Labor Day 2027 is Sept. 6. Trash, parking, buses and schools on the holiday, the last day of summer hours at the museums and long-weekend ideas.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the City of Wilmington, Wave Transit, New Hanover County Schools and the venues linked below. 2027 notices are not out yet; each 2026 date says so.
Labor Day is Monday, Sept. 6, 2027. We found no city-run Labor Day event; in Wilmington the day matters mostly for what changes. Downtown meters are not enforced, Wave buses do not run, and city trash pickup is not on the holiday list. It is also the last day of summer hours at the Children’s Museum and the Wilmington Railroad Museum.
Labor Day at a glance
2026 (last year) 2027 Labor Day Monday, Sept. 7 Monday, Sept. 6 City trash Not a trash holiday Not yet posted Downtown parking meters Not enforced Not enforced (city holiday list) Wave Transit buses No service Not yet posted New Hanover County Schools Closed 2027-28 calendar not posted Who to call
- City trash and recycling: 910-341-7875
- Downtown parking (Park Wilmington): 910-762-5678
- Wave Transit: 910-343-0106
What is open and closed
Trash and recycling. The city’s 2026 holiday schedule lists only New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas as closed days, so Labor Day collection ran as normal. Confirm the 2027 schedule at 910-341-7875; see trash and recycling.
Parking. Labor Day is on the city’s list of holidays with no meter enforcement downtown, the parking page says.
Buses. Wave Transit runs no fixed-route bus, RideMICRO or paratransit service on Labor Day, its holiday page shows.
Schools. New Hanover County Schools closed for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, two weeks after classes began Aug. 24, its 2026-27 calendar shows. The 2027-28 calendar was not on the district’s calendar page when we checked.
Museums. The Children’s Museum of Wilmington, 116 Orange St., opens Mondays only from Memorial Day to Labor Day (website). The Wilmington Railroad Museum keeps summer hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, until Labor Day, then closes Sundays (website). Battleship North Carolina is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including all holidays (visitor page).
Things to do on the long weekend
- Riverfront Farmers Market, Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dock Street downtown during its season (website). See farmers markets.
- Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Road, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $10, or $5 for New Hanover County residents (visitor page).
- Pools and the splash pad: our summer camps and pools guide.
- Trails: the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail and Greenfield Lake loop. See walking and biking trails.
- More: free things to do and kids’ activities.
What this means for you
- Plan on no buses Monday.
- Park free downtown on the holiday.
- Next on the calendar: Friday night football and fall festivals and pumpkin patches.
Related: Memorial Day, Halloween events and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
When is Labor Day 2027?
Monday, Sept. 6, 2027, the first Monday in September.
Is there trash pickup in Wilmington on Labor Day?
Labor Day is not on the city’s list of trash holidays; the 2026 schedule closed collection only on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Call Solid Waste Services at 910-341-7875 to confirm.
Is downtown parking free on Labor Day?
Yes. Labor Day is one of the city holidays with no parking meter enforcement downtown.
Do Wave Transit buses run on Labor Day?
No. Wave Transit lists Labor Day among the holidays with no fixed-route bus, RideMICRO or paratransit service.
Are New Hanover County Schools closed on Labor Day?
Yes. The district closed for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. Its 2027-28 calendar was not posted when we checked.
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