Labor Day weekend is a wonderful time to visit Mammoth Lakes. The days are still warm, the evenings are beginning to cool down, and summer activities are in full swing. With live music, whiskey tastings, festivals, outdoor adventures, and easy day trips along Highway 395, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the final long weekend of summer.
Alpenhof Lodge puts you right across the street from The Village at Mammoth, where the weekend’s biggest local event will take place. Once you arrive, you can leave the car parked and walk to the music, tastings, restaurants, and shops in The Village.
Here are some of the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra over Labor Day weekend.
Mammoth Rock N Rye
September 4–6, 2026
The Village at Mammoth
Mammoth Rock N Rye returns to The Village for three days of whiskey tastings and free live music. The festival brings dozens of distillers to Mammoth Lakes, giving guests a chance to sample craft whiskeys and cocktails and meet some of the people behind the featured brands.
The festivities begin Friday afternoon and continue through Sunday evening. The 2026 music lineup includes Rob Leines, Mad Caddies, Young Dubliners, The Yawpers, Leroy From the North, Sammy Listoe, and Lost Cement Mine.
Live music is free to attend, while whiskey tastings require a purchased pass. Guests can choose between a Weekend Tasting Pass and the limited Ultimate Whiskey Experience, which includes access to Friday evening’s welcome party, tastings on Saturday and Sunday, and a Meet the Maker session. Guests participating in the tastings must be 21 or older.
Best of all, Alpenhof Lodge is located directly across the street from The Village. You can walk to the festival, enjoy the evening, and return to your room without worrying about parking or transportation.
Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair
September 3–6, 2026
Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop
Take a scenic drive south to Bishop for the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair. Located about 45 minutes from Mammoth Lakes, the fair is a fun day trip for families, couples, and groups.
The annual fair features carnival rides, midway games, local exhibits, vendors, fair food, live entertainment, and grandstand events. The 2026 concert schedule includes performances by Niko Moon, Drew Green, Abbey Cone, Banda Carnaval, and Voz de Mando.
The fair is open Thursday through Sunday, with afternoon and evening hours. Fair admission and tickets for certain concerts or grandstand events are sold separately, so check the official schedule and purchase tickets in advance for anything you do not want to miss.
Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show
September 4–7, 2026
Bishop City Park
While you are in Bishop, stop by the Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show at Bishop City Park.
The four-day show brings artists and craftspeople together in a shady creekside setting. Browse photography, jewelry, woodworking, watercolors, sculpture, clothing, and other handcrafted pieces. Food vendors will also be on-site throughout the weekend.
The show runs Friday through Monday, making it a nice addition to a trip to the Tri-County Fair or a relaxed stop on your drive home.
Take a Guided Canoe Tour on Mono Lake
September 5–6, 2026
South Tufa at Mono Lake
Labor Day weekend is your final opportunity of the season to experience Mono Lake on a guided canoe tour.
Led by the Mono Lake Committee, these one-hour tours explore the lake’s unusual ecology and natural history. Along the way, guides share more about its tufa towers, brine shrimp, birds, and conservation story. No previous canoeing experience is required, and all necessary equipment is provided.
Tours are offered Saturday and Sunday morning at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. Reservations are required and can fill quickly, so book your Mono Lake canoe tour in advance.
Mono Lake is approximately 40 minutes north of Mammoth Lakes. Plan to arrive early, wear sturdy water shoes, and bring sun protection and drinking water.
Spend Time Outside
You do not need a festival ticket or a full itinerary to enjoy Labor Day weekend in the Eastern Sierra. Early September is a beautiful time to get outside, with plenty of summer activities still available.
Spend the morning hiking in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, rent a kayak or paddleboard, go fishing, explore the mountain by bike, or ride the scenic gondola for wide-open views of the Sierra. You can also take a drive around the June Lake Loop or visit Convict Lake for an easy walk and a picnic near the water.
Seasonal access and operating schedules can change, so check current trail, road, shuttle, and attraction information before heading out.
Make Alpenhof Lodge Your Labor Day Home Base
With several events happening throughout the Eastern Sierra, Alpenhof Lodge gives you a comfortable and convenient place to begin and end each day.
Our family-owned, European chalet-style lodge is located directly across the street from The Village at Mammoth and along the free Town of Mammoth Lakes shuttle route. After a day of music, sightseeing, or outdoor adventures, return for a swim in the seasonal pool, a soak in the outdoor Jacuzzi, or a drink at The Clocktower Cellar.
Labor Day is one of the final long weekends of summer, and rooms can fill quickly. Book your stay at Alpenhof Lodge and enjoy easy access to Mammoth Rock N Rye, outdoor recreation, and some of the Eastern Sierra’s favorite holiday weekend traditions.