Labor Day weekend is almost here, and while the calendar may be inching toward fall, the Upstate apparently didn’t get the memo. With another hot weekend ahead, this edition of “Escape the Hub City” includes everything from apple treats and hot air balloons to a giant lake float — plus a couple of options that don’t require leaving Spartanburg County at all.
If you’re ready to squeeze one more adventure out of summer, here are five worth adding to the weekend plans.
NC Apple Festival — Hendersonville, North Carolina
About 45 minutes from downtown Spartanburg, downtown Hendersonville will host the 80th annual North Carolina Apple Festival Sept. 4-7. Henderson County produces 80% of North Carolina’s apple crop, so this is about as close as you can get to officially declaring apple season open.
The festival’s street fair runs from 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday and opens again at 10 a.m. Monday, with apple growers, fresh apples, fried pies, cider, doughnuts, arts and crafts, children’s rides, food and live entertainment. The King Apple Parade closes out the weekend at 2:30 p.m. Monday.
Find schedules, parking information and updates at ncapplefestival.org or call 828-697-4557.
Chesnee Labor Day Festival — Chesnee
For something much closer to home, head about 20 minutes north of downtown Spartanburg to the Chesnee Labor Day Festival, Sept. 5-7 at 220 W. Cherokee St.
Billed as Chesnee’s biggest event of the year, the family-friendly weekend includes free rides, live music, vendors and food trucks.
For updates, follow City of Chesnee-Government on Facebook or visit cityofchesnee.org. Vendor questions can be sent to smain@cityofchesnee.org.
Hub City Market Days — Spartanburg
You can’t get much closer than this one. Hub City Market Days takes over Barnet Park Sept. 4-6, bringing three days of shopping to downtown Spartanburg. The event runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and features local vendors, handcrafted goods, artisan creations, boutique fashion, food and family-friendly entertainment.
This is an easy option if you want to get out of the house without actually getting out of town — and a good opportunity to support small businesses while you’re at it.
Find “Hub City Market Days” on Eventbrite for event information and tickets: eventbrite.com/e/hub-city-market-days-tickets-1995904663577.
Labor Day Luau Float-a-Palooza — Greenville
If temperatures are going to feel like summer, you might as well act like it.
About 40 miles from downtown Spartanburg, Saluda Lake Landing, 605 Motor Boat Club Road in Greenville, is hosting its final Float-a-Palooza of 2026 from noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Bring your own float with a $10 Lake Day Pass, or choose packages t hat include a tube rental. Kids 12 and younger start at $5. Expect floating, DJ music, food, specialty drinks and plenty of lakeside summer vibes.
Visit saludalakelanding.com for tickets and updates. More event information is also available at visitgreenvillesc.com.
Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer — Anderson
Finally, about an hour from downtown Spartanburg, the Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer returns Sept. 4-6 at the Anderson Civic Center Balloon Launch Field.
The festival benefits the Cancer Association of Anderson and features hot air balloons, entertainment, vendors and family activities. This year’s event coincides with Celebrate Anderson as the community marks both America’s 250th anniversary and Anderson County’s 200th.
The balloons are the obvious stars here, but remember that balloon flights and activities are extremely weather-dependent — especially on a hot late-summer weekend.
Find the latest schedule and event updates at andersonhotairaffair.com, email events@caanderson.org or call 864-222-3500.
Whether your Labor Day plans involve apples, shopping, floating or watching balloons fill the sky, there’s plenty happening within about an hour of the Hub City. Just pack the sunscreen, bring the water bottles and maybe save those first fall sweaters for another weekend.
