How to spend Labor Day weekend in Alabama—festivals, parades + more

If you don’t have Labor Day plans yet, you’ve come to the right place. These eight events include festivals, parades and even a Moon Pie eating contest. Don’t worry—if you’ll be glued to college football kickoff on Saturday, there are fun events on every day of the long weekend.

1. Mobile Labor Day Parade

The longest-standing Labor Day tradition on this list, the Mobile Labor Day Parade is celebrating its 76th year in 2023. Floats will travel through some of Mobile’s most iconic streets to ring in the Labor Day festivities and champion worker values.

• When: Monday, September 4, 8AM
• Where: Mobile Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Dr, Mobile, AL 36602 (starting point)
• More Details

2. Section Labor Day Festival

They had me at homemade ice cream. The Section Labor Day Festival will feature lots of family fun, including lively games of volleyball, horseshoes and cornhole—all set against live Gospel, Bluegrass, country and rock n’ roll music. Plus, in classic Labor Day fashion, there will be lots of barbecue. Did I mention that they’ll have homemade ice cream?

• When: Monday, September 4, 9AM
• Where: Section Community Park, 5305 Tammy Little Dr, Section, AL 35771
• More Details

3. St. William Seafood Festival

Calling all gumbo lovers! The St. William Seafood Festival has been a tradition since 1971, bringing in visitors from the surrounding areas to enjoy the famous gumbo.

• When: Friday, September 1, 4PM
• Where: Foley Center, 1001 E Pride Blvd, Foley, AL 36535
• More Details

4. Labor Day Music Fest at Russell Crossroads

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Two nights of free music at an amphitheater? What could be better? Town Green at the Lake Martin Amphitheater in Russell Crossroads is hosting a Music Fest on Labor Day Weekend, and it’s going to be an amazing (and beautiful) couple nights.

• When: Friday, September 1-Saturday, September 2, 6:30-9:30PM
• Where: Russell Crossroads, 27 Russell Farms Rd, Alexander City, AL 35010
• More Details

5. OWA Labor Day Weekend Party

There’s a lot going on at OWA Parks + Resort on Labor Day Weekend. On Friday, they’ll have a scavenger hunt, kids’ crafts and a hot dog eating contest. On Saturday, the headliner is the huge car show, but there will also be kids’ activities, lawn games, live music and fireworks. They’ll finish off the weekend on Sunday with more kids’ activities and crafts and more live music.

• When: Friday, September 1-Sunday, September 3
• Where: Downtown OWA, 100 N OWA Blvd, Foley, AL 36535
• More Details

6. Light Up Labor Day at The Wharf

They don’t call it “Light Up Labor Day” for nothing. On September 3, The Wharf is ringing in Labor Day with a fireworks show and a Laser Light Experience. The best part? It’s free.

• When: Sunday, September 3, 6-9PM
• Where: The Wharf, 23101 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
• More Details

7. 50th Annual Arts Sunday

Another long-standing Alabama tradition is the annual Arts Sunday in Scottsboro. Celebrating 50 years in 2023, this years’ event will feature over 120 vendors. Celebrate the arts, enjoy live entertainment, enjoy food from local food trucks, capture memories in the photo booth and let the kids have fun in the children’s area.

• When: Sunday, September 3, 9AM-5PM
• Where: Caldwell Park, 1004 S Broad St, Scottsboro, AL 35768
• More Details

8. Mountain Trails 50 Mile Yard Sale

A beautiful road trip through the Sand Mountain area is about to be a big treasure hunt. The Mountain Trails 50-Mile Yard Sale is a 4-day event this year, and shoppers will get to explore Pleasant View, Dutton, Section, Flat Rock, Higdon, Bryant and more along the way.

• When: Thursday, August 31-Monday, September 4
• Where: Hwy 71 + 73, from Section to Bryant
• More Details

9. Labor Day Celebration + Moon Pie Eatin’ Contest

Since 1992, visitors to the annual Moon Pie Eatin’ Contest in McCalla have gotten to enjoy lots of—you guessed it—Moon Pies. Hosted on Labor Day at the beautiful Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, this family-friendly event is a great way to take advantage of your off day.

• When: Monday, September 4,
• Where: Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, 12632 Confederate Pkwy, McCalla, AL 35111
• More Details

BONUSES

If you’re in Huntsville or Birmingham, we’ve got you covered with all the best ways to spend your Labor Day this year.

• Here’s how to spend Labor Day in the Rocket City.
• Here’s how to spend Labor Day in the Magic City.

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