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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — How on earth is Labor Day Weekend already here? And after what feels like a summer chock-full of rain, this long-weekend is set to bring sunshine just in time for the end of the season. With sunshine and heat on the horizon, it'll be the perfect weekend for that traditional Labor Day BBQ or a day at the beach. If you're in Boston, it's the last weekend to take a ride on the iconic Swan Boats in the Public Garden, they’ll close up shop September 4th.
If you're still scrambling to make plans, don't fret, we've got you covered.
Friday September 1st
Story Time At Franklin Park Zoo
On the first Friday of every month, the Boston Public Library in partnership with the Franklin Park Zoo, hosts a story time for kids between the ages 0-5. No registration is required.
The 39th Gloucester Schooner Festival
Beginning yesterday, Thursday August 31st, the festival is the capstone to the summer in Gloucester. The weekend will be full of events that allow visitors to get up close and personal with these historic vessels. On Friday between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. there will be a meet and greet with the schooners in Gloucester Harbor. Then between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. the downtown Gloucester block party will take over Main Street with entertainment for the entire family.
Saturday is the main event with the Maritime Gloucester Heritage Day from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. The free event welcomes visitors aboard schooners and free museum tours through out the day. If you’d like to take a ride, the Schooner Ardelle will be taking hourly sails, tickets are just $20.
At 7:00 p.m. the Boat Parade of Lights kicks off in the Annisquam River and at 9:15 p.m. there will be a fantastic fireworks show over Gloucester Harbor.
Sunday ends the festival with the annual Mayor’s Races for the Esperanto Cup and the Columbia Trophy off Eastern Point at 1:00 p.m.
Thurs Aug. 31st – Sunday Sept. 3rd, Various Locations, Free.
Starting Friday, the 51st annual Lebanese Mahrajan will begin, bringing thousands into the area to take part in the festivities. We can already smell all the delicious Lebanese food cooking and this year the festival will host free cooking and belly dancing classes.
Friday Sept. 1st – Sunday Sept. 3rd 145 Amesbury Street, Lawrence MA
Moving Day Party at Samuel Adams Brewery
Thank goodness it’s September 2nd. You can almost hear the sigh of relief that Boston’s busiest move-in/move-out day has come and gone and the good people at Sam Adams are ready to celebrate. After all you didn’t get stuck on Storrow right? By the way, the brewery will be offering their new cream ale called “Mover’s Currency.”
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, 30 Germania St, Boston FREE.
The Tango Society of Boston is holding a free outdoor tango-session, for those looking to move, shake and have some good wholesome fun. Don’t worry if you’ve got two left feet, there will be a brief demonstration and a 15-20 minute lesson for beginners. If you can’t make it this Saturday, they’ll be dancing on the first Saturday of each month, through October.
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Dewey Sq, Boston Free.
José Soto 5tet fundraising concert for the Bribri people of Costa Rica
Costa Rican pianist José Soto is headlining a fundraising concert this Saturday evening at Hope Central Church in Jamaica Plain. Funds raised will go to the Bribri people of Costa Rica, who’s rich indigenous history inspired Soto’s latest album The Ancestral Call.
7:00 p.m. Hope Central Church, Jamaica Plain, MA. Suggested Donation $20
Barnstable “2nd Summer” Fireworks Celebration
Barnstable will light up the night sky on Saturday around 8:00 p.m. The fireworks will be set off from a barge in Lewis Bay over Hyannis Harbor. Ahead of the fireworks, there will be games, entertainment and a number of dining options.
8:00 p.m. Hyannis Harbor, Free
Sunday September 3rd
What is LDW without a shopping trip? Whether you’ve been researching sales or just ready to get those autumnal looks ready, Newbury Street will once again be car-free all day Sunday.
3rd Annual Labor Day Block Party
The annual Labor Day block party will take over the Charles River Speedway with live music, food and drinks, lawn games and face painting.
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Charles River Speedway, Boston. Free
Monday September 4th
It’s typically closed on Mondays, but not Labor day! The ICA is offering Free admission all day Monday, which just so happens to also be the last day of the year to take a ferry across the harbor and visit the ICA’s Watershed Museum.
Here’s your last chance to wear white “before Labor day.” Join other Bostonians in their whitest outfits in a tent near The Tall Ship as we celebrate the official “end” to Summer.
12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The Tall Ship, 1 East Pier Drive. Boston $20