Published by Carl. Last Updated on July 5, 2025.
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For our rundown of things to do in North Carolina in August, we’ve got plenty of foodie fun, family-friendly festivals, and watery celebrations for you.
As the last full month of summer, there’s an impressive number of local events in August in NC. You could even consider this the start of the busiest time of year!
This is a fun time to be in our state, whether you’re traveling through or already living here. For our rundown of August events, we have plenty of foodie fun, family-friendly festivals, and watery celebrations.
And like we’ve done with other monthly roundups, these events are ordered by starting date and alphabetized by city.
In case you’re looking for specific August events in NC or something else this month, here’s how we’ve organized this guide:
- Featured August Events in North Carolina (Partners)
- First Weekend of August (August 1 to 3, 2025)
- Second Weekend of August (August 8 to 10, 2025)
- Third Weekend of August (August 15 to 17, 2025)
- Fourth Weekend of August (August 22-24, 2025)
- Labor Day Weekend Events in North Carolina (August 29-31, 2025)
Read More: 100+ Unique Things to Do In North Carolina (Your NC Bucket List)
Our printable travel guide features the best events in NC during August!
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Featured August Events in NC (Partners)
We love promoting local events in NC and would love to add yours to our featured section here and on our calendar. Check out this page regarding submissions, and let’s talk more!
Things to Do in North Carolina in August (First Weekend)
We begin this travel guide with August events during the first weekend of the month.
- Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show in Blowing Rock
- NC Watermelon Festival in Murfreesboro
- US Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst
- Monster Truck Bash in Concord
- Robbins Farmers Day
- North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival in Spruce Pine
- Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair in Burnsville
- Fig Festival on Ocracoke Island
Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show
2025 Event Date: July 29-August 2, 2025
Event Info
Blowing Rock’s Charity Horse Show starts off August with a wonderful charity event as the foundation commences its final week of Hunter/Jumper events in early August.
Admission is $10 per person each day and kids under 12 get in free. Proceeds will go to various local organizations in North Carolina’s High Country.
Read More: 30+ Great Things to Do in Blowing Rock
NC Watermelon Festival in Murfreesboro
2025 Event Date: July 30-August 2, 2025
Event Info
Murfreesboro’s NC Watermelon Festival is one of the hottest things to do in North Carolina in August, and not just because of those summer temps.
This four-day event has watermelon samples, concerts, amusement rides, and so much more!
Read More: Things to Do in North Carolina in June
US Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst
2025 Event Date: July 31-August 2, 2025
Event Info
Pinehurst Resort and more area golf courses will host the US Kids Golf World Championship. The three-day event will bring 1,450 6-12-aged players from around the world.
In addition, you might even catch some future greats early in their careers.
Read More: 11 Wonderful Things to Do in Pinehurst (Golf and More!)
Monster Truck Bash in Concord
2025 Event Date: August 2, 2025
Event Info
The Cook Out Monster Truck Bash returns to The Dirt Track at Charlotte for a night of high-flying 2,000-horsepower machines on the toughest outdoor course. Your ticket ($11 to $33) allows you to meet the drivers and get a close-up view of monster trucks.
Big names such as Bigfoot, Stone Crusher, and Hooked are a few of the many who will be at the pre-race pit party.
Stick around for a while and explore our favorite things to do in Concord and Cabarrus County! This includes the area’s great restaurants and breweries.
Read More: 25+ Best Day Trips from Charlotte (Within a 90-Minute Drive)
Robbins Farmers Day in Robbins
2025 Event Date: August 1-2, 2025
Event Info
Robbins Farmers Day returns to Moore County, with local music, food, carnival rides, and more kid-friendly fun. The Farmers Day Parade on Saturday will bring tractors, well-dressed men, women, children, and horses for all to see.
Read More: Colorful Fall Hikes in North Carolina (+ 20 Beautiful Places to Explore!)
North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival in Spruce Pine
2025 Event Date: July 31-August 3, 2025
Event Info
Visit the small mountain town of Spruce Pine for the annual North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival. Visitors can enjoy all the shopping opportunities, mine tours, and activities such as kayaking and wild rafting.
Read More: 31 of the Best North Carolina Mountain Towns to Visit Now!
Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair in Burnsville
2025 Event Date: August 1-2, 2025
Event Info
Yancey County celebrates the annual Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair in downtown Burnsville, always on the first Friday and Saturday in August.
Artists, vendors, and musicians come from North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia to Burnsville’s Town Square to show off their goods and connect with the local community.
Hopefully, you’ll have time to eat at one of Burnsville’s amazing restaurants before or after the Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair.
Read More: Toe River Arts (One Truly Amazing North Carolina Arts Supporter)
Fig Festival on Ocracoke Island
2025 Event Date: August 1-5, 2025
Event Info
Celebrate Ocracoke Island’s summer fig harvest with the Ocracoke Fig Festival. The fig-filled weekend is all about the island’s fig picking, fig preserving, and fig cake-making traditions!
Special guest Chef Bill Smith of Crook’s Corner will host the Ocracoke Island festival, featuring music, storytelling, and more! Also, don’t forget to stop by Ocracoke Lighthouse or Springer’s Point while on this beautiful island.
Read More: Portsmouth Island (How to See this Beautiful Uninhabited Place)
Things to Do in North Carolina in August (Second Weekend)
We begin this travel guide with August events during the second weekend of the month.
- Waldensian Festival in Valdese
- Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain
- The American Legion World Series Festival in Shelby
- Wahine Classic in Wrightsville Beach
- Concerts in the Commons in Wilkesboro
Waldensian Festival in Valdese
2025 Event Date: August 8-9, 2025
Event Info
Valdese will host its annual Waldensian Festival and unite friends, family, and history. The festival commemorates the Waldensian people and their experiences in the 17th century.
King Louis XIV of France attempted to destroy the Waldensian people, forcing the Waldenses to leave their homes and towns. In August 1689, a group of 800 men fought their way back to their valleys. In 1976, the town of Valdese hosted its first festival in honor of this event.
The Waldensian Festival kicks off on Friday with live music, a classic car show, and amusement rides. On Saturday, the fun continues on Main Street with 170+ food, art, and craft vendors, competitions, street dances, and more live entertainment.
The Waldensian Festival is one of the best things to do in North Carolina in August, but in case you can’t make this event, Valdese is a great spot in Burke County!
Read More: How to See High Shoals Falls in Person (+ Trail Tips!)
Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain
2025 Event Date: August 9-10, 2025
Event Info
The ever-growing Sourwood Festival will welcome thousands of people to Black Mountain in August. The weekend event will host dozens of vendors serving food for all palettes, honey and bee demos, and some of that delicious sourwood honey.
Give yourself more time in Black Mountain during this awesome August event, because there are plenty of shops to explore and restaurants to enjoy!
Read More: 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive)
The American Legion World Series Festival in Shelby
2025 Event Date: August 9, 2025
Event Info
Shelby will host the American Legion World Series Festival, a concert featuring Bailey Marie, Scotty Hasting and John Michael Montgomery. The festivities kick off at 5:30pm at the corner of Warren and Lafayette Streets.
Read More: 13 Awesome Restaurants in Shelby and Cleveland County
Wahine Classic in Wrightsville Beach
2025 Event Date: August 9-10, 2025
Event Info
The all-female Wahine Classic Surfing Competition will bring professional and amateur surfers together for the seventh time. This event in Wrightsville Beach kicks off with a welcome event for participants and their families.
Read More: 50+ Awesome Things to Do in Wilmington (and Nearby!)
Concerts in the Commons in Wilkesboro
2025 Event Date: August 9, 2025
Event Info
Wilkesboro continues its “Concerts in the Commons” series held on 2nd Saturdays from May through August at the Carolina West Wireless Community Commons (park) and also, on the Wilkes Communications Pavilion.
These events offer fun for the entire family, including live music by regional and nationally known artists, local food trucks, and kids’ activities.
Read More: 15+ Great Things to Do in North Wilkesboro (Speedway and More!)
Things to Do in North Carolina in August (Third Weekend)
The fun continues during the third weekend of August, especially thanks to these events.
- OBX Pirate Festival in Nags Head
- Outsouth Queer Film Festival in Durham
- NC State Bluegrass Festival in Marion
- Doc Watson Day in Boone
OBX Pirate Festival in Nags Head
2025 Event Date: August 14-15, 2025
Event Info
When I picture August in North Carolina, I think of the Outer Banks and hopefully, you do too! If you’re in OBX in August with your kids, check out the OBX Pirate Festival.
A two-day “Scallywag School” (pre-registration required) and Living History Pirate Encampment headline the event at Nags Head’s Kitty Hawk Kites.
Read More: Things to Do in July in North Carolina
Outsouth Queer Film Festival in Durham
2025 Event Date: August 14-21, 2025
Event Info
The Carolina Theatre brings you three days of peace and movies at the Outsouth Queer Film Festival. The second largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the Southeast features shorts, documentaries, feature-length films, and live events that celebrate the queer community.
Features aired here have gone on to the shortlists of several prominent international documentary and film awards.
After the three-day festival, another three-day ‘Apres-fest’ brings even more marginalized voices to the big screen.
Read More: 10 Great Movies Filmed in North Carolina (and Set Here, Too!)
NC State Bluegrass Festival in Marion
2025 Event Date: August 14-16, 2025
Event Info
The annual NC State Bluegrass Festival kicks off at Tom Johnson’s Camping Center in Marion. Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, the Malpass Brothers, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, and more will take the stage for this three-day, dancer-friendly event.
Read More: How to See Tom’s Creek Falls in Marion
Doc Watson Day in Boone
2025 Event Date: August 15-16, 2025
Event Info
Doc Watson Day is one of the best things to do in Boone throughout the year, especially during the summer!
To commemorate one of NC’s best musicians, a free concert will be held on August 15 at the Jones House in Doc Watson’s honor. This free show will feature the following acts:
- The Wilder Flower
- Tim Stafford & Thomm Jutz
- Asheville Mountain Boys
On August 16, a ticketed show will also take place at the Jones House, featuring the Dan Tyminski Band.
Read More: 20+ Delicious Restaurants in Boone
Things to Do in North Carolina in August (Fourth Weekend)
These events make for the perfect pre-Labor Day weekend!
- Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival
- Penland School of Crafts Auction
- High Country Beer Fest in Boone
- WNC Bigfoot Festival in Marion
- Railroad Heritage Weekend at Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock
- Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival in Cary
Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival
2025 Event Date: August 19-23, 2025
Event Info
Watch artists from across 12 states paint “en Plein air” at the Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival. Hosted by The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, artists will paint in real-time without the aid of photography.
Festival-goers have a chance to watch the artistic process live Tuesday through Friday and purchase the artwork during Saturday’s Wet Paint Sale. Free reservations are required for Saturday’s sale.
Read More: 14 Delicious Blowing Rock Restaurants for High Country Travelers
Penland School of Crafts Auction
2025 Event Dates: August 22 to 23, 2025
Event Info
The world-renowned Penland School of Craft hosts its annual auction, which is the school’s biggest fundraiser. It’s also a joyous celebration of all things Penland, which has taught and hosted many of North Carolina’s finest artisans.
High Country Beer Fest in Boone
2025 Event Date: August 23, 2025
Event Info
High Country Beer Fest returns to celebrate the Boone area’s quality craft beer, ciders, and other brews with you. More than 40 breweries, a plethora of food trucks, and multiple vendors will be at this fun festival.
The event raises funds for Appalachian State University’s Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences Program.
WNC Bigfoot Festival in Marion
2025 Event Dates: August 23, 2025
Event Info
Marion’s annual WNC Bigfoot Festival is all about the legendary creature that may or may not wander the Northeast US and Marion’s surroundings. This fun festival includes Bigfoot-themed food and souvenirs and an indoor expo area.
Read More: Day Trips from Asheville
Railroad Heritage Weekend at Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock
2025 Event Date: August 23-24, 2025
Event Info
Railroad Heritage Weekend at Tweetsie Railroad kicks off the last weekend of fun things to do in North Carolina in August. The theme park honors the steam era with special attractions for rail travel lovers like me.
This August event is a great time for everyone and the perfect accompaniment to the Wild West fun that’s available at Tweetsie.
While this August event is certainly worth checking out, don’t forget to look ahead toward Tweetsie Christmas during the holidays.
Read More: Christmas in North Carolina (14 Holiday Events, Lights, and More!)
Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival in Cary
2025 Event Date: August 23-24, 2025
Event Info
The annual Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival returns to the Cary Town Hall Campus and will feature over 300 artists. It’s a bustling event with live music, kids’ activities, food, drink, crafts, and more.
Read More: The Mayton in Cary (+ 7 Things We Love About Staying Here!)
Labor Day Weekend Events in NC
Labor Day again straddles the August-September line, and these events make it one of the most interesting weekends to be in North Carolina.
- Carolina Beach Fireworks
- North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville
- US National Whitewater Center Celebration in Charlotte
- Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts Show
- Canton Labor Day Festival
Read More: Labor Day Weekend Events in NC
Carolina Beach Fireworks
2025 Event Date: August 29, 2025
Carolina Beach puts on a dazzling fireworks show every Thursday in the summer, concluding the week before Labor Day. You can 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)
North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville
2025 Event Date: August 29 to September 1, 2025
Event Info
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.
The mountain 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.
US National Whitewater Center Celebration in Charlotte
2025 Event Date: August 30-31, 2025
Event Info
The US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte’s Labor Day celebration features a weekend 5K and 15K trail race followed by outdoor activities, yoga, live music, ice cream bars, and more.
This two-day festival is 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, and they’ll have that, too!
Read More: The Best Things to Do in Charlotte (Food, Outdoor Adventures, and More!)
Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts Show
2025 Event Date: August 30-31, 2025
Event Info
Maggie Valley hosts multiple arts and crafts shows throughout 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 in October!
Read More: Visiting the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley (+ 10 Things We Love!)
Canton Labor Day Festival
2025 Event Date: August 31, 2025
Event Info
The town of Canton’s annual Labor Day Festival has been a local favorite for over 100 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 music.
Read More: 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive)
Ready for These Amazing Things to Do in North Carolina in August?
Shew! August in North Carolina is fun, and we hope you’re as excited about it as we are! As summer approaches fall, we look forward to sharing all the fun things happening in our state.
And before we look ahead to September and beyond, we want to know which of these events and festivals you’ll be visiting. Also, do you think we should add anything to do in North Carolina in August to this list?
Let us know about it here or via email and we’ll gladly take a look! Don’t forget to share your August adventures in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group.
More Things to Do in North Carolina in August (and Beyond!)
Whether you’re hanging out in the mountains, along our coast, or anywhere in between, these travel guides will help you find things to do in North Carolina in August and beyond!
