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Dates & Times
June 11 - June 14, 2026
Location
411-499 Pine St.
Highlands, NC 28741
Cost
Free, with some ticketed events
Contact
Steve Ham
steveham@dnet.net
View Event Website
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The 19th Annual Highlands Motoring Festival returns to Highlands, featuring seven events during four days celebrating automotive history, mountain driving and community impact. We are honored to welcome Wayne Carini as the 2026 Grand Marshal and guest speaker. Carini is a leading authority on classic car restoration and an internationally known media personality. This year's featured theme pays tribute to the American Revolution with America versus England, highlighted by Corvette versus Jaguar. Historically significant cars from both camps will be on display, along with many other marques selected for Classics in the Park.
The popular One Lap of the Mountains driving tours return with newly curated routes through national forests, offering mountain views, waterfalls, and lesser-traveled roads. Early registration is required.
HMF 2026 Schedule of Events
Thursday brings One Lap of the Mountains – Grande Driving Tour at 8 a.m. Happy Hour with Wayne Carini is 5-7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.
Friday brings One Lap of the Mountains – Speciale Driving Tour at 8:45 a.m. The Main Street Parade of Classic Cars is 5:30–6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the Classics in the Park Invitational is a judged car show, held 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park; the Dinner Party with Wayne Carini is 6-9 p.m. at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club.
The event wraps up on Sunday with the High Octane in the Mountains Social and Car Gathering, 8:30-11 a.m. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park.
Get your tickets early, as some events sell out quickly.
The festival proudly supports local charities. In 2026, $105,000 was generated for community human-needs organizations. During the years, the festival has donated more than $750,000 through the efforts of more than 100 volunteers.
The popular One Lap of the Mountains driving tours return with newly curated routes through national forests, offering mountain views, waterfalls, and lesser-traveled roads. Early registration is required.
HMF 2026 Schedule of Events
Thursday brings One Lap of the Mountains – Grande Driving Tour at 8 a.m. Happy Hour with Wayne Carini is 5-7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.
Friday brings One Lap of the Mountains – Speciale Driving Tour at 8:45 a.m. The Main Street Parade of Classic Cars is 5:30–6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the Classics in the Park Invitational is a judged car show, held 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park; the Dinner Party with Wayne Carini is 6-9 p.m. at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club.
The event wraps up on Sunday with the High Octane in the Mountains Social and Car Gathering, 8:30-11 a.m. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park.
Get your tickets early, as some events sell out quickly.
The festival proudly supports local charities. In 2026, $105,000 was generated for community human-needs organizations. During the years, the festival has donated more than $750,000 through the efforts of more than 100 volunteers.
