Offering a blend of vibrant festivals and serene outdoor escapes, experience Labor Day in West Michigan. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of local fairs, parades, and music events, or take advantage of the beautiful beaches and nature trails. It’s a perfect time to celebrate the end of summer while embracing the region’s unique charm and community spirit.
South West Michigan
Labor Day Weekend in Lansing is marked by two exciting annual festivals. The Michigan Chicken Wing Festival, held on August 31st and September 1st, offers two fun-filled days of live music, a VIP tent, a kids' zone, a hot-wing-eating contest, a sauce boss contest, food trucks, vendors, and more. Concurrently, the Festival of Oddities celebrates all things strange and macabre. Visitors can explore the Macabre Marketplace with over 100 peddlers of the peculiar, enjoy Food Truck Row, visit the Kitten Tent or the Snake Pit to adopt a furry or scaly rescue, meet favorite true crime and horror authors at the Living Library, and tour the haunted Courthouse Square Museum.
Be part of a cherished Saugatuck/Douglas tradition spanning over 25 years. Gather your family, friends, and pets, and get ready to strut your stuff at the Labor Day Blue Star Bridge Walk on Monday, September 2nd. Saugatuck/Douglas encourages you to bring your craziest hats, colorful costumes, musical instruments, flags, and motivational signs to amp up the fun. Whether you're walking the short .19k route or cheering from the sidewalk, it's a celebration you won't want to miss. This fun-filled event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. from the South Side of the Blue Star Bridge.
The extended Labor Day weekend beckons for a road trip, an opportunity to discover the quaint communities of Coldwater, Bronson, Quincy, and Union City with a getaway to Michigan’s Coldwater Country. Located in south-central Michigan, visitors can explore the timeless Victorian downtowns of the area, and countless shops in Michigan’s Antique Capital -- Allen, and learn a few tricks of the trade when stopping into the many magic shops in Colon -- the Magic Capital of the World. End the day with a double feature at the Capri Drive-In, one of Michigan’s iconic drive-in movie theaters.
Central West Michigan
As Labor Day approaches, consider celebrating at IndiGrow, a unique cannabis microbusiness that offers an experience akin to visiting a microbrewery. Unlike large-scale operations, IndiGrow produces all its products on-site, ensuring top-notch quality and freshness. Spending Labor Day at IndiGrow offers a unique blend of education, quality, and community spirit. Whether you're a cannabis connoisseur or simply curious, IndiGrow provides a welcoming and informative environment. Celebrate this Labor Day with them and experience the best of what this family-owned, sustainable business has to offer.
Join United Way of the Lakeshore for the annual Labor Day Parade and Celebration in Muskegon's Hackley Park. The parade kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on Western Avenue near the CIO Hall. Afterwards head to Hackley Park for food, games, giveaways, crafts, and more. It's a fantastic way to honor the hardworking community – join the Labor Day celebration from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The 20th Annual Labor Day Cars for Cancer is rolling into town on September 1st and 2nd at Lakes Mall. This family-friendly event lets you admire classic cars while supporting a great cause. Registration is $10 for participants and free for spectators. Spend Sunday evening registering your car and enjoying the camaraderie. Then, on Labor Day, fuel up with a pancake breakfast (sold separately) and browse the impressive car displays. All proceeds benefit the Johnson Family Cancer Center at Trinity Health. It's a fun way to celebrate the holiday weekend and give back to the community.
Make some noise for the businesses and workers of West Michigan. Bring the family, earplugs, and your appetite for big trucks and ice cream. This one-of-a-kind event showcases local companies and honors the employees who make the lakeshore a great place to live and work. Big rigs carrying locally made products rumble through downtown Zeeland and Holland, then park at the Holland Civic Center Place for the end-of-parade free ice cream social.
The White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau (WLACVB) will host its 18th Annual Labor Day Community Walk on September 2nd at 10:00 a.m., allowing Michiganders to participate in this walking tradition. The Labor Day Community Walk begins at the Hart-Montague Bike Trailhead (at the east end of Spring Street), where city officials and area leaders walk with the people of the community across the White River Bridge to the WLACVB depot located at 124 W. Hanson in Whitehall. Walkers are more than welcome to continue on the path, turn around, or stay for healthy refreshments. This event is endorsed by the Michigan Fitness Foundation.
The Grand Haven Labor Day Bridge Walk is traditionally Grand Haven’s Labor Day celebration. Walkers will gather and start their trek at Harbor Island side of the Third Street Bridge at 9:00 a.m. They’ll continue to walk to the end of the Grand Haven South Pier and back to the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium concluding the walk. No registration fee is required, and in previous years there have been prizes and giveaways. To win these prizes your ticket has to be drawn that you would be given before the walk starts.
North West Michigan & Upper Peninsula
Come to Charlevoix for a weekend of fun, sun, and relaxation as we honor the hard work and contributions of the community. Enjoy live music, local food, and the beauty of the lakeside town. Whether you're exploring the charming downtown or taking in the breathtaking views, there's something for everyone.
Get ready to join the Mackinaw Chamber of Commerce for the 2024 Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd. Participants will have several options for walking the bridge, enjoying breathtaking views and a unique perspective of this engineering marvel. Whether you choose a one-way stroll, to the midpoint and back, or a round-trip adventure, the experience promises to be unforgettable. In addition to the bridge walk, Mackinaw City offers a variety of activities to make your Labor Day weekend unforgettable:
- Shopping: Explore local boutiques and shops,
- Dining: Savor delicious meals at restaurants,
- Entertainment: Enjoy family-friendly attractions and more.
There’s something for everyone in Mackinaw City as we celebrate the end of summer.
Join Treetops Resort for the LUME-sponsored hit-the-target event taking place at the North Property driving range. Tee up and aim for one of the targets placed on the range for your chance to win prizes from LUME.
This Labor Day Weekend Bay Harbor Village will be holding their Annual Labor Day Sidewalk sales from August 30th to September 2nd from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day. Another fun thing to consider attending during this weekend is MAMMA MIA at Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor.
Celebrate your long Labor Day weekend with a trip to the Pine River Paddlesports Center, nestled in the heart of the Manistee National Forest. Camp in the peaceful, quiet campground and experience the solitude and silence that camping in the National Forest has to offer, with the comfort of running water and modern restroom facilities. Spend one of your days paddling down the Pine River - Michigan's premiere paddlesports river. With something to offer to all skill levels and all ages, the staff at the Pine River Paddlesports Center is uniquely equipped to outfit your whole crew to size and skill-appropriate watercraft. Since it is a three-day weekend, why not spend one day hiking the many trails in the area? There is so much to explore during a weekend trip to the Manistee National Forest. Let Pine River Paddlesports Center help you plan your trip today.
Take in the breathtaking views of Marquette County and the surrounding area during the Marquette Marathon Labor Day weekend race on August 30th and August 31st. The picturesque path will run on a downhill course that is also an official Boston Marathon qualifier. For those seeking similar views at a lower mileage, half-marathon, and 5K options are also available. Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome will host the race EXPO and kids run held on August 30th and will serve as the finish line for all races the following day. After the race, head to the local favorite 20th annual Marquette Area Blues Fest, running from August 30th through September 1, 2024. The three-day festivities highlight an amazing array of world-class blues musicians, a wide variety of food vendors, a beer and wine tent, free workshops, and an assortment of arts and crafts booths. The festival will kick off with a free concert on Friday night to thank the community for their continued support, and festival performers will play into the night, allowing visitors to see the sunset over Mattson Lower Harbor Park and become serenaded by the sounds of summer.
Celebrate Labor Day weekend at Northern Michigan’s Shanty Creek Resort. Nestled amidst stunning landscapes, the resort offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Enjoy various outdoor activities, from golfing the five championship courses to exploring scenic trails. Unwind with family and friends at the resort, enjoy the delicious dining options that showcase local flavors, and visit nearby downtown Bellaire. Whether seeking a peaceful retreat or an action-packed getaway, Shanty Creek Resort promises an unforgettable experience to cap off your summer. Join Shanty Creek Resort for a Labor Day weekend filled with fun, relaxation, and breathtaking natural beauty.
Find more activities, festivals, and parades to celebrate Labor Day by visiting our Event Calendar here.
