Looking for some great Labor Day events for your kids? Lucky for you, we've compiled a list of the best places for families to spend the holiday weekend and celebrate Labor Day in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, Westchester and Rockland counties, and on Long Island–from family-friendly parades to special events. Whether you're looking to beat the heat with Labor Day themed museum activities, or enjoy the last days of summer at the beach, we've got you covered.
Manhattan
27th Annual Tugboat Race & Competition sponsored by the Working Harbor Committee
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 10:00am-12:30 pm
WHERE: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Pier 83 W. 42nd St. & 12th Ave., Hells Kitchen
AGES: All
WHAT: Cruise alongside the Tugboat Parade of Boats to the finish line at Pier 84. After tugboats tie up, kids of all ages can test their mettle in the amateur line-toss competition.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Families can try their luck in the ever-popular spinach-eating contest!
WANT TO GO? $25 adult; $20 senior; $12 kids. 212-757-1600. workingharbor.org.
FREE NYC Unifest
WHEN: Aug. 29- Sept. 2, see website for schedule
WHERE: Governors Island and various locations, Ferries leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 and 10 South St., Manhattan, New York Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: This festival brings together recreational riders, world-class performers, mountain and off-road unicycle enthusiasts, mono-wheel vehicle inventors, along with circus enthusiasts, extreme sports viewers, and anyone seeking an unusual sight–even for NYC!
WHY WE LOVE IT: The main events on Governors Island include races, competitions, exhibitions, and a variety of unicycle sports including basketball, hockey, and sumo, plus DJ music.
WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.
Pop-up Skyscraper Card-making
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31, 10:30am-11:45am
WHERE: The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, New York
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate National Skyscraper Day by making pop-up cards of your own skyscraper design. RSVP required.
WANT TO GO? $5 per child; members free. 2129456324. https://skyscraper.org/WHAT'S_UP/family_programs.htm.
DIY Temporary Tattoos
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 10:00am-5:00pm
WHERE: Children's Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Manhattan
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Cut stencils out of cardstock, then apply skin-safe paints to sponges to blot designs onto skin!
WANT TO GO? FREE with museum admission ($13; free for children younger than 1). 212-274-0986. cmany.org.
FREE JAPAN PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
WHEN: Aug. 30-31, daily, 7-9pm
WHERE: Governors Island, Ferries leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 and 10 South St., Manhattan, New York Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Visitors will have hands-on Bon Odori dance sessions and more Japanese summer festival experiences here in New York.
WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.
FREE G.R.A.C.E non-profit 2nd Annual Back to School Block Party
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 1:00pm-6:00pm
WHERE: Savoy Park , 60 W 142nd St to 2300 5th Avenue , New York
AGES: All
WHAT: An opportunity for families to receive school supplies while partaking in a day filled with fun activities.
WANT TO GO? FREE. 646-979-0053. https://chanelspeedy.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/g-r-a-c-e-1st-annual-back-to-school-block-party-recap/
Kids Party Cruise Labor Day Weekend
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 1:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Pier 36, 299 South Street , Lower East Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Wrap up summer with a fun Labor Day kids cruise.
WANT TO GO? $35 and up. https://eventbrite.com/e/kids-party-cruise-labor-day-weekend-tickets-68094886639.
Labor Day Minions Kids Party Cruise
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 11:30am-2:00pm
WHERE: Skyport Marina, 2430 FDR Drive, East Village
AGES: All
WHAT: Set sail aboard a Minions-themed cruised featuring fun, food, facepainting, music, dancing, and more.
WANT TO GO? $35, children younger than 1 free. https://eventbrite.com/e/labor-day-minions-kids-party-cruise-1130am-200pm-tickets-68574489143.
Brooklyn
Goldilocks & the 3 Bears
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, see website for showtimes
WHERE: Puppetworks Inc, 338 Sixth Avenue, Brooklyn
AGES: All
WHAT: Robert Southey's 1837 English Folk-Tale is adapted for Hand Puppets by Jack Kaplan. Suggested for ages 2 and older.
WHY WE LOVE IT: This can be your child's first show experience!
WANT TO GO? $11; $10 children . 718-965-3391. http://puppetworks.org/.
Labor Day In Prospect Park
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 2, 12-5pm
WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, 101 East Drive, Flatbush
AGES: All
WHAT: Join Prospect Park Alliance on Labor Day for special family programming at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, Lefferts Historic House, and 1912 Carousel.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Activities include nature exploration, animal encounters, Caribbean Tales, and a family bird walk.
WANT TO GO? FREE; $2.50 for carousel ride. 646-393-9031. prospectpark.org.
Dinosaurs and Fossils
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 12-3pm
WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island
AGES: All
WHAT: The Zoo will have a fossil-making station and interesting dinosaur artifacts. Meet modern-day relatives of the dinosaurs through special animal presentations.
WANT TO GO? FREE with Zoo admission: $10 adults; $7 seniors (60 and over), $6 children (14 and younger), free for children 2 and under . 718-442-3100. http://statenislandzoo.org/programs/.
FREE NYC Unicycle Festival 2019
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 30, 2pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn
AGES: All
WHAT: This 13-mile ride across the Brooklyn Bridge to Coney Island is the beginning of the NYC Unicycle Festival.
WANT TO GO? Donations are encouraged . http://nycunifest.com/brooklyn-unicycle-day/.
FREE Free Music Class at FEED DUMBO
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 9am
WHERE: Feed Dumbo, 55 Water St., Brookyn
AGES: Newborn-5
WHAT: Join in on the first Sunday of every month for a kids music session with Dan the Music Man. RSVP required.
WANT TO GO? https://feedprojects.com/blogs/events/kiddie-music-store-event.
FREE Saturday Sculpture Workshop: Inflating Colors
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31, 12-3pm
WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park, 35-01 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City
AGES: All
WHAT: Design and craft your own colorful inflatables using plastic sheets and tape, then inflate your creations for an interactive movement performance.
WANT TO GO? 718-956-1819. socratessculpturepark.org.
FREE Kayaking and Canoeing
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 1:00-4:00pm
WHERE: Hallets Cove, 31-10 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City
AGES: All
WHAT: Take advantage of free kayaking and canoeing from Socrates’ beach at Hallets Cove. No prior boating experience required.
WANT TO GO?
FREE Omar's Summer Send Off
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 2:00-6:00pm
WHERE: Fantasy Forest Amusement Park, 5351 111th St, Corona
AGES: All
WHAT: Time to say farewell to summer until next year with this traditional Summer Send Off, hosted by local DJ & Magician Omar Olusion! There'll be games, live music and dancing, magic tricks, and more.
WANT TO GO? https://fantasyforestnyc.com/.
FREE Amazing Michael's Juggling Show
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 2, 2:00-3:00pm; 4:00-5:00pm
WHERE: Fantasy Forest Amusement Park, 5351 111th St, Corona
AGES: All
WHAT: Michael Karas presents a world-class juggling show full of jaw-dropping stunts, exciting audience participation, and hilarious physical comedy. From balls, clubs, and rings to puppets, knives, and spinning plates, Michael will dazzle you with his incredible array of circus talents.
WANT TO GO? https://fantasyforestnyc.com/.
Westchester County
CORNucopia
WHEN: Aug. 31- Sept. 1, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Philipsburg Manor, 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow
AGES: All
WHAT: Bring the family to the Lower Hudson Valley’s only corn festival. Indulge in sweet corn ice cream from The Blue Pig, challenge yourself in a corn maze, and play corn-y games! You’ll work up an appetite watching live cooking demonstrations, take a walking tour of the farm, and tap your toes to live bluegrass and folk music.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids and adults can quench their thirst with draft beers and root beer from local Captain Lawrence Brewing Company.
WANT TO GO? $16; $12 students 18-25 and seniors 65 and older; $8 children 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 914-366-6900. hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/philipsburg-manor.
WOODSTOCK-NEW PALTZ ART & CRAFTS FAIR
WHEN: Aug. 31- Sept. 2, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5:30pm; Monday 10am-4pm
WHERE: Ulster County Fairgrounds, 249 Libertyville Road, New Paltz
AGES: All
WHAT: Check out more than 200 juried exhibitors and engage in ongoing craft demonstrations, from wood-turning, to alpaca fiber-spinning, to brush painting, to metal-smithing, to soap-making.
WHY WE LOVE IT: The festival includes a complimentary and supervised drop-off children’s tent where kids will enjoy face-painting, interactive musical performances, wildlife shows, and more.
WANT TO GO? $13 Early Bird 3-day weekend pass online only; $10 adult; $9 seniors free for children 12 years and younger. 845-516-4342. http://quailhollow.com.
Feeding Fun
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 1-2pm
WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale
AGES: All
WHAT: It's mealtime for the animals! See what's on the menu and learn how Greenburgh Nature Center keeps the critters healthy.
WANT TO GO? $8; free for members. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.
Story Craft
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31, 1-2pm
WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah
AGES: 5-8
WHAT: Listen to a story and make a craft. Registration required.
WANT TO GO? $5. 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org.
Family Art Project: Shadow Play
WHEN: Aug. 31- Sept. 1, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-1pm
WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx
AGES: All
WHAT: Catch the sun and chase your shadow. Use your body, props, paper, and the sun’s rays to create art and tell stories of all things under the sun.
WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65 and older; $4 children 6 and older; free for members and children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
FREE Music Under The Stars Concert Series: LABOR DAY CELEBRATION
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 7:30pm
WHERE: Trophy Point Amphitheater, 117-119 Washington Road, West Point
AGES: All
WHAT: This Labor Day concert has it all: music, fireworks, and live cannon fire! RSVP online.
WANT TO GO? 845-938-2617. https://westpointband.com/trophypoint/september-1st.html.
Labor Day Barbecue
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 2, 1-6pm
WHERE: Turtle Cove Golf and Sport Entertainment Center, 1 City Island Rd, Pelham Bay Park
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Labor Day with a delicious BBQ.
WANT TO GO? $20. 718-885-1129. https://turtlecovegolfcenter.com.
Long Island
FREE Disco Unlimited
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 30, 8pm
WHERE: Eisenhower Park, Merrick and Stewart Avenues, Lakeside Theater, Parking Field #6, East Meadow
AGES: All
WHAT: Boogie down to Disco Unlimited at this free concert in the park.
WANT TO GO? https://nassaucountyny.gov.
Labor Day Barbecue
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 12-4pm
WHERE: American Legion Post 1711, 3123 N Jerusalem Road, Levittown
AGES: All
WHAT: Join American Legion Post 1711 for their Annual Labor Day BBQ and enjoy clam chowder, baked clams, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, and more.
WANT TO GO? $20. 516-731-9114. https://facebook.com/events/2864593940277429/.
FREE Labor Day BBQ
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 2, 1pm
WHERE: MOONLIGHT PUB, 99 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park
AGES: All
WHAT: Join Moonlight Pub for a fun Labor Day BBQ! There will be giveaways and more.
WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 516-352-2979. https://facebook.com/events/663843124095243/.
Cottage Imagination Station
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 12-4pm
WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
AGES: All
WHAT: This discovery space provides children with an opportunity to build, observe, ponder, and foster their young minds.
WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors over 62 and students with valid ID; $7 ages 7-17; free for members and children 6 and younger . 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
Rockland and Bergen Counties
CORNucopia
WHEN: Aug. 31- Sept. 1, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Philipsburg Manor, 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow
AGES: All
WHAT: Bring the family to the Lower Hudson Valley’s only corn festival. Indulge in sweet corn ice cream from The Blue Pig, challenge yourself in a corn maze, and play corn-y games! You’ll work up an appetite watching live cooking demonstrations, take a walking tour of the farm, and tap your toes to live bluegrass and folk music.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids and adults can quench their thirst with draft beers and root beer from local Captain Lawrence Brewing Company.
WANT TO GO? $16; $12 students 18-25 and seniors 65 and older; $8 children 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 914-366-6900. hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/philipsburg-manor.
WOODSTOCK-NEW PALTZ ART & CRAFTS FAIR
WHEN: Aug. 31- Sept. 2, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5:30pm; Monday 10am-4pm
WHERE: Ulster County Fairgrounds, 249 Libertyville Road, New Paltz
AGES: All
WHAT: Check out more than 200 juried exhibitors and engage in ongoing craft demonstrations, from wood-turning, to alpaca fiber-spinning, to brush painting, to metal-smithing, to soap-making.
WHY WE LOVE IT: The festival includes a complimentary and supervised drop-off children’s tent where kids will enjoy face-painting, interactive musical performances, wildlife shows, and more.
WANT TO GO? $13 Early Bird 3-day weekend pass online only; $10 adult; $9 seniors free for children 12 years and younger. 845-516-4342. http://quailhollow.com.
The Dead Man's Curve 8th Wild Hot Rod Weekend
WHEN: Aug. 29- Sept. 1, daily, 12pm-11pm
WHERE: Sheraton Mahwah Hotel, 1 International Boulevard, Route 17 North, Mahwah
AGES: All
WHAT: See over 25 bands, celebrities, pinstripers, TV cars, and more.
WANT TO GO? $15 Thursday and Sunday; $20 Friday and Saturday. http://deadmanscurveusa.com.
44th Civil War Reenactment
WHEN: Aug. 31- Sept. 1, 8/31 10am-5pm; 9/01 10am-4pm
WHERE: Museum Village, 1010 State Route 17M, Monroe
AGES: All
WHAT: Visitors can stroll through the camps, meet and talk with the troops and civilians, and more.
WANT TO GO? $17; $14 seniors; $12 children. 845-782-8248. http://museumvillage.org.
FREE Music Under The Stars Concert Series: LABOR DAY CELEBRATION
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 7:30pm
WHERE: Trophy Point Amphitheater, 117-119 Washington Road, West Point
AGES: All
WHAT: This Labor Day concert has it all: music, fireworks, and live cannon fire! RSVP online.
WANT TO GO? 845-938-2617. https://westpointband.com/trophypoint/september-1st.html.
