Your Labor Day Weekend Guide: Sales, Splash, Free Art, and More

In honor of Labor Day, the Institute of Contemporary Art is offering free admission all day. Photo by Marcio Silva/iStock

Labor Day weekend is upon us, officially ushering out a strange summer. While the holiday will look different this year because of the pandemic, it’s still a long weekend, so take this opportunity to safely explore Boston before the classwork begins to pile up. We recommend some impressive sales at Eataly Boston, a virtual Splash club fair, a free day at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), and more.

Eataly Boston

Head over to Eataly this weekend for a “Sale-tember” event and enjoy sales of up to 65 percent off on hundreds of fancy Italian products. Among the discounts are gourmet meats and cheeses, fresh fish, chocolates, and housewares. The sale runs from September 3 through October 4, and is available in the store or for local delivery through Instacart. Grab some discounted treats, find a comfy grassy spot, and have a nice Labor Day picnic.

The market at Eataly Boston, 800 Boylston St., Boston, is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily. Take a Green Line trolley to the Hynes Convention Center, then walk about five minutes to the Prudential Center.

Assembly Row

If you’ve seen any car commercials lately, you know that Labor Day is one of the hottest holidays for sales in the United States. This weekend, grab your mask and take the T over to Somerville outlet center Assembly Row, with more than 40 stores (like Nike, Saks OFF 5TH, and J.Crew Factory), many offering tempting deals. Check out the full list of sales here. You’ll make yourself, and your wallet, happy.

Assembly Row, 355 Artisan Way, Somerville, is open from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday, and 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday. Take a Green Line trolley to North Station, transfer to the Orange Line, and take an Oak Grove train three stops to Assembly.

BU Fall Arts Fair: Friday, September 4, 11 am to 1 pm

Discover local arts organizations at this year’s virtual BU Arts Initiative Fall Arts Fair. Split into two sessions—11 am to noon and noon to 1 pm—the event will feature more than 20 on- and off-campus arts groups offering programs and student discounts. If you’re on campus, swing by the BU Arts Initiative on the George Sherman Union second floor between 10 am and 4 pm this week to grab a swag bag with free goodies. Find more information and register here.

BU Weeks of Welcome Q&A with Tiffany Haddish: Friday, September 4, 8 pm

In need of a laugh? Check out tomorrow’s Weeks of Welcome event, a virtual Q&A with comedian and award-winning actor Tiffany Haddish. Haddish stars opposite Tracy Morgan on the TBS comedy The Last O.G. The event is free, but registration is required and space is limited, so register now to reserve your spot.

BU Weeks of Welcome Splash: Saturday, September 5, 1 to 3 pm

The Student Activities office annual club fair is back, though virtually this year. Browse the over 400 student groups on campus and “visit” virtual tables to learn more and sign up. Register now to reserve a spot.

Charles River Farmers Market: Sunday, September 6, 10 am to 3 pm

Stock up on fresh food at the Charles River Farmers Market this Sunday, held in front of the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square. With local vendors offering produce, bread, cheese, meat, and more, you’ll want to bring some reusable bags, and of course, an empty stomach. 

The Charles River Farmers Market, One Bennett St., Cambridge, is open year-round on Fridays, from noon to 6 pm, and Sundays, 10 am to 3 pm. Take a Green Line trolley to Park Street, transfer to the Red Line, take an Alewife train four stops to Harvard, and then walk seven minutes to the Charles Hotel.

Free Admission to the Institute of Contemporary Art: Monday, September 7, 10 am to 5 pm

In honor of Labor Day, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is offering free admission all day. Monday marks the final day of two of the ICA’s temporary exhibitions, so you don’t want to miss this opportunity. One exhibition is Tschabalala Self: Out of Body, a collection of large-scale figurative paintings by a New York artist that tells the stories of urban life, the body, and humanity. The second is Carolina Caycedo: Cosmotarrayas, a series of hanging sculptures made from handmade fishing nets. Admission is free, but registration is required and begins at 10 am Sunday, September 6.

The ICA, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston, is free on Labor Day, September 7, from 10 am to 5 pm. Take a Green Line trolley to Park Street, transfer to a Red Line train to South Station, and transfer to a Silver Line Waterfront bus. The ICA is a short walk from the World Trade Center or the Courthouse station.