Music and Art Labor Day Festivals in the United States

People all across the United States show up in throngs at various locales from the small town Labor Day festivals to the city-size extravaganzas. Music, parties, picnics, and fireworks highlight most Labor Day events, providing the entire with a last warm weather party before the cooler months begin. Labor Day festivals stretch from coast to coast with each festival offering something unique for different audiences. 

Bumbershoot:
Seattle, Washington

The Bumbershoot Labor Day festival attracts for than 300,000 visitors over its four day span at the Seattle Center, a 74 acre area containing indoor and outdoor stadiums and an arena. Bumbershoot is one of ’s largest local arts festivals and is very inexpensive in comparison to other events. This Labor Day festival features thousands of artists including musicians, poets, painters, dancers, comedians, and DJs among various other entertainers. Off-stage, merchants sell handmade goods, food and drinks, face painting, and hair braiding.

Detroit International Jazz Festival:
Detroit, MI

Known as “The Largest Free Jazz Festival in North America,” this Labor Day festival attracts more than 700,000 jazz fans to historic downtown Detroit located on a beautiful riverfront location. With three full days of performances, the Detroit International Jazz Festival attracts such famous names as Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, and the Brubeck Brothers Band.

Chicago Jazz Festival:
Chicago, Illinois

A four day Labor Day festival is the Chicago Jazz Festival, a free event taking place in one of the Midwest’s greatest cities. Crowds pack into downtown’s Grant Park Petrillo Music Shell to hear both famous and local jazz and blues act. Often, more than one performance takes place at once with some performances taking place at the DuSable Museum. Among this year’s free performances are world-renowned James Moody and Don Byron as well as tributes to such artists as Fats Waller, Coleman Hawkins, and Count Basie.

Farmington Antique Weekend:
Farmington, Connecticut