Labor Day Weekend 2024 features some of the traditions that Charlotte has enjoyed for years! Read on to learn about some festivals and special events.
Some popular Labor Day traditions are Matthews Alive, the Labor Day Parade, and the Whitewater Center’s Labor Day Celebration.
Looking for even more Labor Day Weekend events? Scroll down for our complete calendar of free and cheap events from Friday, August 30, to Monday, September 2, 2024.
Also, check out this list of Labor Day food deals and freebies!
Charlotte Labor Day Parade
Charlotte Labor Day Parade
Monday, September 2, 2024
11 a.m.
Uptown Charlotte
Free
The parade is organized by the Labor Day Committee in conjunction with the Southern Piedmont Central Labor Council and other local labor unions. It honors the accomplishments of organized labor in our community, region and country.
The parade will start at North Tryon Street at 9th Street, head toward the Square, then turn left on 3rd Street, and ending on College Street. The parade will feature local labor union floats, vehicles and marchers, as well as political candidates, bands, car clubs and community groups.
Matthews Alive
Matthews Alive
Friday, August 30, 2024: 6 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, August 31, 2024: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (parade at 9:30 a.m.)
Sunday, September 1, 2024: 1 to 10 p.m.
Monday, September 2, 2024: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stumptown Park
120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC
Free (pay for games, food and rides)
Matthews Alive features live music, rides, games, an arts and crafts market, food and drink vendors and a Labor Day parade. Some of the musical artists this year are Don Jovi (a Bon Jovi tribute band) and Forever Seger (a Bob Seger tribute band.)
Fork Fest
Fork Fest
Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, September 1, 2024
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday
McAdenville and Cramerton, North Carolina
Many of the activities are free, but some, including the floating concert and the evening concerts, are not free. The floating concert is $32.55 if you have your own boat, and $58.82 if you rent a kayak.
Features: A floating concert down the South Fork River, outdoor concerts, visual art, kids’ activities and more.
Labor Day Celebration at U.S. National Whitewater Center
Labor Day Celebration at Whitewater Center
Saturday, August 31, 2024: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, September 1, 2024: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte
Free (parking is $12)
The Whitewater Center’s Labor Day Celebration features a trail race, live music, and yoga. There’s a charge for the trail race and for the pass activities, but the music and yoga are free to enjoy. There will be special programming at the Whitewater Center’s newest feature, Wildwoods, an adventure play area. Participants will need an activity pass for Wildwoods.
Battle of Charlotte Living History Weekend
Battle of Charlotte Living History Weekend
August 31 and September 1, 2024
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Historic Rural Hill
4431 Neck Road, Huntersville
Tickets for the weekend:
- Adult (age 15+): $15
- Youth (age 4-15): $7
Experience a weekend of battle re-enactments, music, camp life, cooking, kids’ activities, weapons demonstrations, more.
Experience Midwood Summer Series Block Party
Experience Midwood Summer Series
Saturday, August 31, 2024
5 to 9 p.m.
1600 Central Avenue
Free
This block party takes place where The Improper Pig will be (where The Pizza Peel used to be.) Enjoy live music, games, shopping, and more.
Front Porch Sunday
Front Porch Sundays
Sunday, September 1, 2024
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Atherton, at 2104 South Boulevard, Charlotte
Shop from 70+ vendors, and enjoy live music, food trucks and more.
Free Outdoor Concerts
There are many, many free outdoor concerts taking place this weekend, throughout the Charlotte area. They take place at shopping centers, breweries, town centers and more. Check out the list of outdoor concerts (mostly free) in the Charlotte area.
Around the Crown 10K
Ever want to see Charlotte from a different angle by foot? Around the Crown 10K presented by Truist closes I-277 to traffic and opens it to runners! The race, which takes place Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 7:30 a.m., starts and ends at Truist Field. Runners will run the entirety of Charlotte’s 3-mile inner loop. Registration is $60 if you register by August 30.
Museum of the Waxhaws
Museum of the Waxhaws, 8215 Waxhaw Hwy, Waxhaw, North Carolina, will be open on Monday, September 2, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with half price admission for everyone. Admission will be $5 for adults, $2.50 for kids (6-12), $4 for seniors, and free for kids 5 and under. There will also be free children’s crafts and games.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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