With the last full month of summer, there are 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 as we’ve done with other monthly roundups, these events are ordered by start 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 (July 30-August 2, 2026)
- Second Weekend of August (August 7-8, 2026)
- Third Weekend of August (August 13-16 and Beyond, 2026)
- Fourth Weekend of August (August 21-23, 2026)
- Fifth Weekend of August (August 29-31, 2026)
Read More: 100+ Unique Things to Do In North Carolina (Your NC Bucket List)
Feature Your August Events
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 that started at the end of July and carried over into the first weekend of the month.
NC Watermelon Festival in Murfreesboro
Event Dates: July 29-August 1, 2026
NC Watermelon Festival Event Website
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
Robbins Farmers Day
Event Dates: July 30-August 1, 2026
Robbins Farmers Day Event Website
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
Event Dates: July 30-August 2, 2026
NC Mineral and Gem Festival Event Website
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!
Things to Do in North Carolina in August (Second Weekend)
We begin this travel guide with August events during the first full weekend of the month.
Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair in Burnsville
Event Dates: August 7-8, 2026
Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair Event Website
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)
Ocracoke Fig Festival
Event Dates: August 7-8, 2026
Ocracoke Fig Festival Event Website
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!
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)
Waldensian Festival in Valdese
Event Dates: August 7-8, 2026
Waldensian Festival Event Website
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
Event Dates: August 8-9, 2026
Sourwood Festival Event Website
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)
Wahine Classic in Wrightsville Beach
Event Dates: TBD
Wahine Festival Event Website
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
Event Date: August 8, 2026
Concert in the Commons Facebook Page (Downtown Wilkesboro)
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
Event Date: August 13-14, 2026
OBX Pirate Festival Event Website
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
Event Dates: August 13-16, 2026
Outsouth Queer Film Festival Event Website (Carolina Theatre)
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 celebrating the queer community.
Features aired here have been shortlisted for several prominent international documentary and film awards.
Read More: 10 Great Movies Filmed in North Carolina (and Set Here, Too!)
NC State Bluegrass Festival in Cherokee
Event Date: August 12-14 and August 16, 2026
NC State Bluegrass Festival Event Website (Classic Promotions)
The annual NC State Bluegrass Festival returns to the Happy Holiday Campground in Cherokee. Host band Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road will be joined by Larry Cordle, Billy & the Kids, and more during this multi-day, dancer-friendly event.
Read More: Things to Do in Cherokee This August and Beyond!
The American Legion World Series in Shelby
2026 Event Dates: August 13-18, 2026
American Legion World Series Event Website
Shelby will host the American Legion World Series, a six-day youth baseball tournament, one of four national world series in the country. Teams representing American Legion posts from across the United States meet on Veterans Field and compete in a pool play tournament to crown the champion.
Read More: 13 Awesome Restaurants in Shelby and Cleveland County
Doc Watson Day in Boone
Event Dates: August 14-15, 2026
Doc Watson Day Event Website (Jones House)
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:
- Eliot Smith & Noah Lanham
- Olivia Phillips
- Trevor McKenzie & Steve Kruger
- Nick Chandler and Delivered
On August 16, a ticketed show will also take place at the Jones House, featuring Tommy Emmanuel, CGP.
Read More: 20+ Delicious Restaurants in Boone
Hot Nights Cool Rides Car Show in Forest City
Event Dates: August 14-15, 2026
Hot Nights Cool Rides Car Show Website
Hot Nights Cool Rides is one of the largest car shows in the Southeast! On August 15, a live concert at POPS Amphitheater will kick off the event.
On Saturday, the car show will take over Main Street in Forest City from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cars will be joined by live music, food, vendors, shopping, and more.
Blowing Rock Art in the Park
Event Date: August 15, 2026
Blowing Rock Art in the Park’s Website
Held monthly in downtown Blowing Rock from May to October, Art in the Park is a wonderful showcase of fine art and handcrafted works by award-winning artisans.
Each show features a different set of artists in a wide variety of media. You’ll find anything from gifts and works for personal collections to functional pieces like furniture and cutlery.
Read More: Things to Do in Blowing Rock
Renegade Rundown Monster Trucks at Carteret Speedway in Swansboro
Event Date: August 15, 2026
Renegade Rundown Event Website
Billed as “One Day, Two Big Shows,” Renegade Rundown will bring 90 minutes of monster trucks crushing cars and performing gravity-defying stunts at Carteret Speedway in Swansboro. The first show will start at 12:30 p.m., and the second (and final) of the day will start at 6:00 p.m.
Read More: Things to Do in Onslow County
Things to Do in North Carolina in August (Fourth Weekend)
These events make for the perfect August weekend!
Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival
Event Dates: TBD
Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival Website
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
Event Dates: August 21-22, 2026
Penland Auction Event Website
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.
Laze Daze Arts & Crafts Festival
Event Dates: August 22-23, 2026
Address: Cary Town Hall Campus, 120 Wilkinson Ave, Cary, NC
Lazy Daze Event Website
The annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival in Cary attracts over 250 exceptional artists from across the country. The fun will also include live entertainment on four stages, food from over 25 vendors, fun kids’ activities throughout, and more!
Things to Do in North Carolina in August (Fifth Weekend)
These August events make for the perfect pre-Labor Day weekend!
High Country Beer Fest in Boone
Event Date: August 29, 2026
High Country Beer Fest Event Website
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
Event Date: August 29, 2026
WNC Bigfoot Festival Website
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
Event Date: August 29-30, 2026
Railroad Heritage Weekend Event Website (Tweetsie Railroad)
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!)
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 gives way to 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!
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You can search our entire site if you’re looking for something specific.
7th Inning Stretch in Shelby, NC. Martina McBride will be doing a free concert downtown Shelby on August 7th.
My date was wrong for Martina McBride being in Shelby, NC. She will be here on Saturday the 10th.
Thank you so much, Kelly! Will see what I can do to add this to our list of events.
I do not see anything about motorcycle charity rides or events?
Hi Tim, thanks for stopping by and mentioning these events. If you know of any specific ones, please let me know and we’ll take a look to consider adding them!