Your guide to Charlotte-area Labor Day celebrations

Labor Day means a three-day weekend for many folks and there are lots of things to do in the Charlotte-area to celebrate these final days of summer.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Matthews Alive – This annual Labor Day festival takes over downtown Matthews Friday through Monday, and features a parade (on Saturday), live music, games and rides. Admission is free; tickets required for rides and games. Click here for more details.

U.S. National Whitewater Center's Labor Day Celebration – Get ready to paddle and party Saturday and Sunday at USNWC. Activities include yoga, 15K and 5K trail races, and climbing competitions, followed by live music and fireworks Sunday. Admission is free; parking cost $6. Click here for more details.

Charlotte Labor Day Parade – See floats, bands, step groups, car clubs and more at the 18th annual Labor Day Parade on Monday. The parade will start at the Hal Marshal Center (701 North Tryon St.) and march down Tryon Street turning left onto Third Street, ending at College Street. Click here for more details.

Dollar Days at Carowinds – Just in time for the holiday weekend, Carowinds is offering a selection of food, beverages, games and merchandise for only $1 each! Click here for more details.

North Carolina Apple Festival – If you're looking to get out of the city for the weekend, head to Hendersonville for the N.C. Apple Festival. Over 200 vendors will fill nine blocks of beautiful Main Street with arts and crafts, festival food, free entertainment and plenty of freshly picked apples! Click here for more details.

More weekend events:

Bearden Birthday Bash – This annual outing takes over Romare Bearden Park in uptown and features live music, food trucks and more. Click here for more details.

Belk College Kickoff FanFest – Before West Virginia takes on Tennessee in front of a sold-out crowd at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, FanFest will take over the streets outside of the stadium. The event is free, family-friendly and open to the public. Festivities include live music and games. Click here for more details.

>> Labor Day 2018 deals and sales from Macy's, Walmart, Best Buy and more

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