FAQ

Event Basics

When and where will Bear Shadow take place?

Bear Shadow will take place Friday, May 29-Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Ferngrove in Highlands, North Carolina.

Ferngrove
3461 Dillard Road
Highlands, NC 28741

Ferngrove is located approximately five minutes from downtown Highlands.

What is the daily schedule for Bear Shadow Basecamp?

Friday, May 29, 2026

Location: Basecamp at Ferngrove

  • Stage4Hope Benefit Concert: 6:00 PM-9:00 PM
  • 6:00 PM-7:15 PM – Colton Bowlin
  • 7:45 PM-9:00 PM – The Infamous Stringdusters

Saturday, May 30, 2026

Location: Basecamp at Ferngrove

  • 2:00 PM – Gates open
  • 2:00 PM – Shuttles begin running from Highlands to Ferngrove
  • 3:00 PM – J & The Causeways
  • 4:15 PM – Marc Broussard
  • 6:15 PM – Mavis Staples
  • 8:00 PM – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
  • 9:30 PM – Show ends
  • 10:30 PM – Last shuttle drop-off in Highlands

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Location: Basecamp at Ferngrove

  • 11:30 AM – Gates open
  • 11:30 AM – Shuttles begin running from Highlands to Ferngrove
  • 12:30 PM – Pony Bradshaw
  • 1:45 PM – Kashus Culpepper
  • 3:15 PM – Margo Price
  • 5:30 PM – Charley Crockett
  • 7:00 PM – Show ends
  • 8:00 PM – Last shuttle drop-off in Highlands

Please note that set times are subject to change slightly.

Tickets, Wristbands & Entry

What do I get with my Basecamp ticket?

Your Bear Shadow Basecamp ticket includes a weekend of great music, food, drinks, fun, and community.

All ticket holders will enjoy:

  • Main stage performances from four featured artists each day
  • Access to special seating and gathering areas throughout the festival grounds
  • Complimentary beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and water

VIP ticket holders will also have access to a designated VIP area featuring premium beer, wine, and spirits.

A variety of food and retail vendors will be on site with items available for purchase.

Even better, a portion of each ticket benefits Stage4Hope.

How do tickets and wristbands work?

All ticket holders will have their QR code scanned at the event entrance. We recommend taking a screenshot of your ticket as a backup before arriving.

Three-day VIP and two-day GA ticket holders will receive one wristband for the weekend. Please do not remove, cut, or lose your wristband. Wristbands are required for entry and will not be replaced.

If you can’t find your ticket in your email, don’t worry – all tickets will automatically be emailed to the purchaser 24 hours before the start of the event.

What is the re-entry policy?

Your wristband allows you onto the Ferngrove property. Once you leave the festival site, re-entry is not permitted.

Please do not remove or tamper with your wristband. The plastic security lock is a one-way lock and should not be tightened too much. Lost, removed, damaged, or overly tightened wristbands cannot be replaced. Guests without a valid wristband will not be allowed entry.

Can kids attend Bear Shadow?

Yes, kids are welcome at Bear Shadow. However, please keep in mind that the music will be loud and alcohol will be served on site.

Children ages 17 and under are free but still require a kids ticket for entry.

Please note that strollers and pack-and-plays are not allowed due to space constraints.

And as always, children must be supervised at all times – unattended children may be fed to the bears!

Stage4Hope Benefit Concert

I’m attending the Stage4Hope Benefit Concert on Friday. What do I need to know?

The Stage4Hope Benefit Concert takes place on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 6:00 PM-9:00 PM at Ferngrove. This special event is open to VIP three-day ticket holders and Friday night-only ticket holders.

The concert will be held outdoors on the Basecamp lawn, under a tent with seating and a stage.

Music lineup:

  • 6:00 PM-7:15 PM – Colton Bowlin
  • 7:45 PM-9:00 PM – The Infamous Stringdusters

Dinner will be provided by Kyle Bryner of Blue Hound BBQ, Food Network’s BBQ Brawl Master of ‘Cue. Complimentary beverages will also be available.

Please dress for the forecasted weather and wear comfortable shoes. Complimentary parking will be available near the tent. Shuttles will not run for the Friday evening concert.

Transportation & Parking

Will there be on-site parking?

Yes. There will be plenty of convenient on-site parking at Ferngrove.

Parking passes are available for purchase:

  • Two-day parking pass: $60
  • Single-day parking pass: $30

Please follow DOT signage when you arrive. There will be a separate entrance for festival shuttles only.

Where are the complimentary shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations?

Complimentary shuttles will run continuous loops between downtown Highlands and Ferngrove on Saturday and Sunday. There will be three 24-passenger shuttles in service.

If you plan to drink alcohol and do not have a designated driver, please take advantage of the complimentary shuttles. On-site parking is also available for guests who wish to drive.

Shuttle schedule

Saturday, May 30, 2026

  • 2:00 PM – Shuttles begin running from Highlands to Ferngrove
  • 10:30 PM – Last shuttle drop-off in Highlands

Sunday, May 31, 2026

  • 11:30 AM – Shuttles begin running from Highlands to Ferngrove
  • 8:00 PM – Last shuttle drop-off in Highlands
Highlands shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations
  • Highlands School – 545 Pierson Drive, Highlands, NC 28741, off S. 5th Street
  • Highlands Post Office – 43 Dillard Road, Highlands, NC 28741, at the corner of Main Street and Highway 64
  • Corner of 2nd Street and Spring Street – Public parking is available along both streets

Signage will be posted at each safe shuttle pick-up location.

Venue, Weather & What to Wear

What should I wear to Bear Shadow?

Casual and comfortable attire is encouraged. Bear Shadow is an outdoor event with grass and gravel roads, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

The festival is rain or shine, so please dress for the forecasted weather.

What is the weather policy?

Bear Shadow is a rain-or-shine event. Please come prepared for the forecasted weather.

If severe weather occurs, including lightning or high winds that threaten the safety of fans, artists, or crew, the festival reserves the right to delay or cancel the show. Ticket purchasers will be contacted via email and SMS text if this occurs.

If you are attending as a guest and did not personally purchase tickets, please sign up for the festival text messaging program to receive important updates.

Will Wi-Fi or cell service be available?

Cell service can be limited in the mountains. Bear Shadow will make every effort to provide public Wi-Fi, but service is not guaranteed.

Food, Drinks & Vendors

What food options will be available?

Food will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors, including:

  • Blue Hound BBQ
  • Local Harvester
  • Free Wheelin’ Pizza
  • Post 25
  • Highlands Burritos
  • Sweet Cub Ice Cream
What beverage options will be available?

All ticket holders will have access to complimentary beverages.

General Admission includes:
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Seltzers
  • Water
  • Coke products
  • Other non-alcoholic beverages
VIP includes:
  • Premium beer
  • Wine
  • Seltzers
  • Spirits
  • Water
  • Coke products
  • Other non-alcoholic beverages

Please drink responsibly. Plan for a designated driver, rideshare, or take advantage of the complimentary festival shuttles to and from Highlands.

Bear Shadow reserves the right to remove any guest who is not drinking responsibly.

What will be available for purchase at Bear Shadow?

Festival and artist merchandise will be available for purchase, along with goods and services from local and regional partners, including:

  • Anna Blair Publow Jewelry
  • Hook N Hide
  • Highlands Hatter
  • Isabelle Ambrose Jewelry
  • Revival Records
  • Shannon Whitworth Art
  • Visit Highlands
  • Wander Africa

What to Bring

What should I bring?

Please bring:

  • Digital ticket or QR code
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Low-profile camping chair and/or blanket for seating
  • Cash or card for additional food, merchandise, or retail purchases
  • Empty water bottle for refill stations
  • Backpack or bag for personal items, jackets or blankets
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Please note that all bags are subject to security checks at the gates.

Can I bring a reusable bottle or cup?

Yes. Empty water bottles are allowed, and potable water refill stations will be available on site. Plus, many beverages are complimentary with your ticket.

What should I leave at home?

Please do not bring:

  • Pets – we love animals, but please leave them at home
  • Coolers, except those needed for baby formula or baby food
  • Outside food or beverages
  • Illegal drugs
  • Guns or weapons
  • Cigarettes or vape pens – Bear Shadow is a non-smoking event
  • Bad attitudes

Lodging

How do I find accommodations?

There are a variety of hotels, inns, and home rentals available in Highlands and the surrounding communities. Accommodation options can be found on the Bear Shadow website.

Questions

Who can I contact with additional questions?

For more information, please email info@bearshadownc.com.

See you at Bear Shadow!