Labor Day Weekend marks the end of the summer in Michigan, so it's a perfect occasion to enjoy the warm weather and spend the whole day outdoors. Locals often gather for picnics and barbecues. There are also plenty of outdoor festivals to enjoy live music and arts throughout the state.
Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats and Eats (September 1–4, 2023)
Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats and Eats is the main Labor Day highlight in Michigan. The four-day end-of-summer event is packed with top-name performers, delicious food, and fine arts. The festival starts on Friday morning of the Labor Day Weekend and runs through Monday. Most events are held in downtown Royal Oak, Michigan. Headliners of the festival perform at the Michigan Lottery National Stage. Lineups included Third Eye Blind, All-American Rejects, Theory of a Deadman and Night Ranger. Food trucks from over 40 restaurants offer a wide range of snacks. The Juried Fine Art Show is located on the southern edge of the festival (7th St., between Lafayette & Washington St.) presenting talented artists from across the US.
Detroit Jazz Festival (September 1–4, 2023)
The Detroit Jazz Festival is among the best in the United States. This world-class event is held every year on the Labor Day Weekend at Hart Plaza and Campus Martius Park in Detroit. This free to attend event has been attracting thousands of jazz fans since 1980. Detroit Jazz Festival hosted many top jazz performers, such as Dave Brubeck, Regina Carter, Gary Burton, Chick Corea, Joe Lovano, The Manhattan Transfer, Dave Holland, Wynton Marsalis, Pat Metheny, Paquito d'Rivera, Mulgrew Miller, Sonny Rollins, and Wayne Shorter.
Michigan State Fair ( August 31– September 04, 2023)
The Michigan State Fair is an old Labor Day tradition for thousands of families. It's often called the Grand Old State Fair due to its rich history that dates back to 1849. Once a showcase of Michigan's agriculture it is famous for its food, especially fresh farm-to-table produce from across the state. The Michigan State Fair brings a lot of fun due to its exciting midway rides, music, Shrine Circus, Farmer’s Market, racing pigs, and other attractions.
Romeo Peach Festival (September 2–6, 2022)
Peach Festival in Romeo, Michigan, is one of the best family-friendly Labor Day events in the state. Its main highlights are Labor Day "Hometown" Parade, Night Parade, several craft shows, the car show, charity cruise as well as 5K and 10K runs. Delicious peaches are, of course, the main focus of the festival so be prepared to try lots of yummy delights. There will be dozens of vendors and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
For the tickets and latest updates, please check with the official websites (see External Resources below.)
Labor Day Getaways
The long weekend is also a perfect occasion to take a dip in Michigan’s largest freshwater spring Kitch-iti-kipi which means big cold water. The turquoise spring is located in the Palms Book State Park, northwest of Manistique (about 6 mi(10 km) west on US Highway 2 and 12 mi (19 ml) north on M-149 in Thompson Township). Another day-trip idea is ancient dunes by Lake Michigan. The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness is located in the Manistee National Forest, north of Ludington, Michigan. To enjoy the unique landscape take a 4-mile (6-km) stroll on Lake Michigan's shoreline in Ludington State Park.
You can find all locations listed in this article on the map below. Consider booking a hotel nearby to ensure a comfortable visit.
