September is one of my favorite times of year in Western North Carolina. The temperatures start cooling down, fall is right around the corner, and there are plenty of festivals, concerts, food events, and family activities happening throughout the area.

If you live in the Hickory area—or you're thinking about moving here—here are some events happening in Hickory, Morganton, Conover, Newton, Taylorsville, and Mooresville in September 2026.

September 4 – Rock the Park | Mooresville

📍 Liberty Park, Mooresville

⏰ 6:30–8:30 PM

🎟️ Free

Mooresville's Rock the Park Summer Concert Series wraps up the summer with a Big 80s Tribute Band.

Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy live music outdoors at Liberty Park. Food trucks and local breweries are also part of the event.

September 4, 11 & 18 – Sails Original Music Series | Hickory

📍 Union Square, Downtown Hickory

⏰ 7:00 PM

🎟️ Free

The popular Sails Original Music Series returns to downtown Hickory for September.

The lineup includes:

September 4 – New Translations

September 11 – Mellow Swells

September 18 – Pressing Strings

These free outdoor concerts take place under The Sails on Union Square and are a great way to spend a Friday evening downtown.

There is also a special final concert on Saturday, September 26, featuring the N-Spire Band at Taft Broome Park.

September 5 – Festival of Food Trucks | Mooresville

📍 Downtown Mooresville

⏰ 5:00–8:30 PM

If you're willing to make the drive down to Mooresville, the Festival of Food Trucks is another fun September event.

The festival brings together 15+ food trucks, live music and the downtown social district. Come hungry because you'll have plenty of choices.

September 11–12 – Morganton Festival | Morganton

📍 Downtown Morganton

📅 September 11–12

One of the bigger September events in our area is the annual Morganton Festival.

Now in its 44th year, the festival takes over downtown Morganton with live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, food, rides and activities for kids.

Admission is free, making this an easy weekend trip from Hickory.

September 11–27 – Come From Away | Newton

📍 The Green Room Community Theatre / Old Post Office Playhouse

📍 10 S. Main Ave., Newton

If you prefer live theater, The Green Room Community Theatre in downtown Newton is presenting Come From Away throughout September.

The musical is based on the true story of thousands of airline passengers who were stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, following the events of September 11, 2001—and the community that welcomed them.

Performances are scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM.

Tickets range from approximately $10 for children to $20 for adults, before tax.

September 17 – Downtown Hickory Fall Art Crawl | Hickory

📍 Downtown Hickory

⏰ 5:00–8:00 PM

🎟️ Free

If you enjoy local art, don't miss the Downtown Hickory Fall Art Crawl.

Artists will be set up throughout four walkable blocks of downtown Hickory with pottery, paintings, woodworking, photography and other artwork.

There will also be artist demonstrations and live music throughout the evening.

September 19 – Ginger Festival | Hickory

📍 Hickory

⏰ 8:00 AM–1:00 PM

The Ginger Festival returns September 19 and is another local event to add to your calendar.

And if you have kids, you can easily make a full day of it because another family event is happening in Hickory the same day.

September 19 – KidFest | Hickory

📍 Kiwanis Park, 805 6th Street SE

⏰ 11:00 AM–2:00 PM

🎟️ Free

Families with younger children may want to check out Hickory's annual KidFest.

Kids can enjoy crafts, games, face painting and vendor booths. Free food and drinks will also be available while supplies last.

It's a completely free event and a good option for families looking for something to do on a Saturday.

September 19 – Hank Williams Jr. Tribute Concert | Taylorsville

📍 Alexander County Courthouse Park

📍 101 W. Main Ave., Taylorsville

🎟️ Free

Country music fans can head over to Taylorsville for the final show of the Alexander County Summer Concert Series.

All My Rowdy Friends, a Hank Williams Jr. tribute band, will perform at the Rotary Performance Stage.

Food trucks will be available, and you can bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the concert outside.

September 19 – Bands, Brews & BBQ | Mooresville

📍 Liberty Park, Mooresville

⏰ 4:00–9:00 PM

September 19 is a busy Saturday around our area.

Mooresville is also hosting Bands, Brews & BBQ at Liberty Park, combining live music with food, local breweries and an outdoor community atmosphere.

September 25–26 – LEGACY Gala & Golf | Conover

📍 Rock Barn Country Club & Spa

📍 3791 Clubhouse Drive NE, Conover

Conover also has a special event happening toward the end of September.

The LEGACY Gala & Golf at Rock Barn Country Club & Spa celebrates America's 250th anniversary while supporting Folds of Honor, an organization that provides educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled military members and first responders.

The event begins with the gala on Friday, September 25, followed by golf activities on Saturday.

This is a different type of event from the festivals and concerts on this list, but it's a nice addition for anyone looking for a special evening out while supporting a good cause.

September 26 – Todos Somos América Festival | Newton

📍 Downtown Newton

⏰ 3:00–8:00 PM

🎟️ Free

Downtown Newton will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the 5th Annual Todos Somos América – We Are All America Festival.

The family-friendly festival will feature traditional dances, Latin music, food trucks, handcrafted products, children's activities, face painting, piñatas and a quinceañera parade and contest.

It's free and open to everyone.

September 26 – Festival on the Field & Sails Concert | Hickory

📍 Taft Broome Park

⏰ Festival begins at 4:00 PM

🎵 Concert begins at 5:00 PM

🎟️ Free

Hickory closes out September's Sails Original Music Series a little differently.

Instead of Union Square, the final concert will take place at the Samuel William Davis Sr. Multipurpose Field at Taft Broome Park as part of Festival on the Field.

Food trucks and vendors begin at 4 PM, followed by N-Spire Band at 5 PM, with a mix of R&B, jazz, funk, pop and more.

September Is a Great Time to Explore the Hickory Area

One thing I love about living in the Hickory area is that you don't have to stay in one city to find something to do.

Within a relatively short drive, you can spend Friday night listening to live music in downtown Hickory, attend a festival in Morganton or Newton on Saturday, head to Taylorsville for a concert, or make the trip down to Mooresville for food trucks and live entertainment.

And September is really just the beginning of our fall event season. Hickory's Oktoberfest is coming in October, along with plenty of other fall festivals and activities throughout Western North Carolina.

If you're considering moving to Hickory, North Carolina, or one of the surrounding communities, I share information about our local real estate market, neighborhoods, things to do, and what it's actually like to live here.

Victoria Lyford, Realtor®, GRI

Weichert Realtors Team Metro

📞 828-548-0834