7 Things to do in Park City on Labor Day Weekend - 2019
Looking for something fun to do while you’re visiting Park City this Labor Day Weekend? We have you covered. Make the most out of your Labor Day Weekend–known by us Parkites as Miners' Day–by participating in a wealth of fun activities while you’re here! From the Running of the Balls to eating at one of our world-class restaurants, here’s what to do in Park City on Labor Day Weekend.
1. Jump Start Your Day with Park City’s Bark City Run
Kick off your Labor Day weekend in Park City with our annual Miners' Day Bark City 5k! This event is dog- and stroller-friendly, and group costumes are highly encouraged––including one for Fido! So, don your best and most outrageous costume and join hundreds of other runners in a historic jaunt that starts in City Park, treks you through our coolest trails, and loops you back to the park where it all began. The run starts promptly at 8:00 AM, so plan to arrive early to get your bib and line up with the other funky runners. Register online at Athlete 360.
Head over to Escala Provisions Company Restaurant and Bar after your run to enjoy a brunch made of traditional American breakfast favorites. They open at 7:00 AM, so this early-bird restaurant is perfect for runners looking to refuel after their 5K fun run or for those looking to have a delicious morning meal to kick start their Labor Day Weekend. They also offer grab-n-go options for people on the move to other activities as well!
2. Be a Baller at the Miners’ Day Running of the Balls
Spain has its famed Running of the Bulls, but Parkites have our famous Running of the Balls. Starting at 10:45 AM, over 10,000 numbered golf balls are released at the top of Main Street, racing downhill to be crowned a champion. The first balls through the chute at the finish line grant the owners awesome prizes like ski passes, dinners, hotel stays, and more! Anyone can “adopt” a ball from the Park City Rotary Club for $5, or five for $20, for the chance to win the race. There are even special rates for high rollers wanting to spend $100 to maximize their odds.
Need a quick bite before the Running of the Balls? Energize your morning over brunch and a coffee at Main Street Deli & Eatery! Their menu is made up of breakfast staples like egg & cheese sandwiches, veggie wraps, baked French toast, and more served daily from 8 – 11 AM. They also have a kids menu and a selection of exquisite deli sandwiches available for lunch from 11:00 PM to 3:00 PM as well.
3. Experience Park City’s History at our Miners’ Day Parade
We love paying homage to our history on Labor Day Weekend and the Miners' Day Parade is the quintessential Park City celebration to attend. A little bit rustic and a little bit whimsical, this energetic parade offers marching bands and mining themed floats that travel down Main St. and end at City Park. Judges will be voting on the best community float, so expect elaborate and dazzling spectacles from the procession. Festivities kick off at 11:00 AM, so get there early to claim your curbside view.
Once the parade calms down, head over to The Spur Bar and Grill for lively atmosphere and amazing pub-grub. Locals go here for their famous wings with mind-blowing flavors like maple jalapeno and ghost pepper curry. We recommend getting a few orders to share with your group and washing them down with one of their specialty cocktails made with local spirits–they even have their very own Spur Whiskey! In addition to their wings, The Spur also serves juicy hamburgers and brick oven pizza. What’s more? They have live music nightly featuring local singers and songwriters.
4. Get Gritty at Park City’s Mucking and Drilling Competition
There’s nothing more Park City than our traditional Mucking and Drilling competition. Simulating our rich mining heritage, participants engage in two of the most strenuous activities of mining: mucking and drilling. A true window into our past, competitors must move large piles of ore and drill through slabs of dense rock, all under the watchful eye of the ticking clock. This free event kicks off at 2:00 PM, but we recommend getting there early to score a prime seat on the bleachers.
You deserve a little pampering after an afternoon of getting down and dirty at the mucking and drilling competition. Dust yourself off and head to Ghidotti’s for exquisite Italian cuisine that’s unique to Park City. Their menu honors Bill White’s home cooking, so you know your plate will be full of comforting and nostalgic food curated by the best. For pasta, get the orecchiette with house-made finocchiona sausage and broccoli rabe. Or order the veal marsala for a classic Italian entree.
5. Celebrate Oktoberfest at Park City Mountain
During Labor Day weekend, Canyons Village at Park City Mountain transforms into mini-Bavaria in celebration of Oktoberfest. A family friendly event, guests and vendors dress in traditional German attire to pay homage to the country that made the event special. Come enjoy German beer, authentic fare, and polka music in a beautiful mountainous setting that will leave you awestruck. There’s also a Kinder Kids zone to entertain the kiddos. Festivities kick off on Friday at 4:00 PM, and go until Monday at 6:00 PM.
After spending a day immersed in German culture, switch gears and hit up Handle – a farm-focused restaurant that’s become quite popular. Their seasonally driven menu lets you experience the best produce and meats from the surrounding area in a relaxing, yet chic environment. While their menu rotates with the seasons, you’ll likely find such delectable dishes like porcini mushroom carpaccio, diver scallops tostadas, and elk flank while here. Due to their popularity, reservations are encouraged, particularly if you want to go over Labor Day Weekend.
6. Get Silly at Park Silly Sunday Market
Make sure to check out the Park Silly Sunday Market, located on bustling Main St. A PC treasure, this open-air festival features regional arts and crafts, live music, and an exceptional farmer’s market. Whether you are looking for a unique souvenir or artisanal goodies to snack on, the Silly Market has something for everyone. The market also offers a wealth of children’s activities from face painting, to mechanical bulls, and even a rock climbing wall. The market runs from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. With so many exciting possibilities to be found, you can easily spend your entire Sunday having fun here.
Take a break from the market to get brunch at tupelo. One of our favorite local spots, tupelo’s menu is a culinary journey through globally inspired cuisine that’s matched with locally sourced ingredients. We can’t get enough of their chicken and biscuits with black pepper gravy and a sunny-side egg. Or for a truly decadent brunch, order their buttered Maine Lobster roll. They open at 11:00 AM, so it’s a perfect spot to get your brunch before or after getting silly at the Sunday market.
7. Catch the Thrilling Flying Ace All-Stars at Olympic Park
Catch the last weekend of the Flying Ace All-Stars Freestyle Show at Utah’s Olympic Park on Labor Day Weekend! This exciting event finds skiers and snowboarders performing acrobatic aerial stunts 60 feet in the air before plunging into the Spence Eccles Olympic Freestyle Pool. When the show’s over, explore the museum to learn about our Olympic history or head to the adventure area to test your balance on one of three obstacle courses above the park. Flying Aces All-Stars starts at 1:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10 for kids and $15 for adults and can be bought at their website online.
Eat like an Olympian at Lespri Prime Steak Sushi Bar after a day of aerial stunts and excitement! Their classic steak house cooks up the top 2% Prime USDA meats worldwide. While everything on the menu is top-notch, we love starting with the beef tartare with capers and a rich quail egg. For entrées, their Wagyu bavette is a favorite (we get ours with sauce Béarnaise) as is the elk with butternut squash and blackberry port reduction.
We Look Forward to Seeing you in Park City on Labor Day Weekend!
From athletic events, rowdy Oktoberfest, lively parades and unique Park City celebrations, there are a variety of options to help you commemorate your extended weekend. Want to experience more Park City adventures and premier restaurants during Labor Day? Visit our website and search by cuisine and events to learn more about what makes us America’s Favorite Town.