In the summertime, music fills the mountains of Jackson County, North Carolina. From casual, free outdoor concert series in the cool mountain air to ticketed events featuring tribute bands and exceptional classical music ensembles, you’ll find it here! 

Concerts on the Creek – Sylva   

Held creekside every Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Sylva’s Bridge Park, Concerts on the Creek brings a variety of musical styles to its outdoor pavilion stage. Artists range from folk to bluegrass to pop, rock, soul, country, and reggae, from homegrown favorites to regionally known bands.   

Upcoming shows include: July 7 – Arnold Hill; July 14 – Bird in Hand; July 21 – Dashboard Blue; July 28 – Lua Flora; August 4 – Tuxedo Junction; August 11 – TLQ+2; August 18 – Get Right Band; August 25 – Maggie Valley Band; and September 1 – PMA. 

The shows are free, thanks to the Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department, and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Just bring a chair or blanket. Food truck vendors will most likely be on site, but picnic baskets and coolers are welcome, too. Dogs are welcome if they are friendly and kept on a leash.  

And don’t forget your dancing shoes, as you’re sure to see concertgoers of all ages taking to the front of the stage to move and groove. 

For more information about Concerts on the Creek, call 828-586-2719. 

Groovin’ on the Green Summer Concert Series – Cashiers   

The Village Green is known as the heart of Cashiers, and in the summer its Commons Lawn is the site of Groovin’ on the Green, a free outdoor concert series. Perched at 3,484 feet, the cool mountain temperatures are abundant on the plateau as the bands play, the sun sets, children frolic, and the crowd mingles. It’s the perfect summer scene!  

Groovin’ on the Green features genres ranging from disco and funk to classic rock and blues and everything in between.   

Upcoming shows will be held on the following Friday evenings: July 7 – McIntosh and The Lionhearts; July 21 – Seth and Sara; August 11 – Commodore Fox; August 25 – Emporium Band; and September 1 – Hurricane Creek.  

All shows take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m., rain or shine. For groups who prefer a covered space, The Village Green offers 10-by-10 tents for a fee. Chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and coolers are welcome.  

For more information about Groovin’ on the Green, call 828-743-3434.  

Cashiers Live – Cashiers  

Tribute bands, anyone? A relatively new summer series pays homage to the songs and bands that “defined a generation and the stories behind them.” 

Cashiers Live is a ticketed, outdoor concert series that is held at The Village Green. General admission tickets are $40 for adults and $12 for kids 12 and under. VIP passes are available for $100 and include reserved parking, seating, and beer and wine.  

Some of the biggest memory-making and chart-topping acts in rock and roll history will be honored at the upcoming shows: July 8 – The Beatles, performed by RCA; July 29 – Elton John, performed by Greggie and the Jets; and August 19 – That 70s Show (with songs made famous by Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Fleetwood Mac and more), performed by RCA.  

All concerts are from 7 to 9 p.m. Coolers, picnic baskets, blankets, and chairs are welcome. 

For more information about Cashiers Live and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.cashierslive.com/ 

Sapphire Valley Resort Concerts on the Slopes – Sapphire 

Have you ever been to an outdoor concert at the base of a ski slope? On a golf cart? That’s exactly what Sapphire’s Concerts on the Slopes is all about! 

Hosted by Sapphire Valley Resort, these concerts are open to the public but require tickets ($22 per person in advance or $27 at the gate, on the day of the show).  

At Concerts on the Slopes, you’ll hear Motown, beach music, and pop songs from the 50s through the 80s. The lineup for the remainder of this season includes: Tues., July 18 – ACE Party Band; Tues., August 8 – The Embers; and Sun., September 3 – The Cat5 Band.  

All shows are held from 7 to 9 p.m. Performances take place on the back porch of the ski resort’s Community Center. Chairs, blankets, coolers, picnic blankets, and golf carts (yes, really!) are welcome. A limited number of tents with tables and chairs are available to rent.  

Purchase tickets in person at the Sapphire Valley Community Center or call 828-743-7663. 

Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival – Cashiers  

For more than 40 years, world-class artists have descended upon the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau for a summer chamber music series, and this year is no exception.  

Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival performances will be held in both towns, starting at the beginning of July and culminating in early August. Tickets are required.  

In Cashiers, nine concerts will be held at The Village Green’s Lewis Hall on Sundays and Tuesdays at 5 p.m. The Cashiers schedule includes: July 2 – “Eternal Love Triangle”; July 9 – “Winds in the Mountains”; July 11 – “Gryphon Trio & Friends”; July 16 – “The Three Graces”; July 18 – “The American String Quartet – 50th Anniversary Celebration; July 23 – “The Viano Quartet – Debut”; July 25 – “Jazz Meets Classics: Etudes en Jazz”; July 30 – “The French Connection”; and August 1 – “Musical Fireworks.” 

Single tickets ($40) and packages are available. For more information about the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, call 828-526-9060.  

Music is the universal language. What better place to hear live concerts this summer than the beautiful Jackson County, NC Mountains? For the outdoor shows, be sure to fill your picnic basket and cooler with dinner “to go” from our area restaurants. Need more ideas to plan a complete getaway, including lodging, outdoor adventures, and excursions to historic and cultural sites? Just visit our Trip Planner for ideas. Let the music play!