Photo courtesy of Boston Harbor Now

Things-to-do

What’s Going On in Boston This Labor Day Weekend?

Enjoy fireworks, baseball, art, and more over the long weekend

Classes have started, but that doesn’t mean summer is over. Labor Day weekend arrives with plenty of ways to celebrate summer and explore the city before schoolwork starts to get heavy. There’s lots happening across the city, like fireworks, BU Weeks of Welcome activities, and a local music festival. Take a look at how to get the most out of your long weekend.

Thursday, September 2

Weeks of Welcome First Day Festival

Undergrads can celebrate the first day of classes on the George Sherman Union Plaza and pick up food and fun gifts. The festival runs from 11 am to 1 pm only, so make sure to head to the GSU around lunchtime to check it out.

Friday, September 3

Illuminate the Harbor Fireworks Celebration 

Boston’s Labor Day celebration begins with the ninth annual Illuminate the Harbor Fireworks Celebration. Before the fireworks, check out Chalk the Walk, where professional artists will display their drawing talents on the Boston Harborwalk, and visitors are encouraged to draw their own murals. There will also be jazz music by Zumix and School of HONK. 

The fireworks display starts at 8 pm. Preshow festivities begin with Chalk the Walk at 3 pm, and Zumix kicks off the concerts at 6 pm. All activities start at the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, on Atlantic Avenue in Boston.

Club Passim campfire.festival 

Now in its 23rd year, Club Passim’s campfire.festival returns this weekend with a combination of in-person and virtual performances. The annual show has been a hit in the city since 1998 and serves as a way to showcase local artists. Performers this year include Latin-inspired husband-wife-daughter trio Sol y Canto, Boston-native bluegrass artists the Mendenhall Sisters, and Charissa Hoffman, a ukulele player from Nashville, Tenn., who graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2021.

Club Passim’s 23rd annual campfire.festival begins on Friday, September 3, and ends on Monday, September 6, and starts at 4:30 pm each day. Day passes are $10 each and a full weekend pass is $25. Find the full schedule and purchase tickets here.

Men’s Soccer vs. UMass

The men’s soccer team plays UMass Amherst on Friday in an intrastate matchup that kicks off at 7 pm. The Terriers began the season against 20th-ranked University of New Hampshire, ending in a hard-fought 2-0 loss, with both goals coming in the last 10 minutes. Almost half of the team consists of new faces through transfers and incoming freshmen, so check out coach Kevin Nylen’s new-look team on Nickerson Field.

Boston Red Sox three-game series vs. Cleveland

The Red Sox return home to Fenway Park over Labor Day weekend to play against Cleveland. The Sox sit in third place in the American League East division, eight games behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays (who are next up at Fenway on September 6, 7, and 8), while Cleveland occupies second place in the American League Central. Both teams are fighting for playoff spots through the wild card, and every game matters this late in the season. Games are Friday, September 3, 7:10 pm; Saturday, September 4, 4:10 pm; and Sunday, September 5, 1:10 pm; buy tickets here. 

A Night of Comedy with Michelle Buteau

Michelle Buteau, who has a one-hour comedy special called Welcome to Buteaupia streaming on Netflix, will perform as part of BU’s Weeks of Welcome. The award-winning comedian, author, and actor can be heard on voice-overs and seen on screen in shows like Rick and Morty, 2 Dope Queens, and Key & Peele. She released her first book, Survival of the Thickest, in 2020. The 44-year-old, who has performed stand-up for 20 years, will begin her set at 9 pm. RSVP here for free tickets.

Saturday, September 4

Splash

BU’s signature student activities recruitment fair is from noon to 2 pm at Nickerson Field on Saturday. Tables will line the field, representing BU’s more than 400 clubs, ranging from professional networking groups to student publications to recreational activities, like video games and club sports. Club reps will answer any questions you have. Don’t forget to pick up free swag and snacks. RSVP for Splash here. 

Sunday, September 5

SoWa Open Market 

If you want to find local artists, a farmers market, and food trucks in the same place, then SoWa Open Market is where you need to be. Having just fully reopened with food trucks and a beer garden on August 1, the open market returns to its home at 500 Harrison Avenue, Boston, similar to how it was pre-pandemic. SoWa Open Market has vendors selling items from vegan cheeses to raw honey to craft kombucha, so try something new or pick up fresh produce to cook with.

Monday, September 6

Free admission to the Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art offers free admission, with advance reservations, every Labor Day. Virgil Abloh, the founder of clothing brand Off-White and the artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, has two exhibitions at the museum that end September 26. Eva LeWitt also has an exhibition at the ICA, consisting of vibrant sculptures that span entire walls. Tickets for free Labor Day admission are available Sunday, September 5, at 10 am. Reserve tickets here. 

Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays

It’s first-place vs. third-place in the American League East when the Rays come to town to start a three-game series on Labor Day. Tampa Bay, last season’s World Series runner-up, wants to extend its six-game lead in the division over the second-place New York Yankees. The Sox aim to chip away at the Rays’ division lead while putting more space between themselves and the rest of the pack in pursuit of a wild card playoff berth. First pitch is at 1:10 pm for Monday’s game. Buy tickets here.