The BEST Things to Do Labor Day Weekend in Tampa Bay
The unofficial end of summer is on the horizon, and we're sharing some of the best things to do during Labor Day weekend in Tampa Bay with the kids!
Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend to reconnect with your family or a last hurrah for the summer, we've got you covered. Reminder: Labor Day is always on a Monday! This year it's September 7, 2026.
Related:
TOP PICKS FOR THE BEST LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN TAMPA BAY WITH THE KIDS
Since we live where the world vacations, we are going to start with the most obvious thing to do this Labor Day weekend that's absolutely family-friendly…
Head to the Beach!Â
The gulf waters may not exactly be refreshing in the dead of summer…but if you just can't resist the call of the sea, head to the coast for at one of our favorite family-friendly beaches for a lazy beach Labor Day in Clearwater, St. Pete or beyond.
If you're looking for some beach time with a more laid-back vibe, we love spending the day at Sand Key Park in Clearwater or taking the ferry over to Caladesi Island State Park (pictured at top of post).
Experience what's NEW in Tampa Bay!
Head over to MOSI for a day at the museum and play a round of putt-putt on the NEW Sci Linx Cretaceous Mini Golf Course. Â This is a great place for a nice mix of indoor and outdoor fun if one of those random rain showers makes an appearance.Â
Here are some more of our favorite NEW ways to play and explore in Tampa Bay:
- LEGOLAND Florida is launching Brick or Treat this weekend. It's included with admission!
- While you're there, go for a ride on LEGOLAND's Coastersaurus, Florida's only fully wooden coaster.
- Oh, and we can't forget the NEW ride, Galacticoaster, which has a Halloween twist for Brick or Treat!
- Roarsome!!! Busch Gardens recently opened its largest expansion, Lion & Hyena Ridge
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium recently unveiled Pinniped Pier with new seal and sea lion residents!
- All aboard! Glazer Children's Museum just unveiled a new giant train table, Imagination Station.
- Take your history buffs to see Tampa Museum of Art's Mysteries of the Nile: Ancient Egypt.
- Art fan? Walk the stage at the Straz for The Art of Banksy exhibit.
Cool off at a water parkÂ
It pretty much feels like the dead of summer all year long in Tampa Bay, so a water park is always a good idea, right?? We're super lucky to call Tampa Bay home because there are several amazing water parks with at least one that's not too far from your house.
Read all about our favorite places to slash around in our list of the best water parks for families in Tampa Bay!
Get WILD at ZooTampa!
If you haven't been to ZooTampa in a bit, definitely make some time to go! ZooTampa was voted one of USA Today's 10 Best Zoos in the country, amongst other awards from TripAdvisor and Travelers' Choice. Visit the panthers from right here in Florida, see giraffes from Africa, and get up close to a Malayan Tiger from Asia. The Australia Realm includes an expanded splash pad! Be sure to pack a bathing suit and a towel for the kids.
This is also the perfect time to check out their NEW Florida Waters expansion! You can also plan to upgrade your day at ZooTampa to feed a giant tortoise, feed a rhino, feed stingrays IN the water, and more.
Spend the Day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Feel the need for speed?? If your family has some adrenaline junkies, then consider a day going zip lining at one of the many parks in Tampa Bay. You'll definitely want to check out the family-friendly Phoenix Rising coaster at Busch Gardens!
We're also sharing some of our favorite things to do at Busch Gardens for every age!Â
Go on a Sunset Boat Tour
Labor Day weekend booze cruise with sunset views…sign us up! This post about the best sunset cruises in Tampa Bay details all of our favorite sunset tours and cruises ranging from dinner cruises to dolphin watching and kayaking.
Since you likely have the kids with you on Labor Day weekend, channel your inner pirate and go cruising from downtown Tampa on the Pirate Water Taxi!
Play Indoors this Labor Day Weekend!
While Labor Day Weekend is ideal for some extra pool or beach time, we know it's still pretty HOT outside! Lucky for us, there are plenty of awesome indoor places to play in Tampa Bay! You can wander around a local museum, check out an exciting exhibit, get your energy out at an indoor trampoline park, or challenge your friends to a fun day at an arcade while staying cool inside the AC.
Go zip lining in Tampa Bay
Several of the zip lining parks have areas dedicated just for the youngest kiddos so they can also experience the thrill too. We're sharing our favorite places to go zip lining with the kids on Labor Day weekend in Tampa Bay here.
Go Tubing this Labor Day
Nothing says lazy Labor Day quite like floating down a lazy river or natural spring in an inner tube. If you don't mind a bit of a drive, these tubing spots are 2 hours or less from Tampa, and the cool water temperatures will provide a welcome reprieve from our steamy summer temperatures.
Make sure to plan ahead, though, as parks typically reach capacity early in the peak summer months.
Splash and Play at Coachman Park in Clearwater
Coachman Park includes a huge park space, gateway plaza, pedestrian promenade, scenic overlook, playground, splash pad, and performing arts venue.
Kids of all ages will love the pirate-themed playground! The structure features an assortment of different-sized open and closed slides, climbing structures, and a wooden bridge. The playground is surrounded by sand, giving it a true pirate island-style feel. Parents can relax in the lounge chairs in the sand under the awnings while kids play.
After their adventures on the playground, kids can cool off by running through the large splash pad area or playing a game of giant checkers or chess. The great lawn area is perfect for running around, playing tag or catch, or watching a free show on the stage at The Green.
You could also make the (well worth it) drive over to Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. The 168-acre park features multiple places to play, the Florida Children's Museum, a treetop boardwalk, and more–all connected by a paved loop with a trolley!
Labor Day lounging by a Tampa Bay pool
Treat yourself and the kids to an indulgent pool day on Labor Day to celebrate the long weekend. You can book a day pass for just the pool through sites like ResortPass. Participating hotels include Clearwater's Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, St. Pete's The Don CeSar, and more.
Although beware, day passes can be extremely hard to come by on holiday weekends (…like Labor Day), especially in the summertime.
Extend your stay by booking a staycation at a local resort with a sweet Tampa Bay pool. Here are our favorite Tampa Bay hotel pools, including options for day use and those exclusive to overnight guests.
Plan your fall adventures in Tampa Bay!
Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer and that means….it's almost, FALL Y'ALL! That's right, we said it…in fact, we've been planning for it for months now!
We've curated a list of The BEST Kid-Friendly Halloween Events in Tampa Bay + MORE Fun! and 20+ BEST Pumpkin Patches in Tampa Bay to Visit with the Kids just for families in Tampa Bay. We're parents too and we know we're only sharing the places to go we know will be worth the time and effort.
We're also dishing on a favorite event that's BACK for 2026! While it's not in Tampa Bay, it's about an hour away–Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Event nights are selling out fast, so if you're thinking of going, we suggest booking your tickets as soon as possible.
Book a Labor Day Weekend Getaway!
Use the extra day off of work to plan a long Labor Day weekend getaway or staycation. From dude ranch glamping at Westgate River Ranch to a stay in one of Disney's Fort Wilderness's Cabins, we've dishing on all the details you need to know before you go.
You can also take advantage of one of these other Florida staycation ideas!
Last Year's Labor Day Weekend Events
Be sure to check back here as Labor Day weekend approaches for some great events! We will update our lineup as announcements are made.Â
Rodeo & Family Festival
- Dates: Labor Day Weekend: Sep. 4-5
- Location: Hillsborough County Fairgrounds
Making its first-ever Labor Day Weekend appearance, the Tampa Bay Rodeo is returning after a sold-out show in July! Featuring two action-packed nights of FULL RODEO competition, where the region's top cowboys and cowgirls will battle it out in bull riding, bronco busting, barrel racing, calf roping and more, and continuing its yearlong celebration of America's 250th. The Tampa Bay Rodeo is proud to work with Wounded Warrior Project® to create a memorable Labor Day weekend for wounded veterans and their families.
Craft River Cruises
- Date: Various dates and times
- Location: 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa
Enjoy brunch or dinner on a Craft River Cruise for Labor Day! Each cruise is two hours. The dinner cruise includes a 3-course meal, as well as soda, coffee, and tea. Brunch includes your choice of entree and dessert, as well as soda, coffee, and tea. Drinks and appetizers for both are available for purchase.
Bier Fest Brews & BBQ
- Dates: Fridays – Sundays, July 25-September 7, 2026
- Location: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
This unique festival is the perfect summer celebration for everyone with live entertainment, Oktoberfest-style games, world-class coasters, and up-close wildlife, including the NEW Lion & Hyena Ridge! Raise a stein and savor unforgettable flavors at Tampa Bay’s best beer and BBQ event.
Mini Train Rides at Largo Central Park
- Date: Saturday, September 5-Sunday, September 6
- Location: Largo
Head to Largo Central Park to ride on Largo Central Railroad's built-to-scale mini train ride around the park's beautiful grounds! This Saturday, stick around for the special Golden Spike Ceremony at 2:30 pm.
Family Fun Day at Painting
- Dates: Labor Day Weekend 2026, various times
- Location: 2821 S MacDill Ave., Tampa
These classes are perfect for children and teens with an artistic side! Kids are welcome to bring their favorite drinks and snacks. Children must be 7+ to participate and must be accompanied by an adult.
Rock The Park 16 Year Anniversary
- Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026, 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
- Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Jam out and enjoy authentic Jamaican food by JAM DISH and Boy Named Sous!
Urban Kai Sunset Paddle Happy Hour
- Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
- Location: Departing from Armature Works, 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL
Enjoy discounted Happy Hour pricing on Fridays for SUP and kayak rentals to take in the sunset on the Hillsborough River this Labor Day!
Labor Day Weekend Skate
- Date: September 4-7, 2026
- Location: 5121 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa
Skate the weekend away with a family skate package that includes 4 admissions, 4 skate rentals, one whole cheese pizza, and one pitcher of soda! Package is $49.99.
GeckoFestÂ
- Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Location: 3101 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport
This vibrant end-of-summer celebration captures the spirit of Gulfport with its artistic energy and throws in a dash of Mardi Gras flair. The day is filled with live music on two stages, energetic street theater performances at every corner, and a showcase of local and regional talent.
Sunday Breakfast Bowl
- Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026, 9 am-11 am
- Location: Pin Chasers, multiple locations
Bowl, bowl, bowl! Bring the whole family to Pin Chasers for bowling and breakfast! This event includes two hours of bowling, two eggs, bacon, and toast for $11.99.
Labor Day at Fenway
- Date: Monday, September 7, 2026
- Location: Fenway Hotel
Celebrate Labor Day at Fenway Hotel with good food, refreshing drinks, and waterfront views.
Neon Mushroom Painting at Miss Anita's Craft
- Date: Monday, September 7, 2026, 10 am-12 pm
- Location: 11811 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa
Your littles can enjoy a painting class for ages 5 and up! All supplies are included, and there will be a snack break in the middle of the two-hour painting session. Registration is required.
Youth Archery Classes
- Date: Monday, September 7, 2026, 6 pm
- Location: 2210 US-301 #200, Tampa
Kids can enjoy beginner archery classes that are designed exclusively for young ones who don't own archery equipment! These classes will teach kids the fundamentals of archery with proper techniques, safety practices, and target shooting. This is for ages 8-16 years.
Planning a weekend escape? Check out our guide to spending Labor Day Weekend 2026 in Orlando.