Published by Carl. Last Updated on September 12, 2024.
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Looking for fun things to do in North Carolina in September? This guide will fill your entire month!
September is the month when summer and fall converge, and there are some great events happening from start to finish. The changing of the seasons and cooler air make this one of our busiest months, based on the sheer number of events we uncovered when putting this guide together.
Some of the biggest local festivals and events are held during this month, spanning from west to east and nearly everywhere in between. Like other monthly guides, we’ve ordered these September events in North Carolina by starting date and alphabetized by city.
Here’s how you can easily jump around to the date you’re looking for.
- Featured NC Events in September (Partners)
- Things to Do in North Carolina in September (1-10)
- September 11-20
- September 21-30
Read More: 100+ Unique Things to Do in North Carolina (Your NC Bucket List)
Featured NC Events in September (Partners)
If you represent a tourism bureau, destination marketing organization, local business, or PR agency and want placement here, please visit this page for more info.
Full Bloom Film Festival in Statesville
2024 Event Date: September 5-7, 2024
Event Info
The 9th annual Full Bloom Film Festival (FBFF) takes place in Historic Downtown Statesville. FBFF is dedicated to showcasing quality, diverse films from around the world.
You will have the opportunity to walk down the red carpet for premiere events, participate in panel discussions, and celebrate with filmmakers and VIPs at parties throughout the weekend.
In addition to supporting independent filmmakers, this boutique film festival aims to highlight stories from both local and global communities.
NC Hot Sauce Contest in Oxford
2024 Event Date: September 6-7, 2024
Event Info
Get hot and fired up in Historic Oxford with the 17th annual North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest and festival! Join thousands of other visitors in sampling the food and sauces, participating in pepper-eating contests, and looking at car shows.
This year the stakes are turning up a notch with the addition of live music, a wee pepper’s place, and sensory tents.
Things to Do in North Carolina in September (1-10)
Note that many September events in NC may decide to cancel or alter times/dates, sometimes at the last minute. Please visit the links we’ve provided to each individual event to confirm details and also, to lend your support in cases of cancellation.
Hickory American Legion Fair in Newton
2024 Event Date: August 28-September 2, 2024
Event Info
The first entry in our things to do in North Carolina in September starts in August but spills over into this month.
It is the annual Hickory American Legion Fair in Newton. Rides galore, daily events, food, and much more will keep the fun going through September at this Catawba County extravaganza.
Read More: Great Things to Do in Hickory
North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville
2024 Event Date: August 30-September 2, 2024
Event Info
Celebrate Labor Day weekend in Hendersonville at the North Carolina Apple Festival. This festival is a huge Labor Day tradition for apple orchards in and around Henderson County.
It’s one of the best things to do in North Carolina in September, especially if you like loading up on freshly picked apples and festival food in one of North Carolina’s finest small towns. It’s finally time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Read More: 10 Great Hendersonville Restaurants (+ Where to Eat and Drink!)
Full Bloom Film Festival in Statesville
2024 Event Date: September 5-7, 2024
Event Info
See this post’s “Partners” section for more info about the Full Bloom Film Festival in Statesville!
Read More: Important Facts About Statesville (History and More!)
Autumn at Oz Festival in Beech Mountain
2024 Event Date: Weekends in September, 2024
Event Info
Oz opens its doors for three weekends in September to celebrate over 50 years of magic in the Land of Oz.
During Autumn at Oz, you can skip down the yellow brick road with the Scarecrow, TinMan, and ToTo with craft vendors, a petting zoo, face painting, and the Land of Oz Exhibit featuring original props and costumes.
This event in Beech Mountain is a magical and transformative experience!
Read More: 60+ Kid-Friendly Events in North Carolina for the Whole Year
Mountain Song Festival in Brevard
2024 Event Date: September 6-7, 2024
Event Info
The two-day Mountain Song Festival returns to Brevard. Names like Steep Canyon Rangers, Shannon Whitworth, and Sam Bush will take the stage during this family-friendly event in Transylvania County.
Read More: 25+ Beautiful Waterfalls near Brevard (Within 1 Hour)
NC Mountain State Fair in Fletcher
2024 Event Date: September 6-15, 2024
Event Info
The WNC Agricultural Center (near Asheville) will host its annual NC Mountain State Fair to celebrate our mountains and their heritage. Arts and crafts, rides, and various dedications to agriculture highlight this awesome family-friendly festival.
Read More: 30+ Great Things to Do in Downtown Asheville
North Carolina Folk Festival in Greensboro
2024 Event Date: September 6-8, 2024
Event Info
Over in Greensboro, the free-to-attend North Carolina Folk Festival will have music, food, crafts, and more fun happening downtown. Performers include The War & Treaty, Los Lonely Boys, and Mipso.
Read More: 7 Fun Museums in Greensboro (Kid-Friendly, Contemporary Art, and More!)
Thunder in the Smokies in Maggie Valley
2024 Event Date: September 6-8, 2024
Event Info
The fall version of Thunder in the Smokies returns to Maggie Valley, with thousands of bikers expected to roll into the Great Smoky Mountains. You’ll likely see a lot of bikers throughout the year (especially at the Wheels Through Time Museum), but this is typically the busiest motorcycle weekend of the year.
Highlights include an impressive tour ride and Bike Games, where a $1,000 cash prize goes to the winners.
Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley
Historic Morganton Festival
2024 Event Date: September 6-7, 2024
Event Info
The annual Historic Morganton Festival will kick off the second weekend in September. Live music, rides, food, games, and a Kids Zone come together for a successful event.
This Burke County event also brings back two fitness events—the Sunrise Run on the Greenway and Student Fitness Challenge.
Read More: Colorful Fall Hikes in North Carolina (+ 20 Beautiful Places to Explore!)
NC Hot Sauce Contest in Oxford
2024 Event Date: September 6-7, 2024
Event Info
See this post’s “Partners” section for more info about the NC Hot Sauce Contest in Oxford!
Sculpture Celebration in Lenoir
2024 Event Date: September 7, 2024
Event Info
The Caldwell Arts Council will host its annual Sculpture Celebration in Lenoir, with $11,000 in prizes up for grabs.
Famed blacksmith and teacher Elizabeth Brim will judge the event and participants are welcome to bring up to three sculptures.
Things to Do in North Carolina in September (11-20)
We might be halfway through September by now but the fun is still going strong!
Lee Regional Fair in Sanford
2024 Event Date: September 11-14, 2024
Event Info
Hosted by the Sanford Lions Club, the five-day Lee Regional Fair brings in thousands of people and provides thousands of dollars in annual scholarships.
Complete with a midway, agricultural exhibits, an antique tractor show, and a demolition derby, this is truly a family fun event!
Read More: 50+ Easy Day Trips from Fayetteville
Olde Time Antiques and Collectibles Fair in West Jefferson
2024 Event Date: September 13, 2024
Event Info
Head out to West Jefferson for a trip back in time at the Olde Time Antiques and Collectibles Fair. The event features booths selling various antiques and collectibles as well as the Farmers Market and local businesses.
Read More: 20 Day Trips from Boone
Grape Stomp in Rose Hill
2024 Event Date: September 14, 2024
Event Info
For nearly 50 years, friends and family have been stomping grapes at Duplin Winery! During the Rose Hill Grape Stomp, you can expect live music, exclusive wine tastings, and a chance to stomp some grapes.
Tastings fill up quickly, so purchase in advance!
Read More: The Best Things to Do in Duplin County (Duplin Winery and Even More!
Four Oaks Acorn Festival
2024 Event Date: September 14, 2024
Event Info
The Johnston County town of Four Oaks looks forward to its annual Acorn Festival. Come out for a day of live music, children’s activities, food trucks, antique cars, tractors, and great local shopping.
The Kids Zone is a big hit with all the families who visit. Popular rides include “Pirates Revenge” and “Ninja Extreme.”
Read More: 50+ of the Best Day Trips from Raleigh
BugFest in Raleigh
2024 Event Date: September 14, 2024
Event Info
One of the most family-friendly things to do in North Carolina in September is BugFest, hosted by The NC Museum of Natural Sciences. 2023’s featured insects are spiders. As the largest bug-centered event of its kind in the nation, BugFest embodies the Museum’s values of engagement and education.
Participate in over 100 exhibits, booths, games, crafts, and more!
Read More: 11 of the Best Museums in Raleigh (Downtown and Beyond)
The Beaufort Pirate Invasion
2024 Event Date: September 20-22, 2024
Event Info
Mark yer calendar for the Beaufort Pirate Invasion! The popular event is perfect for all ages, with activities like sword fighting, cannons firing, and a Captain’s Masquerade Ball.
Beaufort is a wonderful coastal town. If you find yourself hungry in Beaufort, Moonrakers offers great food and beautiful seaside views.
Read More: The Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort (Come for Wild Horses, Stay for More)
Benson Mule Days
2024 Event Date: September 20 and September 26-29, 2024
Event Info
Held on the last weekend in September, Benson Mule Days is more than a Johnston County tradition. It’s a fun time, complete with rodeos, a mule-pulling contest, parades, and rides.
The Benson Mule Days Golf Tournament kicks off on September 20. Six days later on September 26, downtown Benson vendors open up for Mule Days, and a Carnival follows that evening.
On the final day (September 29), the carnival continues until 5:00 p.m. and a Junior Rodeo closes things out from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Read More: The NC Museum of History in Raleigh (+7 Things We Love About It!)
Tweetsie Ghost Train in Blowing Rock
2024 Event Date: Friday and Saturday nights, September 20-October 26, 2024
Event Info
Grab your tickets in advance for the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad, because you won’t be alone in flocking to Blowing Rock and Boone for this! Along with the creepy Ghost Train, there will be Halloween shows, trick-or-treating, and a haunted house for those brave enough to enter.
Read More: Tweetsie Christmas (How to Visit and 5 Important Tips!)
NHRA Carolina Nationals in Concord
2024 Event Date: September 20 – 22, 2024
Event Info
Having attended this event, I can vouch for the excitement and electricity that surrounds the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord.
The fun kicks off on Friday as all the teams show up and put together their racers in anticipation of qualifying, with the elimination rounds finishing things off on Sunday.
If you’re traveling to the area, check out these awesome local restaurants and breweries.
Read More: How to See Speedway Christmas (Sparkling Lights, Movies, and More!)
Day at the Docks in Hatteras
2024 Event Date: September 20-21, 2024
Event Info
Day at the Docks commemorates the resilience of this Outer Banks community as it was recovering from Hurricane Isabel in 2003. This event has become a tradition for locals and tourists alike.
Enjoy fresh seafood, watch live demonstrations, participate in the chowder contest, and close the event out with the Blessing of the Fleet, a slow parade of boats.
Read More: 40+ Things to Do in the Outer Banks
Footcandle Film Festival in Hickory
2024 Event Date: September 20-28, 2024
Event Info
Fall is also for film festivals and things start with Hickory’s Footcandle Film Festival. The Catawba County city will screen unique, challenging, and entertaining feature-length and short films throughout the event.
The Amazing Maize Maze in Huntersville
2024 Event Date: September 20-October 31, 2024
Event Info
On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting September 17, visitors can get lost in the Amazing Maize Maze at Historic Rural Hill. The seven-acre maze is made entirely of corn and is one of the largest mazes in the Southeast, with two miles of possible paths to explore.
Read More: 25+ Best Day Trips from Charlotte (Within a 90-Minute Drive)
Things to Do in North Carolina in September (21-30)
The official start of fall is September 22, and these events are the perfect way to start that busy season!
Blue Ridge Conservancy 5K in Blowing Rock
2024 Event Date: September 21, 2024
Event Info
Sticky buns, coffee, and beer await those who complete the Blue Ridge Conservancy 5K in Blowing Rock. The only catch is that you have to climb up Wonderland Trail Road for a little more than three miles, but doesn’t that reward sound so good?
Read More: 14 Delicious Blowing Rock Restaurants for High Country Travelers
Creedmoor Music Festival
2024 Event Date: September 21, 2024
Event Info
The Creedmoor Music Festival returns with performers on two stages and more than 100 food and craft vendors! Check the website for updates on performers for this annual event.
Read More: Falls Lake State Recreational Area (and the Best Things to Do There!)
Festa Italiana in Ronda
2024 Event Date: September 21, 2024
Event Info
Festa Italiana returns to Raffaldini Vineyards with food vendors, music, arts, and crafts this September.
Come and enjoy a truly festive atmosphere in the Yadkin Valley or join one of the event’s breakout sessions for in-depth discussions with Jay Raffaldini and his team on winemaking, the vineyard, Italian trivia, and more!
Read More: 25 of the Best North Carolina Wineries and Vineyards
Greensboro Pride Festival
2024 Event Date: September 22, 2024
Event Info
Celebrate universal love at the Greensboro Pride Festival! Hosted by the Alternative Resources of the Triad (ART), this year’s festival will include music and entertainment, vendors, and a KidZone.
The Festival runs along South Elm to East Market Street and will be a great time rejoicing in love for everyone!
Read More: The Historic Magnolia House in Greensboro (an Excellent Former Green Book Hotel
Mayberry Days in Mount Airy
2024 Event Date: September 23-29, 2024
Event Info
Mount Airy’s weeklong Mayberry Days might be the most interesting of all our September events. In this Surry County town, you can take yourself back to the simpler days of Andy Griffith’s time. Each day is rich with history and culture.
Read More: The 9 Best Things to Do at Stone Mountain State Park
World of Bluegrass in Raleigh
2024 Event Date: September 24-28, 2024
Event Info
World of Bluegrass is a conference, awards ceremony, talent showcase, and bluegrass festival all in one. The festival takes over downtown Raleigh to celebrate the bluegrass music community.
Read More: Restaurants in Raleigh
Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair in Dudley
2024 Event Date: September 26 – October 5, 2024
Event Info
Dudley’s Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair stretches into October, but we still consider it to be one of the best things to do in North Carolina in September. It’s a nice, long celebration to start North Carolina’s harvest festivals.
This year’s “Best 10 Days of Fall” will have rides and games, tons of amazing food, and more.
Read More: Things to Do in Goldsboro
Mountain Heritage Day Festival in Cullowhee
2024 Event Date: September 28, 2024
Event Info
The annual Mountain Heritage Day hosted by Western Carolina University (near Sylva) is a family-friendly event that celebrates Southern Appalachian mountain culture with food, craft vendors, and an interactive kids area.
The day of events includes musical performances, a chainsaw competition and a classic car show.
Art on Main in Hendersonville
2024 Event Date: September 28-29, 2024
Event Info
Hendersonville’s Art on Main returns for its 61st year to showcase 100-plus artists in a variety of mediums. Artists who apply will be juried and those who attend are welcome to purchase any art that catches their eye, as long as it’s for sale.
Read More: Hiking in Hendersonville (30+ Great Trails Within 1 Hour)
North Carolina Muscadine Festival in Kenansville
2024 Event Date: September 28, 2024
Event Info
The NC Muscadine Festival brings wineries, food, arts and crafts vendors, and music to the Duplin County Events Center. Admission gives you unlimited tasting from more than 20 area wineries and a commemorative wine glass.
If you want more muscadine grapes in your life, we created a map of where to pick them throughout NC!
Read More: The NC Tripping North Carolina Travel Map
Art on the Island in Marshall
2024 Event Date: September 28, 2024
Event Info
Blannahassett Island, in the middle of the French Broad River, comes alive with art during Art on the Island. In addition to featured artists and their artwork, the event will also have food and music.
Read More: The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge (and Why You’ll Love It!)
Harborfest for HeartWorks in Oriental
2024 Event Date: September 28, 2024
Event Info
Harborfest for HeartWorks in Oriental benefits over 450 at-risk kids in Pamlico and neighboring counties with amazing food and music. It’s hosted by River Dunes, a waterfront community just outside Oriental.
Art on the Mountain in West Jefferson
2024 Event Date: September 28, 2024
Event Info
The Ashe Arts Center will host Art on the Mountain, where more than 30 artists and makers will be waiting for you. Items for sale include holiday- and fall-themed pieces, and a few of the artists there will be demonstrating how they create their work.
Read More: 25+ Beautiful Waterfalls near Boone (within 2 Hours)
Bright Leaf Hoedown in Yanceyville
2024 Event Date: September 28, 2024
Event Info
Downtown Yanceyville’s Bright Leaf Hoedown offers crafts, educational booths, kids’ rides and games, and more fun during this big day in Caswell County. The fun will go on all day long, and over 20,000 people are expected to drop by.
Got Any Things to Do in North Carolina in September to Add?
I knew September in North Carolina was going to be a busy time but wow! There’s so much fun throughout the month, and we can’t wait to enjoy it with you.
As fall continues through October and November, we can’t wait to share all the events in our state. However, before we look ahead, we want to know which events and festivals you’ll attend.
Also, are there more things to do in North Carolina in September you think we should add to this list? Let us know about it here or via email and we’ll gladly take a look!
More Things to Do in North Carolina in September and Beyond (NC Travel Guides)
We’ve covered many of these NC events in September in our extensive NC travel guides collection. Here are a few examples.
