If you aren’t at the beach, knee-deep in waterfalls in Western NC, out hiking trails throughout this beautiful state, or enjoying your backyard, you might be looking for something to do for Labor Day weekend.
For many of us, Labor Day marks the unofficial transition from summer to fall, with a long weekend commemorating the “worker’s holiday,” which is always on a Monday. In 2026, Labor Day is on Monday, September 7.
And in North Carolina, Labor Day Weekend and Labor Day will be full of celebrations, entertainment, and activities for family and friends!
To help you find them, this article features a comprehensive list of fun things to do in North Carolina during Labor Day weekend, including the days leading up to it.
The guide is organized by region, starting with Western NC and moving east toward Central NC and the Eastern part of the state.
List of Labor Day Events in NC (Table of Contents)
Read More: Things to Do in North Carolina in September
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Western NC Labor Day Events
As with all of our other NC travel guides, we start in the mountains of Western NC and the amazing small towns that surround Asheville and Boone.
Earl Scruggs Festival
2025 Event Dates: September 4-6, 2026
Address: Tryon Resort, 25 International Blvd, Mill Spring, NC
Earl Scruggs Festival Event Website
The Earl Scruggs Festival is an elevated Bluegrass festival experience, happening this Labor Day Weekend in the foothills of NC at the impressive Tryon Resort. Featured artists include:
- The Avett Brothers
- Greensky Bluegrass
- Bela Fleck
- Many more
This will be an epic celebration of Earl Scruggs’ incredible contributions to music and the rich culture of our region!
Read More: Things to Do in Tryon
North Carolina Apple Festival
Event Dates: September 4-7, 2026
NC Apple Festival Website
If you’re looking for Labor Day events in Asheville and its surroundings, start with Hendersonville, the awesome mountain town known for its plentiful apple orchards.
Thus, it’s no surprise that the town also hosts the state’s premier Apple Festival. During the NC Apple Festival, you can enjoy a preview of the autumn season with delicious apples and apple-inspired treats in Hendersonville.
Over a dozen local NC apple orchards set up shop at the festival, selling handpicked apples and other delicacies.
In addition, there are children’s activities, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and a hug parade that takes over the town on Labor Day.
Read More: 100+ Unique Things to Do In North Carolina (Your NC Bucket List)
Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts Show
Event Dates: September 5-6, 2026
Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts Show Website
Maggie Valley hosts multiple arts and crafts shows throughout the summer and fall, bringing together the town’s largest gathering of artisans.
Over Labor Day weekend in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains, artists and crafters from across the Southeast gather to create one of the greatest selections of artwork in the area.
Spend the weekend perusing works like paintings, pottery, jewelry, yard art, and much more. If you miss the Labor Day event, there’s another show on October 17-18, 2026!
Read More: Visiting the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley (+ 10 Things We Love!)
Canton Labor Day Festival
Event Date: September 6, 2026
Canton Labor Day Festival Website
The town of Canton’s annual Labor Day Festival has been a local favorite for over 115 years.
The festival began in 1906 to honor Western NC workers and continues to remember their legacy and the workers.
It’s the oldest Labor Day celebration in NC (and the South) and features local breweries, food vendors, activities, and big-name musicians, with Clay Walker headlining.
Read More: 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive)
Central NC Labor Day Events
The center of our state is home to our biggest cities and some of the best Labor Day events in NC!
Matthews Alive Festival
Event Dates: September 4-7, 2026
Matthews Alive Festival Website
This Charlotte suburb hosts Matthews Alive, a four-day festival that supports and raises funds for local nonprofits. The Labor Day event is jam-packed with activities and things to do, from amusement rides, games, live concerts, food, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, and more.
Read More: 25+ Best Day Trips from Charlotte (Within a 90-Minute Drive)
The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival
Event Dates: September 4-6, 2026
Pinehurst Barbecue Festival Website
The annual Pinehurst Barbecue Festival returns to the Sandhills on Labor Day Weekend, featuring award-winning pitmaster Matt Register (Southern Smoke) and many of North Carolina’s most-renowned pitmasters.
Note: The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival spans multiple signature events. Each requires its own ticket and here are a few major highlights:
- Friday, September 4, 2026: High on the Hog, a gourmet pitmaster dinner hosted by Matt Register of Southern Smoke Barbecue in Garland and Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew’s BBQ in Charlotte.
- Saturday, September 5, 2026
- ”Q”-School Grilling Class, hosted by Pitmaster Ron Simmons, with cooking and grilling demonstrations (and samples of course)
- Bourbon & Bites, an intimate evening of bourbon and appetizer pairings!
- Sunday, September 6, 2026: The Pitmaster Invitational features seven of North Carolina’s finest barbecue pitmasters!
Read More: North Carolina Barbecue (Lexington vs. Eastern vs. Contemporary, and The Best Restaurants to Visit!)
John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival in High Point
Event Dates: September 5-6, 2026
John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival Website
John Coltrane was born in Hamlet but grew up in High Point, and this Labor Day event honors his legacy with two days of contemporary, modern, and mainstream jazz.
Held at Oak Hollow Park in High Point, the festival will feature artists including:
- Ravi Coltrane
- Ledisi
- Victor Wooten
- Many More!
Read More: Day Trips from Greensboro
African-American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
Event Dates: September 5-6, 2026
African-American Cultural Festival Website
The African-American Cultural Festival is a long-running celebration of African-American culture, featuring art, food, music, and more. It’s become a major event that draws in thousands of visitors.
This year, over 40,000 attendees are expected to flood downtown Raleigh. The festival will feature local, national, and international artists and performers, traditional cuisine and food vendors, business owners, and more.
Stop by the African Marketplace for a full selection of traditional crafts and wares, enjoy family activities at Family Village, and listen to signature musical shows on the Main Stage.
Read More: Amazing Things to Do in Raleigh (Award-Winning Restaurants, Museums, and More!)
US National Whitewater Center Celebration
2025 Event Date: September 5-6, 2026
Whitewater Center’s Labor Day Celebration Website
US National Whitewater Center is another way to enjoy the holiday surrounded by nature. The center’s Labor Day celebration features a weekend 5K and 15K trail race followed by outdoor activities, yoga, live music, ice cream bars, and more.
The two days are divided into sessions featuring all the activities offered at the Whitewater Center, including rafting, zip-lining, kayaking, and more. And, of course, no festival is complete without great food and entertainment.
Read More: The Best Things to Do in Charlotte (Food, Outdoor Adventures, and More!)
Eastern NC Labor Day Events
If you’re looking for Labor Day events in NC’s easternmost reaches, we’ve dedicated the remainder of our guide to the coast.
Fireworks by the Sea and Boardwalk Blast in Carolina Beach
2026 Event Date: September 4, 2026
Fireworks by the Sea Website (Wilmington and Beaches CVB)
Carolina Beach puts on a dazzling fireworks show every Thursday in the summer, concluding on the Friday before Labor Day. Kick off the long weekend early with the final fireworks display at Carolina Beach, the biggest and best one of the entire summer!
Read More: The Best Beaches in North Carolina (+ Our Personal Tips)
Oak Island Art Guild Arts and Crafts Festival
Event Date: September 5, 2026 (September 6 Rain Date)
Oak Island Arts and Crafts Festival Website
Enjoy the last vestiges of summer at Oak Island, a charming beach town in Brunswick County. For Labor Day, Oak Island hosts a recurring arts and crafts festival featuring over 140 artists and craftspeople.
The festival offers a juried selection of artwork, pottery, stained glass, ornaments, and more, making it perfect for last-minute summer shopping.
Read More: How To See Oak Island Lighthouse (Facts And Tour Info)
Ocracoke Seafood Festival
Event Date: September 5, 2026
Ocracoke Seafood Festival Facebook Page
The Ocracoke Health Center will host its annual fundraiser (aka the Ocracoke Seafood Festival) at Berkley Barn on the Island. At 3:00 p.m., a silent auction and family-friendly games will kick things off, followed by food and fun at 4:00 p.m.
A live auction at 6:00 p.m. and live music at 7:00 p.m. will close out this special event on Ocracoke Island in The Outer Banks!
Read More: Things to Do on Ocracoke Island
Historic Downtown Wilmington Artisan Market
Event Date: September 6, 2026
Event Info
The Historic Downtown Wilmington Artisan Market occurs every Sunday from April to October, including the Sunday before Labor Day. Over 30 artists rotate through the market, and no two markets are ever the same.
Each week, a changing collection is paired with live music.
Read More: 50+ Awesome Things to Do in Wilmington and Nearby
How Will You Celebrate Labor Day Weekend in North Carolina?
We hope you have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend planned, whether you’ll be in North Carolina or not. Thanks to our mix of mountains, cities, and coast, we do this holiday better than anywhere else.
If you’ve settled on one Labor Day event in North Carolina, we’d love to know which you’ll attend this year. Of course, we’d love to hear about your experiences at these celebrations and any others we didn’t mention.
Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to share your adventures in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group!
More Things to Do During Labor Day in NC and Beyond (Travel Guides)
We’ve covered many of these Labor Day NC events in our extensive NC travel guides collection. Here are a few examples.
Search for NC Travel Guides
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