Calgary 
Credit: Athabasca River Scenic Float Trip
Labour Day was created to celebrate the achievements of workers by giving them the day off work to reconnect with rest, leisure, and passion. 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, by the quiet of the landscape, or by learning something new, there’s something on this list for you.
Labour Day Parade Display – Cochrane
Head to Cochrane and witness labour day parade display. Instead of the usual parade, this year will see a parade display – Parade floats will be stationary and there will be a walking path for spectators to view the entries.
Athabasca River Scenic Float Trip – Jasper
Join the fun on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park. Up to 2.5-hour round trip passes through many small sets of rapids and calm stretches, which allows your National Park licensed guide to point out the natural and human history of Jasper. This float trip is safe for the whole family, from toddlers and grandparents to swimmers and non-swimmers alike.
Horseback Trail Ride – Kananaskis
Prepare for a real rustic Alberta mountain adventure at Boundary Ranch! The 2-Hour Ridge Ride travels high above Kananaskis Valley to capture a breathtaking view of the entire Kananaskis area. Journey into remote arboreal forests and enjoy the serenity of the backcountry with friendly and professional guides. Trail rides are suitable for riders of any level, and no previous experience is required.
Fort Whoop-Up/Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden Catered Picnic – Lethbridge
Enjoy a catered picnic at Fort Whoop-Up or Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden grounds. The menu has been carefully designed by the Fort’s chef and is prepared by the staff at Mocha Cabana. Also included are tickets for entry to Fort Whoop-Up and the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. Details
Mural Massive – Edmonton
The Grindstone Mural Massiveis a choose your own adventure, indoor/outdoor art event celebrating the diverse arts and theatre culture that makes Edmonton so darn rad. Tour the MinBid Art Auction, the Forge furniture park, Grindstone Patio, or the bbq and beer zones while watching 7 large art murals come to life without the annoying zoom video call hang-ups.
Calgary Pride
Calgary Pride 2020 will feature over 200 LGBTQ2S+ artists, a free Learning Series featuring over 100 workshops, community partner events, daily DJ and Drag Hour entertainment leading up to Parade Day, and 11 hours of jam-packed entertainment on September 6.
Bowden SunMaze – Red Deer County
The Bowden Sunmaze is located in central Alberta in the Certified Organic fields of Eagle Creek Farms and is one of Canada’s few Sunflower Mazes. For those looking for a traditional or maze we have an 8 acre one of those along with our newly established Willow tree maze. With 3 acres of U-pick Flowers, 2 acres of U-pick vegetables, 3 corn mazes, a Sunflower maze and play area for children, there is something for everyone in the family. Details
Red Deer’s Pumpkin Season Kick-Off
Red Deer’s annual Pumpkin Season Kick Off is happening on September 5 from 10am to 10pm and welcomes all visitors who want to help celebrate the beginning of the city’s fall festivities. With an eight acre corn maze, a playground, wagon rides, and barnyard activities of all sorts, this is one day of fun that is sure to be remembered by all who attend. Details
Calaway Park – Calgary
If you haven’t had a chance to get out to Calaway Park this season, make Labour Day the time for fun and excitement at this outside-of-Calgary amusement park. With 33 rides (including the roller coaster and log flume) and 27 games with prizes to be had, this is the Labour Day trip that will have the whole family smiling.
India Film Festival of Alberta – Across Alberta
The Sixth India Film Festival of Alberta features award-winning and independent films from India and Canada, a short film competition for Alberta film makers, and several workshops and Master Classes. Due to the pandemic, it will be a combined online and drive-in event, accessible to viewers across Alberta.
Family Farm Picnic – Gibbons
Credit: Prairie Gardens’
Join for Prairie Gardens’ Family Farm Picnic– relax in the countryside and enjoy wide-open spaces! Explore sunflower fields, corn maze and pick your own vegetables.
Reynolds-Alberta Museum – Wetaskiwin
Learn how the lives of Albertans changed as gigantic farm machinery, and powerful vehicles replaced animal agricultural implements, horse-drawn buggies and wagons.
Cowboys and Coal Mines – Canmore
Join local guides for an immersive historical walking tour of Canmore. Learn about the hardy pioneers, wild cowboys, and loyal miners who came together to create a community that just wouldn’t quit!
Fort Saskatchewan’s Sheep
Labour day weekend is the time when one of the most heartwarming and endearing celebrations in the province, Fort Saskatchewan’s Sheep Leaving Parade takes place. This year there are no celebrations. But you can still visit Legacy Park and bid adieu to the warm and fuzzy flock until next Spring!
Aspen Crossing Train Excursions – Mossleigh
The Golden Age of Grain.” The Mossleigh grain elevators are believed to be the rare few, 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 less than 350 remaining across the prairie provinces. Celebrate our railway ties aboard this historical and educational excursion. With musical entertainment, train robbery and a stop at the iconic prairie sentinels. Food and Beverages available for purchase onboard the train.
Last Chance Saloon -Wayne
Usually, on the Labour day weekend, the historic Last Chance Saloon in Wayne celebrates a 4 day music festival – Waynestock. There are no celebrations this year. But you can still visit the historic saloon full of antiques and memorabilia from the early 1900’s during Wayne’s coal mining days and enjoy wholesome food while taking in the fabulous atmosphere and scenery of the badlands.
High River Day Trip (from Southern Alberta)
Go on a High River Mural Tour, have a cold one at High River Brewery taproom and visit the Museum of Highwood.
The Lethbridge Farmer’s Market at Exhibition Park
The Lethbridge Farmer’s Market at Exhibition Park runs every Saturday — but what better way to spend some of your Labour Day weekend than by getting out and finding something new. With homemade baked goods, grown produce as fresh as it gets, and items that are made by artisan vendors, you’re sure to find something to inspire or fuel you. Running from 8am to 1pm, get there before the space gets busy for your long weekend treat. Details
Wood Buffalo National Park
Travel to northern Alberta and spend time in the largest National Park in Canada. Wood Buffalo National Park was established to protect the world’s largest herd of free roaming wood bison, but it has also become the province’s most popular spot for seeing the Northern Lights. Designated a “dark sky reserve” in 2013, this is the perfect place to escape the brightness of the cities. Details
Busk’n Bragg – Bragg Creek
Come help celebrate the end of summer with at the second annual Busking Festival. This is a Hamlet wide celebration and there will be musicians and street performers throughout the Hamlet to entertain you. September 5th at Bragg Creek.
Rafting on the Bow River – Calgary
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!
Birding at Frank Lake Conservation Area – High River
See fall migration at Frank Lake, is one of the Important Bird Areas in Canada and is one of the best birding venues in the Calgary area. To date, 190 plant species, 194 bird species and over 16 mammal species have been recorded at the lake, including many that are regionally or provincially rare in status.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum – Drumheller
Spend a day with the dinosaurs in Drumheller’s world famous Royal Tyrell Museum. Open from 9am to 9pm all weekend, this museum features real artifacts from paleontological digs, and opportunities for you to try your hand at digging yourself! Interact with the fossils and learn about the history of palaeontology while taking in the fully mounted dino skeletons. Bring the whole family!
The Maligne Lake Boat Cruise in Jasper
Why not spend your time off enjoying “The best boat cruise in Canada” (according to Reader’s Digest, that is). Get out to Jasper to enjoy Maligne Lake, the glacial lake surrounded by the towering Rockies. You’ll stop by the famous Spirit Island, which can only be accessed by boat. Running between 1.5 to 2 hours, this is a trip that everyone spending time in the area should consider.
Fiesta Filipino Calgary (Online)
Enjoy the biggest and most colorful street party that showcases the vibrant Filipino and Asian Communities in Alberta. Experience the sights, sounds, and taste of Filipino culture and heritage. Details
Icefields Parkway
Take your car for a drive on the famous and gorgeous Ice Fields Parkway this Labour Day Weekend. The Ice Fields Parkway is the name for the stretch of road from Jasper to Lake Louise and has more than 100 glaciers, as well as waterfalls, rock formations, and lakes along the way. Pull over and stop for a picnic or a photo, then head right back out again. This drive will have your head as clear as the lakes along it.
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. Details
Ellis Bird Farm – Lacombe
For a central Alberta adventure, come out to the Ellis Bird Farm in Lacombe, which is not only a non-for-profit organization, it is also a working farm with an extensive bluebird trail and cafe. September 7th is the final day you can visit in 2020.
Ram Falls Recreation Area – Clearwater Country
People of all ages enjoy a good waterfall and Ram Falls is definitely a sight to be seen. Beyond the actual falls, Ram Falls Recreation Area has day use, camping, and group use areas available. Camping, hiking, wildlife viewing–this area is known for its bighorn sheep, fishing, geocaching are just some of the things you can enjoy at Ram Falls Recreation Area.
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 comping 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.
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. Details
Stay at a Resort in Kananaskis Country
For the whole relaxation package, get out to Kananaskis Country and experience one of their pristine resorts. For a spa getaway, try the Solara Resort & Spa. If you’re looking for that cabin in the mountains feel, stay at the Silver Creek Lodge. The Mystic Springs Chalet & Hot Pools in Canmore is another excellent choice for your Rocky Mountain getaway with Canmore shopping at your fingertips.
Scale the Via Ferrata – Banff
Lead by a certified guide, make your way up the cliffs above the ski area assisted by a fixed anchoring system of cables, ladders and a suspension bridge. Enjoy the spectacular views and Big Horn Sheep grazing the sweet greenery enroute!
Listening Walk – Medicine Hat
Enjoy a quiet, peaceful walk through Police Point Park and allow the sounds of nature to surround you.
Saskatoon Island Provincial Park – Grande Prairie
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.
Zipline at Kinosoo Beach – 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, flyyboard, zipline and more at this gem of a beach.
Vista Ridge Aerial Adventure Park – Fort McMurray
Credit: Vista Ridge
Satisfy your inner monkey at Vista Ridge Aerial Adventure Park in Fort McMurray. The Park has three distinct levels ranging from 10ft high to almost 40ft. With over 60 elements, there is something for everyone, whether you are looking to conquer your fear of heights or you’re part monkey looking for a fun climb.
Edmonton Blues Revival
Have a Drive-In Live Music Experience. See Rooster Davis, Lynne Chwyl, Jimmy Guiboche, Crawdad Cantera, Bill Hobson & Marc Beaudin at the Edmonton Blues Revival!
Le Cheeseburger Week – Various Places
Restaurants, diners, and burger joints everywhere need to bring their A-game to this week-long festival, after working all year to develop new dishes, or perfecting fan-favourites and old classics. Try new creations.
Birchwood Meadows Flower Garden & U-Pick – Sturgeon County
Wander through the garden, pick up fresh bundles of our flowers or gather your favourites in our U-Pick garden! Featuring over 35 varieties of flowers and greens, 2020 U-Pick season and Flower Market is bursting with foliage and flowers so you can find the perfect bloom, both from the farm and sourced from other Canadian growers.
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.
Wilmore Wilderness Park
This 4,600 square kilometre wilderness area lies adjacent to Jasper National Park in Grande Cache but is lesser-known and, therefore, less visited. This means that you are truly travelling into the wilderness, to a place where there are no roads, no services, and no development – one of the last true wilderness areas in the country. Home to grizzlies, wolves, caribou and other wildlife, travel into the zone means careful planning and knowledge of backcountry hiking and camping. You can enjoy the area on horseback, hiking or mountain biking on your own or with a local outfitter.
See Wildhorses – Sundre
Ever wanted to see wild horses roaming the foothills of the mountains? Then head to Sundre. As you drive from Sundre to Ya Ha Tinda Ranch in Clearwater Country, you might see herds of horses roaming free by the country roads.
Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! – Edmonton
Don’t miss the chance of seeing this travelling exhibition at Telus World of Science that presents an extraordinary collection of intriguing objects and astonishing artifacts from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Crawl through a life-sized model of the prehistoric snake, Titanoba, and revel at its incredible size!
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!
Kananaskis River Rafting Adventure
Enjoy a beautiful day rafting down the picturesque Kananaskis River. This day trip from Banff or Canmore will get you into a raft and cruising down for 1.5 – 2 hours on the turquoise waters of the Kananaskis River, one of Alberta’s most pristine waterways. This excursion is an ideal introduction to the thrill of whitewater rafting, and is great for families or groups on the class 1-3 rapids. Spot local wildlife and soak up Canada’s unparalleled beauty as you cruise down this beautiful river.
Garlic Fest – Foothills County
GARLIC, GARLIC, GARLIC! It’s Going to Be a Stinking Good Time at Granary Road’s Garlic Fest September 5th and 6th! Learn all about the history of Garlic, how Garlic Braids are made, try all sorts of delicious Garlic treats and listen to local Garlic experts, Forage and Farm, talk about ALL THINGS Garlic!
Walk Through Geologic Time Trail – Lesser Slave Lake PP
This 300m loop 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. When did life first appear on Earth? When did the dinosaurs show up? How long has our own species been on the planet? Walk on to find out…
Great Badlands Hike – Iddesleigh
This lengthy hike is an exhilarating experience that takes you over steep slopes, through coulees, and deep into the badlands. Throughout your adventure, your guide will explain why the park is one of the richest sites in the world for late cretaceous fossils! Whether it’s the fossils, the serenading songbirds or catching a glimpse of the hardy wildlife that excites you, this tour is aimed to satisfy your appetite (bring your own snacks though!) for knowledge both ancient and present-day.
Free Admission to Studio Bell – Calgary
Enjoy free admission to Studio Bell until Sept 6th. Explore the story of music in Canada through a self-guided CanCon tour, or catch pop-up, socially-distanced instrument show-and-tells and science and sound demos. Guests will also be able to see musical instruments and memorabilia from the most recent 2020 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee, Jann Arden; and enjoy breathtaking architecture and more!
River Floats – Across the Province
Enjoy the last weekend of summer with a lazy river float. With many places around the province, choose one operating near you and enjoy a lazy float down the river!
Scenic Drive – Across the Province
Say goodbye to the last long weekend of summer 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.
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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!