Many restaurant-bar owners have a love-hate relationship with 3-day weekends. While many regular patrons will leave town to enjoy a mini vacation, leaving empty tables and bar stools in their wake, there are always stay-at-home crowds who are looking for something special to do. And since that one brief, shining Sunday night is NOT a “school night”, why not par-TAY?!

To show off your own “threekend” spirit and maximize profits while you’re at it, consider booking a DJ or karaoke host who can pump up the volume on the fun. Ask them to prepare a themed setlist that includes several titles matching the celebration du jour or a to host 5-minute trivia game every hour based on facts about the holiday’s history. Offer prizes, food specials, and drink specials. Or create a signature cocktail just for the event. Send your working patrons back to their jobs feeling that happy, post-celebration energy and tell them you’re already planning for the next 3-day weekend!

Here are the 5 annual 3-day weekends in United States

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – the 3rd Monday in January

Ask your DJ to go heavy on songs with “King” in the title or in the name of the musical artist. For example…

• Your Love Is King – Sade
• King of Pain – The Police
• Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
• It’s Good to be King – Tom Petty
• Smackwater Jack – Carole King

In between songs, your DJ could play sound bites of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous speech.

President’s Day – the 3rd Monday in February

Songs whose titles or musical artist’s names contain the name of a U.S. president

• Don’t Call Me Baby – Madison Avenue
• Washington Bullets – The Clash
• Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler
• In The End - Linkin Park (spelled differently but it still counts!)
• Shake Your Body – The Jacksons

In between songs, your DJ could play sound bites of famous presidential quotes.

Memorial Day – the last Monday in May

Songs about patriotism and our fallen soldiers

• God Bless the USA – Lee Greenwood
• American Soldier – Toby Keith
• Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band
• National Anthem – Carrie Underwood, Jose Feliciano, Jimi Hendrix, or Whitney Houston
• The Unknown Soldier – The Doors

Labor Day – the first Monday in September

Songs with “work” or “job” in the title or musical artist’s name

• Working for a Living – Huey Lewis and the News
• Work Work – Britney Spears
• Take This Job and Shove It – Johnny Paycheck
• She Works Hard for the Money – Donna Summer
• Down Under – Men at Work
• 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton

Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day – the 2nd Monday in October

Songs by Native American artists or songs that address the Native American experience

• Indian Reservation – Paul Revere and the Raiders
• Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky – Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Native Son – Bryan Adams
• Indian Outlaw – Tim McGraw
• Come and Get Your Love – Redbone

 

In 2022, the following Federal holidays fall on weekend days and will create a 3-day weekend

New Year’s Day (January 1) to be celebrated on Monday January 3 this year

• New Year’s Day – Bon Jovi
• Brand New Day – Sting
• Happy New Year – Abba
• Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
• New Year’s Day – U2

Juneteenth (Emancipation Day, June 19) observed on Monday June 20 this year

Celebrate African American artists

• Old Town Road - Lil Nas X
• I Wish - Stevie Wonder
• Shoop - Salt ‘N Pepa
• Fantasy - Earth, Wind, & Fire
• Jumpin’ Jumpin’ – Destiny’s Child
• Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Temptations

Songs for federal holidays that don’t always fall on a Monday

4th of July (Independence Day) – songs about freedom

• Born Free – Kid Rock
• Free Your Mind – En Vogue
• Freedom – Pharrell Williams
• Get Up Stand Up – Bob Marley and The Wailers
• Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Freedom ’90 – George Michael

Veterans Day (November 11)

Songs that honor our veterans

• Dear Old America – Heart
• The Star-Spangled Banner – Jimi Hendrix
• Still a Soldier – Trace Adkins
• Ragged Old Flag – Johnny Cash
• Civil War – Guns & Roses

Christmas

• Run, Rudolph, Run – Chuck Berry
• Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto – James Brown
• Last Christmas – George Michael
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
• Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen

Call WRIK Entertainment at 401-769-1325 to learn more about what we offer for your holiday weekends.