What to do on Labour Day

To the point Here are some ideas for activities and getaways in Canada and the U.S. this Labor Day long weekend.

Activities in the fields Aquatic activities Cycling activities Outings and festivals Getaways in Canada and the United States

Save with points On gasoline Accommodation On the flight

Frequently Asked Questions

Labour Day is celebrated every year on the first Monday in September. The perfect opportunity to enjoy yourself and get away from it all.

Labour Day - Activities in the fields

Many flower farms offer pick-your-own activities. It’s also time to have fun in the corn mazes. Here are some suggestions for locations in Quebec and Ontario:

La Belle de Coteau-du-Lac, near Vaudreuil-Soulanges in the Montérégie region. In the pick-your-own area, you’ll discover over 60 varieties of sunflowers, as well as other flowers;
La Prairie Louvain, Montreal. After the success of its first edition, with its 10,000 sunflowers, this venue is transformed into a wild meadow;
Ouimet Farm, Vankleek Hill, Ontario. It offers a huge labyrinth, but also a field of sunflowers;
Guy Rivest Farm, Rawdon, Lanaudière. It offers a very large maze in a six-hectare cornfield;
U-pick apples will be available from dozens of growers across Quebec.

Labour Day - Aquatic activities

If you prefer the pleasures of the water, book a kayak, paddleboard or a trip on the St. Lawrence River.

Enjoy the islands and marshes of Laval’s Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles;
Discover whitewater rafting at Mont-Tremblant;
Refresh yourself with a sea kayaking excursion on Île d’Orléans;
Enjoy a boat trip on the St. Lawrence River from Montreal ;
Explore Quebec City on a cruise on the St. Lawrence River;
Try Jet Boating on the Lachine Rapids in Montreal;
Have fun at Calypso Water Park in Ontario, 75 minutes west of Montreal.

Une barque avec deux personnes à bord sur une rivière

Paddleboarders? Check out our guide to the top ten paddle-boarding spots in Quebec.

Labour Day - Cycling activities

The end of summer is the perfect time for a bike ride. Here are a few suggestions for activities in Montreal and Quebec City:

Bike tour of Montreal’s Old Port and Plateau: a 3 or 4-hour getaway to discover these two neighbourhoods;
Electric bike rental on Île d’Orléans: 4-hour ride through magnificent landscapes, with tasting of local products;
Montmorency Falls bike tour: 4-hour excursion from Quebec City: a must!
Tour of Quebec City by electric bike: 3-hour ride to discover the wonders of the city.

For more ideas, see our guide Six destinations to discover by bike this summer.

Labour Day - Outings and festivals

You’re sure to find something to suit your tastes this holiday:

It’s the Fête des Vendanges in Magog. A great opportunity to toast with friends and taste local products;
At the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, the morning flight of hot-air balloons is an institution!
Tremblant’s Fête de la musique will feature more than 30 free outdoor concerts;
Craving tacos? The best will be on offer at Taco Fest in Montreal’s Old Port;
Do you prefer brioche buns, cheese, onions and meatballs? Burger week is the perfect time to try out new sandwiches;
Now’s the time to discover Montreal’s many pedestrian streets!
Last but not least, a guided tour of the Château Frontenac and a guided tour of Old Quebec are still a must.

Labour Day - Getaways in Canada and the United States

Do you dream of rides and cotton candy? Head for Toronto, Vaughan or Orlando:

Visit the wacky Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto;
Shout out on the rides at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan ;
Or enjoy the magic of Disney in Orlando.

Discover our suggestions for unusual destinations and accommodations for a few days’ rest:

Save with points

On gasoline

To reduce your gas bill, take advantage of certain credit cards offering rewards in the Gas Station category. Among the best cards is the CIBC Dividend^{^®} Visa Infinite* Card, offering 4% cash back on every dollar.

Our guide How to save on gas in Canada will be very useful.

Accommodation

There are many ways to save, including the generous welcome offer of the CIBC Aventura^{^®} Visa Infinite* Card combined with their points redemption promotion.

Travel points are a great way to reduce costs:

From an Airbnb rental
Chalet rental

Here are our guides to help you establish your points strategy:

On the flight

For your flight, you can book your ticket using Aeroplan points. Let’s take Las Vegas as an example: the flight starts at 12,500 points for a one-way economy flight from Montreal, according to Air Canada’s points predictor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Open or closed on Labour Day?

Most restaurants, bars, cinemas, grocery stores, gas stations, SAQ Express and convenience stores will be open on this day. Public transport will operate on a reduced schedule. Supermarkets, shopping centers, banks and government services will be closed.