Yup. You heard right. It’s Labor Day Weekend. For some, it means you can’t wear white anymore for some reason. For others, it means the last-gasp three-day weekend of summer to get out of the house and inject a little fun and relaxation into your life. Fortunately, the holiday is packed with events all over town. There’s the Harvest Wine and Music Festival out at Balloon Fiesta Park (discussed elsewhere in this issue). You can also hit a ball game (with your dog) and sneak into the State Fair a little early. For music, we’ve got a bit of variety, with local music lovers able to choose between the annual Goth Fest and the inaugural Reggae Fest. (Or do both, I’m not gonna judge your incredibly diverse tastes.)
Bark in the Park (Sunday 6, Sports)
As a dog owner, I’m always on the lookout for events I can bring my puppyson to. On Sunday, Sept. 6, the Albuquerque Isotopes baseball team face off against the Tacoma Rainiers. What makes this game special, though, is it’s this year’s Bark in the Park promotion. This afternoon, dog owners can bring their canines with them to cheer on the team. Dogs and their owners are required to check-in at the 1st Base Gate starting at 12:30 p.m. The first 3,000 fans through the gate get free doggie bandanas! All dogs must have visible ID tags, have current rabies vaccinations and be accompanied by an adult. Dogs and their owners are required to sit inside the Berm area, and the furry ones must be leashed at all times. There will be a pre-game doggie parade around the field 35 minutes prior to the first pitch. Tickets (milb.com/albuquerque/tickets/single-game-tickets) are just $10 for dog owners. (Dogs are free.)
New Mexico State Fair Midway Preview Weekend (Friday 4, Fairs/Festivals)
The New Mexico State Fair doesn’t officially start until Sept. 10. But this year, organizers are hosting a special Midway Preview Weekend over Labor Day. From Sept. 4 through 7, you can head to EXPO New Mexico (300 San Pedro Dr. NE) and hit all the Midway rides and attractions before the fair gets underway. Admission is free, but parking still costs $10. And you’ve got to pay for your own food, drinks and rides once you’re inside. (Wristbands run $30 to $35.) Sounds like a good way to beat the crowds. The midway opens at 5 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
New Mexico Goth Fest 2026 (Friday 4, Music)
If monthly goth nights around town are any indication, Albuquerque loves its goth kids. (Don’t worry emos, you’re a close musical second.) Every year that dark love culminates in New Mexico Goth Fest. This year’s event takes the form of a two-night concert on Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5 at Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) and Insideout (622 Central Ave. SW). Friday features headliner Thief (Los Angeles). Saturday brings in Church Fire (Denver). Plus plenty of local bands and DJs. Doors open 5:3o p.m. both nights. General admission tickets are $38.89 in advance (tickets.holdmyticket.com/tickets/464626).
505 Reggae Fest (Saturday 5, Music)
Deecee’s Soul Shakedown — New Mexico’s premier reggae, dancehall and afrobeats party promoter, producer and head honcho of all things funky DJ-related — is putting together the inaugural 505 Reggae Fest on Saturday, Sept. 5. It’s a day of great music, local art, good food and community. It all takes place at Marble Downtown (111 Marble Ave. NW). The Artist & Vendor Fair runs 1 to 5 p.m., with live music from 1 to 11 p.m. Bands include BoomRoots with Mister Kali, Rebecca Arscot, Rocksteady Pickups, Reviva, Elovated Roots, Barefoot Randy, Rootz Rocka (from Barrio HiFi), and Selecta DeeCee himself. Admission is free. So lively up yourself, Dancin’ Homer.