The Metro Events Guide: How to spend Labor Day Weekend in Detroit
Discover unique arts and culture events in metro Detroit happening August 29 – September 5, 2024.
Madlib performs at the opening night of the 2023 Detroit Jazz Festival at the Carhartt Amphitheatre in Hart Plaza (September 1, 2023)
Labor Day Weekend in Detroit means the return of some of our favorite annual festivals, including Jazz Fest, the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival and Arts, Beats & Eats.
Plus, more local music performances and a chance to check in on your health. Read on to learn more.
Festivals
The Detroit Jazz Festival returns to the city Friday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 2, and WDET is teaming up with Paxahau as an official media partner to bring you special coverage and programming all week. Featuring over 60 performances as remarkable and diverse as the genre itself, as well as spontaneous late-night jam sessions, this free festival offers something for everyone. To see the full lineup and learn more, visit our events page.
Related: Wendell Harrison performs live on WDET ahead of 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival
Another beloved tradition returning to the area this weekend is the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, featuring live music, carnival rides and yacht races down Jos. Campau. The festival goes from Saturday, Aug. 31 through Monday, Sep. 2, and admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit hamtownfest.com.
And finally, there’s Arts, Beats & Eats in Royal Oak, Oakland County’s annual Labor Day weekend celebration of art, music, food and community. Festivities kick off on Friday, Aug. 30 and go through Monday, Sep. 2. The kids zone is free, and general admission is $12. For more information, visit artsbeatseats.com.
Music
On Saturday, Aug. 31, WDET’s own Shigeto (host of The New Music Show on Saturdays 8-10 p.m.) will honor the late, great Kraig Kilby by performing his timeless record Satori at Spot Lite Detroit in full over Jazz Fest weekend. His all-star ensemble will include Detroit legends like Dez Andrés, Ian Fink, JRGotTheHiTS and more. Bill Spencer and WDET’s own Kaleigh Wilder (host of Visions on Mondays 8-10 p.m.) will also be DJing inside, and Portage Garage Sounds will be on the patio all night. Doors open at 9 p.m., tickets start at $22 and the event is 21+. For more information, visit their Facebook event.
On Sunday, Sep. 1, Detroit’s Urban Art Orchestra presents All Things Detroit at Spot Lite, featuring Asaka The Renegade, Natasia, 3DXT, Shardy, The Monalyse, Courtney Bell, 313 The Live Experience, Chris the Barber, House of Hit Queen Gabby, DJ Fingers, Nick Speed, Jungle, Detroit Zeus and Phat Kat. Doors open at 9 p.m., tickets start at $22 and the event is 21+. For more information, visit their Facebook event.
Related: Hear Urban Art Orchestra perform live on WDET
Wellness
The first annual Long Live Health event debuts at Eastern Market’s Shed 3 on Friday, Aug. 30. This family-friendly, festival-style event aims to promote healthy lifestyles with free health checks, LGBTQ+ support services, sexual health education, diabetes screenings, vision checkups, mental health support and more. This event is free with registration and goes from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.
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