Labor Day Weekend in the Triangle features festivals, concerts, art, and more.
Looking for even more Labor Day Weekend events? Scroll down for our complete calendar of free and cheap events from Friday, September 4, to Monday, September 7, 2026.
First Friday Market & Movie Night
First Friday Market & Movie Night
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m., with the movie at 7:15 p.m.
Place: Moore Square, 200 S Blount Street, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Enjoy a vendor market, fodo trucks, live music, free-to-play games, and the movie, Remember the Titans.
Band, Bites and Boats
Band, Bites, and Boats
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Place: Bond Park Boathouse, 801 High House Road, Cary, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: The band tonight is My Cousin Skinny.
Movie Night at Downtown Cary Park
Movie Night at Downtown Cary Park: Hamilton
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: Lawn seating starts at 5 p.m. Pre-show activities start at 6 p.m. Movie at dusk.
Place: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Pre-show, themed activities, and the movie, Hamilton
PLAYlist Concert Series: Africa Unplugged
PLAYlist Concert Series: Africa Unplugged
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 p.m. Featured artist at 7:30 p.m.
Place: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Dinner and drinks starting at 6 p.m. DJ at 7 p.m., Africa Unplugged at 7:30 p.m., and a dance party at 9 p.m.
First Friday Raleigh
First Friday Raleigh
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Various locations in Downtown Raleigh
Cost: Most are free
Features: Self-guided tour, visit art galleries, studios, alternative art venues and more.
Old-Fashioned Farmers’ Days
Old-Fashioned Farmers’ Days
Date: September 5 and 6, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park, 4221 Silk Hope Road, Siler City, NC
Cost: $5. Children under 6 admitted for free
Features: Entertainment, working farm animals, junior dairy show, tractor pull, antique farm equipment, more.
African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
Date: September 5 and 6, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Place: The Festival’s Main Stage will be located at 500 Fayetteville Street, with the festival footprint extending throughout the surrounding downtown area, including Fayetteville, Hargett, Davie, and Martin Streets.
Cost: Free
Features: This festival is a Labor Day tradition in Raleigh. It’s a celebration of African American culture through art, music, dance, food and community.
Come Out and Play Sculpture Show
Come Out and Play
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Time: 12 p.m. until dark
Place: JimGin Farm, 150 Wild Horse Run, Pittsboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Enjoy a wide array of fun sculptures and music in a magical setting. More than 50 artists will be sharing their work on this 17-acre farm in Chatham County. This is a family-friendly event.
The Raleigh Market
The Raleigh Market
Date: Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Every weekend, shop from hundreds of indoor and outdoor vendors. You’ll find antiques, power tools, jewelry, art, and much more.
Sunday Brunch Music at Weaver Street Market Carrboro
Sunday Brunch Music at Weaver Street
Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Weaver Street Market lawn, 101 E Weaver Street, Carrboro, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music by The Guilty Pleasures
Cary Underground Market
Cary Underground Market
Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Bond Brothers Beer Co., 202 E Cedar Street, Cary, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Local vendors, live bands, food trucks and more
More free and cheap things to do Labor Day Weekend
This list is subject to change.
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