Close out summer with a bang by attending one of these free Labor Day events across Virginia.
While Labor Day can feel a bit solemn because it serves as the unofficial end of summer, it doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Across Virginia, communities are holding a range of free Labor Day events that are aimed at bringing people together for one final hurrah before most kids head back to school and we transition into fall.
From block parties that celebrate country music icons to surf festivals that know how to harness girl power, here are the top free Labor Day events in Virginia worth checking out this year.
Friday, Sept. 4
55th Annual Labor Day Weekend
Location: 217 Palmer Ave., Saltville
Participate in a longstanding Saltville community tradition by attending the 55th Annual Labor Day Weekend celebration. The free weekend-long festival runs from Sept. 4 through 7.
Live music starts each day at 4 p.m. There will also be food trucks and arts and crafts vendors.
Saturday, Sept. 5
16th Annual Patsy Cline Block Party
Location: 608 S. Kent St., Winchester
Celebrate Labor Day and the legacy of a great country music singer by attending the 16th Annual Patsy Cline Block Party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in front of the Patsy Cline Historic House. The day falls on Cline’s birthday.
The party will include live music from Shenandoah Valley musicians including Jill Speicker, Zac Townsend, and the Mudcats, exhibits, local vendors, and food trucks. Be sure to taste Cline’s applesauce cake, and her mother’s black walnut cake.
While the event is free, special tours of the house will be $5.
Netherlands Carillon Concert
Location: 700 George Washington Memorial Pwy., McLean
Attend one of the final Netherlands Carillon Concerts of the season from 6 to 7 p.m. along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Guest carilloneurs will perform concerts ranging from jazz and pop to patriotic music on the carillon’s 53 bells. Occurring in Arlington Ridge Park, the event offers views of Washington, D.C.
Super Girl Surf Festival
Location: Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Virginia Beach
Running from Sept. 5 to 7, the Super Girl Surf Festival is the largest women’s surf, music, and lifestyle festival in the world. Aimed at inspiring women leaders and athletes while celebrating surf culture, it’s free to attend, but pre-registration is required.
The Virginia Beach festival will draw more than 5,000 female athletes from 12 sports, including 150 professionals in surfing, skateboarding, inline skating, beach volleyball, flag football, lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer.
Get active by taking one of the 24 free fitness and wellness classes or relax at one of the 21 live concerts. Headliners will include Switchfoot, Lupe Fiasco, Gym Class Heroes, B.O.B, Collie Buddz, Bryce Vine, and Hirie. Additional programming will include celebrity speakers and influencers.
Be sure to check out the festival bars and 20 food trucks that will be on-site.
Taste of Freedom in the Mountains Main Street Festival
Location: 110 N Main St., Madison
Celebrate 250 years of freedom in America by attending the Taste of Freedom in the Mountains Main Street Festival hosted by the Madison Chamber of Commerce from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The day will include history, arts, crafts, music, food, and pony rides. There will be more than 150 vendors set up along the historic main street. Live music will be provided by Bennie Dodd, Austin Boggs, and Double J Entertainment. Kids will enjoy catching a magic show by magician and illusionist Wes Iseli.
Louisa Labor Fest
Location: 208 Fredericksburg Ave., Louisa
Join Louisa County Parks, Recreation & Tourism for its Louisa Labor Fest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The festival will start with a Friday afternoon parade, followed by a range of activities on Saturday, including live music, food trucks, a wine and cider garden, craft vendors, and activities for kids.
Labor Day Celebration & Fireworks
Location: 100 W Ocean View Ave., Norfolk
Mark the end of the Friday after-work Ocean View summer event series by attending the Labor Day Celebration & Fireworks from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public, the evening at Ocean View Beach Park will include live music from BrassWind, activities for children, food, and beverages. The fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.
250th Celebration with 4th of July Flair
Location: 500 South Center St., Ashland
After the Hanover Arts & Activities Center had to postpone its Fourth of July celebration due to extreme heat, it has been rescheduled as a 250th Celebration with 4th of July Flair.
Aimed at celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary, the event will include a range of patriotic activities, including a parade, music by the Hanover Concert Band, a patriotic pet contest, a founding fathers and mothers costume contest, an apple pie contest and auction, lawn games, a time capsule, and a presentation of the Declaration of Independence.
Start the day with the parade on Hanover Avenue at 10 a.m., then end it with the apple pie auction at 12:15 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 7
Annual Labor Day Festival
Location: 101 Maury River Dr., Buena Vista
Help kick off the political season by attending the Annual Labor Day Festival in Buena Vista.
The day starts with a 9 a.m. parade on Magnolia Avenue, followed by political speeches at 11 a.m. Musical acts are slated for most of the afternoon, beginning at 2 p.m. The festival will end with fireworks at 9 p.m.
Summer’s End Celebration
Location: 134 Mt. Crawford Ave., Bridgewater
Celebrate the end of one season and the arrival of another during the Summer’s End Celebration. The day will include a 5K race, minigolf tournament, live music, amusement rides, and fireworks.
The free festivities will take place at Oakdale Park. Rides and vendors will be set up from 3 to 9 p.m. The rides are free for those with a Bridgewater recreation card.
Live music will be performed from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks display.
27th Annual Labor Day Car Show
Location: 4081 University Dr., Fairfax
Support local charitable service organizations and see some cool cars by attending the 27th Annual Labor Day Car Show hosted by the City of Fairfax and the Clifton Lions Club.
This year, 100 percent of the proceeds will go to support Life with Cancer and the Cloverleaf Equine Center.
While the show is free to attend, nominal attendance donations are appreciated. The show runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fieldale Volunteer Fire Company’s 80th Anniversary
Location: 70 Marshall Way, Fieldale
Help the Fieldale Volunteer Fire Company celebrate its 80th anniversary from 2 to 8 p.m. The company has been serving the community since 1946.
The event will include performances by Legendz Band, a cruise-in, a beer garden from Scuffle Hill Brewing Co., food trucks, a fire/smoke house, local vendors, swimming at the Fieldale pool, and a bouncy house.
The fireworks display will start at 9 p.m.
