Labor Day Parades & Things to Do Labor Day Weekend in New Jersey

Line the streets to mark the unofficial end of summer

©istockphoto.com / Pongasn68

Labor Day falls on Monday, September 1, with local parades (and other activities) planned to commemorate the day and the unofficial end of summer.

AMERICAN LABOR MUSEUM / BOTTO HOUSE NATIONAL LANDMARK / Labor Day Parade

American Labor Museum

Where: Haledon
When: Sunday, August 31
Deets: The opening ceremony begins at the museum at 10:30 am. Step-off at the museum is at 11 am, rain or shine. This year’s Grand Marshals are Congresswoman Nellie Pou, New Jersey 9th Congressional District, Mayor Michael Johnson, Sr., Borough of Haledon, National Association of Letter Carriers, New Jersey Education Association, and Paterson Police Benevolent Association, Local 1, and Chief Angelo Daniele, Haledon Police Department and Haledon Police Benevolent Association Local 349.

Boonton Fire Department Labor Day Parade and Carnival

Where: Boonton
When: Saturday, August 30 (rain date September 1)
Deets: For the past 87 years, the Boonton Fire Department holds an inspection and a parade Labor Day Weekend. The parade will assemble in the West Boonton area and proceed down Main Street (starting at 1:30 pm) to Grant Street to Old Boonton Road, ending at Boonton High School. The apparatus judging will take place before the parade; older firemen residing at the New Jersey Firemen’s Home will come to the reviewing stand to view new equipment, comrades and possibly their former units on parade. The parade is part of a weekend of activities that includes the annual carnival at Boonton High School, from Thursday to Sunday.

Mendham Labor Day Parade and Carnival

Where: Starts on East Main St. and Mountain Ave., Mendham
When: Monday, September 1
Deets: The annual Labor Day Parade and Carnival is back again with tons of rides, games and carnival food. Stop by Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening for the carnival. On Labor Day, the Mendham Labor Day Parade marches up Main Street ending at Borough Field, and the carnival opens early; at night, the mayor will draw the mega 50/50 raffle ticket just before the fireworks set off.

South Plainfield Labor Day Parade and Festivities

Where: Veterans Park, South Plainfield
When: Monday, September 1
Deets: This claims to be the oldest and largest Labor Day parade in New Jersey. This year’s theme is Superheroes and Villains. Kick off the day – literally – with the 5K Run and Family Fitness Walk at 9:30 am. The parade starts at the PAL Building on Maple Avenue at 10 am, and ends at South Plainfield Middle School. From 11 am to 4 pm, there will be vendors, food, a beer tent, and entertainment at Veterans Park. At night, head to Spring Lake Park for fireworks at dusk.

More Labor Day activities:

Thursday to Sunday

Boonton Labor Day Weekend Carnival
Boonton High School
There will be rides, food, games, prizes, live entertainment, a nightly raffle, and fireworks. Saturday’s carnival follows the annual Labor Day parade in town.

AirFest 2025
NAS Wildwood, Cape May
There will be historic aircraft on display, along with the museum’s collection of over 27 planes and helicopters. Special for the festival is entertainment, live music, Ted Schwartz’s WWII radio show, food trucks, a Beer & Wine Garden, and more.

Friday to Monday

Labor Day Carnival
Mendham
There are three nights of carnival fun. On Monday, after the Labor Day Parade that marches down Main Street, the carnival opens early; at night, the mayor will draw the mega 50/50 raffle ticket before the fireworks show lights up the sky.

Delaware River Waterfront Celebrates Labor Day Weekend 
Spruce Street Harbor Park, Cherry Street Pier, Race Street Pier, and Independence Blue Cross RiverRink SummerFest in Philadelphia, PA
Activities include a family campout at Cherry Street Pier, roller skating and mini golf, the Jazz Summer Nights and Summer Sounds concerts, DJ Night during Summerfest, a morning hike, a flower crown making workshop, Neon Night, and Wellness on the Waterfront.

Labor Day Weekend at The Dream Wheel
The Dream Wheel, American Dream, East Rutherford
Take in stunning panoramic views of the New York City skyline and the Meadowlands from climate-controlled gondolas. Holiday weekend discounts are available.

Kids Eat Free
Doherty-owned Applebees, NJ and NY
Kids eat free with the purchase of one adult entree.

Saturday

Labor Day End of Summer Celebration
3rd Avenue Business District, Spring Lake
There will be artist booths lined up along the streets.

Saturday – Sunday

Labor Day Celebration
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Saturday – Sunday
Elmo will be available for photos in his patriotic attire. The “C…is for Celebrate!” Labor Day Fireworks display will close out Sesame Summer Splash on Sunday.

Saturday – Monday

Labor Day Weekend Activities
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
Throughout the holiday weekend, kids 12 and under will receive free admission when tickets are purchased at the front desk. Then, they can ask about the new History Explorers Audio Tour, which was created with ages 7-12 in mind, to get a first-person interpretation of historical figures like King George III, Phillis Wheatley, and even a Liberty Tree. experience.

Monday

OCNJ Labor Day Race
Ocean City
The traditional end-of-summer event includes a 5-mile beach run and a 1-mile fun run/walk.

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Read More:
This Beach in NJ is Ranked No. 1 For Labor Day BBQs
20 Things To Do Before Labor Day in NJ
Our Mega-Guide to Fairs and Festivals in NJ
Another Free Airshow is Coming to The Jersey Shore – This Time, to Wildwood


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