What's Open, Closed For Labor Day 2021 In New York City

NEW YORK CITY — The Delta variant may have dashed hopes for a 2019-style Labor Day, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be fun. From electric music festivals to free museums to outdoor movies to no parking rules to beaches, plenty is open and available to do in NYC this Labor Day weekend.

Beaches

There’s no better way to wash away a hard summer than to head down to one of the city’s many beaches for the long weekend. NYC beaches opened May 29, and the official beach season will last until Labor Day on Monday. After that, swimming or wading in the water is prohibited.

A number of popular beaches outside the city are open for swimming after Labor Day, like Jones Beach and Robert Moses State Park. See here for more information on Long Island beaches.

The rules at the beach are similar to those in the rest of the city: fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks or social distance, but everyone else does. Face coverings are required to enter any municipal building – that includes beach bathrooms – regardless of vaccination status.

Lifeguards are on duty at city beaches from 10 am to 6 pm. Swimming is only allowed while lifeguards are on duty, and only in approved sections. Closed sections of the beach not monitored by lifeguards are marked with signs or red flags.

Alcohol, barbecuing, and leashed dogs not registered as service animals are only allowed at select beaches. The city’s official website on beaches provides lists of beaches or spots nearby where these are permitted.

To check on the water quality and safety of each beach, visit this city website, which includes an interactive map, or text BEACH to 877-877.

Celebrations

The Delta variant may have squashed hopes for a totally normal Labor Day, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing fun going on.

The J’Ouvert Parade was canceled, but the West Indian American Day Carnival has been transformed into three days of virtual and small-scale concerts, tours, and workshops at the Brooklyn Museum. See here for a list of events and links to buy tickets.

The US Open continues until Sep. 12 in Flushing Meadows, and tickets are still available.

The Electric Zoo, New York’s premier electronic music festival, will take place Sep. 3-5 on Randall’s Island. Visitors must show either a negative COVID test from the past 72 hours, or proof of two vaccine doses. Go to electriczoo.com for tickets, setlists, and more information.

10 NYC museums, including the Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney, are offering free admission to military families through Labor Day. Click here to see which ones.

The Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit will turn the surrounding area into an open-air art market from Sep. 4-6, and again on Sep. 11-12.

Adam Sandler always helps with any lingering pandemic blues: see Sandler and Idina Menzel in the acclaimed "Uncut Gems," which will play Sep. 6 starting at sunset as part of the ongoing Bryant Park Movie Nights program. If guests provide proof of vaccination or a negative test, they can sit in a vaccinated section, which does not require masks or social distancing. Others will sit in an unvaccinated section that requires both. Click on the link for a schedule of movies that will play until Sep. 28.

Government Buildings

City, state, and federal government offices, including courts and post offices, are closed. Public libraries will be closed the whole weekend. Many banks will be closed Monday as well.

Parking

Alternate side parking rules will be suspended on Monday in New York City.

Restaurants

Even though proof of at least one vaccine is now required to dine indoors in New York City, enforcement and inspections don’t begin until Sep. 13. That means that on Labor Day, some restaurants may ask for proof, while others won’t. The mask situation is equally unpredictable: with no indoor mask mandate, some restaurants are asking for masks, while others aren’t. All restaurants must adhere to social distancing guidelines.

If you’re not vaccinated, the city’s Open Streets program has allowed a number of restaurants to easily expand onto sidewalks. With clear skies and balmy temperatures predicted, the city’s many outdoor dining options may be your best bet.

Travel

As of June 21, travelers landing in New York are no longer required to submit traveler health forms. Quarantine periods for international and domestic travelers are no longer required.

Transportation

MTA buses and subways will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, Sep. 6. There will be planned work in the subway system throughout Labor Day weekend. Info about planned work can be found on the MTA website.

The Long Island Railroad will provide five additional eastbound trains from Penn Station on Friday, Sep. 3. LIRR trains will operate on a holiday schedule on Monday, Sep. 6. The westbound return trains from Montauk and the Hamptons will run on Monday instead of Sunday.

On Friday, Metro North will offer six early-afternoon trains leaving Grand Central between 1 and 2:20 p.m. On Labor Day, Sunday service will be in effect on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven Lines, and weekend service will be in effect on the Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Lines.

The Staten Island Railway will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday.

MTA bridges and tunnels plan to suspend most lane closures starting 1 p.m. on Thursday through the morning of Tuesday, Sep. 7.

More information can be found on the MYmta smartphone app, the service state box at new.mta.info, the Live Subway map, and more. Customers can receive alerts by signing up to mymtaalerts.com.

Trash pickup

There will be no trash or recycling collection on Monday. If this is your trash collection, put items out after 4 pm for collection the following day. If this is your recycling collection day, put items out after 4 pm before the next scheduled recycling collection day.