Your Labor Day 2026 Weekend Itinerary

10 events Up North

By Ellen Miller | Aug. 29, 2026

Before the kids go back to school, there’s time for one last hurrah over Labor Day weekend! From a Moomers sailing trip to the Mackinac Bridge walk, here are 10 events to keep the whole family busy.

DAILY

Brethren Days
Dickson Township Park, Brethren | Daily, event times vary | Free | facebook.com/BrethrenDays
Brethren Days, an annual, family-oriented community festival, returns this Labor Day weekend in the Manistee National Forest! Expect lots of live music, an arts & crafts fair, a cornhole tournament, and fireworks at dusk Saturday.

10-Year Anniversary Celebration
Iron Fish Distillery, Thompsonville | Free to visit, $15 and up depending on tour | ironfishdistillery.com
Celebrate 10 years with Michigan’s first farm distillery! Take a tour of Iron Fish’s facilities or just stop by to grab a drink and enjoy live music, great food, and the incredible community that made it all possible. Across the long weekend there will be special tours, anniversary traditions, live entertainment, family activities, and a toast to the next chapter of Iron Fish.

Manitou Moomers Homemade Ice Cream Sail (pictured)
Traverse City | 12:30-2:30pm or 3-5pm / $57 for adults; $35 for children 3-12; $5 for 2 and under | tallshipsailing.com/manitou
Sailing out of Traverse City, the Schooner Manitou is a replica of an 1800s schooner, similar to those that sailed the Great Lakes. Hop aboard this tall ship, grab some Moomer’s ice cream, and enjoy the breeze as you cruise the harbor (non- ice cream specific sailings are also available).

FRIDAY, SEPT. 4

Stroll the Streets & Kiwanis Labor Day Weekend Car Show
Boyne City | 6-9 pm | Free | boynecitymainstreet.com
Downtown Boyne City comes alive as families and friends gather to “stroll the streets,” with music, entertainment, and children’s activities. The Boyne City Kiwanis also host their annual Labor Day car show, which benefits local youth programs, scholarships, and community service initiatives sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Boyne City. The car show will have a free preview Friday evening and continue Saturday.

Kamikaze Comedy Fest
Right Brain Brewery, Traverse City | 8pm | $15 per person or 2/$25 | kamikazecomedy.square.site
Kamikaze Comedy is bringing a killer lineup of talent to the stage for two nights, Friday and Saturday. Grab a beer, find your seat, and settle in for an unforgettable night of stand-up. Headliner Nate Armbruste is a product of the Detroit comedy scene!

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPT. 5-6

Weekend Tent Sale
Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville | 11am-5pm | Free until you buy something | crystalmountain.com
Score huge discounts on past season’s ski and snowboard gear, plus get a first look at the hottest new equipment for the 2026-27 winter season at Crystal Mountain’s Labor Day weekend tent sale. If you show up Saturday at 10am for the snow dance, you’ll get early admission!

SUNDAY, SEPT. 6

Car, Tractor & Motorcycle Show
Tom’s, Interlochen | 11am-3pm | Free to look, $10-20 to register | interlochenchamber.org
Come check out vehicles of all makes, models, and years. Admire classic cars, motorcycles, and tractors! If you are interested in showing a vehicle, pre-registration saves you $10.

Elk Rapids Antiques Faire
Twisted Fish Gallery, Elk Rapids | 8am-4pm | Free until you buy something
Hit up this family-friendly outdoor shopping event and see if you can find a new treasure! The fair is held on the north grounds of Twisted Fish Gallery.

MONDAY, SEPT. 7

Mackinac Bridge Walk
Mackinaw City | 7am-noon | Free | mackinacbridge.org/events/walk
Join thousands of pedestrians as they participate in a long standing tradition! This event has been held every year since 1958. The walk begins at 7am on Labor Day and is the only day of the year that walking the Mighty Mac is allowed. Walk from end to end (5 miles), turn around in the middle, or go there and back—so long as you can do so in the time allotted!

Little but Mighty Bridge Walk
Charlevoix | 1-1:30pm | Free | visitcharlevoix.com/events/LittlebutMightyBridgeWalk
Can’t make it all the way to the U.P.? (Or just don’t want to trek 10 miles?) Experience Charlevoix’s annual Bridge Walk instead! Meet at Town House Bar at 12:30pm; the group will walk to the north side of the bridge and cross after the 1pm raising and lowering of the bridge.