Labor Day Weekend in the Lakes Region: Celebrate Local & Savor the Last Days of Summer
From lake days and live music to local markets, restaurants and one more sunset on the water, here’s how to make the most of Labor Day Weekend in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region.
Labor Day Weekend in the Lakes Region is always a little bittersweet.
It may mark the unofficial end of summer, but anyone who loves lake life knows we’re not quite ready to let it go. The boats are still in the water, patios are still open, live music is playing and our downtowns, farms, restaurants and locally owned businesses are ready for one more great summer weekend.
And while the long weekend gives us an extra day to enjoy it all, Labor Day is also an opportunity to recognize the people whose hard work keeps our Lakes Region communities thriving — from small business owners and employees to hospitality workers, tradespeople, farmers and countless others who make this area such a special place to live, work and visit.
So before we start thinking about foliage, football and everything fall, Everything Local Lakes is sharing a few of our favorite ways to celebrate locally this Labor Day Weekend.
Celebrate an Endless Summer in Laconia
If you're not ready to say goodbye to summer, you're in good company.
The NASWA Resort's Endless Summer Bash runs Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7, with a full weekend of lakeside fun celebrating the unofficial end of the season.
Head to the Weirs, spend some time along the water and soak up the atmosphere that makes Lake Winnipesaukee summers so special.
You don't need an elaborate itinerary. Grab lunch or drinks, find a spot by the water and enjoy one more summer afternoon. Some of our favorites are: the Boardwalk Bar & Grill, Alamo BBQ & Tequila Bar, and DOX on Winnipesaukee.
Everything Local Tip: Make a day of it. Explore the Weirs, stop somewhere local for lunch and stick around for a Winnipesaukee sunset.
Spend a Day in Meredith
It's hard to beat Meredith when you're looking for a little bit of everything in one place.
Start with coffee or breakfast at Blissful Bakery, stroll through downtown and browse the locally owned shops like Eleve Clothier, before making your way toward the waterfront. Walk along Meredith Bay, check out the Meredith Sculpture Walk, grab lunch or drinks and enjoy the views from Town Docks.
For a more local farm-to-table stop, head to Moulton Farm, where you can browse the farm market, pick up locally grown produce, visit the garden center or grab something delicious from the farm kitchen and bakery.
Then head back toward downtown for dinner and drinks at one of Meredith's many locally owned restaurants - our EL favorites are Lago or Lakehouse Grill - great food and drinks, awesome lake views, and great vibe with awesome Common Man team!
No rushing required. That's kind of the point.
Shop Local at the Labor Day Artisan Market
Looking for something local to bring home?
Beans & Greens Farm in Gilford is hosting its Labor Day Artisan Market Saturday, September 5 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, September 6 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Browse handmade goods from local makers and artisans and spend some time exploring the farm. It's one of our favorite kinds of Lakes Region outings — one where supporting local businesses, makers and growers is actually the activity.
Another EL favorite - The Village Store in Gilford. Yum!
Everything Local Tip: Holiday markets aren't just for December. Labor Day Weekend is a great opportunity to get a jump on gifts while putting your dollars directly into the local community.
Find Some Live Music
Labor Day Weekend and live music just go together — and there are plenty of options throughout the Lakes Region.
Meredith: Kick off Friday evening with Ryan Allen Meier at Twin Barns Brewing Co. from 5–8 p.m. Or head downtown to Hermit Woods Winery, where live music on the patio is also scheduled Friday from 5–8 p.m.
Center Harbor: Head to The Taphouse Winnipesaukee Friday evening, where Garrett Smith is scheduled to perform beginning at 6 p.m.
Wolfeboro: On the other side of the lake, Front Four Cellars has Andrea Paquin scheduled Friday beginning at 6 p.m. Pair it with a walk through downtown or dinner nearby and you've got an easy night out.
Gilford: Looking for a bigger show? Parker McCollum takes the stage at BankNH Pavilion Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
Everything Local Tip: Pick your vibe — brewery, winery, waterfront or concert — and build your night around it. Grab dinner, catch some music and support a few local businesses along the way.
Experience the First Lakes Region Lantern Festival
Looking for something a little different this Labor Day Weekend?
On Sunday, September 6, Center Harbor will host the inaugural Lakes Region Lantern Festival, bringing the community together along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee for an evening centered around celebration, remembrance, hope and connection.
Before the lantern launch, enjoy food trucks, dockside dining, live entertainment, family activities, bouncy houses and yard games. The iconic M/S Mount Washington will also be docked with food, beverages and entertainment.
As evening arrives, hundreds of glowing lanterns will illuminate the lake — creating what could become a beautiful new Lakes Region tradition.
This one definitely makes our Labor Day Weekend list.
Make It a Lake Day
This one feels obvious, but sometimes the best Lakes Region days are the simplest ones.
Get out on Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam, Squam, Newfound or your favorite local lake. Take the boat out. Paddleboard before breakfast. Kayak a quiet cove. Swim off the dock. Pack lunch and find a place to spend the afternoon.
No boat? No problem.
Find a local beach, take a cruise, walk along the waterfront or simply find a quiet spot to take in the view.
The calendar may say September, but we're squeezing in every last lake day we can get.
Eat Local — Preferably Outside
If there was ever a weekend to give the grill a break, this might be it.
Grab breakfast from a local café - our EL favorite is Gusto Cafe, stop at a farm stand, find a great lunch spot or make a reservation somewhere you've been wanting to try. Another EL dinner spot favorite that has such good vibes is The Woodshed.
And don't automatically head inside.
Early September can offer some of the best outdoor dining weather of the year in the Lakes Region. Think a waterfront table, a hidden patio or a neighborhood favorite you've been meaning to try all summer.
Whether you're grabbing breakfast before the lake, lunch after shopping or dinner before live music, choosing a locally owned restaurant is one of the easiest — and most delicious — ways to support the people who make our communities thrive.
Take the Long Way Home
Sometimes the best Lakes Region plans aren't really plans at all.
Take a scenic drive. Stop at a farm stand you usually drive past. Grab an ice cream. Find a hiking trail. Browse a local shop. Pull over for a view you've seen a hundred times but never really stopped to appreciate.
And definitely catch a sunset.
Soon enough, we'll be talking about foliage, apple picking and crisp fall weekends.
For now, we're still holding onto summer.
Celebrate the People Behind Local
Labor Day recognizes the contributions and achievements of American workers, which makes this weekend particularly meaningful for a platform dedicated to celebrating all things local.
Behind every favorite Lakes Region restaurant, shop, marina, farm, café, brewery, venue and service business are people who show up every day to make it happen.
This weekend, support them.
Shop local. Eat local. Explore local. Listen local. Get out on the lake. And enjoy one more great summer weekend right here in the Lakes Region.
Everything Local Lakes
Know about a Lakes Region event, business, restaurant or local story we should feature? We want to hear about it. Follow Everything Local Lakes and share your local favorites with us as we continue highlighting the people, places and businesses that make the Lakes Region special.
Event schedules and live entertainment are subject to change. Check directly with venues