← All Labor Day locations

September 5–7, 2026 · The long weekend

Labor Day Weekend 2026 with Kids in Boston

5 worthwhile events, plus three easy outings. Boston city outings + a clearly marked Amesbury farm day trip.

Organizer details checked September 5. All times are local. Recheck before leaving.

5 events in Boston

A brightly illuminated yellow and red dragon lantern against the evening skyRepresentative image · Andrew Yu · Unsplash LicenseLicense · Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.

Saturday–Monday evenings, 6–10:30 p.m.; timed entry

Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience

Franklin Park Zoo · Boston

Separate paid evening ticket · All ages; consider bedtime

Follow an illuminated outdoor trail of animal and nature lanterns, turning an evening walk into a glowing adventure.

Before you go
This is a lantern experience, not a regular zoo animal visit. Evening tickets are separate from daytime admission; check the last entry time and weather policy.

Check organizer details ↗
Sources & date check

Checked 2026-09-05. General venue area confirmed; use the organizer’s arrival directions. Older independent guides support the experience; organizer sources supply 2026 details.

Families browsing food stalls at a sunny outdoor street fairRepresentative image · Taylor Heery · Unsplash LicenseLicense · Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.

Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

SoWa Open Market

SoWa Art + Design District · South End, Boston

Free entry; food and purchases extra · All ages

Let each child choose a food-truck treat, meet local makers, and browse colorful stalls at a manageable Sunday market.

Before you go
Set a snack budget and choose a short loop. Nearby vintage markets and galleries have their own hours; this listing is for the outdoor Open Market.

Check organizer details ↗
Sources & date check

Checked 2026-09-05. General venue area confirmed; use the organizer’s arrival directions. Older independent guides support the experience; organizer sources supply 2026 details.

Boston Institute of Contemporary Art beside the harborRepresentative image · Alacoolwiki · CC BY-SA 4.0License · Resized for web and displayed to fit card; representative event photograph.

Monday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

ICA Free Labor Day Admission

Institute of Contemporary Art · Seaport, Boston

Free; advance tickets required · Best for school-age children and teens

Try a short contemporary-art visit by the harbor without the usual admission charge.

Before you go
Reserve from Sunday, September 6 at 10 a.m. Timed water-shuttle tickets are separate; preview current exhibitions for your children and pair the visit with a waterfront break.

Check organizer details ↗
Sources & date check

Checked 2026-09-05. General venue area confirmed; use the organizer’s arrival directions. Older independent guides support the experience; organizer sources supply 2026 details.

Baseball game under the lights at Fenway ParkRepresentative image · Dmoore5556 · CC BY-SA 4.0License · Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.

Monday, 1:35 p.m.; recheck first pitch

Red Sox vs. Angels at Fenway Park

Fenway Park · Boston

Paid game tickets; prices and availability vary · Best for school-age sports fans

Trade a late school-night game for a holiday afternoon at the ballpark, with the Green Monster as your backdrop.

Before you go
Choose seats with your child’s view and sun exposure in mind. Check Fenway’s bag policy and allow time for security; food and tickets add up for a family.

Check organizer details ↗
Sources & date check

Checked 2026-09-05. General venue area confirmed; use the organizer’s arrival directions. Older independent guides support the experience; organizer sources supply 2026 details.

Children reaching for apples on a tree during a family orchard outingRepresentative image · Land O'Lakes, Inc. · Unsplash LicenseLicense · Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.

Saturday–Monday; games from 8 a.m., live music 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Cider Hill Farm Country Fair

Cider Hill Farm · Amesbury, north of Boston

Free festival entry; picking, food and some rides extra · All ages

Start apple season with old-fashioned games, live music and a farm-store doughnut stop; add picking if the family has energy.

Before you go
This is a day trip outside Boston, not a city stop. Anyone ages 3+ entering picking fields needs a ticket, even without picking; check crop availability and allow for hills.

Check organizer details ↗
Sources & date check

Checked 2026-09-05. General venue area confirmed; use the organizer’s arrival directions. Older independent guides support the experience; organizer sources supply 2026 details.

3 more things to do with kids in Boston

Everyday outings from our local guide—not additional holiday events. Check current hours and reservations at the linked official sites.

  1. Martin's Park

    Martin’s Park. A free waterfront play stop near the Children’s Museum. Useful for an active break before committing to another ticketed attraction.

    Plan this outing ↗

  2. Museum of Science

    Museum of Science. A paid indoor day with hands-on discovery. Pick a few exhibits and book separately ticketed shows only if they suit your children.

    Plan this outing ↗

  3. New England Aquarium

    New England Aquarium. A paid marine-life outing centered on penguins and the giant ocean tank. Reserve a time slot and keep the rest of the waterfront day flexible.

    Plan this outing ↗
Explore the full Boston family guide →

Planning Labor Day weekend in Boston with kids

When is Labor Day weekend in 2026?

Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026. This guide covers Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7. All times are local to Boston.

What can families do for free?

SoWa Open Market, ICA Free Labor Day Admission, Cider Hill Farm Country Fair offer free admission. Food, rides, parking and special exhibitions can cost extra; free does not always mean no reservation.

Which outings work for toddlers and younger kids?

SoWa works as a short daytime food-and-market visit. Boston Lights is an evening outing; Cider Hill adds substantial travel outside the city.

What if it rains?

The Museum of Science and New England Aquarium are paid indoor choices. Monday’s ICA admission is free with advance tickets; its water shuttle has separate reservations.

Do we need tickets in advance?

Use each organizer link to confirm the latest admission rules and availability. A listing here is not a live ticket inventory. Reserve timed or dated admission before traveling, and check outdoor-event updates on the day.