There is nowhere more lively to sample creative food, pours, and music than at the annual Highlands Food & Wine event (HFW) located in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Every year in early November, the happening small town of Highlands draws top chefs and restaurateurs, vintners, craft brewers, and musical artists from the Southeast who come together to showcase their talents over the course of four days. And foodies follow.

As if the fall season isn't enough of a draw to hunker down by a roaring fire, sip lustrous wine and eat your heart out at any one of Highlands bevy of excellent restaurants, the HFW event offers a packed weekend calendar showcasing the talents of 30+ chefs, 8 musical acts from country-rock to jazz to gospel, 1000+ bottles of wine, all while at elevations above 4000'. Some of the events include Truck'in, a swanky outdoor space with food trucks including Carolina BBQ from the sensational Elliot Moss of Buxton Hall in Asheville and other inspiring cuisine de food truck chefs, along with craft brews and cocktails, and music from folk-rock talent Dawes.

Other events include Saturday's Main Event with unlimited oysters prepared multiple ways, small plates, copious adult beverages and live music from soul rock group JJ Grey and MOFRO. On Saturday night, A Generous Pour offers curated wines along with live music from famed Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Sunday's final event is a show stopping Gospel Brunch with chef Steven Satterfield of Atlanta's Miller Union at the kitchen helm, a Tito's bloody mary bar and cleansing soulful sounds from Joyful and Liz Vice.  In between all of the big events, there are chef wine dinners in private homes, foodie movies playing at the Highlands Playhouse and organized Sip & Shop strolls through town.

This fabulous fun-filled weekend event is not to be missed! Highlands, NC is easily accessible from Atlanta and Asheville. HFW runs from Thursday, November 9 to Sunday, November 12, 2017. To check for available tickets and to purchase go to Highlands Food & Wine.