September Events in North Carolina

Mark your calendars for fun events happening across the state this September. Please call ahead and check websites and social media before traveling long distances.

Old-Fashioned Farmers’ Days

Sept. 5-6, 2026, Siler City

Peek into North Carolina’s agricultural past this September at the 51st annual Old-Fashioned Farmers’ Days event hosted by the Silk Hope Ruritan Club. Held every Labor Day weekend at the Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park in Siler City, the event is one of Chatham County’s longest-running festivals. Highlights include working farm animal exhibits, a junior dairy show, antique farm equipment, old-fashioned craft demonstrations, a tractor pull, live music, food vendors, a kids’ zone and much more. Admission is $5, and free for children under the age of 6. For more information, visit silkhopenc.org/offd or call 919-663-0331.

North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest & Festival

Sept. 11-12, 2026, Oxford

The North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest & Festival celebrates its 20th year in 2026, drawing more than 25,000 spicy food lovers to downtown Oxford for one of the largest hot sauce celebrations in the U.S. Enjoy live music, food and merchandise vendors, a carnival, a pepper-eating contest, and some hot competition as some of the state’s best hot sauces and rubs are judged live on stage. The festival takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Learn more online at nchotsaucecontestandfestival.com.

Ayden Collard Festival

Sept. 11-12, 2026, Ayden

The Pitt County town of Ayden hosts the annual Ayden Collard Festival every September. It includes a Collard Eating Contest where one male and one female are named the collard-eating champions and receive $100 each in prize money. Contestants have 30 minutes to eat as many collards as possible.

Find more information about this year’s festival at aydencollardfestival.com.

Eden RiverFest

Sept. 18-19, 2026, Eden

Celebrate Eden’s art, history and heritage at Eden RiverFest this September. The event will feature two stages of live music, river excursions, crafts, artisan and food vendors, a butterfly encounter, amusements, and more.

The free festival takes place in the historic Leaksville area of Eden, which dates back to 1897. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the concerts, and free shuttles will be provided.

To learn more about the festival, visit exploreedennc.com.

American Craft Walk Wilmington

Sept. 12, 2026, Wilmington

Celebrate talented North Carolina artisans and crafters at the American Craft Walk Wilmington this September. The one-day event takes place in historic downtown Wilmington, where more than 80 booths will line Front Street to showcase handmade and homemade items. Artist categories include fiber, glass, jewelry, ceramics and sculpture, photography, wood, and much more.

For more information about the craft walk, visit americancraftwalk.com or call (216) 374-8884.

Mayberry Days

Sept. 21-27, 2026, Mt. Airy

Step back in time and into the world of The Andy Griffith Show at the annual Mayberry Days in Mt. Airy. This family-friendly event features a parade, a silent auction, live music from nationally known bands, a meet-and-greet with special guests and several competitions just for fun (and for the bragging rights, of course).

Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the Andy Griffith Museum, the Andy Griffith Playhouse, the Historic Earle Theatre and the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall during the event.

To see a full schedule of activities, visit surryarts.org/mayberrydays or call (336) 786-7998.

Benson Mule Days

Sept. 24-27, 2026, Benson

Visit Benson for a weekend of family fun during the annual Benson Mule Days in late September. The event features five days of rodeos, mule-pulling contests, dances, carnival rides, arts and crafts, bluegrass shows, camping, and much more. Considered one of the largest festivals in the state, the Benson Mule Days celebration also includes a parade featuring hundreds of mules, buggies and horses.

For more information, visit bensonmuledays.com or call (919) 894-3825.

Liberty Antiques Festival

Sept. 25-26, 2026, Liberty

Held on a 100-acre farm near downtown Liberty, the Liberty Antiques Festival welcomes 400 antiques dealers from more than 25 states across the country for an event that’s been voted the best antiques show in the mid-Atlantic region. The two-day festival features an assortment of treasures, including 18th- to 20th-century furniture, jewelry, quilts, art, military items, pottery, toys, clocks and much more. Visitors won’t find any crafts or reproductions at this event – just acres of authentic antiques and collectibles.

The festival takes place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, and admission is $10 for adults and free for children under 12.

For more information, visit libertyantiquesfestival.com or call (800) 626-2672.

Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival

Sept. 26, 2026, Elkin

Have you ever seen a 1,000-pound pumpkin? You might get the chance this fall at the 28th annual Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival in Historic Downtown Elkin. Festivities will begin on Saturday morning with the Annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off on the corner of Bridge Street and Standard Street. The contest draws in pumpkin and watermelon growers from all over the East Coast as they vie for placement in the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth Top 10.

After the weigh-off, head to Main Street to browse the vendor booths featuring crafts, antiques, handcrafted gifts, barbecue, pumpkin butter, baked goods and more.

The festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit yadkinvalley.org/festivals-events/yadkin-valley-pumpkin-festival or contact the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce at (336) 526-1111.

Day Out With Thomas

Sept. 25-27 & Oct. 2-4, 2026, Spencer

Visit Spencer this September when Thomas the Tank Engine is rolling into the N.C. Transportation Museum. Jump on board Thomas for an interactive train ride, pick up your Dream Pass and head to the Play Pod, or say Hello to Sir Topham Hatt. For the little engineers who want a little more excitement, check out the Dream Big Corner for photos ops, lawn games and more. And don’t forget to head to the gift shop for toys and swag! For more information, visit nctransportationmuseum.org/day-out-with-thomas.

Mountain Heritage Days

Sept. 21-26, 2026, Cullowhee

Mountain Heritage Day at Western Carolina University (WCU) returns this September with a week full of family-oriented entertainment and activities. The festival celebrates the diverse culture of the Southern Appalachian Mountains with performances and demonstrations, from blacksmithing and quilting to Cherokee basket weaving, chainsaw carving and heritage crafts. Enjoy hundreds of juried craft vendors, an interactive kids’ area, a vintage car show, farm tractor and mule wagon rides, 4-H exhibitions, Cherokee stickball games and dancing, a 5K walk and run, and other highlights from WCU’s renowned Mountain Heritage Center collection. The free festival takes place at WCU’s Cullowhee campus. Join in and #LiveWestern.

For more details and a schedule of events, visit wcu.edu/engage/mountain-heritage-day or call (828) 227-2966.