Boston Labor Day events offer the perfect combination: a spectacular fireworks show over Boston Harbor, lots of other fun things to do, tempting Labor Day sales, and (usually) warm, sunny weather.
For 2024, Labor Day (always the first Monday in September) falls on Monday, September 2.
In this article, we've rounded up lots of special events and outdoor activities (plus a few interesting things to do inside in case of rain) during the long Labor Day weekend, including Red Sox games, concerts and shows, special cruises, and the big holiday sales.
We include recommendations for lots of other fun water-related activities such as whale watching cruises, local beaches, and weekend excursions to Provincetown.
You can also enjoy relaxing at outdoor beer gardens, dining outdoors, and soaking up sun in Boston's many green spaces and parks.
And finally, you should know about two other local traditions that take place during Labor Day weekend: "Allston Christmas" and (usually), "Storrowing."
So keep reading to find out what to do (and what to avoid) on this last glorious summer weekend.
Top photo: Boston skyline seen from Charles River, (c) Boston Discovery Guide
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Kick Off the Weekend with Labor Day Fireworks 2024
Fireworks launched from a barge anchored between the North End and Seaport will light up the sky over Boston Harbor and kick off Labor Day Weekend and the beginning of fall.
The spectacular Labor Day fireworks show begins at 8:30 pm on Thursday, August 29. Live music before the show features classic hits and starts at 7pm in Christopher Columbus Park. Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner for the perfect start to the long weekend.
Looking for the best place to watch Boston's Labor Day fireworks? Treat yourself to a fireworks cruise and watch from the Harbor:
- Labor Day Fireworks Cruise on Northern Lights - You'll love this crowd-free option for watching the brilliant Labor Day Fireworks over Boston Harbor after a leisurely cruise on this classic commuter yacht - Find out more
- Labor Day Weekend "Illuminate the Harbor" Fireworks Cruise Aboard Adirondack III and Adirondack IV - Get fantastic views of the Labor Day fireworks after a cruise on these spacious schooners modeled after 1890s tall ships - Find out more
Best places to watch the fireworks from the shore: Christopher Columbus Park and Long Wharf in the North End, the South Boston Waterfront (especially around Fan Pier/Seaport), the Downtown Waterfront, and Piers Park in East Boston.
Take a Labor Day Weekend Sightseeing Cruise Around the Harbor
Tour Boston by boat - the best way to see the city!
Check out these fun sightseeing, music, and entertainment Boston Harbor cruises on the Yacht Northern Lights, Schooner Adirondack III, and Schooner Adirondack IV:
Popular Cruises on the Northern Lights:
- Northern Lights Sunset Cruise - Grab a refreshments from the bar and then relax as you watch the sun set on this sail around the Harbor, just in time to catch the USS Constitution fire its cannons as the sun dips down past the horizon
- Brunch Cruise on the Northern Lights - Savor a delicious 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing cruise around Boston Harbor
- Boston Harbor Cruise on Northern Lights - Soak up Boston's unique sites and rich history on this comfortable sightseeing cruise around the Harbor - perfect friends and family experience! Food and beverages available for purchase at the bar
Sailing on the Adirondack III & IV (through mid-October):
- Adirondack III & IV Day Sail - Enjoy cool breezes and the afternoon sun on this relaxing sightseeing sail around Boston Harbor and the Inner Harbor Islands
- Adirondack III & IV Sunset Sail - Relax as the setting sun turns the sky brilliant colors
Fall Foliage Cruises - Starting October 5
- Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Enjoy a tasty gourmet brunch, fall foliage, and panoramic views as you cruise around Boston Harbor
- Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Sip hot cider as you enjoy lunch on this relaxing fall foliage cruise to celebrate seasonal colors
More Fun Ways to See Boston
Solve a Mystery Challenge at Clue - Boston's New Immersive Adventure
Ready for some mayhem, murder, and blackmail during Labor Day Weekend?
Challenge yourself (and up to 5 of your friends) to solve a crime when you play Clue: A Walking Mystery, Boston's new interactive, immersive IRL action game.
Inspired by the popular Hasbro board game, the cult Paramount movie from 1985, and the Broadway in Boston show with the same name, Clue gives you (and your group) a mystery to solve along with a trail of clues and locations in Downtown Boston.
We won't spoil your fun by telling you more - except that it's loads of fun, you'll discover interesting places, and you may spend way more time at it than you expect as you see the best of Boston along the way.
Find out more about Clue and get your tickets - but hurry, because it ends a week after Labor Day.
Tee Up at Puttshack
Looking for something fun and active to do indoors?
Head to Puttshack in Seaport (58 Pier 4 Boulevard) for tech-infused mini golf, tasty brews, and good vibes.
Try all four courses, summer cocktails, and DJs on the weekend.
If you're in the suburbs, you'll find a second Boston area location in the Natick Mall.
More information: Puttshack's website
Enjoy Labor Day Weekend Activities at Lawn on D
Live music and DJs, lawn games, food and beverages, - the fun goes on all weekend at Lawn on D, located on D Street next to the Convention Center in the South Boston Waterfront neighborhood.
Everything is free except for what you spend on food and drink. Hours vary a bit by day - so check their website for details.
Take Advantage of Free Admission to ICA Boston
Soak up artistic visions on Labor Day (Monday, Sept 2) at ICA Boston (25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston's Seaport District) where free admission for the day will let you explore the Institute of Contemporary Art's gallery exhibits. 10am - 5pm. All ages welcome.
After you've had your fill of art, enjoy a drink and small bites at ICA's Wine + Coffee Bar overlooking Boston Harbor or head to one of the many appealing Seaport Waterfront restaurants.
If you can't get there on Monday, keep in mind that you can also enter for free on other days when you have a Go Boston Discount Card.
Current (& Coming) Exhibits at Boston Museums
Check out the exhibitions in Boston's museums:
MFA Boston - Current & Future Shows
- Dress Up - A look at how we dress expresses our politics, moods, and personal identities - Through September 2
- Dalí: Disruption & Devotion - How Dalí's Surrealist works took inspiration from the past: 30 of his paintings and prints paired with masterpieces by El Greco, Velazquez, and others - July 6 - December 1
- Thinking Small: Dutch Art to Scale - 17th-century Netherlands paintings, prints, books, and other creations designed to elicit slow looking and contemplation. - Through November 3
- Georgia O'Keefe and Henry Moore - Juxtapositions between the work of these two 20th century icons - October 13 - January 20, 2025; timed-entry tickets required. Reserve online
- Deep Waters: Four Artists & the Sea - Compare the visions of four disparate artists with unique perspectives - Nov 9, 2024 - Nov 9, 2025
Museum of Fine Arts Boston admission: $27; some special exhibits require a timed-entry reservation and/or additional fee; free entrance when you have a GoBoston Discount card or Boston CityPASS). Free admission to 1) U.S. active duty military and veterans, 2) Boston Public Schools students and up to 3 family members ever first and second Sunday each month, plus $7 for some special exhibitions 3) Massachusetts residents on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, & Indigenous Peoples' Day, and 4) thanks to UNIQLO, everyone on September 14, 2024. MFA is open every day except for Tuesday.
Museum of African American History - Current Show
- The Emancipation Proclamation: A Pragmatic Compromise - A close look at this important American document that changed the course of the Civil War, freed enslaved people in the Confederacy, and allowed men of African descent to join the fight for freedom
Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston - Current & Future Shows
- Wu Tsang: Of Whales - An immersive installation inspired by Melvilles Moby Dick - Through Aug 24
- Igshaan Adams - A new monumental commissioned work by this South African artist - Through Feb 15, 2025
- Firelei Baez - Massive works -Through September 2
- Wordplay - This show focuses on how contemporary artists have played with words to animate and expand their art - Through Jan 5, 2025
- Stanley Whitney: How High the Moon - Retrospective featuring Whitney's small paintings and other works - Through Sept 1, 2025
- Gun Violence Memorial Project - A living memorial to the 700 lives typically lost each week by gun violence in the US - Aug 29 - January 20, 2025
- Tau Lewis - Sculptures, quilts, masks, and more made from found materials; her first solo show in the US - Aug 29 - January 26, 2025
- Charles Atlas - An immersive multimedia exhibit - Oct 10 - March 16, 2025
Admission: $20 adults, 18 and under free; free entrance with GoBostoncard and Boston CityPASS, and on Thursday evenings (tickets available at 10am on the day of your visit; recommended due to limited space). Closed on Mondays. Free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, & Indigenous Peoples' Day, and every Thursday from 5-9pm.
Find More Museums in Boston
Shop Boston's Big Labor Day Sales
Labor Day Sales attract bargain seekers and back to school shoppers throughout the weekend.
You can find great deals throughout the city (look for tantalizing discounts at the trendy boutiques on Newbury Street), but to take advantage of reductions on already discounted prices at outlet stores, head to Boston-area Assembly Row or Wrentham Village.
For more in-city shopping, check out sales at Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Prudential Center.
See the Best of Boston on a Cruise or Tour during Labor Day Weekend
Want to combine sightseeing with a memorable Boston experience? Try these special cruises and tours on Labor Day Weekend:
Boston Harbor 3-hour Dinner Cruise aboard the Odyssey - Enjoy a gourmet meal, dancing, and a romantic evening under the stars. Find out more
Day Trip to Martha's Vineyard - You'll feel like you're in another world when you experience the beauty of Martha's Vineyard. This day trip gives you an easy way to get there - relax while a mini-coach whisks you to the ferry for the 35-minute ride to the island, and then either explore on your own or choose the optional mini-coach tour of the island. Find out more
Boston's North End Walking Food Tour - Explore Boston's Italian North End and sample the delicious pizza, pastries, meats, and cheeses that make this neighborhood such a popular destination. Find out more
Boston Harbor 2-hour Lunch Cruise aboard the Spirit of Boston - Enjoy a buffet meal, live DJ and dance party, and sightseeing along the Boston skyline. Find out more
Get Tickets for a Labor Day Concert
Top Concerts - Dates and Ticket Information:
Top concerts in Boston in September 2025, so far, include only My Chemical Romance and Dua Lipa - but look for more to be listed soon:
- My Chemical Romance - Fenway Park - Sept 7
- Dua Lipa - TD Garden - Sept 9, 10
Find more concerts and shows in Boston in September.
Find Fun Things to Do with Kids on Labor Day Weekend in Boston
Family-oriented activities to do with kids in Boston on Labor Day weekend include:
Whale Watching Cruises
Convenient Downtown Boston Waterfront departures, and guaranteed sightings - Bring your camera!
Find out more about Whale Watching cruises
Swan Boat Rides
Head over to the Public Garden to ride on Boston's famous swan boats.
Make Way for Ducklings Statues
While you're in the Public Garden, pay a visit to the nearby Make Way for Ducklings statues.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Interactive Adventure
Immersive exhibits at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum let you experience the Boston "tea party" rebellion that triggered the Revolutionary War.
GoBoston Card for Attractions, Tours, Cruises
Best way to save over 45% when you take a Boston Harbor cruise, see the city skyline from View Boston, visit Plimouth Plantation, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park Tour, and more.
Find out more about the GoBoston card
Catch a Red Sox Game at Fenway - Labor Day Weekend 2024
Catch an exciting Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park on Labor Day Weekend. This year, they playing the Blue Jays during the week leading up to the weekend, and then head out of town before returning on September 6 to take on the Chicago White Sox:
- Thursday, August 29 - Sox vs Blue Jays - Get tickets
- Friday, Sept 8 - Sox vs the White Sox - Get tickets
Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets. Good for purchases made through 12/31/24.
Find more Red Sox tickets for August
Find more Red Sox tickets for September
Want to Stay Nearby?
Hotels near Fenway Park:
If you're coming to a Red Sox game, spend the night or the weekend at one of the nearby hotels:
- Verb Hotel, directly across the street from Fenway Park
- Hotel Commonwealth
- Residence Inn Fenway
Check out more hotels near Fenway Park
Visit Cape Cod on the Fast Ferry
Small boat on Provincetown beach
Labor Day Weekend is a fantastic time to spend a day (or longer) in scenic Provincetown at the eastern tip of Cape Cod.
The easiest and fastest way to get there is on the "Fast Ferry" - a sleek and luxurious passenger-only catamaran that whisks you to this charming village in only 90 minutes.
Explore Provincetown's many art galleries, chic clothing boutiques, and picturesque lanes at your leisure.
Watch the sun set as you feast on clam chowder and a lobster roll at one of the many restaurants overlooking the water.
But don't wait too long - the ferry books up fast on any holiday weekend.
Get Your Fast Ferry Tickets to Provincetown
Find out more about visiting Provincetown
Spend One More Weekend at the Beach
Even though Labor Day doesn't really mark the end of beach season in Boston, this last weekend of the summer is the perfect time to squeeze in a few more hours at Castle Islandor a convenient city beach.
Find out about Boston's best city beaches and how to get to them on public transportation
Tour the USS Constitution
The USS Constitution, famous since the War of 1812 and the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat will be open for free visits throughout Labor's Day Weekend in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
Active duty U.S. Navy Sailors conduct the tours and will answer your questions about "Old Ironsides" from 10am - 6pm.
Please note: Although the ship is usually closed on Mondays, it will be open for tours (free) on Labor Day. Also please note: If you are 18 or older, you will need to present a valid federal or state-issued photo ID or passport to board the ship.
Getting there: Walk along the Freedom Trail (the USS Constitution is one of the Charlestown sites), take the MBTA Water Shuttle from Long Wharf (next to the New England Aquarium).
You can also get close-up views of the USS Constitution on some Harbor Cruises
- More about taking a Harbor cruise with close up USS Constitution views
- More about visiting the USS Constitution
Dine Outdoors... While You Still Can
Boston's outdoor dining season is short but sweet - so enjoy a few more al fresco meals before the city's sidewalk cafes go into winter storage.
You'll find sidewalk terraces all over the city. In particular, check out Newbury Street in Back Bay, Washington and Summer Streets in Downtown Crossing, Hanover and Salem Streets in the North End, and basically anywhere along waterfront areas such as Seaport, East Boston, and the Downtown Waterfront.
Be Aware of "Allston Christmas" & "Storrowing": Boston Labor Day Events You May Want to Avoid (If You Can)
Although "Allston Christmas" and "Storrowing" have nothing to do directly with Labor Day, they do coincide with Labor Day Weekend - so if you're planning to visit Boston during this period, here are the critical things you need to know about what happens during these annual "events."
First, what exactly is "Allston Christmas"?
When the Boston area's roughly 250,000 college students return to campus in September, a significant number move into apartments, just as others move out at the end of August.
That means huge piles of unwanted furniture including queen-sized beds and massive couches, household items, and clothes gets dumped onto the sidewalks and into the streets.
From treasures to trash, it's all up for grabs. The result is chaos.
The most-impacted Boston neighborhoods, due to their large number of student residents, include Allston, Brighton, Longwood, Beacon Hill, Cambridge (especially around Harvard Square and Kendall Square), and parts of the North End and Brookline. Somerville also feels the hit, due to its large student population.
Some streets may be officially blocked to traffic (along with lots of curb side parking spaces), and others will be "unofficially" blocked - in other words, you can't get through by car. And don't bother honking.
So is Allston Christmas a Labor Day event to look forward to?
No.
With countless UHauls jamming the streets, gridlocking traffic, and possibly getting Storrowed for a couple of days before and after September 1 and, unfortunately, throughout much of the Labor Day weekend, Allston Christmas is an annual tradition you may want to miss.
Unless, of course, you're tempted to try your luck at finding the perfect mirror or nice pair of lamps among the debris.
Another warning: Labor Day weekend is when "Storrowing" is mostly likely to happen.
What is Storrowing?
Storrowing is what results when trucks (often but not always moving trucks) over 10 feet high fail to read and/or believe the "Clearance" signs on Storrow Drive's underpasses before either shearing off their top or getting stuck.
The resulting mess halts traffic for a very long time.
So take it from a Boston Local, if you're driving anything larger than an SUV, consider avoiding Storrow Drive if you can.
But if you can't, please, please, please READ the clearance signs!!! And measure your vehicle.
More Articles about Things to Do in Boston in September
- More Labor Day Weekend and other September events in Boston
- Just in case: What to do in Boston in the rain
- Fall is just around the corner - check out Boston's top fall foliage tours
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