11 Ways to Spend Labor Day Weekend in the Northwest

Labor Day might mean a day off, but in the Northwest, it certainly doesn’t mean a day of doing nothing. The long weekend is packed with reasons to get out and play, whether that means swimming across the Columbia River, celebrating blackberries along the waterfront, catching a rodeo or raising a glass at a mountain festival.

Here are some of the biggest events happening to enjoy your three-day weekend in the Northwest.

Columbia River Cross Channel Swim | Sept. 5 | Cascade Locks, OR

Join tradition in the Columbia River Gorge with this historic channel swim. Participants board the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler in Cascade Locks, cruise to the Washington side and then jump in for the approximately 1.1-mile swim back to Oregon. The event has been going strong for more than 80 years, with kayakers, paddleboarders and sailboats lining the route to guide swimmers across.

Learn more at columbiariverswim.com.

Fort Umpqua Days | Sept. 5-6 | Elkton, OR

Step into local history during Fort Umpqua Days, a two-day celebration filled with live music, historical demonstrations, artisan booths, food and a wine garden. Wander the gardens at the Elkton Community Education Center, take a butterfly tour and catch hometown traditions including a parade, pie auction and the annual Echoes of the Umpqua Pageant.

Learn more at elktonbutterflies.com/event/fort-umpqua-days.

Labor Day Floaty Float | Sept. 7 | Salem

Oregon Kayak Tours hosts its annual Floaty Float Paddle from Wallace Marine Park, where paddlers cross the Willamette River with inflatable floaties attached to their kayaks and compete for the best setup. A barbecue, games and prizes round out the family-friendly afternoon.

Learn more at oregonkayaktours.com.

Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival | Sept. 5-6 | Seattle, WA

Bumbershoot is two days packed days of music, art, food and wonderfully weird entertainment. Beyond the musical lineup, Bumbershoot’s arts districts bring together comedy, fashion, film, culinary experiences, skateboarding, wrestling and more.

Learn more at bumbershoot.com.

Blackberry Festival | Sept. 5-7 | Bremerton, WA

If summer had a flavor in the Pacific Northwest, blackberry would certainly be in the running. Bremerton celebrates the beloved berry along its waterfront with blackberry pies, cobblers, ice cream, wine, jams and plenty more, alongside more than 150 vendors and live entertainment. Bonus: The festival is just steps from the Seattle-Bremerton ferry.

Learn more at blackberryfestival.org.

Schweitzer Fall Fest | Sept. 4-7 | Sandpoint, ID

Raise a glass to the changing seasons at Schweitzer’s 33rd annual Fall Fest. The mountain celebration features live music, food trucks, vendors and more than 80 beers, ciders and seltzers from around the Pacific Northwest, plus wine and nonalcoholic options. It’s also Schweitzer’s final weekend of summer operations, making it a last chance for scenic chairlift rides, hiking and mountain biking before fall settles in.

Learn more at schweitzer.com.

Pedals & Paws + Market | Sept. 7 | Caldwell, ID

Two wheels and four paws come together in Caldwell for a community celebration pairing cycling and fluffy companions with a local market. Bring the family, browse vendors and enjoy an easygoing holiday weekend outing with your favorite four-legged sidekick.

Learn more at facebook.com/events/4336054586664053.

Wagon Days | Sept. 4-5 | Ketchum, ID

Ketchum turns back the clock for Wagon Days, a Labor Day tradition celebrating its mining and pioneer heritage. The main event, the Big Hitch Parade, is one of the largest non-motorized parades in the West, with historic buggies, carriages, stagecoaches and massive ore wagons rolling through downtown. Cowboy poetry, cultural demonstrations, a pancake breakfast and a street party add to the festivities.

Learn more at wagondays.com.

Labor Day Art Fair | Sept. 7 | Red Lodge, MT

Spend Labor Day browsing work from more than 75 artists at this free annual fair in Lions Park. Fine art and handcrafted goods share the spotlight with artist demonstrations, live entertainment and food, all within walking distance of downtown Red Lodge.

Learn more at redlodge.com/events.

Montana’s Biggest Weekend | Sept. 4-7 | Dillon, MT

The name sets expectations pretty high, but Dillon comes prepared. Montana’s Biggest Weekend kicks off with a ranch rodeo before rolling into PRCA rodeo action Saturday and Sunday, a Sunday night concert and the Dillon Jaycees Labor Day Parade on Monday. If your ideal holiday weekend involves boots, broncs and a little country music, this one has you covered.

Learn more at southwestmt.com.

Meeteetse Annual Labor Day Celebration | Sept. 5-7 | Meeteetse, WY

For more than a century, tiny Meeteetse has gone big for Labor Day. The town’s 116th annual celebration brings classic Western fun to the Bighorn Basin with a parade, rodeo, craft fair, car show, live music and other community festivities.

Learn more at meeteetsewy.com.