Across North Carolina, communities are organizing in support of workers rights and fair wages. We’ve put together a list of May Day events taking place across the Tar Heel State.
In every region of North Carolina, communities are gathering in support of workers as part of International Workers Day, or May Day.
May Day commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Square Massacre, in which workers protested in support of an eight hour workday in Chicago, Illinois.
During a clash between protesters and the police, a bomb was detonated that claimed lives among the workers and law enforcement.
In 1889, members of the labor movement established May Day to remember the lives lost in the massacre.
Participating in a May Day event? You can sign the pledge here.
Friday May 1
NCAE May 1st Rally (10:00am-3:00pm)
Location: Halifax Mall – 300 N Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Teachers, education advocates, and people from across North Carolina will be marching in Raleigh. Attendees are calling for support for educators, students, and public schools.
May Day Strong Events – May 1, 2026
Asheville, North Carolina May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (4:00-6:00pm)
Location: Pack Square Park – 80 Court Plaza Asheville, NC 28801
Black Mountain May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (5:00-6:00pm)
Location: Black Mountain Town Square – 100 E State St. Black Mountain, NC 28711
Chapel Hill, NC – May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (10:00am-6:00pm)
Location: East Franklin Street & South Elliott Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
May 1 Indivisible Charlotte: People Over Profits (10:30am-1:00pm)
Location: Pearl St Park – Pearl Park Way & Kenilworth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204
Charlotte’s May Day March: Immigrant Rights Are Worker Rights (5:00-8:00pm)
Location: 4938 Central Ave #1 Charlotte, NC 28205
Cullowhee, NC May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (11:00am-1:00pm)
Location: Western Carolina University (Catafount) – 1 University Dr. Cullowhee, NC 28723
Durham May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (5:00-6:30pm)
Location: The Bull (CCB Plaza) 211 W Parrish St. Durham, NC 27701
Elizabeth City, NC – May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (4:00-6:00pm)
Location: Veteran’s Park – 222 N Water St. Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Franklin, NC May Day 2026: Feeding Democracy & Community (1:00-2:00pm)
Location: Macon County Courthouse – 5 W Main St Franklin, NC 28734
Grantsboro, NC May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (3:00-5:00pm)
Location: North Carolina 55 & North Carolina 306 – Grantsboro, NC 28529
Students Rise Up on May Day: Southwest Guilford HS (12:00-3:00pm)
Location: SW Guilford High School – 4364 Barrow Rd. High Point, NC 27265
Laurinburg, NC – May Day Canvass 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (10:00am-12:30pm)
Location: 317 N Main St Laurinburg, NC 28352
Wilmington, NC May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires (3:00-7:00pm)
Location: Long Leaf Park – 314 Pine Grove Dr. Wilmington, NC 28409
Related: 3 things happening in NC: Teachers take to the streets on May Day
Have an event to add? Email Organizing Coordinator Dylan Rhoney at rodney@couriernewsroom.com with details (please send details at least one week in advance).
