September 5–7, 2026 · The long weekend
25 Labor Day weekend events for families in Washington, DC / DMV, NYC, San Francisco / Bay Area, Chicago and Boston, September 5–7, 2026.
Organizer details checked September 5. All times are local. Recheck before leaving.
This is our September 2026 collection. These events have ended; use the local guides below for current activity ideas.
Choose a location to compare free events, festivals and family outings.
Representative image · Taylor Heery · Unsplash LicenseLicense · Displayed to fit card; original file unchanged.Washington, DC · Maryland suburbs · Northern Virginia
5 events · 4 with free admission · 3 backup outings
DC State Fair · Greenbelt Labor Day Festival · Smithsonian Circus Arts Weekend
See DMV events →
Representative image · Arlind Photography · Unsplash LicenseLicense · Displayed to fit card; original file unchanged.Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island
5 events · 2 with free admission · 3 backup outings
Richmond County Fair · NYC Unicycle Festival · Queens sessions · Junior Carnival & Youth Fest
See New York City events →Representative image · Taylor Heery · Unsplash LicenseLicense · Displayed to fit card; original file unchanged.San Francisco + Peninsula outings in Millbrae and Woodside
5 events · 5 with free admission · 3 backup outings
Millbrae Art & Wine Festival · Golden Gate Park Band · Labor Day concert · World Arts West Dance Festival
See San Francisco / Bay Area events →
Representative image · Seattle Parks & Recreation · CC BY 2.0License · Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.Lakefront music, neighborhood festivals and a car-free bike ride
5 events · 2 with free admission · 3 backup outings
Chicago Jazz Festival · Taste of Polonia · African Festival of the Arts
See Chicago events →
Representative image · Andrew Yu · Unsplash LicenseLicense · Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.Boston city outings + a clearly marked Amesbury farm day trip
5 events · 3 with free admission · 3 backup outings
Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience · SoWa Open Market · ICA Free Labor Day Admission
See Boston events →Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7. Start with one event that fits your children’s ages, then keep a nearby park or indoor outing in reserve. Each local guide includes free options, holiday schedules and practical parent notes.
Looking outside these five locations? Explore our family destinations or try an at-home activity.