Banff 
Labour Day was created to celebrate the achievements of workers by giving them a day off work to reconnect with rest, leisure, and passion.
Oldman River Falls/ Credit: Government of Alberta
The province hosts the 4th Alberta Day celebrations on Sunday, August 31.
So, if you’re in Alberta this Labour Day weekend, there is plenty to do to get you out of your regular routine and into leisure. Whether you are rejuvenated by festivals, the quiet of the landscape, or learning something new, there’s something on this list for you.
Alberta Day Celebrations
Alberta is hosting festivities in Calgary and Edmonton, including drone shows.
Alberta Day celebrations on a smaller scale will also be held in various towns and cities, including Brazeau County, Camrose, Chestermere, Drumheller, and more!
You may like: 20+ Ideas For Labour Day Weekend Getaways and Day Trips in Alberta
Wood Buffalo RIBFEST
The Western Canada Rib Fest Tour returns with award-winning ribs, food trucks, and live entertainment. The event promises a family-friendly atmosphere with activities for all ages, along with music and community fun. Attendees can enjoy classic favourites while gathering with friends, family, and neighbours for a summer celebration of food and entertainment. August 29 to September 1, 2025
Labour Day Weekend – Experience Grande Prairie
Experience Grande Prairie on August 29 returns for its fourth year with a free outdoor concert headlined by The Trews. The event features local performers, children’s activities, community booths, food vendors, interactive games, and beer gardens in the City Centre.
Plus, on August 29, celebrate the diverse cultures from across the globe during Around the World in Bites.
Grande Prairie marks Alberta’s 120th anniversary on August 30 with free swimming, skating, and drop-in activities at Eastlink Centre, Keyera Place, and Design Works Centre, plus museum visits and a skate with the Storm.
Saskatoon Island Provincial Park
Located just 25 km west of Grande Prairie, Saskatoon Island Provincial Park is Alberta’s second-oldest Provincial Park. Hike the trails or plan a camping trip.
Scenic Drive
Say goodbye to the last long summer weekend by going on a scenic drive. Driving through the province invites you to discover and enjoy some spectacular scenery, such as the magnificent Rocky Mountains, the beautiful rolling foothills, and the wide-open expanses of grain-planted fields and prairies.
Walk Through Geologic Time Trail – Lesser Slave Lake PP
This 300m loop, located just off the beginning of the Lily Lake Trail, lets you experience 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history using time mathematically converted into distance at Lesser Slave Lake. When did life first appear on Earth? When did the dinosaurs show up? How long has our species been on the planet? Walk on to find out…
Tranquil Escape to Pierre Grey’s Lakes
The park, named for Metis settler Pierre Gris, is where Mr. Gris (Grey) ran a successful trading post throughout the late 1800s. Some remains of the original trading post are still visible today. The blend of history and nature in Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park easily fills an entire weekend of camping here.
Cold Lake
Enjoy the last days of summer at three-block-stretch of fine sand – Kinosoo Beach – in Cold Lake. You can zipline, play beach volleyball, fly board, zipline and more at this gem of a beach.
Explore Lac Ste. Anne County
Explore one of Alberta’s summer destinations – Lac Ste. Anne County – before summer ends. Lac Ste. Whether you like gardens, want to laze around a beach, sky-jump, fish, or see some unique large things, you are sure to find some great places to explore in this county.
St. Paul Rodeo
Enjoy a week of rodeo action at Saint Paul from August 24 to 31 at St. Paul Ag Corral. The parade will wind its way through the streets of St. Paul on Sat Aug 30.
Fort Saskatchewan’s Sheep
Labour Day weekend is when one of the most heartwarming and endearing celebrations in the province, Fort Saskatchewan’s Sheep Leaving Parade takes place. Visit Legacy Park and bid adieu to the warm and fuzzy flock until next Spring!
Milky Way Day – Fort Saskatchewan
The Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve celebrates its 18th anniversary on Labour Day weekend with solar viewing, astronomy talks, and nighttime stargazing. Highlights include a lecture by Dr. Sharon Morsink (University of Alberta) and telescopic views, weather permitting.. August 31 @ Elk Island National Park
Alberta Air Tours Airplane Show & Shine and Wop May Day Celebrations – Edson
Edson’s annual Wop May Day and Alberta Day celebration happens August 30 at RCMP Centennial Park, featuring food trucks, carnival games, live music, a pie-eating contest, raffles, and family-friendly entertainment. The weekend begins August 29 with a Wine & Cheese Night and guest talk by aviation historian John Chalmers.
Disney in Concert – Edmonton
Join us on August 29 & 30 in Churchill Square for a magical journey into storytelling and music as only the timeless tales of Disney can evoke. Brought to life by the talents of four Broadway calibre singers, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and high resolution animated feature film sequences, Disney in Concert Live Your Dream explores iconic moments, plot twists and feats of daring heroics from your favourite Disney movies.
Burton Cummings & Tom Cochrane – Edmonton
Canadian rock legends Burton Cummings and Tom Cochrane will perform at Fan Park in Edmonton’s ICE District on September 1, 2025. The concert unites the former Guess Who frontman and the Life Is a Highway singer for a landmark evening of live music.
U-Pick Flowers – Across Alberta
Within Alberta are four farms and gardens dedicated to growing rows upon rows of fresh florals ready for u-pick. The u-pick flower farm experience in Alberta offers colourful florals, often those native to Alberta. You’ll encounter u-pick sunflowers, lilies, tulips, wildflowers, and more. These farms have staff onsite to help educate you on proper care or to provide styling tips for your bouquets. U-Pick Farms/Sunflower Farms
Songbird Banding – Tofield
The annual fall migration bird banding runs from July to early October at the Beaverhill Bird Observatory, with peak activity in September. Visitors can join biologists at sunrise to observe warblers, sparrows, woodpeckers, and more, weather permitting, during six-hour morning sessions.
Wetaskiwin’s Harvest Festival
August and September are ripe for the harvest, and Wetaskiwin’s Harvest Festival celebrates the bounty of the season! Come and spend August 30 & 31 watching the wheat crop being harvested, playing carnival games, shopping at the farmer’s market, or even learning how to bake bread at the museum that hosts the event. This is a true celebration of the farm life that makes Alberta so special.
Ellis Bird Farm in Lacombe
For a central Alberta adventure, come out to the Ellis Bird Farm in Lacombe, which is not only a non-for-profit organization but also a working farm with an extensive bluebird trail and cafe.
Lakedell’s Annual County Fair
For an authentic county fair experience, spend some time with the people of Lakedell as they celebrate the harvest season. For 49 years, this festival has been a hit, and this year, the four dat event features fabulous entertainment, a trade show, a spike-pounding competition, … and so much more!
Lazy Float on the Red Deer River
The Red Deer River flows from the Rockies to Rocky Mountain House, through Red Deer, and into the Badlands towards Drumheller. Lazy floating is easy to do through the city of Red Deer with a boat launch and parking on the west at Fort Normandeau, and the same in the east at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. Over 10km of the river flows through Red Deer.
Sylvan Lake Alberta Day
Sylvan Lake is all about the summer – sandy toes, hot beach days, and sippin’ drinks on the patio! Head to the town to enjoy the last long weekend of summer. The town is also celebrating Alberta Day with face painting, games and crafts on August 30.
Explore Discovery Wildlife
Discovery Wildlife Park in Innisfail, a family-run establishment, is dedicated to offering a lifelong sanctuary for orphaned animals while also imparting wildlife awareness to the public and creating a family experience with daily animal presentations.
Abraham Lake Tour
The David Thompson Highway section in Central Alberta, which covers the length of Abraham Lake, is a jaw-dropping turn to make. Drive the highway or explore the area through heart-thumping hikes!
Banff Upper Hot Springs
What better way to spend a Labour Day weekend than by soaking away your stress? If you think you’re going to be missing that summer heat, you’ll want to spend some time in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Open between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm and with a cafe on site, the views and the heat will give you the energy you need to move into the fall.
Take a boat cruise – Across Alberta
Celebrate the last long weekend of summer by going on a cruise. Options include cruises on the North Saskatchewan River to experiencing the aquamarine waters of Alberta on a boat cruise that takes one on a trip along the majestic views of the Canadian Rockies.
Waynestock – Wayne
Enjoy 3 days of music at this year’s festival. Enjoy musical styles such as roots, rock, country, hillbilly, blues, bluegrass, and more! Camp right on site at the Last Chance Saloon.
Olds Botanic Gardens
The Olds College Botanic Gardens and Constructed Wetlands is a special place to visit. Free of charge and open to the public, this garden walk comes with its own online experience. Download the HisTREE app and scan the tags to learn what kinds of trees are being protected in this delightful Olds experience.
Dry Island Buffalo Jump
Discover the hidden gem of Alberta’s badlands at Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, where rich Indigenous history meets stunning natural beauty. The Dry Island Buffalo Jump day use area provides scenic space for a riverside picnic in the badlands. Onsite amenities include picnic tables, fire pits, and washrooms. This is also the spot of the park’s interpretive viewpoint, looking out over the badlands and buffalo jump.
Calgary Pride
Calgary Pride parade and festival is on September 4 and will feature a variety of thrilling performances, food truck vendors, kid-friendly activities, a vendor marketplace, and a beer garden – all along the beautiful Makhabn (Bow River).
Fiesta Filipino Calgary
Head to Calgary for the biggest and most colourful street party that showcases the vibrant Filipino and Asian Communities in Alberta. Experience the sights, sounds, and taste of Filipino culture and heritage.
Labour Day Classic – Calgary
It’s a longstanding tradition that the football rivalry between the Edmonton Elks and the Calgary Stampeders be re-invigorated on Labour Day. Come out for “the most anticipated game of the season” at McMahon Stadium in Calgary and enjoy the spirit of the game.
Cirque Du Soleil’s Echo – Calgary
Credit: Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO runs August 30 to October 19, 2025, at Stampede Park. The show follows FUTURE and her dog Ewäi on a quest to restore balance between humans and nature, blending acrobatics, storytelling, and visuals. Performances run Tuesday through Sunday under the Big Top.
Canmore’s Highland Games
At the entrance to the Rocky Mountains is Canmore and their annual Highland Games. Running from August 30 & 31, these games feature all your celtic favourites, including a highland dance competition, heavy games, food trucks, sheep, and of course the rising sound of the bagpipes. Enjoy the spirit of Canmore at the Highland Games for your Labour Day weekend getaway.
Rafting on the Bow River
Rafting on the Bow River is a popular activity for Calgarians and tourists alike. The slow pace of this grand river — which comes from Rocky Mountain runoff — runs through the city and has all kinds of riverbank sights to see. Rent a raft at Lazy Day Raft Rentals and don’t forget your lifejacket, sunscreen, and rafting snacks!
Labour Day Parade – Cochrane
Credit: Cochrane Events
Head to Cochrane for the annual Labour Day Parade. Grab your lawn chairs, claim your spot and enjoy pre-parade entertainment starting at 9am. The parade follows at 10am with eye-catching floats down Centre Ave, Railway Street & 1st Street.
Cochrane Rodeo
Running 56 years strong, kick back and enjoy all the action of a Tournament Style Rodeo, featuring many of the world’s toughest competitors. With more than 17 events unfolding daily including ladies barrel racing, bareback, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc and bull riding, to name just a few. But stick around for some of the other crowd favourites such as Wild Cow Racing, Mutton Busting and the Wild Pony Races.
Canmore Caving Explorer Tour
Discover the amazing, underground world of caves on this half-day, small-group guided cave explorer tour with all equipment included. Follow your guide through the twists and turns of this subterranean world, crawling past prehistoric bones and observing centuries-old rock formations. Choose to explore lesser-travelled places in the cave and wriggle through manhole-cover-sized passages (optional) to test yourself in this rugged environment.
Aspen Crossing Train Excursions – Mossleigh
The Mossleigh grain elevators are believed to be the rarest, original elevator rows in Canada. At the Industry peak in 1935, there were well over 5,700 grain elevators dominating the prairie landscape. Today, there are fewer than 350 remaining across the prairie provinces. Celebrate the railway ties aboard this historical and educational excursion.
T-Rex Corn Maze Drumheller
Get lost in a T-Rex shaped corn maze. The T-Rex-shaped corn maze is located adjacent to The Sunny Spot restaurant, a seasonal outdoor eatery in the beautiful Canadian Badlands.
Renaissance Faire – Lethbridge
Fort Whoop-Up will host its first Renaissance Faire on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from noon to 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy medieval combat, crafts, tarot, music, and merchant stalls. Admission is included with Fort entry, welcoming all ages to celebrate history.
Visit Vulcan
Star Trek fans from Alberta and around the world make Vulcan a destination goal or bucket list item. Start a visit to Vulcan at any time of the year at the Visitor’s Centre! This centre is also considered the Trek Station and aims to show off the best of the town, as well as an array of show memorabilia and space and science exhibits.
Lundbreck Falls
This waterfall of the Crowsnest River is the perfect relaxing weekend getaway. Pack up a picnic and a book, or get yourself ready for an overnight camping trip — however long you plan to spend watching this water cascade will invigorate you as you bid farewell to the summer. Walk around the falls and catch one of the incredible views of this southwestern Alberta treat.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump at Fort Macleod
Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump is the museum of Blackfoot culture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that every Albertan should visit. Learn about the history of Alberta before colonialism and the hunting practices for which the site is named. With an interpretive centre and daily educational events, Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump is as entertaining as it is educational.
Beauvais Lake
Discover the tranquil beauty of Beauvais Lake Provincial Park. This park offers a peaceful retreat with wildlife, photography, and fishing opportunities. The park boasts 180 bird species, diverse trails for hiking and biking, and the chance to explore Mount Albert and other scenic lookouts. Enjoy boating, paddling, and various outdoor activities year-round.
Explore Brooks
Brooks has the convenience of Highway 1 running through its centre while also being near many natural and manmade attractions. Lake Newell is at the heart of this beautiful scenery around Brooks and only a short drive south of the city.
Bellevue Underground Mine Tours – Crowsnest Pass
Gain a better understanding of a previously dominant industry in the Crowsnest Pass area by touring the Bellevue Underground Mine. Each tour is guided by a trained and knowledgeable Heritage Interpreter. Hear the stories of workers, learn all about the revolution of the mining occupation, explore the beginnings of a mine, and more!
Porch Fest – Medicine Hat
Porchfest Medicine Hat returns for its fifth year on August 30, featuring free live performances from noon to 6 p.m. on front porches in the SE Hill neighbourhood. Audiences can walk or bike between houses to enjoy local music.
Take the Sunshine Trolley – Medicine Hat
Explore the Hat aboard Medicine Hat’s Sunshine Trolley. With your pass, you’ll get one ride around the city to see just a few of the many historic and cultural landmarks.
Centrosaurus Bonebed Hike – Iddesleigh
This adventure is your opportunity to experience the exceptional concentration of fossils that make Dinosaur Provincial Park world-famous. With a knowledgeable guide, you will trek over sandy terrain, over hoo-doo passes, and through grassy valleys to a former dig site (known as a bonebed) that contains the remains of hundreds of horned dinosaurs!
The Patricia Hotel and Water Hole – Patricia
Every long weekend in Alberta deserves some prime Alberta beef! Come to the Patricia Hotel and Water Hole in Patricia and enjoy their famous steak pit: an eternal flame where you can cook your steak yourself, just the way you like it. The Water Hole features a dance floor, a pool table, and unique drink options. Keep in mind that Sundays are celebrated as Family Day at the Patricia Hotel.
Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur Museum
Explore the Devil Coulee’s Dinosaur Museum & Heritage Site in southern Alberta’s badlands near Lethbridge before the site closes for 2024. Founded in 1987 after a discovery of fossilized dinosaur eggs, the museum showcases paleontological findings and Warner’s history. Tour bone and fossil displays, and join guided site tours to learn about the egg discovery and the area’s landscape.
Wind Chasing Road Trip
Wind chasing would involve literally following the wind through southern Alberta. Travelling east to west in southern Alberta can fit into a day trip thanks to this narrower part of the province. The powerful chinooks or winds from the Rockies will rush through wind farms in southwestern Alberta and past many more wind farms.
Visit a beach
Send summer off with a beach getaway! Beautiful lakes can be found all over Alberta; you just need to know where to look!
Some pharmacies & clinics are closed on Labour Day, but many are open and the iamsick.ca/en site and app will save you from unnecessary headaches.
Enjoy the holiday!