Eight exciting events happening around Detroit during Labor Day weekend

Labor Day weekend is here! Here’s what you can do around Detroit: The Michigan State Fair makes it return to Suburban Collection Showplace, and the Detroit Jazz Festival kicks off at Campus Martius and Hart Plaza. Plus, you can head over to Arts Beats & Eats in downtown Royal Oak, or if you’re up for venturing up north, check out the Mackinac Bridge’s annual Labor Day Walk.

Check out everything you can do around town this weekend and into next week on “One Detroit Weekend” with contributors Cecelia Sharpe and Dave Wagner of 90.9 WRCJ.

List of upcoming events:

Kick off the unofficial end of summer with a visit to the Michigan State Fair at Suburban Collection Showplace Aug. 31 – Sept. 4. The fair will feature carnival rides, live music, livestock, the Shrine Circus, and tons more through Labor Day.
The 44th annual Detroit Jazz Festival returns to Campus Martius and Hart Plaza Sept. 1-4, featuring a host of Detroit musicians like artist-in-residence Karriem Riggins and National Endowment for the Arts 2023 Jazz Masters Regina Carter, Kenny Garrett and Louis Hayes.
Celebrate the best of Oakland County’s art, music and food scenes at the flagship Arts Beats & Eats festival in downtown Royal Oak. The festival will host art vendors, more than 200 bands, a Zumba class, a food drive and several other activities throughout the weekend.
Take in the works of Detroit artist Sydney G. James through her “Girl Raised in Detroit” exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit through Sept. 3. James’ artwork can also be seen around Detroit at places like the Eastern Market murals.
Headed up north for the Labor Day weekend? Get your steps in at the Mackinac Bridge’s annual Labor Day Walk. Walkers can start their journey across the straits of Mackinac between 7-11:30 a.m. Sept. 4.
If you’re looking for a space to play live music with others, join Aretha’s Jazz Jam at 7 p.m. Sept. 3. Jazz fans and musicians of any instrument and experience level can come listen, eat, drink, play, sing or all the above.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop this year, the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre presents Waka Flocka Flame with special guests Rich Homie Quan, Travis Porter, F.L.Y., OJ da Juiceman and Rocko. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Sept. 1; doors open at 7 p.m. the day of the show.
See life through the lens of Detroit’s youth with photographer Elonte Davis’ “This Is Where I’m At” exhibit at the Carr Center through Sept. 2. The multi-media exhibit features 65 candid photos that capture the everyday moments of Detroit’s youth.