Radio Stations Roll Out Labor Day Weekend Programming.

Radio stations across the U.S. are turning the Labor Day holiday weekend into an opportunity for specialty programming, with ’80s music, A-to-Z marathons, live recordings and deeper library cuts among the most common themes.

With Labor Day falling Monday, Sept. 7, stations are using the final long weekend of summer to offer programming that goes beyond their regular rotations. The approaches vary by format, but the emphasis is largely on music-intensive features designed to give listeners a reason to stay with the station throughout the holiday.

Beasley Media Group classic rock WMGK Philadelphia (102.9) kicks off the “I Want My MGK” weekend today (Sept 4) at 3pm, playing hits from the classic MTV era. Audacy is leaning into ’80s music as well with “Totally 80’s Labor Day Weekend” programming on “Sunny 98.1” KXSN San Diego, “Magic 101.9” WMJI in Cleveland, “Big 94.5” KOOL-FM in Phoenix and “Big 98.1” WOGL-FM in Philadelphia.

Alphabetical library marathons are another prominent Labor Day strategy. WONE (97.5) in Akron, OH, is promoting an “A to Z Labor Day Weekend,” while “QFM96” WLVQ in Columbus is also taking its library from A to Z during the holiday weekend. “Lazer 103.3” KAZR in Des Moines is taking a similar approach with its “A to Z Shuffle,” featuring music from across the station’s rock library. Meanwhile, Beasley’s WMMR Philadelphia (93.3) is in the midst of its weeks-long “Back to School A to Z.”

In San Francisco, Audacy’s “Live 105” KITS is combining the A-to-Z concept with a station-history component. “Labor Day to Z: 40th Anniversary Edition” will spotlight music associated with the station’s four decades of alternative programming.

Other stations are using the holiday weekend to build specialty themes around portions of their libraries. “96.1 SOX” WSOX in Lancaster, PA, is programming a “One Hit Wonder Labor Day Weekend,” featuring artists who made their biggest chart impact with a single hit.

In Peoria, IL, “105.7 The X” WIXO is bringing back “Resurrection Weekend,” featuring rock and alternative music from the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s. The station says the programming will include grunge, metal, alternative, new wave, punk and other tracks spanning several decades.

Chicago’s adult alternative WXRT (93.1) is going in a different direction with “Labor Day Live Weekend,” built around live recordings, including performances recorded in Chicago.

Live performance programming is also a significant part of the holiday-weekend schedule at WERS (88.9) in Boston. The station is presenting “Labor Day Live,” featuring performances drawn from iconic live albums as well as recordings from its “Studio 88-9.”

Long Island’s WUSB (90.1) is taking the live concept outside the studio with coverage of “Bradstock.” The station plans to broadcast the festival’s main stage live beginning Sunday (Sept. 6) at noon.

Public radio stations are also using the holiday for specially curated programming. Colorado Public Radio’s Classical service is presenting “Essential Classics Weekend,” while Morehead State Public Radio in Kentucky has scheduled multiple Labor Day specials covering subjects ranging from B.B. King and Dolly Parton to music inspired by American workers.