Cashiers Festival of Trees Returns on November 27 and 28

Holiday Activities and a Dazzling Display of Trees, Wreaths, and Gift Baskets Await at Summit Charter School

CASHIERS, NC – November 11, 2026 – The Summit Charter School Foundation is excited to announce that the 2026 Cashiers Festival of Trees will open on Friday, November 27, at 370 Mitten Lane in Cashiers, North Carolina. The festive fundraiser—accessible both in person and online—will run through Saturday, November 28, with doors open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

With attendance and participation growing each year, the Festival has outgrown the Summit Center alone and now extends across the high school campus, bringing even more holiday magic for visitors to enjoy.

The Festival is a family-friendly event on the Cashiers-Highlands plateau during Thanksgiving weekend. Guests can get in the holiday spirit by viewing and bidding on decorated Christmas trees and décor with accompanying gifts and experiences; reveling in a variety of holiday activities; creating free personalized children’s crafts; celebrating literacy in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Storytime Nook; enjoying a pop-up O.P. Taylor Stuffed Animal Workshop and a holiday scavenger hunt; watching rivalry weekend football games in the Gameday Lounge; shopping one-of-a-kind gifts in the Gift Zone and Vendor Village; and sampling delicious offerings from food trucks. Cashiers Valley Real Estate serves as Presenting Sponsor and Ingles Markets as the Media Sponsor.

While raising funds for Summit remains the primary focus of the Festival, the event also spreads the holiday spirit of giving. Participating nonprofits that provide an auction item receive 80% of the sale of their items, creating a collaborative initiative that raises awareness and supports their worthy causes. 

2026 participating charities include: Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC, Hampton School & Early Learning Center, Merrie-Woode Foundation, Cashiers Highlands Humane Society, Cashiers Valley Preschool, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Cashiers Friends of the Library, The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts, Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, Cashiers Valley Garden Club, HIGHTS, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Hudson Library of Highlands Foundation, Highlands Performing Arts Center, WALK CASHIERS/Cashiers Greenway Ramble and Vision Cashiers, International Friendship Center, Western Carolina University’s Art and Community Class, and Hawthorn Heights of Bryson City, NC.

“The Cashiers Festival of Trees is a beautiful reflection of what makes our community so special,” said 2026 Festival Chairs Kat Ford, M.C. Pusch, and Mark Rindom. “From the creativity of our designers to the generosity of our sponsors, volunteers, and guests, so many people come together to make a meaningful difference. As we prepare for our transition to a biennial event, we hope this year's Festival will be our most memorable yet!”

Businesses, nonprofits, and individuals have created traditional and themed trees, wreaths, gift baskets, artwork, unique displays, and more to be enjoyed during the event. A full list of supporters can be viewed at www.summitschool.org. 

An additional sampling of this year’s 170 submissions includes Spruce Interiors, Cashiers Kitchen Company, Anthropologie, Brookings Anglers, Michael Graves with William Sonoma, Cashiers Farmers Market, Wit’s End, Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, Wickles Pickles, and designs by grades and clubs from Summit Charter School. Cashiers Firewood’s submission—a highly anticipated feature each year—showcases an intricately designed life-size STIHL chainsaw made out of firewood. STIHL and Zoller Hardware serve as the firewood display sponsors this year. The winning bidder will receive two cords of seasoned or kiln-dried firewood, delivered and stacked.

“The community’s continued support in our sixth year has been truly remarkable,” said Melissa Hudson, Festival of Trees Director. “We are incredibly grateful to the talented designers, generous benefactors and corporate sponsors, and dedicated volunteers and committee members who bring this beloved tradition to life. As we kick off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving, we look forward to celebrating the spirit of giving and the joy of bringing our community together. We invite everyone to experience the magic of the Festival—where beautifully decorated trees, festive fun, and the generosity of our community come together to make a positive difference."

EVENT DETAILS

WHEN • Friday, November 27 – Saturday, November 28, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE • 370 Mitten Lane, Cashiers, NC – Summit Center, Fitness Center, and High School Campus

ENTRY TICKETS • $5 for adults; free for 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. 

SILENT AUCTION • Bidding on trees, wreaths, artwork, and gift baskets opens Friday, Nov. 27, at 10:00 a.m. and continues until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28. All bidding will take place via the online auction website, and pre-registration is encouraged: https://onecau.se/cashiersfestivaloftrees

FOOD TRUCKS • A mouthwatering lineup of food trucks and sweet treats: Grand Ole Station, Crossroads Cream and Coffee, Chile-Loco, Chick-fil-A, Ginny’s Funnel Cakes, and a hot chocolate and soda station from Summit High School students.

SHOPPING • Shopping will be available in the Gift Zone, Vendor Village, and a pop-up O.P. Taylor’s Workshop, sponsored by Design South Builders—a kid favorite featuring a new collection of furry friends, an on-site stuffer, and accessories to choose from. This year’s vendors include:

• Glass-blown and blacksmith art from Jackson County Green Energy Park + Dillsboro Creative Arts Center

• Original art by Hannah Beimborn

• One-of-a-Kind Jewelry by Isabelle Ambrose Jewelry

• Live chainsaw art by J-MAD J&M Art and Design Chainsaw Carving 

• Local honey from Bee. Honey + Hive

• Hand-painted ornaments and art by Lora Uhrig

• Handcrafted Gluten-free Products by Berries & Blooms

• Handmade Sterling Silver Jewelry by Art & Soul Sterling Jewelry

• Paper Goods by The Business Spot

• Hand-poured candles by Elder & Co.

• Peppermint Bark by Sarah’s Sweets

• Festive glass beaded bracelets crafted  by Summit students

• Custom wood art pieces by Riverwilde Wood Designs 

• Curated Christmas decor and gift items from the Festival of Trees committee

CHILDREN’S EXPERIENCES • Children enjoy complimentary crafts, a holiday scavenger hunt with prizes, coloring stations, and readings in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Storytime Nook. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and other magical characters will roam the Festival on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 10:00 a.m. – noon.

CAMP CANDY CANE • Camp Candy Cane is a fun space where children can play, create, and celebrate the holiday spirit. Interact Club students and faculty advisors will provide safe and engaging supervision from 10 AM to noon both days of the Festival. Parents can relax, shop, and explore knowing their children are in caring hands. 

WREATH BAR • A fresh wreath bar—sponsored by Bear Valley Farm—lets you choose your favorite wreath and make it your own with beautiful bows, ornaments, and festive accents. Bonus: from 10:00 a.m.–noon and 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. both days, expert designers will be on hand to craft custom wreath creations.

NEW! MAHJONG JINGLE & MINGLE • Mahj the halls with Spruce Interiors! Join us for a festive afternoon on Friday, November 27th for friendly Mahjong, mingling, and holiday cheer. No tournament—just fun play in the spirit of the season! 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Seats are limited.

SILENT AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS • In addition to beautiful decorations, many auction items include unique experiences and gifts. Highlights include a stay on a private island in South Carolina, golf rounds and merchandise from local and regional private country clubs, toy gift baskets from The Corner Store, Bluey and LEGO-themed trees, Ring Concierge diamond earrings, tickets to Dollywood and the Biltmore Estate, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Big Ten Headquarters and dinner with the CEO, rare bourbon and wine collections, the nearly impossible-to-find STIHL MS 500i Centennial Edition chainsaw, and trips to 30A, Florida; Lake Keowee, South Carolina; and Boone, North Carolina.

ART WALK • Featuring curated pieces of art for auction by Kat Ford, Tracy Melton, Annie Couch, Carla Gignilliat, Matt Betty, Cara Chase, Shannon Whitworth, Christy Curcuru, Mary Burdette

GAMEDAY LOUNGE • While your team competes in its legendary football rivalry game, visit an expanded Gameday Lounge featuring football game viewings, seating, and beverages. Sponsored by The Local. 

RAFFLE • This year’s raffle offers the chance to win a golf cart and other festive goodies. You do not have to be present to win. Tickets can be purchased in person or online for $10 each or $50 for six.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, November 27

10:00 a.m. – Doors open to the public

11:00 a.m. – Storytime in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Nook

1:00 p.m. – Storytime in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Nook

2:00 p.m. – Mahjong Jingle & Mingle. Sponsored by Spruce Interiors. Tickets Required.5:00 p.m. – Doors close7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Festival: After Dark featuring music by Gypsie Reverie Duo (By Invitation Only; Benefactor and Corporate Sponsor Event)

Saturday, November 28

8:30 – 10:00 a.m. – VIP Breakfast with Santa & Friends sponsored by The Club at High Hampton (By Invitation Only; Benefactor and Corporate Sponsor Event)

10:00 a.m. – Doors open to the public and “Buy It Now” goes live on silent auction items

10:00 a.m. – Noon – Santa and Mrs. Claus roam the Festival

11:00 a.m. – Storytime in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Nook

4:00 p.m. – Silent auction closes

5:00 p.m. – Doors close

Happening all open hours: O.P. Taylor’s Workshop, Gameday Lounge, children’s crafts, silent auction, Gift Zone and Vendor Village shopping, glass blowing and blacksmith demos, artisan displays, food trucks, live woodcarving, and scavenger hunt.

About the Summit Charter School Foundation

The Summit Charter School Foundation raises critical funds to support Summit Charter School, a tuition-free K–12 public school in Cashiers, North Carolina. Summit relies on private funding on an annual basis to fund the vital needs of its school children, staff, and facilities. Summit currently serves over 350 students across five counties in western North Carolina. The Foundation is volunteer-led by a Board of Directors, including Carrie Snoey, Denice Dunn, Jeffrey Beall, Debi Townsend Stewart, Thomas Bates, Clay Canter, Gordon Coleman, Scott Dunbar, Patch Foster, Andrew Hudson, Robert D. Hunter, Wendy Lupas, Roman Placko, Jeanne Puckett, Eric Reeves, Taylor Stewart, and Bill Viehman.

The school engages students in learning experiences that stimulate discovery, inspire excellence, and nurture a positive influence in an ever-changing world. Summit’s primary goals are to graduate students who are academically prepared, engaged in the community, and strong in character. Learn more at www.summitschool.org or call 828-743-5755.