Labor Day Weekend (and Beyond) in North Carolina

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.

End your summer on a high note by making plans to attend one (or more) of the events below.

1 Matthews Alive Festival

1 Matthews Alive Festival

Sept. 1-4, 2023; Matthews See on mapSee on map

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, a petting zoo and more. The festival is in support of local nonprofits.

Cost: Free; ticket fees for rides

2 North Carolina Apple Festival

Shot of crowds at festival in front of Henderson County Courthouse with green mountains in background during daytime

2 North Carolina Apple Festival

Sept. 1-4, 2023; Hendersonville See on mapSee on map

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

3 Oak Island Art Guild Arts & Crafts Festival

photo: Oak Island Art Guild

3 Oak Island Art Guild Arts & Crafts Festival

Sept. 2, 2023; Oak Island See on mapSee on map

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

4 Labor Day Celebration at US National Whitewater Center

Two people going down zip lines with crowd of people on lawn below and whitewater river in background
photo credit: US National Whitewater Center

4 Labor Day Celebration at US National Whitewater Center

Sept. 2-3, 2023; Charlotte See on mapSee on map

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 $6

5 John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival

5 John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival

Sept. 2-3, 2023; High Point See on mapSee on map

Named for the legendary saxophonist and composer, this festival brings jazz and blues musicians and fans from around the country. Enjoy live performances from Keb' Mo', Terri Lyne Carrington, Dave Koz and more.

Cost: $80 and up

6 Mile High Kite & Craft Festival

photo: Todd Bush

6 Mile High Kite & Craft Festival

Sept. 2-3, 2023; Beech Mountain See on mapSee on map

Located at more than 5,000 feet in elevation, the town meadow makes it easy to sail kites. The festival weekend features open kite flying Saturday afternoon and an all-ages street dance that evening. On Sunday, prizes will be awarded for the biggest kite, smallest kite and best-decorated kite. Other activities include races with kids pulling parachute kites, face painting, and a variety of craft and food vendors.

Cost: Free

7 African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County

7 African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County

Sept. 2-3, 2023; RaleighSee on mapSee on map

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

8 Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show

8 Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show

Sept. 2-3, 2023; Maggie ValleySee on mapSee on map

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. 21-22, 2023.

9 Around the Crown 10K

photo: Duncan Littlefield, The Littlefield Co.

9 Around the Crown 10K

Sept. 3, 2023; CharlotteSee on mapSee on map

Beginning and ending at Truist Park in Uptown on Sunday morning, the Around the Crown 10K shuts down I-277, offering participants a one-of-a-kind chance to run the Queen City’s entire 3-mile loop while taking in spectacular skyline views. Before you race – or if you choose to cheer on runners instead – hit up the expo at Camp North End on Saturday.

Cost: Price varies for race registration; Expo festival, free

10 Canton Labor Day Celebration

10 Canton Labor Day Celebration

Sept. 3-4, 2023; Canton See on mapSee on map

More than 10 bands and dance groups perform across two days, along with a kids’ village, handmade crafts, a car show, farmers market, food trucks and more.

Cost: $10 per day

After Labor Day

11 Hopscotch Music Festival

11 Hopscotch Music Festival

Sept. 7-9, 2023; Raleigh See on mapSee on map

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 four days, including Pavement, Denzel Curry, Japanese Breakfast and more.

Cost: Starting at $149

12 Ayden Collard Festival

12 Ayden Collard Festival

Sept. 7-9, 2023; Ayden See on mapSee on map

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: Some activities, such as rides, have a fee

13 Mountain Song Festival

13 Mountain Song Festival

Sept. 8-9, 2023; Brevard See on mapSee on map

Held at Brevard Music Center’s Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium, the scheduled performers include Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush Band 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: $44.50 and up

14 Autumn at Oz

14 Autumn at Oz

Sept. 8-10; Sept. 15-17; Sept 22-24, 2023; Beech Mountain See on mapSee on map

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 $55

15 North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest and Festival

15 North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest and Festival

Sept. 9, 2023; Oxford See on mapSee on map

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

 

Updated June 19, 2023
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