialty dinners during Highlands Food & Wine.  Are they still happening?

YES!  There are still great culinary and wine events happening in Highlands through our award winning restaurants and wine experts.  A complete list can be found here on our Specialty Dinner page  and Wine and Spirits Seminar Page.

I have lodging reservations for November.  Should I cancel?

If you must cancel your lodging reservations, you must do so directly with the vendor.  Please consider keeping your trip to Highlands and supporting our wonderful hotels, inns, restaurants and shops!

Will there be more tickets or more events added to Bear Shadow 2021?

Once we determine how many HFW ticket holders are transferring their tickets to Bear Shadow 2021, we will be able to determine how many tickets we can release to go on sale.  In addition, we hope to add a Friday show.  Those subscribed to the Highlands Food & Wine newsletter will be the first to know about additional tickets and events in 2021!  If you have not been receiving emails from Highlands Festivals, please go to www.highlandsfestivals.com and subscribe to our newsletter for up to date information or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Should I make my lodging reservations for Bear Shadow now?

YES!  Lodging options for these events books fast!  Grab your favorite hotel room or rental house now!  There is a complete list of options here.

What if Bear Shadow has to cancel due to COVID-19?

If Bear Shadow must cancel due to COVID-19, all ticket holders will receive a full refund.  Bear Shadow tickets WILL NOT roll over to Highlands Food & Wine 2021.

What are the dates of Highlands Food & Wine 2021?

Highlands Food & Wine 2021 is scheduled Nov. 11th-14th, 2021.

When is the approximate time Highlands Food & Wine 2021 will go on sale?

June 2021

How can I help support Highlands, NC even if I cannot be there in November?

You can plan your trip to Highlands anytime!  Come experience a variety of wonderful accommodations, dine in award-winning restaurants and enjoy some retail therapy in our shops.  Can’t make it up?  Consider supporting our restaurants and retailers by purchasing gifts cards for future travels!  A list can be found here.

I have not received my ticket confirmation from Universe or emails and/or newsletters from Highlands Festivals, Inc.

Please make sure that you check your SPAM and junk mail folder for emails from Highlands Festivals or Universe or log into your Universe account to check for tickets.  If that doesn’t work, feel free to email info@highlandsfoodandwine.com for questions.

I have still have general questions regarding Highlands Food and Wine or Bear Shadow.

Please email info@highlandsfoodandwine.com with any additional questions and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Do not contact Highlands Chamber of Commerce or any of our sponsors directly.