If you are still trying to adjust to the back to school routine, Labor Day weekend is like a shiny beacon of hope to recover from all of the chaos.  If you are staying around DFW this Labor Day, here are a family friendly happenings to check out.

Bedford Blues and BBQ Festival  8/31- 9/2  L Don Dodson Drive Bedford

Enjoy great local barbecue and sing the blues at the 10th annual Bedford Blues & BBQ Festival. The Labor Day weekend event brings performers and pit masters from across the country to North Texas for three days of live music on two stages and barbecue contests and tasting. For more information, visit: Bedford Blues and BBQ Festival

Lobster Boil 9/1 & 9/2  Traders Village Grand Prairie

Feast on Boiled Lobster and sides, Lobster Roll and Lobster Mac & Cheese at Traders Village’s first Lobster Boil. The helluvanote band will play a variety of rocking tunes under the covered Big Red Patio. Admission to Traders Village is free. Parking is $4, and the food is available for purchase. For more information, visit: Traders Village

Advocare Classic: Miami vs. LSU 9/2 AT&T Stadium Arlington

The AdvoCare Classic kicks off the college football season with a match up between the University of Miami Hurricanes and Louisiana State University Tigers.  For more information, visit: AT&T Stadium Arlington

Labor Day Train 9/3 Cotton Belt Depot Grapevine

Step back in time with a nostalgic ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for a special Labor Day Train. The railroad is serviced by “Vinny,” a 1953 GP-7 diesel locomotive. Most weekends throughout the year, The Grapevine Vintage Railroad travels along the historic Cotton Belt Route between Grapevine and the Fort Worth Stockyards. The 21-mile trip rolls at a leisurely pace and is perfect for the entire family. For more information, visit: Cotton Belt Depot

Outdoor Water park Splashtacular 9/3 CAC Outdoor Water park Flower Mound

Activities and games are spread throughout the day to encourage participation from patrons of all ages and abilities. Activities are FREE with paid admission.  For more information, visit: CAC Outdoor Water park

Sunday Fun day 9/2 Panther Island Pavilion Ft. Worth

Sunday Fun day is a day of relaxation and fun in the sun. Tubes and pedal boats are available to rent, as well as kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards from Backwoods Paddlesports. Local craft beer will be sold from an award-winning brewery, Panther Island Brewing. Enjoy music, friends, food trucks, as well as floating the Trinity River. This Sunday is the last one, so get out there and take advantage of the holiday!  For more information visit: Panther Island Pavilion

Labor Day Live  9/1 and 9/2 Coyote Drive-In Lewisville

FREE live music event: Coyote Entertainment Concepts presents TWO concerts at Coyote Drive-in Lewisville on Labor Day weekend! Nashville-based recording artist, the Cordovas, and Texas singer-songwriter Jon Christopher Davis, will play in this two-night concert series. The concerts are FREE for patrons of Coyote Drive-in with the purchase of a movie ticket for that night. The headline act begins at 6:45, movies start after 8:45; The gates open at 5:00. For more information visit: Coyote Drive-In

Take advantage of the long weekend and check out these favorite outdoor patios in Northeast Tarrant County.