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You might not want to think about summer drawing to a close, but Labor Day is considered the end to the summer travel season. In North Carolina, you’ll find plenty of popular festivals and signature events taking place during the long holiday weekend. Plus, the weekend after offers some of our state’s largest annual music festivals.
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Matthews Alive Festival
Enjoy your time off in this town just outside of Charlotte. The four-day festival features amusement rides, games, live concerts, food, arts and crafts, and more. The festival is in support of local nonprofits.
Cost: Free; ticket fees for rides
North Carolina Apple Festival
This long-running festival features a street fair on historic Main Street with live music, arts and crafts, apple growers, kids’ activities, special exhibits, food and more. Plus, the King Apple Parade takes place on Labor Day.
Cost: Free
Oak Island Art Guild Arts & Crafts Festival
More than 140 artists and craft vendors will show and sell their handmade wares, including fine art, pottery, stained glass, needlecraft, ornaments, photography, jewelry, toys and more. Food vendors will be on site as well.
Cost: Free
African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
This annual celebration of African American culture is expressed through art, music, food and community. Local, national and international artists, performers, food vendors and area business owners will be a part of the showcases.
Cost: Free
John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival
Named for the legendary saxophonist and composer, this festival brings jazz and blues musicians and fans from around the country. Enjoy live performances from Elliott Yamin, Maiya Sykes and more.
Cost: $94 and up
Labor Day Celebration at US National Whitewater Center
The Friday evening before features the River Jam concert series; Saturday begins with a trail race and ends with concerts; and Sunday features a full day of events and live music. Plus, all the activities at the US National Whitewater Center will be open, including rafting, ropes courses, zip lining, and the restaurants and beer garden.
Cost: Free, but prices vary to participate in activities; parking is $13
Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show
Maggie Valley's largest gathering of artisans, including makers from the entire Southeast, gather here to sell all kinds of incredible goodies: yard art, paintings, pottery, jewelry, household items and much more. If you miss the Labor Day event, you're in luck — another show is held Oct. 17-18, 2026.
Around the Crown 10K
Beginning and ending in Uptown on Sunday morning, the Around the Crown 10K shuts down I-277, offering you a one-of-a-kind chance to run the Queen City’s entire 3-mile loop while taking in spectacular skyline views.
Cost: Price varies for race registration
Canton Labor Day Celebration
More than 10 bands and dance groups perform across two days, along with a kids’ zone, handmade crafts, parade, food trucks and more.
Cost: $15 per day
Ayden Collard Festival
Find lots of food and fun at the “Official Collard Festival of North Carolina.” The itinerary includes a pageant, parade, road race, art show, live entertainment, carnival rides, games, and collard cooking and eating contests.
Cost: Free; ticket fees for rides and collard pageants
Hopscotch Music Festival
This annual festival has been called “America's (Secretly) Best Festival” and “the premier experimental and underground festival in America.” More than 100 bands will perform over three days, including Dexter and the Moonrocks, Cory Wong and King Princess.
Cost: Starting at $79
Mountain Song Festival
Held at Brevard Music Center’s Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium, the scheduled performers include Sam Bush Band, John Cowan Trio, Alison Brown and more. There will be plenty of food, local artists, children’s activities and nature displays. Proceeds benefit the local Boys and Girls Club.
Cost: $55 and up
North Carolina Hot Sauce Festival
North Carolina’s finest hot sauces and barbecue sauces, local craft breweries and wineries, and live bands spice up the blends and texture of historic downtown. Enter the main event of the day, the pepper eating contest, for your chance to grab the hottest title in the state. There will also be kids’ activities and an antique car show.
Cost: Free
Autumn at Oz
While it won’t technically be fall yet, you can get excited about the upcoming season with this event that sells out every year. Travel back in time to 1939 to the world of “Oz” high atop Beech Mountain at the Land of Oz theme park. Children and adults alike will be enchanted as they experience the re-creation of Dorothy’s trip from her farm home in Kansas through the twister and down the yellow brick road to the “Land of Oz.”
Cost: Starting at $70