The long Labor Day weekend has become a bit of a big deal here in Sun Valley, Idaho over the years. It’s a last summer hoorah as the kids begin to head back to school and the crisp temperatures of fall start to nip at our heels. With spirits running high and festivities plentiful, this is one long weekend that you won’t want to miss.
To make the most out of the Labor Day weekend we’ve put together a list of all the best happenings.
Wagon Days
- What: Ketchum’s annual Wagon Days celebration is a full weekend of events including a barn dance at the Ore Wagon Museum, the Papoose pancake breakfast in Town Square, the largest non-motorized parade in the Pacific Northwest, cowboy poetry, bareback horse riding demonstrations and more! There will also be special children’s activities on Fourth Street between Walnut and East Ave as well as a street party in Town Square after the Big Hitch parade.
- When: August 30th – September 1st
- Where: downtown Ketchum
- More Info
American Hero
- What: The first show of local theater The Spot’s 2019/2020 season, American Hero is a dark comedy about life, liberty, and the pursuit of sandwiches! Directed by The Spot’s Yanna Lantz, American Hero takes place at a toasted subs franchiese in a local mall where three up-and-coming “sandwich artists”—played by Anik Zarkos, Vanessa Sterling and Matthew Gorby—have their jobs interupted by a series of strange events. Tickets are $13-$25.
- When: August 22nd-31st | 7:00pm
- Where: The Spot
- More Info
Rebecca’s Private Idaho
- What: This unique grand fondo style gravel grinding bike race with multiple distance offerings ridden through the scenenic mountains surrounding Sun Valley started in 2013 by professional athlete Rebecca Rusch. A long-haul gravel grinder and outdoor festival over Labor Day Weekend, Rebecca’s Private Idaho is a chance to ride along exceptionally breathtaking gravel roads with host and champion cyclist Rebecca Rusch. While the event is a reward unto itself, Rebecca’s Private Idaho is a fundraiser at its core with funds going to the Wood River Trails Coalition, Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League, People for Bikes, and World Bicycle Relief. The race starts Thursday, August 29 with the Queen’s Stage Race, Stage 1: Galena/Harriman Trail Adventure, followed by the Queen’s Stage Race, Stage 2: Dollarhide Time Trial and VIP party on Friday, August 30. On Saturday, the #JoinTheRusch Ride is open to all riders and is followed by a welcome party. Sunday features the Queen’s Stage Race, Stage 3: Baked Potato, French Fry, and Tator Tot. Come enjoy the all day festivities at the Off-the-Wagon Days Celebration in Festival Meadows where there will be food trucks, vendor booths, live music from Sun Valley Records, Head Rusch Patron Cocktails and Sawtooth Brewery Beer, a Cox Bike Build, awards ceremony, and Gelande Quaffing.
- When: August 29th – September 1st
- Where: based out of Sun Valley
- More Info
Junior Brown
- What: American country guitarist and singer Junior Brown comes to Hailey to showcase his unique voice, unique song writing, and even more unique double-necked “Guit-Steel” guitar. He has released 12 studio albums in his career and charted twice on the Billboard country singles charts. Tickets are $25-$35.
- When: August 29th| 8:30pm-12:00am
- Where: The Mint
- More Info
Movies on the Lawn
- What: Enjoy a free screening of Goonies on the Sun Valley Pavilion Lawn. Concessions are available for purchase.
- When: August 30th | 8:00-9:00pm
- Where: Sun Valley
- More Info
Gallery Walk
- What: take in thought-provoking exhibitions of newly installed art, enjoy wine, mingle with friends, and often meet the artists. Gallery tours are also available from the Sun Valley Gallery Association and will take you to member galleries Friesen Gallery, Broschofsky Gallery, Frederic Boloix Fine Art, Gail Severn Gallery, Gilman Contemporary, Kneeland Gallery, Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Wood River Fine Arts, and MESH Gallery.
- When: August 30th
- Where: downtown Ketchum
- More Info
Yoga at River Run
- What: Enjoy complimentary yoga with 9:00am Sunrise Flow with Abby Siebert followed by Gentle Yoga with Katherine Pleasants. Bring your own mat and sunglasses!
- When: August 31st | 9:00am and 10:15am
- Where: River Run Lodge Plaza
- More Info
Sun Valley On Ice
- What: Watch 2019 United States Gold Medalists Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc. Tickets are $49-$179. Enjoy the show from rink-side seating or dine on Sun Valley’s buffet from the terrace of the Sun Valley Lodge.
- When: August 31st| 8:45-11:00pm
- Where: Sun Valley Ice Rink
- More Info
Ryan Bingham
- What: RJK Entertainment and Sun Valley Resort present Ryan Bingham with special guest The Social Animals. Ryan Bingham is a Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter out of New Mexico, raised across Texas and the southwestern United States. Playing music that spans multiple genres, Ryan Bingham has recorded six studio albums and collaborated on the soundtrack to the film Crazy Heart.
- When: September 1st | 6:30pm – 10pm
- Where: the Sun Valley Pavilion
- More Info
There are heaps of other great events happening throughout the weekend. For the full line-up, head over to our events calendar.