Best Labor Day Weekend Events In NYC: Parties, Fairs, More
Gear up for some potato sack races at the Richmond County Fair, discover your new favorite piece of art in Washington Square Park, or lay out by the pool in Brooklyn. Here are five ways to have a little fun in the sun this Labor Day weekend. By Carly Petrone.
Corona Electric Beach at McCarren Hotel & Pool
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Take a dip this Labor Day at the McCarren Hotel & Pool. This Brooklyn hot spot is teaming up with Corona for an all-day Electric Beach Party on Monday, September 5. Live DJs will be spinning beats while Corona, Corona Light, Modelo Especial and Victoria suds will be available, along with seasonal summer bites like Maine lobster Rolls, house-made ice pops, and signature McCarren hot dogs. And don't walk away without some free Corona swag. Grab a drink upstairs at the hotel's rooftop bar if you want to keep this end of summer party going. It all begins at 1 p.m. Tickets are $65 and can be found here.
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Unicyclists unite! From September 1-4, you can show off your biking skills during the 7th annual Unicyle Festival. Whether you're a recreational rider, a world-class performer, or you just want to find out what riding a unicycle is actually like, this four-day adventure takes riders along the west side, through Brooklyn, as well as onto Governors Island. The festival's main events take place on Governor's Island from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with various activities and a variety of unicycle sports -- including basketball, hockey, and sumo. There's also going to be a "Hell on Wheels" trials course, where members of the public can test out their one-wheel riding skills, too. See their website for more details and registration information.
Great North River Tugboat Race
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Head over to Pier 84 to watch the Great North River Tugboat Race! Watch as the boats line up during the Parade of Tugs, beginning at 10 a.m., before the race officially begins at 10:30 a.m. There will be nose-to-nose pushing contests, a line-toss competition, an amateur line-toss, as well as a spinach-eating contest. Bring the kiddos, because they can test out their spinach-eating skills too. Stick around for the awards ceremony and wave goodbye as they depart around 2 p.m. Grab a seat on a Circle Line Spectator Boat and help cheer on this year's competitors. Click here to reserve your ticket.
Richmond County Fair
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Itching to attend a county fair before summer officially ends? You're in luck, because the Richmond County Fair is taking place on Staten Island from September 3-5. There will be circus performers, crafts, and plenty of rides for the kiddos --and the kid at heart. Live music and all the usual food-eating contests will also take place (make sure to sign up for the hot dog and pie baking contests), but don't get too full because there's always the potato sack race to enter. Have fun this holiday weekend from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and proceeds will go toward the Historic Richmond Town. Learn more here.
Washington Square Outdoor Art Festival
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Pick up your next favorite find at the Washington Square Outdoor Art Festival. The first two weekends of September will be dedicated to showcasing fine artists and craft artisans from around the world right in Washington Square Park. Grab a gift for a friend or mingle with other art lovers during this bi-annual festival (it also takes place in the spring.) Get your shopping bags ready because this showcase begins at noon and goes until 6 p.m. Festival will take place September 3,4, 5, 10, and 11.
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Carly Petrone is the founder of Petrone on the Rocks, a lifestyle site about food, drinks, beauty, travel, and more. She lives in New York City.
