Add all of these fun and free N.C. events to your Labor Day weekend itinerary.
Labor Day is coming up, an annual reminder that summer is coming to an end, and time is running out to take that summer vacay if you haven’t already. However, it can be extra tough to set aside vacation time and plan for travel expenses when you live in a state that’s ranked the lowest for cost of living and worker protections. It also doesn’t help that among all “193 United Nations member states,” the U.S. is one of only nine that doesn’t require companies to offer paid annual leave to workers.
If you’ve been experiencing burnout and need a break, the upside is that plenty of free events are happening in N.C., with the three-day weekend coming up. The best part: You don’t have to worry about putting in a PTO request.
The origins of Labor Day
According to the Department of Labor, the first Monday of every September is designated as Labor Day—a day to honor the ingenuity and perseverance that embody the American workforce. Labor activists advocated for this federal holiday in the late 1800s after successfully promoting the day in several states. New York was the “first state to introduce a bill” to honor the day, and Oregon was the “first to pass a law” to recognize it.
On June 28, 1894, Congress officially declared Labor Day as a federal holiday. This Labor Day, you can thank your local labor unions for the efforts they have made and continue to make in pushing for labor protection legislation, all while enjoying the federal holiday they fought for, by the calming beach, breathtaking mountains, or scenic Piedmont for free.
Mountain Region
Hellbender Festival in Spruce Pine
Date/Time: Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Downtown Spruce Pine, 165 Locust St.
Every Labor Day Weekend, the Spruce Pine Dept. of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism hosts the North Carolina Hellbender Festival—a “free, one-day event” that is named after the Eastern Hellbender Salamander. The festival focuses on promoting “clean rivers, outdoor recreation, and life in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
There will be concerts, food vendors, artisan goods for sale, and several interactive stations centered on river conservation. The festival is especially great for families as it combines science with art to inform and educate community members about the significance of the ecology of N.C.’s mountain region.
North Carolina Apple Festival
Dates: Sept. 4 through 7
Location: Downtown Hendersonville
For those who prefer swapping out that lemonade for some apple cider, the good news is that you can get a jumpstart on feeling those fall vibes even before the Autumnal Equinox by attending the North Carolina Apple Festival. The festival has been held every Labor Day Weekend for nearly 80 years.
While you may think of Washington State when you think of apples, N.C. is also up there as the “seventh largest apple producing state in the nation.” Apples are also “one of the most important agricultural crops grown in Henderson County,” with the county’s apple industry typically raking in $30 million dollars every year. The festival is a tribute to the North Carolina apple industry, featuring 14 area apple growers in the outdoor event.
Not only can you buy apples by the bushel, but you can also buy several tasty desserts like fried apple pies and apple cakes, while washing it down with a refreshing apple slushie. The main part of the event is the Street Fair, which runs all four days and features activities for kids and live entertainment acts for everybody. The Family Fun Zone consists of two areas with specific games, inflatables, and rides for kids.
The rides and inflatables are ticketed, with package deals available. Standout events include the Apple Recipe Contest and the King Apple Parade on Monday, September 7. In partnership with the festival, there will be breakfast deals and other free things to do around Hendersonville on Labor Day Weekend, all listed here.
Piedmont Region
African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
Date/Time: Sept. 5 and 6
Location: Heart of Downtown Raleigh, Festival Main Stage: 500 Fayetteville St.
The annual African American Cultural Festival, which showcases the folk and cultural traditions of Black North Carolinians and the global African diaspora, began in 2010. This year, the 17th annual festival will be September 5 and 6 in downtown Raleigh.
The festival includes the African Marketplace where you can buy artisan items, the Family Village that has crafts, and the Creativation Station—an “interactive space for kids of all ages with entertainment.” The highlight of the festival is the Art Gallery Walk, featuring work by nationally renowned Black artists, including handmade books, leatherwork, sculptures, canvas paintings, gold/silver jewelry, etc. There are also plenty of delicious food vendors featuring Black-owned restaurants in the area.
Grier Heights Reunion and Parade in Charlotte
Date/Time: Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Grier Heights Community Center in Charlotte
If you live in the Charlotte area, there is also an African American-centered celebration nearby. The 61st annual Grier Town Heights Labor Day Reunion and Parade, an “African American Historical Neighborhood Gathering” will take place on Monday, September 7 during the day.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. and will start lining up an hour before, while the outdoor festival is set to commence at noon and will feature a jam-packed entertainment lineup, along with a DJ and live band.
Matthews Alive Festival
Date/Time: Sept. 4 through 7
Location: Corner of John and Trade Streets in Historic Downtown Matthews
Matthews Alive is a nonprofit that works with the town government to produce an annual festival on Labor Day, with the intention of providing an experience that helps community members de-stress and unwind from their busy schedules while encouraging family bonding time. It’s a 50+ year tradition that also raises money for other local nonprofits.
Highlights of the multi-day festival include a parade, carnival games, fair food staples, and live concerts. Ticketed amusement rides will also be on-site, and it’s highly recommended to go on Friday so you can take advantage of the “All-You-Can-Ride Wristband Night” for $30. Gen Xers can also enjoy “Electric Avenue,” an 80s MTV experience on Friday at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday are full of several live entertainment acts and concerts, while the parade starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. The Matthews Artist Guild Show runs every day from Saturday through Monday.
Labor Day Celebration at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte
Date/Time: Sept 5 and 6
Location: The U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and enjoy fitness, then this Labor Day event is the one for you. The celebration commences with a 5K and 15K trail race on Saturday, September 5 at 8 a.m. that you do have to pay a registration fee to participate in. Both days also feature free yoga classes, ticketed standup paddleboard yoga, and the option to take part in outdoor activities at the center, such as rope courses, rafting, ziplining, and more.
Saturday and Sunday feature live music bands to end the night and help you relax after the whirlwind of adventurous activities. To kick off the celebration, there will also be a River Jam concert series on the evening of Friday, September 4.
Coastal Plains
Oak Island Art Guild Arts and Crafts Festival
Date/Time: Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: William Smith Park, Southport, N.C.
Art connoisseurs will be thrilled to add the Oak Island Art Guild Arts and Crafts Festival to their Labor Day weekend plans. The Oak Island Art Guild, a group of local artists, came together to promote arts and culture in Oak Island by organizing “visual arts shows” and hosting community art instruction workshops, including the Arts and Crafts Festival, which has been running for 35 years. There will be roughly 75 vendors, including local handmade artisan items, food trucks, beer/wine, etc.
Some of the art categories you will see displayed include paintings, glass sculptures, pottery, jewelry, fiber/leather work, photography, literary work, etc. According to the Oak Island Art Guild, a portion of the proceeds will go toward funding “art scholarships for Brunswick County students and art supplies for Brunswick County Schools.” For more information on the festival, you can contact Mary Beth Livers at 910-448-1016.
“Wave Riding Vehicles” (WRV) Outer Banks Pro Surfing Event
Date/Time: Sept. 3 through 6, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head
If you enjoy watching surfing during the Summer Olympics, then you’ll be happy to know you don’t have to wait another two years to enjoy watching pro surfers compete. From Thursday, September 3, to Monday, September 6, you can watch surfers take part in the WRV Outer Banks Pro—a “World Surf League-sanctioned event.”
The event features men’s surfing contenders as part of the WSL North America Qualifying Series (QS). WSL Tour Manager Brian Robbins said, “This event remains one of our more iconic stops, and a staple for the North America QS for well over a decade.” The beach will also have plenty of fun, family-oriented brand activations.
With support from the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and the Township of Nags Head, local organizers say that competitors especially appreciate the strong crowd enthusiasm. So get your swimsuits and SPF ready for a fun time in the sun.
