Labor Day Weekend on the South Shore: Celebrate Local & Savor the Last Days of Summer

From waterfront happenings and live music to local shops, restaurants and outdoor adventures, here’s how to make the most of Labor Day Weekend on the South Shore.

Labor Day Weekend has always felt a little bittersweet on the South Shore.

It may mark the unofficial end of summer, but around here, there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy. The beaches are calling, patios are still open, our downtowns are buzzing and local restaurants, shops and businesses are ready to help us squeeze every last drop out of the season.

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 communities moving -  including the small business owners, employees, tradespeople, hospitality workers and countless others who make the South Shore such a special place to live.

So before the school-year routines and fall schedules fully take over, Everything Local South Shore is sharing a few of our favorite ways to celebrate locally this Labor Day Weekend.

Start the Weekend in Scituate Harbor

Kick things off Friday evening with First Fridays in the Harbor in Scituate on September 4 from 4–8:30 p.m.

Stroll Front Street, browse the shops, like Out of the Blue, Joye or Sea Salt Mercantile, grab dinner or drinks at The Vine Bar, Salt Society or Salt Marsh Winery, and enjoy one of the final First Friday celebrations of the summer season. Local businesses and restaurants throughout the harbor participate, making it an easy way to turn a Friday night into a full evening out.

And if you're looking for something to do on Labor Day itself, the Scituate Beach Association Annual Labor Day Parade takes place Monday, September 7, from 12:30–3:30 p.m.  -  a longtime community tradition marking the end of summer.

Everything Local Tip: Go early, park once and make an evening of it. Shop, grab dinner and finish with a walk along the harbor.

Spend Saturday Exploring Plymouth

Downtown Plymouth makes an easy Labor Day Weekend destination because you can mix shopping, dining, history, entertainment and the waterfront without having to plan every minute of the day.

Spend some time exploring the independent shops along Main and Court Streets, wander down toward the waterfront, grab lunch or dinner and enjoy everything downtown Plymouth has to offer.

You can also venture beyond downtown. Head over to Cordage Park for a more laid-back waterfront experience, stop by The Pinehills or simply pick a neighborhood you haven't explored lately and see where the afternoon takes you.

And with live music happening throughout Plymouth all weekend, there's no shortage of ways to extend your day into the evening. Whether it’s the perfect morning pick me up, outdoor lunch or evening fun with great food, some of our favorites are: Plimoth General Store, The Promise Keeper Coffee, Will & Co Cafe, Salt, Cork & Table , Anejo for amazing guac and margaritas, and hidden gem, Mallebar Brasserie or venture towards Pine Hills and check out Rye Tavern. Yum! 

Find Some Live Music

Labor Day Weekend and live music just go together — and there are plenty of opportunities to catch a show without leaving the South Shore.

Whether you're looking for an outdoor acoustic set, waterfront music or a full night out, here are a few places to put on your weekend radar:

Plymouth: There are plenty of choices around town. The CabbyShack has a packed weekend lineup, including Suzanne McNeil and The Jake Ash Band on Friday, Hitch and The Curve on Saturday, and Nate Ramos and Justin Beech on Sunday.

You can also catch Ric Allendorf at Untold Brewing Plymouth on Saturday from 4–7 p.m., or head to ThreeV Sand Bar at Cordage Park, where live music is part of its final weekend of the season.

Looking for a later night? Plymouth G Pub has Stone Gon performing Saturday from 9 p.m.–midnight, along with other entertainment throughout the holiday weekend.

Scituate: Pair Friday's First Fridays in the Harbor with Halley Neal at Untold Brewing Scituate from 5–8 p.m. Shop Front Street, grab dinner and finish the evening with music — an easy way to make a full night of it in Scituate.

Hull: Head toward Nantasket for a beach-town sendoff to summer. The Drift has Sean McLaughlin Friday, MB Padfield Saturday and Gracie & Rin Sunday, with music beginning at 5 p.m. each day.

On Saturday night, Daddy's Beach Club welcomes Hive Mind at 9 p.m., while The Parrot hosts DJ Dan's Old School Night. On Sunday, Jo's Nautical holds its weekly Open Mic from 4–7:30 p.m.

Pembroke: Soundcheck Studios has two Labor Day Weekend shows on the calendar: Small Worlds — A Night Dedicated to Mac Miller featuring Chase Stebbins & Friends on Friday, followed by Booty Vortex on Saturday. Both shows begin at 8 p.m.

Pembroke also gives you a Monday option, with Ryan Demaray scheduled at Towne Tavern & Treehouse from 2–5 p.m. on Labor Day.

Hanover: Hanover is another easy option if you're looking to pair dinner and drinks with local entertainment. Check the weekend schedules at your favorite Hanover restaurants like Alba on 53 and gathering spots for live music and other Labor Day Weekend happenings.

Everything Local Tip: Pick your vibe and a town and build your evening around your favorites. Shop local, grab dinner or drinks nearby and catch a show — it's a great way to support several South Shore businesses in one night.

Summer isn't over until we've enjoyed at least one more night of live music — preferably with a little salt air involved.

Make It a Beach Day

September can deliver some of the best beach days of the year on the South Shore — and we're not ready to put away the beach chairs yet.

From Nantasket and Humarock to Rexhame, Duxbury and Plymouth Long Beach, Labor Day Weekend is the perfect excuse for one more quintessential South Shore beach day.

Pack lunch from a local deli like Mae’s, or bakery or market like Knead or Lucky Finn, grab an iced coffee from your favorite neighborhood café and settle in for a few hours.

Or make it even easier: hit the beach for the afternoon and head straight to Green Harbor Lobster Pound for their infamous and award winning Lobster Roll afterward. Sandy feet are practically part of the South Shore dress code this time of year.

Shop Small

Labor Day Weekend isn't just about finding something to do. It's also an opportunity to put your dollars back into the communities we call home.

Take an hour and walk through one of our local downtowns. Explore Scituate Harbor, Hingham Square, Cohasset Village, downtown Plymouth or another favorite South Shore neighborhood.

Buy the candle. Pick up the new fall sweater. Grab the hostess gift. Order lunch instead of making it at home. Stop for ice cream on the way home.

Small purchases add up — and supporting independently owned businesses helps keep our South Shore communities vibrant year-round.

Eat Local

If there was ever a weekend to skip cooking, this might be it.

Make a reservation somewhere you've been wanting to try, grab lobster rolls or seafood by the water, find a great brunch spot or head back to one of your favorite neighborhood restaurants.

And don't automatically head inside.

September is prime patio season on the South Shore, when the summer crowds begin to ease but the weather can still be perfect for outdoor dining.

Whether you're grabbing breakfast before the beach, 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 Labor Day Weekend plans aren't really plans at all.

Bike or walk a local trail. Paddleboard before breakfast. Take the kids for ice cream. Drive along Jerusalem Road through Cohasset. Walk the harbor in Scituate. Explore World's End in Hingham. Catch a sunset. Pick up dinner to-go and eat it by the water.

Or simply choose a South Shore town and spend a few hours exploring without an itinerary.

We spend all winter waiting for these days. Don't rush through the last ones just because the calendar says September.

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 South Shore restaurant, shop, service business, farm, café, venue and community organization are people who show up every day to make it happen.

This weekend, support them.

Shop local. Eat local. Explore local. Listen local. And enjoy one more great summer weekend right here on the South Shore.

Everything Local South Shore

Know about a South Shore event, business, restaurant or local story we should feature? We want to hear about it. Follow Everything Local South Shore and share your local favorites with us as we continue highlighting the people, places and businesses that make our communities special.

Event schedules and live entertainment are subject to change. Check directly with venues before heading out.