For many in the U.S., Labor Day Weekend is basically the summer’s last hurrah, and is celebrated with parties, parades and fairs, and all sorts of exciting events.
It’s our last chance to take advantage of all the things we love the most about the summer, and there’s certainly no shortage of events to head to around the city to help you celebrate.
When is Labor Day this year?
This year Labor Day weekend falls on August 29 – September 1, and to help you make the most of it this year, here are the best events to check out in NYC.
The Metropolitan Opera’s Summer HD Festival
The Met Opera’s Summer HD Festival returns this LDW yet again as one of the great end of summer traditions in NYC!
The Lincoln Center plaza will be broadcasting opera favorites all weekend long on the façade of the opera house, which New Yorkers can enjoy for free with no tickets required! The screenings start up on August 22nd with Academy Award–nominated film Maestro, and run through Labor Day on September 1st! See the full lineup below:
- Friday, August 29, at 8 pm: Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas
- Saturday, August 30, at 8 pm: Puccini’s Tosa
- Sunday, August 31, at 7:30 pm: Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia
- Monday, September 1, at 8 pm: Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West
West Indian Day Parade
The end of summer means catching all the color and excitement along Eastern Parkway for the Brooklyn West Indian Parade on Monday, September 1.
The National West Indian Day Parade celebrates the heritage of the Caribbean. Singers, dancers, and musicians wear extravagant costumes and feathered head pieces, and tons of amazing floats make their way down the street. It’s totally free to attend!
Where: Along the Eastern Parkway, between Schenectady Ave. & Grand Army Plaza
US Open
The world famous tennis tournament, The US Open, will be taking place this Labor Day Weekend at its home in Flushing, Queens— and NYC will be celebrating it everywhere!
New Yorkers can of course watch the tournament in-person and see legends like Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Novak Djokovic compete in their second and third round matchups all weekend long.
Plus, there’s plenty of other places around the city hosting watch parties, themed-events, and more to celebrate the tennis phonemenon!
🎾 See the schedule for the tournament here and how to get tickets here
Shakespeare in the Park
After a near two year closure for renovations to Central Park’s Delacorte Theater, Shakespeare in the Park is officially back in action and running during Labor Day Weekend!
The free production of this year’s selected Shakespeare show Twelfth Night is currently running, featuring mega-stars like Sandra Oh, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Peter Dinklage, and Lupita Nyong’o.
As mentioned, it’s completely FREE to attend, but tickets require a little effort to get…including an in-person line at Central Park. Check out the best way to score tickets here and put this on your bucket list for LDW and the end of summer.
Seaport Racquet Club
Get ready tennis fans, because The Seaport is getting a total tennis transformation during US Open tourney time!
Starting August 18th and running throughout LDW, “Seaport Racquet Club” in partnership with Racquet magazine, will take over the a neighborhood with a full-size tennis court on Seaport Square, signature Honey Deuce cocktails at the Brooklyn-bridge facing Heineken Riverdeck, themed-food and drinks, tennis-adjacent activities, and so much more!
There’s set to be plenty of retail collaborations, pop-up giveaways, playable tennis games on the court, and even some surprises from pros and influencers.
It’s all free and there’s even more special perks you can unlock if you’re a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmember.
🎾 Learn more about Seaport Racquet Club here
Grey Goose pop-up bar at Grand Central Terminal for US Open
Looking to fill your Labor Day weekend with the beloved tennis cocktail The Honey Deuce? This pop-up is making it easier to do so.
The famous US Open cocktail from Grey Goose, “The Honey Deuce” is going to be served at the brand’s first ever pop-up bar at Grand Central Terminal on the Friday of LDW (runs in total from August 27 – 29).
Commuters, tennis fans, and New Yorkers-on-the-go will be able to enjoy the brand’s “Last Serve Bar” which will be open 5–8 pm and 10 pm –1 am serving the Honey Deuce, Espresso Martinis, and Spritz cocktails!
📍 Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal — August 27 – 29, 5 – 8 pm & 10 pm – 1 am
NYC Unicycle Festival
Calling all unicycle enthusiasts! The annual Unicycle Festival returns to NYC this Labor Day Weekend featuring learn-to-ride areas, basketball competition games, demonstrations, workshops, and so much more!
Events begin August 28 and run through Sunday the 31st, taking place across Manhattan and Brooklyn! Check out the full schedule here.
Beaches in NYC
Head to one of NYC’s gorgeous beaches this Labor Day weekend before the weather cools off for good!
As a reminder, NYC’s public beaches close the Sunday after Labor Day (this year is September 7), so this could be one of the last weekends to get your toes in the sand!
🏖️ Check out our favorites can be found here.
The Great New York State Fair
If you’re looking for a little weekend getaway, head upstate to the annual Great New York State Fair!
It’s one of America’s oldest and largest fairs and there’s everything you can dream of…amusement rides, great food from all over the state, and free concerts from some of music’s biggest names!
Plus, this year there are direct trains from NYC to the Fairgrounds happening multiple times per day.
🎡 Learn more about the New York State Fair here.
Richmond County Fair
The Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island is a preserved museum-village dating from the late 17th century, and this year they’re throwing their 45th annual Richmond County fair.
Guests can enjoy live music, living history, food, rides, contests, and more, giving families plenty of do this Labor Day weekend.
🎡 Learn more here.
