It's going to be a hot weekend in the city - hotter than New Yorkers are used to this time of year.
Following spotty thunderstorms on Friday, temperatures will hover around 80 degrees for most of the weekend with a high of 90 degrees on Labor Day. Additional rain isn't expected until the middle of next week. All it means is that people will bask in the final days of summer, filling up Yankee Stadium, rubbing elbows along the Coney Island Boardwalk, and cannonballing into local beaches.
Still, there's more than enough reason to visit these tourist havens. Here's a rundown of some of the best Labor Day weekend activities going on in and around New York City.
West Indian Day Parade (Brooklyn) - Sept. 7
The Crown Heights area between Eastern Parkway and the Flatbush Avenue Extension turns into a Caribbean carnival filled with Trinidadian actors and island-flavored treats from street vendors.
Brooklyn's 46-year-old parade, which dates back to 1969 and brings in about two million visitors each year, kicks off at 11 a.m. and runs for seven straight hours. Call (718) 467-1797 for more information.
Eighth Annual Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition (Coney Island) - Sept. 5
The manliest of men show off their facial manes on Saturday as part of Coney Island's eighth annual Beard and Moustache Competition.
VH1 personality Don Jamieson leads a panel of celebrity judges in choosing the best face blanket in categories like "Best Beard Styled," "Best Moustache Natural," and "Best Fake Beard or Moustache." Side entertainment features Miss Coney Island 2015 Betty Bloomerz, Serpentina, and comedian/magician "Uncle" Jim Daly.
Tickets are $20 at the door.
Electric Zoo (Randall's Island) - Sept. 4-6
Over 100 DJs take over Randall's Island for Labor Day weekend, concluding the city's summer festival season.
Longstanding British dance group the Chemical Brothers make their first New York City appearance since 2010, closing out Friday night's festivities, and trance staple Above & Beyond close things out Saturday. Up-and-coming acts like Adam Beyer, Robin Shulz, and Galantis - as well EDM pioneers Destructo and Peter Tong - set up shop on five stages located throughout Randall's Island Park.
General admission tickets begin at $119 each, with two-day passes available for $219.
NYC Unicycle Festival (Governors Island) - Sept. 4-6
First-timers and long distance riders alike can join in races and sporting events that celebrate the unicyclist in all of us.
Sporting events include unicycle sumo, basketball, and hockey, and - for the first time ever - the "Unifest" will feature a costume contest. Those less inclined to participate can take in the atmosphere to DJ Sky King's beats.
Fool's Gold Day Off (Brooklyn Live at the Inlet) - Sept. 7
Meek Mill hasn't had a great summer, taking guff for what he did - and didn't - say to Drake. Labor Day may be when he finally fires back.
The 5-year-old Fool's Gold blends hip-hop with dance music, notably led by founder and well-respected DJ A-Trak. He took it from an intimate get-together in a SoHo parking lot to a must-attend show that is sure to feature special guests.
Tickets range from $30-40.
Summer on the Hudson: West Side County Fair (Riverside Park) - Sept. 6
Take the family to a Riverside Park South on Sunday, where they can enjoy an afternoon of county fair magic. The 13th annual West Side County Fair has set up a Ferris wheel, carnival games, a reptile show, and a couple of bounce houses for the kids to enjoy.
While the event is free, visitors will need to pick up wristbands at one of four stations set up through the Manhattan park. Activities run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.