Last Updated on August 17, 2023
The summer heat is still stubbornly holding out for at least a few more weeks. But for many, the quintessential activities of summer will soon come to an end.
Labor Day marks the unofficial end to the season. So why not end summer with a celebration? Whether you want to stay close to home or venture farther afield, there are many entertainment and festival options for you to attend this year. Here is a list of Labor Day weekend events in Asheville and Western North Carolina.
Asheville Tourists Baseball Home Game vs Bowling Green Hot Rods
August 29–September 3, 2023 | 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. This year, they have six nights of home games against the Bowling Green Hot Rods leading up to Labor Day. And each night has its own attraction, including Thirsty Thursday, Dollar Dog Friday, and Labor Day Weekend Fireworks following Sunday night’s game. Tickets are $12–21.
Learn more: milb.com/asheville
Earl Scruggs Music Festival
September 1–3, 2023 | 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 Emmylou Harris, Infamous Stringdusters, Jon Stickley Trio, Reedy River String Band, and more! The festival also offers a variety of workshops and experiences.
Learn more: earlscruggsmusicfest.com
77th Annual North Carolina Apple Festival
September 1–4, 2023 | 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
41st Annual Henderson County Gem & Mineral Show
September 1–4, 2023 @ 10:00 AM–6:00 PM | 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
September 1, 2023 @ 1:00–8:00 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
Fall Concert Series: Kristen Toole
September 1, 2023 @ 7:00–8:15 PM | Brevard
Head to the Library Amphitheater as the sun sets to enjoy Rosman’s own Kristen Toole. Recently a finalist in the statewide singing competition “Got to Be NC Ag Star”, Toole and her band will perform her original compositions along with country classics and more. Rain location: Rogow Room at the Transylvania County Library.
Learn more: library.transylvaniacounty.org
14th Annual Concerts on the Creek
September 1, 2023 @ 7:00–9:00 PM | Sylva
Bring a picnic blanket and chair to enjoy Concerts on the Creek at Sylva’s Bridge Park gazebo. PMA will be playing live roots/reggae/dub/fusion music for you to enjoy. Labor Day weekend closes out Concerts on the Creek’s 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
September 2–3, 2023 | 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!
Learn more: maggievalley.org
Apple Festival Races (8K and 5K)
September 2, 2023 @ 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. Both 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 $10–$40.
Register: raceroster.com
HPAC Concert: The Hit Men
September 2, 2023 @ 7:30 PM | Highlands
Relive rock’s greatest hits at the Highlands Performing Arts Center with The Hit Men. These five fantastic musicians have shared the stage with legendary artists, including members of Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Wings, Alan Parsons, Billy Joel, Sting, Elton John, Journey, The Who, and Cream. With backstage stories, multimedia, and top-of-the-charts classic rock hits, a performance by The Hit Men is like seeing 10 rock legends for the price of one!
Buy tickets: highlandsperformingarts.com
115th Canton Labor Day Festival
September 3–4, 2023 | Canton
Since 1906, the Canton Labor Day Festival has served up food, fun, and entertainment 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. Sammy Kershaw, Joe Lasher, the Burnette Sisters, Balsam Range, and more will provide live music. 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 4, 2023 @ 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 by Knob Creek Incident, massages from Yoga and Massage, and a Mexican lunch from Taqueria Gonzalez restaurant.
Register: tourdapple.com
