Take a load off with Labor Day Weekend concerts, sports, festivals and more things to do in Greater Houston from Friday, September 1 through Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2023.
Marking the end of summer (at least symbolically in Houston), Labor Day Weekend delivers a four-day respite from the grind as a time-honored tribute to the tireless efforts of the workforce.
All over the city, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate the long weekend with big bashes, festivals, concerts, comedians and much more to soak in as we head toward the fall.
We’ve gathered more than 20 ways for you to savor your Labor Day Weekend in Greater Houston.
Want to dig deeper? Explore more than 85 things to do across Houston in our Labor Day Weekend Guide.
2023 Labor Day Weekend Things to Do in Houston
Groove to live music at Labor Day Weekend concerts
The weekend gets started with a free concert on Friday from Asia Society Texas that celebrates the Miller Outdoor centennial, joining the indie rock dreamscapes of Luna Li with Cambodian psych rock outfit Dengue Fever for an electric night of music on the Hermann hill.
On Saturday, Axelrad Beer Garden invites Golden Dawn Arkestra to the outdoor stage for a free show that sees the costumed group experimenting with genres and styles, sending concertgoers on a journey through the sounds of Brazil, punk and psych rock, disco and soul, and beyond.
All weekend long, Toyota Center plays host to superstar shows in Downtown, including the legendary Mexican pop rock band Maná on Friday, a double bill of soul and funk from Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire on Saturday night, and hip-hop duo Suicideboys on Sunday. Prices vary.
And along the aquamarine waters of Lagoonfest in Texas City, you can spend Labor Day on Monday relaxing with tribute performances to Shakira and Selena. Tickets are $38; $20 for ages 3 to 13.
Enjoy the long weekend in Galveston
Send off a sweltering summer by hitting the waves of Galveston in the last four-day holiday weekend of the season.
Foodies and wine lovers can take to Moody Gardens for the three-day Galveston Island Wine Festival, which features seafood offerings from acclaimed Houston chefs Christine Ha (Xin Chào, Stuffed Belly) and David Cordúa (The Lymbar), a wine and spirit tasting with penguin encounters, a bourbon storytelling series with military veterans, and an opportunity to explore the Moody Gardens pyramids. Prices vary.
Pride Galveston celebrates the LGBTQ+ community throughout the weekend, including a Beach Bash at East Beach on Saturday and the 4th Annual Pool Party at Robert’s Lafitte on Sunday, with live DJs, extravagant shows, drink specials and more, just blocks from the Seawall. Both events are no cover.
Families can hit East Beach on Sunday for the final Galveston Family Beach Challenge of the summer, where teams of families compete in a 14-game obstacle course, vying for gift cards and tickets to Galveston attractions. Free to register.
And the Galveston Symphony opens their new season with a Sunday afternoon concert featuring the iconic film scores of composer John Williams, best known for the music behind films like Star Wars, Jaws, Jurassic Park, and Harry Potter. Tickets are $10 and up.
Celebrate the city’s performing arts at MATCH
The Midtown center for Houston’s performing arts hosts an exciting weekend of contemporary artists, dancers, poets and more across three separate shows.
Immerse yourself in The Flow: A Fade to Black Monologue Series, which offers four days of music, poetry and dance along with captivating monologues written by African American playwrights. Tickets start at $35.
The annual Houston Fringe Festival returns on Friday with a night that blends contemporary dance, music, spoken word, comedy, cirque performances and more for an inside look at what Houston’s contemporary arts scene has been working on. Tickets start at $15.
And you can catch the Texas Latino/a/x Contemporary Dance Festival on Saturday, a one-night showcase of celebrated Latinx choreographers from across the state. Tickets start at $15.
Root on the ‘Stros all weekend
Kicking off the final month of the regular season, the Astros face the New York Yankees in a home series that starts with Friday night fireworks after the game. Tickets start at $41.
Following that, they’ll travel to Arlington to face division rivals Texas Rangers in a critical series with playoff seeding on the line. The first game of that series takes place on Labor Day, and you can catch the afternoon first pitch at the Patterson Park Watch Party near the Heights with drink specials and raffle prizes. Free to attend.
Laugh it up at Labor Day Weekend comedy shows
On back-to-back nights at the Improv, comedian Cristela Alonzo spends Friday and Saturday diving into the funny side of topics like politics, therapy and life as a Latina. The Rio Grande Valley–native dropped her acclaimed stand-up special Middle Classy on Netflix last summer, and has since been touring the country with new material. Tickets sold by the table, starting at $50 for 2, and up.
And over at the Secret Group in EaDo, Ku Egenti brings his friends for a Labor Day Comedy Showcase featuring some seriously funny sets from Corlis DeLauren, Trai Love, Eva Elliott and Rich Williams, with Quantum Retro providing the music vibes all Sunday night. Tickets start at $15.
Soak up the vibes at festivals & nightlife events
Labor Day Weekend always brings some of the best festivals and nightlife of the summer, and this year is no different with Saturday featuring a packed day of summer fun and good vibes.
Serve, set and spike your way through morning and nighttime sand volleyball matches at Wakefield Crowbar’s charity tournament for first responders. The co-ed tourney guarantees three games per team with gift cards, cash prizes and all-day drink specials. Registration is $140 per team or $35 for free agents.
Near Arts District, the Grapes & Grooves Festival offers midday and evening wine tastings with live music, plus VIP perks like access to rare wines and a curated reception with B&B Butchers bites. Tickets are $70, VIP options start at $250.
Karbach hosts the free, all-ages Reggae Vibes Festival on Saturday, featuring a lineup of artists like Dem Roots, Soulfiya and much more along with a local vendor market.
And Rise Rooftop hosts the Afrobeats City Mega Jam Day Party with DJ Sir Oreo and DJ Diesel providing the vibe all day long.
Close out the weekend with a free Sunday afternoon party at Down 4 Whatever, happening at Social Beer Garden in Midtown and headlined by DJs spinning Latin, tropical bass, house, disco and more while you munch on pastor tacos and barbecue from Boot’s BBQ Company.
Have a blast with family fun for Labor Day
Sunday offers two Greater Houston spots to take in family fun for an annual Labor Day tradition.
The Kemah Boardwalk hosts an End of Summer Fireworks Celebration to cap off a day of amusement rides, Gulf Coast seafood, and live music from Tino Tevino Trio and Shekere. No cover to attend the concerts and fireworks.
The Woodlands also hosts a free family-friendly Labor Day celebration, with live Motown and funk hits from Level One Band, pie eating contests for kids and adults, strolling entertainment, children’s activities and more. Please note there will be no fireworks show this year due to the Montgomery County burn ban.
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