Items marked with an asterisk (*) are within the N.C. Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Items marked with a double asterisk (**) are unconfirmed.
September Festivals
Aug. 30 - Sept. 1, Happy Valley Heritage Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention, Lenoir - Begun by the N.C. Arts Council, the annual Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention will take place on the Jones Farm in Happy Valley. The farm, located on Highway 268, is the historic property of Tony Jones and his family, and home to Laura Foster's resting place. Laura Foster was Tom "Dooley" Dula's lover, and her murder is still an unsolved mystery. The event brings together remarkable traditional musicians from across North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Aug. 30 - Sept. 1, Earl Scruggs Music Festival, Mill Springs - Bringing the best of bluegrass, Americana, and roots music together with fans who have a true appreciation for the music, the Earl Scruggs Music Festival is a multi-day celebration of Mr. Scruggs’ incredible contributions and the rich musical culture of the region. Sponsored by the N.C. Arts Council's Come Hear NC.
Aug. 30 - Sept. 2, N.C. Apple Festival, Hendersonville – Enjoy four days of fun with a street fair, fresh-picked apples, arts and crafts, festival food and free entertainment at the Historic Courthouse on Main Street in Hendersonville.
Aug. 31 - Sept. 1, African American Cultural Festival, Raleigh - An annual celebration of African American culture as expressed through art, music, food, and community. The Labor Day weekend engagement boasts an art gallery walk, authentic African cuisine and live musical performances from neo-soul, gospel, funk, blues, and hip hop acts.
Sept. 1, New River Blues Festival, Grassy Creek – Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to this outdoor blues festival held beside the New River.
Sept. 5 - 7, Hopscotch, Raleigh - Hopscotch Music Festival presents 120 national and international bands at 12 walkable downtown Raleigh venues over three days. Almost every musical genre is represented, including rock, hip-hop, metal, folk, electronic, experimental and more. Supported by the N.C. Arts Council's Come Hear NC.
Sept. 6 - 7, Mountain Song Festival, Brevard – Inspired by local youth, proceeds from this festival fund the Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County. This year’s artists include Mipso, Steep Canyon Rangers, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sierra Hull, and Carolina Blue.
Sept. 6 - 8, North Carolina Folk Festival, Greensboro - A free, three-day outdoor event, the National Folk Festival celebrates the roots, richness, and variety of American culture. It features over 300 of the nation’s finest traditional musicians, dancers, and craftspeople in performances, workshops, and demonstrations, plus children’s activities, savory Southern and ethnic cuisines and craft brews, non-stop participatory dancing, storytelling, parades, and more.
*Sept. 14, BugFest, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh – The largest bug-centered event of its kind in the entire country, BugFest educates and engages the public in science and the natural world. Guests participate in more than 100 exhibits, crafts, games and activities as you interact with entomologists about the fascinating world of arthropods.
Sept. 15, La Fiesta del Pueblo, Raleigh – Celebrate Latino culture in the Triangle with live music and dance, traditional foods, arts and crafts vendors, and more.
Sept. 16-18, Surfalorus Film Festival, Nags Head – This three-day celebration showcases the year's best surfing films and takes place during the ESA Eastern Surfing Championship. Surfalorus shares great surf movies from award winning veterans to first-time filmmakers in a supportive and laid-back atmosphere. Presented by North Carolina Aquariums and sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Sept. 20-21; Sept. 27-28, Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, Tweetsie Ghost Train Halloween Festival, Blowing Rock - Guests of all ages will enjoy family fun at the park, and brave Ghost Train riders will experience frights around every corner as the train howls its way through the Blue Ridge Mountains. While some attractions are recommended for adults and older children, there are plenty of shows and activities for young visitors.
Sept. 23 - 29, Mayberry Days, Mount Airy - Mayberry Days is a festival for the whole family with activities and events for fans of The Andy Griffith Show. Remember simpler times with a checkers tournament, pork chop-eating and apple-peeling contests, trivia competitions and horseshoes plus entertainment and a parade.
Sept. 24 - 28, IBMA World of Bluegrass, Raleigh – This annual event has become one of Raleigh’s most-anticipated festivals of the year. The weekend festival includes ticketed events to see world-renowned bluegrass artists, and the free StreetFest includes seven music stages featuring performers from across the country, along with local artisans, food trucks and more. The N.C. Arts Council will sponsor the Come Hear NC Stage.
Sept. 26 - 29, Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors, Winston-Salem – BOOKMARKS Festival of Books brings together authors of national, regional and local renown as well as emerging authors to share their work and love of reading, to increase exposure to books, and to improve education. The festival draws thousands of people to experience author readings, presentations, panel discussions, question and answer sessions, illustrator demonstrations, writing and publishing workshops and book signings.
Sept. 27 - 29, International Folk Festival, Fayetteville - This annual festival honors and celebrates a diverse cultural heritage of the arts that brings together people from all backgrounds and ages. Fun for the whole family, that includes performing art, live music, dance, food, cultural arts, crafts, and more. Supported by the N.C. Arts Council.
Sept. 27 - 29, Lumbee Pow Wow, Maxton – Celebrate three days of festive activities and the Lumbee Pow Wow. Past Pow Wows have featured dancers from across the nation demonstrating these skills to the tribe to the beat of the drums. Vendors, craft booths and demonstration tables will be present to share for those attending. Learn about the history of the Native Americans and their traditions. Learn about the intricately designed regalia as you watch the parades of queens, dancers, and others that will perform.
Sept. 28, Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival, Elkin - The festivities begin with the Annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off – some will weigh-in at an excess of 1,000 pounds with hopes of placing in the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth top ten. Attendees will also enjoy carnival rides for children, arts and crafts vendors, antique vendors, pumpkin-themed food, drinks, and games.
September 28, Mountain Heritage Day, Cullowhee - Held on the Western Carolina University campus, Mountain Heritage Day is a combination old-fashioned mountain fair and showcase for Southern Appalachian music, dance, and song. The one-day festival typically attracts 15,000 to 20,000 attendees. It features two live entertainment stages, juried arts and crafts, Cherokee stickball games, shape-note singing, a heritage encampment, chainsaw competition, children's activities and other demonstrations and activities celebrating the region’s Appalachian mountain heritage.
September Fairs:
Aug. 30 - Sept. 8 - Cumberland County Fair
Aug. 30 - Sept. 7 - Iredell County Fair
Sept. 6-14 - Cabarrus County Fair
Sept. 6-15 - NC Mountain State Fair
Sept. 10-14 - Stokes County Fair
Sept. 11-15 – Lee Regional Fair
Sept. 12-14 – Duplin Agribusiness Fair
Sept. 16-21 - Davidson County Agricultural Fair
Sept. 16-21 - Rowan County Agricultural and Industrial Fair
Sept. 17-22 – Pitt County Fair
Sept. 17-22 - Wilson County Fair
Sept. 26 - Oct. 5 - Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair
Sept. 26 - Oct. 6 - Cleveland County Fair
Sept. 27 - Oct. 5 - Robeson County Fair