🇺🇸 Labor Day Weekend Family Fun in the Merrimack Valley 2026
September 5–7, 2026
Labor Day Weekend may mark the unofficial end of summer, but there's still plenty of family fun waiting around the Merrimack Valley! Whether you want to celebrate at a fall festival, listen to live music at a castle, visit a farmers market, take a hike, grab one last giant ice cream cone, or sneak in an outdoor adventure before school routines take over, we've rounded up ideas in Methuen, Lawrence, Haverhill, Topsfield, Boxford, Middleton, Georgetown, Groveland, Andover, and North Andover.
Pack the sunscreen, bring a picnic blanket, and make the most of the three-day weekend!
🍎 NORTH ANDOVER
🍂 Labor Day Weekend Fall Festival at Smolak Farms
Saturday, September 5–Monday, September 7
Labor Day Weekend also means the beginning of fall festival season at Smolak Farms!
The farm has announced a three-day Labor Day Weekend Fall Festival, running Saturday through Monday. Festival activities and the detailed schedule were still being announced when we checked, so families should check the farm's latest updates before heading out. The farm stand and animal playground/viewing area are open daily, making this a great way to welcome fall while still enjoying the final days of summer.
📍 315 South Bradford Street, North Andover
📚 I Survived! Historic Celebration & Scholastic Book Fair
Saturday, September 5 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
History and books come together at the North Andover Historical Society's Stevens Center for an I Survived! Scholastic Book Fair with The Purple Couch.
Families can enjoy free activities and games inspired by the American Revolution along with a Scholastic Book Fair centered around the popular I Survived! series.
📍 Stevens Center, 800 Massachusetts Avenue, North Andover
🏡 First Saturday at the Parson Barnard House
Saturday, September 5 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Add some local history to your weekend with a visit to the historic Parson Barnard House. Families can explore this 1715 house museum and learn how life changed there from the early 1700s through the 1800s.
The property also includes a Colonial Herb and Dye Garden.
🌸 Explore the Gardens
Spend part of the long weekend wandering the beautiful grounds of Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens.
The 91-acre property combines gardens, open space and a historic estate, making it a lovely option for families looking for a quieter Labor Day outing.
📍 153 Chickering Road, North Andover
🎶 HAVERHILL
🇺🇸 FREE Labor Day Concert at Winnekenni Castle
Sunday, September 6 | 1–4 p.m.
This is one of our top picks of the weekend!
The City of Haverhill is wrapping up its America 250 summer programming with a FREE Labor Day Concert on the grounds of Winnekenni Castle.
The afternoon lineup includes:
🎵 1 p.m. — Three At Home
🎵 2 p.m. — Danielle Miraglia and the Glory Junkies
🎵 3 p.m. — Julie Rhodes
Food will be available from Boston Barbecue, Castle Road Cutlets and Nice Ice Baby.
Bring lawn chairs or blankets, find a spot on the castle grounds and enjoy an afternoon of live music. Admission is FREE.
📍 Winnekenni Castle, Haverhill
🌳 Make a Day of Winnekenni
Come early and explore the trails surrounding the castle and Kenoza Lake before the concert. The castle sits within the Winnekenni Park Conservation Area, giving families the opportunity to combine hiking, sightseeing and music in one outing.
🌻 Explore Tattersall Farm
Another peaceful outdoor option is Tattersall Farm.
The historic conservation property includes fields and wooded walking paths and is an easy choice for families who want a low-key nature outing.
📍 542 North Broadway, Haverhill
🥕 ANDOVER
🥬 Andover Farmers Market
Saturday, September 5 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Start Labor Day Weekend by shopping local at the Andover Farmers Market.
Celebrating its 20th year in 2026, the market features more than 25 vendors, including farms, food producers, artisans and ready-to-eat food vendors. Families can also find children's activities through the POP Club, community organizations, live music and yoga.
The market takes place rain or shine.
📍 The Park at Chestnut Street & Bartlet Street
⏰ 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
🥾 Take a Labor Day Hike
Head out to the Andover section of the Bay Circuit Trail for a family hike.
This area connects with Ward Reservation and includes woods, trails and the Pine Hole Bog boardwalk. Pack water and snacks and turn it into an end-of-summer nature adventure.
🪨 Explore Den Rock
Den Rock Park(Greenbelt) stretches along the Andover/Lawrence area and offers wooded trails and distinctive rock formations.
It's a fun choice for families with older kids who would rather explore the woods than attend a structured event.
🍦 METHUEN
🎡 Squeeze In One More Summer Fun Day
Labor Day Weekend is a perfect excuse for one more summer-style outing at Jay Gee's Ice Cream and Fun Center.
Families can combine ice cream with attractions such as mini golf, go-karts, batting cages and arcade games. Outdoor attractions can be weather dependent, so check current operating information before making the trip.
📍 602 Lowell Street, Methuen
🍎 Pick Up Some Fall Treats
Stop by Mann Orchards for baked goods, produce and seasonal treats. Their farmstand and bakery make an easy addition to a Labor Day outing.
📍 27 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen
🏰 Discover Methuen's Castle Ruins
Take a walk through Greycourt State Park and explore the remains of the former Grey Court estate, often called Tenney Castle.
The hilltop park has paths, historic stonework and scenic surroundings and makes for a fun local adventure that feels a little different from a typical playground visit.
📍 37 Pleasant Street, Methuen
🚲 Walk or Bike the Rail Trail
Bring the bikes, scooters or walking shoes for a trip along the Methuen Rail Trail.
The trail connects toward Lawrence and continues north toward Salem, New Hampshire, making it easy to choose a distance that works for your family.
🌧️ Rainy-Day Backup
If Mother Nature doesn't cooperate, burn off some energy indoors at Launch Family Entertainment Park Methuen.
📍 96A Milk Street, Methuen
🏭 LAWRENCE
🧵 Explore Lawrence's Industrial History
Labor Day is an especially fitting weekend to teach kids a little about the workers who helped build the Merrimack Valley.
Visit Lawrence Heritage State Park, where exhibits tell the story of Lawrence's development as one of America's first planned industrial cities, its textile mills, immigrant communities and the historic Bread and Roses Strike.
The Visitor Center is housed in a restored 1840s boarding house and is listed as open daily from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission to the Visitor Center is free.
📍 1 Jackson Street, Lawrence
🌊 See the Great Stone Dam
While exploring Lawrence, make time to see the Great Stone Dam and the historic mill district.
The dam played an enormous role in powering Lawrence's textile industry and shaping the city that families see today.
🌳 Explore the Riverfront
Lawrence Heritage State Park also includes riverfront recreation areas where families can find walking areas, picnic opportunities, athletic facilities and views of the Merrimack River.
🌳 TOPSFIELD
🥾 Bradley Palmer State Park
Pack a picnic and spend a few hours exploring Bradley Palmer State Park.
The large Topsfield property includes miles of trails, former carriage roads, open meadows and areas along the Ipswich River. It's a great Labor Day option for walking, biking, picnicking and simply enjoying one of the last long weekends of summer.
📍 40 Asbury Street, Topsfield
🦆 Explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Families looking for even more nature can explore the trails around the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. The trail system includes wetlands, woods and the picturesque historic stone bridge.
It's an especially nice choice for kids who love wildlife, birds, frogs and exploring outdoors.
📍 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield
🌲 BOXFORD
🥾 Explore Boxford State Forest
Skip the crowds and spend part of the weekend hiking through Boxford State Forest.
The wooded conservation area features trails through forests, ponds and wetlands and works well for families looking for an inexpensive, nature-centered Labor Day outing.
Pack bug spray, water and sturdy shoes, particularly if the trails have been wet.
📅 What's Happening in Boxford?
As of our September 1 check, the Town of Boxford's official community calendar did not list a special Labor Day Weekend family event for September 5–7. The town's Apple Festival is scheduled later in September, on September 19.
That makes this a great weekend to explore Boxford's trails and conservation areas instead.
🍦 MIDDLETON
🍨 The Ultimate End-of-Summer Ice Cream Trip
It wouldn't be Labor Day Weekend without ice cream!
Head to Richardson's Ice Cream for a classic North Shore family outing.
Grab a cone, visit the farm setting and make an afternoon of it with the nearby family attractions. Richardson's is one of those easy outings that works whether you have an hour to fill or want to make dessert the main event.
📍 156 South Main Street, Middleton
🌲 Walk Around Middleton Pond
For a quieter option, explore Middleton Pond.
The wooded conservation area offers walking opportunities with intermittent water views and is a nice alternative for families trying to avoid holiday-weekend crowds.
🏖️ GEORGETOWN
🌳 American Legion Park
Enjoy some hometown outdoor time at American Legion Park.
The Pentucket Pond park offers recreation areas, playground space, picnic opportunities and waterfront scenery. Keep in mind that some parking/access rules are geared toward Georgetown residents, so visitors from outside town should check current regulations before heading over.
📍 20 Pentucket Avenue, Georgetown
🥾 Georgetown-Rowley State Forest
Looking for a bigger outdoor adventure? Explore the trails accessed near Georgetown Rowley State Forest Parking.
The state forest contains a large network of multi-use trails used by hikers, cyclists and equestrians.
Pack water, download your trail map ahead of time and enjoy a few peaceful hours in the woods.
🌲 GROVELAND
🛝 Play at the Pines
Spend a relaxed afternoon at Pines Recreation Area.
The town recreation complex includes athletic areas, a playground and access to the Merrimack River, making it an easy place to let the kids run around without planning an elaborate outing.
📍 Main Street, Groveland
🌿 Explore Veasey Memorial Park
Pack a picnic and head to the trails and open spaces surrounding Veasey Memorial Park Main Parking Lot.
Veasey includes fields, woods, wetlands and Johnson's Pond, giving families plenty of space for a simple nature walk or outdoor afternoon.
⭐ OUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND PICKS
If you only have time for a few adventures, these are our picks:
🍂 Best Fall Kickoff: Labor Day Weekend Fall Festival at Smolak Farms
🎶 Best FREE Event: Labor Day Concert at Winnekenni Castle
📚 Best for Book Lovers: I Survived! Scholastic Book Fair in North Andover
🥕 Best Saturday Morning: Andover Farmers Market
🍦 Best End-of-Summer Treat: Richardson's Ice Cream
🏰 Best Hidden Adventure: Greycourt State Park/Tenney Castle Ruins
🏭 Best Educational Outing: Lawrence Heritage State Park
🥾 Best Outdoor Day: Bradley Palmer State Park
🌳 Best Low-Key Adventure: Veasey Memorial Park or Boxford State Forest
