Labor Day Weekend in Waterville Valley: One More Summer Weekend in the Mountains
Summer isn't over until we've sent it off Waterville Valley style.
Labor Day Weekend is your chance to squeeze in one more long weekend in the White Mountains, and we're packing four days with live music, family activities, outdoor adventures, campfires, s'mores, fireworks, and plenty of time to simply enjoy the Valley.
Make a weekend out of it, settle into mountain time, and join us September 4–7 for one last big celebration of summer.
Friday, September 4: Ease Into the Long Weekend
Arrive, unpack, and kick off Labor Day Weekend with a little creativity and a classic summer night around the campfire.
Fairy House Building | 1–3pm
Start the weekend with a little magic at the Rey Center Garden. Kids and families can use colorful craft supplies and natural materials to create their own whimsical fairy houses among the woodland surroundings. It's an easygoing afternoon activity and a great way to get outside and explore.
S'mores Campfire Night | 6–9pm
Friday night calls for a campfire. Head to Town Square, grab a spot beside Corcoran Pond, roast marshmallows, build the perfect s'more, and settle in for an evening under the mountain sky with family and friends.
Saturday, September 5: Get Outside & Stay Awhile
Saturday is packed from morning to night, so grab the pup, bring the family, and spend the day exploring everything happening around the Valley.
Guided Morning Pup Hike | 9–9:30am
Start the day on the right paw with an easy guided walk through Waterville Valley. Dogs and their humans can meet fellow outdoor lovers, stretch their legs, and enjoy a relaxed morning in the mountains.
Live Music in Town Square | 12pm & 6pm
The soundtrack to your Saturday comes courtesy of the Jamie Hughes Band and Boneshakerz. Catch live music from the Town Square Gazebo while hanging out on the beach, grabbing a bite, exploring the shops, or even paddling around Corcoran Pond.
Guided Nature Adventure | 1–3pm
Take the family exploring with a guided nature adventure through Waterville Valley. Pick up a Flower & Leaf Collector's Booklet, search for native plants, keep an eye out for Bigfoot, and discover a little more of the natural world around you along the way.
7th Annual Family Chalk Art Festival | 1–3pm
Packard's Field becomes a canvas for the afternoon during the annual Chalk Fest hosted by the Waterville Valley Recreation Department. Create your own asphalt masterpiece or check out everyone else's, then take a spin around the Balance Bike Rider Rally track and tackle the inflatable obstacle courses.
Lawn Games & S'mores Campfire Night | 6–9pm
Keep Saturday going with an evening in Town Square. Challenge your crew to cornhole or giant chess, relax beside Corcoran Pond, and cap off the day with another round of fireside s'mores.
>> Lawn Games & S'mores Campfire Night
Sunday, September 6: The Big Summer Send-Off
Sunday is the centerpiece of Labor Day Weekend, with a mountain-top morning followed by live music, our annual Duck Race, a giant inflatable duck, and a fireworks finale over Corcoran Pond.
Sunday Morning Church Chair | 8:30–9:30am
Start Sunday high above the Valley with a non-denominational mountain-top service on Snow's Mountain. Ride the chairlift to the summit for the morning service, then choose to ride back down or make the hike back to the Valley floor.
Live Music in Town Square | 12pm & 5:30pm
Spend your afternoon in Town Square with live performances from the Birch Hill Duo and Too Lazy to Shave. Find a spot by the pond, hit the beach, grab some food, or simply follow the music to the Gazebo.
End of Summer Bash & Duck Race | 5–8:30pm
This is the big one. Our annual End of Summer Bash takes over Town Square starting at 5pm with the Waterville Valley Duck Race across Corcoran Pond. Cheer on your duck as the local Fire Department helps launch the flock, then stick around for live music, lawn games, a photo with Danny the Duck — Waterville's largest inflatable duck — and an evening of fun around the pond.
End of Summer Fireworks | 8:30pm
Don't head home early. At 8:30pm sharp, look up as our End of Summer Fireworks light up the sky above Corcoran Pond. Grab your friends and family, find your favorite spot in Town Square, and help us give summer the send-off it deserves.
Monday, September 7: One Last Day of Summer Fun
No need to rush home Monday morning. We've got a couple more family favorites waiting in Town Square before Labor Day Weekend officially comes to a close.
Animal Encounters Series | 10–11am
Meet some of New Hampshire's wildest residents during a free live animal presentation from the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Expert naturalists and native wildlife ambassadors make this an entertaining and educational experience for kids and adults alike.
Tie-Dye in Town Square | 11am–1pm
End the weekend with a little color. Design your own limited-edition White Mountains t-shirt using your favorite tie-dye colors and patterns, then take it home as a wearable souvenir from one last summer weekend in Waterville Valley.
Make It a Labor Day Weekend Getaway
Four days. One mountain town. Plenty of reasons to stay for the whole thing.
Between scheduled events, there's still plenty of Waterville Valley to explore. Get out on the trails, spend some time around Corcoran Pond, explore Town Square, grab a bite, or simply enjoy a little extra time outside before summer starts making way for fall.
Come for the fireworks. Stay for the live music, s'mores, mountain adventures, family activities, and one last long summer weekend together.
We'll see you in Waterville Valley September 4–7 for Labor Day Weekend.