We may already be seeing pumpkin spice and Halloween decor creeping into our feeds. But it’s still summer for a few more weeks!
Take advantage of the summer sun while you still can! Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to take part in the quintessential activities of the season and celebrate the last long days of the year.
Stay close to home or venture farther afield! Here’s a short list of the many Labor Day weekend events in Asheville and Western North Carolina.
Asheville Tourists Baseball Home Games vs Hickory Crawdads
August 27–September 1, 2024 | Downtown Asheville
Grab your game day gear and head out to McCormick Field for America’s favorite pastime. The Asheville Tourists are the Minor League High-A Affiliate for the Houston Astros—and our local favorites! As is tradition, they have six nights of home games leading up to Labor Day, this year against the Hickory Crawdads. And each night has its own events, including Thirsty Thursday, Dollar Dog Friday, and Labor Day Weekend Fireworks following Sunday night’s game. Tickets are $13–19.
Learn more: milb.com/asheville
Earl Scruggs Music Festival
August 30–September 1, 2024 | TIEC, Mill Spring
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival brings the best of bluegrass, Americana, and roots music together in a multi-day celebration of Mr. Scruggs’ contributions to music. Best known for the “Scruggs style” of playing the five-string banjo, he crossed musical boundaries and collaborated with artists across musical genres. 35+ bands will perform on three stages, including Yonder Mountain String Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Tanya Tucker! The festival also offers a variety of workshops and experiences and a Little Foggies kids zone.
Learn more: earlscruggsmusicfest.com
78th Annual North Carolina Apple Festival
August 30–September 2, 2024 | Hendersonville
The North Carolina Apple Festival has been Western North Carolina’s premier family-friendly festival for well over 70 years. Enjoy four days of free fun, from the opening ceremonies at the Historic Courthouse to the King Apple Parade on Labor Day afternoon. The festival also includes one of the best known street fairs in the Carolinas. There will be freshly picked apples, arts and crafts, festival food, and free entertainment at the Historic Courthouse on Hendersonville’s Main Street.
Learn more: ncapplefestival.org
42nd Annual Henderson County Gem & Mineral Show
August 30–September 2, 2024 | Hendersonville
The annual Henderson County Gem and Mineral Show features minerals, gemstones, jewelry, and fossils. There will also be demonstrations of lapidary arts and working jewelry crafters, along with vendors, door prizes, and refreshments. The show is located at the Whitmire Activity Center at 310 Lily Pond Road. Adult admission is $5 for the whole weekend; children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
Learn more: hcgms.com/gem-show
Pack Square Artisan Market
August 30, 2024 @ 3:00–9:00 PM | Downtown Asheville
This weekly market throughout the summer months showcases local handcrafted goods in the heart of downtown Asheville. The Pack Square Artisan Market is a place where local and out-of-town visitors to downtown Asheville can find unique products and meet the folks that produce them. All participating artisans must reside in Buncombe or one of the seven adjacent counties.
Learn more: avlartisans.com
Groovin’ on the Green featuring Pretty Little Goat
August 30, 2024 @ 6:00–8:30 PM | Cashiers
Groovin’ on the Green is a vibrant, free summer concert series that takes place on select Fridays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Round out the 2024 season with the award-winning string band, Pretty Little Goat—playing grassroots music at its finest. Concerts will begin at 6:00 PM, rain or shine, on The Village Green Commons Lawn. Food and beverage vendors will be on site, or you’re welcome to bring your own picnics, coolers, and beverages. Dogs are welcome if they are leashed and with their owners at all times.
Learn more: villagegreencashiersnc.com
Fall Concert Series: Zach Russell
August 30, 2024 @ 7:00–8:30 PM | Brevard
Head to the Library Amphitheater as the sun sets to enjoy regional performer Zach Russell. Music has always played a seminal role in Zach Russell’s life. Early influences ranging from Baptist and hymnal music to hip-hop, rock, and country eventually coalesced into his own unique sound. On the heels of his first full length release, “Where the Flowers Meet the Dew”, Russell captures audiences with his lyrical depth, soaring instrumental jams, and infectious melodies. Rain location: Rogow Room at the Transylvania County Library.
Learn more: library.transylvaniacounty.org
15th Annual Concerts on the Creek
August 30, 2024 @ 7:00–9:00 PM | Sylva
Bring a picnic blanket and chair to enjoy Concerts on the Creek at Sylva’s Bridge Park gazebo. Maggie Valley Band will be playing original American/country/rock music for you to enjoy. Labor Day weekend closes out Concerts on the Creek’s event season. Concerts on the Creek events are free and open to the public with donations encouraged. Food trucks and craft beer vendors may be available.
Learn more: mountainlovers.com/concerts-on-the-creek
Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Show
August 31–September 1, 2024 | Maggie Valley
Artisans from all over the Southeast will be in attendance at Maggie Valley’s largest and longest running seasonal arts and crafts show. Seasonal items, furniture, goat milk soaps, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, wooden bowls, yard art, and more will be featured at the event. Shop a variety of handmade treasures, enjoy chainsaw art demonstrations, and partake of lots of festival food! This is the second of three annual Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Shows of the year.
Learn more: maggievalley.org
Apple Festival Races (8K and 5K)
August 31, 2024 @ 8:00 AM | Hendersonville
Keep the tradition of the Apple Festival Races going, the longest-running race in Henderson County! This event has something for runners of every level, with individual 8K and 5K, and the Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile fun run. Both competitive courses wind through scenic Hendersonville and Laurel Park, starting and ending at the Pardee UNC Healthcare campus. The Chick-Fil-A Mini-Moo Run is an approximate one-mile course, followed by a fun game area provided by Chick-Fil-A. Registration cost is $15–$40.
Register: raceroster.com
116th Canton Labor Day Festival
September 1–2, 2024 | Canton
Since 1906, the Canton Labor Day Festival has served up food, fun, and entertaining events in Sorrells Street Park in downtown Canton. Billed as the oldest festival of its kind in the South, the festival draws up to 15,000 music lovers over the weekend. multi-platinum award-winning Marshall Tucker Band will be headlining this year’s performers. There is also a handicraft expo, a vintage car show, Ingles Ultimate Air Dogs, and the Labor Day parade at 10:00 AM on Monday.
Learn more: cantonlaborday.com
Tour d’Apple
September 2, 2024 @ 8:00 AM | Flat Rock
The Tour d’Apple cycling event provides four exciting, challenging routes (25, 45, 62, and 100 miles) through WNC’s apple orchards, waterfalls, and mountains. Participation benefits the charitable projects of the Hendersonville Four Seasons Rotary Club. After the ride, enjoy lively bluegrass music, massages from Yoga and Massage, and lunch from Taqueria Gonzalez.
Register: tourdapple.com
